This bites...

[Wolfie]

And hard.

Just got a propane delivery on Friday. 98 gallons and the bill is nearly $300.00! :eek They're charging $3.00 per gallon for the stuff and laughing all the way to the bank. I've been reading news reports of impending high heating fuel rates... it finally hit home.

I guess we're fortunate so far... we only use LP gas for cooking and a gas fireplace that's used on occasion. We usually average one gas bill per year. Guess we'll have to stop using the fireplace now.

But we haven't seen the last of it, my friends. In May, Delaware's cap on electricity rates will expire. The electricity providers are already rubbing their hands with glee, shedding crocodile tears and offering excuses for forthcoming rates that will nearly double. This summer they'll finally be allowed to gouge their customers like their compadres have been doing.

My heart goes out to folks who are on fixed incomes and those who will have to choose between paying utility bills and paying for needed meds and food. These folks don't have the luxury of simply working some overtime hours (or doing a DJ show) to make ends meet.

Yet, American taxpayers are forking over scores of billions of dollars to fight a war in one of the petroleum-richer regions in the entire world.

Carrol O'Connor as Archie Bunker once remarked "I'm white, Protestant and hard-working. Can't you people find an ammendment that protects ME??

I'd like to paraphrase that: "We're middle class and we're both working. We don't have any disposable income left. Why isn't there a government program that helps US??

There is something very wrong in this country. It needs to be fixed.

[Jim Casey]

Wolfie...I feel your pain.

We have heating Oil here in maine and the lowest price was $2.04/gallon

We were nearly empty when I called, our bill was $478.00!!!

I found a receipt from 2000 when fuel was $0.59 a gallon

[Wolfie]

When Shirl and I moved to this house in '02, propane was around $1.80 per gallon. Our supplier, Poore's was the cheapest in the area. Paradee was charging $3.00 per even then.

I'm noticing more and more area homes with those Blue Rhino gas grill tanks beside the houses. Honestly, average people can't afford to have their big tanks filled anymore. That's sad.

The cost of necessities has shot 'way up but the working folks aren't taking home any more money per week than they were 5 years ago.

Luckily for me, I have a friend in the business and can get #2 for $1.50 a gallon as long as i get 100 gallons. Has saved our butts. Well, that and a company seemed to mess an address up and filled our tank. Checked one day and we had just over a quarter tank. 2 days later it was full. We have a weird street in that it's all 1 poolers park way. the numbers then run 1, 1a, 2,2a and so on. Guess the people who ordered oil must have only put 1 poolers park way. We got the oil. I called to see why they put the kero in our tank, they messed up and said to not worry. Great present during this high cost time.

[Wolfie]

Jams, that's a good deal for you. I'm happy to hear. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]

We are getting some relief. The company I work for gasses my van up on the company account. It's because I use my van for maintenance trips to the stores. I haven't had to pay for gasoline for awhile...

It helps but we ain't saving much. The dough we'd have spent on gasoline now goes for other necessities.

[John Daniels]

Natural gas prices out here in 'The Wild Wild West' doubled this year over last winter . . .

Fortunately, we've had a mild winter and the heat hasn't been cranking as much!

However, I did just recently install a programable digital thermostat . . .

So far it seems to be keeping our heating costs down as well!

[Wolfie]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(John Daniels @ Feb 2 2006, 02:30 PM) Quoted post</div><div class='quotemain'>However, I did just recently install a programable digital thermostat . . .

So far it seems to be keeping our heating costs down as well!
[/b][/quote]
Greets, John. [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif[/img]

They're a great investment for around $30.00 wholesale. I've installed several of these puppies in the stores this year. They turn the heat down when the stores aren't occupied and back up when they are, all automatically. The default program has to be modified for business use but it's easy to do.

We may get one for the Den.

[dj4sale]

My Natural gas bill is between $300. - $400. a month this MILD winter. I'm glad I raised rates last year. Some here are working cheap just to get the gig to pay off the "panic". Every other industry are raising rates due to fuel and energy cost increases. This is the only industry that has businesses lowering rates to make ends meat.

Sale

[Wolfie]

Well, the verdict is in. We may have to get a programmable thermostat soon.

It ain't pretty, folks:

http://www.newszap.com/articles/2006/02/02...aware/dsn01.txt

[KJDJ]

"My heart goes out to folks who are on fixed incomes and those who will have to choose between paying utility bills and paying for needed meds and food."

That doesn't wash with me. I had this talk with my retired mom the other day.

I define fixed as in stable or not changing.
The inflation rate is around 2.5%.
The "fixed" income earners have been getting 4% raises for the last 7 years.

I have to work hard and beg for my raise each year.