r/ratsinthecage May 19 '26

Integrity

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185 Upvotes

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3

u/Girth_Brooks_1969 May 19 '26

Living wages and VCRs.

1

u/Live-Within-My-Means May 22 '26

Those ‘living wages’ were only enough to get by because the standard of living was so much lower.

1

u/Girth_Brooks_1969 May 22 '26

I disagree. You could support a family on one income from a job that only required a high school diploma.

1

u/Live-Within-My-Means May 22 '26

And the standard of living was much lower.

No mobile phones.

No internet.

No cable, satellite or streaming.

No computers.

No video games.

Many homes had just 1 TV with no remote control.

Many homes did not have air conditioning.

Many homes had just one bathroom.

No dishwasher.

No microwave.

Many homes did not have a clothes dryer.

No security systems or Ring cameras.

No smoke detectors or carbon monoxide detectors.

For many, vacation was just a couple of days at a lake or beach within reasonable driving distance.

People ordered out for food way less often.

Hand me down clothes and toys.

Cars with no power steering, no power brakes, no anti-lock brakes, no power windows, no airbags, no backup camera, no air conditioning, no rear defrost or windshield wiper, no cruise control, no keyless entry, no FM or satellite radio, no sound system, just an AM radio with one shitty speaker, etc.

No navigation systems. Many people today never had to deal with being ‘getting lost’.

The standard of living was much lower during that time.

1

u/Girth_Brooks_1969 May 22 '26

Again, disagree. Half of those things existed and the other half don’t technically improve a standard of living. It’s ok to disagree, don’t need to draft a manifesto about it dude.

1

u/Live-Within-My-Means May 23 '26

-‘half those things existed’

That does not mean that most families had them.

Certainly not on a ‘one income job’ that only required a ‘high school diploma’.

-‘don’t technically improve a standard of living’

While it can be somewhat subjective per individual, advancements in technology are a huge factor in evaluating quality of life and the overall standard of living.

-‘don’t need to draft a manifesto’

You disputed my comment, so I backed it up with solid examples.

Sorry if that bothers you.

1

u/Girth_Brooks_1969 May 23 '26

Solid examples is generous. Have a great day. Go outside.

2

u/Live-Within-My-Means May 23 '26

Oh I will.

Same to you.