Coweta County has experienced some troubling economic times over the last few years. And during that time, the consumer hasn’t gotten any relief.
As a matter of fact, the average citizen has been hit with higher food and gasoline prices, the suspension of the Homestead Exemption on their property taxes, and higher prices for public services.
And now there’s a new wrinkle is the diminishing disposable income fabric. This year’s record high temperatures have produced utility bills that are in some cases DOUBLE what they were last year.
Homeowners and tenants are struggling to pay electricity invoices that are nearly equal to their mortgage payments or rental amounts. It’s not just the hot days that have caused the problem, as high humidity and overnight temperatures have kept the air conditioners running all night long!
And more money spent on keeping your cool is less money spent is local stores and restaurants. It is truly an economic challenge that was not expected.
And it couldn’t have happened at a worse time!
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Being in Washington State that is not something I would ever have thought of! I do have a sister that recently moved to GA, I'll have to ask her about this. It's always something!
I still would love to visit!
Richard, I pray some relief will come soon to struggling people in Cowetta County, all of Georgia and across the United States. I am so saddened here in Phoenix by all the families who have lost their homes.
Featured @ Club Chaos
I remember the first time Mikey told me what the Summer electric bill for the FL house was. Being a New Yorker discovering my FL neighbors pay on average from $130 to $400 per month was a real eye opener. Our last bill was approximately $125 by keeping the temp at 79 degrees and using the grill more than the electric stove. :-)
WOW...it is so interesting to see how so many factors go in to a budget....especially those things that we have no control over! Yikes!!! I am glad we have had a milder summer than usual...however our fuel prices are soem of the highest in the nation! It isn't easy anywhere is it??
Richard, how very sad indeed. I know in the northeast we have had more hot weather this summer, a record breaker actually. With more 90 degree days on the way. The AC's have been running and running, which will tax people's ability to pay the electric bills. And many of us don't have central air, so we are running those window AC's along with fans, etc. Next comes the staggering heating bills.
With unemployement so high there, the rising costs of food, gas, etc., this is not good for Coweta County or anywhere in the US.
Richard: Maybe the residents could get on a budget plan with the electric company. I think most offer it. They average out your bills for the year and bill you that way, instead of the actual usage per month. Evens things out. I'm having to do it here. This summer was brutal.
I agree with Chris Ann. The temps have been awful here, as well. Payments plans really are the only way to prevent this from happening.
Hi Richard!
I am so sorry to hear about your area's struggles...it just doesn't seem fair, does it? Being from California, we are having lots of issues of our own...a legislature that can't turn in a budget on time to save their lives. As a result, they are issuing IOUs...big help to those who have to make mortgage payments. They are forcing state workers to take "furlough Fridays"...meaning a 14% cut in pay since they are working less days. The very work force that use to be our solid homewoners are now hunkering down hoping that they can survive intact.
Chiming in with Debbie, we've had a very mild summer. We've put the fans on and actually enjoy the fact it's warm. This winter when it dark and gray and rainy... remember this fine warm summer night... Sorry to hear that about your area. I do know it's more expensive to cool off than it is to stay warm. Fall's right around the corner...
Yeah Richard, they just keep piling it on, now problem we can just go out to the money tree and pick more, heck the government just goes out to the treasury tree and prints more money
Richard...we, too, have been on the budget plan for years; when the summers' are cool & the winters warmer you build up a 'credit amount', this summer we may tap into that a tad. The strategic placement of tall fans have helped as well as finally getting a roof-insulation that is correct--not cheap, but correct. During the daytime hours our air is set higher & in the winter, we try to keep it around 72* [though Sal is known to sneak into the great room to raise the temps at times.]
As C Tann-Starr mentioned FL bills & we are hopefully headed there sooner than later, expect to see air bills higher than here; but when the FL winter temps of 60* are present, I suspect that open windows will suffice until or if our blood gets thinner or thicker-- whatever happens in warm & warmer climates.
Barb & Sal
I know my usually modest electric bill this summer has nearly doubled as well. All we can hope for now is a mild winter to offset these additional costs.
Richard....my electric bill has doubled from last year.....I keep my home at 70 degrees.....I like to be comfortable.....
Richard...Many areas in My home state have simalar problems. The small towns seam to be effected the most.
Great post!
We had it pretty good in San Antonio this year until a month ago when it got HOT. I am not looking forward to next month's electric bill. I feel bad for people in your area trying to keep cool during the heat wave.
Cheers,
Robin
At least Congress hasn't been able to dump their 'Cap & Trade' on us yet... That would really drive up the bills.
my last bill...close to $300. and that is much higher then it was last yr.