What Do You Mean, the Cost Isn’t That Much?

Without telling my age, I can remember when a gallon of gas was less than a quarter, a coke or a candy bar cost a dime, and bubble gum was a penny. Now I know that in today’s society, that is not feasible, but some of the costs I’ve seen recently really are out of hand.

Let me point out early that while I agree that we are paying too much for some things today, when we compare those items to things we want, we have to ask: which becomes the biggest financial burden for families?

I had a procedure recently, a colonoscopy. Not including the cost of the doctor or the anesthesiologist, the final cost was … well let’s just say enough that I could probably make a really good down payment on one of those new vehicles that cost about $50,000.

I would like to have a new truck, but I will never own a brand new one again. I’m not going to pay the cost of a house for a pickup truck. According to Cox Automotive Data, the average cost of a new pickup today is $64,790. That’s about the same price I paid for my home about 10 years ago – and the house will last a lot longer.

Speaking of my home, that same home today would cost about $200,000. Don’t believe it? Well, I’ll be happy to show you my tax assessment and what the house is valued. Trust me, I haven’t made a great deal of improvements either.

The cost of utilities have jumped and groceries are totally out of control. Unfortunately, all these things are necessary to our daily lives, at least if we want to go on living.

To keep living we need healthcare, a place to live, a vehicle to drive and food to eat. Those are essential items and there is nothing we can do about the cost except pay the cost and forget about it.

Now, having pointed all that out, as consumers we complain about the cost of things and, as I’ve already noted, have a right to do so.

However, I don’t complain about the cost of a gallon of gasoline and I’m about to point out why.

The other day, I purchased a gallon of milk and the cost was about $4.50. That’s a gallon folks, like a gallon of gas.

I also purchased two 16 ounce Cokes in that plastic bottle that we all love. In case you are not a math major, that is a half gallon. Those two bottles of pop cost me almost $5.50. I did notice I could purchase two 2-liter drinks, that would equal a gallon, for about the same price. Still, $5 a gallon or more.

If I buy a gallon of oil for my vehicles the cost depends what type oil I purchase. Conventional oil sells today for between $2.50 and $4.50 per gallon, while a synthetic blend averages between $4.50 and $6.50 per gallon and a full synthetic blend cost between $7 and $9 per gallon.

If you buy in bulk, the average cost of a gallon of water today will range between $1.20 and $2 per gallon.

I love juice, but couldn’t buy it today by the gallon if I wanted to. Conventional juice will cost an average of $10 to $15 per gallon, while organic is between $20 and $25 per gallon.

Everything, including gas, is priced depending on the type, the quality, production methods and other considerations. Now, the average price of gas in Georgia ranged about $3.78 per gallon for regular, $4.23 for mid-grade, $4.65 for premium and $5.45 for diesel.

So I submit to you that the cost of a soda pop, the cost of juice, the cost of milk and other items is higher than the cost for a gallon of regular gas. When I hear someone complain about the cost of a gallon of gas I have to respond.

I smile and always ask, “Bought a gallon of Coke today?”

Please, folks, don’t take this to heart. While the prices are accurate, according to the Internet, this is meant to be a comical column and to help us realize that we are paying too much today for almost anything and everything.