What I do to take the sting out of gas prices (just rambling...)

[JasonJ]

I have decided that no matter how much I complain, gas will cost more. I have decided that the only thing that works to stabilize gas prices is to use less of it. We saw it work after Katrina. People cut back on usage and the prices dropped. I continues to further modify how I use gas and spend money, but a lot of people did not. They just returned to their bad habits, and shock of shock, the prices are back up. Yeah, ethanol this and Iran that, but we all know demand is what truely affects prices. So here is what I do now.<br /><br />With my new job, I only work 4 days a week as opposed to the six days a week I used to work. I plan my needs around getting the things I need while I am still in town, and if I forget something, I excercise patience and wait until the next day.<br /><br />I accelerate slowly, and do not care if the people behind get pissy. They can get impatient if they want, but I can assure them it will still be there when they get there. They can pass me if they want, and waste their gas if they want.<br /><br />I resist the urge to go and trade a vehicle that gets bad economy but is paid for just to have a more efficient veichel and a monthly payment. Yeah, that doesn't conserve gas, but it costs me less, so that is the compromise I must endure.<br /><br />I eat less takeout, and buy less frivelous items. there is a lot of money people waste on things that they don't need. Carwashes, soda at the gas stations, fast food, DVDs. A dollar here and 20 dollars there adds up quickly. I used to buy every new DVD that cam out, now I get them from the library for free, watch it and am done with it. If it is a must have, I'll buy it, but I am down from several DVDs a month to one in a few month period. That alone has freed up money to absorb fuel costs.<br /><br />I plan my fishing trips better. Instead of running for miles to a fishing area, I stay closer to the dock. The fish are the same, and I burn a lot less gas. I keep excess junk out of the boat. Junk equals weight which equals consumption. Again, my boat gets bad economy, but it is paid for. <br /><br />I'm not saying anything anyone doesn't already know, but I hear a lot of people complaining about gas prices without taking responsibility of their own lives. Me, I want to still do the things I like to do, so I sacrifice other things to achieve that. For a working family that does not make a lot of money, this is a lot harder because they don't have a lot to sacrifice in the first place. People selling stuff just to put gas in their cars, people selling the car altogether, that is what I am starting to see here. I am thankful I am not in that position, but I can still do my part to cut back.<br /><br />One last thing, you can see that if everyone did what I am doing, it would wreak havoc on the economy. Basically what I do is not spend money on anything I don't need. It will be fun to see what this year will be like...

 

[bigskydrift]

Re: What I do to take the sting out of gas prices (just rambling...)

Good points Jason, I have been putting $ into my pickup for so long now....it is like new, and is a gas hog, but it is paid for. I won't save a dime buy strapping myself down with payments / higher insurance / licensing, for a rig that gets good mileage, not at todays new auto prices!<br />I did buy a new motorcycle the other day for commuting (see 70-80MPG!) post in dockside....and I agree that there are things that I can simply do without.....good strategy....US gas prices are lower than many countries, but out west, we travel long distances, I think that Montana is probably larger than many European countries....thus, burning more gas?!?!?

 

[dogsdad]

Re: What I do to take the sting out of gas prices (just rambling...)

Hard to argue with your premise that it's demand that pushes prices up.<br /><br />I've often thought about the stabilizing effects of the futures market, but I think sometimes it does the opposite. Though it's only a small segment of the overall market, I think that it sometimes has negative (from the consummer's point of view) effects, and that it probably is doing that now.<br /><br />Maybe we'll see some technological breakthrough in the energy field---the incentive certainly exists like it has not in a long time. But you are absolutely right: we as average individual consumers will have to modify our behavior and habits to one extent or another...for now.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: What I do to take the sting out of gas prices (just rambling...)

