I have to confess that my world is pretty much defined by about 3 square-miles. We live less than a mile from where we work (please don't report us as it seems to be against the law in the DC-metro area to live in the same state as you work!), we shop about a mile from home or let FedEx and UPS deliver the rest, and we really don't look for opportunities to hit the roads for any length of time. My husband works internationally quite a bit so he travels on the company's dime. This was our reality before the excitement over gas prices set in and will be after a new crisis hits the airwaves.
Plus, I own a 1991 Geo Metro - paid for, insurance less than $100 a year and it gets 40 mpg.
"Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war" - Shakespeare
We are currently purchasing a new car to so I can park the truck. Even though this purchase was inevitable, it did have an effect on our selection . We are also watching our budget a little closer now.
I paid nearly $60.00 to fill up my Dodge Intrepid last week. I was mildly shocked only because I'd never paid that much for a tank before. Then I got mad at the envrionmentalists and the government for screwing with the way the oil companies can do their business. No new refineries since the 70's. No new drilling or exploration of resources within our own borders. So with the supply artificially low is it any wonder why the price is high? Adam Smith must be rolling in his grave.
"I'd rather be governed by the first 2,000 people in the Boston
telephone directory than the 2,000 faculty at Hardvard Unversity." -
William F. Buckley Jr.
Just because 25 percent saying that they are driving less does no automagically equate to 25 percent less traffic. People still have to drive to work. What this means for us (and many others) is that we try to be more efficient in our discretionary driving: less trips but more stops.
Now it's up to 27% "less driving." Yet, traffic is still heavier, not lighter. I rarely drive in rush hour traffic, so, it must mean that people are all being "efficient" at the same times.
As a retiree on a fixed income, gas prices have put a crimp on our lifestyle. Couple that with the increases in food prices and things are tight.
As has been said, Congress owns this - completely. Time to drill, develop coal to oil projects and nuke power plants. Anything else merely allows the American economy to slip further.
I'm driving less, but not because of gas prices -- it's because I no longer have a 50-mile round trip to work following a layoff.
Lee T.
U.S. Navy (ret.) / Vancouver, Washington
The history of the race, and each individual's experience, are thick with evidence that a truth is not hard to kill and that a lie told well is immortal.-- Mark Twain
My answer was going to be almost word-for-word what you wrote. I still commute 70 miles each way (no choice), I still have to drive my kids to sports...it just costs me more now. Nothing I can do about it.
because of gas prices that they not only drive less and eat out less but have canceled vacations, put off all major purchases, put off buying a home, and are postponing their retirement .
These financially destitute people who are barely living all went out and bought a new Car that would most likely take many years to recoup the costs. No wonder these people are broke. They are really stupid. Either that or it's some liberals lying as usual to impact a poll.
Not all of us are suffering because we overspent ourselves. My hubby and I have one small vehicle, one small apartment, no credit card debt, and no real exuberant lifestyle.
We used to have several hundred extra bucks a month and were saving up for a house. Now gas, groceries and higher electric bills are cutting into that. We also know this thing will get worse in the future so we're trying to stash away as much as possible for that.
The money we're saving to buy a house will soon be enough to buy a piece of furniture.
If you did then it's not very wise. I didn't say people couldn't be struggling. I'm saying it's outrageous to have the "All of the Above Answer". I'm sure you didn't have that because you are also no where near retirement age so I can't imagine that you have postponed retirement.
You admit that your problems are not just because of higher gas prices. A tank of gas for a large SUV is still under a hundred dollars so if you had several hundred extra before then there has to be something else going on.
Maybe people who are self employed truck drivers could have all of those problems purely because of gas, but even that would be a stretch and it would still be really dumb to by a new Car (specifically for the intention of saving money on gas not because you had to get one anyway)when it would take years to recoup the cost.
We have a car that we got just over a year ago. Our old car had 100K miles and was in such bad bad shape it would shimmy when we went too fast, so we were forced to get a new one. Even then we got a fairly small one with good mileage.
