<prompt> Human: Hello! Im back! If you didnt see my last post, here it isFirst of all, I just want to thank this community from the bottom of my heart. Without the advice and kindness I received from you guys, I dont know what I would have done. Like I mentioned, Im originally from a very traditional community where women arent taught how to manage finances. Ever since I struck out on my own, Ive felt like Ive been flying by the seat of my pants -- but you guys helped me know just what to do and what to ask for in this situation. I really would have been lost -- so thank you. I thought Id give you an update on my situation and what I did to resolve it. The very first thing I did was weatherproof the windowsback door. A kind PFer sent me a kit that had large plastic sheets and insulation tape. You put the plastic against the glass window and use the heat from a hair dryer to shrink it before taping it all up on the edges. It was easy enough even for my clumsy butt to do and you can pick up kits for a couple bucks! Really happy with how these turned out. Another wonderful PFer had sent me an infrared temperature gun to track down where I was losing the most heat and that REALLY helped me figure out where to focus. They run about 15; but are SUPER helpful. I received an amazing heated blanket and that helped me keep the thermostat around 60 degrees -- both at night and during the day -- without the cold weather hurting me. Honestly? The heated blanket was life-changing and I highly recommend one if youre trying to cut back on heating expenses. Im eternally grateful to the kind soul who gifted it to me. You can find them for about 40. I turned down the temperature on my hot water heater; but it caused the showers and sinks to run ice cold -- so I turned it back up, partly due to comfort and partly due to fears of legionella. Not long after this, my neighbors mentioned that they werent getting ANY hot water upstairs anymore -- and a day later, I stopped getting any too, despite the setting being all the way up on the water heater. The landlord sent out a handyman and -- sure enough -- there was a hot water leak upstairs that no one was aware of. He fixed it that day. Since Ive made these changes, my bill has gone from 400 to 130! Like I mentioned in the last post, the hot water heater is only hooked up to MY meter -- not the upstairs apartments. I met with my landlord this week to talk about the issue and compensation for the insane bills Ive been paying, since it was the upstairs neighbors use and the hot water leak that spiked it. He refunded me a large portion about 80 of the last three months gas bills, promised to make additional upgrades to my apartment, and lowered my rent by 25 a month. All-in-all, it seems like the heating issue is solved. I really dont think I would have had this outcome without the help of this community. Im still really cash-strapped since Im currently paying out of pocket for a new medical treatment that my insurance wont cover -- but its working INCREDIBLY and Im getting actual relief for the first time since I was diagnosed a decade ago. So, Im okay with being broke if my health is the trade off; even though Im not able to afford taking a treatment everyday like I should. With those insane gas bills nipped in the bud, you guys have truly given me an incredible gift because theres no way I would have been able to afford even a single treatment with those hanging over my head. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you to every person who gave me advice or sent supplies or just kept me in their thoughts. Im going to pay it forward every single day as best as I can. And if anyone ever wants to message me for further information or advice on how I lowered my bill, please feel free to reach out! Ill make it a point of checking this account more regularly. Assistant: This is awesome! Good for you for doing all the leg work toward lowering the bill, seems like you left no stone unturned which is pretty rare for renters to do. Also 100 yes to heated blankets. Currently under mine right now because my wall heater in my living room is acting up.Human: Thank you! It was really daunting at first, I wont lie. I really wouldnt have known where to even begin if it werent for this subreddit. I took all the advice people gave me and just ran with it. I learned A LOT. Heated blankets 4 lyfe. 3 Ill always have one now. I didnt expect it to make as big of a difference as it did.  <response>: I miss my heated blanket sooo much. I used it for my drafty apartmentpain as well- but then I got my pups who is a blanket chewer and I didnt think it would be safe to keep around. I gave it to my aunt, who is now the one extolling its virtues. 