Never knew about this inflation assessment, but It is real and apparently it appears to be much more accurate than the inflation rates the government makes up once they create the inflation they are lying to you about.

For the past 20 years, the respected "Big Mac Index" says inflation was almost double official numbers. That means we’re a lot poorer than we thought.


Big Mac inflation video

I got 4 soft tacos n drink at Taco Bell yesterday for $12 and change...that's crazy

Taco Bell is more expensive than Chipotle now. Crazy.

We are going to see a lot of fast food companies go out of business soon, same goes for the big chain sit-down restaurants. Its hard to justify dropping $60-$80 for a family of four meal at a Cracker Barrel or Olive Garden. In fact, our last trip to an Olive Garden went over $100 so its on the never-again list. I'll spend that money at two other places that serve better food.

next time get three 5layer burritos and one cup of water and you'll have a somewhat filling meal for $3.00 and tax.

And a free case of the scours.

I think his accessment of inflation is still low. The ladys grocery bill is probably more accurate. Seems to me everything has about doubled. All the products sales taxes are paid on anyhow. I know we are spending twice as much on groceries and getting a little less.

It is way off. For one thing, McDonalds, like Walmart, can control the cost of a lot of their inputs often times two or three years in advance. The real inflation is what you get for a load of "true groceries".
"True groceries" are a lot more than food. Its all the groceries you need to function as a household. Toilet Paper, toothpaste, soap, trashbags, laundry detergent, plus the food. Don't forget any pets you may have, and the added on stupid crap that comes up daily. Little Johnny and Suzy need some extra school supplies, you need some extra batteries, the cost of lube you need for taxes.

Wow.....flash back. I remember in college being taught the Big Mac inflation model.

The other thing to keep in mind, is the Big Mac Model was created as a way to "normalize" inflation and make it seem like it is a regular natural normal thing. Inflation is created, it is not a regular or normal thing and it never has been. Inflation is the primary function of Fiat Currency.

All I know is it’s rough. 3 years ago I could afford to keep my wife at home with the kids and invest pretty heavily. About to have to stop investing in some areas so she can continue to be at home with them. Money doesn’t go near as far as it did just 3-4 years ago.

I’ve got no clue how you as someone similar to my age can afford to have your wife stay home.

In your friend/peer group, is that normal or rare?

Definitely less that stay home than work. It’s not rare, but it’s probably 25/75.

Do y’all think we will continue to see more automation and less human labor at fast food restaurants? I saw where California raised their minimum wage to $20.00/hr.

A good friend called it the hamburger meal index

When he started his first job at McDonald’s one hours wage would buy a hamburger french fry and drink. It did for the longest time

Don't eat them

They are nearly fully automated in some places. McDonalds has one place in California with only five employees.

That’s still the case, because they make about $15/hr now.

I only thought that you had bad taste in Manly footwear. Now it’s restaurants too.

Olive Garden sucks. I can’t believe people still eat there.