If there HAS to be a bright side to high fuel $

[ACamilli]

I may get thrown off this forum for saying this... here goes... flame away boys! I pay the same as you all do, actually higher here in PA for some reason now looking on Flying J website (and you will see PA the highest). Traffic in my part of SE PA is pathetic, you can't believe the traffic for this area. I grew up here and it's not even the same country. Growing up you went on RELAXING Sunday drives... . now anytime you go out it's THUNDERDOME, anything goes. And while people complain about high fuel prices they fly by me doing 75-85 mph making no effort to save a bit of fuel.

I note that on snow days there is little or no traffic, it's like another world. It makes me believe what i have always thought... . not all this BS car/suv traffic is necessary. Big rigs, well we are all paying in the end for their higher fuel costs.

I have noticed since gasoline has hit $3. 19 a gallon here there is less traffic. The 1 mile backups at traffic lights are now down to a 1/4 to 1/2 mile, there is just less traffic. Where has everyone gone... . they were there before.

There is less stop and go which helps my fuel mileage. I pay more for fuel, but when I do drive it is more relaxing and get better mpg. Just an observation.

 

[jgillott]

Yep these high prices have greatly reduced the amount of cleaning I have to do on my truck. It's pretty hard to get real dirty sitting in the driveway.

 

[RHestand]

One of the major reasons for high fuel prices is our dependence on foreign oil.

Can you find something good about that?

Put that in your pipe and smoke it!

 

[biggy238]

He's right though. We've made owning a vehicle a right of passage. All these soccer moms that won't put their kids on school buses. People that run to walmart 3-4 times a week because "we forgot something"



Even people that go out to get fast food 3-5 times a week because they don't feel like cooking anything.



Guess what, China and India are going to make you stop. They are sucking our natural resources away from us and driving the market up.

 

[ceastmen]

Driving Habits

I can only speak for myself, I have definantly slowed down and it does yeild better milage. I can get 36 mpg out of my Honda Accord consistantly by running the speed limit or +5 over and not drag racing everyone from stoplight to stoplight.

For me teaching myself patience and allowing a little more time has paid off.

My wife and I have property on the western slope in Colorado where we will retire to in the next couple of years. Driving there used to take just under 4 hours now it takes just over 4 hours, milage went from18-19 to 20-21 in the truck hauling building materials etc. We added 1/2 an hour to our trip and picked up 2-3 mpg, it adds up pretty fast for us.

People are still driving 85+ on I-70 west and bumper to bumper trying to Earnhart one another, now that I don't participate in that kind of madness it is kind of entertaining to watch and alot safer!

We try to travel at off hours which pays off, driving I-70 during ski season and summertime will teach you this very quickley, it is a ZOO!!!!

Chuck E.

 

[nickleinonen]

my driving habits haven't changed much... i still need to drive to work 6 days a week

 

[HBarlow]

It is good to find some good news among the bad and also to remind us that planning a little, combining trips, and accelerating moderately and slowing down reduce our consumption and fuel costs.



One of my pet issues is I can now enjoy fueling at a Flying J because the @*#$%^%& motorhomes are not blocking the RV pump lanes while their owners try to figure out how to use the pumps or park and browse in the convenience store.



Harvey

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

It is good to find some good news among the bad and also to remind us that planning a little, combining trips, and accelerating moderately and slowing down reduce our consumption and fuel costs.



One of my pet issues is I can now enjoy fueling at a Flying J because the @*#$%^%& motorhomes are not blocking the RV pump lanes while their owners try to figure out how to use the pumps or park and browse in the convenience store.



Harvey

YUP - pitifully small at the moment, but there ARE a few pluses in the energy and related national economy front - as the value of our dollar shrinks - largely due to the effects of energy costs - the imbalance between the value of our currency and that of other nations greatly reduces the manufacturing and importation of their goods into this country. Perhaps at some point, it might again be possible to actually see "made on AMERICA" labels on stuff in stores.



Of course, many of us will ALSO be living in cardboard houses, and walking, or riding bicycles...

 

[HBarlow]

Sadly, you may be correct. We are just beginning to feel the rise in our cost of living and decline in our standard of living.