me?<br /> ill just charge the next guy 85/hr instead of 75/hr and fill my boat and go fishing.<br /> I have no creditcard debt,no house paymentsd,no rent,no car payments and I am about strapped. cant cut back much more. I rarely go out to eat, buy my meat from the out of date reduced section and usually stop at the grocery/wallyworld on my way to and from work.<br /> your gonna see a lot of business's do the same thing. if you think management or labor is gonna eat the increased transport costs ya need to hold on to that dream.<br /> I just feel sorry for guys making 12 dollars an hour with minimal bennies and a family. the merican dream for them is most likly just that anymore.<br />in my area 12 bucks an hour wont qualify to buy a 2bdrm condo, that condo is now 180K up on hwy 158. a moderate 3bdrm house starts at 270K.<br /> I do see it funny that a third world govt like brazil started a program almost 30 years ago that has all but weaned their auto's from gas with a goal of gasoline free in the next 5 years.

 

[cmyers_uk]

Re: What I do to take the sting out of gas prices (just rambling...)

JasonJ , Rodbolt admire the way you live. Only buy what you can afford, its funny that now avdays its a strange way of living. People seem to think the world owes them a living and they need a tv in every room and the latest games console.

 

[treedancer]

Re: What I do to take the sting out of gas prices (just rambling...)

The figures say gas is a bargain — do you believe it? <br /><br />A chart we’ve published in Sunday’s Post-Dispatch says that gasoline is actually a bargain compared to 40 years ago. Hard to believe?<br /><br />Consider this: Yes, the actual cost of a gallon of gas has gone up. Our chart shows gas cost 32 cents a gallon in 1966 compared to $2.78 now.<br /><br />But when you compare that number to the percentage of a family’s weekly income, we’re actually spending less on gas than we used to. In 1966, gas took up 5.5 percent of our weekly income. In 1996, that was down to 2.7 percent. In 2006, it’s risen back up to 4.2 percent of weekly income.<br /><br /><br />

Our St Louis paper had this in there paper the other day, the figures in my opinion are really skewered because they took the family income in 2005 and compared it the income of 1966.In 1966 more than likely the father made enough money by himself to support a family, By 2005 the middle class has been so decimated that it takes the father, mother, and sometimes the children flipping hamburgers to make a living.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: What I do to take the sting out of gas prices (just rambling...)

So far today I've taken 3 one item trips. Pretty much each time my Jeep sees 5000+ RPMs. In a few weeks I'll be getting a new jeep that gets even worse mileage...<br /><br />The difference between $1.80/gal and $3.00/gal is only about $50 per month extra for me. I'm not going to change my life over 50 bucks...

 

[heycods]

Re: What I do to take the sting out of gas prices (just rambling...)

I parked my old Chevy 3/4 ton ranch truck at Catrina time over poor gas mileage, Its parked again, hasnt been started this week, Poor fuel economy boat is sold. My dodge diesel has become the ranch truck, when I go to town, unless I need to haul something its the Car that goes, and I havent been to town since we had to go to the in laws last wed. and thurs. (29mpg gas is a bunch cheeper than 19mpg diesel) Motor home is parked except for short trips to area lakes. John Deere tractor is Parked, Case tractor is 20 hp less but will do the same work on 1/3 less fuel.<br /> Im trying to help you fellas out here

 

[rodbolt]

Re: What I do to take the sting out of gas prices (just rambling...)

I will admit I have one 8 year old TV that I have to leave on or it takes 3 hours to warm up and be able to lock on a channel, I have cable for it cause if not here ya get 3 channels if the weather is ok.<br /> I have DSL on this 5 year old puter, its gotten slow and the drive growls a bunch and does nothing a lot.<br />my 89 mercury marquis I bought from the original owner,my uncle, with 140K on the clock now its at 165K. my mazda truck I bought of the original owner,my mom for 1500 with 110K on the clock,now its at 164.<br /> I will admit my horse is a drain, however I love my beast.<br /> the 9 cats eat up a bit of time and money but I love them to.<br /> neither of my kids,one 21, the other 17, speak to me so its ok.<br />actually the 21 yr old calls me now when she wants something.<br /> I have no cell phones or pagers, no answering machine and I can let the phone ring all night and never answer it.<br />if its important those folks that need to can get me.<br />the more life gets faster the more I hate technology, but dont confuse it with a lack of me understanding it.<br />I hate it yet I do try to keep abreast of it, 6 years in the USN's advanced electronics field and security peaked my intrest.<br /> I live simple and within my means, I try to aid all that I can, today I spent 4 hours on a 74 year old mans boat. gave him the parts and a battery and a set of BRP cables as well as went through his carbs.<br />maybe ill get paid one day and maybe I wont. I did not leave a bill.<br />hopefully when I get to chat with st peter I can bring it up but its no worries.<br /> but its nice to wake up everyday knowing if I die I dont owe much

