This isn't just a challenge, this is a dare you to do. It will take research, time and effort. But I will take part of that effort for you. Title your piece the year you were born. Mine is: 1947. To the rest, check the description. Who dares walk this way with me??

The year you were born, What did things cost that year verses now? You can halfway cheat by copying my "current prices", but start with your year first. Look at mine so you have a strong indication what you are looking for. This is put under history because we have lived from birth to now and have seen many changes. This isn't for the faint of heart, but I dare you to join me!

Mnezz in History

MCMXCVI

Inflation (%).

According to the World Data Atlas, the inflation rate fell gradually from 43.1 % to 10.1 % in 1996 to 2015. The inflation rate in 2017 was 6.8 %.

The inflation rate fluctuated in recent years, it also frequently altered to a lesser rate from 1998 through 2017. The data for the inflation are the averages of the year, ‘not end-of-period data.’

Source- World Data Atlas.

1996 Cost/prices

Zambian Kwacha

Average monthly income-

range: 75,925 to 18,557 (ZMW)

(USD 8,008.57 - 1,957.39)

Access to health care~

Per individual

range- K 800. (Fee)

(USD 84.38)

Sum of Total monetary cost= K 2,337 to 2,458.

(USD 246.51 to 259.27)

Total cost between K 3,119 to 2,833.

(USD 328.99 to 298.82)

Percentage of monthly income

4, 9 & 15 (17) %.

Rent and housing costs

7.0 to 131.8

(131.8 Kwacha = USD 13.90)

Fuel, power and water

1.4 to 138.6

(138.6 kwacha - USD 14.62)

Domestic service

3.5 - 151.8

(151.8 Kwacha ~ USD 16.01)

Total excluding housing

30.3 ~ 168.4

(USD 3.20 to 17.76)

Cost of Food (2006 TO 2010).

Breakfast mealie-meal

37.12 to 54.30

(USD 3.92 - 5.73)

price increase (%)

46.3

Roller meal

27.57 - 38.76

(USD 2.91 to 4.09)

Price increase [P.I.]

40.6

Kapenta (small fish)

29.56 ~ 59.74

(USD 3.12 to 6.30).

P.I. 102.1

Fish

11.77 then 15.53

(USD 1.24 to 1.64)

p.i. 31.9

Milk

2.47 to 3.78

(USD 0.26 - 0.40)

P.I. 53.2

Eggs

5.61 - 8.64

(USD 0.59 to 0.91)

P.I. 53.9

Rice

3.75 ~ 7.60

(USD 0.40 - 0.80)

P.I. 102.7

Bread

2.86 - 4.31

(USD 0.30 to 0.45)

p.i. 50.8

Groundnuts

5.53 to 7.41

(USD 0.58 - 0.78)

P.I. 33.9

Cooking oil

17.66 - 28.73

(USD 1.86 to 3.03)

p.i. 62.7

Onions

4.05 to 5.57

(USD 0.43 - 0.59)

p.i. 37.5

tomatoes

2.26 - 3.66

(USD 0.24 to 0.39)

P.I. 61.8

vegetables

1.68 to 2.77

(USD 0.18 ~ 0.29)

p.i. 64.7

chicken

12.85 - 17.75

(USD 1.36 to 1.87)

P.I. 38.2

beef

13.99 ~ 20.81

(USD 1.48 to 2.20)

P.I. 4.87

Beans

5.75 to 9.45

(USD 0.61 - 1.0)

p.i. 64.6

sugar

8.59 to 12.64

(USD 0.91 - 1.33)

P.I. 47.2

2018 COST in Lusaka, Zambia.

FOOD

Lunch 62 kwacha

(USD 6.54)

restaurant 49 kwacha

(USD 5.17)

500 g. (1 lb.) chicken 33 kwacha

(USD 3.48)

whole fat milk 1 liter (1 quart) 13 kwacha

(USD 1.37)

dozen eggs, large (12) 18 Kwacha

(USD 1.90)

