Hey what is the inflation rate? The Christmas ginger breadmen used to cost 79 cents,?

Question

they cost over $1.49, so that's more than 4-5% a year isn't it? Is the housing market like the car industry years ago that gave credit to sub folks and that is why it's falling apart or is it that the Border Patrol has cut down on immigration so much that there are not enough to buy the new houses? Take care

Little Debbie cakes, 2001
this have icing on them

Hey Cheese is a taffy apple a Cherry coated apple?

Answer 1

The inflation rate has generally been under 5% for the last 25 years. That adds up, though. 79 cents to a buck-49 is about 20 years of inflation at 5%.

But, on top of that, not all commodities increase at the same rate. Medical care, for instance, has been rising at nearly double the rate of inflation for years. And, not all prices rise in a stable fashion.

Most notably, food and energy prices are highly volatile. Most food is sold with a low gross margin, so any increase cost must be passed onto the consumer. Similarly, for all the money oil companies make, thier margins aren't that fat, and thier products are fungible, making competition fierce.

Lately, energy prices have been shooting up, and those energy prices increase costs to businesses. Higher-margin industries can absorb some of that cost increase, but those with thin margins have to pass it on - doubly so if thier small domestic producers, and can't offshore much of thier activity.

Folks who make gingerbread men may well fall into that category.

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For your second question, yes, the problems with the housing market are due to questionable lending practices durring the recent boom. They have nothing to do with a lack of demand for housing, which increases apace, it's just that people are having more trouble borrowing the money to buy homes, which is reducing the demand, and causing prices to drop. Conversely, people who can't afford or lose thier homes still need a place to live, so demand for rental space, and thus rents, is up.

Answer 2

Remember when you were in school and you could buy a taffy apple for a dime?

Or am I the oldest person in the room right now?

Answer 3

No, yet i did attempt and many instances to devour soup with a spoon, particularly if a soup is thick (you are able to thicken the soup efficiently by using including some flour). It takes greater time, so I appreciate it longer

Answer 4

Sorry we only get 3% increase in Soc Sec. I like ginger bread men, we will not be having them any more..........sorry about that
I heard stories from some seniors, that they went to the movies for a dime......silent?