 

[POINTER94]

Re: What I do to take the sting out of gas prices (just rambling...)

I could afford a larger home, but then I would have to pay taxes, heat, update and clean it. So what I have is just right. (A bigger garage would be nice.) I like old things that work. 94' Bronco for trips to the woods and the lake and camping and to the dump, etc. Ugly, rusting, but I own it. Thought of selling it but it runs great and everything works. It's even self cleaning, when the dirt piles up high enough it just falls out the door. The boat is 16 years old, but I own it and everything works. It has an anchor and I use it frequently. I expect to use it more this summer than ever. I have a ford expedition, but I need that to tow the boat. I expect to keep it for some time and replace it when the bronco dies. It will then be graduated to bronco status. Might keep it clean though.<br /><br />I'm cheap by nature, so I don't see how anything I could do could improve my consumption of fuels. I guess I could unplug the 40 year old refrig in the basement but then where would I keep my beer cold? I am contemplating a hot tub but that might be put on the back burner.<br /><br />Rodbolt remember the days when layaway was an option? Keeping the credit cards at zero makes life easier to face.

 

[rolmops]

Re: What I do to take the sting out of gas prices (just rambling...)

I used to trailer my boat 65 miles each way and then run it 14 miles to my honeyhole in Keuka lake.Now I trailer 7 miles and run it half a mile.The difference? 15 gallons of fuel and perch instead of lake trout.

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: What I do to take the sting out of gas prices (just rambling...)

Originally posted by ZmOz:<br /> ... I'm not going to change my life over 50 bucks...

Amen, brother!

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: What I do to take the sting out of gas prices (just rambling...)

I just bought a bigger truck and a bigger boat. Gas isn't that expensive. Geez, you guys are acting like you can't eat anymore.

 

[treedancer]

Re: What I do to take the sting out of gas prices (just rambling...)

I guess I could unplug the 40 year old refrig in the basement but then where would I keep my beer cold?<br /><br /> Common Pointer its not that bad hot, suffer with the rest of us. Besides six packs can be cooled real fast with freon from truck air conditioners. Found that out in the desert.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: What I do to take the sting out of gas prices (just rambling...)

Zmoz,Rubber, you guys are right. $50 a month more isn't that bad, but that is why we are in the gas price mess we are in. We keep thinking "oh, $50 more a month isn't that bad" until we are paying $5.00 a gallon. Where do you think it should end?I believe we should pay the price gas should be at, whatever that price may be. If it is decided that $3.00 a gallon is a fair market value, thats fine. I think for most people it is the highly erratic price fluctuation that is getting to people. People cannot help feeling gouged. It has never done this before, not at the extremes it has been, even back in the 70s. My mom, who is 74, and has been driving forever, is insenced by this. She has fond memories of the long lines in California, the odd/even plate days, all of that, and she feels that was not as bad as this. We all know the consumer is being taken advantage of. Some palms are being greased, we just don't know who's palms.<br /><br />Now that you all mention it, the only new thing I have is my cellphone, a Motorola Razr. The only reason I have it is because I got a $50 rebate, then refered two people to Verizon and got $25 each back, so I only paid $50 for the phone. I hate cell phones, but I need one because of my job. My wife hates them even more, but I gave her my old one, activated the second line, and she pays the extra $20 a month. Now she can talk to her family for free instead of using long distance because her family all use Verizon also. In the end we save.<br /><br />As far as stuff, my truck is a 94, the Jeep is a 93, the boat is a 70, the motor a 69, my TV is 5 years old, my laptop is 4 1/2 years old, my home theater consists of good stuff but all is 5 years old or more. My furniture is nice, but all hand-me-downed from various family when they get new stuff. My riding mower is a 97, the list goes on. All my stuff is old by a lot of people's standards, but it is paid for, and it still works. <br /><br />I'm not saying I live bad, I feel like I live pretty decent, but that $50 a month makes or breaks those who are already living on the edge. It is for them that we need to get this under control, not us who don't feel the sting as badly.

