It seems to average out with the living costs. Salaries are higher, costs are higher, we remain equally poor in the end if we are lucky.
Sounds like you need to go kidnap your Mom! I understand how she feels, tho. At least you all are not in southern California.
My electric bill at the peak this summer was about 11.8 cents per KW including fees, etc. My base rate is .067/kw. I was still griping LOL
The biggest complaint I have is expensive and iffy internet and satellite TV. If the net was more reliable, I would ditch the tv as much of what I watch can be streamed if I could count on the net connection staying up. MotorTrend app and Youtube TV gets most of it. 80 year old telephone lines that are not going to be replaced make for terrible dsl service.