I retired as a CPA 18 years ago. My living expenses have remained flat. In 1999 I spent $31,423; in 2017 I spent $29,905. Intervening years were about the same. What is this thing called cost-of-living increase?
And yet, my Social Security checks are 50 percent higher. Per-month checks in 1999 were $1,184 and in 2017 they are $1,796. The flaw in the calculation is counting all increases in spending as inflation when most is for ever-increasing luxury.
I do not have a bigger family, more space or better stuff; binge with more stuff; or borrow to spend. Absent bigger, better, bingeing and borrowing, the spending has remained even.
If prices rise, I make mild alternative spending choices; drastic cuts are not required. My budget includes luxuries like eating out each day, operas, concerts, plays and museums. Life remains quite financially and socially comfortable without spending more.
Jerry Crouch, Salt Lake City
