kevinjjones

My notes on cost of living increases:

19:00 minutes

76% increase in mortgage costs

5.8 to 6.1 rms expansion in avg house

But market shift from entry-level purchase to 3rd to 4th house purchase

Houses not built for 70 % of families but for top 20%

Older houses have higher expenses too


Employer provided Health insurance:
costs up 74%


indiivudal cars cheaper, but total household expenditure on cars up 52%
b/c of move from 1 car family to 2-car family

Child Care: a new expense picked up by two-income family, she pegged it at 100% increase

taxes up 25% or so, b/c of 2nd earner

All small expenditures are down, all large expenditures are up

All small expenditures are flexible, but large expenditures aren't.


2-income family at greater risk of job loss, if either loses job they don't make mortgage payment

In past, one-income family could send other to workforce in a pinch, but b/c costs are low earning power is better

Two-income: maximum efficiency is maximum risk

Job risk is up over previous families


double chance of car accident on way to work

additional health risks: loss of insurance greater...


Send em home quicker and sicker... let family provide nursing care instead of hospice... but family is two income so sick relative means more income/ job loss.


single mothers competing with two-income families

married children with family: income volatility up 90%


Greater stigma on bankruptcy than on divorce (can hide it better)

Straitened middle class can't help the poor, may become poor themselves

Notes that elite disdain for middle class has helped hide the problem

What a story!