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Posted: 4/16/2008 2:18:37 AM EDT
[#1]
Oil has hit $114 a barrel per CNBC.
I have changed my habits. I love to cruise/take a road trip. However, it just seems stupid to take a cruise anymore. So I sit here and bitch and moan while eating home grown taters. |
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Posted: 4/17/2008 7:30:46 PM EDT
[#2]
gas went up another 30 cents today. If the gas and food keep going up, its going to get tough. The gun fund has already suffered the consequences :( I also got 2 babies in the last 2 years. Its about time to budget, and I dont want too.
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Posted: 4/17/2008 7:43:06 PM EDT
[#3]
I bought an '08, long box, crew cab, duramax diesel, 2500HD.  I'm building up the coffers of our underpaid oil execs.... or, am I filling up with K1 kerosene daily.... The truth will never be known without an injector autopsy. |
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Posted: 4/17/2008 7:45:20 PM EDT
[#4]
Nah.
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Posted: 4/17/2008 7:45:49 PM EDT
[#5]
Yes drive slower.
Plan trips, and no bullshit driving around. |
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Posted: 4/17/2008 7:47:38 PM EDT
[#6]
I decided I didn't need to drive for 6 months...
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Posted: 4/17/2008 7:50:16 PM EDT
[#7]
One of my things is when I go shopping I go to one place and walk everywhere within a decent distance, sometimes across shopping centers, sometimes about 1 mile or so
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Posted: 4/17/2008 7:53:35 PM EDT
[#8]
Saw this coming 4 years ago.
I didn't like motorcycles and swore I would never ride one but after commuting to work in rush hour traffic, watching bikes fly by in the HOV lane, and more expensive gas, I changed my mind. I took the intro class, bought a good used bike and commute to work every day via motorcycle. In that time, I've place 50k miles on one bike and traded up for a more powerful machine. With that said, I'm the only person that I know that actually rides a bike as a source of transportation, not a lifestyle. Regardless of temperature outside, I'm on that thing every work day. Weekends are for maintenance. To counter being green friendly, I purchased a junker truck that I drive around town when not on the bike. SUV stays parked in the garage. Kids & wife are not happy. On a side note, I chuckle ever time I see a guy driving a gas guzzler with a Harley sticker. |
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Posted: 4/17/2008 7:53:50 PM EDT
[#9]
I don't do so many small trips. Will wait until the weekend or one day in the week to go to the store or run errands around town.
Don't go exploring around the state or cruises much anymore either. |
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Posted: 4/17/2008 7:54:20 PM EDT
[#10]
We try to consolidate our trips more, but we mostly just used gas for necessary trips before so we haven't really changed much.
No special trips, pick up groceries/Blockbuster etc on the way home from work. We lived a simple lifestyle anyway...so... |
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Posted: 4/17/2008 7:55:39 PM EDT
[#11]
I wonder how its hitting the paycheck to paycheck people |
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Posted: 4/17/2008 7:56:54 PM EDT
[#12]
Gas prices havent affected me at all yet. I went to a rock concert 3 hours away last weekend and I'm going to the coast this weekend and thats 6 hours just to get to our house.
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Posted: 4/17/2008 8:00:08 PM EDT
[#13]
Shit, I changed my driving habits this time last year.
 I earn a modest income and it's the sole income for a family of 5, So everything is budgeted. As others have posted multiple stops in single trips using the shortest route possible rather than "meh, I'll go get ___ tomorrow". All unnecessary driving eliminated. For me it's work and back and that's pretty much it. Any stops I need to make are made an the way home. Once I'm home, the vehicle is parked. It's worth walking 2 blocks and paying an extra 40 cents for milk from the beer store than driving to the grocery store. Here's another- we have very close friends that live about an hour away, out in the woods. Last year we visited them virtually every weekend. Set up the tent, camp out on their property, what ever. This year, I don't think we'll be able to do that. At $3.50/gal, we'll be lucky to make that a monthly trip as opposed to a weekly trip. I'm lucky in a few ways though. I only work 1.5 miles away, my kids school is 5 blocks away, and about everything is within bike riding distance from me. I also don't have many bills. Mortgage, utilities, insurance, 1 car payment, and 1 line of credit. |
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Posted: 4/17/2008 8:00:56 PM EDT
[#14]
Yeah, I started home officing. $15 a day for gas just to get to work was getting ridiculous.
