Amidst the doom and gloom of the economy, there comes, occasionally, a glimmer of hope in the way of a bargain about to happen. According to the latest info from the Department of Energy (DOE), that bargain will come in the cost of heating your home this winter.

In a report released this week, DOE's Energy Information Administration said heating oil prices are projected to average $2.75 per gallon, a reduction of about 17% from the 2007-2008 heating season. Propane prices are projected to average $2.22 this winter, a decrease of 10% from last winter. And natural gas prices are projected to average $13.02 per thousand cubic feet, a slight increase of 2% from last winter.

Bottom line, it's looking like heating your house this winter is going to be close to an all time bargain.

"Be man enough to admit that you are a selfish jacka** with a massive sense of self-entitlement who doesn't give a s**t about anybody but yourself. At least I'd have to say you had some courage of conviction, even if that conviction is way off the mark. Right now, all y'are is a selfish, boorish jerk."

The above is part of a comment I received on a recent blog post in which I stated that I like my full sized pick-up truck. I'd like to reply to the above comment:

Why I might be considered selfish for owning my truck is a mystery to me. My 1997 Chevrolet pick-up truck put food on the tables of American workers, and dollars in American pension funds. Trucks like mine have provided jobs all across North America. Gosh, we who own domestically made trucks are very sorry about that.

Despite the massive force that was Gustav, New Orleans avoided the brunt much better than expected, which is good news for the economy. Well, better news, anyway. Storms of this size by definition have an impact on the economy.

Even though damages to homes, infrastructure and energy production won't be known until later this week, several sources have already shifted their economic forecasts toward the positive.

Consumers across the board will be glad to hear that natural gas futures have already dropped slightly, as well as gasoline prices and the cost for natural gas in the month of October.