Since we bought that car the price of gas has basically doubled. What used to cost us 20 bucks to fill now cost 40, so over the course of a month that adds up. Also our power company is lobbying right now to raise their prices by 20%. Not to mention a grocery bill that has jumped up amazingly. You can't get a pack of chicken now for less than five bucks and orange juice is several bucks a quart. We've started going more vegetarian and drinking Sunny D instead of juice.
We had several hundred extra because we were living frugally in the first place. But now living frugally means you're breaking even.
Candace, I have a vita mix(the Hulk of mixers) and make my own juice for about 50 cents or less a quart; they are pricy but mine is 20 years old and still going strong. You can mix just about anything with them. I even ground up wheat and made peanut butter with it. Also I love cornbread and beans and it has the same nutricial value of meat if not better. And with rice makes complete proteins.
before the prices skyrocketed so you didn't by a new car because of high gas prices. I assume you didn't "postpone" retirement either and probably didn't check all of the above.
That's all I was saying is that people who checked that are exaggerating. Big time.
Many people still have more money from the Bush tax cuts then the increase in gas has cost them.
anyway. It just seemed like you disagreed, but I was pretty sure you wouldn't if I clarified and you knew what I meant. Even still - you can disagree with me. Unless you are a liberal ; )
$40??? Try $120 a tank. Granted, we can go a little more than 400 miles on a tank, but still, 7 years ago when we bought it it only cost $55 to fill it. We are over 150K miles on it, though and still running great.
Gas prices have doubled within the past 3.5 years. Must be a lot of rich folks out there to take this so nonchalantly. For the rest of us mortals, it's starting to hurt in the pocketbook.
This poll also does not take into account the associated escalating prices of airfares, which, for those living far away from intimate family, can have greater impact than the gas prices.
Now THAT is a fact. My sister lives in Botswana, my mom in Hope, British Columbia. I live near Washington DC, my daughter lives in Phoenix, my brother and other sister live in Ridgecrest, CA (in the Mojave desert) so I can SO relate to being deprived of immediate family time!
I guess it's time to load up my camping gear and take my Geo on a road trip (except to Botswana, of course!)
"Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war" - Shakespeare
Also known as "traditionally built" :o) (and maybe someone can 'splain how large people cause global warming. Seems to me my sedentary tendencies conserve energy. Unlike those frantically active and jogging THIN people sweating and stirring up the climate!)
"Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war" - Shakespeare
The main impact on my life is that I've had to stop driving up north to spread salt on the glaciers so they'll melt faster..oh and killing some polar bears while I'm at it.
As a business owner my gas bills for one 3/4 ton van is 2 grand a month - todays prices. I can't afford to keep my rates where they are unless I post a 25 dollar gas surcharge on each invoice. The only question is when will I start doing it.
You are running a business not a charity. The shock to the consumer will come in the following two weeks...a 15 to 20% increase in overall goods and products will be hitting most store shelves by June 1st. The amount of warning letters have steadily increased from all my suppliers, distributors, and manufacturers in the past few months. The date has always centered on June 1st. Good luck and drive slower to cut a few costs...
I just raised prices for new customers and will implement reforms for existing accounts. I get a chance to make more money tomorrow. Man, I love NewsBusters.
I need a vehicle to get to the places I want/need to be and can't get there without fuel. I've always been very frugal, yet generally turn a blind eye to what I actually pay for gas, though I'll follow the price fluctuation and complain about its causes. I voted with "drive less" though this isn't entirely true. Partially I drive less to go out and get food (gotta get back my girlish figure for the summer season). Also, I do carpool a bit more since I have many friends without their own vehicles or who aren't far out of my way. Probably the biggest change is that I will be looking more into flying to my more distant vacation destinations this year. If it will cost less to fly than spend 14 hours driving, then that's where I'm going to go. I will also be enjoying the irony that my trip will be putting out far more CO2 than my little ford focus will all year.
I sold my Dodge truck with a V-8 in '01 because at that time gas was $2/gal and I thought THAT was too much. I replaced it with a '01 Honda Civic LX with a stick shift which gets 30 mpg city, 42mpg highway. I usually buy American cars, but Consumer Reports said the Civic was more reliable that my first choice which was the Ford Focus. The Civic has certainly been reliable with no maintenance problems at all, although it is uncomfortable and gutless and I wouldn't want to get hit by a Suburban while driving it. If I had my druthers I'd rather be driving a big black Crown Vic for the comfort, but don't want to pay for feeding the thing.
