This morning I got an email inviting me to tell how much we're paying for gas in our City and State. I did that, and the rest of the day my in-box has been filled with other people's responses.

Gasoline seems to run anywhere from about $3.45 per gallon up to more than $5 (in Hawaii). Many of the people who responded talked about how the price of fuel is driving everything else up as well. They say they can cut back on driving, but many on a fixed income are worried about needing to cut back on eating.

The whole conversation reminded me of some articles I clipped from our local newspaper recently: from the "Looking Back" column.

fresh eggsOne entry, the "Blue Lake news" dated February 1931, noted that Mr. Chambers and Mr. Black had gone into town together to get haircuts. When they got there they found it would cost them 6 dozen eggs, so they came home to "Let Mrs. Chambers practice with a bowl and scissors."

I couldn't help but compare those prices to what we pay today. While the barber no longer would accept 6 dozen eggs in payment (or would he??) that would be about $12 worth of eggs. Can a man get a haircut today for $12? Probably, unless he went to a "stylist."

The next entry tells a little different story... potatoes

Last week they had news from the ads. 20# of potatoes were going for $1.29 - and a pair of coveralls was $1.28. So those two merchants could trade their wares and come out about the same.

Right now 20# of potatoes would cost anywhere from $5 to $10, depending upon the sales. But you sure couldn't buy a pair of coveralls for $10. Looking around on line, the cheapest are about $30.

So how come the price of potatoes and eggs and haircuts didn't keep up with the rising price of coveralls?

Back to the gasoline...

I looked it up on line and found that the average price of a gallon of gas in 1931 was ten cents. If the price of potatoes had kept up with the price of gas... they'd be about $2.25 per pound.

Photos courtesy of Dreamstine.

marte@copybymarte.com
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Priest River, Idaho
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Posted by Marte Cliff on 04/15/2011 03:16 AM   Comments (9)   gasoline prices, inflation  
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9 Comments on Prices then and now...

APR
15
2011
470,604 Points 24 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Marti,

Don't get us going on prices.... $ 1.28 per litre so a gallon would be about $ 5.70....... We are using our scooters more and more
3:47am • #1
585,885 Points 105 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Peter & Linda - Since I'm planning to buy a new horse this year, my husband is saying that I need to buy one who knows how to pull a wagon - then he'll build a wagon and we'll go to town once a week for groceries. As it is, I only go once or twice a week - it's 12 miles from here to the grocery store.
4:02am • #2
1,518,332 Points 112 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

It's nothing more than price gouging, what's happening with gas prices.  The price per gallon, compared to the rather low price per barrel (historically) is INSANE.
11:58am • #3
347,636 Points 70 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Here's what I've never been able to figure out.  When one gas station goes up, they ALL go up.  But if we mention commission it is considered Price Fixing . . . really?
12:10pm • #4
585,885 Points 105 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Chris Ann - Yes, it is. And now I'm hearing that we're building a pipe line from Wyoming to the coast, so we can send OUR oil overseas! Will someone in Washington please send out for a brain?

Mimi - Yes, why is that not price fixing? I was shocked a year or so ago to read an article in our local newspaper. One of the gas station managers was quoted as saying they all get together on prices because they want to avoid a price war.
1:14pm • #5
104,397 Points 11 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Marte, I would also like to know what is happening to our prices. Some of the prices skyrocketed, others stayed behind. Gas prices are something else. They seem to be almost the same wherever you go, may just very a penny or two. Great post.
8:52pm • #6
585,885 Points 105 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Thanks Elizabeth - it doesn't look like gas prices will go anywhere but up in the near future. The question is WHY?
9:37pm • #7
APR
17
2011
956,259 Points 53 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Marte, great analogy, and as gas increases we have to alter our way to do business a little, so that the $50 to fill our tank doesn't break the bank!
10:12am • #8
585,885 Points 105 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Joan _ I think so too. Maybe more photos and video tours will help buyers narrow their choices, so you don't need to drive as much.
12:49pm • #9


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Marte Cliff

Priest River, ID

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Author Bio: Marte Cliff is a freelance copywriter who specializes in writing for the real estate profession.

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