H8URSUV?
May 21st, 2007 | by mbhunter |After work today I took probably my last opportunity in a while to buy gas under $3 per gallon. Gas yesterday was $2.96/gallon at the three gas stations near where I work. The three stations are usually the same prices, and almost always within a few cents of one another. When I left work today, the one closest to my office had gone up to $3.10/gallon, but the next one down the road was still at $2.96. I was only slightly below half a tank but I gassed up anyway. A fourteen-cent-per-gallon differential doesn’t last for long. Either the first station jumped the gun or the other station hadn’t updated their up.
The last time that gas was above $3/gallon around here was during Hurricane Katrina when the supply line was disrupted. Where’s the emergency now? Or is it just the beginning of a long one? As much as some people want lawmakers to Do Something About It, this long-term trend is beyond any government’s power to stop.
As much as we love our Town and Country, the thought occurred to me that we could use a more efficient vehicle to replace that one. The van gets in the low 20s. My Corolla gets in the mid to high 30s. This is not going to be an easy sell to my honey, who loves it even more than I do. It’s not to the point where we have to cut gas expenses, but I’m going to aim for having our next vehicle be at least 30 mpg. It’s on my mind. (Of course, prices for used SUVs might go way down if gas hits $4/gallon — but that’s not the green solution.)
So, with expensive gas getting entrenched in our lives, how are you handling it?
6 Responses to “H8URSUV?”
By zen on May 22, 2007 | Reply
I carpool, don’t make unnecessary trips, and try to get everything in one go. I also cut back on going out to anything that isn’t “on the way” and try to make grocery trips coincide with other events.
By Kurt on May 22, 2007 | Reply
I live 2 miles from work. I’ve had my car for 16 months now (not particularly fuel efficient at 18-28 mpg depending on driving type and style). Two days ago the “maintenance required” light turned on. “Oh great” I thought since it was brand new when I bought it. Turns out it’s just an automatic timer that goes off at 7500 miles.
My gasoline expenditures aren’t very high as you can imagine. I use less fuel than someone in the suburbs that drives a “look at me I’m an environmentalist” Prius, and I get to enjoy driving at the same time. Win win!
By samerwriter on May 22, 2007 | Reply
I deal with high fuel prices by remembering that a few hundred dollars more per year isn’t going to make or break the budget, and it’s not worth worrying about.
By Anitra on May 22, 2007 | Reply
We’re carpooling more and more, and making sure that there is room in the budget to spend twice as much on gas. Discussions on our next car have shifted from “a small SUV, maybe a hybrid” to “mini Cooper” (small and efficient, fun for hubby to drive) – or maybe downsizing to only one car.
I hope the government doesn’t start putting price controls on gasoline. I’d rather see prices go up enough that people start changing their habits.
By Kevin on May 23, 2007 | Reply
Like Kurt, I live about 2 miles from work. Most days I walk. I’m saving a FORTUNE in gasoline and related car costs. I can ride my bike if I need more “carrying capacity” or time savings. Otherwise I make use of the time to separate work from home life and to listen to audiobooks, podcasts and music on my iPod. I also dumped the $50/month gym membership and now make up for it with the twenty miles per week I walk.
Fresh air, sunshine, time for myself, fitness, and cost savings — what’s not to love?
By Kurt on May 24, 2007 | Reply
“Fresh air, sunshine, time for myself, fitness, and cost savings — what’s not to love?”
Sweat! In the summer, in a suit, that just ain’t feasible. Oh well.