Have rising fuel costs inspired a change in your lifestyle?

[SRT]

How do small town people change their lifestyle? Are you walking more? Riding bike? Have you purchased a vehicle with better gas mileage? Are you sitting at home more? Can we as a nation help each other bring about change?

[sunstar]

I have to drive about 12 mi. each way to work and can't get there except to drive, but weekend and unnecessary trips have been cut back a lot. :cryintime:

[janicelee]

My round trip commute to work is 80 miles a day. Not much I can do about that since, the real estate market stinks, I can't really sell my house and live closer to work. My little 4 cylinder pickup truck gets about 28 miles per gallon. I am trying to combine trips. Instead of going to the store on my off day I stop on my way home from work I try to work out the shortes route for my errands and combine trips. I'm doing everything I can but it's not very much I wish I could figure out how to do more.

[gramvof14]

My round trip commute to work is 80 miles a day. Not much I can do about that since, the real estate market stinks, I can't really sell my house and live closer to work. My little 4 cylinder pickup truck gets about 28 miles per gallon. I am trying to combine trips. Instead of going to the store on my off day I stop on my way home from work I try to work out the shortes route for my errands and combine trips. I'm doing everything I can but it's not very much I wish I could figure out how to do more.
I have cut way back I make sure when I have to go out I do my groceries,meds and any other errands I have to do.The main thing I do is e-mail my Senators and my congress men and let them know how I want them to vote, sick and tired of no mans land in Alaska that they won't drill in,and the Chinese drilling in the gulf into our waters.Think about the fact that 97 million people called into AI do you think they could make a differance if they did the same with there Senators and congress men, people need to let them know they won't vote for them if they don't vote the way they want. that gets their attention.JMOO

[sunstar]

I just found this article :shock:

As gas prices soar, thieves get more brazen

Bobby Lee Julien, who’s driven a fuel tanker for 27 years, was near the end of his route. It was 3 a.m. when he pulled up at a stop sign off State Highway 225 in Houston.

It took only a few seconds for the masked man to rip open the passenger door, jump in and point a gun at Julien, 52.

“I begged him not to shoot me,” Julien said. “I feared for my life. The whole time he had a gun pointed at me.”



It wasn’t Julien’s life the gunman wanted that morning of May 5: “He said he wanted the truck. He wanted the fuel.”

The truck was recovered three days later. Police said its fuel load would probably be sold on the black market, which is thriving as average pump prices approach $4 a gallon.

With siphons, pumps, saws — and sometimes lethal weapons — gasoline thieves are on the hunt.

more at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24779216/

[chambord]

I drive a lot in my line of work. What I spend for gas now has almost tripled. And the firm I work for allows me 41 cents a mile. Mere pittance.

What alarms me, Is I heat with oil, and my local news is saying I need to put another $900 aside for next winter. Oil prices today in my area was $4.50 a gallon. Its getting scary, especially for a working mom.

[Tracian]

Thank the maker I have a wood burning stove...for winter, and simple fans for the summer.

This is crazy, I have an SUV and I will be damned to get rid of it, I have a large family and we need the 4 wheel drive for the snow in winter.

Something has got to give, and it will....elections in November.

[TeeOne]

We noticed the holiday traffic going and coming up north was very light this Memorial Day Weekend. Matter of fact we made it back home in record time.
I drive a Ford Focus, so I'm alittle lucky there. My husband rides his Harley to work.
Prices for unleaded gas up north was $4.19 per gallon. (No wonder so many ppl stayed home.)

[texanne]

I decided to start driving at a slightly slower, more steady speed. When I drive 55-60 in a 65 mph zone, I get tailgated and dirty looks. The same happened earlier today when I drove 50 in a 55 mph zone. I guess all the speed demons get their gas free. I used to have a car with a digital dash....there is a remarkable difference in miles per gallon at a slightly lower speed.

[SRT]

Living in a small town in Montana, I have noticed more people walking and riding bikes. We have a public transit system which is only open during the week. The buses stop running, I believe, at 5:30 p.m. I have been staying home more. Trips to the grocery store are not as frequent (I have made it a house rule to eat what we have at home and not make unnecessary trips to the store.) I've researched online more ways to become "self sufficient" and less dependent on premade stuff. If I buy something at a bulk foods place, I find out if anyone else in my family wants the same thing and we split the cost. Also, there is more sharing of food. For instance, I might make a meal that will feed more than we have eating it and trade what is left over with another family member for their left overs. I'm planning on freezing and canning garden produce at the end of the summer growing season. I also take advantage of shopping online and looking for deals in shipping charges. I'm the kind of person who only shops out of necessity and not for enjoyment. I do like the fact that because this is a small town, things that are needed are close by. There is no rush hour traffic and working people can leave for work 10 minutes early and get there with 5 minutes to spare. So how do city people change their lifestyle?

[NJ_Nurse]

I am looking to buy more food & retail items on sale. I am consolidating trips to the store and strangely enough, we are eating out more. It seems nowadays it's almost as cheap to eat out in modestly priced restaurants than to buy food at the supermarket and cook it at home.

Why cook when the cost of the meal out is comparable? At least some of the time.....

I use our paddle fans, but the AC is my one extravagance in the summer. I keep the house at 71 degrees all year round. I'd sell my furniture before I'd give up the AC. lol

[Cat]

We consolidate trips as much as possible and really economize on foods and other goods where possible. We don't eat out very often anymore, used to be several times a week. My microwave is my friend. We shop thrift shops and also pass on our unused goods. We needed a dehumidifier for our basement (no a/c where we just moved), and a friend gave us their used one. I find if I give away my used stuff, I get things in return (not necessarily from where I give it). It's the "cast your bread upon the waters" effect.

