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[Poll]
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How are you coping with FALLING gas prices?
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| I am driving more miles more often |
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| I purchased/am purchasing a vehicle that uses more fuel to the gallon |
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| I moved or am moving further away from work |
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| I am spending more on other items so I can spend less on gas |
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| I am getting another job that pays less |
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| I am reducing my supplementary income |
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| My wages are falling as gas prices fall, so it's not an issue for me |
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| I have had to add more money to my savings account |
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| I am not using credit to purchase gas |
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| I don't drive so it doesn't affect me |
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Total Votes : 44
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(last vote on : 12/23/2008 7:11:50 AM)
(Poll will run till: -- )
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RE: How are you coping with rising gas prices? - 9/25/2008 6:10:53 PM
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Sideways
Posts: 3944
Joined: 4/12/2005
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Frankly I'm happy just to have gas. Atlanta is dealing with a minor shortages and some very annoying lines for gas. Some stations are only open for few hours before running dry. It's very hit or miss to find a station that actually has gas. At least 75% of the stations are dry at any given time, and often it's as high as 90% are dry.
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RE: How are you coping with rising gas prices? - 9/25/2008 6:17:46 PM
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kernsfamily
Posts: 1428
Joined: 4/26/2006
From: Dallas (originally Detroit)
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I go through about 70 gallons a month....a tank a week....and my car has an 18-gallon gas tank...
my commute is 32 miles each way.......no mass transit or car pooling options AT ALL........at least not for the commute I have.....for some, if they work in the 'burbs and work downtown of Dallas, then you've got some options. But, not if you commute from "City to City"....where mass transit just does not go.
sure, the higher gas lately has put a dent in the wallet, but, what are the options? nothing practical....
_____________________________
Proud dad of 3 great girls....Erin, Emilie and Elise
Blessed to have all of them in a "totally awesome" public elementary school!
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RE: How are you coping with rising gas prices? - 9/25/2008 6:50:00 PM
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reach
Posts: 1365
Joined: 4/12/2005
Status: online
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3.59 this morning.... Just keeps dropping. Yeah!
I am doing a b-day party this weekend, so I am trying to get the best prices. We are having 30 people.
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RE: How are you coping with rising gas prices? - 9/25/2008 8:16:57 PM
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blessedinnyc
Posts: 2003
Joined: 10/12/2007
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Sideways
Frankly I'm happy just to have gas. Atlanta is dealing with a minor shortages and some very annoying lines for gas. Some stations are only open for few hours before running dry. It's very hit or miss to find a station that actually has gas. At least 75% of the stations are dry at any given time, and often it's as high as 90% are dry.
What the heck is going on there? Why don't they just raise prices until suppliers start carting stuff over from Alabama or some other neighboring state?
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RE: How are you coping with rising gas prices? - 9/25/2008 8:18:15 PM
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blessedinnyc
Posts: 2003
Joined: 10/12/2007
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: kernsfamily
I go through about 70 gallons a month....a tank a week....and my car has an 18-gallon gas tank...
my commute is 32 miles each way.......no mass transit or car pooling options AT ALL........at least not for the commute I have.....for some, if they work in the 'burbs and work downtown of Dallas, then you've got some options. But, not if you commute from "City to City"....where mass transit just does not go.
sure, the higher gas lately has put a dent in the wallet, but, what are the options? nothing practical....
You know, make sure you get your name on the waiting list for the Chevy Volt. You seem like someone who could really benefit from a plug-in hybrid.
The volt can go 40 miles without a drop of gas- and then gets about 40 mpg after that. If your current car gets 20 mpg and you drive to work five times a week, you'd be saving 13 gallons a week. At $3.50/gallon, that adds up to over $2.3K/year for a Net Present Value of about $12K assuming a car life of seven years and borrowing (or savings opportunity costs) of 7%.
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RE: How are you coping with rising gas prices? - 9/25/2008 8:28:44 PM
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zoebob
Posts: 8875
Joined: 4/13/2005
From: land of limbo
Status: offline
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I have a van and a tank of gas lasts me about 2 weeks.
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L-R: Ellies DD1, Ellies DD2, DS, Ellies DS3
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RE: How are you coping with rising gas prices? - 9/25/2008 9:08:09 PM
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Sideways
Posts: 3944
Joined: 4/12/2005
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: blessedinnyc
quote:
ORIGINAL: Sideways
Frankly I'm happy just to have gas. Atlanta is dealing with a minor shortages and some very annoying lines for gas. Some stations are only open for few hours before running dry. It's very hit or miss to find a station that actually has gas. At least 75% of the stations are dry at any given time, and often it's as high as 90% are dry.
