DEAR HARRIETTE: I have two roommates. Because it has been hot, we got another air conditioner. That's all well and good, but the electric bill has skyrocketed. I guess that's natural, but we didn't take that into consideration, and we can't afford to pay it. We literally don't have enough money. We also need to have electricity. What can we do? -- Keeping Cool, Brooklyn, N.Y.
DEAR KEEPING COOL: The good news is that your power company will work with you on a payment plan. Immediately get on the phone with a representative and explain your situation. Ask the utility company to establish a plan that allows you to pay down the bill over time.
In the future, be mindful of how often you use your air conditioners. Turn them off when you leave your home, and turn on only the ones you absolutely need when you are at home.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I got paid for a big job the other day and immediately put the check in my bag to take to the bank. It was raining that day. I had to go get my umbrella, and it was just a mess. I got a little undone because of being excited about the check and the crazy weather.
When I got to the bank, I couldn't find the check. It has disappeared. I am so embarrassed. I need to tell my client what happened. How should I go about that so that I don't look like an idiot? -- Check-Free, New Orleans
DEAR CHECK-FREE: Immediately contact the finance department of the company that issued the check and ask that a stop payment be placed on the check. There is a chance that someone else could try to cash it. Apologize for losing the check and ask that it be reissued.
You are not the first person to whom this has happened. It's likely that the finance office has had to reissue checks before. It may take awhile for the office to give you a new check, and there is a chance that you will be charged a stop payment fee. In the end, though, if you don't let the company know what happened, you completely lose. Don't let your embarrassment stand in the way of your hard-earned compensation.