Penny pinching in the New Millennium

I can sum up the state of the economy in one figure-$15.16.



One morning last week, I began the arduous task of preparing a healthy breakfast, only to discover that I was out of my favorite sugarfree pancake syrup, Log Cabin. I was also in need of some bovine wine, so I hit the dusty trail to the local trading post.



When I got there, I got the items required-two gallons of milk and two 24-ounce bottles of Log Cabin. The price? A paltry $15.16.



Let me tell you, it’s a good thing my father wasn’t making this purchase. He wasn’t cheap, but he did know the value of a nickel, and let’s say that in the day, the buffalo on the back of this coin did bear some pinch marks by the time it left his pocket. I can only imagine his reaction to what inflation has done to the price of groceries, and it might have been good for a laugh, depending on who you asked later.



The problem is this; those responsible for setting the prices for what we need to survive here in the New Millennium must think everyone is a millionaire. For instance, we have, since the aftermath of the aught-nine Christmas snow, been dealing with the possibility of a huge increase in the rates we pay for electricity.



Yeah, I know the good people at the Public Service Commission (PSC) axed that request for a 35% increase down to what they consider a more manageable 17%, but that, in my opinion, is anything but manageable.



Well, at least the price gougers at KEP had to go to the PSC and get permission before setting off their sky rocket. Other service providers aren’t so hamstrung when it comes to ratcheting up prices.



Take property insurance. These insurance providers can raise their rates up to 23% and they needn’t tell anyone until your policy comes up for renewal. You know, you think you’re in good hands, and whammo, what was reasonable suddenly is prefixed with an un-.



Yeah, we got the renewal letter, and a request to call the agency to prepare us for the shock that was in store for us, but I was still left battling post-traumatic stress syndrome. Our home owners policy went up over $300.00 on the year. Monthly payments went from around $68 a month to around $90. Talk about seeing stars!



Of course, I complained to the Kentucky Department of Insurance, not that I thought I would get any relief, but I wanted to remonstrate with someone official. And in due time, I got a letter from this agency that said those good hands hadn’t mishandled me, and that they’d followed the law, so kindly quitcherbitchin’!



They did make the mistake of including a number for questions or complaints, but when I dialed it up, the fellow from Frankfort began to complain about how much his policy had gone up. I told him he was getting paid to listen to me, not the other way around..



Yeah, we lost. The price increase was okayed. But losing doesn’t mean you gotta quit playing the game. You just need to find some nicer playmates. I did just that, with a new agency, and a kinder, gentler premium.