[lyndawitha"y]

My problem is that I have always conserved on driving, gas, hydro..so what is happening now is costing me big time!..Certainly could not have forseen the costs ( up 50%) in past 6 months...Drives me crazy..as I am caught in contracts..and can't re-negotiate my costs...Yiks..best not even bother to uncover my A/C compressor in my backyard!..It's was close to 100 outside today, thank Gawd have ceiling fans and regular fans handy dandy!..Keep cool everybody, and conserve where you can!..Microwave is also my best friend too!

[rockford2]

we don't take the car trips that we have done in the past. A good friend of ours worked at Camping World for years, and just happened to receive a career change JUST as gas prices started climbing.

Best move he ever made, he says.

[London Lass]

Although this thread is about the US, I just wanted to say that I live in the UK, but fuel is a big issue here too...Shell tanker drivers are on strike, some pumps are running out of fuel, and because of panic buying, they are talking about rationing fuel.

I am disabled, and need my car, the current cost to fill it is £75 which is approx $140.

[rockford2]

Although this thread is about the US, I just wanted to say that I live in the UK, but fuel is a big issue here too...Shell tanker drivers are on strike, some pumps are running out of fuel, and because of panic buying, they are talking about rationing fuel.

I am disabled, and need my car, the current cost to fill it is £75 which is approx $140.

thieves are becoming very crafty here in stealing gasoline.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/141199&GT1=43001

[CindyInKY]

thieves are becoming very crafty here in stealing gasoline.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/141199&GT1=43001

:happy0207:
Hey Rockford! I'm glad a buddy sent this link to me. The board I'd been posting on since the InSession boards went down has gotten way too crazy!
We've had to cut back around here on quite a bit too. I took the bus to work for the first time in years last Friday. I'd forgotten just how interesting it can be. :s1gyahoo:

[CindyInKY]

On the topic of people stealing gasoline...they're doing that here too. You can't buy gas anymore without going in to pay for it first. Unless you use a credit card to pay at the pump. I just found out that gas stations are also charging people more at the pump if they pay with a credit card. Some are charging an extra 8 to 10 cents on the gallon for swiping a card. I always go into pay. Another big deal going on here::People are stealing mopeds too. It's just getting worse all the time. :-(

[TeeOne]

People are also stealing gas here, at night on the street or breaking into garages. With the economy here in MI, crime is on the rise.

[franker01]

On the topic of people stealing gasoline...they're doing that here too. You can't buy gas anymore without going in to pay for it first. Unless you use a credit card to pay at the pump. I just found out that gas stations are also charging people more at the pump if they pay with a credit card. Some are charging an extra 8 to 10 cents on the gallon for swiping a card. I always go into pay. Another big deal going on here::People are stealing mopeds too. It's just getting worse all the time. :-(

I haven't noticed that credit card payments are required to pay more but I'm not surprised.

Things are getting a little crazy, aren't they? :0009:

[antique]

No change here.

[TobyTiger]

Great news here...

$2.99/gallon yesterday!!

:happy0158::happy0158:

[Scampi]

We've had a woodstove since 1995 and it's the best investment
we have ever made. Plus, the heat it puts out is such a nice heat, really warms ya up.

[lost indie]

We've had a woodstove since 1995 and it's the best investment
we have ever made. Plus, the heat it puts out is such a nice heat, really warms ya up.

We bought a pellet stove a few years ago. It heats the entire house. My fuel is paid for and stacked in the garage...

:s1gyahoo::s1gyahoo::s1gyahoo:

[Claudia]

Great news here...

$2.99/gallon yesterday!!

:happy0158::happy0158:

$2.19 here!!! :s1gyahoo:

[Kami]

$2.19 here!!! :s1gyahoo:

$2.34 here. I don't care...I'm finally under $40 to fill my tank. :francis:

[Claudia]

$2.34 here. I don't care...I'm finally under $40 to fill my tank. :francis:

I swear... Tim filled our Jeep the other day for $40. He was thrilled. It was closer to $100 to fill it!

[Kami]

I swear... Tim filled our Jeep the other day for $40. He was thrilled. It was closer to $100 to fill it!

It was costin' me a little over $60 to fill mine when they were at their highest.

[Claudia]

It was costin' me a little over $60 to fill mine when they were at their highest.

Everything we have is big with big gas tanks! My minivan probably has the smallest tank & it was costing over $80 to fill.

[Kami]

Everything we have is big with big gas tanks! My minivan probably has the smallest tank & it was costing over $80 to fill.

Well at least there is some relief at the moment. :zm10:

[rockford2]

We've had a woodstove since 1995 and it's the best investment
we have ever made. Plus, the heat it puts out is such a nice heat, really warms ya up.

that's what I heard about the woodstove. I hope my friend in Iowa is making a killing on selling them!

As for gas prices in the car, I won't look! It made me sick to my stomach when they were over $4.00 a gallon!

[janicelee]

It's $2.12 here in Cincinnati, I've heard stories that there are a couple places around town at $1.99 a gallon. My little pickup truck gets about 28 mpg but I'm going to start looking for something with better gas mileage.

[Texas53]

It's 1.99 here in places in San Antonio. People better enjoy the lower prices. It will back up over $4 per gallon by next summer, if not sooner after the holidays.

I purchased my Camry Hybrid just in time for before the credit crunch and economy crisis.