Iowa Dads Refuse to Change the Thermostat- Don’t Even Ask!

Ok, sometimes polls are a bit goofy, but for Dads everywhere (me included) this one hit close to home.

Call me cheap; it is, what it is. The thermostat at my house in the summer is set typically at 74 degrees and can get moved all the way up to 78 depending on the heat and humidity. And in the winter my house is a crisp and cool 67-68 degrees. I know I'm a monster, right? Well, if that seems high or low to you, then you my friend have never paid a modern gas/electric bill.

Yes, across the nation prices are soaring. Groceries are astronomically high, rent/mortgages and transportation costs are increasing, as well as entertainment prices. The list of bills seems to be endless and growing. Does anyone remember filling up a car for 99 cents a gallon. Tom Drake remembers.

Question: If it came down to it, would people rather cut their groceries down to ramen and bread or bump their thermostat to save on gas or electricity?

I only bring this up because, BetMGM recently surveyed over 2,200 Americans to uncover how people are adjusting their financial priorities amid rising costs. The survey, conducted in June of 2024, explored how individuals across different states are making trade-offs between essential expenses like groceries, rent, and comfort measures such as air conditioning.

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Researchers aimed to identify which areas residents are most willing to cut back on to stay within their budgets. The findings highlight a range of behaviors, from increasing indoor temperatures in Oregon to significant grocery cuts in Connecticut, revealing the diverse strategies people use to manage their finances.

So where does Iowa "rank" in these findings?

Well, like myself, Iowans demonstrate a unique balance when it comes to managing their finances, particularly in how they handle rising costs. Notably, Iowans show a remarkable tolerance for higher indoor temperatures, willing to let their homes reach up to 73.4 degrees Fahrenheit to save on air conditioning. This tolerance for heat surpasses that of many other states, where residents may be less inclined to "endure" such temperatures to cut costs. This willingness to sacrifice comfort highlights a pragmatic approach to budgeting amid financial pressures.

Additionally, when it comes to groceries, Iowans are also prepared to make significant adjustments and cuts. They estimate they could manage with a monthly grocery budget of $168.24, reflecting a cutback from their typical spending (BTW, my kids love ramen). This figure contrasts sharply with other states like Connecticut, where residents are less inclined to make financial sacrifices or how about Mississippi, where they are most willing to make financial sacrifices. For Iowans, we sit at #7 on the list overall as being one of the states most likely to make financial sacrifices.

So, there you have it—if you're cranking your thermostat to 78 in the summer and contemplating a diet consisting of ramen and questionable sandwiches, congratulations! You might just be living the most frugal, temperature-resistant life Iowa has to offer. While some of us are willing to sweat it out to save a buck, remember: you can't heat your house with a microwave, but you can sure make ramen in one! Stay cool (or warm?) out there, fellow penny pinchers—because saving money has never felt so... impossible.