Nicor gas supply rate

As of March 1, 2023, the Nicor gas supply rate is now at 45 cents/therm, off from a high of $1.24/therm last October.

Given the mild winter, we are seeing less demand and hence prices are down from last year's highs.

Alternative supply rates have not gone lower than the Nicor current rate.
Stay put for now and let's see what happens in April.

As for electric, there are still attractive alternative supply rates for both residential and business v. the current Comed rate of 9.665 cents/kWh.
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Let me know if you are interested in exploring options.

Here's a business expense savings idea

Please allow me to introduce you to Michael Latone, with Cost Reduction Specialists.
Michael brings cash flow solutions, through proprietary software his company has developed for small to mid-sized, Fortune 500, and Enterprise Companies.

One area that we think you might benefit from is a Federal tax incentive named Employee Retention Credit (ERC).

One question for business owners...

Have you filed for ERC of up to $26,000 per W2 employee? As part of the CARES ACT from March 2020, you had to decide between PPP & ERC, now you can file for both and the program has been extended to include more types of businesses and has more than $300 Billion Dollars still available.

Michael Latone
Cost Reduction Specialists
ERTC, Cost Segregation, 
R&D Tax Credits, IT, Telecom, 
Merchant Services & Utilities
https://calendly.com/crs-ml
crs.mlatone@gmail.com
​(O) (847) 304-0127
(M) (847) 903-8061

Business Continuity

Do you have home insurance? Sure you do, although it's optional.
Same should go for backing up your business data - it's optional, but like home insurance is a good idea to have in case.

Interested in learning more on a 20 minute webinar with my partner to discuss your business continuity and back up plans that can help with the following:

• Quickly restore systems and data locally or from the cloud
• Virtualize failed servers to keep your business running
• Built-in technology to protect and recover from ransomware
• 24/7 monitoring and alerting
• Disaster recovery assistance

Let me know and we'll set up web time to  discuss this further.

Need a reminder to review your company’s cyber security plan? — this is it!

A solid cyber security plan includes modern cybersecurity software, updated company procedures that you actually follow, and end user training and education.

Contact us to schedule a Cybersecurity webinar and assessment.
Get a jumpstart on your cybersecurity plans. 

To minimize the risks of cyberattacks, follow basic cybersecurity best practices:

• Keep software up to date. 
• Run up-to-date antivirus software. 
• Use strong passwords. 
• Change default usernames and passwords. 
• Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). 
• Install a firewall. 
• Be suspicious of unexpected emails​

Plan on upgrading your telecom equipment?

​Why not save some money now on taxes while doing so.

73% of Small to Mid Size Businesses (SMBs) recently surveyed by Connectwise agree that their organization has reached a tipping point where cybersecurity converns demand action.​
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That's likely the result of the fact that 76 percent of SMBs report that they hae been impacted by at least one cybersecuity attack in 2021 - a considerable increase compared to 55% who saind the same the year before.

Consequently, 78% of SMB resppondents say their organization is set to increase investment in cybersecurity in the next 12 months.

A key challenge identified in the report is that two in three SMBs lack the expertise in-house to defend themselves againt cybersecurity threats.

Does your business need help with cybersecurity against threats?
Let's talk about ways to protect your business.

If you’re still paying  rack rate for Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) lines, you are not alone.

POTS replacement offers a great way to save lots of money.

So get off your old POTS analog telephone lines still used for fax, elevators, POS terminals, call boxes, modems, HVAC, and alarms. You can transform those POTS line costs to something less scary with IP technology and even add Wi-Fi for even more reliability.

Still deftly afraid of doing this?

There are other ways to save money off traditional phone line service.
Ask me how.

Spark energy has gas supply in the 70 cent range right now with no early termination fees for residential sign ups.

These are very attractive rates to grab now as we start to use more gas this fall/winter season.

I don't see the Nicor supply going lower this winter from $1.24. I'd sign up right away.

So 77 cents v. $1.24 nets a savings of 38%!

​For Residential gas and electric savings options, go to the following link:
https://powerkioskdirect.com/
click sales code, enter bicekenergy
Choose the energy plan you like, enter your info, and sign up.​