The Record • Week of Wednesday, December 28, 2011 • 11B
Don’t forget finances when making New Year’s resolutions
When the time comes to make New Year’s resolutions, the conventional wisdom is to focus on weight. Such wisdom is understandable, as many people spend the holiday season indulging in big meals and all the treats synonymous with having fun. While it’s acceptable to make healthy resolutions, a slimmer waist and a healthier diet should not be the only goals for the year ahead. In light of the last several years, it’s important for men and women to make financial resolutions for the year ahead, too. No one can say with certainty when, or if, the economy will rebound, and men and women should look at the New Year as a suitable time to make some financial resolutions for the future. * Reassess your investment plan. Since 2008, the market has been up and down like a roller coaster. Those who have weathered the storm have no doubt witnessed big gains and significant losses over the last
few years, and the turn of the calendar is a great time to reassess investments and possibly make some changes. Are you taking on more risk than you’re comfortable with? Is your portfolio too conservative? How well are you diversifying? Look at your investments from every angle and determine if it’s time to make some changes. * Resolve to be more liquid. A 2011 poll from the National Foundation for Credit Counseling found that 64 percent of Americans would need to utilize a source other than their savings account to pay for a $1,000 unplanned expense. That percentage illustrates that most adults just don’t have enough cash on hand. This year, resolve to be more liquid. Being more liquid enables you to more effectively handle emergencies, and it also helps you avoid being forced to sell investments at the wrong time. * Shake things up. If you rely on one individual to handle all
Theme: The 1990s
See next week’s issue for solution APARTMENTS VERY NICE AND CLEAN small apt., 1/1, suitable for 1 or 2 people, all ceramic tile floors, CA/H, all tile bath w/ tub and shower, nice vanity, kit. & dining area, all S.S. appliances, self cleaning oven, dish washer, No pets, concrete parking, yard work taken care of, $525 monthly + $elc. & water, $300 dep., call for an appointment to se @ (409) 735-6277 or 6261968. (ss) THE VILLAGE AND SOUTHERN OAKS IN BRIDGE CITY IS OFFERING A N´W YEARS SPECIAL, 2 Weeks Free Rent! 1-2 & 3 bedroom apts. available, We pay water / sewer and trash on most apartments, office located at 245 Tenny St., BC, (409) 735-7696 ~ 504-9952 ~ 4749731. COMMERCIAL BC ON TEXAS AVE., small or large office spaces, CA/H, carpet, on Texas Ave., great location, price range of $300 to $600 monthly, available 1st part of Jan., call (409) 7356277 or 626-1968 for details. (ss) APPROXIMATELY 2160 SQ. FT. warehouse plus 5 offices, Highway 62 Frontage, 1.7 miles South of IH-10, $950.00 per month, Call 735-6970. YEAR END CLEARANCE SALE! Scratch N Dents, Repos, and Premium Portable Bldgs. Call 409-835-7341 or visit www.morganusa.com/beaumont HOME RENTALS 1/1 IN MAURICEVILLE, Log Cabin, in the woods, $550 monthly, Call for an appointment to see @ (409) 7352030. (M&R) BRIDGE CITY BRICK 3/2, fenced back yard, $1,000 monthly + dep., (409) 7352030. (M&R)
MOBILE HOME RENTALS BC AREA , as little as $30 daily for rooms, M.H.’s by day or week, starting at $30 a day or weekly, 735-8801 or 7347771. (cctfn) NICE 3/2 (full baths) IN BC, laundry room, stove & refirg., CA/H, $695 monthly + dep., (409) 474-2252. 2 BEDRMS. WITH 2 FULL BATHS, Mobile Home, CA/H, located in Shady Estates, BC, $650 monthly + dep., references req., (409) 474-1518. ‘06, 3/1 IN OFISD, 1 block from schools, Large lot, W./D hookups, No Pets, $550 monthly + dep., (409) 7208699 or 735-6701. (12/21) HOME SALES 4/2/2 IN LCMISD, 1717 Greenbriar ave., screened in patio, corner lot, $95,000, (409) 883-8389. BY OWNER, 4/2 IN BC, on 2 lots, below market, all new inside, 255 Turner Lane, #105,000, (409) 735-7163. (1/7/12) LAND & LOTS OVER AN ACRE, VICTORY Gardens, nice quiet neighborhood, water and electric ready, cement dr., perfect homesite, $28,000 OBO, Call Mike @ (409) 735-7680. 430 HOLLY ST., BC, lots 28 - 29 - 25’ of 27 a n d 15’ of 30, $30,000, water and sewer tap paid; 450 Holly, 1 bedrm. house, zone B, buy ALL for $50,000, No Owner Finance, (409)735-5041.