What the heck is going on there? Why don't they just raise prices until suppliers start carting stuff over from Alabama or some other neighboring state?
I have no idea. I haven't heard of this anywhere else. Last night I paid $4.19, and today I saw $4.29. There's still gas to be had, and if you're lucky you can hit someplace that has a short line.
Local radio stations are following tanker trucks in helicopters, then reporting over the radio where they are refilling. Last night I saw a tanker truck pull into a gas station, and cars immediately started to line up. Within less then 15 minutes the pumps were running and there was a good size line.
Folks are going out at midnight or later and still encountering lines. What I can say is that when I went for gas, people were very calm and collected. The line moved smoothly and folks were pretty friendly to each other.
It's supposed to only be like this for another week. Should be getting better soon.
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RE: How are you coping with rising gas prices? - 9/26/2008 9:02:56 AM
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kernsfamily
Posts: 1428
Joined: 4/26/2006
From: Dallas (originally Detroit)
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: blessedinnyc
quote:
ORIGINAL: kernsfamily
I go through about 70 gallons a month....a tank a week....and my car has an 18-gallon gas tank...
my commute is 32 miles each way.......no mass transit or car pooling options AT ALL........at least not for the commute I have.....for some, if they work in the 'burbs and work downtown of Dallas, then you've got some options. But, not if you commute from "City to City"....where mass transit just does not go.
sure, the higher gas lately has put a dent in the wallet, but, what are the options? nothing practical....
You know, make sure you get your name on the waiting list for the Chevy Volt. You seem like someone who could really benefit from a plug-in hybrid.
The volt can go 40 miles without a drop of gas- and then gets about 40 mpg after that. If your current car gets 20 mpg and you drive to work five times a week, you'd be saving 13 gallons a week. At $3.50/gallon, that adds up to over $2.3K/year for a Net Present Value of about $12K assuming a car life of seven years and borrowing (or savings opportunity costs) of 7%.
would all depend on the COST of the Volt...compared to what i would spend on just "another car" (which is probably going to be around $12k or so...and, I wouldn't have to have a car payment with a car that inexpensive).....buying a VOLT (a new car)??? hmmmm.....we'll see....
as for now, my Buick has 150,000 miles on it...and it's running great....and been "paid off" for YEARS...... There's no reason in the world to get rid of it.
_____________________________
Proud dad of 3 great girls....Erin, Emilie and Elise
Blessed to have all of them in a "totally awesome" public elementary school!
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RE: How are you coping with rising gas prices? - 9/26/2008 9:34:52 AM
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stamper_ben
Posts: 10364
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Lone Star State
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: blessedinnyc
quote:
ORIGINAL: stamper_ben
25 gallons a month? HA! Try that per week. 
But living in Manhattan there isn't much need for daily driving.
LOL! I ride about 500 miles a month out here, so that translates into about ten gallons a month in the summer (I have no need for driving, but still enjoy being on two wheels). When I was a college student in IL, my car got 30 mpg and I drove it about 750 miles a month.
How do you manage 25 gallons a week? Don't tell me you own a hummer... :)
No, not a Hummer, but a GMC half ton 2WD pick up with a 70 mile round trip daily commute. Then there's the shopping trip into town every weekend...
And please don't tell me to get a Volt. At over $40,000 it is a wee bit out of my price range.
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RE: How are you coping with rising gas prices? - 9/26/2008 10:14:55 AM
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blessedinnyc
Posts: 2003
Joined: 10/12/2007
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: stamper_ben
No, not a Hummer, but a GMC half ton 2WD pick up with a 70 mile round trip daily commute. Then there's the shopping trip into town every weekend...
And please don't tell me to get a Volt. At over $40,000 it is a wee bit out of my price range.
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How about a Geo Metro or generally just a compact car that gets 30 mpg+? From the looks of it, you're driving ~400 miles/week. If you could do half of that at 30 mpg instead of 18, you'd be saving $800/year at current fuel prices. (If you could do substantially all of that at 30 mpg, that would save $1500/year.)
If I lived near you, this is even something I'd be willing to help finance based on fuel prices, assuming we could find a car that we could get under warranty.
