When I bought my house 12 years ago everything was setup to be done with one income. And it was indeed doable. Could pay mortgage and all my bills and maintain the used vehicles and buy fuel and groceries and still have a bit leftover.
Now I need an income and a half at least to survive. The “worst” mistake I made was finance two new vehicles in that timeframe. Because I could afford to then. Because the used car blues isn’t any cheaper.
It isn’t my fault grocery and fuel prices are out of whack. Tripled by my calculations.
It isn’t my fault maintenance and other items are ridiculously priced. I’ve looked over my finances hundreds of times and it’s all bills and mortgage and groceries and fuel.
Need new brakes? 5000.
Used car blues fixings? 10k plus.
Roof? 10k minimum probably.
Washing machine? 2000.
Flooring? I’d imagine 5k minimum for 1000 sqft.
Groceries for the month? Up to 1000. I remember moaning about 250 at Costco for a full cart of stuff. Then suddenly it was 450 for half a cart and then suddenly the random grocery store was cheaper than Costco.
Property tax? Starting at 2k, going only up.
Insurance? 1200 for my 35 year old car. 2700 for the 2019 truck. No public transport out here eh.
House insurance? 1500 at least, especially if you don’t have fancy things like hydrants and fire stations nearby.
My wages on the other hand have moved up by maybe 2-3% in 15 years at the same union job, whereas everything else has tripled, at least.
Sure there’s people who go out and party every weekend, who go to Mexico every other week, who buy themselves coffee and a purse… but at the end of the day that shit shouldn’t break the bank! People should be able to enjoy their lives! It’s sickening to think that some of you consider this shit unnecessary or wasteful… sure let’s just work work work until we are old and retire and then struggle to survive until death. Let’s sit at home and count the spots on the wall over and over again and watch paint dry, oh no wait, the paint is most likely too expensive nowadays. Fucking A! What a great life supported by those who can’t see past the end of their nose.
Sick and tired of Canadians pretending that this is somehow normal and entirely an individuals fault.
Your post reminds me of those people at work who live with their parents at 40+ years, never moved out, never paid a real bill in their lives but have advice for everyone else on how to live their lives.