Whining about gas

[JCF350]

Anybody else think there has been enough?
I can see usage and cost questions.
"BUT" I for one am tired about the price complaining.

Yeah, I'll just skip them also

 

[JustJason]

Re: Whining about gas

I don't think there has been enough whinning.
Ask yourself... are you ok paying 3.60 a gallon..... Today...

Would you pay 4, 5, 6, 9 bucks a gallon without whining.

You will whine eventually.

Everyone has a breaking point when it comes to pretty much everything in life..... question is.... what is your breaking point when it comes to fuel.

If it goes to 6 tommorow will you whine? What if it goes to 8.....

 

[JCF350]

Re: Whining about gas

I have already posted that it would take 15-20/gal before I would even have to think about cutting back for boating (I go offshore 2 to 3 times a month). Daly transportation just ain't that much difference, except for long trips. I took the rig below to fish the BAJA 2 years ago, but I farted around for 2 1/2 weeks getting there so that was more than just a fishing trip.

And no I am not wealthy. The only payments I have though are property taxes at 2 locations and one of those has an AG exemption. Amazing what you can save when you can pick and chose what you want on home insurance (rather than mortgage company mandated) especially here in FLA.

 

[SgtMaj]

Re: Whining about gas

I have already posted that it would take 15-20/gal before I would even have to think about cutting back for boating (I go offshore 2 to 3 times a month). Daly transportation just ain't that much difference, except for long trips. I took the rig below to fish the BAJA 2 years ago, but I farted around for 2 1/2 weeks getting there so that was more than just a fishing trip.

And no I am not wealthy. The only payments I have though are property taxes at 2 locations and one of those has an AG exemption. Amazing what you can save when you can pick and chose what you want on home insurance (rather than mortgage company mandated) especially here in FLA.

Actually, if gas were $20/gallon tomorrow, you wouldn't be able to boat, you wouldn't have a boat. You wouldn't even have a job. Past $15/gal, this country becomes poorer than the poorest 3rd world nation. Most people would simply starve, as they couldn't afford to eat. That's when the food riots will hit, and that will pretty much destroy most personal property of wealth. Actually, looting and rioting in major metro areas could start even lower, at about $10/gal. Think about it, gas isn't even $4/gallon, and already drive-offs are a daily occurance for every gas station out there.

 

[JCF350]

Re: Whining about gas

Tis a good point!!
Just looking at the cost only though.
I've always applied the 1/3 out, 1/3 back, 1/3 reserve rule to life though. Not just for fuel consumption.

Oh yeah, don't have a job now.

and there is always "EXTERNAL COMBUSTION"

 

[SgtMaj]

Re: Whining about gas

Tis a good point!!
Just looking at the cost only though.
I've always applied the 1/3 out, 1/3 back, 1/3 reserve rule to life though. Not just for fuel consumption.

If everyone did that, we'd all be a lot better off.

 

[JCF350]

Re: Whining about gas

OOPS!
I added this to my previous post.


Oh yeah, don't have a job now.

and there is always "EXTERNAL COMBUSTION"

 

[JB]

Re: Whining about gas

Seems to me that it is much more productive to adapt to reality than to whine and look for someone to "blame".

For example, think about what you have done and can do to reduce what you spend on food and energy (not just gasoline) to a tolerable level.

Everywhere you look these days someone publishes a list of how to save on gas and other energy. Here is what I have actually done:

Reduced optional travel by 75% and reduced grocery trips to town by 50%.
Sold my SUV and my boat.
Bought a used Diesel car.
Reset the AC thermostat to 80*.
Reset the heating thermostat to 60*.

There is more to come, but I will tell about it when it is done.

I have decided to not be a victim. I spend less on energy, including $4.20 diesel fuel, than I did a year ago.

It is a good feeling to "slay the dragon". I control my life, the price of oil does not.

 

[jcsercsa]

Re: Whining about gas

You know you guys make a good point , But dont you think that the gas company are going a little nuts when there makeing 300,000 every 60 seconds and a new record profit every quarter !!!! I know this is the USA and its the law of price and demand !!! but yesterdays 42, cent jump is nuts !!!! and I didnt post that yesterday to wine !!1 It was more of a statement !!!!!!I work is one of the worst parts of flint mich , I am sure you all have heard of it , the murder capital of the world , I work for a store , and the people there can get the food they need now !! i have a 87 year old woman that cant aford the gas to get there so she walked the 12 blocks !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and there are many more out there doing the same !!! So if you guys want to call it wineing I dont really care !!! just turn your backs like most people do !!!! John

 

[JCF350]

Re: Whining about gas

i have a 87 year old woman that cant aford the gas to get there so she walked the 12 blocks !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and there are many more out there doing the same !!!

