Gas Prices and You!

[X Factor]

With crude oil at $66.00 a barrel, and analysts predicting unleaded gasoline to reach $3.00 a gallon in the near future, I have some questions.

1. How has the price of gas affected you in your daily routine?

2. How had the price of gas affected you in your travel plans?

3. Do you still take "random" unplanned trips on the weekends?

4. How has gas prices affected you in general?

[WestTexan]

It has not affected my daily routine in anyway. I just purchased another SUV, making my family a two-SUV family.

Factoring in higher fuel cost, I figured it cost me an additional $40-50 per month to drive an SUV over the sedan I was driving (I have a very short commute). The extra $40 was not enough to sway my decision. I know that I should consider my impact on the environment, but I didn't in this case.

[St-T]

^No impact on me either. And, I can expense my gas to clients.

[gc]

I fly to work right now....

But later....it will hurt I am sure of it.

[CityLove]

I can tell you it hurts. I drive a lot, just around town visiting friends & family, and I have definitely noticed a difference.

TG2

[JSteffen]

I have a short drive to work, from OC to Northpark. I cost me about 40$ a month in gas. When buying my new car fuel efficency was a top concern, my car has 47 mpg.

[rantanamo]

I think the problem is that whether it hurts or not, most Americans live a lifestyle and in cities that require they drive everywhere. So they just bite the bullet. Huge numbers of Americans have lots of disposable income and credit cards that just swallow up the bill and it is paid later. This will allow gas to continue to climb for the foreseeable future. Exxon-Mobil, BP, and the Saudis, couldn't be happier. Think they will let alternative fuels take that away from them? Not. Just look at the last energy bill. Interesting incentive programs for big oil.

As usually, this is hitting the poor, the young and the old first. Its like the Wal-Mart trend. Its hurt the poor young and old first, so that huge swath of Americans with lots of disposable income aren't affected in the wallet............yet. This is generally the group with the most societal capital, therefore, nothing is done about it. It will eat at our society until the burden on welfare, county hospitals and city infrastructure reaches critical mass. Then something will be done because "I'm paying too much on my taxes" School finance anyone? Nothing will happen with gas prices until it raises plane prices enough or the shipping of goods by truck becomes too expensive. Might turn out that their low paid employees can't afford to commute to Frisco, so you start seeing lower income developments pop-up due to demand. Then, God-forbid, the children of these workers start going to Frisco ISD schools. Last straw, lets lobby congress.

In other words, it will be a while.

[X Factor]

Well we drive a diesel because we've got cows and horses, and I can tell you it doesnt last long and we've started to restrict our habits of taking off on weekends to Shreveport, Houston, and Galveston. But luckily my dad who drives 60 miles round trip to work has a Toyota so it does better. But yeah Gas prices certainly killing the pocketbook.

[St-T]

As usually, this is hitting the poor, the young and the old first. Its like the Wal-Mart trend. Its hurt the poor young and old first, so that huge swath of Americans with lots of disposable income aren't affected in the wallet............yet.

How does Wal-Mart hurt the poor? I have always assumed that it helps them--cheap products and they accept food-stamps, etc.

[X Factor]

Here we go again

[rantanamo]

How does Wal-Mart hurt the poor? I have always assumed that it helps them--cheap products and they accept food-stamps, etc.

Companies like Walmart have driven down the average wage and offers unaffordable benefits packages. Other companies have to be able to compete with their bottom line, so they end up cutting wages or jobs or going out of business. This also burdens the public healthcare system, resulting in less quality care and overburdened emergency services. Walmart is not the only place that accepts food stamps or WIC. At the same time it doesn't pay enough to get people off of the stamps. Its a very vicious cycle, and is why many are against the Walmart or Home Depot set. It used to be that one could work at a hardware store for years and actually make a decent living. Now that's nearly impossible as most are going out of business. A local, small engine retailer(mowers, yard equipment, etc) that I know is going through this now. He can't afford the advertising that Walmart can. His business is all going to places like Walmart and Home Depot. He pays his workers much more than Walmat does. He's gonna have to make serious cuts if he wants to barely swim above red, so instead he's shutting it down and retiring. This is the big-box saga. It doesn't affect disposable income America directly, but it does show up later in burdened infrastructure. In the meantime, we get cheaper goods and more convenience at the burden of the workers.

This is the same saga that continually rising gas prices. It won't show up immediately, but it will have adverse affects. All of this so a few companies and individuals please themselves and their shareholders. It will bite us in the..........butt some day.

