Things sure were different in 1956.
In Montreal, when I was 11, a small chocolate bar cost 5⊄ – a large one all of 10⊄. Now? How about $2 or $3, and up?
I could buy a small coke for 6⊄ and a piece of divine chocolate-fudge layer cake for another 15⊄. (At Woolworth’s, which has gone the way of the dodo.) The same thing now would set me back anywhere from $5 upward. (And I’m sure the cake would taste nowhere near as delicious!)
You could go into many restaurants and buy the daily special at lunchtime for $1.00 or less. Now you won’t get much for under $10.00 or so.

Photo (cc) by StreetsofWashington
While we’re on food – I remember shopping at the Dominion supermarket or Steinberg’s for my mother and paying about 25⊄ for a pound of hamburger.
In fact, you could buy a week’s groceries for a family of four for $11. I distinctly recall that figure, because my mother once sent me to do the order – she gave me a list along with a ten-dollar bill. But it wasn’t enough! I was short a dollar. Oh, the trauma! Don’t ask! 😀
Transportation: can we talk? I remember student bus tickets at 5⊄ apiece. Now: $2.25.
Gas in Montreal? According to historical records, it was 30⊄ a gallon and now costs around $2.45.
The taxi drop is $3.55 now, but I remember it being 35⊄ back in ’56.
But yes, I should get real, as they say. After all, our wages have shot way up over the years. My starting salary at my first job (Prudential Assurance) was all of $35 a week. I would think it’s now more than ten times that. But have salaries kept pace with prices? That depends on how luxurious a life you pine for – or which end of the telescope you look through.
There is so much more to touch on… and so little time. Au revoir until future posts when I will dare to compare entertainment, the political scene and more… then and now. Thanks for dropping by!
I love the menu, the prices, and the offerings! And all that dairy and meat and eggs and bread and sweets. 🙂
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I know! No wonder so many people ended up with high cholesterol and diabetes!
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Now we know better, but are people really living longer?
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Luanne, on average, yes, we are living longer. You can check but I’m 99.99% sure about that. 😊
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I will be really impressed if you had this menu to hand. Were you really a perspicacious youngster who thought to hang on to a diner menu to await your salad days so you could wax nostalgic? Inquiring minds want to know.
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Haha, NO! How about: I found it on flickr.com – I typed in the search box “menus – 1950s”! 😀
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Prices really have changed, haven’t they? 🙂
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Totally!!
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What an excellent post. I am reblogging this.
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Reblogged this on 1951 Club and commented:
I have reblogged this excellent post from Ellie over at crossedeyesanddottedtees.
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Ohmigosh, thanks so much, Chris! 😀 So appreciated! And thanks for the ‘likes,’ too!
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My pleasure. 😃
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