Skyrocketing Inflation on Everything

my salary has doubled over the last 5 years. Gas is up but the dollar is way down.
Only the slackers that I know have been laid off or fired.

Quote from LivninSC : Who gives a shit. You're retired living off the land and are as happy as can be http://slickdeals.net/f/5151548-H...uming-less I mean, seriously, are you bitching just for the sake of bitching? Sounds to me like someone isn't enjoying their early retirement and realizing they won't be able to make it by just leaching off of others.

More like, watching out for my fellow man whom is dependent on inflation, especially skyrocketing inflation.

And maybe helping to open their eyes and to look closer at the unusual rising costs around them, and that there are ways to fight it.

and i don't leech off of others, only corporations, lol, that love to pay out dividends because their CEO's are dependent upon a $25 Million a year expensive lifestyle that they receive in dividends.

Quote from drsketch : my salary has doubled over the last 5 years. Gas is up but the dollar is way down. Only the slackers that I know have been laid off or fired.

Cool, will your salary double again to keep up with inflation? Or are you investing to fight it off? or Thinking about becoming more self-sufficient and less dependent on your salary, either by creating your own business, or growing automated farms and industrial factories for personal use?

Quote from ViciousTide : More like, watching out for my fellow man whom is dependent on inflation, especially skyrocketing inflation. And maybe helping to open their eyes and to look closer at the unusual rising costs around them, and that there are ways to fight it. and i don't leech off of others, only corporations, lol, that love to pay out dividends because their CEO's are dependent upon a $25 Million a year expensive lifestyle that they receive in dividends.

So bitching for the sake of bitching. Got it

BTW did you not know that corporations are people. So in fact you are leeching off of others

Quote from LivninSC : So bitching for the sake of bitching. Got it BTW did you not know that corporations are people. So in fact you are leeching off of others

Not "bitching", just questioning what others are questioning about in general in regards to inflation.

If anything a Corporation is 90% one person. 10% employees. At least that's what the pay scale is like to the CEO and Board members, unless they profit share, which is extremely rare, though just.

Quote from ViciousTide : Not "bitching", just questioning what others are questioning about in general in regards to inflation. If anything a Corporation is 90% one person. 10% employees. At least that's what the pay scale is like to the CEO and Board members, unless they profit share, which is extremely rare, though just.

No dude, it's bitching with maybe a dash of questioning

As you don't seem to be getting the corporation are people bit - http://www.theatlantic.com/politi...le/259995/

Quote from ViciousTide : Cool, will your salary double again to keep up with inflation? Or are you investing to fight it off? or Thinking about becoming more self-sufficient and less dependent on your salary, either by creating your own business, or growing automated farms and industrial factories for personal use?

My wife and I are a 2 working person family that lives in a house and has expenditures that one of our salary could easily afford. If I got laid off and with being maxed out on unemployment the only inconvenience that I would really expect would be to possibly skip our vacation(s) that year.

So Gas is going up again, your groceries just spiked upward another time, and now your utilities are raising their fees again.

Yes, I have noticed pretty significant inflation, anecdotally, in my expenses in the past 5 years. Food, energy, and housing costs have all gone up significantly for me. I think we are seeing pretty significant inflation.

But...
As somebody said, the banks aren't lending money. And also, countries that we send dollars to to import goods (like China) turn around and buy our treasury debt. Both event keep inflation somewhat in check and prevent the bidding up of prices. It's not sustainable, though.

Quote from curiouslybrown : Yes, I have noticed pretty significant inflation, anecdotally, in my expenses in the past 5 years. Food, energy, and housing costs have all gone up significantly for me. I think we are seeing pretty significant inflation. But... As somebody said, the banks aren't lending money. And also, countries that we send dollars to to import goods (like China) turn around and buy our treasury debt. Both event keep inflation somewhat in check and prevent the bidding up of prices. It's not sustainable, though.

Anecdotal evidence by one person is hardly enough to really show anything serious. For example, my housing costs went up by almost $500 over the past few years.. but maybe that's because I moved to a nicer place, in a better area. Utility costs going up? If you're basing that on your bill, it could also be that in the past 5 years most of us have accrued more electronics, the past few winters have been very cold, or maybe you just stopped worrying as much about it because your salary also increased.

I'm not saying inflation isn't real, but doubling prices over the past 5 years? For groceries, I buy chicken when it's $2/lb. It's at that price every other week at ShopRite, and it's been that way for the past 3 years in the areas that I've lived.

My gas and electric bills have been relatively consistent as well. Maybe they've gone up a bit, but hardly doubling. I think I would've noticed a 20% hike in my average bills each year.

Not to mention, with gas costs going up also comes more fuel efficient cars. So yeah, complain that gas prices went up, but when your newer-model car is getting 35mpg while my 2000 Accord still gets around 20, I don't see what there is to complain about.

Inflation's always been there. It's not 'skyrocketing' by any means, and salaries generally get increased to match. Even minimum wage gets bumped up to try to keep up with inflation.



