Has the cost of HiFi gotten a bit too much?

@mahgister 

Hifi is cheap compared to butter.... For most of us.... Some here dont even know the cost of butter....Anyway wait a few months and you will discover deals in hi-fi used section....Guess why? 

I always enjoy reading your posts..please enlighten though. By what date will something happen that causes what to happen? I enjoy circling a date certain on the calendar to ensure I'm paying attention.

@cd318 

or not?

@recluse 

The reality is, gas is the lifeblood of all things that have a cost.

So yes  Biden and his admin are the cause for gas price elevation,  with a little icing by the Russian embargo.

Printing money bodes for the future.  Essentially anything in your saving account now will be worthless in your old age.

Gas prices are not Trump's nor Biden's nor Millard Filmore's fault. Oil refiners curtailed production due to the fall off in demand over the past several years.  Refiners will ramp up production only to the point where they wont materially hurt current margins when balanced with their desired production and profitability goals.

Money has been printed since the beginning of recorded time...why is anyone surprised? The money supply will always grow as population grows. If you are concerned about the value of your savings, Bitcoin is always an option I guess.

@ejr1953 +1

@bigtwin +1

@unreceivedogma 

I’ll raise you one on that. I think the Ukraine War is really a conspiracy concocted by the Kremlin and the Pentagon. 

Rilly? You should consider reading more things and think about topics in your wheelhouse. The statement quoted from you above is simply beyond logic.

@andy2 

Where does that cash come from?  

The FED has a way to distribute wealth.  Quantitative easing is a way to transfer wealth from the middle class to the ultra rich.  That's why they can afford such expensive stuffs.

Just what is "middle class" and what is "ultra rich" to you? The very definition of wealth accumulation is to understand the rules and then adapt your financial habits to maximize your opportunity to succeed. 

Some people growth their wealth at a pace that is faster than the effects of inflation, others do not. Hifi gear is a luxury consumable...one should only spend amounts which don't negatively impact their long term plans. Some of the discussion here is more akin to griping about the effects of swimming against the current of a river. I've never seen that as very productive.

@mahgister 

Do you spend alot of time with these exercises? 

Economic debates on Audiogon amuse me. It reminds me of the Yogi Berra quote “nobody goes there any more, its too crowded”.

When demand outstrips supply, prices rise. While it isn’t quite that simple, its darn close. When certain wages rise (which everyone logically could agree was long overdue) prices rise. Real wages were virtually flat for decades. Demand for raw materials has risen…so have prices. Availability of new items has constricted so natuarally prices of preowned items have risen as well.  The ham radio guys whined when their inexpensive tube supplies began to dry up because of the increase in tube audio gear sales created competition. More people interested, more demand. 

What we really have here is when groups fall behind their perceived rightful place economically, they begin to complain and declare the game is rigged. Its more likely than not a disconnect in what some people believe they deserve vs the fact that no one deserves anything except the fair opportunity to succeed and get ahead. Everyone has decisions to make. For instance, it wasnt too long ago when “luxuries” like telephone, cable, a car, air conditioning….a stereo or television were not considered necessities. Somehow these items and more became a right. Remember when eating out was considered a special treat? Remember when “earning” the privilege of a credit card required work?

I don’t mean any disrespect to anyone but the idea of going in to debt to acquire a pair of speakers (or any luxury purchase) is pretty darn close to irresponsible. Not saving for retirement and a rainy day fund? Not buying life or health insurance? Who couldnt do the math that when real rates of return on savings were at or near zero that that circumstance required more savings for your future to maintain a certain standard of living? Who really thought that shifting from defined benefit retirement plans to defined contribution plans was better? If you are beyond a certain age and utilize debt to “keep up with the Joneses” you are making catasrophic decisions for your future. Whatever happened to aspiring toward a goal rather than whining about not having soming something? Whatever happened to a responsible adult seeing something that to them is overpriced just moving along…the only cure for irrationally overpriced goods are irrationally overpriced goods? If no one buys them, prices will drop until they find a buyer. The real challenge though is to be honest with ourselves when we something that to us is outrageously overpriced sell like hotcakes. So, are we the sane person in a crazy world or are we the crazy person in a sane world? 

So, if someone with a $100k system doesn’t care about the price of their system or resale prices, who’s right? Maybe they sacrificed, made some good choices, got lucky….whatever the reason…Maybe their time is worth more than fretting over a few grand here or there. If you happen to be young enough to secure your financial future, make those decisions. If your stereo is a considerable part of your net worth, maybe you should reevaluate your “asset allocation”. 

My best to you as well @mahgister 

I hear you @mahgister the meek shall inherit the earth but never forget that someone else will retain the mineral rights.

@mahgister 

You know you are one of my favorites guys but inflation still trails historical averages. Rates have been so low for so long..it was like a coiled spring finally free from restraint. I’m not saying it isnt painful to those who are having a tough time. Monetary policy is kindof complicated wouldnt you agree?

A recession is always coming. The old wall street joke is “they” have predicted fifteen of the last 3 recessions.