Today is Wednesday
Jan 07, 2009
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High heat costs may chill your budget this winter |
| | Posted on Thursday, October 30, 2008 | | | By Danielle Rexrode
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE
As prices at the pump ebb from this summer’s recordbreaking highs, you may want to stash that extra cash. Experts warn you aren’t likely to catch such a break on your heating bill this winter.
According to the Energy Information Administration, the government agency that tracks energy statistics, residential heating oil prices during the current heating season (October though March) are projected to average $4.34 a gallon, compared with $3.31 during the last heating season, an increase of about 31%. Residential natural gas prices over the same period are projected to average $15.58 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf), compared with $12.72 per Mcf during the last heating season, an increase of about 22%.
For many retirees on fixed incomes, higher heating bills will likely mean tightening the purse strings and cutting anything that’s not an absolute necessity. In Maryland, there is one group of retirees who won’t have to worry about a strain on their wallets this winter. Those living at Charlestown and Oak Crest will see their utility bills stay at a set cost throughout the year.
Predictable payments
“People living at Charlestown or Oak Crest rest assured that regardless of changes in heating prices, their monthly service package already has it covered,” says Steffany Byers, retirement counselor for Charlestown. “As a result, they can plan their budgets with confidence and peace of mind.”
The monthly service package is a comprehensive monthly fee that replaces the dozens of expenses most people incur in their houses every month, including the gas and electric bill. In addition to heat and electricity, the monthly service packages at Charlestown and Oak Crest include all major repairs; 24-hour security; one meal a day; cable TV; and home and seasonal maintenance such as snow removal, furnace/heat pump inspections, and air-conditioning. | |
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Scaling back
Rising fuel costs aren’t the only expense putting a strain on older adults. Many communities are feeling the fiscal squeeze and cutting local senior-friendly services. A survey by USA Today found that 10 states have cut or expect to cut spending on senior services, 16 expect funding to stay the same, and 24 states and the District of Columbia have increased funding.
According to Martha Roherty of the National Association of State Units on Aging, even those increasing their budgets are not keeping up with growth in the number of older adults. “Increases are paying for rising costs of food and gas, not additional services,” she said to USA Today. “Senior service agencies rely on federal, state, and local sour ces of funding. Tighter budgets at all government levels, the struggling economy, and higher gas and food prices are putting their services at risk. These are discretionary programs. It’s one of the areas that are unfortunately cut when the economy is down, and it is happening at a time when people need services.”
On the other hand, Charlestown and Oak Crest residents have a range of opportunities at their disposal, including all-season swimming pools, fitness centers, putting greens, bocce courts, gardening areas, as well as more than 100 different clubs, classes, and volunteer possibilities.
“There are too many amenities and services included with your monthly service package at Charlestown and Oak Crest to list,” says Oak Crest Retirement Counselor JoAnn Huebler. “There are so many social, spiritual, and educational opportunities available— there’s never a shortage of things to do. I think people also find paying one monthly service package is such a relief. You don’t get an electric bill, a water bill, maintenance bill, or mortgage bill—you just write one check each month.”
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