Largest Price increase you have seen ?

[Chas]

I'm not bothered by it, at least, not enough to leave. WAY more crap to put up with on the mainland...

[kalakoa]

https://www.khon2.com/local-news/rising-...ric-bills/

A typical residential bill using 500-kilowatt hour a month went from $140 in January 2021, to $165 in July 2021, and in February 2022 the same amount of usage will cost you about $180.

Even if you're off-grid, the cost increases are passed through anywhere that uses electricity: groceries, hardware, beer... and the State is collecting GET on all of it.

[1voyager1]

@kander, kalakoa, and TomK in posts 14, 15 and 16 in this thread ---

Beginning in my early 40s I have never worked a steady job.
I often describe myself as having been semi retired most of my life.
I was a single parent for 16 years.
I have never developed a desire to want a large income, blowing my money on extraneous things I don't  want or need, like most people do.

I ran a business for 15+ years, shutting it down 5+ years before starting SoSec.
Getting bored, I took a job for the last 5 years and drove school bus, then quitting it, starting SoSec and moving to Hawaii when I turned 70.
On SoSec, I make  more tax free than I made in taxable income driving school bus.
Going onto SoSec turned out to be a pay raise for me.
I have more income now than I want or need.
I live as well as I want to, and still make monthly deposits into savings.
One of the best moves I ever made:  beats working.

[kalakoa]

I'm not looking for a large income or frivolous spending, I just don't want to be priced out of my house before I reach retirement, and I really don't want to fly to Oahu for doctor's appointments. It's pretty clear that the infrastructure in Puna won't keep up with growth. Maybe I'm just doing it wrong.

[1voyager1]

@kalakoa,
When you talk about being priced out of your home, I have to assume you're renting not buying.
If you're buying, your monthly payments are fixed for the life of the contract.
When the contract is paid, you own it.
If you're renting that's your first mistake in trying to stabilize your life.

If you don't want to commute to Oahu for major medical, have excellent health, keeping in mind that no one lives for ever.
Then, you also have the option to not live on Big Island.
Stabilize your life and live with the options that go with your choices.
We all make choices on how our lives go on.

[Durian Fiend]

https://www.khon2.com/local-news/rising-...ric-bills/

A typical residential bill using 500-kilowatt hour a month went from $140 in January 2021, to $165 in July 2021, and in February 2022 the same amount of usage will cost you about $180.

Even if you're off-grid, the cost increases are passed through anywhere that uses electricity: groceries, hardware, beer... and the State is collecting GET on all of it.

That's a big jump. 

I looked up price of gas at the pump for a year ago, average in Hawaii.  It was $3.50, now $4.40

[kalakoa]

I own my home, but that doesn't solve the cost of living increases, and I'm not waiting around to see how long I can afford it.

I would probably feel very differently if I were already retired.

---

A trip to the grocery store used to be under $50. Now it's over $100.

Tank of gas used to be around $40. Now it's over $70.

Neither of these will break me, but it's not just about the money. Governor Ige kind of ruined it for me.

[kander]

One of the best moves I ever made:  beats working.

Thats awesome to hear. I see people making good money and still not being able to make it, I really dont know where they spend all that money but they are constantly one paycheck away from pushing their belongings around in a shopping cart. I suppose it has a lot to do with how frugal a person is.

[My 2 cents]

It's a mindset. Wanting what you need is quite different than needing what you want.

[1voyager1]

Hi again kalakoa,
I'm kinda shotgunning this one this time, addressing several of your posts not just one:

Electrical power costs:
When we bought,  we were getting $185/mo electrical bills 8 or 9 years ago, with frugal usage to hold them down.
We have what would qualify as an "all electric" home.
We had solar power put in with a grid connection.
Our electrical cost drooped to $20/mo, the minimum charge for grid tie.
It has since gone up to $25, could go up again.

Could install batteries and cut the grid.
So far, batteries are too much trouble.
But, who knows what the future holds?
It is still an option.
Rooftop solar is expensive, but with incentives, we paid back the cost with 4 years of savings with no power bills at all for the last 5 years or so.

My only complaint is that the array isn't big enough to also power our hot tub.
I 'm thinking of adding a solar water heating coil to the tub to fix that.
Life would be almost complete then.

Inflation:
According to those that are supposed to know whats going on, and what the future will hold, inflation will hit people on fixed income - retired people - hardest.
Future will tell.
But, I can adjust my spending, which is already very moderate, and may get even more so.
I don't worry about it much.
I'm adaptable.
I've survived nicely through several inflation/deflation periods before.
I think the one caused by giving the Arabs control of their oil, back in  the late '70s and early '80s, hit 20%  for a while.
Not convinced yet this one will get that bad.
This one doesn't worry me excessively.
I'll figure a way through it comfortably.
Expectations may need to be adjusted.
That's  the way life is.

Politicians screw up people's lives everywhere, not just in Hawaii.
No matter where you go, they're mucking around and screwing things up for many while giving advantages to a privileged few.
Power and control is the primary draw for them.

The huge spending the government did recently to save the financial businesses from any losses is a large part of the magnification of the effects from the pandemic, ... good timing, but that's the way life is.