If you’re like me, some aspects of your life have become a daily routine. I get ready for work, get in my car, and drive to the coffee shop on the way to the office. At lunchtime, I drive to the nearest fast-food location and get lunch. Once I finally end the day at home, I stream an episode or two of my favorite show before bed.

As we all look for ways to save money in this age of increasing inflation, I began to think about my daily routine and how much value it provided me compared to the money I spent. A morning latte cost me about $6, a fast-food combo with a burger, fries, and a drink set me back $10, and my Netflix subscription is about $16 monthly. All these daily expenses totaled around $85 a week, or about $340 monthly. And what was the real value — short-term satisfaction and a larger waistline? Even as I started packing my lunch, my latte still cost me about $120 a month. This got me thinking — is this the best value for my money?

The average daily cost of electricity is about $4.57, and the average monthly electric bill for members of Miami-Cass REMC is $140. You could power your entire home every day for the price of a medium latte. I could brew my own coffee, cook my own meals, binge a series, and run on a treadmill for less than the cost of that drink. Now, to me, that’s real value.

Electricity provides benefits that we often take for granted. It goes well beyond short-term satisfaction by allowing us to charge devices, have cold food and hot water, and enjoy a comfortable indoor climate. Besides the privilege it affords, electricity has remained relatively cost-stable despite rising inflation.

As a member-owned cooperative, Miami-Cass REMC does everything in our power to ensure your costs stay reasonable and that electricity remains a great value for our members. It’s not always easy, as several factors beyond inflation impact the price of electricity — some within our control but most beyond it.

The cost of electricity can fluctuate due to supply and demand, infrastructure investment, maintenance, and operational expenses. Weather patterns also contribute, affecting demand and generation capabilities, with extreme conditions leading to heightened energy use or disruptions. Government policies, such as subsidies for renewable energy or taxes and regulations on emissions, shape electricity costs as well. Your electric co-op considers all these aspects when adjusting rates, and because we’re a cooperative, we also consider the impact of those costs on our members.

As our community continues to rely on electricity for nearly everything in our homes, schools, hospitals, and businesses, we need it to be reliable and affordable. You can be assured that Miami-Cass REMC always puts you top of mind and works each day to ensure electricity remains the best value for your money.