April 22nd, 2006, 10:30 AM
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Site Administrator
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Queens, NY
Posts: 287
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How Have Higher Gas Prices Affected You?
I'm doing a little investment research and I thought it would be interesting to start a discussion on the impact of higher gas prices.
Have you changed any of your spending habits to offset these higher prices?
How high do you think gas prices are going to go?
Does it really matter at all or is it just business as usual in your household?
Ron
Last edited by Ron-Douglas : April 22nd, 2006 at 03:44 PM.
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April 22nd, 2006, 10:56 AM
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Master Chef
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: www.foodpals.com (profile)
Posts: 19,896
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Re: How Have Higher Gas Prices Affected You?
It's very difficult these days! Food prices have escalated with the raise in minimum wage and now this with gasoline. So the cycle starts.....
It's not like "in the good ol' days" when you had corner stores to pick up groceries when you needed something. And the convenience stores are basically, beer, pop, ciggies and newspapers. Maybe prepared sandwiches (known as "rubber subs") coffee - but not much for anyone who is in need of a meal ingredient! If you're lucky you may find one with a deli counter for slicing deli meats - but it's not what most are looking for. And this forces a person to have to drive to the supermarket. Of course - they are not the old-fashioned supermarkets located in your area - they are practically mall-size and in order to get to one - you need to drive. Most stores are located in mall areas - and most malls are outside of most towns/cities. Even drugstores are not as close to home as needed for many. Bus routes are not as widely used in many areas - and it wouldn't matter - they will raise their rates as well. Besides - shopping and using a bus with parcels???????? Taxi drivers will also be raising their rates.
That means - bicycle prices will also rise - for those that would prefer to bike to work, etc. Why shouldn't the bicycle manufacturers jump on the bandwagon too and make a profit!
Sneaker companies will now come up with a more durable walking shoe for those that need to hit the pavement - and those shoes will cost more too!
It's just a vicious cycle - and it seems that all the companies will jump on the band wagon. Food and other consumer goods will have to go up in price because of the gas/diesel used by trucking companies.
And where does that leave those of us that are retired and living on fixed incomes? Medicare has forced many to invest in prescription plans which takes away from their monthly checks. That leaves even less to live on. You've seen commercials on television - seniors/disabled have to choose between medications and food - now add gasoline to it.
Ambulances will raise their rates because of gas for travel - that's not covered by insurance.
For those that have to pay rates to park in parking lots or ramps for work - if they stop driving, the ramps/lots will have to raise their rates to make up the difference.
And then there is the one-income families trying to survive. Jobs are out-sourced to different countries leaving lower wages for those that need to work at anything they can find. Two-income families are not in much better shape.
Most households have more than one car. With these prices - one grets to fill up (if they are lucky) and the other just puts into the gas tank whatever they can.
Our property and school taxes will also increase. More children are being bussed to schools and many have split sessions and need to take a bus or school bus to another school for special classes. And don't forget the after-school sports held in different schools! And field trips for students.
The post office will cry that they are not making money because of the increase in gas prices and then they will raise the price of postage. Supermarkets, banks, convenience stores that take utility payments will raise their rates for accepting such payments. You can't win.
If no one travels on weekends or for vacations due to all this - then businesses raise their prices to make up for what they are losing - if they don't just end up closing and putting more out of work.
grrrrrrrrrr -
Ok - for now - I will step off my soapbox! I've bored you enough!
KW
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April 22nd, 2006, 11:03 AM
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Master Chef
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: www.foodpals.com (profile)
Posts: 19,896
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Re: How Have Higher Gas Prices Affected You?
I'm back - FYI - this morning on the news they said that the top 3 oil companies will be making 80 million in profits!
And Bush is going after anyone who is price-gouging!
He should start with the oil companies!!!
grrrrrr---------
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April 22nd, 2006, 12:11 PM
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Site Administrator
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Queens, NY
Posts: 287
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Re: How Have Higher Gas Prices Affected You?
