Talk to your neighbors
In a Buzzfeed article about the fiasco, Patterson told the publication that she would advise talking to your neighbors to avoid getting into this situation.
If she had gone and spoken to any of her neighbors and asked them about the cost of their utilities, she would have realize that $400 is not a normal amount for a unit in her building.
However, chatting to your neighbors is not as common as it used to be. A Pew Center study shows that fewer young Americans are familiar with their neighbors. Among adults under age 30, about a quarter (23%) claim to not know any of their neighbors, compared with 4% of those aged 65 and up.
But the key here is to say howdy and get chatting — it could end up saving you a lot of money.
Meet Your Retirement Goals Effortlessly
The road to retirement may seem long, but with WiserAdvisor, you can find a trusted partner to guide you every step of the way
WiserAdvisor matches you with vetted financial advisors that offer personalized advice to help you to make the right choices, invest wisely, and secure the retirement you've always dreamed of. Start planning early, and get your retirement mapped out today.
Get StartedHave everyone on the bills
Another piece of advice from Patterson is that everyone in your household should be listed on the bills.
One of the reasons her utility bill got mixed up is because there was already an account in place for her unit under her ex-boyfriend’s name. He moved out in 2021 but never canceled the account. So, when Patterson opened a new utility account, SDG&E accidentally linked it with the master meter for the whole building rather than her individual apartment.
Financial transparency in relationships is key to ensuring no money is wasted. Having everyone's name linked to an account can members of any party clear things up in case there's a break up or someone moves out.
Sponsored
Follow These Steps if you Want to Retire Early
Secure your financial future with a tailored plan to maximize investments, navigate taxes, and retire comfortably.
Zoe Financial is an online platform that can match you with a network of vetted fiduciary advisors who are evaluated based on their credentials, education, experience, and pricing. The best part? - there is no fee to find an advisor.
