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Originally Posted by blankall
I think the above is true of people living in the 1950s and earlier. It doesn't apply to the baby boomers.
Peolpe in the 1950s may not have had as many electronics devises, but both careers and houses were much mroe readily available than they are now.
I think the excess of consumer products has moer to do with those products falling in price than peolpe being more frugal. I suspect that people spent a similar proportion of their income on those things. It just happened that a black and white television cost far more than a widescreen plasma does now.
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Globalization at work.
Canada and the States barely manufacture anything besides vehicles. Other nations can produce those products cheaper, hence north america can buy those consumer goods cheapers.
Double edged sword though. Manufacturing jobs are a thing of the past. These jobs were the bread and butter of the labour market in the 50s,60s,70s. Kids with no education making more than a living being able to afford more than a house.
It is a competitive global labour market now. Telecommutting technology is only going to make it more competitive, as video conferencing, virtual offices, working from home enables people from other countries to take certain north american 'white collar' jobs.