Making plans for higher gas prices?

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-05-2004
Making plans for higher gas prices?
10
Mon, 03-07-2005 - 1:01pm

Hi! I've been hearing about gas prices going up on the news. Today, when I had to fill up, regular unleaded gas was $1.89 a gallon (in Atlanta), up from $1.69 the last time I filled up. Last year, when gas prices were going higher, I made the decision to stay at home as much as I could, so I was thinking today about redoing my fun-at-home list now that my son is a year older, and making a list of fun things we can do at home (rather than going to the library or museums--we're homeschoolers) to avoid having to drive and waste gas. Last year, I also had an "errand day" and made sure all my errands were run on one day each week. I was thinking I'd start going back to that routine also, rather than my current thinking of...."Ok, I'll grocery shop today, and then that will leave tomorrow free for the Post Office and Bank....".

Anyone else have plans to change routine now that the prices are going up?

Pat

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-19-2004
Mon, 03-07-2005 - 2:16pm

I commute 25 miles one way to work each day, I am not sure there is much I can do about the gas prices.

Edit: I forgot to add that I did just buy a small, very fuel efficient car and my gas costs dropped significantly when I started driving it :)




Edited 3/7/2005 2:41 pm ET ET by firstamendment

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-21-2004
Mon, 03-07-2005 - 2:35pm
No I'm a homebody anyway lol and I don't like wasting gas for any reason no matter what price it is. I only leave the house when I have to which consists of cubscout meetings, laundry day, and payday, which is my errand day. Once in awhile I will have errands to run on another day but I really try to hold off any errands if I can so I can combine them. Heck, if I only had to change my oil every 3000 miles instead of every 3months, I would probaly only have 2 oil changes a year, only if dh isn't home which he isn't. When he comes home then the car gets used everyday since he has to go to work.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-22-2003
Mon, 03-07-2005 - 2:39pm
I should have bought a car with a more conservative engine - mine has a V6. I drive 20 miles to work one way, and use my car for my sales calls. I'm nervous about the increasing prices of gas. I have a Sam's Club membership and one of their gas stations next to my work, but that only discounts gas for $0.05. It's a savings though!
Avatar for cl_phocid
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 03-07-2005 - 4:09pm
I definitely have plans for cheaper commute.

All my best,
Danni

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-04-2004
Mon, 03-07-2005 - 5:52pm
I will make sure to run all my errands either on my way to or from work and not run all over on the weekends. Besides I go right by all those places during the week. My SO and I can also stay at his mom's house during the week which is closer to work for both of us, she isn't home anyway so it will work out just fine. Should be interesting to see how much it goes up and for how long it stays that way. :(
~leanne

~leanne

deciding to be happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect, but that you had decided to look beyond the imp

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-05-2004
Tue, 03-08-2005 - 8:15am

I'm not sure how much truth there is in it, but my Mom (who lives in the Washington D.C. area) has been hearing that the gas prices will go over $3.00 by the end of the summer. I told her I hadn't heard that down here in the South, but I'm eager to see if her news reports are right. I don't think anyone would be driving unless they absolutely HAD to if prices went that high.

Pat

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-20-2004
Thu, 03-17-2005 - 8:24pm

i'm just waiting till april, i can ride the
motorbike at 50 mpg city.

the car has gotten 34 city since 87 when i bought it.
but i can tell you: it used to be $9 to fill up, now
its almost $20!

probably $30 by summer :(

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-22-1999
Thu, 03-17-2005 - 10:09pm

I'm a bit freaked out over the price of gas. Right now there is not that much I can do to reduce my driving, and I figured out that at the current rate I am going, I'll be spending about $1600 a year on gas......oh my!!!!!

I am going to have to reduce spending in some areas (like food?) to be able to afford the gas I need.....It will be interesting to watch the economy and see how this summer (and travel) are affected. I really am amazed how when I think I am going to get ahead I am still just treading water, but at least I am STILL SWIMMING!..........

I was hoping to take the bus to work (new job coming up!), but I may be required to be there during hours where there is no bus. I am going to have to make some decisions about getting to work, but every option is a new expense for me.

I guess I am going to be making those routine altering decsions at some point, but I need more time to think about it. I can definitely see my more recreational driving being scaled back. I'm also going to have to take advantage of all the stores that I can hit on my way home from work (if I'm not taking the bus!). Well, I'll wait and see.

I wish we were not so addicted to gasoline for our lifestyles!

Littlesbigs

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 03-18-2005 - 6:58am
We have also decided to stay home more this summer. But for me the real problem isn't how much gas is going to cost. It is how much more everything else will cost as a result of gas going up. I remember how much my grocery bill went up last year (especially milk).
Sandra
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-10-2004
Fri, 03-18-2005 - 9:51am

The cheapest gas around me is $2.09 a gallon for the unleaded.