here's a snip from an article i read online years ago. i don't have the url anymore, but you can probably find it or something like it with some searching.

===

"Let us take at the period from 1913-2006, where we have complete data. So what do they mean, when they say the dollar lost 95.1% of its value in those 93 years? Essentially, an average good/service that cost $1 in 2006, used to be priced at 4.9 cents in 1913. In other words, the average price level of goods/services increased by 1930% since 1913. True, but guess what, average earned incomeincreased by 6560% during the same time period. Average earned income rose from $740/yr in 1913 to $49,300/yr in 2006. Adjusting for inflation, $740/yr in 1913 is $15,000/yr in 2006 dollars. Average incomes, not only kept pace, but beat price inflation by 230%.

So does it make any sense all to say the dollar lost value? In reality, the REAL purchasing power of the average American, has increased by 230% in the past century. Sure, prices were cheap in 1913, but $740/yr doesn't buy you a whole lot, not anymore than 15,000/yr today."

===

the bolding was in the article, i didn't add it. the reason that i don't have the whole article is because he later drew some incorrect conclusions about some other things, from his facts. i didn't save the incorrent stuff and i assume his facts as presented here are corrrect. all this stuff can be chased down online if you're interested enough. i've done it a few times already.