A new study from loan provider Advance America shows that rising costs now force Florida residents to work an average of 21 days each month just to pay their essential bills.
Florida ranks behind states like New York (22 days), Alabama (26), Mississippi (24), South Carolina (22), Kansas (22), and Michigan (23).
Food costs are the top driver of the squeeze, followed by utilities and rent. Alicia Reeves, a West Palm Beach resident, confirmed the trend, saying groceries have been her biggest monthly expense.
The study also noted regional differences: Southern households spend the most time working to cover bills, while residents in the Mountain West fare better. Small luxuries, like dining out, are often the first to go.
Budgeting expert Andrea Woroch advised residents to map out income versus expenses, then identify areas to cut back, such as streaming services, kids’ apps, or other entertainment spending.
Advance America surveyed 3,002 U.S. adults on monthly spending for housing, food, childcare, healthcare, transportation, and utilities, averaging results by state to assess the financial pressure on households.
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