<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1fHyoa_1H1Ccq3J00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1fHyoa_1H1Ccq3J00" width="1200" height="675" >Affordability was a major issue in last week's midterm elections. Our NBC 5 Responds team has been asking you about rising costs. We received more than 1,000 responses to our audience affordability survey. One cost ranked near the top: utilities.‘THAT’S INSANE TO ME’When Jori LaCour responded to our NBC DFW audience affordability survey, she said she was thinking about how her costs were adding up, from the price of food to new fees on familiar bills. “I feel like it always starts off small. Very little things that you don't mind before it becomes really big,” said LaCour.One expense, in particular, stood out: LaCour’s electric bill for her one-bedroom apartment in Dallas.“I’ve been very mindful now about shutting the thermostat off completely, but if my nighttime temperature is 69,” said LaCour. “Daytime, it hasn't been hot like that in months. I don't have any sunlight in my apartment, so it's dark. It's shaded. There's no reason why I should be spending $120, $130 on electricity a month. That's insane to me.”RANKING BUDGET STRAINS In our non-scientific audience survey, respondents told us their biggest budget strain was groceries. Utilities came in second, ahead of housing.Our survey also asked, “In the past year, have you kept your home at an uncomfortably hot or cold temperature because of utility costs?”Twenty-six percent of respondents said never, 18 percent said once or twice over the last year, 27 percent said they did so several times, and 29 percent said they regularly kept their homes uncomfortably hot or cold.ENERGY COSTS The latest U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows energy costs, including electricity, utility gas and automotive fuel, rose 17.4 percent in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington area from September 2025 to September 2026. Overall consumer prices rose 3 percent over the same period, according to the BLS.“Energy far and away has just skyrocketed,” said Lucia Walinchus, managing data editor for NBC-owned stations.Walinchus helped analyze responses viewers shared in our audience survey. “Things might get worse before they get better. Our strategic petroleum reserve is about 40% of its all-time high. It’s at its lowest level since 1982,” said Walinchus. “I think one of the survey respondents said it best. It’s the uncertainty. Not being able to plan for the future and to have that question mark up there.”‘THIS IS NOT NEW’On a sunny fall day in Irving, Sandra Johnson said she’s financially comfortable, in part, because she’s deliberate about spending.“We keep our bills down,” said Johnson. “It’s why it’s warm in here.”While prices aren’t in her control, Johnson said she tries to save where she can.“I've been through the 70s when we had gas rationing and waiting in line for hours to get in there. Couldn't even get a full tank sometimes. I've been through it, and it's just like, this is not new. It's just what we have to do. We just have to get through it,” Johnson said.Johnson’s approach shows up in other ways. She’s building on a soap-making hobby to make her own Christmas gifts. She said she tries to get more use out of what she already owns. Pointing to the oven in the kitchen, she said, “My dad put this in 66 years ago.”Johnson said she shops sales.“I shop for bargains, and the Lord blesses me because I’m always finding some good bargains. When I do, I stock up,” said Johnson. CONSUMER TIPSIf your energy bill has been creeping up, check whether you’re still under contract. If you can shop for electricity, start with the state’s “Power to Choose” website. Some plans charge you for using too little electricity. You can filter your search for minimum usage fees.</div></body>

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Affordability was a major issue in last week's midterm elections. Our NBC 5 Responds team has been asking you about rising costs. We received more than 1,000 responses to our audience affordability survey. One cost ranked near the top: utilities. ‘THAT’S INSANE TO ME’. When Jori LaCour responded to...

Utilities a top budget strain: survey

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Affordability was a major issue in last week's midterm elections. Our NBC 5 Responds team has been asking you about rising costs. We received more than 1,0

Utilities a top budget strain: survey

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