This month I've gotten one of the cheapest bills since the rate hike. Before the 73% rate hike this would have been around $85.00. I rarely run the AC, just close all of the blinds. All lights and ceiling fans are left off when not in use. I have a newer dishwasher that is run once a day, no heat dry. About 3 loads of laundry a week, and if they are sheets or towels they are air-dried. One TV is on consistently through the day. It is a constant battle to keep the electric bill down! Christy Electric Details Summer Rates in Effect Residential - Schedule R Billing Period: Jul 22, 2008 - Aug 20, 2008 Days Billed: 29 Meter Read on August 20 Meter # D000068501 Current Reading Previous Reading kWh Used 31871 - 30801 = 1070 BGE Electric Supply 1070 kWh x .11820000 126.47 BGE Electric Delivery Service Customer Charge 7.50 Distribution Charge 1070 kWh x .01910000 20.44 RSP Chg/Misc Credit 1070 kWh x .00518000 5.54 State / Local Taxes & Surcharges MD Universal Svc Prog .37 State Surcharge 1070 kWh x .00015000 .16 Franchise Tax 1070 kWh x .00062000 .66 Local Tax 1070 kWh x .00728600 7.80 Total BGE Electric Amount $168.94 The RSP Charge on this bill includes a qualified rate stabilization charge of $0.00763 per kWh approved by the Maryland PSC that BGE is collecting as servicer on behalf of RSB BondCo LLC, which owns the qualified rate stabilization charge.

When you have four pockets ... ... and you know that there's no money in three of them ... ... into which pocket do you stick your hand when you need some? ... how often do you stick your hand into any one of the three pockets where you know that there's no money even when your hand gets all of the way to the bottom?? Memo ... to individuals, as to businesses (but most of the latter know it now) ... ... when you need money ... ... go where the money is! Like the credit card companies do. They may cancel the cards of folks who've been giving them a rough time, i.e., not paying. But they don't mind your payment being late - look at the large fee that they charge ... for what ... waiting an extra day or two for the payment? Suppose it's $100.00 payment ... at 10% annual rate, that's $10.00 per year, or about 3 cents per day. If your payment arrives 3 days late ... their cost is about a dime ... and they charge you a $20.00 late fee? Think they're about to cancel your card? Why would they?? They're making a very nice bucket of money off of you ... and others like you. You go over your credit limit? More of the same. So why would they shut you down?? You're a profit centre for them!! If so for them ... how about you?? If you blow an engine in your car tomorrow ... how will you pay for the repair? Or ... if you get laid off ... what will you live on? Have you ever had a pair of handcuffs snap around your wrists? I haven't either ... and I don't want any: I have absolutely no hankering for such an experience! I love my financial freedom!! If you don't have a financial cushion of some funds available in case of immediate drastic need, I claim that you have a pair of handcuffs lying on your dresser, right beside where you lay your wallet at night. Just waiting for an emergency need of money ... or a layoff ... to have them jump up and snap around your wrists. Financial freedom - that ain't!! Hope you all have a lovely weekend ... and if you'd be sweating blood if you don't get a paycheque ... or two ... ... please - do yourself a favour. Even though it may be a beautiful weekend, find a way to enjoy it while spending little or nothing. Start that savings fund ... build yourself a financial cushion. Aim at a minimum of 3 months' income available in case of emergency. Six months' earnings, or 9 months' ... or up to a year's worth, is even better. After 25 years or so as a personal financial advisor, I don't have it, myself, some of the time. Some of the time I have money in the bank, money market fund, etc., immediately available ... but sometimes not. I have a credit card that I don't use much, that I can use to fix my car, fly me home in case the travel co. goes broke and the hotel says pay - again - or go to jail, etc. And I have a Line of Credit at the bank, initiated several years ago at no fee, fully secured by stock or mutual fund certificates, in order to arrange a low interest rate ... and it lies there unused, most of the time (but there's no inactivity fee to pay). If I use the card for emergency ... I pay off the full balance prior to the due date, using my Line of Credit if the amount in my bank account, money market, etc. are short. Then ... pay off that loan (low interest - far lower than the rate charged on unpaid balances owing on the credit card) as soon as possible. I want my money working for me ... not be forced to use other folks' money ... and pay rent on it while I'm using it ... especially if it's the kind where they charge very high rates! I never want to have to darken the door of a payday loan company: their rates are ... *horrendous*! (By the way ... have you read my thread about the differences between a paycheque and a pension cheque?) ole joyful

Hi Catsoup, sorry went on a golf trip to Oak Hill in Rochester NY and just got back. Hard to pass up 90 degrees in upstate NY in October!! You may get all but 1 day back or you may get a little less...depends on the company. Here in CT, we're given the option to "short rate cancel" a policy. Basically a company can charge you a small penalty for cancelling early/mid-stream. It's at the discretion of the company (we do not charge a penalty). If your state has this, there is a strict formula they must follow. The ins. commisioner will have this. Regarding the negotiating of rates question, there's generally no negotiating...especially on home and auto insurance. Now a good salesman may convince you he did some finagling on your behalf and got the company to lower the rates. Most likely it didn't quite happen the way he wants you to believe. Personal property and casualy insurance really is a "garbage in garbage out" concept. You are who you are, you drive what you drive, and you live where you live...no real mystery. The insurers make all the rules and charge accordingly. Sometimes I feel like a glorified order taker when writing new policies. I tend to earn my keep when the you know what hits the your know where. Both Catsoup and Zone8grandma once again confirm something fairly well known in the insurance game. Generally clients will switch TO a new company for price, but generally don't LEAVE because of it. Even in this day of internet shopping and stupid lizards, people still appreciate being treated well and fairly.

Can you get a HELOC from a lender that does not charge a fee for early termination? We got our HELOC through USAA (same place as our mortgage) and we have absolutely NO penalties. We also got a low rate - prime minus 1. If you qualify or already belong to USAA, check them out. We have all our c/c's with them as well as our mortgage, home insurance and some investments.