Over the last few years, between the energy market going nuts, COVID-19, and inflation, people have become significantly more aware of just how much the cost of living is spiraling out of control. It’s a pretty common refrain, that many younger people can’t afford housing, but this has started to expand to cars and even groceries.
So we’ve gathered some examples of what things used to cost in the US, from “cost of living” lists, to old menus and ads. From the cost of tuition at Harvard in the 1850s to McDonald’s items, back when they just cost a few cents. We also got in touch with Daniella Flores from iliketodabble.com to learn more about managing money.
#1 1916 Sears Catalog Home
They shipped the entire house to you by railroad car. Sears was like Ikea before Ikea. Friends and family would come from all around to help the owner build it.
#2 My Grandmama Just Passed Away And We Found The Hospital Bill Of When She Had My Aunt In 1957. Insurance Paid $100 So They Ended Up Paying $2.95 For Having A Baby
#3 Mcdonald’s Menu From 1959
We got in touch with Daniella Flores, the Founder & CEO of iliketodabble.com, a site and blog dedicated to helping people manage their money. First and foremost, we were curious to hear what she thought is the biggest misconception most people have about managing money.
“That you have to use a strict budget and restrict your life, you can manage your money and still live your life too. Instead of cutting on the things you love, review your spending and look for the purchases that you don’t remember or notice that you spent that money on something that didn’t matter much to you – that is what you should cut. Spend money on the things that matter to you and cut what doesn’t.”
#4 Cost Of Living In 1938
#5 Vintage Travel Ad – Hotel Las Brisas, Acapulco, Mexico – 1965
#6 Housing Ad From 1955
In general, many people get uncomfortable around the idea of managing their money and making a detailed plan for the future, so we were curious to hear her take on what pushes people away. “Money is emotional with beliefs that get ingrained in us from childhood. It is difficult to face that head-on, review your spending, and actually create a plan to manage your money. That’s why it’s great to work with a financial coach who can talk you through that process in a non-judgmental way.”
#7
#8 McDonald’s Extra Value Menu 1993
#9 Hospital Bill From When My Grandpa Blew Up A Stump With Homemade Tnt And Lost His Eye
“Your beliefs about money might lead you to think you’re “bad with money”, but that isn’t true. The game is rigged but that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t educate yourself about financial wellness. Learn how to navigate the financial system in a way that works best for you, and who knows – maybe you can help change it one day.”
#10 A Woolworth’s Menu From The 1960s When They Served Food
#11 The Westerner Motor Hotel
#12 The Taco Bell Five! (1968)
Daniella left us some suggestions of where to start if someone was dealing with a lot of financial insecurity or was just looking at a beginner’s guide to investing. You can also find more on the iliketodabble X and Instagram page. Because looking at these prices might seem sad, but it’s always better to think about the future.
#13 The Original Burger King Whopper In 1963
#14 1947 Hospital Bill Found Out My Parents’ Attic. Not Sure Who It’s For
#15 The Bill For A Semester At Harvard, 1869: $170.42
While many people have accepted that things are terrible, some economists argue that, to some degree, the discourse around the economy is dominated by bad vibes and not facts. Kyla Scanlon, financial analyst, writer, and content creator coined the term “vibecession” to describe the strange disconnect of the US avoiding a recession while many people in it vehemently believe the sky is falling.
#16 Danish Modern Furniture Ad 1962
#17 “Vacation Specials” – Steve Aloi Ford Ad [c.1970]
#18 Sears Men’s Fashion 1960’s
Despite all the doom and gloom, economic indicators show that wages are growing alongside the economy. While our current prices are, obviously, higher, due to inflation, some people seem to be working from the misguided position that prices would go down or that there would be deflation, ignoring the fact that this would actually be an indicator of inflation.
#19 Cost Of Living 1989
#20 St. Luke Hospital – 1950s
#21 Kentucky Fried Chicken
#22 Cat’s Meow Restaurant, Fort Lauderdale Florida, 1950s Menu
#23 1943 Cost Of Living
#24 Vintage New Home Advertisement, Toronto With $500 Bonus!
#25 1960’s Cocktail Menu From The ‘Cannibal Room’ At Ren Clark’s Polynesian Village In Ft. Worth, Tx
#26 Retro Fast Food Nostalgia
#27 1959 Cost Of Living
#28 McDonald’s Menu From 1925
#29 Ad For Space Shoes 1962
#30 1924 Cost Of Living
