Gas Prices Changing Lives
In case you haven’t noticed, gas prices are pretty high lately. You haven’t noticed? Well, good for you Mr. Moneybags. The rest of us are feeling the pinch.
Let me tell you what I have done. I already drive a fuel efficient car. I’ve chosen fuel efficient cars for years because, frankly, I drive a lot. I drive about 35,000 miles per year, so even when gas was at $1.60, it added up. But $4/gallon gas has made me change a few things. I have changed my driving habits. I drive slower and coast more. Also, I’m working from home more. Fortunately, my job is one that allows me a lot of latitude and my company is fantastic about being flexible as far as my physical location.
That’s about all I can do for now. We could move closer to my work, but that would involve a huge disruption in our family’s life. While my car is small and efficient, our other car can’t realistically be downsized because a family of six requires a certain amount of room. We haven’t really considered trimming back vacations, but we might.
Have you changed your lifestyle because of gas prices? If so, how?
I was able to start working from home fully about two years ago. Before that, I was starting to feel the pinch from paying around 2.50 or so a gallon, as I drove 60 miles each way, into Arlington Heights - IL.
We’re going to the Dells next weekend, so we canceled visiting my parents who have a cabin there this weekend. Last year we probably would have done both trips.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on May 26, 2008 at 1635 hrs
I drive slower.
Posted by Lance on May 26, 2008 at 1708 hrs
I only fill up once every 2-3 weeks, unless I make a road trip, so I’ve felt minimal impact from the car (and I won’t be canceling a trip to Iowa to meet my new nephew next month). But the increase in food prices! Yikes! I’ve had to start planning meals to take advantage of leftovers/common cheap ingredients and cutting down on the variety of fresh produce, and I’ve stopped eating out by myself (although that still might be less expensive than making something I can only eat half of before it spoils…hard to know).
Posted by HeatherRadish on May 26, 2008 at 1741 hrs
Started going to a small church (24 people) that is 1 km rather than 27 km (I also bike).
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on May 26, 2008 at 1842 hrs
Yes, we have. It is my goal to be in town only 2x/week (and no more than three) ... for those trips, they are each concentrated on a certain side of town (so for one of the trips we’re on one side, and the other side for the second trip) and we get everything done for each trip. If we’ve forgotten something, it will wait until the following week.
To better deal with food prices, we have really cut down on eating out and I continually look for ways to cook for less cost (I’ve finally embraced Aldi’s and do my grocery shopping at WM, Aldi’s and Woodman’s). It’s been a fun challenge. I’ve been baking a lot more bread this year and am constantly on the lookout for good ‘convenience food’ type recipes that I can make a batch of and freeze (i.e., waffles—I found a good whole wheat recipe that is easy to make a batch of and freeze, plus they’re a whole lot healthier than the store-bought ones).
We’re also going to “vacation at home” this year.
Posted by hsgbdmama on May 26, 2008 at 1911 hrs
Not to worry, everyone. George Soros says the oil price is a bubble.
Posted by Tony Turner on May 26, 2008 at 2014 hrs
“Not to worry, everyone. George Soros says the oil price is a bubble.”
Ironically, Jeff Wagner said the same thing on his radio show last week.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on May 26, 2008 at 2345 hrs
It’s all relative, was stationed in Germany in the late 80’s early 90’s and had to live on the economy. Military housing was not available. Living with the folks of Germany and paying 5 dollar a gallon gas in 1989 prepped me for this eventuality.
Does anyone even wonder what the price of gas is, on average, in the world today?
Guess what Gomer, oil prices are not controlled by the U.S. anymore. When the pie is split two ways (US Russia) you control the game. When that same pie is split four ways (US, Russia, India, China) you have to pay more to outbid the new guy’s.
Is something not registering? We are still at least two dollars below the global average. Quit the whining.Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on May 26, 2008 at 2349 hrs
It’s all relative, was stationed in Germany in the late 80’s early 90’s and had to live on the economy. Military housing was not available. Living with the folks of Germany and paying 5 dollar a gallon gas in 1989 prepped me for this eventuality.
Sure, but how much does the average German drive? And how much fuel does the average German vehicle consume? For longer trips, most Germans take the train. For shorter trips, they walk or ride the bus, tram, or subway. Most people don’t have that option in America, although if we had things my way, we would have more readily available public transportation here, including fixed-rail service around town.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on May 27, 2008 at 0713 hrs
Driving:
Driving 60 instead of 70. Have a stick shift, so coast a lot more. Consolidating errands.Food:
Few if any treats from the grocery store…just staples. We’ve always cut coupons.Utilities:
Keep the house at 58 days, 53 nights. Wear heavier clothes, use an electric blanket when watching TV rather than heating the entire house. Unused rooms shut-off. Water heater turned down. Brick in the toilet.Entertainment:
2006 - Water skied every weekend, sometime twice.
2007 - water skied 5 times
2008 - maybe once or twice?Camping trips (towing a pop-up) closer to home. No stops to eat one the way. Few if any side trips from the campsite.
No more Friday night fish fries.
No more Sunday morning breakfasts at George Webb’s.
Never went to movies or used dry cleaning, which I understand others are cutting back.Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on May 27, 2008 at 1508 hrs
Typically my family and I take a trip out west hauling a 32’ fifth wheel trailer behind a GMC dually diesel pickup truck. At $4.50 a gallon for diesel has put serious doubts on a trip this year. So far we have not made any plans and are leaning towards doing more things around the area then going on a ling road trip.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on May 28, 2008 at 0827 hrs
My wife and I have been carpooling for over two years now, we just recently got rid of our second car, but that had more to do with it breaking than gas prices. I guess I try not to speed as much but since we already don’t drive a whole lot (we only live 5 miles from work) it hasn’t had as large of an impact on us.
Posted by Matt on May 28, 2008 at 1700 hrs
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