Question of the Day!

The receipts makes me realize how much cheaper things were back then compared to just 10-40 years later. The further you go back, the more mind boggling it becomes...

Kinda depends what 'things' we're talking about.

Housing, for example, is almost certainly more expensive relative to average incomes now that it was forty years ago (in most of the industrialised world).

Electronics, however, are a different story. Inflation-adjusted TV prices have collapsed over the past few decades while quality and size have improved dramatically. A twenty‑inch colour TV in the mid‑1980s could cost the equivalent of well over £1,000 in today’s money, whereas a similar‑size or larger flat‑screen today can be found for well under £200.

Relative to income, a basic new car is somewhat more expensive than in the mid‑late 20th century for lower earners, but not dramatically different from 30 years ago for the average worker. Of course, the specs, power, safety standards are also much higher so you're getting 'more for the same money' - so I suppose you could make an argument that they're actually cheaper in real terms too.

NB In case the use of £ didn't give it away, I'm referencing UK data, but I think it's fair to assume the same holds for the US, Europe, etc.