Gas Prices REALLY Affecting You...

[chell]

Since I only live just over a mile from my job and it isn't really feasible for me to walk to work, my roommte & I have switched cards because her car takes much more gas than mine. I go to work then I come home and that is it. I am thinking of going out to the grocery store today to pick up a few things while a good sale is going on, but I have not decided yet. I need to check again to see what all they do have on sale and what could be donated. Thursday I did make an unscheduled trip though but it was to the Red Cross blood drive. That is the only other reason besides work that I will leave the house.

I feel bad for all the local restaurants because they are also loosing money because most people here are doing the same as me - when you get off work you go home and stay until time to go back to work.

Hopefully the gas shortages will be over by the end of next week and things can go back to normal.

I'm not sure if we have any gas stations around here that have any regular unleaded left.

 

[Luv2Roam]

DH just came back from Sam's on 50. Gas was $2.76 at Sam's.
Race Track down the street is selling gas at $3.10!

 

[Meezers]

The Govenor stopped taxes on gas at midnight. So today gas prices are around $2.99.

No one here is whining. The question was is the price of gas changing you daily life.

Yes it is. Being a single income household in America is not easy. Even if you are one person.

Yes it is affecting my daily life. I did not go shopping today...except to the grocery store very close so that I can carry lunches to work this week. Anything that is not close or on the way to or from work will have to wait.

Cancelled data plan on cell phone....stopped all pay channels on TV....small changes but hopefully it will add up.

 

[Aidensmom]

Stop whining: Due to Katrina and the oil companies' greed our gas soared to $7 a gallon. The only thing I changed is my average speed. I usually don't exceed 100mph (Used to drive 130mph+ when traffic permitted) and on longer distances I cruise at 80 - 90 mph instead of 100-110mph. But I have to admit just today I went along the Autobahn for a short period at 120 and it was fun as the weather was great and I had my top down.
Next weekend we'll be driving to a meeting for Convertible Enthusiasts about 150 miles north of our hometown, cruise around a wonderful lake, and drive home again, roundabout 400 miles for that day, but although at 30mpg this is $90 in gas alone, I don't care. It will be a wonderful weekend, that's what we have our convertibles for, so be it.

I am glad your budget allows you to afford $7 a gallon. Great for you!

But how dare you criticize someone for "complaining" that they can't. That is just plain old reality. If gas here was $7 a gallon, there would be bills I could not pay because I had to spend so much to drive to work. There are plenty of other people in that boat. You can't compare gas prices with another country without also comparing the prices of EVERYTHING else, income and sales taxes, and average incomes. To the average American, $7 a gallon is a lot of money in relationship to other things. If that price is going to affect someone's life, they have every right to "complain."

 

[katerkat]

I walk to the grocery store. We only drive twice a week, because we have to. And DH is deployed.

 

[Blondy876]

It takes about $60 to fill the tank of my car. We don't drive anywhere unless we absolutely have too but we have still had to decide between groceries and gas this last week. It's getting really tough.

 

[pattyT]

*well no more Sunday afternoon cruises in the 56 chevy -
*DH will take my minivan out whenever he can rather then take his truck.
We are now trying to make snow plowing bids and debating what to do! We can't afford to eat the cost of the gas - but don't want to bid high incase the rates go down - so we are thinking of adding in a fuel fee disclosure.
*We are taking $45 a week to put fuel in the BIG truck that plows the state highways - otherwise it would be a $1000 fill that we wouldn't get back for MONTHS!
*I have definately slowed doen the frivilous shopping habits
*I am extremely nervous about the domino effect impact that this is going to have on us with everyday expenses and the expenses of building our house!
(aka everyoneis going to raise prices on everything now!)

 

[Miranda Danda]

Gas prices aren't really a problem here.... 'CUZ WE HARDLY HAVE ANY GAS. I say be thankful you have gas and a place to go. Some people don't.

 

[Blondy876]

The question was "Are gas prices really affecting you?" Why is it that every time someone says "Yes. Prices are high, they are making life tough" someone responds "stop whining and be grateful." No one is being ungrateful. They are answering the question.

 

[arminnie]

I was going to be driving to New Orleans once a month. That has changed for many reason.

 

[Kitty 34]

My son will not be coming home from college as much, we decided.

