Gas Prices Drive iVillagers to Make Changes
As if the wild weather and crippling heat affecting many areas of the country weren't bad enough, there's one more pain we're all suffering from: gas prices. Across the nation people pulling up to the pump are now greeted with an average price of over $4 per gallon -- and analysts say the price is likely to keep on climbing. The high prices have prompted iVillagers across our community to compare notes and we've seen a lot of chatter on just how high these prices are at the local level. This is definitely not a contest anyone wants to win.
While they commiserate on the impact of this strain on their budgets, the women in our community are sharing just how this is affecting their daily lives -- and what they're doing (or not doing) to cope. Many families have been forced to re-think summer vacation plans, extra-curricular activities and regular errands. Others are making up for the price of gas with cuts in other areas of their budget and relying on alternate means of transportation -- those who can are walking to their destinations and to run basic errands, but for those in the suburbs, this isn't always possible. Our Current Debates community wonders if this is a fundamental flaw in recent urban planning that will cause suburban residents to suffer even more. Over 50% of respondents in our recent poll stated that they've definitely had to nix pricier convenience items from their grocery budget to cope, while others have decided to forego a family vacation altogether. On our Family Fitness message board cl-thegymmom relates some cuts her family's had to make to ease the pressure from the rising cost of fuel:
"One of the biggest things we did was to retire my girls from gymnastics because of the travel expenses. The girls were getting burned out anyway; however, it was the thought of 12 travel trips across the country that helped us make the final decision."In addition to affecting family activities, many of our users are also seeing the pinch of high gas prices affect how they are able to do their work -- or even get to their jobs. The New York Times reports that rural residents are being impacted even more severely due to the combination of their remote locations, low wages and dependence on vehicles that use more gas. cl-thegymmom is reworking her approach as a local reporter:
As a physical therapist gymrat67 is impacted by the sluggish economy compounded by her clients' also struggling with the price of gas:
"I no longer do as many remote interviews as I used to (my editor completely understands), and I try to get as much work done while I am at the office so I do not have to make as many trips."
"I don't know how many of you are feeling the pinch with the economy but I certainly am. I certainly understand that PT is a luxury and I don't blame my clients for having to cut corners where they can, but it's disappointing ... I actually raised my prices recently to account for cost of living/a raise and that was BEFORE the gas prices skyrocketed."For one family, the financial strain is affecting their time together, as mandy1602 writes:
"My (husband) works 50 miles away, and now stays one night a week in the town he works in, and sleeps on the couch in the lounge at his work. It's hard because it's one night every week he doesn't get to see the boys, but it's saving us quite a bit of money each month."
The dismay over the price of gasoline isn't limited to the US, as protests in the UK and Europe are garnering attention. Will those in the US take to the streets in protest? Gauging the reactions we've seen on the boards, it just might happen, but until then cl-busywith5kids' 11 year-old son has written a letter to his senators that gets straight to the point. Out of the mouths of babes, indeed.
How are you coping with soaring gas prices? Have you cut back on driving, changed your driving habits or cut back in other ways? Share your thoughts on what you're doing to cope and how the high prices are impacting your summer plans -- as well as life in general.
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The poll needs an "all of the above" option, since we're doing a little bit of everything to help ease the pain.
My husband and I have started to get gas when our tanks are at a 3/4 tank. It is less of a shock to the wallet and as i found out after talking with a tech at my mechanic's shop it can actually save you money. The gas will be less likely to evaporate if the tank is fuller so i was told, so I am able to get a 1/4 tank once a week instead of a full tank every 2 weeks, so i spend about $20 a week instead of $70 every 2 weeks, that's $60 a month!!!!! and that's just with my car. We are also trying to drive less by doing all of our errands on the way to work so that we don't have to make extra trips.
I don't know about anyone else, but I live near oil lines in Mississippi ( a place where poor people are in large numbers).The gas prices are at more then $4 a gal.People are working 4 day work weeks at 10hrs a day to save money. Why are we as Americans suffering so much.
We as Americans are suffering so much now b/c we were so greedy in the past. People, wake up! Europe has had more expensive gas than we have now for years. People like Step have it right- change your lifestyle to match reality. The "American dream" has become tainted with the idea that more is better. Bigger cars, bigger commutes, bigger bills, bigger bellies... the list just keeps getting bigger.
I ride my bikes: a cruiser with a basket to the grocery store and a mountain bike everywhere else. Good for the environment, good for health, good for my bank account.
Although I miss my car, I have to say I think this is a win-win situation, in some crazy, backward kind of way!
I love my bicycle! and I walk as much as possible.
