I genuinely don't understand how people survive summer here
This is my first full summer in Texas. It's been over 100 degrees for 12 straight days. My car steering wheel could brand cattle. I burned my hand on the seatbelt buckle.
This is my first full summer in Texas. It's been over 100 degrees for 12 straight days. My car steering wheel could brand cattle. I burned my hand on the seatbelt buckle.
Groceries are up. Rent is up. Insurance is up. Gas somehow went down and then right back up. I make more than I did 3 years ago and I feel like I have less money.
I've been here long enough to know which stereotypes are BS and which ones are dead on. The big trucks one? Absolutely real. Every third vehicle on the highway is an F-150 or bigger.
This is my first full summer in Texas. It's been over 100 degrees for 12 straight days. My car steering wheel could brand cattle. I burned my hand on the seatbelt buckle.
Groceries are up. Rent is up. Insurance is up. Gas somehow went down and then right back up. I make more than I did 3 years ago and I feel like I have less money.
I've been here long enough to know which stereotypes are BS and which ones are dead on. The big trucks one? Absolutely real. Every third vehicle on the highway is an F-150 or bigger.
Been here about a year now. There were things I expected — the heat, the big trucks, the BBQ obsession. All true.
July bill just hit: $387. For a 1,600 sq ft house. Thermostat set to 76. I'm on a fixed rate plan, my house is relatively new, and I keep the blinds closed during the day. Still getting wrecked.
Every time I stop at Buc-ee's I spend $60 on stuff I don't need. The beef jerky wall is mesmerizing. The bathrooms are immaculate. The brisket sandwich is solid.
Before y'all come for me — I've eaten there plenty of times. It's fine. The patty melt is good. The honey butter chicken biscuit is legitimately great. But the regular burgers? Mid. The fries?
Looking to plan something for a long weekend. Done the usual stuff close to home but want to go further out.
Just got back from a week in Mexico City. The food was unbelievable. Came home and went to my usual Tex-Mex spot and it hit different. Not bad, just... different. Tex-Mex is its own thing.
I need a solid breakfast taco spot. Not a sit-down brunch place charging $16 for two tacos on a fancy plate.
First time protesting my property tax appraisal this year. The county raised my value by $35K which makes zero sense because nothing about my house or neighborhood has changed.
I'm on a mission to find the best sweet tea around here. Not the bottled stuff. Not the lightly sweetened "is there even sugar in this" version.
Three months in. Some observations from someone still adjusting. - Everyone drives everywhere. I asked a coworker if they wanted to walk to the restaurant across the street.
AC has been out for 4 days. It's over 100 degrees outside and my apartment is hitting 90+ inside. I've called maintenance three times.
I've driven in a lot of states. Texas is on another level. Nobody uses turn signals. Everybody tailgates. Pickup trucks doing 90 in the right lane.
I need extra income. Not passive income guru stuff. Not dropshipping. Not "invest in real estate with no money down." Real things that real people are doing to make extra money.
I know HEB is the correct answer on the internet. But I want to know what people actually do week to week. I end up at Kroger because it's closest to me.
Interest rates are still elevated. Prices haven't really come down. Insurance costs are through the roof — literally, because of all the hail and storm claims. But rent keeps going up too.
Every city has those spots that have been open for 20-30+ years. No rebranding, no Instagram presence, same menu since the Reagan administration. And somehow they're still packed every weekend.
Looking for a new apartment or maybe renting a house. Budget is around $1,200-1,400 for a 1BR or small 2BR. I know that's tight. I'm not expecting luxury.
Spent 6 years in apartments. Just bought a house. Here's what nobody warned me about. - Lawn care in Texas heat is a part-time job. Mowing every week in summer. Watering constantly.
Lease renewal came in. $400 more per month. Same unit. Same busted dishwasher I reported 6 months ago. Same stain on the ceiling from the upstairs leak they "fixed" twice.
I've been applying for weeks. All the Indeed postings are either scams, ghost listings that have been up for 6 months, or they want 5 years of experience for $18/hour. I don't have a degree.
BBQ is supposed to be fun. Community. Gathering around a pit with a beer and eating good food.
Genuine question, no disrespect intended. I looked up the average teacher salary in Texas. It's around $57K.
Got the email Wednesday morning. My entire team — 14 people — eliminated. 2 years at the company. Good performance reviews. Didn't matter. This is the second round of layoffs in 8 months.