Fun inflation facts

[Deja Q]

http://money.cnn.com/2007/10/04/pf/expert/expert.moneymag/index.htm?postversion=2007100412
(panel on the right)

McDonalds burger:
1972 price - 25 cents
Adjusted for inflation; $1.25
2007 price - $1.00

Assuming the size of burger is the same, it's a better deal now than it was then.

Corvette:
1972 price: $5472
After inflation: $27268
2007 price: $44995

Not a good deal; the price has risen more than the inflation.

Gas:

1972: 36 cents/gallon
After inflation: $1.79 gallon
2007: $2.75/gallon

Not a good deal; the price has risen more than the inflation.

Washington Post newspaper:

1972: 25 cents
After inflation: $1.25
2007: 35 cents

This is a good value as its cost is lower than the inflation-adjusted value

Bread:
1972 - 24 cents
After inflation; $1.20
2007 - $2.49

Bad deal; price exceeds inflated value.




Presidency:
1972 cost - $200,000
After inflation: $996,645.94
2007 cost - $400,000

Assuming politicians were competent (then or now), we'd be getting a good deal right now.




The chart has other examples too.

[Bucky]

1. In other words, Bush is worth about $80,000 worth of president

If you factor out vacation time, that's actually about what he should earn.