The new 41.32 agorot price per kilowatt hour is a 9.6% reduction from the previous price of 43.59 agorot. Commercial and public institutions will see an even higher drop of 16.3%.

The change was meant to happen back in April, 2009 but was postponed. There was a fight this time too, but the Manufacturers Association, the Federation of Israeli Chambers of Commerce and the Israel Consumer Council pushed for the cut. It’s intended to reflect the real cost of production (which is a requirement).

But just because the rates are dropping, please don’t run to use more! Using the same amount of electricity could afford you a 9.6% reduction in your bill without lifting a finger, the best possible savings!

Rusty Mike Radio is an Internet-only radio station that broadcasts out of the offices of the AACI in Jerusalem. The station mixes music and chat; Nettie’s show takes on a variety of useful – and sometimes controversial – topics, from religious-secular couplings to the pressure of body image in our society.

To tune in, go to www.rustymikeradio.com and click on the “Listen Live” button. To join the discussion, click the “chat” button on the Rusty Mike Radio website.

One nice feature about Rusty Mike is that they archive most of their talk shows and put them online for download. So if you can’t tune in live wait a few days and then check out this link.

The line up sounds very interesting:

• Darron Green will explain how Israeli banking differs from other countries
• Disgruntled customers will share their tales of woe, including Maale Adumim resident Irwin Blank
• Mercantile Bank’s Matti Munk will address some complaints
• JP economics editor Sharon Wrobel will tip us off on how to work the system

The show airs Thursday Oct. 29, between noon – 2:00 PM Israel time.

To listen, go to www.rustymikeradio.com and click on the “Listen Live” button. To join the discussion, click the “chat” button on the Rusty Mike Radio website.

If you miss the episode, it’s available as a podcast at: http://rustymikeradio.com/podcast/rm_podcasts.php?action=frontpage&search_string=nettie

Obviously I haven’t heard the show yet, but I’ll be listening!

Last week, the cable television provider HOT doubled its fine for early termination, from NIS 240 to NIS 480. But that’s not all. The company is charging you NIS 45 per month for the amount of service you received before your contract is up.

So, for example, if you have a two-year contract and you want to end your service after only one year. HOT will charge you NIS 45 x 12 or NIS 540 – on top of the NIS 480 cancellation fee. That’s a total of NIS 1,020!

Over at YES, the fines are already high  – at NIS 402. The monthly cancellation “extra” hasn’t been implemented, but I wouldn’t be surprised if YES can’t resist keeping up with the Hotties.

Haaretz suggests that HOT’s increases stem from the competition involving a new digital television converter which will give viewers digital quality access to the free channels (1, 2, 10, 33 and 99) for no charge. The fine increases supposedly will bandage the hemorrhaging.

My advice: check when your contract expires. If you’re getting close to the end and you want to cancel, that’s the time. With so much available online, maybe you don’t need expensive cable. And if you do decide to keep your cable or satellite access, don’t be afraid to renegotiate with your provider. We just did that with YES and got the monthly bill down NIS 25 just for inquiring about termination fees!