Money is usually a powerful incentive.
With gas currently pushing $3.69 per gallon it costs about $99 to fill my truck from empty.
I just can't do it. I just go to the cheapest gas station close by and put $20 worth of regular unleaded. It's not even a quarter of a tank but it keeps me going.
When I do have to drive, I try to plan all my errands so that I don't ever have to double back.
Unnecessary trips..forget it. I can do without.
I used to show up 20 min early to pick up the kids from school so I could read my book in the car. Idling while using the AC was sucking up way too much gas, so now I show up just in time.
While driving on the freeway, I get in the slow lane and keep it at 55 miles per hour.
I can double my gas mileage by taking it slow and easy.
Racing around dodging in and out of traffic just to get there 5 min faster is not worth it.
I don't blame the oil companies. Gas is high due to market forces and government refusal to allow more refineries and drilling in protected habitats. There are also lots of regular people who have some of their retirement or stock in these companies. So it's not just a big fat cat in a suit with a cigar pocketing all our money. What's good for big business is good for everyone. When big oil makes money, they hire more people and quite a bit of that money is reinvested into our economy.
I'm not a environmentalist in the traditional sense. I firmly believe that the only time people truly conserve resources is when it directly affects their pocket book.
I still see most people driving 80mph in their SUV's, sports cars burning rubber and racing on the freeways so apparently gas isn't expensive enough for the majority to change their driving habits.
posted by Bill Rowland @ May 09, 2008
30 Comments
30 Comments:
Amen to the last statement!
True. True. True.
I do the same thing with filling up my tank too. I have a set amount and only pump that. Depending on how much gas is that day is how much driving I get to do that week... or two weeks. That's it. No more.
I just paid $3.89/gallon for regular unleaded this morning. I am fortunate - I work just 2 miles from home - so a tank of gas (15 gallons) in my Chevy Cavalier lasts 2 weeks. That being said, I still do all of the things that you mention, and always have. Maybe it's because I live in a rural community where it's 11 miles to the nearest grocery store and 17 miles to the nearest Target, but I always thing twice about running unplanned errands.
I've said for years that gas prices will continue to increase until people change their ways. I just really wish more would so that those of us who already have could reap the benefits.
Hammer, I am thankful that I got my father's foresight. I bought a Hybrid in 2003. I saw this coming. And even here, my driving habits have changed as well.
Flyinfox_SATX
The last paragraph says it all.
But what are they giving up to still do that. Probably something their kids need or if they are business owners just upping their prices to cover it.
I understand what you mean that it's not just the 'big fat cat' causing the problem and that peoples investments are tied up in big companies, but the greed is still wayyyy over the top. Business can still make money, people can still have their investments, but when it's to such excess that it creates alot of hardship for the rest of us, to me, is wrong.
I am trying to not drive everywhere I used to. I have to buy gas today though for the weekend and for a Taurus it won't be as expensive as your truck, but still is going to pinch.
Have a good weekend!
I am very thankful to have a five mile drive to and from work. And since I don't have a social life if I run errands on my way home from work I never have drive. I have an "economy" car but even that takes $56 to fill the stupid tank.
Great post Hammer. I try to tell Jose that he should slow down all the time, but he never listens. He's one of those people driving 80mph and zooming in and out of traffic. He always calls me an old lady because I refuse to drive more than 5mph over the speed limit. However he's had like 5 speeding tickets (which caused our auto insurance to increase)in the past and I've had 0.
Jose showed me an article pertaining to conserving water. Apparently people in this one area were doing so good on conserving water that the water company had to raise their prices because they were losing too much money. Go figure!
That's why Gigantor drives the 4 wheeler so much. 19 to fill it up for the month. Thank god.
We try to drive as little as possible too, and we combine things like you do.
I hear ya! I am no longer driving my minivan and now drive a Honda Accord (and not the V6, either!)That way I can get 30+ mpg. When you drive an average of 30K miles per year, you've got to do SOMETHING!!! My husbands truck looks so lonely sitting out in the driveway...not being driven except for the occasional trip to pick up lumber or mulch!
Gas prices are high for a number of reasons. Other countries developing an economy like ours are one part, then there is the fact that the American dollar just doesn't buy as much as it used to. The last and most annoying reason is that the oil companies are going to milk the high gas prices as long as possible until they miraculously roll out the solution to gas prices. I actually hope that there is a solution but do companies have any foresight?
