Inflation Explains Everything

I’ve figured out that one way to stump older people that complain about the current generation is to have an inflation calculator app on your phone. Aunt: When we got our first apartment it was 300 bucks a month why can’t you— Me: In what year? Aunt: What? Me: What year did you get your first apartment? Aunt: 1973? Me: Hmm. Looks like that would be $1755 in 2021 money. Aunt: *seems to go through seven emotions at once* Aunt: Oh. Uncle: Why should minimum wage— Me: What year did you start college? Uncle: 1968? Me: So if you scale up $1.60 to 2021 dollars that would be $11.94 and the current federal minimum wage is $7.25 Uncle: Bu— Me: And it seems like from a quick google search the median rent in 1970 was $108 and today that would be $722 but this same chart tells me that the actual median rent in 2020 was $1,100. Uncle: *confused silence*

A young person uses an inflation calculator to challenge an aunt and uncle who compare their past housing and college costs with the current generation’s situation. The punchline is that historical prices look much higher after inflation, while wages and rent have still become unaffordable, leaving the older relatives speechless. It is used as a reaction to complaints that young people simply do not work hard enough.

• @rzeczyzabawne / 18547 2024-10-02