[Amps] Sunset of old technologies (off topic)

[Paul Decker]

Hi Cathy,

I don't really agree that the disposable income has decreased.  I would in fact say the average US family is spending far more than they have in the past, simply because they have the disposable income.  Take for example:

2014 Median income $53,013, inflation adjusted $53,657
1979 Median income $15,177, inflation adjusted $50,089

But there is more to the picture, look at the median single family house size:
1979 1,645 sq ft.
2014 2,690 sq ft.

Average cost of electricity per kwh
1979 4.6   inflation adjusted (2005)  10.5
2011 11.8  inflation adjusted (2005)  10.41

Why is this important?  Well it costs more to heat and cool a larger house.  It costs more to furnish all the rooms in these houses, but there are also more hidden costs.  Larger houses tend to be located farther from the work centers, so longer commutes, more fuel and wear and tear on the vehicle to get to/from work.  Throw in, cable tv plans (will all the premium channels and sports channels), the latest iphone cell phone, and all the extra's to fill up that house and keep up with the "Jones", laptops, computers, a TV in every room, etc...  

It clearly indicates the average us american has much more disposable income, they are simply choosing to spend it differently.

Paul
kg7hf

Ref:
http://www.davemanuel.com/median-household-income.php
https://www.eia.gov/totalenergy/data/annual/showtext.php?t=ptb0810
https://www.aei.org/publication/todays-new-homes-are-1000-square-feet-larger-than-in-1973-and-living-space-per-person-has-doubled-over-last-41-years/


> Date: Fri, 21 Apr 2017 16:28:43 +0000 (UTC)
> From: Catherine James <catherine.james at att.net>
> To: <amps at contesting.com>,  <g4fph at mjha.co.uk>
> Subject: Re: [Amps] Sunset of old technologies
> Message-ID: <1884392352.6073527.1492792124000 at mail.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
> 
> 
> The median household income in the US is still about $50K, and while the price of many luxuries
> has dropped, the price of fundamentals such as home, college education, automobile, etc. has gone in
> the other direction. Many consumers have less disposable income today than their counterparts did in the 1980's.
> 
> 73,
> Cathy
> N5WVR
>