[GH85Carrera]

We have a large electric Koi pond pump running 24/7/365 in the back yard, and the Cichlid aquarium in the kitchen dining room is 100 gallons and has a decent size pump for the main filtration system, a second pump for aeration, and of course the tank heater to keep the water warm. And a big bank of lights to see the Cichlids.

We also have a decorative fountain in the front garden. Once again, a pump running all the time in the above freezing months.

My wife grew up with a dad that worked for the power company and she will walk into a room, and turn the light on, and leave them on when she walks off. I turn off lights all the time. The bathroom floor heaters are on for 9 months of the year. I have a computer on most of the time. Sometimes for days on end.

If I am in the garage for long, the garage AC will get turned on or the electric heater depending on season. So even with my wife's fish hobby and my love of air conditioning our house electric bill for the two of us is $150 per month. No doubt the fish alone are a noticeable hunk.

Overall my utilities of electric, natural gas, water, sewer, and trash pickup and the insurance on the house is less than the taxman. The property taxes are a big bite each year. Since we have no mortgage we "get" to pay the property tax directly and it is a big check. Once again I think everyone should have to pay their taxes personally and not have it "just added in" to the mortgage payments. Like payroll deductions, that just hides the taxes the home owners pay.

Let everyone cut a check to pay their taxes like I get to for my income taxes, and property taxes, and see how many people want more taxes.