For years old guys like you and me have been aware that our relatives across the Atlantic, even our cousins in Canada often lived in smaller homes, drove smaller vehicles, and pulled smaller RVs than we.



The good times may be in our past.



Harvey

 

[TFucili]

Perhaps at some point, it might again be possible to actually see "made on AMERICA" labels on stuff in stores.

I hope so. I am not an isolationist per-se, but holy smokes it's hard to buy even name brand stuff made here. Yesterday we got our boy a pair of Justin Ropers... made in India. I bought a pair of Ariats... made in China. Even a large percentage of Red Wing boots are made in China now. I'm sorry for getting off topic, but#@$%!

 

[JFaulkner]

One of the major reasons for high fuel prices is our dependence on foreign oil.

Can you find something good about that?

Put that in your pipe and smoke it!

We will ALWAYS be dependant on foreign oil simply because it's the cheapest. The less oil we use the more foreign oil we will use. Don't kid yourself into thinking if we cut use we'll use more of our own supply, if you cut out the cheaper foreign oil prepare for higher prices.



One plus in higher fuel prices for us (owning a trucking company) is all the cut throat companies that slash freight prices and work for free won't last. When you eliminate those people the prices come back up.



My theory on fuel prices and people with pickups/suv's is if you can't afford to own your truck unless the price of fuel is <$2. 50 or so, then you can't afford your truck. Plain and simple. Flame away if you want (I don't really care and I love confrontation:-laf) but stop living check to check and drive something you can afford to own. Some people over pay for their trucks then figure out how much is costs to own, then trade it for something that's more economical and lose $4k that'll take years to get back by fuel savings. Then they get on the news crying about how they can't afford to live now. I do not feel sorry for these people. We're all adults (well most of us) pony up and act like one and take responsibility for your actions and stop thinking that oil companies have a responsibility to take care of you. They have a responsibility to take care of their shareholders and employees, not to make sure you get $1. 00 per gallon fuel to pull your camper. I don't like paying for fuel either but I find ways to get by and my opinion is either you do the same or get out of my way. The days of cheap fuel are gone, get over it. If your offended by this then you must be the one I'm referring to.

 

[gitchesum]

$210. 78 a month.



That's the extra costs to my fuel bill each month between the price of 3. 65 ppg fuel and $1. 50 ppg fuel.



I've simply adjusted by not eating out as much as I used to and cutting back on a couple of extras like the cell phone I hadn't used in years since I got my work phone. Dropped the home phone too since it was just a waste of money as well.



That's with me driving 20000 miles a year at 17 mpg. That is total average driving miles. My commute is only 11520 miles a year. The difference using just commuting miles is only $121. 41 a month

 

[donnier]

I dont know about the rest of the country, but in Kalifornia, the freeway speed is posted @ 65 for the most part.

Iv done the limit and actually had people honk at me, then pass and cut in front and flip me off because Im trying to do the legal limit.

Even pushing the limit a little gets the same reaction.

Iv seen idiots cut off OTR trucks for the same reason.

Idiots soccer moms in their Navigators, on the phone, yelling at the kids, dont realize what would happen if they had an emergency to contend with.





OK Im off my soap box and crawling back into my cave.

 

[JFaulkner]

I dont know about the rest of the country, but in Kalifornia, the freeway speed is posted @ 65 for the most part.

Iv done the limit and actually had people honk at me, then pass and cut in front and flip me off because Im trying to do the legal limit.

Even pushing the limit a little gets the same reaction.

Iv seen idiots cut off OTR trucks for the same reason.

Idiots soccer moms in their Navigators, on the phone, yelling at the kids, dont realize what would happen if they had an emergency to contend with.





OK Im off my soap box and crawling back into my cave.

While I agree with you on the speeding, I feel this is America. If you want to drive a fuel hungry car and drive fast (within a limit, 120mph might be a bit much:-laf) I feel as long as your willing to pay for it, go right ahead. If your ok with 5mpg I'm ok with you doing it, right up until you complain about it. Then I'm going to jump all over you. I'm sure most of us do things that are against the grain. Whether it's smoking, burning lots of fuel, addicted to porn whatever. As long as your minding your own business and paying your bills so people like me don't have to, have at it!

