Update on Electric Charge Issue

Posted on September 17, 2024 by cordeliasmom2012

Far be it from me to not admit when I’m wrong (’cause, you know, that so seldom happens).

You will all remember a recent post wherein I complained about an unusually high electric bill.  As it turns out, that bill wasn’t outrageous after all.

This month’s bill was slightly lower and more in line with what I would expect during summer weather when air conditioners are running non-stop.  So, I decided to do a little historical research, and I’m  confident that I can now explain why this year’s electrical charges are higher than last year’s:

Yes, the electric company did put through a significant increase (I’ve been told it was a 65% rise in delivery charges).  While I still think that’s simply corporate greed, at least it explains the majority of my higher electrical costs.

I’ve also learned that the new smart meters also increase the bill slightly because they run on the house’s electrical system.  I suspect that’s more corporate greed.  There really was nothing wrong with the older meters.

But probably most significant is the fact that at this time last year, I was still working.  So, four days out of the week, nothing was running at home except for one small window air conditioner to keep Puppy Cody from suffering.  This year, there is a computer running all day, a few lights, one or two ACs, and (of course) the toaster oven and microwave are being used more often – plus, since I’m home, there’s more use of other electrical appliances like the washer/dryer*, the TV, and the little electric floor scrubber (an awesome gadget – no need to get down on those hands and knees anymore!).

*For you nitpickers – as I stated in my last post, hubby does most of the laundry these days but there are still certain items that I prefer to handle myself.

Oh, and the new recliner that we bought after my broken ribs incident is also electric.  And, I now need to charge my phone at home instead of using the electricity at work.

So, all in all, an electric bill that’s $50 higher this year than it was for the same month last year is not unreasonable.  It’s just an additional cost I failed to consider when I retired, but it won’t kill me.

I admit I was wrong in my earlier post.  Enjoy it – such an admission is unlikely to occur again because I’m almost never wrong.  Right?  Whether you agree or not, it’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

Hugs, all.

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I love to hear from my readers. You may comment on this post or email me at cordeliasmom2012@yahoo.com
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Images by Cordelia’s Mom/TeddyRosalieStudio

Posted in Household Items, That's Life | Tagged , , , , , | 7 Comments

Old Owner, Old Dog

Posted on September 16, 2024 by cordeliasmom2012

Poor Puppy Cody.

Cody loves to sit by the second-story window to watch the world go by, but after stumbling down the steps a few times it became necessary to block her from the stairs so she wouldn’t hurt herself.

It’s not a horrible life for her; the downstairs of the house is plenty big enough for her to wander around in, with lots of places for her to hide during events like thunderstorms, fireworks or street construction.

But now she can’t see the Fedex and UPS trucks delivering to houses as far away as the next corner.  I know that was previously the highlight of her day.  This street gets a lot of deliveries, and she used to bark at every, single one.

Can’t say that I miss that.

 

Although Cody can still hear the trucks when they’re delivering to my house or my immediate neighbors, so she stands by the window of the downstairs bedroom and barks at them through the air conditioner.  I guess in her little doggy mind she’s doing her job – because those trucks never fail to leave after she’s barked long enough.  (Ditto for the mail carrier.)

Silly dog.

As for Cody’s owner, I’m not getting any younger, either, and my mobility isn’t what it used to be.  Since the downstairs of our house lives like a ranch (bedroom, bath, living room and kitchen all on the same level), I can pretty much avoid going up those steps to the second floor, and hubby has taken over most of the laundry (ain’t he a sweetheart?), so I don’t have to go down to the basement too often.

Not that I’m totally decrepit.  I still manage to do what needs to be done, like shopping, medical appointments, house cleaning, etc.  I just do everything a little bit slower these days.  But then, I have all day, every day to finish my chores.  And I have a nice warm dog to hug in between.

Life at the moment is good.

How’s it by all of you?

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I love to hear from my readers. You may comment on this post or email me at cordeliasmom2012@yahoo.com
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Images by Cordelia’s Mom/TeddyRosalieStudio

 

Posted in Pets, That's Life | Tagged , , , , , | 17 Comments

A Different Beat

Posted on August 27, 2024 by cordeliasmom2012

I haven’t been doing much photography lately, as you may have noticed.

