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Cost of Christmas up this year
- Thread starter James48843
- Start date
Frixxxx
Moderator
And a tan please!No worries...I'll take my boots off
Buster
Well-known member
No worries...I'll take my boots off
James48843
Well-known member
Size 12M? (gulp...)
Buster
Well-known member
Oh crap..here we go..Scrooge just woke up to spoil the party
My house was made by Americans (full equiped with GE appliances and Kohler/Delta fixtures)
My Hummer was made by Americans
My Snapper Lawn Mower is made by Americans
My size 12M Allen-Edmonds shoes that you will soon find stuffed nicely up your butt, are made by Americans...
Nuff said
James48843
Well-known member
Buster-
How about buying something made by Americans?
http://www.americansworking.com/
http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/
http://www.madeinusaforever.com/
http://www.madeinusaforever.com/unionmade.html
http://www.shopunionmade.org/
http://www.unionlabel.org/
http://www.uaw.org/uawmade/index.cfm
http://www.theunionshop.org/
How about buying something made by Americans?
http://www.americansworking.com/
http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/
http://www.madeinusaforever.com/
http://www.madeinusaforever.com/unionmade.html
http://www.shopunionmade.org/
http://www.unionlabel.org/
http://www.uaw.org/uawmade/index.cfm
http://www.theunionshop.org/
Frixxxx
Moderator
I did 100% of all my Christmas shopping on-line this year..paid 0 in sales taxes and most everything had free shipping
Bought a LG 47lg90 LCD HDTV (for me)..a Sony BDP S350 Blu-ray player (for me)...a Sony 2-GIG micro vault flash drive (for me)...A COACH Purse (genuine) for one Girl Friend, an Emerald Infinity 14K Pendant and 24" chain for another Girl Friend, and a Louis Vuitton Wallet thingy (genuine) for another Girl Friend....
Gonna have my work cut out for me this Holiday season..
With three girlfriends, you will have your work cut out for you......But I hope you don't use that pose in your avatar.
OMG!!!!
Buster
Well-known member
I did 100% of all my Christmas shopping on-line this year..paid 0 in sales taxes and most everything had free shipping
Bought a LG 47lg90 LCD HDTV (for me)..a Sony BDP S350 Blu-ray player (for me)...a Sony 2-GIG micro vault flash drive (for me)...A COACH Purse (genuine) for one Girl Friend, an Emerald Infinity 14K Pendant and 24" chain for another Girl Friend, and a Louis Vuitton Wallet thingy (genuine) for another Girl Friend....
Gonna have my work cut out for me this Holiday season..
Bought a LG 47lg90 LCD HDTV (for me)..a Sony BDP S350 Blu-ray player (for me)...a Sony 2-GIG micro vault flash drive (for me)...A COACH Purse (genuine) for one Girl Friend, an Emerald Infinity 14K Pendant and 24" chain for another Girl Friend, and a Louis Vuitton Wallet thingy (genuine) for another Girl Friend....
Gonna have my work cut out for me this Holiday season..
Last edited:
James48843
Well-known member
From: http://www.pncchristmaspriceindex.com/CPI/pressRelease.html
TRUE LOVES TO FACE MOST EXPENSIVE CHRISTMAS EVER AS CHRISTMAS PRICE INDEX JUMPS 8.1 PERCENT IN 2008
- Cost of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” Song Items Reflect Consumer Pricing Trends; Interactive Web Site Provides Teachers and Students With Insights on U.S. Economy -
PITTSBURGH, Dec. 1, 2008 – The PNC Christmas Price Index increased by a lavish 8.1 percent over last year, the second biggest leap in the history of the whimsical economic analysis by PNC Wealth Management based on the cost of gifts in the holiday classic, “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”
According to the 24th annual survey, the cost of the PNC CPI is $21,080 in 2008, $1,573 more than last year. The PNC CPI exceeds the U.S. government’s Consumer Price Index – the widely used measure of inflation calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Consumer Price Index is up 3.7 percent this year. The core CPI has increased 2.2 percent since Oct. of 2007.
