$557??????
Man, I feel for you this winter. I might be wise for you to use kerosene or electric space heaters.
Hunker down and get an extra blanket
I spoke to Nicor Gas yesterday for over 1/2 hour because I just KNEW it must be wrong...but alas...that was not to be. They suggest I go on the "budget plan" for "only" $420.00 a month which is a flat fee for every month (for a year I presume). I'm not completely comfortable with that either because their goal is to build up a credit (while they are using my money!!).
I've got the thermostat set at 67 so it's not like we're walking around here in summer clothes. I honestly hope this kind of bill isn't widespread because I don't know how people are going to keep up with this.
"The U.S. Energy Department recently predicted that households heating primarily with natural gas can expect to spend about 50 percent more this winter."
This quote from the article is most alarming, but would appear to be correct if my bill is any indication.