Even though I have a reliable, economical car, and only have to drive 6 miles one way to work, I still find my self driving less and trying to hit grocery stores etc. on the way home from work instead of making a separate trip.
Btw, I noticed on the way to work today that unleaded regular was $4.05/gal at my local Arco, which means it is 10-15 cents higher at other stations like Chevron. Deisel is $5/gal around here, (Sacramento, CA). I am old enought to remember when regular was 50 cents a gallon, but that was many years ago!
More Smiles with More Miles! At least you're not stuck in traffic like the rest of 'em.
The problem is the increased production of Methane over CO2 from too many beers and burritos, I've been told Methane is 21 times worse than CO2 as a greenhouse gas. I just feel a lot better after ridding myself of it...Sorry, Al! LOL!!!
I haven't been driving less, but I'm a bit of a homebody, anyway. I have been eating less corn, though! Seriously, if you need more $$, work more! dig in, suck it up, whatever it takes.
I used to (2 years ago) fill my tank and spend $45 and it would last me about 3 days untill I had to refuel,
I read somewhere that filling up your tank is the worst thing you can do for gas milage.......20 gallons wieghs a lot more then 5, your car has to work harder to move the extra wieght.
i was told to put in only what I will use in a day. so i started with 10 bucks....now it's 13. (approx 3-3.5 gallons) but thats all I use a day to go to work and come home.
so in the morning I go to my local gas station.....one that is privately owned (Citco is closer and a few cents cheaper but I will NOT give money to Hugo Chavez) and I spend my $13 a day and i have found that it works out to be cheaper.
another thing for this is I will not give more money then i need to,
at 65 bucks a pop for 3 days or 13 a day for 5 days.
and all that BS about filling up in the morning becasue the gas is more dence so you really get more, is the same thing as saying what weighs more a pound of feathers or a pound of lead...c'mon we all know the lead weighs just a little more.
A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.
-Gerald Ford
I have tickets to a AAA baseball game tonight that I'm not going to,
because I refuse to drive one inch more than I have to. I'd rather let
the tickets rot than pay the oil companies one dime more than I have to.
We haven't gone out to eat since gas hit $3.25.
My wife's company will set her up to work out of our house. A day doesn't go by that I don't bug her to go "home schooled."
I took part of my 401 out a fund that had Exxon stock.
He doesn't realize that he and other's like him are the ones who make the profits. He doesn't get Capitalism, Free markets or what a publicly held corporation is or anything.
He should be happy anyway. Those rotten Oil companies have forced him to do what he was to selfish to do before on his own - save the planet by driving less.
when we leave the house...Instead of shopping or doing errands on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, etc., we are trying to plan ahead and get everything done in one trip. We live in a rural state where it is about a two hour drive to just about any other city of any real size, and in the past, we have frequently taken day (or weekend) trips to other cities to shop, eat out, etc. We practically never do that now, at $4 a gallon.
In October 2006, we bought a Buick mid-size SUV, before the sky high gas prices. We love this car, but it definitely is more expensive to drive than our previous family car. I don't see us trading it in (as I said, we love this car), but we think twice before we jump in it to run around town.
"...peace is the highest aspiration of the American people. We will negotiate for it, sacrifice for it, we will never surrender for it, now or ever." President Ronald Reagan, January 20, 1981
My garden is now about 90' by 75' and growing (not to mention the 2 acres of various fruits). I also increased my meat production at home here (chicken, lamb, and pork) and I am seriously considering getting a milk cow. Food prices have gone up more for us than fuel, so we started doing all we could to save $$$ in that area and because of all of the added work that creates, not to mention the need to stay home for the animals, we drive a lot less. My husband's and my family live 90-150 miles away and up until now we have sucked it up and gone to the parties because we are still expected to (after all it is only a 3 hour drive each way) but we finally said, "no more." I think we will be saving $400 a month with those changes. It is difficult and very tiring, but I am trying to see what we can do to save money since I teach the kids and can not go out and get a job. I did buy a bike last year and I love it. It is a Cannondale and it has the coolest grocery bag carrier, I might get one for the other side of the bike.
