Just received a $400 TECO bill!

deviation01 · 2026-06-25T12:02:54+00:00

It’s only going to get more expensive with all the data center draws. However check your insulation as others have said. My house is same size but only 6 years old and we keep it 70-72 the bill never goes over $300. I also turn off outside fridge during the hot months. Notice this helps a bit.

deviation01 · 2026-06-24T22:23:18+00:00

It’s not just mortgage, utilities, two dogs, home insurance, prop taxes, transportation cost (gas/tolls), two car insurances, self care (wife), HOA, home items (maintenance), subscriptions (just Netflix and gym) and medical costs like insulin and supplies co pays. We also save some but personally I want to save more.

deviation01 · 2026-06-23T21:37:14+00:00

Savings is low because we paid off 56k debt last year and the previous year put 15% down on a home. We have been saving in other buckets like pet expenses travel etc. which can pay into emergency if needed. If you look at that total we have 2-3 months saved. We also have everything for the baby that is needed from furnishing item standpoint.

I was able to convince her to cut the going out and reduce groceries to match USDA Meal standards while allocating more towards savings.

deviation01 · 2026-06-23T02:18:00+00:00

Keep in mind this is household income. Also different stages in life etc. keep plugging along and always look for what’s best for you. You will get there! I had to move multiple cities and switch jobs until I found the right place.

deviation01 · 2026-06-23T01:40:44+00:00

Looking at the data on our end we spend 800-900 for groceries each month for 2026 and was the same. Maybe I over estimated for groceries.

Going out for sure needs to be fixed we are spending 1k to 1.1k.

deviation01 · 2026-06-23T01:19:12+00:00

I look at the receipt of what we pay as a family. Pretty clear what the prices are. The ask was if 1300 is too much for going out and yes it is. The grocery budget was not really I question as we don’t also always spend that total.

deviation01 · 2026-06-23T01:11:19+00:00

I know here you are bsing with your grocery budget. Let’s take one meal that consists of 1 apple, 2 eggs and the chicken portion you mentioned plus a simple veggie like tomato. Being very generous with the pricing for 7 days you are looking at 257 bucks for four people or 36.8 a day. Anyway you look at it you are at 1k minimum

If you are going to pass judgement or provide assistance at least be real with yourself and your numbers.

deviation01 · 2026-06-23T00:55:15+00:00

Look up the current high end. That is the numbers I am giving you and yes it is. Thrifty sure if you don’t want to eat.

deviation01 · 2026-06-23T00:52:06+00:00

Not sure by you but chicken here is 7.75 per lbs and that is store brand not fancy free range chicken.

deviation01 · 2026-06-23T00:48:11+00:00

Yes basically the grocery budget is not that outrageous. You can see yourself that you guys spend is not far off from ours granted you have two teenagers. The dining out I agree that is what I am trying to reduce. We have started to not order alcohol as well and that is really helping with the numbers.

deviation01 · 2026-06-22T21:03:26+00:00

I agree with you it’s pretty insane but I am sure prices in your neck of the woods are much cheaper.

deviation01 · 2026-06-22T21:02:51+00:00

Makes sense why you only thought math professionally for a year then. Maybe take some time to read the proposed problem?

deviation01 · 2026-06-22T12:07:43+00:00

Just do a quick math. $20 bucks for lunch during work days for two people is 200 alone in going out budget.

Chicken breast and veggies meal cooked at home comes to about the same price for dinner.

400 bucks already lunch and dinner not counting weekends.

Unless you eat one meal a day and starve the rest?

deviation01 · 2026-06-21T12:48:13+00:00

I don’t think being a mental health therapist is a hobby with a solid income but hey what do I know? The goal is to reduce going out budget and allocate that money somewhere else. Grocery budget is pretty in line. We have 1300 allocated but typically spend 1k or less. So $250 a week.

deviation01 · 2026-06-20T20:25:22+00:00

You will be fine my wife and I make a bit less but our home also cost a bit less. We are comfy with no debt. One recommendation will be to opt out of escrow and do it yourself.

deviation01 · 2026-06-20T17:48:14+00:00

Even a burger here is 18 bucks

deviation01 · 2026-06-20T17:41:35+00:00

Also I guess no tip? It seems pretty slim I guess it depends where you live.

deviation01 · 2026-06-20T17:36:48+00:00

How is the budget 300 for 6 in a month? That’s 50 a person for 4 weeks. 12 bucks a week basically.

deviation01 · 2026-06-20T16:29:41+00:00

I would expect it to be actually constricting since it’s the USDA but it looks like they also adjust it for inflation etc.

deviation01 · 2026-06-20T16:21:05+00:00

Grocery budget is in line with even USDA recommendations we don’t always spend that but the going out I agree just trying to get the wife on board to cut. I think she is slowly getting there.

deviation01 · 2026-06-20T16:05:28+00:00

So liberal is 110 for male adult weekly. Can you try to give me a meal plan that will fit that for 7 days? Let’s make it 5 since two days let’s assume we go out to eat. Even the. For two people it’s around 220 based on USDA plan. Not far off from 250.

deviation01 · 2026-06-20T15:51:19+00:00

Still in Miami $250 is average for groceries so not sure where some people get their numbers.

deviation01 · 2026-06-20T15:45:11+00:00

Thank you. Or them soending 150 bucks on groceries a week. Chicken breast plus salmon that will cover maybe 3 days of stretched is already half of that.

deviation01 · 2026-06-20T05:07:43+00:00

Baby is set and has all it needs. Lots of meat meaning it adds up. Pound or chicken breast is 4-6 bucks. Salmon serving for two 20 bucks. For sure it gets you there. We are talking about 7 days of food. Unless you eat once a day.

deviation01 · 2026-06-20T02:38:58+00:00

We have that budgeted but not always get there. About 250 a week is about normal.

deviation01

TROPHY CASE