How have high gas prices affected you (and your family)?

Free, open, general chat on any topic.

Moderator: Orlion

Post Reply
User avatar
Iryssa
Bloodguard
Posts: 922
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2004 2:41 am
Location: The great white north *grin*

How have high gas prices affected you (and your family)?

Post by Iryssa »

Here, on other boards and in conversations, I've been hearing a lot about how high gas prices have been affecting businesses, family life, and people's lifestyles in general. I was just wondering what people here have been doing to reduce their gas spending, and how your lives have changed...

Unfortunately, due to winter road conditions and my job, I simply can't give up my SUV. People in my family and I have had a few experiences where driving an SUV has literally saved our lives...I have, however, gotten a newer, slightly smaller SUV, and I have been driving much slower lately (the speed limit, as opposed to my former 20km+ over :lol: ). Also, I ride my bike and take public transportation whenever I can (I've found I actually quite enjoy the ride on my city's trains).

Well, have at it!
"A choice made freely is stronger than one compelled"
- Stephen R. Donaldson's The Wounded Land

https://www.xanga.com/Iryssa
Top
User avatar
Cail
Lord
Posts: 38981
Joined: Mon Mar 08, 2004 1:36 am
Location: Hell of the Upside Down Sinners

Post by Cail »

As I mentioned elsewhere, I traded in my 15.5mpg V8 4Runner (great truck, crappy mileage) on a 34mpg I4 Accord. I have to drive a pickup truck for work, but now the only driving I do in it is for work, for anything else I take the Accord.

Gas isn't all that expensive......Yet. But there's little chance it's going to go down anytime soon.
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." - PJ O'Rourke
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
Top
User avatar
Iryssa
Bloodguard
Posts: 922
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2004 2:41 am
Location: The great white north *grin*

Post by Iryssa »

*grin* Maybe not all that expensive there (as you said, yet)...here, it's almost $1 per litre...and that's low compared to places like BC and the Maritimes!
"A choice made freely is stronger than one compelled"
- Stephen R. Donaldson's The Wounded Land

https://www.xanga.com/Iryssa
Top
User avatar
Cail
Lord
Posts: 38981
Joined: Mon Mar 08, 2004 1:36 am
Location: Hell of the Upside Down Sinners

Post by Cail »

And it's what, 4 litres/gallon?
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." - PJ O'Rourke
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
Top
User avatar
Iryssa
Bloodguard
Posts: 922
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2004 2:41 am
Location: The great white north *grin*

Post by Iryssa »

Something like that, yeah...
"A choice made freely is stronger than one compelled"
- Stephen R. Donaldson's The Wounded Land

https://www.xanga.com/Iryssa
Top
User avatar
duchess of malfi
The Gap Into Spam
Posts: 11104
Joined: Tue Oct 15, 2002 9:20 pm
Location: Michigan, USA

Post by duchess of malfi »

We freaked out in New York because gas was $2.75/gallon near where Danlo's parents live. Then we got home, and the gas station by our house was over $2.80/gallon. :roll:

So far it hasn't affected us particularly, but I can see my husband eventually having to charge his customers more because everything will cost him more. :(
Love as thou wilt.

Image
Top
User avatar
AlgorathFBS
Woodhelvennin
Posts: 54
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2005 8:53 pm
Contact:
Contact AlgorathFBS

Post by AlgorathFBS »

Driving my Chevy Trailblazer SUV (Which gets horrible mileage) I go through about $90US - $135US a week for gas.
httpsss://www.fantasybookspot.com - Fantasy, SciFi, Mystery, Horror, and Graphic Novel Reviews, Author Interviews, and book discussion. Check it out!

[url=httpsss://www.fantasybookspot.com]<img src="httpsss://www.fantasybookspot.com/linktous/400x80banner.jpg">[/url]
Top
User avatar
dlbpharmd
Lord
Posts: 14462
Joined: Thu Sep 11, 2003 9:27 am
Been thanked: 2 times

Post by dlbpharmd »

AlgorathFBS wrote:Driving my Chevy Trailblazer SUV (Which gets horrible mileage) I go through about $90US - $135US a week for gas.
ouch

My V8 GMC Sierra gets about 18 mpg. I don't have to drive alot, so usually a tank of gas lasts about 2-3 weeks for me. I filled the tank up last weekend for $60. I don't see myself trading my truck for a smaller vehicle anytime soon.
Image
Top
User avatar
Loredoctor
Lord
Posts: 18609
Joined: Sun Jul 14, 2002 11:35 pm
Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Contact:
Contact Loredoctor

Post by Loredoctor »

I'm not allowed to drive (medical condition) so have it cheap with public transport. However, family have to pay alot.
Waddley wrote:your Highness Sir Dr. Loredoctor, PhD, Esq, the Magnificent, First of his name, Second Cousin of Dragons, White-Gold-Plate Wielder!
Top
User avatar
onewyteduck
The Gap Into Spam
Posts: 5453
Joined: Thu Jul 08, 2004 2:02 am
Location: On your wall!