Other things I started: turning off main power to the TV for most of the week, turning the computer off every night, I might hang my clothes and stuff on the clothesline finally. We will put the wood stove back in the house too. We are not destitute and I am not a crazy environmentalist, I just like having a full bank account. I also like to be as self-sufficient as I possibly can.
I admire what you're doing. I might actually be willing to move out of our pretty little old (1920ish) house if we can get a decent piece of land. I have a strong desire to be self-sufficient even if we can still afford not to change.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
No.
May 27, 2008 - 11:02 ET by HelenSI have to confess that my world is pretty much defined by about 3 square-miles. We live less than a mile from where we work (please don't report us as it seems to be against the law in the DC-metro area to live in the same state as you work!), we shop about a mile from home or let FedEx and UPS deliver the rest, and we really don't look for opportunities to hit the roads for any length of time. My husband works internationally quite a bit so he travels on the company's dime. This was our reality before the excitement over gas prices set in and will be after a new crisis hits the airwaves.
Plus, I own a 1991 Geo Metro - paid for, insurance less than $100 a year and it gets 40 mpg.
"Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war" - Shakespeare
We are currently purchasing
May 27, 2008 - 11:05 ET by general companyWe are currently purchasing a new car to so I can park the truck. Even though this purchase was inevitable, it did have an effect on our selection . We are also watching our budget a little closer now.
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
I still gotta go to work
May 27, 2008 - 11:25 ET by Iowa BoyI paid nearly $60.00 to fill up my Dodge Intrepid last week. I was mildly shocked only because I'd never paid that much for a tank before. Then I got mad at the envrionmentalists and the government for screwing with the way the oil companies can do their business. No new refineries since the 70's. No new drilling or exploration of resources within our own borders. So with the supply artificially low is it any wonder why the price is high? Adam Smith must be rolling in his grave.
"I'd rather be governed by the first 2,000 people in the Boston
telephone directory than the 2,000 faculty at Hardvard Unversity." -
William F. Buckley Jr.
Now that is FUNNY!
May 27, 2008 - 11:34 ET by CrashI have NOT seen 25% less traffic on the roads.
Apples and Oranges Crash
May 27, 2008 - 11:59 ET by PSPCplJust because 25 percent saying that they are driving less does no automagically equate to 25 percent less traffic. People still have to drive to work. What this means for us (and many others) is that we try to be more efficient in our discretionary driving: less trips but more stops.
Almost 30%!
May 27, 2008 - 13:42 ET by CrashNow it's up to 27% "less driving." Yet, traffic is still heavier, not lighter. I rarely drive in rush hour traffic, so, it must mean that people are all being "efficient" at the same times.
Retiree
May 27, 2008 - 11:35 ET by MCPO AirdaleAs a retiree on a fixed income, gas prices have put a crimp on our lifestyle. Couple that with the increases in food prices and things are tight.
As has been said, Congress owns this - completely. Time to drill, develop coal to oil projects and nuke power plants. Anything else merely allows the American economy to slip further.
I concur
May 27, 2008 - 13:17 ET by ChaitealoverDitto, MCPO
Chai
“A liberal is a man who will give away everything he doesn’t own.” —Frank Dane
I'm driving less, but not
May 27, 2008 - 11:44 ET by lnthompI'm driving less, but not because of gas prices -- it's because I no longer have a 50-mile round trip to work following a layoff.
Lee T.
U.S. Navy (ret.) / Vancouver, Washington
The history of the race, and each individual's experience, are thick with evidence that a truth is not hard to kill and that a lie told well is immortal.-- Mark Twain
Sorry to here that, hope
May 27, 2008 - 11:48 ET by general companySorry to here that, hope things get better for you soon.
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
No, because I didn't do
May 27, 2008 - 12:13 ET by Indiana JoeNo, because I didn't do much unnecessary driving before. Weren't we supposed to eliminate that for environmental reasons long ago? ;^)
I cut out "Sunday Drives" years ago!!!
