RS can correct me if I am wrong but I think some foods are much much cheaper in the US.  Just one example is KD, at walmart the cheapest place to buy it, 1.38 a box.  Milk is 4.95 for a 4 litre jug.  When I cross the border and buy groceries my bill is about half, even with exchange.  ( not that that has been an issue for the last year)
Smart meters have been in place for about 2 months but they are not yet activated.  Not sure when that will happen.
But I think our wages might be higher in Canada? Minimum wage here is 9.50.  But when you consider that a dump will run you about 1000.00 per month.  I really dont know how you would survive on it. 
The only people making money are the politicians.  To be quite frank I feel they are paid way too much. The president of the SPCA makes over 300K per year. ( do you really think that is what the position is worth??) Things are seriously out of whack. Teachers get paid 50 K Nurses about the same...

I do have one of those oil heaters plugged in, in the kitchen to save on propane.
  In the summer it was running at 130/month.  No air conditioning, but we  have many mature trees, so I do not need it, plus a cool basement -thank goodness.  Just 2 of us living here too. 
I think we pay more for delivery in the country.

My dial up is 30/month.  Phone bill just for a land line is 40.  I'm going to get rid of that, I think.

Your prices for milk  and KD is about the same as ours bynjulf.  Accommodations are cheaper in the country, but then again, you have to drive farther to work, and wages are much lower. 
Cheese has really gotten crazy, a 500g block is 8.99 unless on sale.  Unfortunately that is practically my diet, I just love cheese.
  Good bread is over $3 a loaf, cheaper stuff runs around 2.
Toilet paper like I said on another thread is the same as a block of cheese. 
I bought a little pack of raspberries (maybe 20) yesterday on sale for 2.99.  

Quality goes down, price goes up.

"My dial up is 30/month.  Phone bill just for a land line is 40.  I'm going to get rid of that, I think."

RS, If you have dial up it probably goes over the land line. If you eliminate that you may kill your internet access. LOL

i make my own bread and cheese so not an issue :)  BUT I saw bread on sale at walmart for 3 bucks a loaf??????  What kinda sale was that supposed to be.  I like to eat what my family calls "squirrel bread" it's gots so many seeds and stuff in it :)  EWWWWW. I have never made a good loaf of rye bread so i do buy the really dark stuff once in a while.  I guess we shouldnt be bitching some people have no food at all...  At least we can feed our families.

Yes, brynjulf, good point.

Ninja, I checked into that, they'll still send me their lousy internet service.  
I'm going to change that too, or so I keep saying!

mtndawg - texas doesn't have an income tax, but it makes the money in other ways - high sales taxes, high property taxes and business income taxes (which consumers end up paying through higher prices). 20 cents on each gallon of fuel purchased...

there are also county and city taxes.....added to the list.
 
IMO..

people complain that the "rich" should pay a larger percent of tax then the poor...... that's BS, everyone should pay the exact same percentage......and no dutctions or loopholes for anyone.

if someone needs a handout, it shouldn't come from the federal IRS, but instead other branches state governments....even better yet, it should come from churches and other non-proffits.

Texas Taxes and Tax Rates

http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxrates.html
The chart below provides a quick overview of tax rates for all taxes administered by the Comptroller. You can find detailed information such as forms, publications, statutes, rules and more on any of these taxes by clicking the tax type in the chart.