If you can't beat 'em join 'em - invest in the oil companies. With all of these geo-political issues looming (Iran, etc) it's going to get worse before it gets better.
Last edited by Ron-Douglas : April 22nd, 2006 at 12:38 PM.
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April 22nd, 2006, 12:33 PM
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Recipe Buddy
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 5
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Re: How Have Higher Gas Prices Affected You?
This is SO unnecessary. As usual our 'government' is not telling the tax paying American people, consumer the truth. In Texas ALONE there is enough gas for each American for the next 150 years at $1.10 per gallon. There are countless reserviors full of oil that has been there so long that the caps are rusted closed. It would be less expensive to replace the caps and give us that oil. The oil from other countries has to reprocessed so lets use what we have here in the USA. Charity should start at home but our 'government' thinks it should start with them then other countries that owe us money THEN the American people. Ahhh the last days are upon us. Unfortunately this is only the beginning. Glad I have my faith!
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April 22nd, 2006, 12:43 PM
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Recipe Buddy
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 3
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Re: How Have Higher Gas Prices Affected You?
I am so tired of the good ole boys comparing the price of gas to the price of milk. When do we ever buy 20 gallons of milk at one time? I think the good ole boys, "Bush, Cheney and crew" are just lining their pockets. Yuk!
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April 22nd, 2006, 12:47 PM
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Recipe Buddy
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Mesa, Arizona
Posts: 1
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Re: How Have Higher Gas Prices Affected You?
I live in a metropoliton area in Arizona and I am 72 years old. You have to drive to everything as everything is at least a mile away. At my age and the heat there is no way that I can walk that far. I try to plan my errands to make the best of it and get as much done in one trip.
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April 22nd, 2006, 12:58 PM
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Site Administrator
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Queens, NY
Posts: 287
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Re: How Have Higher Gas Prices Affected You?
At least a mile in a metroplolitan area? Imagine what the suburbs are like in Arizona.
Be careful in the heat out there.
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April 22nd, 2006, 01:39 PM
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Recipe Buddy
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Ohio
Posts: 5
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Re: How Have Higher Gas Prices Affected You?
We have really cut back. We cancelled cable, date night, sports for the kids.
We are buying only what is needed, no extra's. We cancelled family vacations this year too. Gas is just too high to drive the camper everywhere.
It is really hitting us hard. The only reason we still have internet is because dh job pays for it.
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April 22nd, 2006, 03:00 PM
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Recipe Buddy
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 3
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Re: How Have Higher Gas Prices Affected You?
As the general public, middle class America should start to take back America.
The gas tycoons keep getting richer, politicians keep getting richer; but the people who get up every day and work for moderate salaries and are still the back bone of the country -- keep getting the shaft. MIDDLE AMERICA, BAND TOGETHER AND TAKE BACK WHAT WE HAD IN THE 50'S, 60'S AND 70'S.
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April 22nd, 2006, 03:59 PM
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Recipe Buddy
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 1
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Re: How Have Higher Gas Prices Affected You?
I think that the people that have intrest in the oil are lining their pockets with
the high prices of gas. Like our President and all the rest. Sorry Mr. President
but thats what I belive. There is NO need for these HIGH prices. But then as long as certain pockets are getting full, why worry about the majority that have to suffer. Guess we need to get the republicans OUT. Need I say more?
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April 22nd, 2006, 03:59 PM
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Recipe Buddy
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 2
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Re: How Have Higher Gas Prices Affected You?
I Received An E-mail That Said If You Do Not Buy From The Two Big Companies (exxon & Mobil) That They Will Feel The Pinch And Start Doing Something. We Will See
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April 22nd, 2006, 04:56 PM
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Master Chef
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: www.foodpals.com (profile)
Posts: 19,896
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Re: How Have Higher Gas Prices Affected You?
pyoung - I posted that email - it's posted in CHAT as GAS WAR
It would be great if everyone did this!
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April 22nd, 2006, 05:02 PM
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Master Chef
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: www.foodpals.com (profile)
Posts: 19,896
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Re: How Have Higher Gas Prices Affected You?
by the way - I have been against this since it started - and I will only purchase gas for my car and the reservation! At least I am not paying taxes on it.
