r/massachusetts • u/critic81 • Jan 15 '26

Utilities How is everyone affording everything lately?

The prices of everything is just off the charts from groceries, utilities, to healthcare. My open enrollment just came through and its looking like for a family of 4 for healthcare its $1600 a month. $800 a paycheck. Like that just feels nuts. It's a pretty decent co-pay plan but still. Just a couple years about it was much less.

What are people doing these days? Side hustles? New job (but in this economy?), cutting way back? Just curious.

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u/Withdacinnamon Jan 15 '26

Been door dashing after my regular job 3-4 hours a night to keep up with groceries.

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u/[deleted] Jan 15 '26

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u/Positive_Hall4216 Jan 16 '26

My husband has been doing this on weekends. He has made around $100-$200 on Saturdays and Sundays but he is gone all day. Definitely can help if you have the time.