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Posted: 4/17/2008 8:14:26 PM EDT
[#15]
I was riding my street bikes to work, visit friends/ family, and to do errands long before the gas prices have risen. On the bike, I could just get to my destinations quicker. Like being able to ride in the car pool lane and split lanes in traffic, since it's legal here in California.
I only used my full size truck when I needed the capacity to haul/pick up something. Still do. Since the gas prices have risen to the current levels. I've aired up the tires, watch my accelerations/ tach/ RPMs (I have a lead foot). I don't run the A/C if it isn't needed. I used to run the A/C all the time, even if the weather was nice. Before, I aired down my oversized 4X4 tires, as they wore more evenly and made the ride softer. At the recommended tire pressure the wore out in the middle much too early. Going to clean the K&N filter element and change the spark plugs sooner than later. To eek out better mpg. Everything else has been recently services. Well maintain vehicle may just get me just a slightly better mpg. |
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Posted: 4/17/2008 8:39:55 PM EDT
[#16]
I don't .... simply b/c... I planned on it and dealt with it accordingly ... I always plan for everything financially with a 10-20 years timeline ....  :} |
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Posted: 4/17/2008 8:51:51 PM EDT
[#17]
So how big a bike did you trade up to? Bob |
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Posted: 4/17/2008 9:02:11 PM EDT
[#18]
About a year and a half ago I started working from home full time. That helped a bit.
My wife does her shopping on the way home from class. On Tuesday I went out and hauled this home:  Setup with a rack and cargo boxes and a light trailer I think I can use it for 90% of the short range errands I run, as well as trips to the range. After the tires and brakes I think I'll have $500 in the bike. I don't expect that it will save money but it will let me drive more for what I'm spending now. |
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Posted: 4/17/2008 10:38:56 PM EDT
[#19]
I suspect the smart ones are buying bus passes. |
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Posted: 4/17/2008 10:43:54 PM EDT
[#20]
Yes.
I drive my GFs liitle Honda Accord instead of my V-8 GMC whenever possible. Up to $3.49 a gallon now around here. |
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Posted: 4/17/2008 10:44:25 PM EDT
[#21]
Well I don't jump on the gas so hard coming off a light anymore, and when my wife or I go somewhere we take the Escort instead of the Blazer.
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Posted: 4/18/2008 3:30:18 AM EDT
[#22]
Driving the speed limit (65) on interstates.
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Posted: 4/18/2008 3:31:18 AM EDT
[#23]
Absolutely. I drive about 20-25% less.
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Posted: 4/18/2008 3:38:11 AM EDT
[#24]
+1, except it's 70 mph in WV. I also keep my foot out of it, though it's hard to do with a 454 V8. I feel sorry for the truck drivers; CB radio scuttlebutt is that a few companies are going to govern their rigs at 62 mph. |
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Posted: 4/18/2008 3:38:38 AM EDT
[#25]
For work no. My employer is covering my fuel charges for my truck so that is great. That means that they are charging the clients more to perform the work which means they have to fork out more to keep their industry going. In the long run that means less improvement or less interest in keeping the operation going.
For home we dumped my Wife's SUV gas hog for a slightly less gas hoggish minivan. We needed the minivan anyway given the kids and their many activities. She spends a lot more on gas than I do. My car continues to be the best fuel efficient vehicle we have and operate and for the most part when I'm home I run it. I tried to convince my superiors that when I am home and asked to come into the office (a 60 mile round trip commute in traffic) that I be allowed to telecommute once or twice a week. The answer was no. |
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Posted: 4/18/2008 3:40:13 AM EDT
[#26]
Drive the same as any time before ( I have to , for my job).
I definately try and pick the little daewoo over the dodge truck as much as I can. |
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Posted: 4/18/2008 3:41:50 AM EDT
[#27]
I carpool now
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Posted: 4/18/2008 3:48:15 AM EDT
[#28]
Not much, work commute is only about 16 miles one way. I drive 15000 a year on two vehicles, one gets 17-18mpg, the other 24mpg. I drive both equally. I'll combine errand trips instead of doing invidual errands.
