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Here's the backstory:
At any rate, one of the characters mentions that he makes 19 quid a week, plus commissions. That's about $37 USD in today's value, which won't buy a single dinner with tip at Outback or TGI Friday's.
In another episode Mrs. Slocombe is turning 50, and Capt. Peacock asks everyone for 50p each to buy a present. There's 6 characters, so that's about $6 USD--I can't imagine any present you could buy someone for $6 for their 50th birthday.
These episodes are from 1974, which got me wondering how much a pound was worth in the 70s. Here's something I found--
--From BBC.co.uk--
The Cost of Living
Starting work was the greatest tragedy for many of the period. Many had to wear 'square' clothes and get their hair cut. The 1970s was a turning point in domestic and International economy. Britain shed the shilling and went decimal. The OPEC oils crisis sent shivers down the backbone of every domestic economy. Unemployment was rising and benefits were paid in cash. The average wage for a Saturday job in the UK was £1 and for a full-time position in a solicitor's office you could expect to pick up £126 gross per month.
In the UK you could expect to pay £25 a month rent in a shared house, 25p to wash your clothes in a launderette and a further 10p to dry them.
With earning power increasing, people could afford luxuries like cars. Models of the period included the Standard 8, the Moggie (Morris 1000), the Vauxhall Viva Estate. If you were lacking enough funds, there was always the DIY custom car.
Here's the question:
How much does it cost you to live? Are you able to meet a reasonably comfortable standard with that much? How has the amount changed over the years?