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A nifty little application from the American Institute for Economic Research, you can use the COL Calculator to compare the cost of an item today to what it cost when, say, you were a kid. For instance, I remember gasoline in 1965 costing as little as 19.9 cents/gallon. In 2005 dollars, that's 122.9 cents/gallon. Since gas is about twice that right now, it *really is* more expensive. (On the other hand, in 1960 the cost of a three-minute telephone call from New York to London was about $45.86....) The site also has an interesting "Annual Report on the Cost of Living" which goes into the concepts in more detail (linked at the bottom of the page). From This is True for 16 October 2005 Suggestions for further reading:
 By: Ron Paul List Price: $21.00 Amazon Price: $11.55 Editorial Review: This Much Is True: You Have Been Lied To. The government is expanding. Taxes are increasing. More senseless wars are being planned. Inflation is ballooning. Our basic freedoms are disappearing. The Founding Fathers didn't want any of this. In fact, they said so quite clearly in the Constitution of the United States of America. Unfortunately, that beautiful, ingenious, and revolutionary document is being ignored more and more in Washington. If we are to enjoy peace, freedom, and prosperity once again, we absolutely must return to the principles upon which America was founded. But finally, there is hope . . . In THE REVOLUTION,Texas congressman and presidential candidate Ron Paul has exposed the core truths behind everything threatening America, from the real reasons behind the collapse of the dollar and the looming financial crisis, to terrorism and the loss of our precious civil liberties. In this book, Ron Paul provides answers to questions that few even dare to ask. Despite a media blackout, this septuagenarian physician-turned-congressman sparked a movement that has attracted a legion of young, dedicated, enthusiastic supporters . . . a phenomenon that has amazed veteran political observers and made more than one political rival envious. Candidates across America are already running as "Ron Paul Republicans." "Dr. Paul cured my apathy," says a popular campaign sign. THE REVOLUTION may cure yours as well.  By: Greg MortensonDavid Oliver Relin List Price: $15.00 Amazon Price: $8.25 Editorial Review: The astonishing, uplifting story of a real-life Indiana Jones and his humanitarian campaign to use education to combat terrorism in the Taliban’s backyard Anyone who despairs of the individual’s power to change lives has to read the story of Greg Mortenson, a homeless mountaineer who, following a 1993 climb of Pakistan’s treacherous K2, was inspired by a chance encounter with impoverished mountain villagers and promised to build them a school. Over the next decade he built fifty-five schools—especially for girls—that offer a balanced education in one of the most isolated and dangerous regions on earth. As it chronicles Mortenson’s quest, which has brought him into conflict with both enraged Islamists and uncomprehending Americans, Three Cups of Tea combines adventure with a celebration of the humanitarian spirit.  By: Ken BlanchardDon HutsonEthan Willis List Price: $19.95 Amazon Price: $15.56 Editorial Review: Mega-bestselling author Ken Blanchard and celebrated business leaders Don Hutson and Ethan Willis present an inspiring story that reveals the secrets to becoming a successful entrepreneur.  By: David Lindahl List Price: $27.95 Amazon Price: $18.45 Editorial Review: Discover why apartment houses are the best investment in today's real estate market The key to making big profits in real estate is to go against the traditional wisdom. When the masses are buying, it's often time to sell. When everyone is selling, there are huge bargains to be found. In Multi-Family Millions, contrarian real estate investor Dave Lindahl shows you how to read the market cycle, and explains why now is a great time to get started investing in apartment houses—even if it's your first time investing in real estate and you have no money for a down payment. With a simple two- to five-unit multi-family property, or a thirty-unit apartment building, you can implement the same strategies Lindahl used in over 500 deals to build his own real estate fortune: How to reposition a multi-family property for maximum profit Where to get the money for your first deal How to own an apartment house and never deal with tenants Ten bad mistakes rehabbers make Three proven principles for attracting great deals on multi-family properties When and how to resell for huge profits Conventional wisdom says real estate investors should start with single-family houses. Discover why it's easier and much more profitable to invest in multi-families!  By: Jim Collins List Price: $27.50 Amazon Price: $16.50 Editorial Review: Five years ago, Jim Collins asked the question, "Can a good company become a great company and if so, how?" In Good to Great Collins, the author of Built to Last, concludes that it is possible, but finds there are no silver bullets. Collins and his team of researchers began their quest by sorting through a list of 1,435 companies, looking for those that made substantial improvements in their performance over time. They finally settled on 11--including Fannie Mae, Gillette, Walgreens, and Wells Fargo--and discovered common traits that challenged many of the conventional notions of corporate success. Making the transition from good to great doesn't require a high-profile CEO, the latest technology, innovative change management, or even a fine-tuned business strategy. At the heart of those rare and truly great companies was a corporate culture that rigorously found and promoted disciplined people to think and act in a disciplined manner. Peppered with dozens of stories and examples from the great and not so great, the book offers a well-reasoned road map to excellence that any organization would do well to consider. Like Built to Last, Good to Great is one of those books that managers and CEOs will be reading and rereading for years to come. --Harry C. Edwards The Challenge But what about the company that is not born with great DNA? How can good companies, mediocre companies, even bad companies achieve enduring greatness? The Study The Standards The Comparisons Over five years, the team analyzed the histories of all twenty-eight companies in the study. After sifting through mountains of data and thousands of pages of interviews, Collins and his crew discovered the key determinants of greatness -- why some companies make the leap and others don't. The Findings “Some of the key concepts discerned in the study,” comments Jim Collins, "fly in the face of our modern business culture and will, quite frankly, upset some people.” Perhaps, but who can afford to ignore these findings? |
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