I'm fortunate here in Carroll, IA, they have a budget plan for both gas and power so I use them. Every 6 months they average your last 6 months worth of bills and charge accordingly so I know exactly what my bill will be each month and figure out my budget. The water bill is the only one they won't do a budget plan for. This year for my gas bill I didn't have to pay a monthly bill for 3 months as I'd over paid by that time. Works for me this way.

Right now after 2 days of snow the temps are -9 so I'm not going outside anytime soon to finish shoveling the walks. Did the driveway and front walks last night before dinner but got so cold and my ear muffs wouldn't stay on so I came in. I feel for my poor birds and squirrels as I try to keep their seed and bread containers filled up during these days.

AS I read all of these comments I can pretty well tell that most of us are from the Midwest. What a shock when I got my gas bill the other day. We were told to expect higher bills but this is ridiculous. I live alone in a small home and still the bill was three times higher than most winters! I have to wear three sweaters when I want to quilt as my machine is up against the windows. Spose I could move it but I do like looking out and hate to change everything just for winter.

A notice came with my bill stating why it was so high and that we are not alone as the Midwest is getting hit hard. I usually pay $150 to $190 during the winter. I am all electric and have cheap municipal electric. This month is $400. Probably will still be high next month. I have lived in this house 10 years and the bill only hit $200 once. I hope there is some kind of help for the elderly who can't afford the high cost of staying warm.

Yesterday it was 55. Right now it is +10 feels like - 3 and this is our high for the day. Woke up to a solid sheet of ice. There is a warning to stay off the roads. My brother heats with wood and in the 35 yrs they've lived there they have used more wood then ever before. I just keep telling myself there are only 18 days til spring. And keep looking at the seed catalog dreaming of my garden.... : )

We are all electric, 3000 sq ft plus pool and shop with two freezers and extra fridge running. 2 central units with heat pump and ac. We have a wood burning fireplace with insert if the power goes out. Our electric bill has been under $200 for years. Our house is very well insulated. The guy who built it had double outside walls built with air gap or something like that. It was his could live off the grid house if necessary. He was adding solar panels when he died so they never got installed. We opted not to have them. Once heated or cooled it stays that way for a very long time. No gas bill. The guild members that use natural gas are saying how their heating bill has doubled and some even tripled this winter.

That's what we have too. I don't remember how long we've had it but the novelty of a lower bill never wears off. lol. We get free wood from FIL's woods which helps a ton. Ours isn't hooked up to our water heater though. Our current one is electric so I'm not sure if it can be hooked up to it.

I've heard of people hooking them up to the dryer too. Ours is electric.

I agree with Snooze2978 about feeling sorry for my wild birds and critters. I'm seeing less of them. Hopefully they're not dead. All I can do is keep putting out their food and pray for the warmer weather.

We lowered the thermostat and added layers and wrap up in afghans to watch TV, though I always did this as I love the cuddly feeling. We just broke a record for the coldest winter since 1915/1916. Last night was -27. Propane shortage up this way but we are lucky to have natural gas. In town they are told to leave the water running since Dec. Lots of snow has helped protect septic systems.

Our bill was $305.00 this month, last month it was $324.00. We heat a 1628 sq.ft. house, a 24 x 30 shop and the garage. The dogs all have heated houses and when it is really cold they sleep in the shop or the garage.
The house is all electric, our saving grace is the 6" insulated exterior walls and ceiling as well as the floor. We had a heat pump installed shortly after moving in. It saves us a lot on heating/cooling this house
We insulated the shop extremely well also.

We are enrolled in Budget Billing and yet when the bill comes it varies from month to month and they only read the meter twice a year in the summer.....Another rip-off.