Truthfully, I haven't yet owned a car. The only time I drove was when I lived in the bush. In the city it's so much better to use the bus or the above mentioned modes of transport to keep healthy, know my neighborhood and area of the city currently lived in, and keep emissions down as much as I can.
HOWEVER, when I do get a ride with a friend it's the best time to visit because there are usually no interruptions in our conversations.
The rising gasoline prices are also putting a heavy levy on most of the goods we have paid so much less for in the past.
Anyone have ideas about how to cope with that other than having a big enough piece of land to live off of for food and clothing?
-Leslie
I was driving 44 miles a day taking my kids to and from schools. We've decided to homeschool this coming school year to save in gas (and tuition) costs. We're trying to run our errands once a week instead of making multiple trips. If anyone has a Chef Smart near them they have chicken tenders $1.68/lb! We're about to plan a garden where I plan on doing a lot of canning and freezing for the fall and winter. I'm sure there's more I'm not thinking of right now ;o)
Wow, if only there had been some warning about this happening, like from countless geologists and mathematicians for the past 50 years. If only M. King Hubbert had told us about this back in 1958. Oh wait.
Anyway, its hitting our family bad too. I'm starting biking again, and taking public transportation when I can. Its taking a lot of reworking of my schedule, since I have to get my son to daycare no earlier than 6:45 and pick him up no later than 6. Also, I joined an urban farming CSA to get organic produce for cheaper. My family is going to become a fan of freezing and canning as well. Next year we're going to plant a big garden for ourselves as well. Its time we get used to the fact that lawns are a big waste of time, space and resources. We're buying less of everything in general, when we do buy, we buy used. Goodwill is my friend. And we scour freecycle when we need anything. I cancelled my gym membership, I'm eating way less meat and dairy (I'm almost a vegetarian), I make my own cleaning products out of vinegar, water, baking soda and soap, I've stopped using as many beauty products, and I pack lunches for work. It helps that I cloth diaper my son, too, although I have to provide him with disposables for day care. We do what we have to.
Luckily, although I have to use premium gas in the car I drive, I don't have to use but about 1/4 - 1/2 a tank per week to get to and from work, since I live so close to my place of employ. I can get by -- so far -- on about $20.00 per week.
Hubby drives much further every day (about three times the distance I do); but his van gets terrific gas mileage and he still only has to put about $45 - $50 in each week.
Although I'm sure it's great exercise, I've never been able to ride a bike successfully (guess my equilibrium is totally off!) and I have a horror of public transportation from my days riding the buses and subway trains back home in NY!
Guess I'll have to win the lottery to break even, if these gas prices keep going up!
Wow, if only there had been some warning about this happening, like from countless geologists and mathematicians for the past 50 years. If only M. King Hubbert had told us about this back in 1958. Oh wait.
Anyway, its hitting our family bad too. I'm starting biking again, and taking public transportation when I can. Its taking a lot of reworking of my schedule, since I have to get my son to daycare no earlier than 6:45 and pick him up no later than 6. Also, I joined an urban farming CSA to get organic produce for cheaper. My family is going to become a fan of freezing and canning as well. Next year we're going to plant a big garden for ourselves as well. Its time we get used to the fact that lawns are a big waste of time, space and resources. We're buying less of everything in general, when we do buy, we buy used. Goodwill is my friend. And we scour freecycle when we need anything. I cancelled my gym membership, I'm eating way less meat and dairy (I'm almost a vegetarian), I make my own cleaning products out of vinegar, water, baking soda and soap, I've stopped using as many beauty products, and I pack lunches for work. It helps that I cloth diaper my son, too, although I have to provide him with disposables for day care. We do what we have to.
We live in the country..20 driving minutes from everything. My car requires 93 octane so I have been paying over $4 a gallon for awhile. Good thing though We are retired. I grocery shop once a month (I have a big freezer and pantry) I have an errand to do every 2 weeks so I time my other errands with that including the grocery shopping.My hubby drives to the PO once a week (we do not have home delivery of mail) and he does his other errands then.
We have not cancelled plans to go to my grandson's graduation (6 down 2 to go)nor a 2 day visit with old friends even tho both are over 150 miles away. So the gas prices have not stinted our budget as yet.We are doing something about it however. My hubby bought an older car and he is going to work on it to convert it to run in an alternative way..mainly using water. We keep abreast of all of the techies across the nation which are experimenting with alternate methods of power...from using reprocessed used cooking oil (for diesel engines) to a car which runs on compressed air (that is being developed in India) to various methods of using water. Some of the breakthroughs however are coming out of Japan and Europe (but they have been paying high prices for gas for a long time). Transportation of all kinds takes energy..it is about time for the government and industry to create an energy revolution as that which happened in the electronics area (I can remember when calculators were big and ugly and cost $300). Since energy costs affect prices for everything, maybe everyone should innundate their Congress people and companies with emails to get their priorities straight.