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Posted: 4/18/2008 3:49:42 AM EDT
[#29]
We've cut down unnecessary trips.
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Posted: 4/18/2008 3:54:40 AM EDT
[#30]
Yes, we now buy more groceries so we go to the store less. For work, I make my longer drives more efficient.
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Posted: 4/18/2008 3:58:10 AM EDT
[#31]
I drive with a purpose, which is to say I drive only when I need to and avoid unnecessary driving.
As a side note, for the past 3 years I have been working out of my home which means sometimes I may crank my car 2 or 3 times a week for short trips. BTW, both cars get about 22 mpg average city/highway with it being mostly city. Highway is about 30 mpg. Diesel is now $4 a gallon! Makes my premium look like a bargin. Happy Motoring Bill |
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Posted: 4/18/2008 4:20:20 AM EDT
[#32]
My habits haven't changed all that much, but I am trying to convince the wife to cut back some of her trips.
Me: 2000 VW Jetta TDI - paid for with 210K on the odo Daily Commute - 1.5 miles downhill to the bus stop (doesn't even warm up) then hop the commuter bus to Baltimore. Since I live/work in an EPA Bad Air Attainment Zone, the EPA subsidizes our mass transit. I haven't paid full fare for a ticket in 5 years. Monthly round trip ticket is $144.50 or $4.25/day if you buy the daily. I fill up the car maybe once a month and still get 45 mpg out of it. If I do drive into work, it's 40 miles each way + traffic which turns into at least $9 in fuel round trip at current fuel costs ($4.29/gal). Add in parking in the city ($9 min) and you're between $18-20/day just to get to/from work. Wife: 2007 Honda Pilot Hauls around the kids, usually has more than just our two so she doesn't want to cram them in to my car. She takes them to activities, sports, practices, etc. and then runs the daily earrands. She has started consolidating trips and cutting back some, but at 17 mpg, she still fills up at least once a week. She just does local driving too. When she needs to go do a show (home kitchen parties for the largest direct sales kitchen goods company) she will take my car and save fuel. Some minor tweaks, but we look for the efficiencies in our habits to save where we can. M |
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Posted: 4/18/2008 4:24:55 AM EDT
[#33]
Yes.
Slower and lower RPMs. Also less driving in my truck and more on my motorcycle. |
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Posted: 4/18/2008 4:25:55 AM EDT
[#34]
yes -- I don't drive nearly as much. No "joy riding" in the convertible anymore -- that is for sure.
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Posted: 4/18/2008 4:27:33 AM EDT
[#35]
Nope.
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Posted: 4/18/2008 4:27:39 AM EDT
[#36]
Funny you should ask, just the other day I was driving and was about to accelerate quickly. Then I remembered the $3.44/gal gas I just bought and did a nice gradual acceleration instead.
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Posted: 4/18/2008 4:33:37 AM EDT
[#37]
I have also found that when I do drive on the insanity that is I-95, I tend to lock in behind a rig and catch his draft. They will cruise anywhere between 70 and 75 mph and that's plenty fast for me to get where I am going. Plus, if I do that, I noticed the car doesn't work as hard and I can squeeze out a couple extra MPG.
The truckers get a little sensitive if you're back there. Just becareful not to follow too close and be a helpful follower: - don't get closer than two car lengths - throw blocks for them when you can see they want to pass another truck/car - give them their space when they need it - ALWAYS give a courtesy wave "Thank You" when you break off and separate from them. If you do that, they tend not to mind that you're back there. M |
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Posted: 4/18/2008 4:47:01 AM EDT
[#38]
I carpool to work with my G/F in her Camry, instead of driving my truck to work. It adds almost an 3/4 hour to the commute but it saves me about 25 gallons of gas a week.
ETA: Also, I plan to retire in 2 weeks and a part of the decision was the gas cost and the aggravation of the commute. |
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Posted: 4/18/2008 4:49:41 AM EDT
[#39]
Yes.. I drive around a lot less..