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RE: How are you coping with rising gas prices? - 9/26/2008 10:35:19 AM
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kernsfamily
Posts: 1428
Joined: 4/26/2006
From: Dallas (originally Detroit)
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: blessedinnyc
quote:
ORIGINAL: stamper_ben
No, not a Hummer, but a GMC half ton 2WD pick up with a 70 mile round trip daily commute. Then there's the shopping trip into town every weekend...
And please don't tell me to get a Volt. At over $40,000 it is a wee bit out of my price range.
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How about a Geo Metro or generally just a compact car that gets 30 mpg+? From the looks of it, you're driving ~400 miles/week. If you could do half of that at 30 mpg instead of 18, you'd be saving $800/year at current fuel prices. (If you could do substantially all of that at 30 mpg, that would save $1500/year.)
If I lived near you, this is even something I'd be willing to help finance based on fuel prices, assuming we could find a car that we could get under warranty.
People just don't get it.
What's the towing capacity of a Geo Metro? How much hay or cargo can it haul? How much supplies from the feed store will fit in that thing? People in Texas need PRACTICAL cars......No use having a car sitting around that fits only 2, maybe 3 people, with no space for anything else.
Now, "city slickers', like them New Yorkers, they don't generally have anything to haul around (no yards or acreage)....so, they can get by with those little cars....and, that's fine. But, just because they can, doesn't necessarily mean others can.
quote:
If I lived near you, this is even something I'd be willing to help finance based on fuel prices, assuming we could find a car that we could get under warranty.
So, you buy a car for MORE than you can pay cash for....have a car note.....just to save a bit on gas? NO thanks.
And, warranties? You don't need a warranty when you pay cash for a car. This car I have now, I paid $10K or so for it back in 2001 or so. Paid IN FULL. No $500/month car payment. And, when you don't have a car payment, if something goes wrong, you certainly have the money to go get it fixed (well, you should....).....I don't pay a "premium" for a car, just because it's got a warranty that I MAY or MAY NOT even need. Though, that's the beauty of getting a Certified PreOwned car. It comes with a decent warranty.....and is STILL much much less than a new one. Without having to worry about making those pesky payments (one little "pink slip" can bring the whole scheme tumbling down)....
_____________________________
Proud dad of 3 great girls....Erin, Emilie and Elise
Blessed to have all of them in a "totally awesome" public elementary school!
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RE: How are you coping with rising gas prices? - 9/26/2008 11:28:09 AM
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stamper_ben
Posts: 10364
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Lone Star State
Status: offline
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quote:
If I lived near you, this is even something I'd be willing to help finance based on fuel prices, assuming we could find a car that we could get under warranty. This is an offer an uncle of mine made a few months ago when gas prices were at their peak. He urged me to find a used Honda or similar for around $3 grand... Just recently he came to the realization that with the high demand for these vehicles that they just weren't available for anywhere near that price anymore.
I do appreciate the offer however. From both of you!
On a side note, when folks were getting out of Dodge before Ike hit I saw a small BMW SUV towing a trailer about the same size as the one we have, a 22 footer. Of course that one was an Aerostream, definitely lighter than mine.
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RE: How are you coping with rising gas prices? - 9/26/2008 1:17:56 PM
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blessedinnyc
Posts: 2003
Joined: 10/12/2007
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: kernsfamily
People just don't get it.
What's the towing capacity of a Geo Metro? How much hay or cargo can it haul? How much supplies from the feed store will fit in that thing? People in Texas need PRACTICAL cars......No use having a car sitting around that fits only 2, maybe 3 people, with no space for anything else.
Well, there's no use carrying around a flatbed that increases your fuel consumption by 65%, either. If you have two spaces in your garage, it may make sense to have a car for running to town, etc and a pickup for when you need other stuff. IIRC, kerns, you work in an office job. That means you can probably get away with driving a compact car to work on most days and leave the gas-guzzler at home.
quote:
Now, "city slickers', like them New Yorkers, they don't generally have anything to haul around (no yards or acreage)....so, they can get by with those little cars....and, that's fine. But, just because they can, doesn't necessarily mean others can.
Dude, I lived in IL for 22 years of my life, went to college downstate, and routinely spent time in WI with relatives on their farms. I may not be a Texan, but I certainly haven't spent my entire life getting places by hailing cabs and riding the subway, either.
quote:
So, you buy a car for MORE than you can pay cash for....have a car note.....just to save a bit on gas? NO thanks.
