Barry's our man!!

[mary]

Wait..is that saying the average household only spends $ 1783 on electricity and natural gas?

What the hell am I doing wrong?

$ 1764 on meat, dairy and produce?

How do you only spend $ 1800 when buying furniture, appliances and carpet?

That's a survey from 2007?

I'm not trying to be sarcastic, those averages just seem low.

Edit: Upon further investigation, a "household" is actually a "consumer unit" which is 2.5 people. Interesting.

[dude1394]

Originally Posted by mary

Wait..is that saying the average household only spends $ 1783 on electricity and natural gas?

What the hell am I doing wrong?

$ 1764 on meat, dairy and produce?

How do you only spend $ 1800 when buying furniture, appliances and carpet?

That's a survey from 2007?

I'm not trying to be crass, those averages just seem low.

You don't buy furniture, appliances or carpet every month or year.. I have to assume that is the average spent. For example the last carpet we purchased (about 10 years ago) cost us 10K. Easily averages that if you also include the new washer/dryer also purchased.

Link to the MIT study:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sourc...TZNFsOnZGWoG2A

[chumdawg]

Originally Posted by mary

Wait..is that saying the average household only spends $ 1783 on electricity and natural gas?

What the hell am I doing wrong?

$ 1764 on meat, dairy and produce?

How do you only spend $ 1800 when buying furniture, appliances and carpet?

That's a survey from 2007?

I'm not trying to be sarcastic, those averages just seem low.

Edit: Upon further investigation, a "household" is actually a "consumer unit" which is 2.5 people. Interesting.

Those are annual totals, right? $150/month seems about right for electricity. Seems low for 2.5 people on the food bill. Seems about right on the property taxes. The clothes and home furnishings are going to vary widely according to individual tastes.

[mary]

Originally Posted by chumdawg

Those are annual totals, right? $150/month seems about right for electricity. Seems low for 2.5 people on the food bill. Seems about right on the property taxes. The clothes and home furnishings are going to vary widely according to individual tastes.

I have electric and gas, and my collective bill easily averages over 200 a month for an average sized 3/2. During the summer I might as well be making another car payment.

Then again, the house I live in is older than dirt, and probably doesn't have the best insulation.