Inside Out Money 147. 2025 Expense Review Part 1 - From $93K to $192K, A Tale of Four Households
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Jan 26, 2026 Four households open their budgets and compare real-world spending on home renovations, travel, and kids activities. They tally big-ticket items like a sunroom, deck, and health insurance pain. Listeners hear about groceries, restaurants, fitness and charity choices. The episode highlights how intentional spending shows up across housing, travel, and family life.
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Costco Changed Erica's Grocery Pattern
- Erica joined Costco and saw grocery spending jump to $18,703 as bulk buying changed habits.
- Buying staples in bulk made meal prep easier for a busy family on the go.
Kids' Activities Scale Into A Major Budget Line
- Kids' organized sports and activities are a major recurring expense that scales quickly.
- Club sports, camps, gear, and travel make child activity costs comparable to other big categories.
Andrew's Health Insurance Shock Post-Retirement
- Andrew spent $94,300 excluding housing, with health insurance the single biggest item at ~$13,900 for six months.
- He expects 2026 health costs near $26,700 as he covers employer and COBRA portions post-corporate life.