AUTOMOBILES
‘68 FORD MUSTANG. GT Fastback, Automatic, runs and drives well, Price $6950, for details mail me at stephbo2@msn.com / 512-782-4586. ‘98 FORD TAURUS: motor, 3.0 V-6, asking $350 OBO; Whole car, $500, for more info call (409) 221-9996. ‘T R U C K S & VA N S ‘88 CHEVROLET P.U., runs
good, $1,200, 886-7329.
of your financial needs, such a practice needs to change. No matter how much you trust this person, don’t fall into a trap where one person acts as your financial svengali. Such an arrangement proved very costly to those men and women who trusted the likes of Bernie Madoff, a once-prominent financier who turned out to be nothing more than a criminal mastermind orchestrating history’s largest Ponzi scheme. This year, if you haven’t done so already, make sure your financial advisor, money manager, custodian, and trustee are all different people. * Negotiate lower rates. Use the onset of the New Year as a chance to negotiate newer and lower interest rates on existing loans or credit cards. If you have exercised financial responsibility over the last 12 months, paying down debts and paying all bills on time, this is the perfect time to negotiate lower rates and reap the rewards of your good behavior.
* Don’t invest in anything you don’t understand. Too often investors get caught up in so-called expert forecasts and act impulsively based on the advice of some talking head they see on television or hear on the radio. Unfortunately, such “experts” aren’t always certified financial professionals, and some might even have ulterior motives for pushing certain investments and shunning others. What’s more, few people know the track record of these “experts,” so their advice should not be taken at face value. A simple rule for the year ahead should be to never invest in anything you don’t understand. If an investment opportunity seems worthwhile, do all of your homework to gain a solid understanding of the opportunity before investing any money. Healthy resolutions go beyond a slimmer waist and a healthier diet. This year, resolve to get healthier financially as well.
ACROSS
55. As opposed to rent 57. Cursed 60. *It featured Rachel and Monica, among others 64. “_____ in comparison,” past tense 65. Followed third Super Bowl 67. Not here 68. Swelling from fluid accumulation 69. Large coffee pot 70. *Franjo Tudjman, e.g. 71. *Site of showdown with Branch Davidians 72. *”___ About You” 73. What Elmer Fudd does
1. Adherents of Sikhism 6. Before tac and toe 9. Chap or fella 13. Ivy progression 14. *Richard Gere to Cindy Crawford: “_ __” in 1991 15. Kim Jong-il leads the north section of this region 16. Independent African ruler 17. No vote 18. Relating to ulna 19. *South Africa’s first black president 21. Skier’s delight 23. Salt in Spanish 24. Hawaiian dance 25. Brown messenger 28. *Garth of “Wayne’s World” 30. Mourner’s song 34. Stiff hair or bristle 36. ____ en scene 38. Swarms 40. *”The Lion King” villain 41. *Nirvana’s “Nevermind,” e.g. 43. It leads to flight? 44. “Three’s Company” landlord 46. “Will be,” according to Day 47. Evoke emotion 48. Cloak 50. Longest division of time, pl. 52. *He played John Spartan in “Demolition Man” 53. Another spelling for #50 Across, sing.