May 27, 2008 - 12:21 ET by SouthJersey1953Joe,
My answer was going to be almost word-for-word what you wrote. I still commute 70 miles each way (no choice), I still have to drive my kids to sports...it just costs me more now. Nothing I can do about it.
I cut out "Sunday Drives" years ago!!!
15 people (so far) have dove into such hard financial crisis
May 27, 2008 - 12:24 ET by Dee Bunkbecause of gas prices that they not only drive less and eat out less but have canceled vacations, put off all major purchases, put off buying a home, and are postponing their retirement .
These financially destitute people who are barely living all went out and bought a new Car that would most likely take many years to recoup the costs. No wonder these people are broke. They are really stupid. Either that or it's some liberals lying as usual to impact a poll.
financially destitute
May 27, 2008 - 13:29 ET by candanceNot all of us are suffering because we overspent ourselves. My hubby and I have one small vehicle, one small apartment, no credit card debt, and no real exuberant lifestyle.
We used to have several hundred extra bucks a month and were saving up for a house. Now gas, groceries and higher electric bills are cutting into that. We also know this thing will get worse in the future so we're trying to stash away as much as possible for that.
The money we're saving to buy a house will soon be enough to buy a piece of furniture.
oh I know candance - but you didn't buy a New Car did you?
May 27, 2008 - 13:50 ET by Dee BunkIf you did then it's not very wise. I didn't say people couldn't be struggling. I'm saying it's outrageous to have the "All of the Above Answer". I'm sure you didn't have that because you are also no where near retirement age so I can't imagine that you have postponed retirement.
You admit that your problems are not just because of higher gas prices. A tank of gas for a large SUV is still under a hundred dollars so if you had several hundred extra before then there has to be something else going on.
Maybe people who are self employed truck drivers could have all of those problems purely because of gas, but even that would be a stretch and it would still be really dumb to by a new Car (specifically for the intention of saving money on gas not because you had to get one anyway)when it would take years to recoup the cost.
extra costs
May 27, 2008 - 14:48 ET by candanceWe have a car that we got just over a year ago. Our old car had 100K miles and was in such bad bad shape it would shimmy when we went too fast, so we were forced to get a new one. Even then we got a fairly small one with good mileage.
Since we bought that car the price of gas has basically doubled. What used to cost us 20 bucks to fill now cost 40, so over the course of a month that adds up. Also our power company is lobbying right now to raise their prices by 20%. Not to mention a grocery bill that has jumped up amazingly. You can't get a pack of chicken now for less than five bucks and orange juice is several bucks a quart. We've started going more vegetarian and drinking Sunny D instead of juice.
We had several hundred extra because we were living frugally in the first place. But now living frugally means you're breaking even.
Candace, I have a vita
May 27, 2008 - 14:59 ET by Dan The Man 2Candace, I have a vita mix(the Hulk of mixers) and make my own juice for about 50 cents or less a quart; they are pricy but mine is 20 years old and still going strong. You can mix just about anything with them. I even ground up wheat and made peanut butter with it. Also I love cornbread and beans and it has the same nutricial value of meat if not better. And with rice makes complete proteins.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
So you bought a new car because you needed one and
May 27, 2008 - 15:25 ET by Dee Bunkbefore the prices skyrocketed so you didn't by a new car because of high gas prices. I assume you didn't "postpone" retirement either and probably didn't check all of the above.
That's all I was saying is that people who checked that are exaggerating. Big time.
Many people still have more money from the Bush tax cuts then the increase in gas has cost them.
oh sorry Dee
May 27, 2008 - 16:51 ET by candanceI didn't check "all of the above" so maybe I shouldn't have posted my rantings under yours!
It's okay - I didn't see it as ranting
May 27, 2008 - 16:56 ET by Dee Bunkanyway. It just seemed like you disagreed, but I was pretty sure you wouldn't if I clarified and you knew what I meant. Even still - you can disagree with me. Unless you are a liberal ; )
$40??? Try $120 a tank.
May 27, 2008 - 21:43 ET by amber$40??? Try $120 a tank. Granted, we can go a little more than 400 miles on a tank, but still, 7 years ago when we bought it it only cost $55 to fill it. We are over 150K miles on it, though and still running great.
no, not at all...
