I recently heard that heating costs will be going up this coming winter. That includes all who heat their homes with oil too. In the New York Post today there's an article about how people are cutting back on needed prescriptions just so that they can eat, stay warm and make their rent or mortgage payments. This is crazy. I found out quite by accident that IF the need is there, many drug companies will provide your medications for FREE. I know this to be a fact because I did it. Also Montel Williams speaks about a website that will help you get your needed medications.
On to the heating situation. There is energy assistance available. If you have a computer go to WE Energies site. The info is there, or call the Social Development Commission site on N. Richards Street. The main problem that I heard though is the wait. There are apparently so many people in need that people begin to wait hours ahead of the doors opening. I don't know if this is because of the beginning rush (applications for heating assistance began on Oct. 15) or, if this is how it'll be until the money runs out.
There are other things that we can do to keep our heating costs within reason beginning with clean filters and, if possible, a cleaning for the furnace. Then there's always plastic for the windows. Menard's had one brand on sale for .49 a package after rebate in this past Sunday's sale paper. The next step is turning down the thermostat. If there are no aged or infants in the house and people are healthy there's no real reason to keep the heat at 75 deg. There are programmable thermostats that can be set for lower heat at nighttime or when no one is home. If insulation is needed and a person falls into a category of need, La Casa Esperanza is there. This is a wonderful program that does insulation, new windows and all other kinds of energy saving home needs for those that can't afford to pay for it.
Times are tough and I do believe that it'll be a while before they get better for many of us so we need to do whatever we can to conserve money to pay our mortgages, rent, food and medicines. Stay warm everyone.