[texman]

I went to San Antonio this week for vacation and instead of driving, me and my Dad took Amtrak. His truck gets a grand 15 mpg, so $100 roundtrip on the Texas Eagle didn't seem that bad versus the money he would of spent on gas and parking. Sure it takes longer, but in the $2.47 a gallon era, its worth it.

[X Factor]

Doesnt it take awhile to get down there in Amtrak.

[texman]

There scheduals are padded to the extreme because of fright railroad delays, but yeah, it does tak awhile. You also have to account for an hour layover in Fort Worth though.

[rantanamo]

Driving up I-35 and back was in the $300 range. Cheaper than flying, but approaching 3x as much as 3 years ago.

[moopinator]

It went from costing $22.00 to fill up my tank when I bought my car in 2000 to approx. $45.00 today.

[CityLove]

I took Amtrak to OKC in June, and it ended up being MUCH cheaper than driving, and easier as well. The time difference was negligible (it took 4.5 hours to get there, pretty close to what it would have taken to drive). I didn't have to concentrate on driving OR put miles on my car. To me, it seemed like a pretty fair deal--and my ticket was only $48.

TG2

[Tnekster]

^Now that would be an interesting development if more people started opting for the train over driving. Maybe its time to rethink high speed rail in Texas.

[rantanamo]

I used to have a little Nissan Frontier that got great gas mileage in college. $15 fill-ups at most. I imagine that's about $35 now. If one drives a lot and is just your average joe, that would have to cut into things.

[Texan#1]

i know these prices are hurting me and I drive a hyundai accent! lol I hate being a poor college student!

[effulgent]

I have a VW Bug, with a 14 gallon tank, and yesterday to fill up we paid $36. We have to put premium in the tank because we have a turbo engine. (sigh) I remember when I could fill up for under $20. And I bought the car a year ago.

It's seriously cut down our pleasure trips. I'm dreading our trip to Wisconsin in September. We get about 30 MPG, and I figure it will take 6-7 tanks for the trip, plus maybe another tank or so while we're up there.

We will be living uber lean this next month saving up for this trip.

[Mballar]

Increased prices at the gas pump are affecting us all through increased prices for everything else. The increased cost to transport goods and people are factored into the price of everything. From a Southwest Airlines ticket to a can of peas on a Wal Mart shelf. As rant suggested earlier, some people just haven't felt it enough to be concerned. . .yet. Let's see where we are after Christmas.

[Wineguy2000]

It cost me 55 to fill up my truck on June 4th and I am just now on E It will probably cost 60 now. Thank god for light rail

[freewaytincan]

With all this talk of oil, the only conversations, both on the news and between people, seem to be all about gasoline. Anyone ever consider the effects of oil on the other most important petroleum industry, plastics?

[rantanamo]

Per CBS 11, Meals on wheels is having a hard time getting volunteers so they are having to hire drivers, which they say is cutting into their funds big time.

As per plastics, I would imagine some items will simply go up in price. Can't forget other petroleum based products as well.

[WestTexan]

With all this talk of oil, the only conversations, both on the news and between people, seem to be all about gasoline. Anyone ever consider the effects of oil on the other most important petroleum industry, plastics?

Considering that you are still in college, it may be a good time to consider going into plastics. There's a great future in plastics. Thank about it.

[freewaytincan]

Considering that you are still in college, it may be a good time to consider going into plastics. There's a great future in plastics. Thank about it.

Ugh, chemistry, math, business, marketing, any of those are some of the worst options for me. I'm taking the career path of the future: radio-television.

[WestTexan]

You must have missed Film 101, Ben..

[msutton]

I'm driving much less. Thank god im moving to new york in 13 days. I've had to take a combination of bus/train to my girlfriend's house a couple of times this week to save gas. I can't even afford to completely fill up my tank anymore!

I won't be moving back to Dallas, or any non-walkable city, until a) I actually can get around to anywhere a resident wants without a car or terrible inconvenience b) gas prices go down (Fat chance!) or c) even more fuel-efficient hybrids or hydrogen fuel cell cars are available.

[incrediculous]

How does the price of oil affect my direct fuel-consumption costs? Negligible. I drive just over a mile to work in a Toyota Prius. This round-trip consumes roughly one fiftieth of a gallon, costing me five cents.

Msutton, to where did you move?

[freewaytincan]

Of course I feel good about everything now, but that's because I'm in Staunton, Virginia, and out here you don't really have to drive.

[tamtagon]

Gasoline price increase over this time last year have added about $5.00 per occasion when I go into Atlanta, and maybe $5.00 to my weekly local transportation needs. So, not too much impact for me.

[CityLove]

You must have missed Film 101, Ben..

Are you trying to seduce me, Mrs. Robinson?

