quilter68

I learned to drive in 1961 and the cheapest gas I remember is .19 per gal. I think the minimum wage was about 1.65 per hour. I woked at the telephone company and our wage was more than that. I think I brought home $42.50 per week. and I didn't have a car. Anyway 10 gals. would be 16.50 which is 38.8% of a weeks pay. I am retired now but figure it now takes about 22% of a retirement weeks pay. Percentage wise it is a lot less of my pay. Maybe someone else can figure it out better.

kyquiltlover1942

I am sorry to say that I am old enough to remember 16 cent gas. Got even better sometime, when they had gas wars going. Today I paid 3.85.

catmcclure

In 1956 minimum wage was $.75 an hour. Gas was $.25 a gallon and most cars would get 12 - 22 mpg (my boyfriend's convertible -4barrel carburetor- got about 5mpg).
So for 40 minutes work you could drive 24 - 40 miles.
Today, minimum wage is $7.25. Gas is $4 a gallon and cars get 25 - 40 mpg.
Today, for about 34 minutes work you can drive 25 - 40 miles.

In 1960, you could get a 1500 sf, 3 bdrm, 2 bath house for about $20K or the equivalent of about 11 years salary (2000 hours a year less taxes).
In 2012, the median price of a 2200 sf, 3 bdrm, 2 bath home is $150K, or the equivalent of about 11 years salary (2000 hours a year less taxes)

grandme26

I remember when gas would be less than $0.10/gal at gas wars. Also attendents would also ask you how much you wanted, usuall $5.00 worth, and that would fill up the tank, and then also check your oil, water, and tire pressure. Those were the days.

Marysewfun

My Dad had a big station in Beverly Hills, Calif, and in the price wars was afraid that raising his gas to 33 cents a gallon might cost him a lot of customers!! :-)

Also, remember when you used to get drinking glasses with a fill-up? Or one buried in your big box of Tide laundry soap? We didn't have to "buy" glasses for years!!!

Marysewfun

Marysewfun

ThayerRags

Actually, I think that the price of gas has gone up quite a bit since 1956, even considering inflation.
There’s an inflation calculator at:
http://www.dollartimes.com/calculators/inflation.htm
that allows you to enter a money amount, select the year for that amount, and it calculates what it takes any other year to have the same “buying power”. It’s kind of fun to see how the price of things compare from one year to another.

Twentyfive cents in 1956 had the same buying power as $2.11 in 2012.
Seventyfive cents in 1956 had the same buying power as $6.32 in 2012.

CD in Oklahoma

onaemtnest

Oh My Yes,

In Denver 1970 we drove across town to fill up our '67 Javelin because they were opening a new Vicker's Gas Station and not only was the gas 21 cents a gallon, they were giving a scrub bucket full of sponges away and voucher to fill 'er up again for 25 cents a gallon!

sewbizgirl

Most of it is just left in the ground... That has to change.

adrianlee

I remember gas wars in Spokane, WA over 43 years ago. There was one station where I got gas for 17 cents a gal, there was another station just cross the street from that one. One of the big bakeries would have day-old bread on Fridays for 10 cents a loaf. Ah, the good old days!!!!

abartosh

I remember the $.27; also remember paying $.19/ gal. Those were the days