Tax	Rate
911 Emergency Service Fee	$0.50 per month for each local exchange access line or equivalent local exchange access line
911 Equalization Charge	1% of the customer's intrastate long-distance charges each month
911 Prepaid Wireless Emergency Service Fee	2% (.02) of the purchase price of each prepaid wireless telecommunications service purchased
911 Wireless Emergency Service Fee	$0.50 per month for each wireless telecommunications connection
Automobile Theft Prevention Authority Assessment	$1 per motor vehicle year
Automotive Oil Sales Fee	$0.01 per quart of automotive oil imported or sold in Texas
Battery Sales Fee	$2 per battery of less than 12 volts. $3 per battery with a capacity of 12 volts or more
Boat and Boat Motor	6 1/4% (.0625) of sales price less trade in allowance
Cement Production Tax	$0.55 per ton or $0.0275 for each 100 pounds or fraction of 100 pounds of taxable cement
Cigarette Tax	For a conventional package of 20 cigarettes, the tax is $1.41 cents per pack. For a package of 25 cigarettes, the tax is $1.76 cents per pack
Cigar and Tobacco Products Tax	Cigars one cent per 10 or fraction of 10 on cigars weighing three pounds or less per thousand; $7.50 per thousand on cigars that weigh more than three pounds per thousand, sell at factory list price, exclusive of any trade discount, special discount, or deal, for 3.3 cents or less each; $11 per thousand on cigars that weigh more than three pounds per thousand, sell at factory list price, exclusive of any trade discount, special discount, or deal, for more than 3.3 cents each and contain no substantial amount of non-tobacco ingredients; and $15 per thousand on cigars that weigh more than three pounds per thousand, sell at factory list price, exclusive of any trade discount, special discount, or deal, for more than 3.3 cents each and contain a substantial amount of non-tobacco ingredients. Other Tobacco Products (smoking or pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff) Effective Sept. 1, 2009, the tax rate is based on the current state fiscal year. The rate applies to each ounce of net product weight and all fractional parts of an ounce. A tax rate in effect for a state fiscal year does not affect taxes imposed before that fiscal year, and the rate in effect when those taxes were imposed continues in effect for purposes of the liability for and collection of those taxes. Following are the rates by state fiscal year. Fiscal Year Rate 2010 (Sept. 1, 2009 - Aug. 31, 2010) $1.10 per ounce* 2011 (Sept. 1, 2010 - Aug. 31, 2011) $1.13 per ounce* 2012 (Sept. 1, 2011 - Aug. 31, 2012) $1.16 per ounce* 2013 (Sept. 1, 2012 - Aug. 31, 2013) $1.19 per ounce* 2014 (Sept. 1, 2013 and each fiscal year thereafter) $1.22 per ounce* *Plus the proportionate rate on all fractional parts of an ounce. An expanded chart showing tax rates for individual cans or packages weighing up to 15 ounces for state fiscal years 2010 and beyond is available.
Cigarette and Tobacco Products Outdoor Advertising Fee	10% (.10) of the gross sales price of any outdoor advertising of cigarettes or tobacco products in Texas
Coastal Protection Fee	The tax rate on returns for transfers after September 1, 2005 is 1.333 cents per barrel of crude oil or condensate. The tax rate for returns for transfers prior to September 1, 2005, is 2 cents per barrel of crude oil or condensate. The rate can vary or the fee can be suspended, depending on the balance in the Coastal Protection Fund.
Coin Operated Machines Tax	Registration certificate: $150; occupation tax permit: $60; general business license: $200 for 50 or fewer machines, $400 for 51-200 machines, $500 for 201 or more machines; import license: $500; repair license: $50
Controlled Substances Tax	Marihuana: $3.50 per gram, 4 oz. minimum; Other Substances: $200 per gram, 7 g. minimum; $2000 per 50 dosage units, 50 minimum, 50 unit increment
Crude Oil Production Tax	Oil production tax: 4.6% (.046) of market value of oil
Diesel Fuel	$0.20 per gallon of diesel fuel
Fireworks Tax	2% (in addition to sales tax)
Franchise (Corporate and Bank)	1.0% (.01) for most entities 0.5% (.005) for qualifying wholesalers and retailers 0.575% for those entities with $10 million or less in Total Revenue (annualized per 12 month period on which the report is based) electing the E-Z Computation
Gasoline	$0.20 per gallon of gasoline
Hotel Occupancy Tax	6% (.06) of the cost of a room
Inheritance Tax	Texas portion of the maximum allowed federal credit for state death tax
Insurance Maintenance Tax	Varies each year as adopted by the Texas Department of Insurance and the Texas Workers' Compensation Commission
Insurance Premium Tax (Independently procured, Surplus Lines and Unauthorized)	4.85% (.0485) of taxable premiums
Insurance Premium Tax (Licensed Insurers)	Life, Accident and Health insurers: 1.75% (.0175) Property and Casualty insurers: 1.6% (.016) Reciprocal or Interinsurance Exchanges: 1.7% (.017) Title insurers: 1.35% (.0135)
International Fuels Tax Agreement	Tax rate is set by each of the member jurisdictions. Interstate carriers based in Texas report fuel tax paid in all member jurisdictions
Liquefied Gas Tax	$0.15 per gallon; Prepaid users: based on mileage and registered gross weight of vehicle
Loan Administration Fee	$0.50 of each administrative fee charged for a secondary mortgage loan; $1 of each administrative fee charged for a non-real property loan
Manufactured Housing Sales and Use Tax	5% of 65% or .0325 of the sales price stated on invoice
Miscellaneous Gross Receipts Tax	Percentage of gross receipts from business done in incorporated cities and towns, according to population: 1,000 to 2,499 = .581% (.00581) 2,500 to 9,999 = 1.07% (.0107) 10,000 or more = 1.997% (.01997)
Mixed Beverage Tax	14% (.14) of gross receipts
Motor Vehicle Gross Rental Receipts	10% (for contracts of 1-30 days) of gross receipts, less discount and separately stated fees for insurance, fuel, and damage assessments. 6 1/4% (.0625) for contracts exceeding 30 days but no longer than 180 days
Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax	6 1/4% (.0625) of sales price less trade in allowance
Motor Vehicle Seller-Financed Sales Tax	6 1/4 % (.0625) of gross receipts
Motor Vehicle Registration Surcharge	10% of the total fees due for the registration of the truck-tractor or commercial motor vehicles
Motor Vehicle Surcharge	The rate for model years 1996 and earlier is 2.5 percent of the total consideration paid for the vehicle, while the rate for model years 1997 and later is 1 percent
Natural Gas Production Tax	Gas: 7.5% (.075) of market value of gas. Condensate Production Tax: 4.6% (.046) of market value of gas
Office of Public Insurance Counsel Assessment	Property and Casualty insurers: $.057 per policy in force at year end Life, Accident, and Health insurers: $.057 per initial policy or certificate of coverage placed in force during the year Health Maintenance Organizations: $.057 per initial policy or certificate of coverage placed in force during the year Title insurers: $.057 per new owner policy written during the calendar year
Oil Well Service Tax	2.42% (.0242) of taxable services
Oyster Sales Fee	$1 per 300 pound barrel of oysters taken from Texas waters
Pari-Mutuel Tax	Horse and Greyhound 1% for live pools in excess of $100 million but less than $200 million 2% for live pools in excess of $200 million but less than $300 million 3% for live pools in excess of $300 million but less than $400 million 4% for live pools in excess of $400 million but less than $500 million 5% for live pools in excess of $500 million 1% for simulcast pools (same species and cross species)
Petroleum Products Delivery Fee	$ 3.75: Less than 2,500 $ 7.50: 2,500 but less than 5,000 $11.75: 5,000 but less than 8,000 $15.00: 8,000 but less than 10,000 $ 7.50: Each 5,000 gallon increment on 10,000 gallons or more
Public Utility Gross Receipts Assessment	1/6 of 1% (.001667) of gross receipts from rates charged to the ultimate customers in Texas
Retail Charge Account Delinquency Fee	$0.50 for each delinquency charge in excess of $10
Retaliatory Tax	If the aggregate tax, assessment, and fee burden of another state exceeds the aggregate burden in Texas based on the same amount of premium writings, a retaliatory tax is imposed equal to the difference between the states
Sales and Use Tax	State - 6 1/4% (.0625) City - 1% (.01) - 2% (.02), depending on local rate. County - 1/2% (.005) - 1.5% (.015), depending on local rate. Transit - 1/4 % (.0025) - 1% (.01), depending on local rate. Special Purpose Districts - 1/8% (.00125) - 2% (.02), depending on local rate
School Fund Benefit Fee	.04875 per gallon of diesel fuel
Sulphur Production Tax	$1.03 per long ton of sulphur produced
Texas Emissions Reduction Plan Surcharge	2% (in addition to sales tax) on the sales or lease price of off-road, heavy duty diesel equipment
Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Fund Assessment	Rate is set based on the premium volume each year to generate $15 million in revenue