May 27, 2008 - 12:29 ET by VT Con Manyet.
retired and enjoying it
May 27, 2008 - 12:31 ET by larry on LIlarry on LI
we know the drill from the peanut man's term
Gas prices have doubled
May 27, 2008 - 12:34 ET by lotrGas prices have doubled within the past 3.5 years. Must be a lot of rich folks out there to take this so nonchalantly. For the rest of us mortals, it's starting to hurt in the pocketbook.
This poll also does not take into account the associated escalating prices of airfares, which, for those living far away from intimate family, can have greater impact than the gas prices.
Now THAT is a fact. My
May 27, 2008 - 12:43 ET by HelenSNow THAT is a fact. My sister lives in Botswana, my mom in Hope, British Columbia. I live near Washington DC, my daughter lives in Phoenix, my brother and other sister live in Ridgecrest, CA (in the Mojave desert) so I can SO relate to being deprived of immediate family time!
I guess it's time to load up my camping gear and take my Geo on a road trip (except to Botswana, of course!)
"Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war" - Shakespeare
I heard those Geo's
May 27, 2008 - 13:11 ET by Dan The Man 2I heard those Geo's float.
Nuke em til they glow then shoot em in the dark.
I tend to load it down
May 27, 2008 - 13:25 ET by HelenSI tend to load it down for road trips: camping gear, astronomy gear, shooting stuff. Makes for a much more stable drive :o)
Around town we use the Olds because it's air-conditioned and more comfortable for us full-bodied types ;o)
"Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war" - Shakespeare
HEY full bodied types?????
May 27, 2008 - 14:32 ET by red_dragon311you don't mean over-wieght do you because you and I are causing more global warming then....well just about anything
A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.
-Gerald Ford
Also known as "traditionally
May 27, 2008 - 14:52 ET by HelenSAlso known as "traditionally built" :o) (and maybe someone can 'splain how large people cause global warming. Seems to me my sedentary tendencies conserve energy. Unlike those frantically active and jogging THIN people sweating and stirring up the climate!)
"Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war" - Shakespeare
The main impact on my life
May 27, 2008 - 12:45 ET by mandrakeThe main impact on my life is that I've had to stop driving up north to spread salt on the glaciers so they'll melt faster..oh and killing some polar bears while I'm at it.
Same here. Now I just stick
May 27, 2008 - 12:50 ET by FoolicanSame here. Now I just stick to hunting spotted owls.
You need one more!
May 27, 2008 - 12:50 ET by pbthinkerYou need one more - Not Yet, because I know it's coming.
Democrats: Stuck on Stupid since 2000.
not easy
May 27, 2008 - 14:10 ET by WesenAs a business owner my gas bills for one 3/4 ton van is 2 grand a month - todays prices. I can't afford to keep my rates where they are unless I post a 25 dollar gas surcharge on each invoice. The only question is when will I start doing it.
ASAP...as in today not tomorrow!
May 27, 2008 - 15:04 ET by SyriusWesen,
You are running a business not a charity. The shock to the consumer will come in the following two weeks...a 15 to 20% increase in overall goods and products will be hitting most store shelves by June 1st. The amount of warning letters have steadily increased from all my suppliers, distributors, and manufacturers in the past few months. The date has always centered on June 1st. Good luck and drive slower to cut a few costs...
Syrius
good advice
May 27, 2008 - 21:18 ET by WesenI just raised prices for new customers and will implement reforms for existing accounts. I get a chance to make more money tomorrow. Man, I love NewsBusters.
Necessary evil
May 27, 2008 - 14:32 ET by ThatDudeI need a vehicle to get to the places I want/need to be and can't get there without fuel. I've always been very frugal, yet generally turn a blind eye to what I actually pay for gas, though I'll follow the price fluctuation and complain about its causes. I voted with "drive less" though this isn't entirely true. Partially I drive less to go out and get food (gotta get back my girlish figure for the summer season). Also, I do carpool a bit more since I have many friends without their own vehicles or who aren't far out of my way. Probably the biggest change is that I will be looking more into flying to my more distant vacation destinations this year. If it will cost less to fly than spend 14 hours driving, then that's where I'm going to go. I will also be enjoying the irony that my trip will be putting out far more CO2 than my little ford focus will all year.
