Turning Up the Heat

It was hard not to notice the recent efforts of Citizens Gas at getting out the word about anticipated high gas prices this winter. As T and I drove around tackling errands Saturday, we saw no less than 4 different billboards warning of the expected increase in natural gas prices. I commented to T that the aggressive marketing effort worried me, and warned her to be prepared for a cold winter in our house.

This evening as I was paying the bills, I was tempted for the first time in three years to join the budget billing program. Budget billing would allow me to pay one set price the entire year and avoid those dreaded high bills during the winter months. I've not joined to this point because I love the negligible bills that come in the summer: they're for our gas water heater only.

Just as I was about to write the check for the amount that would automatically enter me into the budget program, I logged onto the gas company's website (props to them for making this information so accessible). There I discovered that for only 4 months each year did I pay over what they want me to pay every month...the rest of the months were substantially less. In addition, last year's average monthly payment was about $50 less than what they want me to pay every month for the next twelve months to join budget billing.

I just couldn't bring myself to do it, to pay $160 today instead of $26 today. I've set the lofty goal for myself of calling Citizens Gas and getting some information including how they determine one's monthly budget plan payment, and how much of a price increase they are expecting this winter.

Either way, it promises to be a chilly winter around here. If you need holiday gift ideas for me and T, think thick socks, flannel pjs, and earmuffs!