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Power Bill Blues

November 18th, 2008 at 05:17 pm

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.

Posted in Uncategorized | 5 Comments »

5 Responses to “Power Bill Blues”

  1. Funny Honey Says:
    November 18th, 2008 at 05:30 pm 1227029450
    1227029450

    Oh honey... I think some of us have been there a time or two. (me, last Friday). We previously lived in a house that hadn't been touched since the 80s (single pane windows!) and our power bill was over $400 a month for 4 months this summer (we live in AZ). It just kept adding up. And then we moved. Before I could get the new bill, they sent us a disconnect notice saying if we didn't pay the old bill, they would turn off the new service. I begged and pleaded and they wouldn't accept payment arraignments. I owed $853. They did however, give me a pre-paid plan, where I load money onto a card, put it into our machine, and I then have power. The only catch, is now 40% of what I load onto the card goes to the old balance. So it will take a while to pay it off, but in the mean time, I at least have electricity. Sucks. But - things can only get better from here!! Smile

  2. Ms. Pearl Says:
    November 18th, 2008 at 07:05 pm 1227035157
    1227035157

    I am glad it didn't get turned off - think of that as a victory. Don't give up!

  3. mom-from-missouri Says:
    November 18th, 2008 at 07:26 pm 1227036375
    1227036375

    How are you paying for all these bagels and cokes?? debit card?? If so, I would start leaving it at home. If by cash, then I would stop carrying cash. I had to do that to keep myself out of the vending machine at work several years ago. took about 3 weeks to break myself of the habit.

  4. scfr Says:
    November 18th, 2008 at 08:34 pm 1227040491
    1227040491

    When I was at Costco today, I noticed they have HUGE Parmesan bagels, 12 for a bit under $5, or around 40-cents each. If you have a friend who is a member, you might want to ask her to pick some up for you to stick in your freezer. (If you are an impulse buyer as you say you are, don't go with her! Just ask her to buy the bagels!)

    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.

  5. North Georgia Gal Says:
    November 19th, 2008 at 01:15 am 1227057302
    1227057302

    That is a really great idea about the power bill. I will try to start doing that. I emailed my sister to look at Costco. Going with her isn't an option as we live 1 1/2 hours from the nearest Costco(or any kind of civilization). But she is going to check it out.

    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.

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