 

[Link]

Re: What I do to take the sting out of gas prices (just rambling...)

Great post JasonJ<br />Back in 75 while in Germany me and another guy were having coffee at the px/snack bar. Got on to this same subject. It was the first of the month so we decieded to see how much we could save by being frugal. We did it just for fun but it makes the same point.<br />IE: Instead of coffee at the snack bar 4 times a day we took breaks in the line shack. Free coffee<br />Ate breakfast at home before work.<br />Brought lunch from home.<br />Hair cut every other week instead of every saturday.<br />Rode together to/from work.<br />It was a long list Jason! And a long month <br />We just did this just for fun for the two of us, not our families.<br /><br />At the end of the month we had cut our daily spending by 75 %<br /><br />How did we use our great savings?<br />At the end of the month we took our whole platoon out to the NCO club for drinks on us! <br />JasonJ<br />

I'm not saying I live bad, I feel like I live pretty decent, but that $50 a month makes or breaks those who are already living on the edge. It is for them that we need to get this under control, not us who don't feel the sting as badly.

That is a good and healthy way to look at it.<br />Me thinks

 

[heycods]

Re: What I do to take the sting out of gas prices (just rambling...)

It aint $50 dollars a month for me. Parking the old chevy 4x4 probably saves that in a day, and the tractors dont run all the time, but parking the fuel ineficient John Deere will save $60 a day for ever day it runs. the boat will save $25 per day. Not taking the motor home on long trips will save a motel bills worth of fuel, Yea if i was taking another couple on a trip, I would still take the motor home. no they dont get used every day, but it all adds up. Its just a pure waste to do it otherwise. The not going to town 4 times a week saves the fuel of a trip to town and back (60 mi or so) + the meal I would eat while there." Pennys make Dollars"

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: What I do to take the sting out of gas prices (just rambling...)

Well, I have a different outlook on this.<br />I have 10 vehicles I have insurance on, 5 of them full coverage.<br /><br />I have my own delivery business in which 3 of them run 7 days a week, 365 days a year.<br />The only thing I have stressed is no idle while they are stopped at a business and to keep their foot out of the gas some.<br /><br />I have a 30 foot class a motorhome that I used for the last time last September. I just bought a '06 Jayco travel trailer to use to go camping in.<br />I have a '06 Jeep, an '04 Dodge, a newer boat and 3 computers.<br /><br />We, the wife and I, do what we want and get what we want.<br />I do not have any intentions of having my kids fight over any money when I am gone. <br />Like I said in a previous thread, the trolling motor might get used more this year, but not a whole lot more.

 

[Elmer Fudge]

Re: What I do to take the sting out of gas prices (just rambling...)

Only $50.00 more a month?<br />Did you take into account the increases at the grocery store due to higher freight and delivery costs?<br /><br />The same goes for the trip to the local shopping mall, ask your wives and kids.<br /><br />And don't forget the steadily increasing cost of home energy consumption.<br /><br />I don't mean to switch anyone's mood into a state of depression, nor do i wish to burst anyone's bubble, but higher petroleum costs means higher cost of goods and services.<br /><br />Pay now or pay later, but pay you must.

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: What I do to take the sting out of gas prices (just rambling...)

Ok, I admit it.... we did agree to skip the appetizer with our meals once a week....