Actually, the price of a lot of things has gone DOWN over the years.

Food is, on the whole, cheaper (in every definition of the word) today than it was in 1980.

Telecommunications might SEEM more expensive, but that's because when you were a kid, you had A SINGLE PHONE. We have two land lines, four cell phones and DSL service.

Fuel costs were low through the 1990's.

What's really increased is costs in healthcare.
My health care plan has a $5,800 deductible and $3,408 a year in premiums. None is covered by my employer.

Insurance costs have increased as well, my homeowners and automotive policies have increased a lot.