Entry Archive: April 12, 2005
Dollar
Last night I decided to sit down and figure out exactly where I want to go on vacation this year. The first step is checking into airfare and prices of the various places I'm interested in visiting for some reason or another. Right now that would be Greece, Australia, Scotland, Sweden, Japan, and Thailand. Airfare is not really a big deal, because I've accumulated enough frequent flier miles to handle that. The big issue is food, lodging, and transportation once I get there.
Houston, we have a problem.
Everywhere I check, the costs are outrageously expensive. Prohibitively expensive. As in "there's no way I can afford to leave the country" expensive. And it's not because things in other countries are costing more, it turns out that it's because the US Dollar is practically worthless. Take a look...
The above graphs show the value of the US Dollar against the Euro, Japanese Yen, Australian Dollar, and British Pound. I didn't know where to start the graph, so I went ahead and picked a random date of January 20, 2001. As an odd coincidence, it's also the day that George W. Bush took office.
The graph doesn't mean much to me except A) it looks like I can't afford to vacation outside the US this year, and B) the US Dollar is going to crash any day now. Because the world revolves around me, I decided to make a new graph that shoes how Bushenomics affects Dave...
The above graph measures Dave's Vacation Prospects, The US Dollar Value, and Toilet Paper Value. As you can see, it turns out that a roll of toilet paper is worth more than the US Dollar, and the chances of me getting to go to Australia fall somewhere in-between. It's only a matter of time before Americans figure this out, and rampant toilet paper theft starts plaguing the country. Better wipe 'em now while you still can!
Four more years of Bushenomics means that we might as well start wiping our asses with dollar bills and save the toilet paper for more important things... like making clothing and shelter.
Yesterday's Answer: Hellboy (2004) with Ron Perlman and Selma Blair.
Comments
Contrary to money, you can actually make your own toilet paper. I see a great potential...
Well if you want someone to split accommodation costs with, I'd go with you :)
And you're welcome to stay here if you don't mind sharing with lego and fish :)
Yeah, the exchange rate is now something I am very familiar with. I have been railing against Bush's "soft dollar" policy for years now. He is such a *&^% idiot, a &^%$#@! ***wipe, a monkey slapping, butt munching dorkwad, I...I...I'll stop now. I could go on forever.
Go ahead and travel, Dave, just find folks to stay with and eat bread. And only bread....be a poor traveler like me.
Oh and I forgot...toilet paper brings alot on the black market here, so just bring many many rolls of charmin and trade for what you want.....we pay just over $5. for a six pack of asswipe....
While the dollar is weak right now, it's not _that_ bad. I think exchange rates were quite similar around 1996 – before the dollar started being absurdly strong.
What's odd is that despite the weak dollar – when I visited California last year – I still thought many things were very expensive.
My own crackpot theory on why this may hit you even worse than the exchange rates suggest is the following: In the US, I found that things like motels or meals out are quite cheap in comparison to Europe, while buying decent (non-processed) food, for example seemed more expensive. Labour is said to be more expensive in Europe as well. So when you go on a holiday where you're using hotels and services a lot, you may have to pay more.
Also, Sweden and the UK are notoriously expensive countries. Greece, should be quite cheap in comparison.
Oh, and I find the labelling in your graphs a bit confusing. Looks like the Euro, Yen, ... are going down when the dollar is.
Send a message if you need any toilet paper.
Patrick: Actually, in addition to being the ugliest money in the world, the US dollar is actually very easy to make. Why, there was a story just a few days ago about a kid who scanned money into his computer, printed it on his ink jet, and was happily spending for months before getting caught!
Kazza: Lego and fish?!? I may never leave!! :-)
Karla: Mmmmm... bread. An no worries, if I ever make it to Norway, I'll bring a roll of toilet paper to trade for food and lodging.
SSP: As an example... I've been to Stockholm a little over a year ago, so I realize it is pricey, but the exchange rate coupled with inflation in the past 500-odd days has made "expensive" turn into "SUPER EXPENSIVE." To stay in the same hotel now is 22% more!! And now that we've crossed SEVEN TRILLION DOLLARS in debt, I'd say it is looking bad indeed. If it weren't for Japan and China buying up our debt, toilet paper would be the least of our worries. :-(
Care to consider Canada? The U.S. greenback has dropped in value there as well, but you still get 1.19 for every dollar.
You could always tour the US this summer, just as long as you don't cross the border into California, you won't have to pay any exchange rates.
Movie quote is from Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.
Dogma!
James: Love Canada... though the dollar isn't what it used to be there either! I would really like to explore more of Eastern Canada, because I've really enjoyed visiting Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal.
theMike: I think I am now wanted in California. :-)
Rob: So close! But J&SBSB didn't have angels, muses, apostles, prophets, and God in it! Different Kevin Smith film...
And Cavan "Lord of the Dance" Terrill gets it! Funny... I was just talking about Ottawa... I wonder if all those tulips are in bloom yet?
There's an old arrest warrant for me in California...long story. Teach me to commune with nature!
And Dave, if you do come to Norway? I want Big Red Gum, Pop Tarts, Spaghettios and a digital camera....(I'll pay you back, of course..). Toilet paper, I can get here. Big Red gum? OH....God, Big Red Gum. I need a cold shower.
there's always lithuania
Karla, are you sure you can't get Wrigley's Big Red in Norway? We have them in Sweden thanks to Gray's American Food store and according to their homepage they supply grocery store in the entire Nordic region.
Check it out: http://www.grays.se
There are plenty of places where the dollar is worth the same or more now than it was when Dubya took office. You just have to expand your horizons. Try Latin America (except Chile or Brazil), or nearly anywhere in Asia, for starters.
Start here:
www.worldscheapestdestinations.com
Patrick , I have been to Grays, it rocks. And I did find some Big Red here just the other day...but I could swear the take out some of the heat or something. It doesn't taste the same, where my jaw actually kind of siezes up when I chew it? Maybe it's just my memories....sigh.
Sounds to me like the Big Red you got was old. The moisture slowly leaches out of the gum as it ages, and I think some of the flavor goes with it?
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