How are you handling the high gas?

[Clumsy]

I heard that the public transportation system has increased rapidly due to high gas prices. Anyone taking the bus or subway to work? Or maybe riding there bike instead of driving? DH filled up his tank the other day and $30.00 only filled it up to 1/2 ! What things are you doing to save on gas?

 

[AllyandJack]

I dropped down to working 3 days a week. I have a looooong drive and I have to pay $18./day to park. So, I work 3 10's, save on gas, save on parking and, for good measure, get some days to myself. I usually do Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday because those are low traffic days. This week, I'm doing Friday, Saturday and Sunday because....well, I was LAZY this week and it seemed there was some sort of hang up on the roads every day.

 

[Christine]

I will just have to cut expenses elsewhere. I can't ride my bike to work because it is 30 miles each way and if I take the train and then the subway, it will add 45 minutes to my commute (plus I'd have to stand the whole way).

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

I don't drive at all - just use public transportation (bus, train, light rail, taxi if absolutely necessary). But DH has joined me because of the gas prices. A monthly pass for light rail and bus in our city is just over $60 for unlimited use, and DH has a program at work that lets him buy both of our monthly passes using pre-tax money.

We're getting more exercise now, too, because we sometimes walk the mile home from the downtown stop rather than taking the bus to the stop 2 blocks from our house. We also try to take the bus to the library, movie theater, etc. instead of driving. And the downtown stop is right by a nice little grocery store, so DH picks up a bag of groceries there before he comes home to save on driving to the grocery store weekly. Plus two of the big chain grocery stores do home delivery here, and we get codes for free delivery every month or so. Whenever we get a code, I use that to stock up on non-perishables, cleaning supplies, pet food, etc. - more saving on gas!

We certainly have put a stop to our weekend driving excursions and are looking for more local stuff to do instead.

 

[jtnsami]

Stay home unless I have to work. If I do work, then I try to stop at the store to get anything we may need. That cuts down on extra trips.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

I'm just trying not to take any extra trips and not spending on things that I really don't need. I live in the woods, there is no public transportation. Our nearest train station is 15 minutes past where I work and I already drive 45 minutes to work each way. Busses are few and far between, I think the closest stop is about 25 minutes from my house and they only do 2 loops a day!! Sometimes I wish I lived a little closer to something

 

[eclectics]

On the way to my Dentist I have to go on a busy road and I passed a lot of gas stations this morning. One Exxon had regular for $3.25. It was empty. Understandable because down the road it was going for $3.05. That station was so jammed that the cars were lined up in the street. It reminded me of the gas lines of the 70's. What struck me funny though was the station across the street had it for $3.09 and that station was as empty as the first one! I know every penny helps but is it really worth waiting for 10 or 15 minutes (presumably with your car running, not to mention the aggrevation) to get a 4 cent break? On average it probably comes to a savings of about $1.00.

 

[DisneyAddict_M]

I could take the train, but it will only end up saving me about $40/month and my commute will be even longer than it already is. I can't bike or anything, because I work too far. So I'm just sucking it up for now.

 

[luvwinnie]

Luckily, I take the bus to work, but DH has to drive. We can't do anything about that. We're still planning on going to Maine in August in our RV.

 

[Viking]

I also often laugh my butt off when people tell me about the detours they drove to save a couple of cents by filling up at a cheaper station

Since Katrina I simply drive slower, which kept my expenses for gas even slightly lower than before.
I reduced my average cruising speed from 100mph to 80mph and even when I'm in a hurry I usually don't drive faster than 110mph. Before that from time to time I drove at up to 140mph.
And cruising at lower speeds not only saves gas, but also nerves - and teh wear and tear of tires, oil, etc are better, too.

 

[mickeyfan2]

On the way to my Dentist I have to go on a busy road and I passed a lot of gas stations this morning. One Exxon had regular for $3.25. It was empty. Understandable because down the road it was going for $3.05. That station was so jammed that the cars were lined up in the street. It reminded me of the gas lines of the 70's. What struck me funny though was the station across the street had it for $3.09 and that station was as empty as the first one! I know every penny helps but is it really worth waiting for 10 or 15 minutes (presumably with your car running, not to mention the aggrevation) to get a 4 cent break? On average it probably comes to a savings of about $1.00.

They might burn that extra $1.00 while waiting to save a $1.00.

 

[BeNJeNWaFFLe]

There is mass transportation available here, but none of it goes near my job. I could ride my bike to work but I pass by some areas that I'd really rather not be around. So I'm stuck driving to work. I've basically just cut down on any other driving. Unless it's a necessity, it's just not worth it. Which is sad. I love to take long drives on a beautiful spring day, but I just can't afford it anymore.

 

[jbdreamer]

Honestly I don't even look at the price anymore. If I don't know how much I am paying, I won't stess over it.

 

[Todd&Copper]

I already used public transportation (I HATE driving in DC), but I have noticed that the commuter bus I take in the morning and in the afternoon is much more crowded than it was last week. At my pick-up stop in the afternoon, there are usuallly only 3 - 5 seats left (generally enough for those of us waiting there), and there are still 3 stops after mine (lots of people have been left waiting for the next one this week).

 

[PrincessDeb]

I take Gas-X and it clears it right up!
Oh you mean gasoline??? Trying not to plan so many trips where we tow our boat for this summer!


Deb

 

[Honu]

I bought a Hybrid Highlander. Our public transportation is truly lacking. It would cost close to $20 a day to switch through 3 different transit systems to get to my job, and it's only 17 miles from my house. Even without the Hybrid, I can drive for less.

 

[kydisneyfans]

Keeping the tank topped when I see a "cheaper" price. Filling up around 8:00 AM as prices rise at 9:00. Using the car instead of the SUV for everyday errands. Buy $50.00 prepaid gas cards for 48.00 at Marathon and Speedway, and charge it with my 4% cash back credit card, making sure it is paid in full at the end of the month.

 

[mickeyfan2]

I just go out at night and take some from my neighbors tanks. They will never miss it.

 

[Snowysmom]

We don't have a great public transportation system in our town so we need to drive to work. That is about all I do. I drive to and from work, do errands on the way home, and DH just drives to and from work. It has affected our budget of course so we need to cut elsewhere. Eventually this will hit the economy hard.

 

[drgnfly30]

Staying home more.

Plan the trips I do take better, like if I need multiple things, I choose stores near each other & plan the route so there's no backtracking.

DH is taking my car to work & I'm taking his pick-up since I only work 5 minutes away & he works 40 minutes away.

Not going out to lunch.

If it gets too bad this summer we'll try to work less days with longer hours or I may be able to work from home a couple of days a week (DH doesn't have that luxury!)