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- Contributed By: Robert Lucas
Roll of Thunder Budget
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry takes place during the Great Depression, a time when most people were very poor. The weather was pretty bad too, so farmers couldn’t grow as much.
Below is a list of what various items cost in 1932. Assume that you were a ________________________.
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Then and Now: Prices |
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WOMEN'S CLOTHES |
THEN |
NOW |
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Winter Coat |
$28.00 |
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Leather or Suede Bag |
$2.25 |
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Bathrobe |
$1.00 |
|
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Sweater |
$1.00 |
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MEN'S CLOTHES |
THEN |
NOW |
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Broadcloth Shirt |
$1.00 |
|
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Wool Sweater |
$1.00 |
|
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Bathrobe |
$4.90 |
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Overcoat |
$18.50 |
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Pocket Watch |
$15.00 |
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GAMES AND TOYS |
THEN |
NOW |
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Sled that Steers |
$3.95 - $8.95 |
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Deck of Cards |
$.75 |
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Novel (hardcover) |
$1.50 |
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Ping Pong Table |
$23.50 to $37.50 |
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Mechanical Toys |
3 for$.59 |
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Doll |
$1.95 |
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ITEMS FOR THE HOME |
THEN |
NOW |
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Table Lamp |
$1.00 |
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Telephone |
$15.75 |
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Radio |
$49.95 |
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Portable Electric Sewing Machine |
$23.95 |
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Electric Washing Machine |
$33.50 |
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Gas Stove |
$19.95 |
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Gauze Bandages (ten yards) |
$.39 |
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FOOD AND ENTERTAINMENT |
THEN |
NOW |
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Movie Tickets |
$.15 |
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Good Meal in a Restaurant (dinner) |
$1.00 |
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For extra credit, fill in current prices.
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Then and Now: Wages |
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WEEKLY WAGES (general averages) |
Taxes |
THEN |
NOW |
|
Manufacturing--Production Worker |
$3.40 |
$16.89 |
$500 |
|
Cook |
$3.00 |
$15.00 |
$236 |
|
Doctor |
$12.00 |
$61.11 |
$1800 |
|
Accountant |
$9.00 |
$45.00 |
$700 |
|
Sharecropper |
$1.65 |
$8.00 |
$150 |
Based on how much you make, what would you buy? Why? Make a monthly budget for your family, assuming you’re married and have 4 kids. You should spend at least $25 on food, as well as whatever you have to spend on taxes. Use the chart on this page.
Total for the month (weekly wage x 4): ________________________
Item Cost Reason
