General Discussion

The median home price in CA is over $800K

The median in parts of the central valley is $420K.

My situation is unusual, so here are some outlier data points.

I live in the boondocks and shop once a week, so I can't comment on trends. A lot of non-food purchases, other than stuff I need for home, auto and property upkeep come from thrift stores. Clothes, especially. Shoes about doubled in price, but they are way below retail (which I don't want to even think about).

But I am single and retired, so I am not in the fat part of the bell curve. Still, most of my nice cameras are used, as is my Clavinova piano. Those are my main hobbies, and keep me busy (other than that large property. This is clean up time for wildfire season, ouch)

I can easily see how a family would have a tough time. When my daughter was growing up, a nearby neighbor with twin daughters would regularly have a yard sale with the nicest clothes. When she went to college, she chose a state university and even was a resident assistant. (But those were her choices.)


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