1 kg. (2 lb.) of tomatoes 10 Kwacha

(USD 1.05)

50 gr. (16 oz.) of local cheese 87 Kwacha

(USD 9.18)

1 kg (2 lb.) of apples 25 Kwacha

(USD 2.64)

1 kg. (2 lb.) of apples 25 Kwacha

(USD 2.64)

1 kg. (2 lb.) of potatoes 15 Kwacha

(USD 1.58)

0.5 l (16 oz.) domestic beer in the supermarket 12 Kwacha

(USD 1.27)

1 bottle of red table wine, good quality 134 Kwacha

(USD 14.13)

2 liters of Coca-Cola 18 Kwacha

(USD 1.90)

Bread for two For 1 day 8 Kwacha

(USD 0.84)

HOUSING

Monthly rent

range: 14,539- 8,621~ 6,596 to 5,381 Kwacha

(USD 1,533.57 ~ 909.34 to 695.75 - 567.59)

utilities (Heating, electricity, gas...) for 2 — 429 or 345 Kwacha

(USD 45.25 OR 36.39)

Internet 8 mbps (a Month) 392 Kwacha

(USD 41.35)

40’’ flat screen tv 8,499 Kwacha

(USD 896.47)

microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, LG, Sharp, or equivalent brands) 1,308 Kwacha

(USD 137.97)

laundry detergent (3 l ~ 100 oz.) 47 Kwacha

(USD 4.96)

rate for hourly cleaning service 47 kwacha

(USD 4.96)

CLOTHING

a pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar) 421 Kwacha

(USD 44.41)

a summer dress (Zara, H&M, or similar) 395 Kwacha

(USD 41.66)

pair of sports shoes (Nike, Adidas, or equivalent brands) 424 Kwacha

(USD 44.72)

pair of Men’s leather business shoes 627 Kwacha

(USD 66.14)

TRANSPORT

taxi, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) 88 Kwacha

(USD 9.28)

Monthly ticket public transport 255 Kwacha

(USD 26.90)

1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas 12 Kwacha

(USD 1.27)

Volkswagen golf 1.4 TSL 150 CV (or equivalent), with no extras, new 197, 009 Kwacha

(USD 20,780.51)

CARE

medicine For a cold - 6 days (Tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) 50 Kwacha

(USD 5.27)

1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) 50 Kwacha

(USD 5.27)

short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) 359 Kwacha

(USD 37.87)

perfume (50 ml ~ 1.5 oz) 34 Kwacha

(USD 3.59)

shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml - 12 oz.) 34 Kwacha

(USD 3.59)

toilet paper 20 kwacha

(USD 2.11)

Colgate 11 kwacha

(USD 1.16)

haircut *(depends on thé barber/salon cost\price of the area). 30 Kwacha [more, or less].

(USD 3.16)

ENTERTAINMENT

dinner in pub 226 Kwacha

(USD 23.84)

Tickets to movies {depending on the showing- 2D or 3D~} 99 Kwacha (Less/more).

(USD 10.44)

tickets to a concert/theaters (n.b. best available seats) 280 Kwacha

(USD 29.53)

Dinner at a restaurant, plus wine & dessert 405 Kwacha

(USD 42.72)

cocktail drink downtown 39 Kwacha

(USD 4.11)

coffee 27 Kwacha

(USD 2.85)

beer in pub (500 ml or 1 pt.) 17 Kwacha

(USD 1.79)

iPad wi-fi 128 GB 4,276 Kwacha

(USD 451.03)

1 min. Of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) 1.15 Kwacha

(USD 0.12)

1 month of gym membership in district/province 418 Kwacha

(USD 44.09)

March 2018 latest Costs/prices.

Sources:

Expatistan, expat, Numbeo, central statistical office, Zambia survey archives, & Lusaka report.

1996 to March, 2018.