543-8089 or
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DOWN 1. Ponzi scheme, e.g. 2. Shirley MacLaine’s 1963 character 3. “A ____ eye”
‘02 CHEVY BLAZER 4X4 FULLY LOADED! Power steering, power brakes, power windows. Call 409-779-3354 ‘90 FORD F-150, straight 6, 5 spd. manual trans., good cond., $1,600; ‘98 Dodge Dakota, v-8, 5 speed man. trans., good cond., A/C, needs power steering pump, $1,200, (409) 221-0798 or 735-9729. SHOP THE RECORD! ‘CUSTOM RIMS, 15”, off ‘86 Camero, $300, (409) 8834992 or 221-4610.
SHINE
Allow your light to shine unto the lives of our patients and their families by becoming a Hospice Volunteer! To inquire about our "Shiners" Youth Volunteer program (ages 12-17), or our Adult Volunteer Program. Please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at 832-4582. Hospice of Texas,
4. Minds or listens 5. Impressive display, as in food 6. She plays Liz on “30 Rock” 7. Civil rights advocate Wells 8. Aquatic South American rodent resembling beaver 9. *Dream Team’s reward 10. White-tailed sea eagle 11. Not far 12. Applied before feathers 15. *Where U.S. intervened 20. Children’s book “Is Your Mama a _____?” 22. Days of ___ 24. Like one who’s washed-up 25. *Country until 1991 26. Legendary cowboy Bill 27. Locker room infection? 29. Nadas 31. Fair-play watchdogs 32. Dineros or loots 33. *Form of communication
that took off 35. Length times width 37. *New money 39. Nimble and quick 42. Lord’s estate 45. *Hutu-Tutsi conflict site 49. Civil War general 51. “The wind began to ______, the house to pitch...” 54. Abomination 56. Jawaharlal _____ 57. Dad to a baby 58. *Starred in “The Hunt For Red October” 59. Circulates in an office 60. Discover 61. Ne 62. Exclamation of annoyance 63. They make up a tennis match 64. Church seat 66. Roth ___
NOTICE OF RATE CHANGE REQUEST On November 28, 2011, Entergy Texas, Inc. (“Entergy Texas”) filed its STATEMENT OF INTENT AND APPLICATION FOR AUTHORITY TO CHANGE RATES AND RECONCILE FUEL COSTS (“Application”). Entergy Texas filed its Application with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (“Commission”) and with those municipal authorities in its service territory that have original jurisdiction over Entergy Texas’ electric rates. Statement of Intent to Change Rates and to Reconcile Fuel Costs Entergy Texas’ filing requests an increase in rates, addresses capital additions to rate base for the period July 2009 through June 2011, requests that the Commission reconcile fuel and purchased power expenses incurred during the period July 2009 through June 2011 (“Reconciliation Period”), and requests approval of a number of tariffs, cost recovery schedules and riders. In its Application, Entergy Texas is, among other things: * Proposing base rate tariffs and riders designed to collect a total non-fuel retail revenue requirement for ETI of approximately $841.9 million per year, which is an increase of $111.8 million, or 15.32%, compared to adjusted retail base rate and rider revenues resulting from the Commission’s Order in Docket No. 37744. The Company’s proposed rate increase is based on the test year period of July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011. This proposal represents an increase in overall revenues, including fuel, of 8.09%. * Asking to reconcile fuel and purchased power costs of approximately $1.3 billion incurred during the Reconciliation Period. The reconciliation includes interest on any over- or (under)-recovered amounts. Entergy Texas does not seek to implement a fuel-related refund or surcharge of its eligible fuel costs in this case; rather, ETI proposes to roll any ending fuel balances forward to serve as the beginning balance for the next Reconciliation Period. Tariff Revisions
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This year, don’t forget to make financial resolutions, including having more cash at your disposal to better handle emergencies.