Used to be that I wouldn't hesitate to drive around "shopping" for gun stuff just to have something to do.. |
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Posted: 4/18/2008 5:02:12 AM EDT
[#40]
CX500? |
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Posted: 4/18/2008 5:09:09 AM EDT
[#41]
I still drive around the same, but the fuel prices have caused my company's prices to rise around 15% in labor costs and around 17% in material costs. Just the way it works, wish I didn't have to do it, but I do.
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Posted: 4/18/2008 5:21:18 AM EDT
[#42]
I won't be fooled by a cheap cinematic trick It must have been just a cardboard cut out of a man Top-forty cast off from a record stand Walkin' in L.A. Walkin' in L.A., nobody walks in L.A. Walkin' in L.A. Walkin' in L.A., nobody walks in L.A. I don't know could've been a lame jogger maybe Or someone just about to do the freeway strangler baby Shopping cart pusher or maybe someone groovie One thing's for sure, he isn't starring in the movies. 'Cause he's walkin' in L.A. Walkin' in L.A., nobody walks in L.A. Walkin' in L.A. Walkin' in L.A., only a nobody walks in L.A. Walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' Nobody's walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' Nobody's walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' Nobody's walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' You won't see a cop walkin' on the beat Nobody's walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' You only see 'em drivin' cars out on the street Nobody's walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' You won't see a kid walkin' home from school Nobody's walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' Their mothers pick 'em up in a car pool Nobody's walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' Walkin' in L.A. Walkin' in L.A., nobody walks in L.A. Walkin' in L.A. Walkin' in L.A., nobody walks in L.A. Could it be that the smog's playing tricks on my eyes or is it a rollerskater in some kind of headphone disguise Maybe somebody who just ran out of gas, Making his way back to the pumps the best way he can. Walkin' in L.A. Walkin' in L.A., nobody walks in L.A. Walkin' in L.A. Walkin' in L.A., nobody walks in L.A. Walkin' in L.A. Walkin' in L.A., nobody walks in L.A. Walkin' in L.A. Walkin' in L.A., only a nobody walks in L.A. Nobody's walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' Nobody's walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' Nobody's walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' Nobody's walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' Nobody's walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' Nobody's walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' walkin' Nobody walks in L.A ... www.youtube.com/watch?v=7U2mvoh8j4M |
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Posted: 4/18/2008 5:21:37 AM EDT
[#43]
I ride a bike to work and we don't take sunday drives very often any more.
Haven't visited the family in a couple years. 
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Posted: 4/18/2008 7:07:00 AM EDT
[#44]
I just lie about the gas mileage I'm getting to try to make myself feel better. I pretend I get 15 mpg city from my 6000 lb 4X4 and brag to others that the mileage isn't so bad.
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Posted: 4/18/2008 7:10:27 AM EDT
[#45]
When gas hit $1.80 and the SUV was worn out, the decision was made to go for an econo-box.
What I drive changed because of gas prices. Where I drive and how often I drive has not. |
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Posted: 4/18/2008 7:14:18 AM EDT
[#46]
Got two new cars in the last 6 months that get way better milage then the previous ones. I didn't do it for milage but but I'm saving $40-60 a month in fuel. It's also summer so I can take the cycle to run movies back and such. I wouldn't say I've changed my habits drastically.
-JTP |
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Posted: 4/18/2008 7:16:16 AM EDT
[#47]
I haven't cut down driving for my business, but my personal driving has dropped down to only essential trips.
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Posted: 4/18/2008 7:17:59 AM EDT
[#48]
What's the point when Subnet is a guaranteed score anyway, huh?  Bute yeah - I work from home once a week. We use the wife's Altima for any running around, and I drive it to work sometimes as well, since it gets 10mpg more than my truck. |
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Posted: 4/18/2008 7:29:23 AM EDT
[#49]
thinking about getting a new One Horsepower car.
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Posted: 4/18/2008 7:32:35 AM EDT
[#50]
No.
I get 30+ MPG in-town, and don't have any decently long distances to get to anything I need. $30 vs $20 to fill up every week and a half isn't going to drastically affect my budget. |
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