Back in my day, a Hershey bar cost a nickel!

We've all heard our parents say this or something like it (depending on the 'vintage' of your parents) before. Well, I guess I've officially turned that corner, because I was at the supermarket with my daughter and upon seeing candy bar prices of 99 cents, I remarked, "When I was a kid, candy bars cost a quarter!". Another favorite candy of mine, Jujyfruits (aka dental dynamite) in the big yellow box was selling for $1.49 when I remember that it cost a hefty $.49 in my youth. Not only that, but the box was only 5oz, where it used to be closer to 8oz. Yes, the times they are a-changing, but what's interesting is the things that haven't gone up in price, or have even gone down.

We could obviously discuss gas prices, as they dipped to ridiculous lows as recently as a few months ago. I was paying less at the pump than I did 10 years ago, but as the market has stabilized, that's reversed.

I recently read an article about the new Honda Civic Coupe, with a starting base price of $19,050. Having shopped this same car back in 1996, I know it had a starting price of $13,980. A modest increase of 36% when you consider all the updated performance, safety, and technology you get in new cars these days and well below the 'Candy Factor' of price increase.

Recently I bought a new pair of sneakers and noticed that a good pair of running shoes will cost around $60-80, same as what I recall paying back in high school. How can a candy bar quadruple but a pair of Nikes stays the same?

Computers are an area that is truly perplexing. My first laptop cost me over $1200 and it was refurbished to keep the price that low. I have replaced or upgraded my computer every 2-3 years since that first one and the prices have only gone down while the capabilities and features have only improved. My latest computer with a much larger screen, more hard drive/RAM, and faster processor cost around $800. I'm not complaining, mind you, and I realize that with technology as materials and techniques get more streamlined the price goes down, but I would also think that the constant improvement of the components/tech would offset the decreases.

All we can do is roll along with progress and groan as the price of a Baby Ruth rises to more than an cell phone charger, and rejoice when a gallon of gasoline costs less than a gallon of milk. Just try not to sound too much like Grandpa Simpson when you say, "Back in my day...".