Entergy Texas is proposing to add two new rate schedules or riders as follows:
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* A Purchased Power Recovery Rider (“Rider PPR”), which is designed to recover all existing purchased capacity costs as well as future purchased capacity costs. As set in this case, Rider PPR will recover approximately $272.7 million annually. ETI’s request includes (1) a mechanism to update the rider annually to reflect increases or decreases in purchased capacity costs as incurred by the Company, and (2) the reconciliation of costs recovered under the rider in the Company’s fuel reconciliation cases. The Company proposes that expenses eligible for reconciliation under Rider PPR also include credits for Interruptible Service and Competitive Generation Service unrecovered costs, as well as fixed charges associated with Toledo Bend and the Southwest Power Pool Reserve Sharing Group. * A Renewable Energy Credits Rider (“Rider REC”), which is designed to recover renewable energy credits costs and related costs incurred by the Company to comply with PURA § 39.904 and P.U.C. Subst. R. 25.173. As set in this case, the Rider REC rate will recover approximately $632 thousand. To the extent any of the riders described above are not approved, Entergy Texas proposes to recover the associated costs through its base rates or other rate mechanism designed to recover non-fuel production-related costs, though the overall non-fuel revenue increase referenced above will remain the same. In addition, Entergy Texas is proposing to establish baseline values to use if a transmission cost recovery factor or distribution cost recovery factor are implemented in the future. In addition, Entergy Texas is proposing to modify terms and charges in a number of its tariff schedules and to discontinue its Renewable Portfolio Standard Calculation Opt-Out Credit Rider. Proposed changes to Schedule Miscellaneous Electric Service (“MES”) will increase revenues by approximately $911,000 in addition to the retail revenue requirement stated above. The production costs associated with the Company’s proposed Competitive Generation Service program will also change as a result of this proceeding. Entergy Texas also proposes minor modifications to a number of rate schedules, which are detailed in the tariff manual on file with the Commission and each municipality exercising original jurisdiction over Entergy Texas’ rates. Effect on Customer Classes All customers and classes of customers receiving retail electric service from Entergy Texas will be affected by the proposed rate changes and reconciliation of fuel and purchased power costs contained in the Application. The following table shows the effect of the proposed rate increase (inclusive of riders but exclusive of the increase in Schedule MES revenues) on existing rate classes:
Rate Class Residential Service
Number of Customers Test Year Adjusted
Percent Change in Total Revenues*
Percent Change in NonFuel Revenues
359,707
21.64%
Small General Service
30,998
1.62%
1.09%
General Service
19,156
4.81%
2.61%
Large General Service
361
16.55%
7.29%
Large Industrial Power Service
82
10.77%
3.63%
1,689
20.38%
15.70%
411,993
15.32%
8.09%
Lighting Service Total Retail
`
13.42%
* including fuel revenues The effective date of the rate change is January 2, 2012.
Contact Information
Persons with questions or who want more information on this filing may contact Entergy Texas at Entergy Texas, Inc., Attn: Customer Service—2011 Rate Case, 350 Pine Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701, or call [1-800-368-3749 (select option 1, then press 0, then press 4, then press 3)] during normal business hours. A complete copy of this application is available for inspection at the address listed above. Persons who wish to intervene in or comment upon these proceedings should notify the Public Utility Commission of Texas as soon as possible, as an intervention deadline will be imposed. A request to intervene or for further information should be mailed to the Public Utility Commission of Texas, P.O. Box 13326, Austin, Texas 78711-3326. Further information may also be obtained by calling the Public Utility Commission at (512) 936-7120 or (888) 782-8477. Hearing- and speech-impaired individuals with text telephones (TTY) may contact the commission at (512) 9367136. The deadline for intervention in this proceeding is 45 days after the date the application was filed with the Commission. All communications should refer to Docket No. 39896.
4 Columns X 11.7” ~ 46.9 C. Inches @ $8 ~ $375.20 x 4 = $1,500.80 Ann Lee Entergy 12_7.#2 ~ The Record Newspapers ~ Bill
12/2/11 3:54:16 PM