No, I'd be willing to offer you a car note in such a way that you'd only benefit. Whenever you use the car, you pay me for two-thirds the gas you save over the pickup.
quote:
And, warranties? You don't need a warranty when you pay cash for a car. This car I have now, I paid $10K or so for it back in 2001 or so. Paid IN FULL. No $500/month car payment. And, when you don't have a car payment, if something goes wrong, you certainly have the money to go get it fixed (well, you should....).....I don't pay a "premium" for a car, just because it's got a warranty that I MAY or MAY NOT even need. Though, that's the beauty of getting a Certified PreOwned car. It comes with a decent warranty.....and is STILL much much less than a new one. Without having to worry about making those pesky payments (one little "pink slip" can bring the whole scheme tumbling down)....
So fine, buy the car cash- I pay cash for mine (buying anything but real-estate on credit is foolish, IMHO). I'm just saying that the option of having a car to drive that gets 35 mpg when you don't need the added towing capacity is probably worth several thousand dollars to you. So if you have the extra parking space (if you haul hay, I imagine you aren't paying $150/month for parking), it may make sense to buy an extra car.
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RE: How are you coping with rising gas prices? - 9/26/2008 1:20:46 PM
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blessedinnyc
Posts: 2003
Joined: 10/12/2007
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: stamper_ben
On a side note, when folks were getting out of Dodge before Ike hit I saw a small BMW SUV towing a trailer about the same size as the one we have, a 22 footer. Of course that one was an Aerostream, definitely lighter than mine.
LOL! You should've seen me. A week before moving from Chicago to New York, I bought a trailer hitch kit, installed it on my 1800 lb Mustang, and rented a U-Haul trailer. The U-Haul guy was shocked that they were allowed to install a trailer on my car. Everything was going fine until I started hitting the Appalachian foothills in Pa. and decided to slow down to 45-50 on the highway.
This was when I discovered that Northeastern drivers get road rage whenever they see someone going slow- even in the right lane.
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RE: How are you coping with rising gas prices? - 9/26/2008 1:28:27 PM
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garsyt
Posts: 2212
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: the bottom of the laundry basket
Status: offline
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How many kids can I fit in a Volt? I have 4 of my own and do carpool at least once every other week that adds 2 or 3 more kids to the car in addition to at least 2 of mine. In other words I need room for 2 to 7 people on any given day. Thankfully in three months I'll be carseat free! Oh and can I fit a family of 6 and a weeks worth of groceries or a pile of camping equipment or luggage from a family trip?
What needs to happen is not necessarily smaller more fuel efficient cars, but more needs to be put into finding ways to make larger family vehicles more efficient. Smaller isn't always the answer. Now if I were single or just had a one or two children it might work to have a smaller car like a Volt.
Oh and my kids can't walk to school. It's just not possible. The reason carpools are key lifesavers is that we live 9 miles from the elementary and 14 miles from the middle and highschools. We depend on the school bus for most transportation but there are times when we can't. I'm not denying my children the opportunity to participate in before and after school activities especially when I can organize carpools with other families that are in the same boat I am.
Blessings,
Garsy
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RE: How are you coping with rising gas prices? - 9/26/2008 2:26:26 PM
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kernsfamily
Posts: 1428
Joined: 4/26/2006
From: Dallas (originally Detroit)
Status: offline
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quote:
That means you can probably get away with driving a compact car to work on most days and leave the gas-guzzler at home.
my wife drives the "gas guzzler" around town....picking up kids in carpool....hauling groceries....and doing all of her errands....it's the care we take on vacation with 3 kids, luggage, etc..etc...
and, when friends come over, and we all go out to dinner, it's the car we take everyone in (so we don't need to take TWO cars...and pay for two valets, etc...etc...)
I have the buick to "commute" with.....and that's working out just fine (not the most fuel efficient car, but considering it's paid for, and is a VERY comfortable ride, and very reliable, it's the "ideal" car) ......
when I pull in the garage this evening (since it's friday)....I can guarantee you that my car will sit there until 6:15 on Monday morning. Not move an inch.
there's more to a good commuting car (or any car, for that matter) than gas mileage.
_____________________________
Proud dad of 3 great girls....Erin, Emilie and Elise
Blessed to have all of them in a "totally awesome" public elementary school!
