Roving Reporter: A Dollar's Buying Power Depends On Spender

December 27, 1985|by ERVIN L. HAWK, The Morning Call

Much has been said in recent years about the depreciation of the dollar - how little that can be purchased with a one dollar bill compared to what could be done 20 years ago.

Neighbors rover reporter-photographer went to the fourth grade class of Beth Smith at the East Penn Township Elementary School of the Lehighton Area School District and questioned the 24 boys and girls on what they would or could buy if they were given a dollar and told to go out and spend it.

The answers ranged from putting it in a piggy bank, going to the movies, buying candy, to taking a trip west to visit Disneyland.

From the way these youngsters suspect they could stretch a dollar, it might be a good idea to put them on our school boards, borough councils and in other government agencies, because some of them could really do a lot with one dollar.

Matthew Gower and Nevin Loch said they would "save it," and Edward Weiss said he would put his dollar in his piggy bank.

Emily Zellner said, "I would go to the grocery store and I would go to Disneyland."

Jennifer Eisenhower had a lot of ideas. She added, "I could go to a candy store and buy some candy, or maybe get some stuff to make ornaments. I could also get some little knickknacks or get a book to read. I could even go to a movies or get some pens and pencils."

A matchbox car would be the first thing that Jason Knappenberger said he would buy at a local grocery store.

Paul Fritzinger said he would "go to the movies, buy candy and gum, buy oil for my three-wheeler and buy two cans of soda."

A dollar would go a long ways for Stacy Fritzinger. With a dollar, she claims she would buy "candy at the candy store; a super ball and gum, cookies and soda, soup and milk, toys and pencils, apples and plums, a map, puzzle, book bag and a lunch box."

Lori Solt said she would spend her dollar on getting Christmas presents for members of her family or herself, or "put it in my can or spend it on toys."

Pam Bowman would "go to the movies, buy candy, soda and stickers."

Paul Kleintop would go to the movies, buy candy and some ornaments.

Perhaps the longest list came from Krista Furry. Her list included, "buy a lot of candy and gum, a lot of stickers and sticker books, a lot of presents, a lot of ice cream, a lot of good things, a lot of clothing, a black board, a lot of books, a book bag, a lot of pencils and a new bed."

Another sizeable list came from Larry Keller. He said he would buy a ball, lots of toys and some candy and go to the movies.

"If I had a dollar," Erica Doll said, "I would spend it in the arcade, or buy something for my mom and dad, or buy something for my teacher."

Andrea Loch said, "I'd take a friend and her family to the movies or spend it on something I need or want, or even save it."

Jennifer Snyder said she would "buy my mom a Christmas gift," and Tina Bowman said she would spend it on a gift."

Amy Fink would have to think awhile before she would spend her dollar. She said, "If someone gave me a dollar, I would sit at home and think of what I would do with It. When I would find out what I would do with it, I would probably go to a candy store, or go roller skating."

Scott Bierman, Eric Roth and Terri Lorah said they would go to the movies; Leanne Steigerwalt would go roller skating, and Michael Bench would buy a bottle of soda.

But Jeff Welsh was the only one who realized that a dollar does not go very far. He said, "You can't do a lot with a dollar, but I could play the video games, buy a matchbox car, or save it."

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