How is the rising price of gasoline or petrol affecting you and your family?
By scorpiobabes
@scorpiobabes (7225)
United States
February 21, 2012 6:00pm CST
It has drastically cut into our "pleasure" trips that we liked to take. We often have to 'group' errands together, and whoever is the closest to an affordable gas station gets to fill up. I've been forced to give up the last gift from my father, my 1996 Chrysler Sebring convertible, because I'm driving all over the place for work. Last week, we put $90 into our gas tank, but our budget is only for $40. So we're on the lookout for a later model car with better gas mileage and rewriting our budget. I've been forced to add drive time to each job I do because my car has literally fallen apart-and they're not going to buy me a new one.
So you've read my story about how the rising price of fuel is affecting us-how is it affecting you and what steps are you taking to stick to your budget?
1 person likes this
8 responses
@wilsongoddard (7291)
• United States
23 Feb 12
We haven't really made any changes. We generally do multiple things when we go out; we would do that regardless of the gas prices. We try to keep our car tuned up. We don't let our car idle. Our car gets decent gas mileage, which is one of the reasons why I like it.
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
17 Mar 12
The car that we purchased has a LOT of power-we often find ourselves going faster than we intended! 
I had an SUV the last time prices spiked towards $4, so I'm accustomed to grouping errands according to location. My job requires visiting different stores in various locations and because I'm still not 100% familiar with my route, I criss-cross through town. 
I intend to get out a map this weekend to find the shortest route because my goal is to fill up once a week, preferably in NJ where gas is $.20 cheaper! 
Thanks for responding!
I had an SUV the last time prices spiked towards $4, so I'm accustomed to grouping errands according to location. My job requires visiting different stores in various locations and because I'm still not 100% familiar with my route, I criss-cross through town. I intend to get out a map this weekend to find the shortest route because my goal is to fill up once a week, preferably in NJ where gas is $.20 cheaper! Thanks for responding!
@TheIrishClog (985)
• Ireland
22 Feb 12
It's definitely been affecting the amount of travelling we do. We don't go out drinking or doing other social events too often, but we do like to drive places and go for walks or window shopping. These days we only drive somewhere if we have to.
It's also had a detrimental effect on my health and mental well-being. Last year we had around €300 worth of home heating oil stolen from the tank in our back garden and were left unable to afford refilling the tank and thus left quite cold except for the open fire. This year, we've run out in the middle of winter and because it's simply unaffordable we're making do without it. We light the open fire most days when we're home in the evenings and threw an extra blanket on the bed...
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
17 Mar 12
That's scary, having your oil stolen! Ours is in the basement and I'm so not into oil-it smells when we get it delivered and it's SO expensive! I've had one of my homes (well, my dad's) broken into and it is a feeling of violation! 
Around the end of October last year, there was a nasty noreaster and it caused a LOT of tree branches to break and knock out power lines. We lost light and heat for two and a half days, so during the night everyone (me, Jim and the dog) crowded under the blankets in bed because it was so cold! I work days and Jim nights, but because this happened during the weekend, I was off. We took the dog out one day and went to two pet stores just so our dog could warm up! It was awful! I was SO grateful when the power came on because I could take a shower and wash my hair again! That was my 40th birthday gift! 
But the worst was the two and a half weeks when we had no oil-I kept getting brain freeze trying to wash my hair!
Around the end of October last year, there was a nasty noreaster and it caused a LOT of tree branches to break and knock out power lines. We lost light and heat for two and a half days, so during the night everyone (me, Jim and the dog) crowded under the blankets in bed because it was so cold! I work days and Jim nights, but because this happened during the weekend, I was off. We took the dog out one day and went to two pet stores just so our dog could warm up! It was awful! I was SO grateful when the power came on because I could take a shower and wash my hair again! That was my 40th birthday gift! But the worst was the two and a half weeks when we had no oil-I kept getting brain freeze trying to wash my hair! 
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
22 Feb 12
You are very fortunate that your car doesn't use much fuel-unfortunately, my job requires that I visit different job sites daily and as a result, I do use quite a bit of gasoline. We had budgeted $40 USD weekly, but it's climbing daily. I am afraid of how much more expensive it's going to get-when they went up to about $4 a gallon where I lived (Jersey), I was driving an SUV. I stopped driving unless it was absolutely necessary because I wasn't working at the time. I'm scared now because it's $.20 more a gallon here.
@megamatt (14292)
• United States
22 Feb 12
A lot more walking that is rather for sure. Actually that might be a blessing in disguise if that causes people to do a lot more walking to say the very least. I think if you think about it, driving has made a lot of us very lazy and very dependent on the vehicle. Therefore, we tend to freak out when the car breaks down our gives us static.
Forgetting that there is one important tool that we were born with throughout our entire life and that is our two feet. It is the same tool that has gotten us through many times, that propels us. So really the gasoline price, convincing a few to walk more to save on expenses may really be a blessing in disguise. So there is a good spin to everything.
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
17 Mar 12
Walking is only good if you actually live near a place to shop! 