JMHO
I live is a very small town. I try to buy as much from our local grocery store as possible. The nearest major grocery store chain is 40 miles round trip from me. I have started doing my major grocery shopping every two weeks. I make a list, and stick to it. I also use coupons, and watch for sales. My friends and I carpool and split the gas. We do everything that needs to be done in this one trip. I also put a garden out this year to help with the rising food cost. I do container gardening, so it takes up little space. We are just going to have to go back to the times of our parents, and learn to be self relient.
How about a "none of the above" option? Ever since college I had to struggle for YEARS to get by--coupons & sales at the grocery stores, no vacations, driving an older model car with good mileage, no extras (cable, pricey clothes, dinners out)--so now that things aren't looking so great for most people, I'm fine.
I now have a decent salary (can afford cable, finally), can live comfortably, and the gas prices aren't hitting me that hard because I don't live beyond my means. I know how to cut costs and know how to do without (because I have) to get by.
People are overextended so any variation in costs is a catastrophe--like the rise in gas prices. Americans need to take a HARD look at what things are a need and what things are a want and start eliminating the frills.
It would be real nice if counties would be required to put in bike lanes on all major roads, and alongside freeways/highways. I mean the kind of bike lanes that are not the same road as the main road / freeway but at least 10 feet away from it and separate. I know that a lot more people would use their bikes to get places including work IF they knew they could use that kind of bike lane and thus be reasonably safe from getting hit by a car or tumbling into oncoming traffic because of sand/rocks/debris that is common along the sides of roads.
I live in the northeast and to ride a bike anywhere is quite risky as the roads are narrow and drivers fly by you. There are almost NO bike lanes. Too dangerous as it is.
Rising Gas prices seem to be the cause of my demise, even though I dont own a car. I wouldnt have a place to park it if i did. I was in a BMW with my "real estate broker" last weekend, he whined about gas prices the whole time in a way that seemed to imply that he wanted me to pay for it. Okay so a 15%of the annual rent cant get you gas and your kids diapers. Rent is way high, credit scores are at an all time low (By the way... I dont even remember hearing the term "credit score" 10 B.B {before BUSH})
As if you luxury car/ suv owners dont know that you can only go 12 miles a gallon. I say trade them in for something more fuel efficient and then start a protest.
I work in a very tourist oriented neighborhood, and aside from the "tourist tax" now even things like a stick of bubble gum cost me 2 bucks. When you ask why.. double daily answer is GAS PRICES.
Someone needs to tap into the only real natural resource that we dont have to trade or bid on. That is the BIG CEO profiteers and the 6% of this nation who actually can afford to save the world. Wages have got get higher at the expense of the profits not the people!!!
We live in California where gas prices are $4.70 a gallon and going up. We have a housefull of kids. We shop for groceries practically everyday. We start off with the 99 cent store, then Food for Less and finally, Albertsons. We also shop at Walmart and Target. We recycle when we can. We can't afford to travel this summer, fortunately our kids are going to an Anime expo this coming month. We definately feel the pain.
It's as bad as it gets for us. My husband and I and our four children have been living in a one bedroom apartment for 3 years. This was supposed to be the summer we got into a bigger place and up on our feet. I guess not. Now it's all we can do to have enough money for gas so he can get to work because it's not like he can just stop working. The kids and I are already resigned to not doing anything this summer. This small space sure feels like it shrunk all of a sudden.
Anonymous writes that Europe has paid more for gas than we have for years. That is true, however, most of Europe has FANTASTIC public transportation. Most people in Europe are able to walk to most things they need on a daily basis (gorcery store, pharmacy, etc). My nearest grocery store is 5 miles from me and the nearest bus line ends 10 miles away and is poorly run. As a whole, their automobile usage is much less than ours.
We've been doing a lot of the same things, combining errands, carpooling, walking or biking, keeping the car tuned up.
Has anyone heard about this H Factor fuel system thing? It's a hydrogen generator I saw on a San Antonio morning show. On their test vehicles it has improved miles per gallon by 30 to 40%, reduced emissions, and made the engine run better. I have no auto knowledge at all, but apparently they also have people to install it for you.
I'm excited about getting one - it should make for one less fill-up a month for me. Here's the info for how it works.
http://hfactorfs.com/workings.html