 

[TboneMan]

paying your bills



Here-in lies the problem. How many of the stereotypical soccer-mom types use their magic plastic for their fuel purchases (and groceries). How many of those same people pay them off monthly? Are they making just minimum payments?



A report today states that consumer credit rose 3. 3 percent in January or $6. 9bil to a level of $2. 52 trillion.



Like the mortgage "crisis" we could be in to a rash of personal bankruptcies.

 

[JFaulkner]

paying your bills



Here-in lies the problem. How many of the stereotypical soccer-mom types use their magic plastic for their fuel purchases (and groceries). How many of those same people pay them off monthly? Are they making just minimum payments?



A report today states that consumer credit rose 3. 3 percent in January or $6. 9bil to a level of $2. 52 trillion.



Like the mortgage "crisis" we could be in to a rash of personal bankruptcies.

I don't believe people know cash exists anymore. Whenever you use it to buy more than a pack of gum they look at you like you have 3 heads. I've bought diesel fuel for a semi at walmart and you should see the kids head turn sideways like a dog when you hand them $400. 00 in cash. I like doing that just for the stupid reactions. :-laf None of this credit problem surprises me people don't understand how things work. It's like the whole "oil companies price gouging" argument. They've maintained a consistent profit margin of about 8% (which is WAY lower than most companies) but people don't understand why they've made more profit. Um... . simple math, which is higher 8% of $1. 00 or 8% of $3. 00.

 

[MOates]

I don't believe people know cash exists anymore. Whenever you use it to buy more than a pack of gum they look at you like you have 3 heads. I've bought diesel fuel for a semi at walmart and you should see the kids head turn sideways like a dog when you hand them $400. 00 in cash. I like doing that just for the stupid reactions. :-laf None of this credit problem surprises me people don't understand how things work. It's like the whole "oil companies price gouging" argument. They've maintained a consistent profit margin of about 8% (which is WAY lower than most companies) but people don't understand why they've made more profit. Um... . simple math, which is higher 8% of $1. 00 or 8% of $3. 00.

I'll second that. When I bought my "beater" commuter diesel ('87 MB 300D sedan, 30 mpg commuting to work), car dealer looked like he was going to have a heart attack when I said no financing or bank loans - wrote him a check for 6 grand on the spot. And no, I don't have a six figure income - I just know how to live within my means - and that's why I have six figures in the bank and not six figures worth of debt.



Land's paid for, house is paid for, vehicles paid off, credit card which I use ONLY for online purchases gets paid off each month - it's not that hard provided you don't get champagne tastes on a beer budget (and can keep your immediate family in the same mindset!).

 

[HBarlow]

JFaulkner







Harvey

 

[HBarlow]

I'll second that. When I bought my "beater" commuter diesel ('87 MB 300D sedan, 30 mpg commuting to work), car dealer looked like he was going to have a heart attack when I said no financing or bank loans - wrote him a check for 6 grand on the spot. And no, I don't have a six figure income - I just know how to live within my means - and that's why I have six figures in the bank and not six figures worth of debt.



Land's paid for, house is paid for, vehicles paid off, credit card which I use ONLY for online purchases gets paid off each month - it's not that hard provided you don't get champagne tastes on a beer budget (and can keep your immediate family in the same mindset!).

Wow, what a concept. Too bad so few Americans have heard of your concept.



I spent a year as a financial/debt counselor at a branch of Consumer Credit Counseling Service a few years ago. I was absolutely amazed to learn how so many fellow Americans lived. I met couples in their late 50s who had good jobs and had been in the work force for 30 years and had nothing to show for their effort but massive debt. They are the folks who are driving the current election.



Harvey

 

[steved]

I just know how to live within my means

I totally agree...



This is the reason I don't agree that we should be bailing out the idiots that got themselves in "too deep"... just because they can't manage their finances, the rest of us that can get hosed. Maybe losing their house would be the needed wake up call. There is no being responsible for your actions anymore... the one's that screw up always get bailed out while those of us that work hard and live within our means get nothing.



As for the original post in this thread... I live in SE PA, I can tell you that every time gas takes a $0. 50 jump, traffic dwindles for a few weeks, then it starts to trickle back as people reshuffle their finances to pay for the extra cost of gas...