| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| treelady |
Posted - Apr 25 2011 : 06:48:40 AM
Gas prices keep climbing steadly and now with the spring and summer driving months here, what will you be doing to curb your driving habits. I am only going to town every 2 to 3 weeks, it takes me several hours to get to all the places I need to go by than, but it saves me money in two ways, I am not tempted to impulse shop as much when I go weekly and I find I only go to the stores I have to go to so I can get home.
Julie
A little rain can straighten a flower stem. A little love can change a life.
Max Lucado |
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| bluebellequilts |
Posted - May 16 2011 : 8:13:35 PM
Fortunately, I work 7 miles from home and try to run as many errands on the way to/from work as possible. I also do my grocery shopping with retailers who offer discounts on gas. Anytime I'm near a Costco, I try to fill-up. They always seem to have the best prices on regular and premium gas.
For me, high gas prices have probably impacted my leisure activities more than anything. I no longer put the dog in the SUV and take to the open road just for fun. No trips to the fabric store just for inspiration. We shop our stash more often and try to get creative by using things I already have on hand instead of making a special 25 mile roundtrip to Joann's. |
| buffypuff |
Posted - May 16 2011 : 4:49:33 PM
Since I am probably older than most of you, I have retired, but my husband still owrks 25 miles from our door. He leaves @ 545 in the am and gets home from 4:30-5 pm. We try to do most of our business locally rather than Spokane, but if there is something I need, I text him to see if he can pick it up on his way home. I have the SUV, Dan drives our old 1992 Honda Accord. It still gives us 29 mpg. Amazing. We have a post office for us to pick up our mail, & if I'm out, I pick it up, if not, Dan stops. I don't like to have him stop anywhere on his way home as he is tired, but we have decided we must do all to save money. We also keep a list for things to pick up at hardware etc so as to limit trips. Sounds like we are pretty much doing the same things. I just love to hear all the bonuses and high earnings the oil companies make...none of which is passed on to its workers or the man on the street.
Buffypuff/ Claudia ~ Farmgirl & Sister #870 ~
"It compliments God to ask great things of Him." ~ St. Theresa of Avila
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| Cherime |
Posted - May 16 2011 : 12:25:59 PM
With you there Alexis. It is nearly impossible to get to work in Alaska without a car. Both Safeway and Kroger here give points and take pennies off of your gas if you buy enough and if you purchase fuel that their pumps. But the real killer if fuel oil for heat. That baby is not going down anytime soon and it is more expensive than gas at the moment.
CMF |
| Bensgrandma |
Posted - May 15 2011 : 06:40:22 AM
They always say gas prices going down and then they do maybe a quarter ifyou are lucky and people are satified even after they raised it a dollar. It makes no sense. The lines here are long to get gas. We are not going out as much, which slows local economy - not going out -not spending money. We try to combine our trips to once a week since we are both retired.
Honestly, I would get a part time job but it would cost me more in income tax and gas than I would make.
Back to gas. Our local grocery store Giant Eagle has fuel perks for every $50 spent at the store you get $.10 off per gallon of gas. We bought a new garden tractor with gift cards and got $7.80 worth of fuel perks. We got a free tank of gas plus two cans $115.00 in savings. We still have enough for another fillup, which will be in three weeks. That will be a huge savings for us. We can make a tank of gas last almost 3 weeks if we are careful but again - not shopping or extra trips - means no local economy. Gas runs this country and something needs to be done about it.
We always bought season passes to a local amusement park about 45 minutes away for everyone. Not this year. We could get the passes but can't afford to visit weekly. How sad for the grandkids.
Well off the soap box. Have a great day.
