dbd33

I had four cords of firewood delivered about a month ago. The woodman was chuckling about the price of oil bringing up the price of logs. Still, the first year's heating cost for us, using only purchased wood, was about $1500, half what we paid for gas in a similar sized house the previous year. We'll do better this winter as I've a large pile of found trunks we can burn.

MikeUK

I did a quick review of my home Budget spread sheet for 07 and added a totals list for some basics

Annual total for a newish suburban 4 bedroom house 2 adults two very young boys
We eat mainly at home but eat very well, my hobby is cooking
We used cloth diapers during this year
We heat at 22C and cool at 25C in summer

Hydro (electricity) $1385
Gas $1329
Water $286

Petrol (commute) $1865
Groceries $9382
Beer & Wine $2272
Satelite,phone,DSL $1931
Pre School (one Boy) $1682

Canada Dreams

mikeuk

wow is this a year for you guys, seems bloody expensive

iaink

Thats broadly in line with my expenses, other than beer & wine, which I guess is a personal choice, and Mike has a more upmarket all in one internet/ satelite/ phone deal than me I suspect.

dbd33

I think he must get a discount through work.

R I C H

Yearly costs for 2 adults, new 2,500 sq/ft home:

Living costs:
Groceries $8,000
Gas (petrol) $3,500
House insurance $950
Vehicle insurance $1,450
Vehicle servicing $550

Utilities:
Water $1,380
Hydro $2,300
Gas $960
Phone $1,200
Cable TV/Internet $1,400

So, approx $22k for basic living without taking a mortgage into consideration.

dingbat

My grocery bill is approximately $20,000 a year for three adults and four kids. The rest of my expenses are broadly similar to the above, but kids clothes, sports and other kid related fees add another $3 - $4 k a year. Add daycare of over $11,000 a year, and school costs. This is before the mortgage and property taxes of $21,600 a year. Any one who thinks this place is cheap when you have a family is delusional.

R I C H

Ahh, yes property tax too - that's another $7,500 p/yr for me. Mortgage is an additional $39,000.

bazzz

Hmm.

Rent: $18,000
Hydro (no gas): $420
Cable/phone/internet: $2,000
Bus tickets/bike stuff: $1,500
Car rentals: $1,500
Groceries: $6,000
Booze (at home): $2,000
Gym membership: $700

**** knows where the rest of it goes. Must be good though, because it's costing us $30k a year.

R I C H

Nice to see you back Mr Bazzz

iaink

But you are not exactly average in that respect


Got my bill for this year yesterday. $1650.

I would say that's below average though.

clynnog

We heat at 21 c and cool at 25 c and I think our hydro and gas bills were about $2200 in 2007. Your water bills are nice and low. My next door neighbour (single guy very stingy) had hydro/gas/water bills of $650 for all of 2007.

Your beer and wine budget is much higher than our and we have no pre-school or daycare costs.

clynnog

Yes, $7500/year for property tax is very high...we are paying about $2850/year in Ottawa.

clynnog

$46500 in basic housing costs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Is that typical for BC?. I pay about $12K/year for those two but our mortgage is near the end of its life cycle......only $24 K left on the mortgage.

ann m

Ah, but have you seen R I C H's little pad in the country? It's a stunner but it's not typical