Battery price drop.

[tiktokbrainrot]

Yes I remember when batteries were cheap. And vehicles. I also remember when you started making money at $3 and hour. People always forget that last part.

A F-150 base model started at 10,371 in 1990. Average wage was $21,000. so 50% of gross wages

Today it starts at $39,300. Average wage is $67,500 so 58% of gross wages.

So adjusted for real wages, the truck is 8% more expensive today. And what do you get for that 8%? Well:

Standard 400HP V8 (1990 F-150 came with the anemic 145HP I6 standard)
Modern safety tech (1990 F-150 had a collapsible steering column and a seatbelt, no airbags, no crumple zones).
Standard AC (add on option for F-150)
Standard cruise control (add on option for F-150)
Standard 4 way bucket seats (A XLT lariat feature in 1990)
Backup camera
Bluetooth
Modern traction and stability control
Copilot 360 2.0 (Blind spot monitoring and assist, AEB, lane keeping system, forward collision warning, ABS, parking sensors, ece)

I'd argue you get a lot more bang for your buck today then you did in 1990. Not counting the modern computer tech that had no equivalent, the rest of the features either match of beat the XLT lariat, which was $16,771, which after tax and title and blah blah blah, would have been as much or more then your entire annual take home pay post tax.

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[notfast]

Trucks were what you bought when you wanted basic transportation. Cars were too expensive.

The Ranger XL 2WD 4-banger tied with the Focus for the cheapest new vehicle on the lot. And that was "only" 15 years ago!

Yes I remember when batteries were cheap. And vehicles. I also remember when you started making money at $3 and hour. People always forget that last part.

A F-150 base model started at 10,371 in 1990. Average wage was $21,000. so 50% of gross wages

Today it starts at $39,300. Average wage is $67,500 so 58% of gross wages.

So adjusted for real wages, the truck is 8% more expensive today. And what do you get for that 8%? Well:

Standard 400HP V8 (1990 F-150 came with the anemic 145HP I6 standard)
Modern safety tech (1990 F-150 had a collapsible steering column and a seatbelt, no airbags, no crumple zones).
Standard AC (add on option for F-150)
Standard cruise control (add on option for F-150)
Standard 4 way bucket seats (A XLT lariat feature in 1990)
Backup camera
Bluetooth
Modern traction and stability control
Copilot 360 2.0 (Blind spot monitoring and assist, AEB, lane keeping system, forward collision warning, ABS, parking sensors, ece)

I'd argue you get a lot more bang for your buck today then you did in 1990. Not counting the modern computer tech that had no equivalent, the rest of the features either match of beat the XLT lariat, which was $16,771, which after tax and title and blah blah blah, would have been as much or more then your entire annual take home pay post tax.

Other than leather power seats, a 2026 F-150 XL is more well-equipped than a 2000 F-150 Lariat. Never mind other improvements like a fully-boxed, e-coated frame and crash structure that won't crush like a beer can.

I had a 95 F-150 that you couldn't open the tailgate on if you parked with one wheel on the curb. Good ole Jello frames.

 

[Mavster Mechanic]

Yes I remember when batteries were cheap. And vehicles. I also remember when you started making money at $3 and hour. People always forget that last part.

A F-150 base model started at 10,371 in 1990. Average wage was $21,000. so 50% of gross wages

Today it starts at $39,300. Average wage is $67,500 so 58% of gross wages.

So adjusted for real wages, the truck is 8% more expensive today. And what do you get for that 8%? Well:

Standard 400HP V8 (1990 F-150 came with the anemic 145HP I6 standard)
Modern safety tech (1990 F-150 had a collapsible steering column and a seatbelt, no airbags, no crumple zones).
Standard AC (add on option for F-150)
Standard cruise control (add on option for F-150)
Standard 4 way bucket seats (A XLT lariat feature in 1990)
Backup camera
Bluetooth
Modern traction and stability control
Copilot 360 2.0 (Blind spot monitoring and assist, AEB, lane keeping system, forward collision warning, ABS, parking sensors, ece)

I'd argue you get a lot more bang for your buck today then you did in 1990. Not counting the modern computer tech that had no equivalent, the rest of the features either match of beat the XLT lariat, which was $16,771, which after tax and title and blah blah blah, would have been as much or more then your entire annual take home pay post tax.

In 1990 you could fix just about everything on your truck yourself and you could name 90% of the parts on sight.

 

[Timothyd]

In 1990 you could fix just about everything on your truck yourself and you could name 90% of the parts on sight.

When I first started driving in the 70s I was intimate with every part of my cars/motorcycles/ trucks because I had to be, having bought them for almost nothing and forcing them to extend their lives.
Now, everything is all intertwined and even the factory techs are scratching their heads.