 

[Hermosa11]

Yes, I do not believe we are whining....we are simply (most of us) answering the question........."Are gas prices affecting you"..........
For me, yes. I have posted elsewhere that I have decided to take the bus and then transfer to the local 'lightrail' system to get to work. For $20/mth pass I can do this. I will leave the driving to my DS18 to get to work and CC.
(community college). Until my work moves (closer to home ---Dec. 2005, I can get to work basically door to door via Public Transportation. It makes my commute alot longer (before: leave for work 6:50 and return home 5:30pm ---now: leave for work 5:50am and return 6:30)..........but it is worth seeing less leave my pocketbook . I live a boring life now, just staying home............but enjoy my computer access and fellow DIS'ers........
I feel the prices have affected me by me making changes. I am grateful I can make a change (of plans) ........I appreciate what I have.........I feel for those that don't have anything right now. I feel I owe it to them to watch the news, say a little prayer for them and donate ..........

 

[Micca]

I don't take long car trips, and I was already pretty good about routing my errands. I can't reduce my driving unless I stop going to work. I have a small car, I didn't spend more than 10 or 12 dollars a week on gas before the prices went up. I guess I'll be spending more like 16-20.

 

[crazymomof4]

I drive a Suburban (13 mi/gal) and DH drives a pick-up (14 mi/gal). So YES, the gas prices are taking a bite out of our budget.

I try to stretch a full tank to last at least 3wks to a month. I only go out 1-2 times a week and run all of my errands/appointments in a "circuit". I will be walking to pick up my DS from school instead of driving. I never "floor it"! I do a lot of "coasting"-- downhill and to red lights, etc. Funny thing about this coasting to a red light thing-- I've always done this, even before gas got really high. Before, I would have cars barreling down on me (even though the light ahead was red) passing me and actually accellerating just to stop at the light! BUT the other day I began to take notice and guess what? Everyone else is coasting to red lights with me now!

When we get home from WDW we will make the following major changes:
~Selling DH's pick-up and getting a sedan that gets better gas mileage bc he drives 66 miles round trip to work and back each day. Then I will run many errands at night using this car so we will only use the Suburban when the whole family goes out together.

~Selling DH's boat that he keeps in Cape May. Gas to travel there (90 miles) and gas for the boat makes the fish he catches end up costing us like $40 per pound! I love fresh flounder but that's just crazy!

Two things that I am VERY thankful for:

1. We sold our landscaping business 4 years ago! I cannot imagine how stressful it would be if we still owned that. We used to really go through the gas!

2. e heat our house with an air-tight woodburning stove. We just spent 1/2 day splitting and stacking firewood, but it will be oh-so-worth it in $ saved this coming winter. They are predicting natural gas prices to double!

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Here are some gas saving tips I got online yesterday:
• *Shop Non-Brand Name Gas Stations: *Most non-brand name gas stations use the exact same product as the brand names. Save a few cents every gallon getting a very similar product.
• *Use the Right Grade of Gasoline: *Some people believe premium grade is the best for cars. Not true. Read your car manual to see what's recommended by the manufacturer (many times they recommend regular grade.) Use the lowest grade recommended.
• *Don't Top Off: *Many studies have shown that the "top off" usually remains in the hose or is lost to evaporation. Don't bother!
• *Avoid Sudden Stop and Go:* Driving less aggressively WILL increase your gas mileage. Rapid acceleration and braking burns more fuel and is harder on your vehicle. Using cruise control is the most efficient for gas mileage.
• *Tire Pressure: *Driving on tires that are not fully inflated can cost you 10% or more in lost gas. Check your pressure once a month.

 

[mickman1962]

Stop whining: Due to Katrina and the oil companies' greed our gas soared to $7 a gallon. The only thing I changed is my average speed. I usually don't exceed 100mph (Used to drive 130mph+ when traffic permitted) and on longer distances I cruise at 80 - 90 mph instead of 100-110mph. But I have to admit just today I went along the Autobahn for a short period at 120 and it was fun as the weather was great and I had my top down.
Next weekend we'll be driving to a meeting for Convertible Enthusiasts about 150 miles north of our hometown, cruise around a wonderful lake, and drive home again, roundabout 400 miles for that day, but although at 30mpg this is $90 in gas alone, I don't care. It will be a wonderful weekend, that's what we have our convertibles for, so be it.

Once again Viking you missed the entire point. It's not that gas is $3.50 a gallon (yes I know you pay $7); it's that gas prices have risen about 75% in less then a year. Have yours? Didn’t think so. Your gas was about $6 at the beginning of the year if I remember correctly. If your gas went up at the rate it did in the US, it would now cost you $10.50. I'm sure you would have nothing to say about that, would you?