So how will you spend that $170 BGE credit?
That was sweet! I got my BGE bill this week and found a balance due of exactly zero dollars. It was the bill that reflected the one-time credit of $170 from the gas and electric company, the sum worked out as part of a $2 billion settlement of a lawsuit between the utility and state.
So, at least in theory, I should have an extra $170 in my household budget this month to spend on something else. Heck, the bill tells me I still have another $28 coming as a credit in next month's bill. But what to spend it on?
I could send it to my bank, and ask them to put it toward my car loan, or the home equity loan, or my credit card balance. They may be the last loans I can ever get. And it might save me a little bit of interest. Or, I could hang onto the $170, and put a sticky note on it saying: "For BGE gas cost increase" which the company says will cost me something like $110 more this winter.
But forecasters say the coming winter looks pretty mild for most of the country. So, maybe I won't need the extra cash for heat.
There is the banking crisis, of course. Maybe I should put $1 in the cup of each of the next 170 bankers I encounter selling pencils on the sidewalk. Maybe that will help them get back on their feet.
Hey, maybe I should invest the money in my 401K. If history is any guide, it should be worth, oh, $17 by the time I'm ready to retire. Or, by tomorrow. Whichever comes first.
Hmmm. On second thought, maybe 10 cases of Oktoberfest would be a better investment in my future happiness AND my mid-winter warmth. Yeah. That's the ticket.
What are your plans for your $170 BGE credit? Drop us a comment. Let it all out. You'll feel better. I know I do.
Comments
Can you explain why they included the envelope with my bill? Just think how much money they could have saved if they didn't include the envelope in everyone's bill.
FR: Well, maybe they thought you might send them a little something, just to stay in practice. You can save it for the time when somebody forgets to send an envelope. I hate when that happens..
Posted by: js | September 30, 2008 1:03 PM
I am leaving it in my account. I usually add $50 or so to my fall BGE bills to pay ahead a little on the winter bills.
FR: Yikes! You mean you send BGE and EXTRA fifty bucks? So they earn interest on the money instead of you? Why not just subtract the $50 bucks from your checkbook register so you don't spend it, then add it back in when you need to pay a big heating bill? At least BGE isn't getting fat on money you don't owe them yet.
Posted by: Michael | September 30, 2008 3:42 PM
Can you explain why, after all the rain this year, the reservoirs aren't full? Are we using more than even heavy rains can provide?
I've noticed this at Liberty and Brighton Dams.
Thank you,
Robert
FR: It's normal for the reservoirs to be down a bit at this time of year, even with all the rain in September. Summer is a time of heavy water use by people and by plants, so less water gets to the reservoirs and more is drawn out. August was also quite dry. Recharge usually takes place over the winter.
Posted by: Robert | October 1, 2008 3:41 PM
I am going to put it towards this month's $300 bill
Posted by: Justin | October 3, 2008 8:59 AM