Well, as my info indicates, I am barely keeping my power on. I called yesterday to make arrangements with the bill. I was told that it was already out for disconnect but that she would try to catch him. When I got home, he(the mysterious power man) had been there and disconnected my power...but apparently the office had gotten in touch with him so he turned it back on. The relief I felt was great. I did not enjoy the thought of having to ask my parents for money for the power bill(who would have given it to me, but I am working so hard to try to be independent). This is the closest I have come to having the power turned off. The experience yesterday just makes my realization of last week hit even harder. What was I thinking? $55 a week(which is probably average) would have paid the power bill...but when I was spending that, I didn't think it added up to that much.
Power Bill Blues
November 18th, 2008 at 05:17 pm
November 18th, 2008 at 05:30 pm 1227029450
November 18th, 2008 at 07:05 pm 1227035157
November 18th, 2008 at 07:26 pm 1227036375
November 18th, 2008 at 08:34 pm 1227040491
As for the power bill ... That was a close call. I have a suggestion, and it is not the most sophisticated form of budgeting, but it is a way of putting first things first, making sure that the essential bills are paid. If you get some extra cash (such as a holiday bonus, a gift from your parents, or a bit leftover at the end of a pay period), you might want to send the whole thing in to the power company as an advance payment. You will then have a credit balance with them, and you will be able to rest assured knowing that they will not shut off your power, and you will not incur any late fees or penalties or "restart charges.{"
Once you have found your "financial legs" and have learned more about budgeting and have some cash reserves built up, you can stop doing that (carrying a credit balance). Eventually you will want to have your money earning more money for you instead of giving an interest-free loan to the power company. But for now, as long as you are struggling to make that bill on time, it is something to think about.
Hang in there and keep working at it! You are making progress.
November 19th, 2008 at 01:15 am 1227057302
Thanks to all for your support and ideas. It really helps that I can be completely honest and not be judged for the mistakes that I make.