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RE: How are you coping with rising gas prices? - 9/26/2008 7:31:15 PM
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garsyt
Posts: 2212
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: the bottom of the laundry basket
Status: offline
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Our district is already feeling the pinch! They've cut out all field trips for middle and high schoolers, and have limited elementary field trips to one per grade level per each of our 6 elementary schools. Some of these trips that the elementary kids used to take were free, but now the school is charging a transportation fee. They are also charging a $30 per child fee for any athlete per sport as well as all band members, choir members, and other groups that use school transportation to meets and activities. That basically means that if a child is in Band, basketball and track that's a $90. They are reconsidering some things but are being REALLY strict with transportation. Buses are NOT stopping and idling at bus stops anymore to wait for kids that are NOT at the bus stop. In other words - if my child is running down the street to the bus stop and NOT right there the bus driver will not stop. They are consolidating stops so buses have to stop less. My eldest daughter is in a 5th grade choir at her school. In years past the choir would go caroling at Christmas, and take one other bus trip in the spring and as of now unless budgets change, those trips are off.
Blessings,
Garsy
_____________________________
My Blog: www.moredayslikethisplease.wordpress.com
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RE: How are you coping with rising gas prices? - 9/28/2008 12:37:35 PM
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Sideways
Posts: 3944
Joined: 4/12/2005
Status: offline
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The Atlanta situation has gotten worse. Some stations have police keeping order. People are taking off of work because they have no gas.
And the governor continues to blame the shortage on the people for panic buying. It's kinda easy to panic when you have no gas!
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RE: How are you coping with rising gas prices? - 9/29/2008 1:32:48 AM
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garsyt
Posts: 2212
Joined: 4/12/2005
From: the bottom of the laundry basket
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Hubby filled up my van today at $3.65 a gallon. Should last me about 2 weeks. I do have 2 carpools this week tho, Tuesday morning for Student council and Wednesday for 5th grade choir. but then next week I don't have any carpool days, but 1 day of picking up ds after play auditions.
Honestly I'm hoping the shortages stay away, but I will admit that's why I wanted the van filled up today.
Blessings,
Garsy
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My Blog: www.moredayslikethisplease.wordpress.com
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RE: How are you coping with rising gas prices? - 9/29/2008 7:44:18 AM
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Sideways
Posts: 3944
Joined: 4/12/2005
Status: offline
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My hubby filled up last night, but he was smart about it.
1.) He got online to see where gas was, and what the lines where.
2.) He left after midnight.
So, he only had a 20 car wait, which for here, is really, really good. Churches were almost empty yesterday; some folks aren't going to work today.
Our beloved governor is in Europe, all the while people are running out of gas on the highway and using emergency services or they are running out of gas in line and pushing their car to the pump.
_____________________________
This warranty does not include shark bites, bear attacks and children under five.
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RE: How are you coping with rising gas prices? - 9/29/2008 11:12:56 AM
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betterisoneday
Posts: 295
Joined: 1/10/2008
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Sideways
So, he only had a 20 car wait, which for here, is really, really good.
Wow, I thought the GA/SC border was bad. Stations keep running out of gas and the prices go from $3.89 to $5.00, twice a day at a couple stations, but I've only seen about 10 cars to a line.
As for the OP, I haven't changed much actually. One of my off days is always a weekday and I can buy fuel on-base, both of those make for shorter waits. Otherwise I don't care to go anywhere in a town anyway so we don't drive much and the grocery store is not even a mile away. However, ask me after I drive to the other side of the country and I may have a different answer. 
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RE: How are you coping with rising gas prices? - 9/29/2008 11:19:03 AM
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Sideways
Posts: 3944
Joined: 4/12/2005
Status: offline
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Gas prices here are staying at around $4.30, I think. There may some fear of legal action if they go much higher. I did see maybe a 40 car wait line for a station that had no gas, the cars were simply waiting for the tanker truck to arrive.
Gas lines are messing with local traffic, but I'm keeping close to home. We just went to storytime at the time Library, and it's pretty close.
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This warranty does not include shark bites, bear attacks and children under five.
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RE: How are you coping with rising gas prices? - 9/29/2008 11:25:02 AM
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GregandJenny
Posts: 680
Joined: 2/16/2006
From: Near Seattle Washington
Status: offline
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quote:
Gas prices here are staying at around $4.30
WOW. I am glad we didn't have a crisis here about 5 weeks ago when I was paying 4.45 for regular gas in normal conditions. I hope everything gets better
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), and it's not nearly the longest route. It goes way up if you add in activity trips (football, volleyball, etc.). This is going to hit us at some point even if we're not feeling it now.