The seven swans a-swimming proved to be a driver of this year’s index, carrying the greatest weight with a whopping 33.3 percent increase due to their scarcity. True Loves will spend $5,600 this year for Swans compared with $4,200 in 2007, accounting for $1,400 of the $1,573 increase. The swans typically have the largest swings in price in the PNC CPI.
Much like the government’s CPI, the PNC CPI also measures a "Core Index"—up just 1.1 percent this year - that excludes the swans. The core Consumer Price Index excludes volatile energy and food costs and is generally lower than the headline figure.
“Omitting the seven swans a-swimming may be a tempting way for a True Love to hold the line on costs, but one would be advised to proceed with caution," warned James Dunigan, managing executive of investments for PNC Wealth Management.
“Because our analysts can only measure the actual cost of this seasonal treasure, not its sentimental value, True Loves may want to budget a little more carefully this year in order to purchase all the items in the song,” Dunigan said.
Each year, the Christmas Price Index reflects trends in the broader economy. This year, commodities prices, concerns about increased energy and shipping costs, jobs, and a second straight minimum wage increase were major factors in the cost, according to Dunigan. The PNC CPI’s sources range from retailers to the National Aviary in Pittsburgh and Philadanco, a modern dance company in Philadelphia.
High Prices Are for the Birds
Large percentage increases were also seen in turtle doves (37.5 percent, to $56 from $40); partridges (33.3 percent, to $20.00 from $15.00) and pear trees (33.3 percent, to $199.99 from $149.99), according to PNC.
There is good news, however.
True Loves will pay less for the five gold rings this year. Retail prices dropped by 11.4 percent (to $349.95 from $395) as retailers are trying to move luxury merchandise in light of concerns with the slowing economy, PNC found.
Two other costs in the CPI dropped this year: three French hens and Six geese-a-laying. This year the hens cost $30, a drop of 33.3 percent over last year, and the geese cost $240, falling one-third. Four calling birds remained steady, costing $599.96, the same as a year ago.
Another Pay Raise for the Milkmaids
As the only unskilled laborers in the Christmas Price Index, the eight maids a-milking received a raise for the second straight year, due to another increase in the federal minimum wage. Before 2007, they had not received a raise since 1997.
The federal minimum wage increased this year to $6.55 per hour, following last year’s $5.85. In the last two years, the maids a-milking have seen their wages rise by $1.40 per hour, an increase of 27 percent. Still, the maids will cost the True Love $52.40 this year, only $5.60 more than a year ago, a relative bargain in the PNC CPI.
The cost of most performers in the index—the drummers drumming, pipers piping and Lords-a-leaping—jumped a modest 3 percent, essentially a cost-of-living increase, reflecting the current labor market in which the unemployment rate rose to 6.5 percent after sitting below 5 percent for much of the decade. Only the price for the Ladies Dancing was unchanged this year.
View attachment 5286
TRUE LOVES TO FACE MOST EXPENSIVE CHRISTMAS EVER AS CHRISTMAS PRICE INDEX JUMPS 8.1 PERCENT IN 2008
- Cost of “The Twelve Days of Christmas” Song Items Reflect Consumer Pricing Trends; Interactive Web Site Provides Teachers and Students With Insights on U.S. Economy -
PITTSBURGH, Dec. 1, 2008 – The PNC Christmas Price Index increased by a lavish 8.1 percent over last year, the second biggest leap in the history of the whimsical economic analysis by PNC Wealth Management based on the cost of gifts in the holiday classic, “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”
According to the 24th annual survey, the cost of the PNC CPI is $21,080 in 2008, $1,573 more than last year. The PNC CPI exceeds the U.S. government’s Consumer Price Index – the widely used measure of inflation calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Consumer Price Index is up 3.7 percent this year. The core CPI has increased 2.2 percent since Oct. of 2007.
