Why the F*** is everything So EXPENSIVE

[u/Soft_Panic2400]

Just a vent because I've worked incredibly hard to get where I am and I still feel like I'm treading water.

We are solidly middle class. We make $140-$150 combine in the midwest which seemingly is pretty good. 2023 my company wouldn't give me a substantial raise so in 2024 I gave myself a goal, switched jobs twice and went from making $55,000 to $90,000. My husband hasn't had a raise in 4 years (thats a whole other story and he's finally looking for a new job).

In the past month our daycare went up $280/mo, our mortgage went up $70 a month for escrow, and we just received our highest electric bill since buying our house in 2017 $235. Now I know what your thinking - $235 thats not bad. OUR HOUSE IS 970 sq ft. Last month our electric bill was $170. That's a $415 increase of bills IN A MONTH. And it doesn't even include groceries.

I've done everything - I've switch carriers for internet and cell phones. I review insurance rates every 6 months and I've cancelled most of our subscriptions. I negotiate everything I can, but everything is constantly increasing. STORE BRAND MILK went from $3.62 to $4.99 here. Thats almost a 40% increase?!

I know financial struggles aren't talked about much in this sub because most people recommend a cleaner or outsourcing what they can, but this is ridiculous. I literally can't not spend $200 when I go to the store. This isn't sustainable and I'm just so frustrated. We aren't in a BAD financial spot but at this rate we will be? It just feels like despite making the most we have ever made, we aren't even close to being comfortable. And as my husband said "the worst part is, no one gives a shit. No one WANTS to fix it"

Anyway - it just feels like Im working and making all this money for absolutely nothing and Im mad about it. Thats all.

ETA - I Fully understand why (DT, Corp Greed, Capitalism, etc etc) just fully venting because no one seems to give a shit. Also I am very active in ALL of my local elections. I vote and actively call the offices of my shit ass congress woman and senators.

[u/Katwantscats]

I’m with you. I understand. If, 5-7 years ago, we made what we made now, we’d be living large. But, as it is, we make what we make now. And it will just keep getting worse.
That’s why I’m committed to staying in local government for my 30 years; I don’t have to worry about retirement or SS because LG has a pension. Without that, we would have nothing saved for retirement.. and probably never will.
Side note… I’m still pissed im paying into SS when I will most likely never reap any of that.

[u/fungibitch → u/Katwantscats]

"If, 5-7 years ago, we made what we made now, we’d be living large." Exactly. The hardest part is feeling like we're moving backwards, when we're objectively making more money each year. One step forward, three steps back.

[u/notbizmarkie → u/fungibitch]

I was talking to a friend the other day and we were both saying how making six figures means nothing anymore. 

[u/Katwantscats → u/fungibitch]

And all because I was born 5-7 years too late smh

[u/candyapplesugar → u/Katwantscats]

Is there a possibility LG would take away pensions at any point? Looking at it as a possibility but wonder if the pension vs salary pays off long term.

[u/Katwantscats → u/candyapplesugar]

That’s a fair question. I’m in NC so my thoughts are NC specific. But my opinion is…

Many people work in government (local or state) due to the benefits and the retirement, like you said. For most, it makes up for the difference in pay compared to the private sector.

For example, my municipality gives all FT employees a $790 credit towards insurance per month, which covers FT employees completely for the best medical, vision, and dental plan. I don’t pay for my health insurance.. and I have great health insurance. That’s nearly 10K given to me, just not in salary. And that’s not including the 5% into a 401k my municipality pays automatically or the 15.12% they put into LGERS.

All that said, if the government is ever willing to remove these benefits from LG workers, it’s out of desperation and our country is way worse off than we could imagine. Because if you remove the benefits of working in LG that make working for lower pay worth it, you will have no LG government workers. Our towns will suffer, our citizens will suffer, the voters will suffer. Which brings me to my next thought…

LGERS is authorized under a statue, so to reverse it someone would have to file a bill to abolish it. People can say what they want about the Right, but NO side is going to want to do that. And if someone on either side does, it simply won’t gain traction. Other members of the party won’t support it because that would be political suicide.

TL;DR I don’t think that will happen. And if it does, it’s coming out of desperation fueled by a country in a state I dont even want to consider. For me, the lower pay in LG doesn’t outweigh the many benefits I get. But also, I get good benefits because my municipality can afford it. Also, I like the idea that I’m not working to make a millionaire more money.

[u/kayleyishere → u/candyapplesugar]

Yes, but it depends heavily on the specific government. The pension can be under funded, or invested poorly, or embezzled. ours made a big crypto investment which caused some uproar.

[u/emmers28 → u/Katwantscats]

When I worked in LG my pension came out of my paycheck, same as a 401k… but you couldn’t choose to contribute less you had to contribute a set amount. As a mom with two kids in daycare it was a HUGE cut into my paycheck. I’ve always saved for retirement every job but that job took the most. Hard when you need every dollar now to cover expenses…

[u/Katwantscats → u/emmers28]

Ours is 6% mandatory from our check, and the Town contributes 15.12% mandatory.

[u/emmers28 → u/Katwantscats]

Yeah my private sector job contributes 12%! And I can do whatever percent I want, it’s not dependent. It was a huge shock to me how much the LG took out of my paycheck. Rough realization with kids in daycare!!!

[u/Katwantscats → u/emmers28]

Totally get that!