Now let's pretend that this was 10 years ago. 10 years ago, when the biggest TV you could get was a 32" CRT that costs you $500 (I'm guessing here, but you see my point). Now with $500, you can get a 47" LCD with an internet connection, apps, etc.

Need to spend less on, well, everything you've ever bought? Amazon.com sells at prices B&M retailers could never match. Need furniture? Ikea's been dropping their prices on pretty much everything every year.

So yeah, inflation makes some things more expensive. At the same time, technological progress means that you get much higher quality stuff at much lower relative prices. So while your salary goes up to match inflation, the average standard of living (in the US, at least) is increasing.

Also, VICIOUSTIDE IS A THIEVING JERK THAT STOLE FROM PEOPLE AT A STORE WHERE HE WORKED and he's a whiny lunatic that just won't shut up about living off the land.

WHO THE F!@#* builds, and I quote, "industrial factories for personal use?????"

Checkout this Thread just posted on Popular Deals...about "Customer Surcharge Fees" on all Credit cards now being issued..
Credit-Card-Additional-Surcharge-Fees-to-begin-Jan-27th

Quote from DWad : So while your salary goes up to match inflation, the average standard of living (in the US, at least) is increasing.

Since only 40% of Americans got raises last year that match the normal 3% inflation, what if that inflation number is really 6%, on the items you buy for living? Could you ask your Boss for a 6% raise? What about the tens of thousands that got laid of this past year? Can they ask for raises to match skyrocketing inflation?

Means the middle class is not getting ahead, and falling behind, and soon will have to take out more Debts just to keep living.

I believe that's what the Government wants right now, financial/indebted to hand out/ working slaves to continue taxing them to keep them thriving. CEO's like the same ideas, and pass on their costs from Government and inflation to their customers.

Someone eventually has to take the fall, and it's usually the worker-consumer class.

Let's start with the thread on credit card surcharge fees - This is really nothing new. In NJ, paying for gas by credit card usually commands a 10-cent per gallon premium over paying with cash or a debit card. Ok, so retailers have found another way to charge for a service. How does that have anything to do with inflation? If you don't like that premium that they charge you, go to a different store. Competition in retail means that we can still always get a relatively low price for goods and services. Wal-mart probably won't charge this fee because they want to keep your money coming to them, and they know that consumers won't be willing to pay more. This is completely unrelated to inflation.

Quote from ViciousTide : Since only 40% of Americans got raises last year that match the normal 3% inflation, what if that inflation number is really 6%, on the items you buy for living? Could you ask your Boss for a 6% raise? What about the tens of thousands that got laid of this past year? Can they ask for raises to match skyrocketing inflation? Means the middle class is not getting ahead, and falling behind, and soon will have to take out more Debts just to keep living. I believe that's what the Government wants right now, financial/indebted to hand out/ working slaves to continue taxing them to keep them thriving. CEO's like the same ideas, and pass on their costs from Government and inflation to their customers. Someone eventually has to take the fall, and it's usually the worker-consumer class.

So, you obviously don't know this, but 'the government' isn't just one person that hates everyone else. It's a very large group of people, chosen by everyone else to represent them.

So when you say 'what government wants', the government wants to improve life and protect people. Yes, there are corrupt politicians, but on the whole the government just does what people tell it to do. Do you vote? Do you try to influence political events to get an outcome that you want? Why don't you run for office and see if people think you're smart enough to do something useful?

What if inflation is really 6%? Who knows. What if an earthquake destroys the western hemisphere? It doesn't really matter unless it's something that we think might happen. If we think it's going to happen, we try to prevent it and/or prepare for it. But right now, the ~2.5% inflation isn't 'skyrocketing' by any means, and the standard of living is continuing to improve.

Quote : Could you ask your Boss for a 6% raise?

Ok, two things here. First, why do you always capitalize words in the middle of a sentence that shouldn't be capitalized? It just makes you look uneducated.

Second, yes. You can EASILY ask your boss for a 6% raise, and in fact I would recommend it. Most people don't get a raise because they don't ask for it. Those that do are MUCH more likely to get a raise.

Quote : What about the tens of thousands that got laid of this past year? Can they ask for raises to match skyrocketing inflation?

No, because inflation is not skyrocketing, and they don't have a boss.

However, they can try to get a new job, and get unemployment money in the meantime. There's always been unemployment, but that's also not 'skyrocketing' by any means.



Here's a thought - SHOW US some hard data that inflation is actual increasing. Show us a real report on inflation - something peer-reviewed, maybe? Something out of a serious publication would be good.

If you can't do that, you're just inferring that inflation is increasing faster from anecdotal evidence that could be the result of many, many factors completely unaffected by inflation.

Food prices doubled? Maybe there was a drought. Real estate prices increased in your area? Maybe it's becoming a more desirable area, so prices are increasing to match.

Show me some hard data, and until then keep quiet.

