Find Out the Average Cost for Utilities and Home Services

Curious how much people are paying for their utilities in major cities across the country? The WhiteFence Index compares utility prices for phone, Internet, TV, electricity and natural gas among 21 of the nation's top cities. The WhiteFence Index not only provides averages for each type of home service, but also provides the national average for all home services as well as the average price for each city.

Phone, Internet and TV data is pulled from the hundreds of thousands of orders made through WhiteFence sites each month. WhiteFence determines the average cost for these communications products based on the customer's base orders. To see more in depth details on the process for determining both the communications as well as the electricity and natural gas data, WhiteFence Index methodology.

Whether switching, transferring home services or moving into a new home, the WhiteFence Index is a great resource to help budget your move and monthly utility bills.

Texan Wins Free Electricity for Life

With a grand prize estimated at $54,000, Judy Cook was recently awarded free electricity for life from ElectricityTexas.com, an online marketplace for comparing prices and plans from electricity companies in the deregulated Texas market. Participating contestants provided a 100 to 300 word essay on conserving energy in Texas with the Plano, Texas resident's essay highlighting the importance of passing positive conservation habits to younger generations. Ms. Cook stressed setting an example for her children and grandchildren in her winning essay, citing the importance of energy conservation for future generations.

Further details on the "Win Free Electricity for Life" contest can be found in the WhiteFence press release.

Easy and Affordable Options for Purchasing Renters Insurance

In case of fire, break open this blog and wish that you had read it sooner. Protecting your 18-year-old couch covered with Ramen stains may not seem like a top priority, but with the recent relaunch of GetRentersInsurance, renters can protect their personal belongings at an affordable monthly rate.

GetRentersInsurance.com, a member of the WhiteFence network, provides renters with a comparison shopping marketplace to help find reasonable rates on renters insurance policies. So instead of dousing your apartment in plastic, or hoping that you don't come home to a bonfire via your property, cover your valuables with a renters insurance policy, and   rest assured that your stuff is being watched over.

Go Go Gadgets

It’s Time for the Annual International CES

Yes fellow gadget enthusiasts, it was that time of year again for the 2008 International CES conference that was held, January 7-10 in Las Vegas. Sin city was the place to have been to learn of the new innovations and technologies for consumer electronics.

Not all parties involved with the conference are announcing products that the regular layperson can’t afford. Telecommunications companies like Comcast, DISH and more, were on hand the first day to unveil some of their new digital video recording (DVR) devices that are newer and more sophisticated than last year’s models.

Visit the International CES site for more information.

Save Money on Your Home Services in the New Year

Which would you rather do? Cough on the magic dust cascading from Santa's sleigh as your holiday high quickly fades to the reality of post-holiday pocket strains, or enter the new year with a viable way to save money on your bills. I'm going with option two, "thank you may I have another." (In your best British accent... it's really fun)

Bundles my friends! Bundling your phone, TV and internet services is one of the most efficient and affordable means to enjoy all of your essential home services. Here are some wonderful reasons why:

• All your services, one bill to manage. It's like playing Tetris with your phone, Internet and TV bills, scrunching and compartmentalizing everything into a nice, little bundle.


• Companies provide special incentives and prices when customers bundle multiple services.


• Avoid the headaches of researching and connecting several different home services with several different companies.


• Save hundreds of dollars per year and enjoy the latest features—unlimited local calling, Internet downloads faster than a cheetah in a one-legged turtle race, and the best in digital cable with video on demand and more.

One bill, same company. Not bad for a post-holiday treat, with the best part being the look on your face when you open your utility bill. Just think of the money you could save, and the smile on your mailman's face when he hands you a lightened load. Just think of bundles as your friendly pat on the back for being such a good little boy or girl this year. No really, you deserve it.