Hey, y’all. It’s Amie.

Yesterday, we did the unthinkable: We placed an order for heating oil before Nov. 1. For nine years and 26 days, Kody and I successfully ruled our 1910, poorly-insulated home’s thermostat with an iron fist—and lots of sweaters and fuzzy socks. On the 27th day of that grand timeline (also known as yesterday), we broke down and ordered 125 gallons of fuel.

There were a few reasons behind that decision: 1) Our kid asked if we could order early; as a winter-born boy who would usually prefer life in Antarctica, that means something. 2) Our old-as-heck mini poodle, Cotton, looked up at me with his beady little eyes like a frail Victorian child hoping to survive the harsh winter. 3) We’re putting up the Christmas tree on Saturday, and don’t need it to feel like an actual winter wonderland in here to bring on the ambiance.

Today’s newsletter is going to be a little different; a bit more of a personal approach. I recently wrote about our experience of trying to navigate a more efficient—and cheaper—heating option for our home. Unfortunately, I doubt we’re alone in that quest this winter, but for now, we’re hoping our oil circulator has at least one more season in him. If you find the info below useful, please share it with a friend—and remember, I’m so glad you’re here. Stay warm, friends. 

Like many families, we were counting on a federal heat pump tax credit to help us finally upgrade our 60-year-old heating system. Recent changes mean that the tax credit ends seven years earlier than planned. (Colton Knowles/Dogwood)

By Amie Knowles

Our home is old. It’s 115 years old, to be exact. And while I love the character that comes with an elderly abode, the near-constant repairs and need for upgrades are exhausting. So when my husband and I learned that the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), a federal law passed in 2022, included a 30% tax credit for certain home repairs, we were stoked. 

Like many families, we were counting on a federal heat pump tax credit to help us finally upgrade our heating system. We thought we had until 2032 to make it happen, but thanks to modifications included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act—which scaled back and repealed multiple green energy tax incentives in the IRA—the rules changed without warning. The deadline to take advantage of that credit moved up by seven years and ends in December.

See, at 36 and 32 years old, my husband and I, respectively, do our finances a little differently than many of our peers. Our broad rule is: If we can’t pay cash for it, we can’t afford it. Sure, we have student loan debt and a mortgage—but we refused to borrow money to purchase our 2006 truck (which we got in 2020) or our 2014 car in 2024. But we don’t have $8,000 to $15,000 lying around to put toward the average price of a heat pump. 

It’s not that we don’t need it. We do. Our home’s heat runs off of an oil circulator, which, as far as we can tell, was installed in the mid-1960s. Sure, it’s lasted a long time, but boy, is it expensive. In fact, it’s so much a part of our family’s budget that we gave it a name: Wilbur. 

Admittedly, we’ve tried saving for a heat pump for a while now, but it seems like something more pressing comes along every time. It’s something families across Virginia and beyond know all too well. In fact, approximately 42% of Gen Z, millennial, and Gen X workers in America had no spare savings after covering their basic living expenses, according to a recent study.

But that was OK—we thought we had more time; we thought 2032 was a promise. And sure, we’ll figure it out and we’ll make it work. We always do. But for folks like us who are trying to manage their finances responsibly (or even those who aren’t, but could use the help), banking on the silver lining of that tax credit was big. And now it’s gone. 

You know what helps with the cost of heating a home? Voting. Yes, for real.

Me personally, I’m not a “political party” voter. You have my word that I’ll cast my ballot for the person I think will do the best job. 

With that logic, it becomes increasingly important to me to look at voting records of the candidates on my ballot when it comes to issues that I’m following. Using the One Big Beautiful Bill Act as an example, five Virginia lawmakers in the US House of Representatives voted in favor of it; their votes ultimately helped the legislation pass. 

While the US House seats won’t be up for election until 2026, several Virginia-specific roles are up for grabs next week: Governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and state delegates.

Be sure to do your research—and then cast your ballot. That’s what I’ll be doing, too.

Children in Hampton Roads recently received costumes, thanks to a local partnership. (Haley Phelps/Unsplash)

All treats, no tricks. That’s what happened when Affordable Virginia partnered with Reset Inc., a local food pantry, to ensure every child in the Hampton Roads area could enjoy a fun and festive Halloween.

A recent National Retail Federation study found that nearly 80% of families expect higher Halloween costs this year.

With rising prices putting pressure on household budgets, community partnerships like this one are stepping up to fill the gap. The organizations provided free Halloween costumes for families across the region. 

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