Make It Stop: Winter’s Costs Adding Up
The Eagle-Tribune, North Andover, Mass. |
The 62-year-old Danville resident said his electricity bill was higher than he had ever seen it. It was just more bad news piling up during a very tough winter.
"My last year bill was about
In
On days they can go in, the problem-plagued MBTA has forced them to fill up their gas tank and take on a commute that has been nothing short of a nightmare.
"It's been awful, just god-awful,"
"It's certainly been overwhelming. I've never seen anything like it," Moschetto, 71, said about the snow. "I think people are just trying to keep up, so they're going to spend a lot. I've lived here my whole life pretty much, and the length of (the storms) has been incredible."
The Nobel laureate
Shelling it out to hardware stores
For an economic lesson in supply and demand, one needs only to talk to a hardware store manager. Our winter woes are the hardware store's windfall.
Rocky's Ace Hardware in
Roof rakes are arguably the most sought-after snow removal tool these days. Rocky's has had to bring in shipment after shipment of rakes for its customers. Mahany confirmed Friday at least 1,250 rakes had been purchased this month, bringing the sales total around
Another popular item for Rocky's customers has been RoofMelt, which are calcium chloride tablets which melt ice dams on roofs. Each RoofMelt bucket consists of 60 tablets, which are shaped like hockey pucks. About 3,500 buckets have been sold in February so far, according to Mahany.
"Between the RoofMelt and the rakes, it's the most I've sold probably in the last five years combined," Mahany said.
The monetary total for residents looking to pick up these products can be high. Roof rake prices range from
"We work with the customers to see what materials are best for their situation," Mahany said. "We try to make sure they are getting the right products for the right price."
Friday morning, customers arrived at Rocky's looking for rakes and RoofMelt, only to be told the store was sold out. Mahany said he expects new shipments of both products to be available by the weekend.
While business has been good, both Mahany and Bobrowksi admit the ability to keep up with demand has been difficult at times.
"The demand has certainly exceeded the supply," Mahany said. "But the customer base has been fantastic. They've been patient and understanding as we try to get new shipments in. It's been a pretty interesting and satisfying experience."
High cost of roof repair
Of all the costs raining down on homeowners, the biggest likely will stem from the ice dams building up on roofs, causing water leaks that result in costly damage inside.
At
"It's been catastrophic and it will continue to be," Doherty said. "It's been a perfect storm: significant snow, some impending rain. ... But when the thaw comes, that will compound the issue."
Depending on the policy, the deductible for most claims is between
Doherty thinks insurance companies should offer
She has heard costs rise from
"We're seeing people really having a hard time trying to pay the cost to remove it," she said. "They're trying to remove it themselves, and they're turning down the heat to lessen the amount of ice dam activity going on on their roofs. It is a hardship and people are anxious. They are trying to figure it out."
Once the snow begins to thaw, she said she believes homeowners will have more leaks and then mold.
"The worst is yet to come," she said.
Autos denting wallets
"Anecdotally we're starting to receive more reports of cars being in crashes as they poke their nose out from snow banks trying to see what's coming down the roads," he said. "Snow banks are so big that they're limiting visibility."
At
"I've heard of a lot of accidents, but I think spring may be busy when people finally get their cars fixed," he said. "We do see an increase in the small storms, when there's an inch or two and people let their guard down."
What is starting to rise again is gas prices, adding to the expenses for commuters getting stuck in traffic.
"The national average price for regular unleaded gasoline has increased every day since
According to Gasbuddy.com, the national average price for a gallon --
In
"Gas prices typically increase this time of year as refineries conduct maintenance, which can limit fuel production," Moody said
Little people, big money
For working couples with children, especially young ones, it has been a complicated winter.
"We pay whether she goes or not," Berthelson said. "They don't make up days and they don't add on at the other end either."
This past week, Berthelsen's workplace closed Tuesday for snow removal, meaning she had to make up the hours Thursday, forcing her to find a babysitter because she wasn't signed up for daycare that day. Meanwhile, her husband has to pay
"It's frustrating writing a check for not having child care," Berthelsen said. "I get that it's part of the tuition price. They're very up front about that."
On days when their day care closes, Katie typically stays home, pushing her work to evenings and weekends. She said she loves her day care, but admits it's hard to pay for child care when she's minding her kids.
"You don't want to put them at risk, either getting them into work," Alexander said. "It's frustrating. If we can get out and our ability to get out is fine, it's tough to rely on day care to get there when you don't know where they're coming from either. They could be coming from three towns away. ... It's tough to pass judgment, but it doesn't help me when I have to work."
"It's a tough choice," Piecuch said. "I've been stuck in the parking lot, shoveling my way out. But you try to get here because we understand. If you have parents who are nurses or doctors or policemen, there is no snow day for them. They don't have a choice, and they have to care for their children."
Shocking power bills
"It's a killer because the utility bill is up. We use wood pellets on the side," Lemieux said. "The cost hasn't gone down at all."
Electricity rates for most companies have increased between 29 percent to 50 percent over the previous year.
For
Liberty,
Heather Nimisto lives in
"It's been a hard one, but we're in
Staff writers
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