 Here's one for ya! Brother works for state collage has a retirement that is investments,We inheritied our parents money he invested his in his work retirement plan.The Obama/demacratic controlled house & and senate durring the stockmarket crash desided to stop everyone from taking there money out so they make a law, can't touch YOUR money unless you lose your job /get deathly sick. Well they didn't think of
  peoples who 's house payment went up!  Needless to say he could not get his money out so he lost his home.So lets give the Obama a big round of applause.Not to mention what he's trying to do to senior citizens social security checks 3yrs to get a cost of living increase now if that was'nt aTAX what was it ???
  I will be voting with all my family & friends ,WAKE UP PEOPLE!!

Property taxes here in Texas by county have risen in huge increments.

Because I am a senior Mine is frozen as of the tax, but they try to re evaluate it so that it has to be an increase..

I fight that every year.

They have to prove to me where anything around me of my calipher has been sold and evalutation risen..THEY cannot do it..

SO when I call , they say , yes, we know, we put it back where it was...thanks for calling..You will get a new tax statement in about two weeks..

OUR electricity in my county is a co-op with a smart reader meter...WHOA nellie..I have to turn off my hot water heater for 3 hrs a day, use blankets and turn my central heat only on 60 or it will run the bill up to 600.00 A MONTH  for only a 1436 sq ft house, w all electric and me./now son is here so there is more usage..Wash on cold water, and I set my hot water heater on 115* and use two electric skillets when I can , as my electric GE stove makes the meter run like it is on a space ship/

Gas just went up to 3.45 yesterday..for the cheapest , and the phone bill , which I have dial up too has 18 entries of taxes and unbelievable charges for things I never heard of.

electric bill last month was 197.67 using those methods of NOT using.. THAT does include my water as I have a well, running a 110hp. motor, and a barn with lights and 4 outdoor professional lights, incandescent or somekind that do not use much electicity..

I have lights in kennels , nursery and well house and do use  250.watt bulbs on dogs and plants on nights it freezes..SO  with the raise of milk at 4.99 a gal. bread is 2.39 unless on sale, and veggies are very high along with meat being out of the ball park unless on sale.

Everything I use to buy is 5 to 10 cents higher than christmas time and insurance just went up also.
Everything   states the federal tax on the supply to their company has doubled so thay had to pass it on to us..

Glad I live in country and I did get a wood burning stove for Christmas from kids..IT is not vented yet so I cannot use it , but will if I have to  ...and I use an outdoor grill w butane and have extra bottles of butane in order to heat my living area if we lose power or it gets too expensive..LAst year my electric bill ran 300- 400 for 4 months in the winter running central and small heaters...I had to stop it this year as that leaves me nothing to even eat on after all the other priorities .

Gas in my truck eats a 100.00 bill just to fill it.  I may teach the dogs to pull a cart..
Dog food is 150.00 -200.00 a month also..and that is skimping and adding meats I find on sale..Dogs eat better

on and on and on........