If it will cost less to
May 27, 2008 - 14:41 ET by general companyIf it will cost less to fly than spend 14 hours driving,
Hope that new Ford is comfy,
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Driving Less
May 27, 2008 - 15:32 ET by ChuchulainnI sold my Dodge truck with a V-8 in '01 because at that time gas was $2/gal and I thought THAT was too much. I replaced it with a '01 Honda Civic LX with a stick shift which gets 30 mpg city, 42mpg highway. I usually buy American cars, but Consumer Reports said the Civic was more reliable that my first choice which was the Ford Focus. The Civic has certainly been reliable with no maintenance problems at all, although it is uncomfortable and gutless and I wouldn't want to get hit by a Suburban while driving it. If I had my druthers I'd rather be driving a big black Crown Vic for the comfort, but don't want to pay for feeding the thing.
Even though I have a reliable, economical car, and only have to drive 6 miles one way to work, I still find my self driving less and trying to hit grocery stores etc. on the way home from work instead of making a separate trip.
Btw, I noticed on the way to work today that unleaded regular was $4.05/gal at my local Arco, which means it is 10-15 cents higher at other stations like Chevron. Deisel is $5/gal around here, (Sacramento, CA). I am old enought to remember when regular was 50 cents a gallon, but that was many years ago!
59% solution.
May 27, 2008 - 16:12 ET by CrashWith all of these kinda sorta conservationists out there gas prices should be dropping any day now!
No, not at all. That is not
May 27, 2008 - 16:14 ET by bassndudeNo, not at all. That is not saying that it dont hurt when I fill up the boat.
Save a SeAL, club a liberal!!
SAVE THE PLANET
May 27, 2008 - 16:44 ET by CTConvert commie conservationists to fuel!
Carbon Credits Smoke'em if you got'em!
What a struggle
May 27, 2008 - 17:02 ET by the strugglerPulling a trailer with my bicycle has been a bitch.
Gas free, though...well, almost!
May 27, 2008 - 18:08 ET by SyriusBikes, Burritos, and Beer!
More Smiles with More Miles! At least you're not stuck in traffic like the rest of 'em.
The problem is the increased production of Methane over CO2 from too many beers and burritos, I've been told Methane is 21 times worse than CO2 as a greenhouse gas. I just feel a lot better after ridding myself of it...Sorry, Al! LOL!!!
Syrius
lifestyle
May 27, 2008 - 17:48 ET by catnamedjakeI haven't been driving less, but I'm a bit of a homebody, anyway. I have been eating less corn, though! Seriously, if you need more $$, work more! dig in, suck it up, whatever it takes.
only real diference
May 27, 2008 - 17:50 ET by UndercoverConservativeis i need to set aside a little more for gas. And it justifies taking the FJR out more often for chores. I already ride for my commute.
I get 40mpg if I manage the throttle, and have a hell of a lot more fun than Prius smug-generators.
"to call an illegal immigrant an "undocumented alien" is the same as calling a streetcorner drug dealer an "unlicensed pharmacist".
Sacrifice
May 27, 2008 - 17:50 ET by Jerry MackAt one of the one on one debates between HRC & BHO they were asked what they would do about high gas prices.
BHO: We must all sacrifice until alternative fuels are available.
HRC: I agree with senator Obama.
You can't make this up
May 27, 2008 - 20:31 ET by FoolicanAnd in the meantime they'll keep flying around the world in their private jets at the taxpayers' expense.
posted this in "Open Thread" but is fits here
May 27, 2008 - 18:28 ET by red_dragon311I used to (2 years ago) fill my tank and spend $45 and it would last me about 3 days untill I had to refuel,
I read somewhere that filling up your tank is the worst thing you can do for gas milage.......20 gallons wieghs a lot more then 5, your car has to work harder to move the extra wieght.
i was told to put in only what I will use in a day. so i started with 10 bucks....now it's 13. (approx 3-3.5 gallons) but thats all I use a day to go to work and come home.
so in the morning I go to my local gas station.....one that is privately owned (Citco is closer and a few cents cheaper but I will NOT give money to Hugo Chavez) and I spend my $13 a day and i have found that it works out to be cheaper.
another thing for this is I will not give more money then i need to,
at 65 bucks a pop for 3 days or 13 a day for 5 days.
and all that BS about filling up in the morning becasue the gas is more dence so you really get more, is the same thing as saying what weighs more a pound of feathers or a pound of lead...c'mon we all know the lead weighs just a little more.