Here in Citra these people get rides. But that is small town living.

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Whining about gas

It's a lot easier to adapt to the high prices when you're single, retired, have no mortgage and or car payments, and not bury in debts up to your eyeball. It's a lot more diffcult for us younger folks trying to stay afloat supporting our family.

 

[JCF350]

Re: Whining about gas

I know what it's like.
Back to my 1/3 rule. To many folks overextended.

Pet peeve about the mortgage "crisis" also.

Price increases are a fact of life, always been there always will.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Whining about gas

Seems to me that it is much more productive to adapt to reality than to whine and look for someone to "blame".

Reduced optional travel by 75% and reduced grocery trips to town by 50%.
Sold my SUV and my boat.

Although I normally agree with you on most things JB, I do have to question the wisdom of suggesting on a boating forum selling boats/SUVs. Yeah I can get by just fine if I sell off everything I enjoy and sit inside and stare at the wall. Let's just face it, almost all of us on here need gas to do the things we enjoy and these rapid price increases suck. My wife and I have started carpooling for work which has cut our usage in half but these prices still hurt.

 

[arboldt]

Re: Whining about gas

1) What really gets us is a sudden and inexplicable jump in prices. What really happened in the last 7 days to cause such a huge jump so suddenly?

2) Actually, the surge in costs to fill my gas tank is not the greatest concern long-term. Rather, it's the resultant corresponding surge in anything moved by truck (and that's everything we buy). This resultant surge in costs for food, clothing, medicines [I know, a different topic, too, but let's not go there right now], building supplies, etc etc. was a major contributing factor to the stagflation of the 1970's.

3) I understand the issues of global economics, with the millions in India, China, and other third-world countries finally gaining the financial wherewithall to buy vehicles and thus increase global demand for petroleum. But I do find it curious that the prices have skyrocketed just when the global economy has also taken a dive. Does anyone else see that disconnect?

4) To the average citizen, there's no problem if they see everyone hurting (or gaining) at the same time. Now I'm an arch-conservative capitalist, but I've got to say it just doesn't seem right for a CEO to get a $10 Million bonus for moving 1500 jobs out of the country, like was featured in the local newspaper over the past month. And I understand the oil companies need to make a profit -- and I want them to, in order to fund further exploration and improvements. On the other hand, there needs to be a balance between that and gouging or windfall profits, when record profits are posted merely for increasing the national inflation rate.

I'm not trying to get political here, I'm merely saying that whining is a normal reaction when the average citizen sees a massive disconnect between normal cause and effect.

 

[tommays]

Re: Whining about gas

Well

I will have to say it again we need enough PAIN to do the work needed to not depend on others for the big part of are supply

 

[External Combustion]

Re: Whining about gas

Thanks JCF350 for the free advertising! I can hear the lakes getting quieter right now as people will be able to enjoy the benefits of steam!!!

Seriously, recession is a natural part of a free and vibrant economy. There have always been times of belt tightening and feasting.

Most under the age of sixty here in the States have grown up in an era of unimaginable wealth and privilage. They usually expect to start out life with the luxuries that their parents took a lifetime to achieve. They expect to have dishwashers, nice furniture, television sets plus cable connections, newer cars, air conditioning, travel, extensive vacations and a large selection of nice clothes as a starting point. Unfortunately they will go into debt to have all of them at the same time and forever be slaves to someone else as they pay interest on thier expectations.

Helping those who are hit hard by economic circumstances beyond their control should be a part of all our lives. Making a point to give rides to those who cannot afford gas is just one way we can do it. My buds and I cut wood for others while we have fun cutting wood for ourselves.

Don't get me wrong, I've been rich and I've been poor. Ritch is better!

Right now I am on a fixed income so the missus and I have had to trim back some, but times will get better. Until then we are going to enjoy life to the fullest in our own way. As odd as it sounds we are actually spending more time on the water and around boats since the economy has taken a correction lately. Even taking the gas rig out more. There are more going with us also.

I believe life is what you make of it.