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http://www.etsy.com/shop/ACharmingExperience |
| smiley |
Posted - May 14 2011 : 8:34:27 PM
The news said that the cost is due to go down! |
| SKVining |
Posted - May 14 2011 : 4:19:40 PM
I live nine miles into the woods So it was not hard to say I Quit!!!!! I go out once a week and line up all my appointments and shopping into one day Took me a bit to get use to it but now I don't even want to go out on my out day We have a great little country church and it really is working out well Of course I'm luckly my husband work in town and if it is a must he will stop We are very careful where we buy our gas And we never buy gas on the weekends We must hold on to something or the companys rule us I try very hard to buy only American made Boy try and find socks Work boots Thats a joke tho Kloe's Dept store care one kind. I vented enough Good luck ladies Sandra Vining |
| The Magpie |
Posted - May 11 2011 : 5:01:49 PM
The lease was just up on my car and I turned it in and plan not to get another one for a few months but he has a car when we need one. Both my husband and I work from home and both of us ride motorcycles (mine gets around 48 mpg). When I have business in town, I either walk or ride the bicycle (We live close to an old town area with shops and a post office). Grocery shopping on both a motorcycle and a bicycle creates an interesting challenge, though. |
| alterationsbyemily |
Posted - May 11 2011 : 4:45:32 PM
I understand that the speed limits lessened to get better gas milage, but here in york county PA it wouldn't make a difference, I go 60 in the 55 zone and get passed on the double yellow like I am standing still. I know many teens that are not out of high school and on their 3rd and 4th car because they totaled the others... sigh...
To conserve gas, I embrace the "stay-at-home" of Stay at home mom.
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Farmgirl #2951
Currently renting-farmgirl wannabe |
| Candy C. |
Posted - May 08 2011 : 3:37:38 PM
So, DH and I have both been driving only 60 MPH on the Interstate for the past week and we can REALLY tell a difference in the amount of gas we use and so far no-one has flipped us off for driving too slow! LOL!! Try it, you might be surprised!
Candy C.
Farmgirl Sister #977
www.calicocandy.etsy.com
http://stores.countrycents.com/StoreFront.bok?affiliate_no=6
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. |
| smiley |
Posted - May 07 2011 : 06:11:06 AM
We love our wood stove Cherime. I dont know what we do without it. We have the propane also but wouldnt be able to pay the price of heating only with it |
| Cherime |
Posted - May 06 2011 : 08:34:13 AM
It isn't just petrol, gasoline, heating fuel is out of sight. 8 weeks ago I got 150 gallons for $528.00 or so, yesterday for the same amount, 150 gallons, I paid $634.92. Ouch!!! I turned the heat down again from 62 to 60 and put one of those little oil filled electric heaters on low in front of the thermostat. I must get a bigger wood stove. One that can hold a fire for more than 2 hours and more than 3 small sticks of wood.
CMF |
| sue5901 |
Posted - May 06 2011 : 01:47:17 AM
In England a few years ago we had a major fuel crisis when all the tanker drivers blockaded the fuel depots - complaining about the cost of fuel then. No fuel was being delivered anywhere in the country for almost a week and so all the pumps ran dry. We were given loads of info on how to make the fuel you have go further which i thought i would share with you.
Don't carry any unneccessary weight - empty your car of everything you don't need for that journey. This includes fuel, don't fill up until you have less than 1/4 of a tank wherever possible. Don't take passengers along - just for the ride.
Switch off air-con, heated seats etc these use a surprising amount of fuel
Keep windows closed as this creates drag and uses more fuel - use air vents to cool car.
Keep at as steady a speed as possible avoid unnecessary acceleration and braking
Use as high a gear as possible - driving at 50mph in 5th gear is by far the most economical way to drive
Keep tyres inflated to manufacturers recommended levels.
When I am really feeling the cost of fuel ( and ours is over double the price of yours ) I do all this and the differance is actually remarkable.
Dance like nobody's watching! |
| Shi-anne |
Posted - May 05 2011 : 9:54:53 PM
We live 14 miles out from town and 9 miles from a small community, that does have a grocery, p.o. and a Family Dollar. I go to the smaller community about once a week....sometimes I can stretch that to 10 days. Yesterday, I went to town (14 miles away). That was the first time I went to "town" since the middle of January.
We have a big van, but it get fairly good mileage. So, if the grown kids don't borrow it (and return it on empty....I think they are trying to wean it), I don't do too bad.
This week we got the electric bill. Last month it was a little under $70, this month it is over $90. We haven't done anything different, so I am assuming they got a fuel adjustment rate...or something. That means less a/c this summer!!! More setting out under the shade trees at the edge of the garden.
