hopeful economy

 

Inflation

"People of the same trade seldom meet together, even for merriment and diversion, but the conversation ends in a conspiracy against the publick, or in some contrivance to raise prices."
- Adam Smith [1723-1790]

Price Gouging

 

going rate

In 1951 M*A*S*H surgeons earned $413.50 per month, which has a current value of $3504.24 per month or just over $42000 per year.  

early photos

In 1925, $0.25 had the purchasing power of about $3. More early photographs here.