[F4shionablecHa0s]

Fuel prices made me ditch my old 96 Jeep Cherokee and get a 99 Toyota RAV4. I went from 15/21 mpg to 24/29 mpg. All the benefits of having an SUV with sedan gas milage.

[drumguy8800]

I have a 15 mpg city (my own shocking calculations) infiniti qx4.. i drive in between carrollton and red oak a bunch and each trip costs me about $10.. each way. It's a little sickening. I've had to cut back on other expenses like eating out a lot and movies..

[WestTexan]

Are you trying to seduce me, Mrs. Robinson?

Thank you for understanding me, TG2

[msutton]

How does the price of oil affect my direct fuel-consumption costs? Negligible. I drive just over a mile to work in a Toyota Prius. This round-trip consumes roughly one fiftieth of a gallon, costing me five cents.

Msutton, to where did you move?
I'm jealous of your Prius! My family and I can only buy fairly cheap used cars (or car as the case is), but as soon as there are some used priuses that are somewhat affordable im sure my parents will jump on that. my friend has one and i've contemplated stealing it from her many a time.

i'm going to nyu, so, i'll be living on manhattan in an apartment-style dorm overloking Union Square.

[incrediculous]

Wow. You may be jealous of my Prius - but I'm jealous of the lifestyle that awaits you. That's going to be an incredible 4 years (or longer, should you choose to stretch it out a bit, which I highly recommend).

I went to Texas Tech. I love my Raiders, but Lubbock isn't exactly a jewel of pedestrian-friendly urban design. haha

[msutton]

heh yeah, im excited. i'm fairly familiar with nyc, and all of classes and favorite locations--save one--are going to be walkable from where i live. long walks, but hey, ive gotta get in shape sometime.

[incrediculous]

Two words: Metro Card

Or maybe it's a compound word. I'd have to look in my wallet, which is on the other side of the room. And I'm not getting up.

[Texan#1]

I went to Texas Tech. I love my Raiders, but Lubbock isn't exactly a jewel of pedestrian-friendly urban design. haha
What are you talking about? Lubbock is extremely walkable lol crossing 19th st. in front of Tech is always a breeze! lol I'm going back this coming saturday and while I'm happy to be going back I know I'll miss Dallas like crazy :(

[incrediculous]

Texan, you ever get a hold of a little humor rag around campus called The Perversity Weekly?

[msutton]

Two words: Metro Card

Or maybe it's a compound word. I'd have to look in my wallet, which is on the other side of the room. And I'm not getting up.
three words: poor college student

[Texan#1]

Texan, you ever get a hold of a little humor rag around campus called The Perversity Weekly?
Well I'm not much of a reader but I have read it a few times.. why do you ask?

[RobertB]

I bought my Diesel-powered VW Beetle (http://www.tdiclub.com/) back in February specifically because of rising gas prices. Looks like a good buy now -- 43mpg vs. 30-35 in the Saturn, and at 170,000 miles it wouldn't have lasted much longer at 120 miles a day. Plus, I can run on fuel refined from soybean oil (http://www.wnbiodiesel.com/) instead of dinosaur bones.

[Geaux Tigers]

I get to expense all my gas, so it doesn't bother me a bit.

[X Factor]

We Use Bio Diesel, Its cleaner, more enviromentally friendly and it burns longer.

[RobertB]

We Use Bio Diesel, Its cleaner, more enviromentally friendly and it burns longer.
w00t!

Where are you buying your BD? Did you know that Carl's Corner, which is much closer to you than it is to me, now has B95 and B40 available? That's in addition to their standard B20. I posted beaucoup details in the TDIClub.com forums (http://forums.tdiclub.com/showflat.php?Cat=0&Number=1076522&an=0&page=0), so I won't repeat it all here. The B95 was $2.60/gal when I went on Friday, which seemed like a lot until I had to fill up my wife's gas-powered car at $2.50-plus!

B95 -- that is, 95% biodiesel and 5% petrodiesel -- is about as close as we'll be able to get to 100% biodiesel at retail. The IRS rules are different for "biodiesel blended with diesel" vs. "straight biodiesel". Both get a tax break, but "blended" comes out of excise taxes (24.4c/gal of diesel), while "straight" comes out of taxes on profits. If you've got a halfway decent accountant, you *never* have taxable profits, so selling B100 doesn't get you anything.

[X Factor]

Yeah... We do go to Carls Corner, its only a hop, skip and a jump going down farm roads.

[RobertB]

Yeah... We do go to Carls Corner, its only a hop, skip and a jump going down farm roads.
Now that diesel in Dallas is $2.39 at the cheapest (at Flying J on I-20 this morning, ouch), and $2.50+ in many places, what is Carl charging?