DD#2 works in town. She is good to call to see if we need her to bring something out as she comes in from work. When DS#1 and d-i-l go to SAMS (about 60 miles), they are good to pick up anything I need....if I keep the kids while they make the shopping run.
I am guilty of shopping online and teaching the kids who are at home to do the same. They are learning, buying online means paying for shipping, but usually no tax. Sometimes they actually cancel each other out.
The only thing I make a special trip for normally is to go to the feed store....it's only about 5 miles away. They have a few grocery items, gas, and vet supplies. Definitely, my kind of store!
But I am wondering.....if there might not be more "business" opportunities opening up during this time? When I was growing up, there were little community grocery stores every few miles. In town, there were a number of Mom & Pop stores scattered throughout neighborhoods. Over the years, these closed because it was cheaper to drive to the bigger (box) stores.....not so much anymore. Just something to think about.
http://theprairiemaid.blogspot.com/
Farmgirls don't have hot flashes ~ They have power surges! |
| Catherine L |
Posted - May 04 2011 : 12:26:57 PM
Last night we drove into Beaumont, a city about an hours drive. My husbands truck has a gauge which shows how much gas mileage you are getting. He experimented and in a full sized Chevrolet truck he could get about 25 miles to the gallon going about 55 mile an hour. I am with you Candy going slow is great if you can keep from getting run over.
~Catherine~
Farmgirl 2428 |
| JennyJKerr |
Posted - May 04 2011 : 11:35:34 AM
Luckily we drive a little VW wago that even with the current prices is only using about $50 every 2 weeks... and we live about 25-30 miles from the base. But we decided that next month hubby is doing to start taking the train back and forth. We have to wait til next month because the navy only passes out the train vouchers at the end of each month and we missed the last one. :(
My Blog ~ http://www.kerrfect.com
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| coloquilter |
Posted - May 03 2011 : 8:27:57 PM
I have been trying very hard for the last few years to cut back on gas usage.
First thing I did was to buy a scooter that I love to ride in the summers. It gets 80 mpg and I can carry 3 bags of groceries on it. It's perfect for commute and small shopping trips.
Second thing I do is to just drive less. I plan my trips so I get multiple tasks done. If i have several errands within a few blocks of each other, I park in a central location and walk between them.
Last I have at least 1 day a week where I do not even start a motor vehicle. I just plan what day and i dont go anywhere that I cant walk to.
If I lived in town I would do more, I would love to get one of those 3 wheeled bikes but they arent very practical where i live
Susan |
| smiley |
Posted - May 03 2011 : 7:58:43 PM
I like that quote. When life hands you scraps make quilts |
| 2quilter |
Posted - May 02 2011 : 5:45:45 PM
Rediculous!!! ~ANY~ excuse to raise prices.....
Don't move to Indiana......from www.indychannel.com
Indianapolis Gas Prices Spike To $4.29
Big Increase Comes As Oil Prices Jump Again
POSTED: 1:16 pm EDT May 2, 2011
UPDATED: 1:35 pm EDT May 2, 2011
INDIANAPOLIS -- Gas prices at many central Indiana stations shot up to $4.29 a gallon on Monday, the day after U.S. forces killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.
Speedway stations again appeared to lead the charge on the increase, which put prices about 10 to 15 cents higher than they were on Sunday.
Track: Gas Prices Near You
If the increase holds, it will mark the highest gas prices ever recorded in Indiana.
The national average for a gallon of regular unleaded was $3.95 a gallon as of a couple of days ago, according to AAA. Indiana's average of $4.14 a gallon was the eighth-highest in the country.
Indiana was just three cents shy of an all-time record, which was $4.17 a gallon in September 2008. A year ago, Indiana's average gas price was $2.85 a gallon.
The increase came as oil prices jumped to $114 a barrel in early trading, up $3 in the wake of bin Laden's death.
Analysts said traders are concerned that bin Laden's death may lead to retaliation from his followers that could affect oil supplies.
"There will be a fear, I think, in the short-term in the markets that something might happen in the next week or two," said Michael Lynch, president of Strategic Energy & Economic Research. "I do think in the longer term, it suggests likely more stability in the Middle East."