Hubby cleaned out the spare room upstairs and brought part of his drum set down.  Something about that cymbal standing in the corner spoke to me – it was one of those “I just gotta” photography moments.

Imagine my surprise when I opened the digital file to edit the photo and saw that heart  shadow!  Apparently my muse (which I didn’t even know I had) loves music.

Or, maybe the ghost of the old lady from whom we purchased the house is simply letting me know she’s still here and watching over the premises.

Who knows?!

(Now, if I could just find a muse to help with managing those ever increasing expenses!)

Hugs, all.

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I love to hear from my readers. You may comment on this post or email me at cordeliasmom2012@yahoo.com
__________
Image by Cordelia’s Mom/TeddyRosalieStudio

Posted in Household Items, Photography, That's Life | Tagged , , , | 13 Comments

Retirement Financial Struggles vs Corporate Greed

Posted on August 5, 2024 by cordeliasmom2012

 

Sure, I’m proud of the fact that I have been retired for ten months and have not once had to dip into my savings account to meet the monthly bills.

Each month gets a little harder, though.  Social Security can only be stretched so far.  Thankfully, my husband continues to work, and he buys all of the groceries and household supplies, as well as paying for water to the house and for most of the household and automotive repairs.  Were it not for his contribution, we would be in serious do-do.

Recently, I was very happy to learn that the property taxes are only going up $6 this year and the homeowner insurance premium did not increase, so there will be no rise in the monthly mortgage payment (which I handle) at least for the next 12 months.  In addition, the auto insurance premium only increased a little as a result of my husband leasing a brand new vehicle. (Lucky him! But he really needed all wheel drive for the upcoming winter as he has a long commute to work and we live in the snow belt.)

So far, so good.  Still within my personal budget, which is based soley on my monthly Social Security check.  And that budget was calculated to allow some wiggle room each month, in case of an unexpected minor expense (like a medical co-pay, or me just having to treat myself to that bag of candy) or the cyclic increase in utility costs due to season and weather.

But then some shit hit the fan, as they say.

Our electric company decided to install “smart meters” for everyone.  I immediately started seeing posts on local social media that people were receiving bills twice or thrice the amount owed prior to installation of the new meters.  In my naivete, I assumed those folks lived in houses with old electrical wiring and that my house would not be impacted because our electric was upgraded and the main box replaced just a couple of years ago.

Of course, I was wrong.  Before the new meters, electric service to my house was running $30-$40 a month.  The first bill after meter installation was $99 and I just received this month’s bill – $143!  This, for someone who sits in a small house all day, running only the computer, one small window AC (a newer, energy efficient model), one overhead (LED) light, and once-or-twice-a-day use of the toaster oven or microwave.  Athough the stove is electric and would run the charges up, we cook very little on it.  The clothes dryer and furnace (which we aren’t using right now) are gas.

The electric company keeps sending me congratulatory messages that my house uses less energy than other houses in the area, so I should be happy, right?

Not.  If these increases are a trend and not just a seasonal spike, it’s going to throw that carefully calculated budget right out the window.

I understand from what others have told me that electric usage is somewhat based on the time of day, with rates being higher during daytime business hours and somewhat lower in the evening and on weekends.

In other words, it’s another way to screw over old retired people, those who are disabled, the unemployed, and everyone who works from home.

I can hardly wait to see what happens when we are all forced into totally electric houses and cars.  Even if the grid can handle it, which I doubt, the costs are going to be more than many people can handle.

Not that corporations or politicans care.

For those who say, check into government assistance programs:  I have.  Once my husband is fully retired, too, and we are living only on our combined Social Security, our annual income will be about $200 above the maximum limits for any kind of federal or state assistance.   Never mind that at that point, our income will be too low to buy food or pay for medical expenses.  Apparently, old retired people simply don’t matter.

I will end today’s rant here (aren’t you glad?).  It’s time to go back to trying to qualify for those paid surveys.  I’m going to need those extra pennies to pay the electric bill.

Hugs, all.

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I love to hear from my readers. You may comment on this post or email me at cordeliasmom2012@yahoo.com
__________
Image by Cordelia’s Mom/TeddyRosalieStudio

Posted in That's Life | Tagged , , , , , | 15 Comments