"I miss my Friday night fish fry but that was one of the things I had to do," says Al Vollmer.

Al and Fran Vollmer haven't gone out to eat in six months. They're retired, on social security, which they say doesn't cover basic needs. And it's expected to get worse. Officials at the U.S. Department of Energy think natural gas prices will go up at least 20-percent this winter.

"It's particularly tough on me and the wife cause we're on a fixed income and when prices go up, we don't' get a raise. We have to wait for Uncle Sam," Vollmer says.

"When demand is up and supply is down or weather patterns increase all of these things affect the price of natural gas on the markets," says Nicor Spokeswoman Annette Martinez.

If the predictions are correct, those with a 200-dollar monthly bill last year could expect to spend 160 dollars more this winter. So to make extra cash, Vollmer shows these wood carvings at local art shows.

Nicor officials also recommend making our homes more energy efficient or sign up for their budget plan.

It's important to note natural gas prices have gone down this month. Right now, they're 84-cents per therm. Last month, it was $1.08. And the month before $1.44. But since consumption goes up in the winter, prices will go up as well. Electricity costs are also expected to increase by five-percent.