Oil also got a boost as the dollar retreated from an early rally following news of bin Laden's death. Oil is priced in dollars. A weaker dollar makes crude more attractive to buyers with foreign currency, and the price tends to rise.
Nearly all central Indiana gas stations now have prices above $4 a gallon.
When life hands you scraps, make quilts! |
| Arctic Flower |
Posted - May 02 2011 : 01:20:45 AM
Since my husband's job is a 50 mile one-way drive, I have him do all the shopping and gathering. I still have to go to the post office which is 9 miles one-way in the opposite direction once a week but I just had to refill my gas tank after driving on it since January. I stopped making any other trips. Our gas is $4.00 gallon here. I never was much of a shopper anyway and much prefer internet shopping. So it has worked out for us just great.
Farmgirl #2416
Believe in the power of Love! |
| smiley |
Posted - Apr 30 2011 : 07:14:13 AM
Does anyone think the price will go down or are the high prices here to stay? |
| FieldsofThyme |
Posted - Apr 30 2011 : 05:35:21 AM
This weekend, is the first weekend our gas prices jumped. Last weekend the prices were about $3.77-3.89/gallon. This weekend they are $4.15/gallon.
We are staying home as much as possible. We live in the country, so bicycles are not an option, unless we are going to the gym (it's at an old school).
To be more self-sufficient we hope to have our own dairy milk vs. driving to the store. We are already putting our garden in and will eat from that as much as possible. The library is about a 14 mile round trip, so bicycling is difficult when we are bringing books there and back. We will be cutting our daughter's horse riding lessons down, and our volunteer efforts (also a long road trip) to the horse rescues.
Farmgirl #800
http://momzonetakingtimeformom.blogspot.com/
http://scrapreusedandrecycledartprojects.blogspot.com/
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| Candy C. |
Posted - Apr 29 2011 : 3:15:08 PM
Good idea about driving slower Cathy! Remember when the speed limit was lowered to 55 to conserve fuel!?! Why don't we do that now! Here is some info I found from March 10th at Edmunds Inside Line.
YONKERS, New York — With gas prices on the rise, some in the U.S. are asking whether we should take a cue from other countries and lower the national speed limit in order to save fuel. In a controversial move, Spain on Monday implemented a lower national speed limit in the wake of unrest in the Middle East.
"Should the United States, too?" asked Consumer Reports in a post on its cars blog on Wednesday. The consumer watchdog hinted that it was in favor of such a move, noting that "in our own tests, we found that slowing down on the highway was an effective way drivers could save gas in their own cars. Slowing down from 65 mph to 55 mph raised the fuel economy in our 2005 Toyota Camry from 35 mpg to 40 mpg."
According to Fuel Economy.gov, "gas mileage usually decreases rapidly at speeds above 60 mph. You can assume that each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.24 per gallon for gas."
Sounds like a good reason to slow down on the Interstate to me! We have to drive almost 20 miles on the Interstate to get to the nearest small town. I think I will switch from 75 to 60 and hope I don't get run over! LOL!!
Candy C.
Farmgirl Sister #977
www.calicocandy.etsy.com
http://stores.countrycents.com/StoreFront.bok?affiliate_no=6
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. |
| Catherine L |
Posted - Apr 29 2011 : 1:30:55 PM
Since I have to drive fifteen miles to get to anything other than our small local stores, I have decided to drive 60 instead of 70 whenever I can.
~Catherine~
Farmgirl 2428 |
| debtea2 |
Posted - Apr 28 2011 : 6:37:13 PM
whats unfair is they charge more for credit than cash
i don't always have that kind of cash on me so
its not right but we do have the lowest gas prices
so i should not be too upset..but its still outrageous!
last year it was 2.49..
inch by inch we find our way
jersey farmgirl
#1330
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| Catherine L |
Posted - Apr 27 2011 : 12:27:51 PM
My husband and I both drive pickup trucks. We have an old Honda Civic we were going to sell. We decided to keep it and drive it instead of the truck. My husband also has a motorcycle and we ride that as much as possible when making trips.
~Catherine~
Farmgirl 2428 |
