As we all look for ways to save money in this age of increasing inflation, I began to think about a typical day and how much value it provides compared to the money spent.
A morning latte costs about $6, a fast-food combo with a burger, fries, and a drink sets you back $10, and that 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 with packing your own lunch, that latte still costs about $120 a month. This got me thinking — what truly offers the best value for your money?
The average daily cost of electricity for Decatur County REMC members is about $5.96, and the average monthly electric bill is $185. You could power your entire home every day for the price of a medium latte. You could brew your own coffee, cook your 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 and have cold food and hot water, all in a comfortable indoor climate. Besides the privilege it affords, electricity has remained relatively cost-stable despite rising inflation.
As a member-owned cooperative, Decatur County 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 there are several factors beyond inflation that 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 both 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 Decatur County REMC always puts you top of mind and works every day to ensure electricity remains the best value for your money.
