The 'I Can't Pay Electric Bill' meme represents a relatable cross-section of internet humor focused on the modern cost-of-living crisis. Whether depicted through images of people staring blankly at utility notices or dancing ironically to upbeat music while broke, this meme captures the collective anxiety of adulthood. It gained significant traction on platforms like TikTok and Twitter as energy prices surged globally, turning a stressful life situation into a shared comedic experience. Users often pair the caption with footage of people performing everyday tasks in the dark or reacting with exaggerated despair to symbolize the absurdity of basic survival costs in the current economy.