I drive my motorcycle everywhere now. But I have been doing that since I got it. The only time I drive my car is to the beach, grocery store or when it's raining.
I don't back track. Never have. It drives me nuts.
It cost me $38 to fill up my Miata the other day. Last year it was only $18. The oil companies are posting record profits. The gas station owners are driving big, expensive cars. Someone is getting screwed. And it's the general public. It costs my daughter $70 to fill up her Camry and it gets great mileage. My sons BMW gets great mileage also. $90 to fill his tank. Lets just say we are staying home much more. And it costs me $12 to fill up my bike. But I am NOT getting the mileage I did on either of my vehicles 6 months ago. They are saying the oil companies haven't changed the fuel down here to warm weather fuel. That way they sell more. The next step will be filling the tires of my bicycle on the back porch and huffing it to where I want to go.
Our weather has officially hit summer weather. 93 and 70% humidity. That means the rain is coming soon. Or we hope. No rain, means more fires down here. Again.
I hope all is well and we get more exercise. Because we are going to be walking more for sure.
Don't laugh, but I actually got one of those gadgets for my birthday last year!
I see you get the whole supply and demand thing Hammer. It's a shame others don't understand such a simple economic concept.
Grow up people. The oil companies make an 8.3 percent profit, thats eight and three tenths of a penny from every dollar you spend on gasoline. They are making their money on volume. The guys selling you the gasoline make much more money on soda and chips than they do gas, the gas is a hook to get you in the door.
You are not getting the mileage that you used to because GOVERNMENT mandated a change in the fuel to use ethanol, it's not because anything the evil oil companies did.
Lastly, oil companies would love to be able to sell gas for $1.50 a gallon again because you would burn more of it and increase their production, and therefore profits.
It's too easy to blame big business for all the ills. Try looking at other things, especially how government affects the prices by legislating certain ingredients (like ethanol) or puts certain actions off-limits (like increasing the drilling areas or new refineries).
Then listen close to how the politicians blather about "it's not a short-term solution" when the suggestion is made to increase drilling or build a few more refineries.
It will help you understand the full extent of the problem.
OK, very cool to find someone with similar thoughts as I. Are you a conservative talk radio fan per chance? Glenn Beck maybe?
We spent 150.00 today filling up our vehicles. We had A LOT of wasted trips today that couldn't be helped and it makes me feel BAD about it.
Jennifer
I wish ours was only $3.69. We're up to $1.247/litre whatever that translates to. Guaranteed it isn't pretty (Pretty much $5/gallon)
I try not to go fast any more but I'm not good at going the speed limit. I've got a display that shows my mileage. If I pay attention, the speed limit on the highway tends to be the most economical.
The price out in town here in lovely Okinawa is $1.40 per liter; that equates to over five bucks a gallon. Luckily, it's only 3.57 on base...still outrageous, but that's life.
I just shake my head when I hear O'Reilly drone on about how much profit the oil companies are making. Well, no shit; their sales increase and...voila!
Larry's comment was spot on as well.
I agree that as long as people are still wasteful with gas, they obviously don't think it's too expensive. It's just like all the people who used to swear that when cigarettes went over $2 a pack they'd quit, but they never did quit...
I'm conserving like a crazy woman, but I still get angry every time I hear that Shell and BP recorded record profits last quarter. Why? If oil per barrel is costing them so much, why are they setting profit records except that they're passing that increase off to consumers doubled.
I agree! I'm picking my kid up from college today. No speeding for me! Let her complain, I'll just tell her to fork over the gas money:)
Screw the gas prices...You've won a "major" award over at Bagwine, Hammer. Cheers!!
Congratulations on the "Cow Award" Hammer. Your comment was great! You know...everytime I see your avatar it makes me want to break out in this song...."If I had a hammer, I'd hammer in the mornin', I'd hammer in the evenin', all over this land...lalalalala" LOL!
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Regarding your post...
We have downsized so much since the gas prices skyrocketed also. I admire your concious effort to help save money on fuel. With having a family, you can always apply the savings to something else that is needed. :-)
Smiles,
Kimmie
Congratulation for the cow arward, it's nice.
