Stepping into the WE Energies Confessional

So many people I know had a terrible time with We Energies over the winter and spring, and are still paying off high balances from this past winter. I'm one of them. As I've blogged before, my energy bill was extremely high - hovering around 250 each month. Too much for a single woman who spent more time at work than at her home.

And if we had some type of Twitterlike or reality-tv type of confessional for people to talk about how much they've ended up owing WE at a time.... I seriously wonder what we would see and hear.

Well, as for me, my bill did get over $1,000 this past winter, and that's WITH making payments. With some diligence and some sacrifices I've gotten it down to $150. Imagine that, making sacrifices not to get yourself ahead in life, but to pay WE.

I talked with them the other day about my new place, and I can expect to pay anywhere from $31-$45 monthly, (for two people) even throughout the winter. The thought of not having that looming over my head anymore is really a massive relief. Almost $200 extra bones in my pocket each month...a manageable energy bill.

On the walking to work front, I filled my tank on July 1st. This weekend I'll fill it again. I did have to put four gallons in yesterday but on the whole, getting gas once a month is a pretty neat deal. Did a lot of running around on this tank of gas to get the new place together and get rid of old stuff, so maybe August will be better.

That my friends, is strategery!

How Ethanol, Global Warming, and Energy Prices are Affecting Me.

It's very simple. I can no longer afford to live in the wonderful duplex that I live in. It's all due to energy prices.

Therefore, unless I want to live paycheck to paycheck and not save or invest in my future, I have to move closer to work.

Ah yes, the liberal dream come true. Raise the cost of energy so much that people MUST downsize and walk or bike wherever it is they have to go.

In all honesty, I am rather excited about moving downtown. But I wish I had more choice in the matter. As it is right now, my energy costs exceed $400 a month. This is between heat, cooking gas, and gas for my small car. That's pretty excessive for a single woman who doesn't eat much and has few and basic needs.

The situation with energy costs and subsequently food prices will only escalate. Anyone who doesn't think that's the case isn't being honest with themselves.

And the local government cannot afford to fix the roads anytime soon. I'll be darned if I'm going to drag my car over these roads voluntarily. My car is my only solid investment besides my 401k. And $600 twice a year for suspension work isn't an option.

I can't imagine what it's like for someone who makes less than I do or supports a family. Don't tell me we should in any way shape or form subsidize them. That's not an answer. We need real energy solutions and the only energy that food should provide is to a human body - not an engine.