A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.
-Gerald Ford
I have tickets to a AAA
May 27, 2008 - 19:31 ET by Biff McCainI have tickets to a AAA baseball game tonight that I'm not going to,
because I refuse to drive one inch more than I have to. I'd rather let
the tickets rot than pay the oil companies one dime more than I have to.
We haven't gone out to eat since gas hit $3.25.
My wife's company will set her up to work out of our house. A day doesn't go by that I don't bug her to go "home schooled."
I took part of my 401 out a fund that had Exxon stock.
Biff... "I took part of
May 27, 2008 - 19:34 ET by Clear thinkerBiff...
"I took part of my 401 out a fund that had Exxon stock."
Why would you do that?
"Abstain from McCain"
Clear - because he's a liberal who doesn't understand things
May 27, 2008 - 19:38 ET by Dee BunkHe doesn't realize that he and other's like him are the ones who make the profits. He doesn't get Capitalism, Free markets or what a publicly held corporation is or anything.
He should be happy anyway. Those rotten Oil companies have forced him to do what he was to selfish to do before on his own - save the planet by driving less.
Dee... Liberals are so
May 27, 2008 - 19:48 ET by Clear thinkerDee...
Liberals are so silly!
"Abstain from McCain"
Anyone stop driving the car and start riding a bike?
May 27, 2008 - 19:42 ET by SyriusThat's a huge lifestyle change...
Any problems, yet?
How much have you saved?
Do you feel healthier?
Syrius
Bikes, burritos, and beer...adding more methane to the world with every mile! Sorry, Al!
We are consolidating trips...
May 27, 2008 - 22:02 ET by PrairieSkywhen we leave the house...Instead of shopping or doing errands on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, etc., we are trying to plan ahead and get everything done in one trip. We live in a rural state where it is about a two hour drive to just about any other city of any real size, and in the past, we have frequently taken day (or weekend) trips to other cities to shop, eat out, etc. We practically never do that now, at $4 a gallon.
In October 2006, we bought a Buick mid-size SUV, before the sky high gas prices. We love this car, but it definitely is more expensive to drive than our previous family car. I don't see us trading it in (as I said, we love this car), but we think twice before we jump in it to run around town.
"...peace is the highest aspiration of the American people. We will negotiate for it, sacrifice for it, we will never surrender for it, now or ever." President Ronald Reagan, January 20, 1981
My garden is now about 90'
May 27, 2008 - 22:05 ET by amberMy garden is now about 90' by 75' and growing (not to mention the 2 acres of various fruits). I also increased my meat production at home here (chicken, lamb, and pork) and I am seriously considering getting a milk cow. Food prices have gone up more for us than fuel, so we started doing all we could to save $$$ in that area and because of all of the added work that creates, not to mention the need to stay home for the animals, we drive a lot less. My husband's and my family live 90-150 miles away and up until now we have sucked it up and gone to the parties because we are still expected to (after all it is only a 3 hour drive each way) but we finally said, "no more." I think we will be saving $400 a month with those changes. It is difficult and very tiring, but I am trying to see what we can do to save money since I teach the kids and can not go out and get a job. I did buy a bike last year and I love it. It is a Cannondale and it has the coolest grocery bag carrier, I might get one for the other side of the bike.
Other things I started: turning off main power to the TV for most of the week, turning the computer off every night, I might hang my clothes and stuff on the clothesline finally. We will put the wood stove back in the house too. We are not destitute and I am not a crazy environmentalist, I just like having a full bank account. I also like to be as self-sufficient as I possibly can.
Not crazy...
May 28, 2008 - 01:19 ET by justmeI admire what you're doing. I might actually be willing to move out of our pretty little old (1920ish) house if we can get a decent piece of land. I have a strong desire to be self-sufficient even if we can still afford not to change.