Now for a nominal price I can set you up in a nice 20 foot steam launch that will...............................

 

[arboldt]

Re: Whining about gas

Now for a nominal price I can set you up in a nice 20 foot steam launch that will...............................

Might sound interesting, but a couple questions...

How's the hol shot performance to tow a skier?

Any citations yet on air pollution / smog control? West Michigan is having take steps to clean up the dirty air sent to us by Chicago and Milwaukee.

 

[JB]

Re: Whining about gas

It's a lot easier to adapt to the high prices when you're single, retired, have no mortgage and or car payments, and not bury in debts up to your eyeball. It's a lot more diffcult for us younger folks trying to stay afloat supporting our family.

Been there, done that and got several T shirts, GF. I had the good fortune to remember the Great Depression, post-war inflation and subsequent recessions and economic crises.

I lost a house, hovered on the brink of bankruptcy and lived on beans several times. I provided the only meat my family had to eat when I was under 12.

Like many, it took me 'til I was well over 40 to learn how to live within my means. It was hard turning down easy credit, homes I knew I couldn't afford, bigger boats, extravagant vacations and many of the other features of so-called normal American living, but I had learned that there are two differences between that "normal" life and a life in which I was in control.

1. Living "rich" is more comfortable, physically, than living within my means and offers more luxuries and toys.

2. Living "poor" (strictly a relative term. It means living like the very rich do elsewhere) is MUCH more comfortable mentally and emotionally. It also offers the power to do things that the habitually strung out can't do.

Yes, I am single and live alone. I have very little debt, but could pay it all off any minute I choose. I have the double-wide on 120 acres that I dreamed of all those years of the big, suburban homes with three or four cars and a fancy boat in the drive and more debt than I made in a year.

My income is fixed at a level probably less than you pay in income taxes, but I am rich, rich only because I am in control of my spartan life.

Don't worry about me being without the expensive boat and the SUV. I had as much fun fishing with a willow pole from the bank or from a paddle powered cockle shell as I ever did out on the Gulf Stream in a boat that cost more than several cars and with thousands of bux worth of tackle.

The future does not include any more easy credit, cheap energy or even cheap food. Only the past includes those things. Let go of the past and prepare for the future.

 

[MikDee]

Re: Whining about gas

So, Who needs gas anyway???,,, I just won't buy any, I'll just boycott it!!!
That's like saying who needs air? I'll just stop breathing!,,, Yeah Right, I don't need that either

I mean we do have an alternative fuel, right? (sarcasm)
Well common sense would have it that you wouldn't price something so high, that people would go to any length's to avoid using it! and at least you would have an alternate fuel What's the alternate, stay home?

I've heard of the "trickle down effect", but I call this the trickle up affect, I only see everything in this country trickling up in price, till some things, if not all are out of reach,,, Yeah, IMO the other shoe hasn't dropped yet!

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Whining about gas

Yet again, ol' waterinthefuels gonna come into a thread and throw a fat monkey wrench into it.

Who is the company that hires all the people to put guns to our fat, lazy American heads and make us buy gas? That company, and therefore, those people, do not exist. Every gallon of gas you buy is voluntary. So you really have not a leg to stand on to complain about gas prices. We NEED food, so food price increases complaints are legit, but we don't need gas. At least we don't need SUV's. Sorry, from a scooter rider, no sympathy here. I filled my scoot up yesterday, 125 miles on 2.6 gallons. That's what I'm talking about. And thats actually **** poor, I've gotten better mileage than that. That included some interstate riding, which drinks gas. With the sole use of my bike, I spend less on gas now than I did 10 years ago using my truck (the same one, ironically.)

However......with the increase in gas and no corresponding increase in pay, people have less "play" money. Let's face it, play money is what keeps the economy going. If we ONLY bought food and gas, the economy would practically shut down. We need people to buy boats, planes, cars, TV's, VCR's (wait, I mean DVD players), etc etc etc. If people simply don't have the money to spend on other luxury items, this economy will hurt.

So while JB's idea of cutting back is ok for the individual, it is not ok for the economy as a whole. Basically, if everyone did what JB said, we would enter a recession very quickly. A full blown real one, not a liberal media made up one.

That means we have a reason to complain, because now we can't help the economy keep rolling as we have no money left over to help it, we spend it all on just what we need to function in our daily lives. That is a legitimate complaint, IMO.