Yesterday's news: people already getting cut off by utilities for lack of pay-
By writersedge
@writersedge (22563)
United States
October 8, 2008 7:39am CST
ment. In our newspaper yesterday, the news was that people are already getting cut off by utilities. I thought that would be when it became colder, but that actually started in August. 17% more cut offs per month than last year,it's running on average. NY State has doubled its aid for the winter, but they believe it won't be enough. One family was only without utilities for one week in August. That wasn't too bad from the sound of things, but 1 week in December or Jan or any week we have sub-zero could be disasterous. Are you all set to pay your utilities this winter? Are you worried about your ability to pay? Have you checked with your state to see if they have allocated more? What will you do if you can't pay or they cut you off? Do you have back ups and do you know how to use them? Some people who had no back ups froze to death and some who did have back ups had smoke inhalation, the paper said. At least the price of fuel is going down some in my area, who about yours? Take care and be safe.
1 person likes this
3 responses
@carolbee (16230)
• United States
8 Oct 08
We do the budget billing so there is no change throughout the year. I feel so bad for those who have their utilities cut off. It just doesn't seem like the right thing to do. Utility companies are making money hand over fist and could offer a big discount to those who can't afford to heat or cool their homes. Just seems inhumane to me. Our utility bills aren't bad. We have a large home that is sided and has insulated windows. Once we installed both, our bills decreased considerably.
1 person likes this
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
8 Oct 08
We put a new roof on our house and it cut out bills in half.If we could afford new windows and siding, I bet we could heat this old farmhouse for hardly anything. It's not very big compared to the houses around us and we tend to use very little electric anyway. Our first load of fuel was a lot of money, but not as much as some people's. One lady paid for $1,600 to put fuel in all her tanks. I can't imagine. If the weather can hold off being bad and I can get a job, new windows at any rate would be a big help. Sometimes that western wind freezes us. No wonder we have over 200 windmills up here.
@cgobble (171)
• United States
8 Oct 08
Yeah, I've noticed the fuel prices going down in my area too. I feel so bad that people are losing their utilities so close to the winter. I wish there was something I could do to help, but truth be told, times are tough for me and my family too. We have a roof over our heads and food on our plates, but if I was to say, donate any money to charity well then I wouldn't be able to afford to pay my utilities. So it's horrible, but I can honestly say at this point in time that a lot of people are struggling.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
8 Oct 08
I'm in the same boat. I can't donate. Our electric bills come with a box you can check off to donate $1, $2, $3 or $5 to help people. I used to donate a dollar now and then, but even that is hard now. I might need that dollar to go toward peanut butter for lunch. I have a feeling if I can get a job, I might be helping at least one of my brothers with fuel or electric or something this winter. Take care.
@PearlGrace (3171)
• United States
8 Oct 08
The price of gasoline right now is down where we live. And I truly appreciate that, even though I think the prices are still outrageous. Since we live in a warm state, we don't have to turn on our furnace hardly at all, so our utility bills are MUCH lower during the winter months.
We do not have any back up power system. But we have seen the generators that are installed on the side of the house and hooked up to the utility box that automatically kick on if the home's power is knocked out. Those would be great during the aftermath of a hurricane but I suspect they are quite expensive.
We are not too worried about paying our bills as we are quite thrifty and both still work. Of course, with today's stock market, anything could happen. I feel for all those people you mention that got their utilities cut off. That would be horrible.
@writersedge (22563)
• United States
8 Oct 08
I paid $3.39 for gas in my car today. That's exciting when you compare it to over $4 a gallon in the spring. We went through 2 tanks of fuel last year, way down from 4 tanks in the worst year when we needed a roof.
Most of the people have utilities back on, but some people didn't have it happen in time. I'm really worried. Not as much for us as for a lot of people I know who are poor to begin with or were Middle Class, but aren't any more. Take care