 

[Scott Asheville]

The sad thing is that we are all describing a stealth tax. Inflation is taxation by other means. By cheapening the currency, you take from the public without them blaming you. Inflation is most clever tax ever invented.

 

[ychuck46]

The sad thing is that we are all describing a stealth tax. Inflation is taxation by other means. By cheapening the currency, you take from the public without them blaming you. Inflation is most clever tax ever invented.

Ever increasing inflation will also allow our national debt to be more easily inflated away when it comes to repayment, if we don't default on it (hopefully) years down the road.

 

[SafetyGuy]

Ever increasing inflation will also allow our national debt to be more easily inflated away when it comes to repayment, if we don't default on it (hopefully) years down the road.

Good day

Now, "I am not an economist, but I play one on TV..."


So here is a thought on your hope on inflation positively affecting your nation's debt load and its ability to pay it off.

If our countries did not keep borrowing untold dollars every year and managed to get by on what they take in from taxes (which we are all loathe to pay, right?), your sentiment would probably work as inflation would then slowly "shrink" the debt as money devalues every year, and you would also be making larger principal payments vs paying mainly/only the interest.

But, with continuing to add to national debts (Canada's national debt is in the same type of boat, I imagine), we will never catch up and get ahead of the national debt loads.

I think you can actually see it when they refer to the GDP debt ratio, if it keeps climbing I don't think inflation will make repayment easier as long as larger sums are added every month/year, to the national debts.

I only have small household budget experience, so if a wiser in the ways of the national budget can logically post their thoughts that's great!

Basic budget reasoning...if more money goes out then comes in, that is not sustainable and choices will need to be made.

Countries can run out of money just like individuals, it just takes longer.

The longer the wait, the harder the choices will be..
.until money can not be borrowed for whatever reason. Then what...

Sure is a beautiful day out, I think I will grab a coffee and enjoy it.

Have a good one,

Andy

 

[Waterick]

Good day

Now, "I am not an economist, but I play one on TV..."


So here is a thought on your hope on inflation positively affecting your nation's debt load and its ability to pay it off.

If our countries did not keep borrowing untold dollars every year and managed to get by on what they take in from taxes (which we are all loathe to pay, right?), your sentiment would probably work as inflation would then slowly "shrink" the debt as money devalues every year, and you would also be making larger principal payments vs paying mainly/only the interest.

But, with continuing to add to national debts (Canada's national debt is in the same type of boat, I imagine), we will never catch up and get ahead of the national debt loads.

I think you can actually see it when they refer to the GDP debt ratio, if it keeps climbing I don't think inflation will make repayment easier as long as larger sums are added every month/year, to the national debts.

I only have small household budget experience, so if a wiser in the ways of the national budget can logically post their thoughts that's great!

Basic budget reasoning...if more money goes out then comes in, that is not sustainable and choices will need to be made.

Countries can run out of money just like individuals, it just takes longer.

The longer the wait, the harder the choices will be..
.until money can not be borrowed for whatever reason. Then what...

Sure is a beautiful day out, I think I will grab a coffee and enjoy it.

Have a good one,

Andy

Oh, to be where you are today, I put ice cubes in my last cup of coffee this morning.

 

[ychuck46]

So here is a thought on your hope on inflation positively affecting your nation's debt load and its ability to pay it off.

My post was actually meant to be a knock of the current state of finances of our country. The only reason I used the word "hopefully" is that I truly hope a default by the US only occurs many years down the road, since if that ever happened the world is in a whole lot of hurt.

You also commented about Canada being in the same state. It isn't just our two countries; the whole world is gorging on debt. It is unsustainable although there are some economists who claim it is. And btw, we are in our fourth of five days of brutal temps here in the Cumberland Mtns of TN. At 830 the real feel outside was already 90 and we are heading towards another day with the real feel temps over 100. Got up and ran this morning at 0500; even then the humidity was intense. I trust you folks up in Manitoba are a lot better off this week, my friend.

 

[SafetyGuy]

My post was actually meant to be a knock of the current state of finances of our country. The only reason I used the word "hopefully" is that I truly hope a default by the US only occurs many years down the road, since if that ever happened the world is in a whole lot of hurt.

You also commented about Canada being in the same state. It isn't just our two countries; the whole world is gorging on debt. It is unsustainable although there are some economists who claim it is. And btw, we are in our fourth of five days of brutal temps here in the Cumberland Mtns of TN. At 830 the real feel outside was already 90 and we are heading towards another day with the real feel temps over 100. Got up and ran this morning at 0500; even then the humidity was intense. I trust you folks up in Manitoba are a lot better off this week, my friend.

Wow, you are having some heat alright!

We have had our share of thunderstorms and a few tornadoes in our area but today is quite nice. Nothing like your humidity and heat.

I was up early myself...moving some smaller pathway stepping stones to suit me better, and going for a walk with my wife now that she is up!

Take care,

Andy

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