Look how expensive things were in Argos in the 70s and 80s compared to today

My daughter was complaining about the cost of clothing and I mentioned how cheap it is compared to my Dad's day. Dad was a businessman and and always wore a suit. A man's suit was an expensive purchase, and a decent pair of shoes not far behind. As a teenager I remember a local menswear store advertised "Suit, shirt, socks, tie - $50 the lot - cash or budget - Thwaites!" The average wage in 1972 was AUD$97, so Dad would have been on a bit less than that, but the package would have been maybe over half of a week's wages. Now with imports from China similar suits can be had for AUD$150, and a realistic average wage would be AUD$600, so the package would be a quarter of the week's wages. As my 88 year old Mum says when she sees clothes for my grand-daughter "I couldn't buy the buttons and cotton for that!"

I remember paying 19/6d for a pair of tights when my weekly wage was £8 - and £6 of that was taken for my keep by my mother!

Our first microwave cost £199.99 and first video recorder was £220.
Just the basic models - but it was in 1980.

I have just had a good laugh on page 36 on the 1976 catalogue, I had one of those Ronson Escort Delux hairdryer and case, the one with the tube and hood, I thought it was the bees knees, remember seemed to take an age to dry your hair and you could not hear a thing.

In 1963 I wore micro mini skirts that demanded tights. I bought a pair at £2.19/11, my mother almost had a heart attack as I was only earning £4 a week.

I remember agonising in the butchers sometime in the sixties, should I buy a pound of stewing steak for 3 shillings, or lash out on frying steak for 3 and sixpence.