Quote from DWad : Let's start with the thread on credit card surcharge fees - This is really nothing new. In NJ, paying for gas by credit card usually commands a 10-cent per gallon premium over paying with cash or a debit card. Ok, so retailers have found another way to charge for a service. How does that have anything to do with inflation? If you don't like that premium that they charge you, go to a different store. Competition in retail means that we can still always get a relatively low price for goods and services. Wal-mart probably won't charge this fee because they want to keep your money coming to them, and they know that consumers won't be willing to pay more. This is completely unrelated to inflation. So, you obviously don't know this, but 'the government' isn't just one person that hates everyone else. It's a very large group of people, chosen by everyone else to represent them. So when you say 'what government wants', the government wants to improve life and protect people. Yes, there are corrupt politicians, but on the whole the government just does what people tell it to do. Do you vote? Do you try to influence political events to get an outcome that you want? Why don't you run for office and see if people think you're smart enough to do something useful? What if inflation is really 6%? Who knows. What if an earthquake destroys the western hemisphere? It doesn't really matter unless it's something that we think might happen. If we think it's going to happen, we try to prevent it and/or prepare for it. But right now, the ~2.5% inflation isn't 'skyrocketing' by any means, and the standard of living is continuing to improve. Ok, two things here. First, why do you always capitalize words in the middle of a sentence that shouldn't be capitalized? It just makes you look uneducated. Second, yes. You can EASILY ask your boss for a 6% raise, and in fact I would recommend it. Most people don't get a raise because they don't ask for it. Those that do are MUCH more likely to get a raise. No, because inflation is not skyrocketing, and they don't have a boss. However, they can try to get a new job, and get unemployment money in the meantime. There's always been unemployment, but that's also not 'skyrocketing' by any means. Here's a thought - SHOW US some hard data that inflation is actual increasing. Show us a real report on inflation - something peer-reviewed, maybe? Something out of a serious publication would be good. If you can't do that, you're just inferring that inflation is increasing faster from anecdotal evidence that could be the result of many, many factors completely unaffected by inflation. Food prices doubled? Maybe there was a drought. Real estate prices increased in your area? Maybe it's becoming a more desirable area, so prices are increasing to match. Show me some hard data, and until then keep quiet.

Why are Credit Card companies increasing their "Customer Surcharge" fees? What's to prevent them from increasing this every month? If the general consumer population is dependent on credit cards and debt then how can they simply switch to a new competitor or outlet similar to credit cards? One does not simply, free their chains with new chains. (little LOTR Meme there)

When food products get smaller packaging for the same price, there was a clear and concise change by management to completely overhaul their assembly lines to make a smaller sometimes less quality product, yet charge the same amount in hope to fool the vast majority of consumers. They adapt to change, especially inflationary changes passed on to them, and consumers are stuck with the end of the change wave, but whom can consumers pass it on too? The poor? Foreigners? Not pay their taxes? Get a second job that doesn't exist?

When it comes to hard evidence from media sources, editors from every major network have political spin they offer and mandate over every article ever released for publication, examples CNN, Yahoo!, etc. have Liberal spin. Fox News has Conservative spin.

And every media corporation will adjust the "hard evidence" to favor their political bias and viewpoints, making hard for the general population to analyze what is truth to them and for them.

Government can manipulate the population to get them to do what they desire, they can even rig voting mechanisms, threaten living conditions on public figures, and generally control the thoughts of the public in terms of fear, grief, anger, etc. using the Media as a transmitter.

When one man represents a district of 100,000 to 5,000,000 individual lives, he can not possibly represent all the individualistic thoughts, emotions, and behavioral choices of that vast population, and still live his average life with his average priorities.

He generalizes, then concludes a decision on what he would like to accomplish, usually without knocking on anyone's door to ask them questions regarding all the political debates going on at the time, or what should be addressed in it's highest priorities.

This man, in past societies and governments, used to be chosen out of his character to represent the best intentions of the whole.
Now there is too many political affiliate twists and career decisive opportunity turns, that take precedence over any "for the whole" choices the population representative should normally make.

"If our vote mattered, then they wouldn't allow us to vote." - Mark Twain
It's a game of Power, to any person in charge of one or more people. They hold this power to lead the people; yet, naturally with anyone in charge, they can not possibly represent the entire nation or body of people.

And if that entire nation has guns, the only way to persuade people to follow them is through the Media, but if that fails, then by taking away their guns to make sure they can not rebel against any decision you make.

Back to inflation and the economy, when stock prices continuously reach highs; yet jobs are actually not being created by the companies, and the general population is actually losing money on a stagnating real estate market or investment market (outside of stocks), and all rising expenses are being placed onto the consumers; whom are the only gears left to shift before the machine falls apart, and unfortunately about 70% are already chained to their debts, and will go further into debts, or accept the governing body as their Master and be fully dependent upon them as they get whipped and whipped with more bills, taxes, lay offs, destructive to economy and millions of lives mechanisms; then we get skyrocketing inflation as a result.