As inflation drives up prices, roughly 1 in 6 American households have fallen behind on paying their utility bills. Energy prices have increased to the highest level in nearly 15 years – with natural gas costs up more than 30% and electricity costs up more than 15% over last year.

As the winter months near, now is the time to start preparing for high energy costs by making your home more energy-efficient and getting help when needed with utility expenses.

AUGUST 30, 2022 Where to Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills How to Calculate Your Social Security Break-Even Age How Rule 72(t) Can Help You Avoid the Early Withdrawal Penalty The Retirement Safe Withdrawal Rate Explained 8 Countertop Trends for 2022-2023 Can a Landlord Evict You Without a Court Order?   Where to Get Help Paying Your Utility Bills As inflation drives up prices, roughly 1 in 6 American households have fallen behind on paying their utility bills. Energy prices have increased to the highest level in nearly 15 years – with natural gas costs up more than 30% and electricity costs up more than 15% over last year. As the winter months near, now is the time to start preparing for high energy costs by making your home more energy-efficient and getting help when needed with utility expenses. Read more »   Emma Kerr, Personal Finance Editor RETIREMENT How to Calculate Your Social Security Break-Even Age Find out if you will come out ahead by waiting to claim Social Security benefits. Read more >> How Rule 72(t) Can Help You Avoid the Early Withdrawal Penalty Rule 72(t) can help you avoid the 10% early withdrawal penalty on retirement account distributions. Read more >> The Retirement Safe Withdrawal Rate Explained A safe withdrawal rate can help prevent you from running out of funds in retirement. Read more >> REAL ESTATE 8 Countertop Trends for 2022-2023 Doing a kitchen renovation? Here are the most popular types of countertops for 2022 and 2023. Read more >> Can a Landlord Evict You Without a Court Order? Are you worried you may be evicted? Here's what you should know. Read more >> PERSONAL FINANCE 101 50 Ways to Improve Your Finances in 2022 7 Steps to Manage Your Money 12 Best Free Online Personal Finance Courses 15 Steps to Achieve Financial Freedom Follow Us If you're enjoying this newsletter, forward it to a friend and check out more personal finance advice. Read More Personal Finance News Follow U.S. News Money on Twitter for more advice about your finances and the U.S. News Facebook page for news and advice across all areas of your life. You can also find more career and money advice by following us on LinkedIn. Plus: Connect with our team!   Follow the U.S. News Money team on Twitter: @EmmaRKerr, @BeverlyHarzog, @DevonThorsby, and @Aiming2Retire.   Send Emma your feedback and personal finance questions – your question may appear in a future newsletter edition! Email Emma Unsubscribe | Manage My Email Preferences | Privacy Policy © 2022 U.S. News & World Report, L.P. All rights reserved. 1050 Thomas Jefferson St. NW, Washington, DC 20007 USA