The seven swans a-swimming proved to be a driver of this year’s index, carrying the greatest weight with a whopping 33.3 percent increase due to their scarcity. True Loves will spend $5,600 this year for Swans compared with $4,200 in 2007, accounting for $1,400 of the $1,573 increase. The swans typically have the largest swings in price in the PNC CPI.
Much like the government’s CPI, the PNC CPI also measures a "Core Index"—up just 1.1 percent this year - that excludes the swans. The core Consumer Price Index excludes volatile energy and food costs and is generally lower than the headline figure.
“Omitting the seven swans a-swimming may be a tempting way for a True Love to hold the line on costs, but one would be advised to proceed with caution," warned James Dunigan, managing executive of investments for PNC Wealth Management.
“Because our analysts can only measure the actual cost of this seasonal treasure, not its sentimental value, True Loves may want to budget a little more carefully this year in order to purchase all the items in the song,” Dunigan said.
Each year, the Christmas Price Index reflects trends in the broader economy. This year, commodities prices, concerns about increased energy and shipping costs, jobs, and a second straight minimum wage increase were major factors in the cost, according to Dunigan. The PNC CPI’s sources range from retailers to the National Aviary in Pittsburgh and Philadanco, a modern dance company in Philadelphia.
High Prices Are for the Birds
Large percentage increases were also seen in turtle doves (37.5 percent, to $56 from $40); partridges (33.3 percent, to $20.00 from $15.00) and pear trees (33.3 percent, to $199.99 from $149.99), according to PNC.
There is good news, however.
True Loves will pay less for the five gold rings this year. Retail prices dropped by 11.4 percent (to $349.95 from $395) as retailers are trying to move luxury merchandise in light of concerns with the slowing economy, PNC found.
Two other costs in the CPI dropped this year: three French hens and Six geese-a-laying. This year the hens cost $30, a drop of 33.3 percent over last year, and the geese cost $240, falling one-third. Four calling birds remained steady, costing $599.96, the same as a year ago.
Another Pay Raise for the Milkmaids
As the only unskilled laborers in the Christmas Price Index, the eight maids a-milking received a raise for the second straight year, due to another increase in the federal minimum wage. Before 2007, they had not received a raise since 1997.
The federal minimum wage increased this year to $6.55 per hour, following last year’s $5.85. In the last two years, the maids a-milking have seen their wages rise by $1.40 per hour, an increase of 27 percent. Still, the maids will cost the True Love $52.40 this year, only $5.60 more than a year ago, a relative bargain in the PNC CPI.
The cost of most performers in the index—the drummers drumming, pipers piping and Lords-a-leaping—jumped a modest 3 percent, essentially a cost-of-living increase, reflecting the current labor market in which the unemployment rate rose to 6.5 percent after sitting below 5 percent for much of the decade. Only the price for the Ladies Dancing was unchanged this year.
View attachment 5286
2008: Most Expensive Christmas Ever
As part of its annual tradition, PNC Wealth Management also tabulates the “True Cost of Christmas,” which is the total cost of items gifted by a True Love who repeats all of the song’s verses. This holiday season, very generous True Loves will pay more than ever before—$86,609—for all 364 items, up from $78,100 in 2007, a staggering 10.9 percent increase.
Special Present: Updated Web Site
For a historical look at PNC’s index, please visit our updated Web site at www.pncchristmaspriceindex.com.
As part of its annual tradition, PNC Wealth Management also tabulates the “True Cost of Christmas,” which is the total cost of items gifted by a True Love who repeats all of the song’s verses. This holiday season, very generous True Loves will pay more than ever before—$86,609—for all 364 items, up from $78,100 in 2007, a staggering 10.9 percent increase.
Special Present: Updated Web Site
For a historical look at PNC’s index, please visit our updated Web site at www.pncchristmaspriceindex.com.