If you're in a rural area, one might need another method of transportation. And when someone is hampered by a condition that prevents them from walking easily, it becomes difficult. In my town, it has a LOT of sharp hills. I also happen to have multiple sclerosis and have difficulties walking easily. Oftentimes, driving is a NECESSITY for me, as well as for others in similar situations. Perhaps if people actually slowed down and drove intelligently, we wouldn't be so dependent on foreign oil.
If you're in a rural area, one might need another method of transportation. And when someone is hampered by a condition that prevents them from walking easily, it becomes difficult. In my town, it has a LOT of sharp hills. I also happen to have multiple sclerosis and have difficulties walking easily. Oftentimes, driving is a NECESSITY for me, as well as for others in similar situations. Perhaps if people actually slowed down and drove intelligently, we wouldn't be so dependent on foreign oil. @eljayo (1105)
• Philippines
22 Feb 12
Hi! I think even if you do not have a car.If the gasoline price rises everything and everybody is affected. As you have noticed when gas prices hike there is also increase on fare and prices of goods. Since it is used in transporting products. Of course it affect our budget and we have to make it tighter to cope with the increasing prices for us to be able to survive and provide the needs of the family.Since I am in a country that does not produce oil but only imports it from other countries than we cannot do anything about it and just adapt to it.
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
17 Mar 12
When the cost of a barrel of crude goes up (as it did today), the cost of EVERYTHING goes up. Unfortunately, the economy in the United States (as well as much of the world) is greatly affected by the increased cost of gasoline because when consumers don't have a lot of disposable income to spend, the economy remains at a standstill. Everyone has their own opinions about how and what to do about the situation though.
@yahnee (1243)
• Philippines
22 Feb 12
The family does not own a car but we are also affected by the rise in gasoline prices.I just heard over the morning news that there is going to be another increase today. If the fuel prices go up we are severely affected because of the higher fare for the public transport. Add to that the liquefied petroleum gas that we use as fuel for cooking. Add the increase in the electricity bills and it all amounts to a whole lot of expenses. High fuel prices also result to the rise in prices of the basic commodities which makes the grocery shopping stressful. Governments should pay attention to the renewable sources of energy in order to reduce our dependence on the oil-rich countries. There is so much untapped energy from renewable sources like the sun, wind and water. The initial investments in harnessing these renewable sources might be quite expensive but the future gains will more than make up for the cost. This will also reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that have been seen as the cause of global warming and climate changes.
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
17 Mar 12
It seems that the world is being held hostage by the few nations that produce crude oil! I agree-there is tremendous potential in renewable sources like you mentioned, but Big Oil (here in the US) the early part of the last century about up the patents for automobiles that actually used that type of fuel! And while people laugh about cars fueled with used cooking oil or with solar energy, it's really great that people actually think up these ideas! If we don't think about what we're doing to the environment today, there might not be a tomorrow!
I agree-there is tremendous potential in renewable sources like you mentioned, but Big Oil (here in the US) the early part of the last century about up the patents for automobiles that actually used that type of fuel! And while people laugh about cars fueled with used cooking oil or with solar energy, it's really great that people actually think up these ideas! If we don't think about what we're doing to the environment today, there might not be a tomorrow! 
@lologirl2021 (5542)
• United States
22 Feb 12
Well not going out to dinner or going out spending alot o fmoney on groceries or going ut to eat, not spending money on clothes and accessories you just dont need. I think its improtant to stay focused on things you might need like gas to get back and forth to work and to pay your bills. Now i know i do buy some clothes here and there but it does get boring wearing the same things all the time, but lately since i have gotten my credit score i have been focused on not spending alot of money on the silly things and to pay on my bills and to stay focused on that more than anything lately.
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
22 Feb 12
We just went out last evening to replace some of my clothing-my jeans are from 2007 and I've only got three pairs (long story). We only go out once a month and often times, I will only eat appetizers while he gets a full meal (I'm accustomed to only eating small meals). I've completely redone our budget and cut out a lot of nonessentials.
You can shop at thrift stores and pick up some great accessories to change around your look. You can purchase a few basics and change your look with different accessories. But Jim has a single job site, where I'm in different jobsites every day (or sometimes more than one a day). It's important to keep your tire pressure correct and tires properly inflated; keep your vehicle tuned up; empty your car of anything nonessential; and things like that. I'm sure you have a few tips of your own, right?
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
22 Feb 12
I live near the Philadelphia metro area, well, I sort of do. I hate driving down that way now-last Wednesday I had a job in that direction, and I sat through FIVE LIGHT CYCLES! It was only about three quarters of a mile too! I wasted half of a tank of gas that day because of that crap-and spent about $80 on gas last week. Ugh! But it's not too hard for me to not floor it-this car is so old that you can floor it and it takes a while before it actually catches on! I will be so glad to get a more fuel efficient car though!
It was only about three quarters of a mile too! I wasted half of a tank of gas that day because of that crap-and spent about $80 on gas last week. Ugh! But it's not too hard for me to not floor it-this car is so old that you can floor it and it takes a while before it actually catches on! I will be so glad to get a more fuel efficient car though! 