Originally Posted by
jaciqltznok
can you just imagine that in today's market a "lifetime" investment in a sewing machine is the same price as a HOUSE back then!
Yes, and more in some cases, but it's not a fair comparison to say the typical DSM of today might cost as much as a house in the late 1950's. On the other hand, today's $300 DSM probably isn't built to last more than 10 years under normal use. I have a 40 year old Bernina that would sell for more than that on eBay today because in 1972 they
were still built to last a lifetime.
My parents bought a 3-bedroom house with a 2-car garage in 1957 for about $9500. They had a 30-yr mortgage. I don't remember what their income was, but I'm sure they needed that mortgage. I remember that a top-of-the-line Mustang cost $3300 in 1966 (not mine - a friend's).