Mac, your missing the last 1o years ! I wished you had those numbers.
Inflation was also much higher in the 80's and 90's then in the past 10 years, including interest rates.
What did I post the other day on the Canada thread ? Average weekly wage earnings for an Albertan is $1057 in 2011. With another estimated increase of 5% in 2012.
That alone makes up for it, besides anything imported from the US being sold cheaper here then I have ever seen.
Including groceries, produce, wines, and even electronics from Asia.
And how can I forget vacations !
Finally we can travel for cheap, and our currency goes a lot further then it ever has before.
IN 1991, my first trip to Florida, it was tough paying $1.65 for $1 US dollar - it was one hell of an expensive vacation.
I remember buying a Heineken can at the beach. It was $2.25 , but with tip an even $3.00.
But, in Canadian dollars, around $5.50. Even just renting a car was near a 50% mark up there.
I tell you, you didn't have many Canadian cross border shoppers back then !
Now America can't get rid of us - we keep on comming !
Cheaper to vacation in the US than it is here at home, in our own country.