My point was add up what you are buying. As I said if you are on a tight budget it is an issue. But also pointing out when you divide over the year, it may not be as high as drama is showing. My gas increase is a good reflection of that. People go on and on about gas, but don't do that math. Myself I drive 40k miles a year or so.

I don't live in my cabin, I pay for two homes actually, so that is an expense. But my utilities and taxes are the same. In this part of the country utilities just don't increase over night.

But add up what you really buy. Also look at the junk you buy too. Myself, I bring a thermos to work, and don't have cable. But I do spend lots of money on other stuff.

 

18 to 23% for people with good credit . Carter was a total mess.

 

Just as that was an extreme these last 20 years have been a bit of an extreme, Though this one lasted long enough, that people forgot it was an extreme.

Will it change by borrowing habits? Maybe. low interest was nice. But also depends if I have the luxory of letting it change ,my habits. Hopefuly later in my life, established, house paid off in few years it will. But if I was young, I would be borrowing just like I was 21 years ago. Just facotr in the cost of interest.

 

My area a few things hurt us. Utilities are way up, food is 15% more, gas is more. Wages have only gone up 2~5%. We are one of the states with a rapid population growth. We get lots of people moving here from CA, NY, IL and New England. So our property values have shot though the roof, rent has shot through the roof. They have bidding wars on houses. So families are being priced out of their apartment when the rent goes up 600 a month

Family of 4 in an apartment, paying more for utilities, more for gas to get to work. More for food. More for day care. So 200 a month more for food, 100 a month more for gas, 100 more for utilities, 100 more for day care and now 600 more for rent. Thats 1100 more a month.

So you own a house, like me. Im fixed income. My house went up 280K in value since 2020, sounds great right. It's horrible, my property tax went up 1075 dollars a year. My insurance went up 400 dollars a year. My utility's, my food, my gas, my car insurance all went up. My income did not. No, I won't miss any meals. But I have made life style changes, we cant afford to go out to eat once a week any more. I am more careful about what I spend money on.

I am actually blessed to have plenty of room to cut and keep a good lifestyle. I know many who are struggling, and they have good jobs at 27 an hour, which use to be very good for this area.

I fully agree. In 2019, $27 an hour was a good wage around here. You could have a nice starter home if both worked. 1500 sq foot was around 120 to 150K. Now with the massive population growth those homes are 230~280K. With interest rates at 6% or more that starter home is not possible, especially when you consider food, clothing, necessities, gas, utilities and insurance all cost more too. You you now make $29 an hour but cant afford it.

 

I am not disagreeing home prices are volatile,but they too have been last 20 years.

Around utilities just can't raise rates on electric. Gas can be adjusted,but hasn't been a lot. Warm years. Propane did go up. As I said $40-50 a month.

I have found people really don't understand their utility bills

 

Just the facts. Don't tell your life story it makes it harder to dig through junk, and people lose interest

 

It's what he does.

 

Calling our local HD Forums Oracle, grammar extraordinary and economist to the yellow courtesy phone.

 

He adds fiber to a thread. That's why people like him.

 

LoL.....
So, how 'bout those used bike prices?
I do hope they are coming down. Even though I NEED another motorcycle about as much as I need another hole in my head, I'm not averse to purchasing a newer Twinkie for highway hauls.
IF...