Here too oil price is going up by the week, our the car is old and sucks a lot.
I fill up when needed for a couple of reasons..one is that it may go up tomorrow! The other is that gas tanks have a tendency to "sweat" on the inside when nearly empty and after a while there will be a water build up in the tank and water is hell on fuel injectors..
But I have done the same as you when taking driving for the most part..I drive as little as possible and try to plan the route where I can make all the stops with backtracking.
I do drive about 70mph on the interstate though..I have found that my Red Ram gets better gas milage at 70 than it does at 55..strange but true..I have one of those devices that shows me how my fuel efficiency as I am going down the highway and 2000 rpm in overdrive is the best.
I think you are right that it isn't because of the companies wanting more. That seems to be an argument of the uninformed anti-corporate mob.
First of all, i would like to point out that US gas prices are still very low compared to what is paid for it in Europe. And that is the main reason, I think, why European cars use less. It is an economic necessity because of high prices.
But second of all, one very important reason for high prices. Government taxes.
Any idea how much gas would cost in your state if the government didn't tax it anymore? Again we see the moneyhogging nanny state as the cause of misfortune blamed on companies...
Screw the reindeer--Drill, Screw the fish, Drill. Screw big oil, Go nuclear. All are environmentally friendly and Chernobyl didn't hurt "THAT" many people!
50.00 bucks and we drove 6 weeks. We stay within a 5-7 miles radius. Wish we could do more interstate to save more than the stop and go but we'er still blessed.
You can't tell me that we can go to Mars, Hubble back pictures of Uranus, build a space station but can't do better than an Internal Combustion Engine??? Who is John Gault- Go Ayn Rand!
Eat tacos and fart your big ass to the sto'! Ban beano!
That's my story and I'm sticking to it!
How many Carribooreinder have run into the Alaskan Pipeline and died???
3- if you're wondering-(there nearing extinction (NOT) and they contribute so much to the economy-_ Ohhhh...I need my Reindeer Coat this winter! And my Antler Lamp- I can't read without it! So two or 100 Eskimos starve--they should move their ass to Arizona and help guard the border--it's warmer and they could harpoon all day and night!!!!
my point is they friggin adapt! The Reinaboo not the Eskimos')
Oh, like your not laughing! That's funny shit right there!
If they don't they die!! (The reinder not the Eskimo's)- I think their cool ! It's them or us. (Reindeer again) Drill--you do the math!. Or keep using Middle Eastern fuel...what the hell are we saving our reserves for? Armageddon so the fire will burn hotter and brighter???
Cool Award Bro.
Going out for a drive to clear my head!
J
I have a Subaru outback and it cost me $60 to fill it up lately. I just put in $20 at a time too now. AND, I basically am not going anywhere unless I have to and can combine the drive with about 10 other errands. I've had it. I've had it with the waste and had it with the prices and just prefer to stay home and read library books, eat food I make myself , walk places and do anything to not spend money. Especially on gas. Whew, that was a rant...
I've haven't really changed the way I drive, but I've changed how often I drive and I don't take unnecessary trip anymore.
I don't believe big business has our best interests in mind either. I believe America is dysfunctional because of big business and they force feed their unethical values and disinformation down our throats until we shit out bullcrap just like they do.
Hammer,
it's also people who refuse to give up motor sports for the common good... boaters, RVrs, and auto racing enthusiasts...
nothing pisses me off more than when I go to a gas station and see some 60 year old schmuck in a Lexus SUV(a gas guzzler) pulling a 35 foot speedboat, filling it with $300.00 of gas for a Saturday outing. never occurs to these fucks that $300.00 is more than a lot of hard-working people make in a week.
no, they just gotta get their YaYas, ya now it? I nearly got into a fist-fight with just such a person recently, as I told him as much when I saw him at the pumps with his huge Suburban and extra-large Baja racer.
too bad, the guy wasn't more of an American. sad, that. yup.
B-|
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On behalf of the drivers, unwilling to change their habits, who race past you at 80mph, I whole heartedly thank you for setting your cruise and occupying the slow lane.
I mean this sincerely.
Lets just say that we're nipping back to the UK where we will hire the teeniest tiniest car that we can all squeeze into, which will also be the most fuel efficient whatever possible and we'll still be paying nearly three times the price per gallon than we are here!
Eek!
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