Energy Information Administration

Crude oil futures have taken a hit lately, delivering an 8.6% slide to speculators over the past five trading days. On Tuesday, June crude settled at a three-month low.

With less than one week until winter is officially over, Americans are celebrating the end of the season with an extra "spring" in their steps. What's got them feeling so happy? Two words: fatter wallets, thanks to warmer temperatures and lower heating costs.

The American economy is in the throes of the longest, most protracted recovery since the Great Depression. But there is an industry offering a beacon of hope, and it could soon serve as the tipping point that gets America back to work: natural gas.

Like they say: If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. With the price of home heating oil on the rise, and likely to go on rising due to global politics, now might be a good time to place a bet on oil to hedge against the costs of keeping the homestead warm.

This winter's weather is forecast to be milder than last year's, but many Americans will get a cold chill when they open their heating bills. Average household spending for the season will rise for natural gas and propane, and those who use heating oil will see their highest winter bills ever.

You probably have heard that the U.S. is the world's largest consumer of oil. But did you know that we're also the third-largest producer of oil? And yes, the U.S. imports more than half its oil. But our two biggest suppliers are our nearest neighbors.

To most investors, today's low natural gas prices mean gas producers are to be avoided, but Paul Mecray, managing director of Tower Bridge Advisors, disagrees. He sees a long-term play for patient investors who get in now on the cheap.