Bundle.com, a new money-comparison website, recently did a survey on Americans’ spending habits, broken down by the 50 states. Turns out it’s nearly impossible to living frugally in states where you’re surrounded by spendthrifts–especially if you live in one of these top 10 spendthrift states. (The number in parentheses is the amount residents spent, on average, on things like eating out and shopping.)
1. Connecticut ($57,331)
2. District of Columbia ($49,430)
3. Hawaii ($46,518)
4. California ($42,962)
5. Texas ($42,623)
6. Arizona ($41,752)
7. Illinois ($41,627)
8. New York ($40,783)
9. Maryland ($40,538)
10. Washington ($40,480)
Pennsylvania, where I live, ranked #42 (that surprised me) with annual spending of $32,452. My neighbor to the East, New Jersey, was #21 with $38,634 in spending. By the way, the national average is $37,782.
If you’d like to see how your state ranks, visit the Bundle Report 2010 website.
READ LEAH ON HOME GOES STRONG
Figures I live in #4 (Cali), and I used to live outside the DC (#2) area.
But I grew up in good old PA, and I’ve managed to hold on to a fair bit of my frugality from there. I don’t like to shop. I stopped eating out too often about 8 years ago when I lost weight (too hard to maintain eating out).
I did break down a couple of years ago and hire a cleaning lady though. Not frugal, but so worth my sanity.
Frugal to me doesn’t mean not spending any money–it’s about spending your money wisely. And if paying for a cleaning lady works for you, then it’s worth it!
I live in the UK and it would be interesting to know where people spend the most and least here too. I wonder if there would be any surprises
I live in the UK and it would be interesting to know where people spend the most and least here too. I wonder if there would be any surprises
I live in the UK and it would be interesting to know where people spend the most and least here too. I wonder if there would be any surprises