I just ran a report on my top expenses for 2014. I spent $35,000 and I don't even own a car and buy all my clothes at the goodwill. I don't even have cable. House is PAID FOR. It seems almost of my costs are health related. And the utilities are almost $5,000 just for MY HALF (I split them with someone). We don't waste energy, it's just expensive in the bay area. Property taxes alone are $400+ a month for a 900 sq foot ugly bungalow we bought for 1/2 price. Health insurance is a nightmare. Even if I go low deductible, I end up paying more, so I actually do better with the upper end Kaiser plan I've been grandfathered into. The other plans here are pretty crappy. My friend got the high deductible blue cross and it still cost him $15,000 when he was in the hospital for 3 days. I also go to the dental school sometimes to save money. Just my basic cost of living adds up to 29,000. I know I could cut back on food, but really I can't understand how other people live for $20,000
$8,677 Dentist (root canals, crowns, implant. I still have 4 teeth than have problems)
$6,780 Health Insurance
$2,271 Health copay/meds
$2,403 Utilities (internet, electric, garbage, water)
$2,500 Property taxes
$4,970 Groceries
$1,562 Restaurants
$29,163 TOTAL