Post by onewyteduck »

It hasn't affected us much as of yet. I do try to come up with a itenerary for errands now vs just driving all over town, more time with the yellow pages letting "my fingers do the walking", and my husband is seriously considering riding his bike to work once it cools down some. I would imagine our weekend jaunts to Birmingham or Atlanta "just for the hell of it" will become less frequent also.
Be kind to your web-footed friends, for a duck may be somebody's mother.
Top
User avatar
Iryssa
Bloodguard
Posts: 922
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2004 2:41 am
Location: The great white north *grin*

Post by Iryssa »

*nods* I've been doing even grocery shopping at my favourite mall (which has a Safeway inside it), while I'm there to pick up school supplies, etc...I love one-stop shopping. :)
"A choice made freely is stronger than one compelled"
- Stephen R. Donaldson's The Wounded Land

https://www.xanga.com/Iryssa
Top
User avatar
Cail
Lord
Posts: 38981
Joined: Mon Mar 08, 2004 1:36 am
Location: Hell of the Upside Down Sinners

Post by Cail »

The reason I jumped so quickly to dump the 4Runner was to avoid the eventual panic dumping of SUVs and retain some value. It worked.
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." - PJ O'Rourke
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
Top
User avatar
Iryssa
Bloodguard
Posts: 922
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2004 2:41 am
Location: The great white north *grin*

Post by Iryssa »

Is it still true that you get a tax break on vehicles over a certain weight in some states?
"A choice made freely is stronger than one compelled"
- Stephen R. Donaldson's The Wounded Land

https://www.xanga.com/Iryssa
Top
User avatar
[Syl]
Unfettered One
Posts: 13021
Joined: Sat Oct 26, 2002 12:36 am
Has thanked: 2 times
Been thanked: 1 time

Post by [Syl] »

New fuel efficiency rules excludes large SUVs and trucks
"It is not the literal past that rules us, save, possibly, in a biological sense. It is images of the past. Each new historical era mirrors itself in the picture and active mythology of its past or of a past borrowed from other cultures. It tests its sense of identity, of regress or new achievement against that past.”
-George Steiner
Top
User avatar
Cail
Lord
Posts: 38981
Joined: Mon Mar 08, 2004 1:36 am
Location: Hell of the Upside Down Sinners

Post by Cail »

Actually, here in Maryland they got rid of that. They also charge twice as much for registration for vehicles over a certain weight.
"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." - PJ O'Rourke
_____________
"Men and women range themselves into three classes or orders of intelligence; you can tell the lowest class by their habit of always talking about persons; the next by the fact that their habit is always to converse about things; the highest by their preference for the discussion of ideas." - Charles Stewart
_____________
"I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." - James Madison
_____________
Top
User avatar
Alynna Lis Eachann
Lord
Posts: 3060
Joined: Wed Mar 20, 2002 8:23 pm
Location: Maryland, my Maryland

Post by Alynna Lis Eachann »

I changed what driving habits I could a long time ago, so there's not much I can do. Public transportation's out for work because the bus doesn't go by there. I'll have to be extra carfeul to make it to the Metro on time for school, though. I used to just drive if I was running late, but that's no longer an option. Still costs $10 for a round trip to school on the train, but it'll cost about $15 to drive that same distance. I stopped seeing my horse every other day months ago... gas was already getting a bit pricey for my wallet back then. If I see him once a week, I already feel lucky. Haven't gone to any of the distant parks I like, either. Basically I just sit at home and try to resist the urge to flee for the farthest, least populated corner of the county. :roll:
"We probably could have saved ourselves, but we were too damned lazy to try very hard... and too damn cheap." - Kurt Vonnegut

"Now if you remember all great paintings have an element of tragedy to them. Uh, for instance if you remember from last week, the unicorn was stuck on the aircraft carrier and couldn't get off. That was very sad. " - Kids in the Hall
Top
User avatar
dANdeLION
Lord
Posts: 23836
Joined: Thu Sep 11, 2003 3:22 am
Location: In the jungle, the mighty jungle
Contact:
Contact dANdeLION

Post by dANdeLION »

I quit the KW chess championship due to the rising price of oil.
Dandelion don't tell no lies
Dandelion will make you wise
Tell me if she laughs or cries
Blow away dandelion

I'm afraid there's no denying
I'm just a dandelion
a fate I don't deserve.

High priest of THOOOTP

:hobbes: *

* This post carries Jay's seal of approval
Top
Variol Farseer
Bloodguard
Posts: 974
Joined: Sun Nov 10, 2002 11:43 am
Contact:
Contact Variol Farseer

Post by Variol Farseer »

Hasn't affected me a bit. I drive a Saturn. :P

Actually, I'd have to drive three or four times as much as I do for the cost of gas to equal what I spend on car payments + insurance. If I cut back my driving (and I don't do much now), my cost per mile would actually go up.
Without the Quest, our lives will be wasted.
Top
User avatar
hierachy
Lord
Posts: 4813
Joined: Tue Sep 16, 2003 10:20 pm

Post by hierachy »

I don't drive. Muahahahaha!
Top
User avatar
Usivius
The Gap Into Spam
Posts: 2767
Joined: Mon Nov 08, 2004 8:09 pm

Post by Usivius »

well, being a bit of a tree hugger myself, so I find myself against any sort of SUV or big-mega truck for city driving :x
I drive 'an affordable mid-size' with half decent gas consumption. If I had the funds to afford an SUV I'd be getting a hybrid... But that's a different topic.
Yes, gas prices have affected us alot. As said before by the lovely lady from the great white north, at prices hovering around $1.00/litre, when they were bout 0.60/litre last year, it's pretty hard NOT to be affected. I take TTC (local transit) but my wife needs the car to get where she is going and no one from her work lives in our area, so pooling is not an option.

When are they going to invent cars that run on water, or teleportation pods....
:wink:
~...with a floating smile and a light blue sponge...~
Top
Post Reply

Return to “General Discussion Forum”