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I'm confident that most of you that follow this page and all the commenters on it already know about the upcoming price increases for heating this year, which is also forecasted to be a cold winter. China is already having rolling blackouts due to their energy crisis, and Great Britain is about to lose over 20 small energy companies due to severe prices causing bankruptcy. There's a lot of theories behind what's driving this, but most are politically motivated in their purported explanation. While most people are fighting this out, the latest projections are a 43% increase in fuel oil, at least a 30% increase in natural gas, and propane could actually double in price. Electricity is expected to increase around 6%. Meanwhile, China has contracted for shiploads of LNG from the USA. Ironic this all occurred after we stopped being totally self sufficient, even exporting energy a scant year ago. Some outlets and sources are actually trying to blame it on the revenge of our once great oil/gas industry providers. Obviously, they were touting the wind/solar solution, which even science says can't handle our appetite for energy. That's proof they're trying to stir controversy in order to protect something, and I've figured out what it is. It's what's NOT being talked about that's the destructive issue at hand. Increasing prices will increase the cost of EVERYTHING. Aircraft fuel, diesel fuel, gasoline, power plant fuels, even propane cars/trucks. This will subsequently result in much higher prices on EVERYTHING, including plane tickets, transportation resources, and everything that depends on them, including food in grocery stores. I'm not fear mongering here, I just want to sound the warning for those who don't see this coming. Instead of the traditional BILLIONS about to be spent for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, take a moment to put your financial house in order. Instead of rushing out to buy the latest Chinese plastic garbage toys, consider having enough money to pay for the upcoming increases. Keeping your automobiles topped off. Your pantries overflowing. Enough cash to cover heating costs so your family doesn't have to shiver because the thermostat is turned down. Having enough savings to aid fellow family members and having the ability to help the aged and infirmed. The REAL reasons for the season. Utilizing superior intellect in times of spendthrift madness. Homemade cards and gifts mean more than supporting those who created this mess in the first place, and make more sense than running out and buying the foreign junk before the shelves are empty. I've personally already asked my family and friends not to send me any gifts this year, just a card. To run out and buy things from China right now is tantamount to kissing them for releasing this pandemic on the world. Which do you think is more important? Hearing the wows when the presents are unwrapped or hearing the sound sleep from a child with a full belly? A phone call on Thanksgiving means just as much than being there in person. Buying candy assortments for your own children is smarter, and can be rationed. It's time to hunker down and act like the responsible adults we purport to be. Yes, my parents told me stories of the Great Depression. Wouldn't this be a perfect time to set the example for your children to learn from for their future? This isn't tin foil hat stuff here, folks. The reality is imminent and the handwriting's on the wall.Search for yourselves while you can. Stock up when/if you can. This is not a drill. A willful waste is a willful want. Yes, I've been practicing what I preach. Yes, I'll continue to do so. Anything else is irresponsibility.