Since I live in NY - I buy my clothes (tax free instead of 8.75% here) in PA and all my taxable items (6% VS 8.75% here). I find that even groceries are cheaper there than here.
And before you ask - yes - I am moving there as soon as I can!
These high prices are bad enough - but NY state taxes are ridiculous! The way the economy is - no one can afford to live here anymore - no jobs and high taxes and high prices!
What's really sad - on the news today they were talking about immigrants from Mexico taking over any job and getting paid only $3 to $4 per hour and Americans were making 3 to 7 times more than that doing the same jobs. The American citizens can't live on that - how are these poor people supposed to. And the companies prefer them because they never complain and work longer hours. And they have no benefits! Not right - they don't deserve that treatment!
Last edited by Kitchen Witch : April 22nd, 2006 at 05:05 PM.
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April 22nd, 2006, 05:56 PM
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Recipe Buddy
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1
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Re: How Have Higher Gas Prices Affected You?
MY HUSBAND AND I ARE A TRUCK OWNER/OPERATOR. THIS HAS HIT US VERY HARD. THE BROKERS OFFER US FREIGHT AT $1.00 PER MILE OR $1.25 PER MILE. WE CAN NOT DO THIS AND STAY IN BUSINESS OUR TRUCK GETS 4.55 MILES PER GALLON,SO AS FOR MOST TRUCKS, IT TAKES MORE THAN THAT TO BE ABLE TO MAKE A PROFIT. WE WERE GETTING PAID $ 1.00 PER MILE OVER 30 YEARS AGO WHEN FUEL WAS $0.50 PER GALLON. WE HAVE NO GROCERY STORES IN OUR AREA. WE HAVE TO TRAVEL 40 TO 60 MILES (ONE WAY) FOR FOOD OR CLOTHING. WE DON.T DRIVE THE CAR UNLESS IT IS REALLY NECESSARY. I DO DRIVE 1/2 MILE TO CHURCH ON SUNDAY MORNING BECAUSE MY TEACHING AIDS ARE TOO HEAVY TO CARRY THAT FAR. IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT MR. BUSH (IN HIS CAMPAIGN) WAS GOING TO SOMETHING ABOUT THE PRICE OF FUEL IF HE WAS ELECTED. I JUST DIDN'T KNOW THAT THIS IS WHAT HE MEANT?????  |
April 22nd, 2006, 05:59 PM
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Recipe Buddy
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 4
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Re: How Have Higher Gas Prices Affected You?
In our house we car pool more with other people and when errands have to be done we do several while we are out. We go out less also. At least this gives us more time to do more around our house..........LOL
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April 22nd, 2006, 06:03 PM
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Recipe Buddy
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Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 10
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Re: How Have Higher Gas Prices Affected You?
One way to help drive down the cost of gasoline is just buy the smallest amount you can get away with. If filling stations tanks are full and they can't order any more from their suppliers, the suppliers will be stuck with alot of gas and they in turn will not be able to buy any from the refineries. When this happens prices will fall, but you must keep this up until gas has reached a reasonable price at the pumps. Americans have the power to achieve this if you we would just all pull together.
Patty
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April 22nd, 2006, 06:06 PM
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Recipe Buddy
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 4
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Re: How Have Higher Gas Prices Affected You?
Just read some more of the postings. I just want to say that I nor my husband voted for Bush the first time nor the second time. As for the gas companys, Exxon recently, are massing hugh profits. What does everyone think of their billion dollar quarter.........just a little reminder, that is only 3 months. Well they are getting richer and richer. Just wish that a real green car was available. That are some of my thoughts.
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April 22nd, 2006, 06:27 PM
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Master Chef
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: www.foodpals.com (profile)
Posts: 19,896
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Re: How Have Higher Gas Prices Affected You?
let's face it - the working middle class in this country is being wiped out!
we are heading right back into the sweatshops! work long-hard hours for nothing or don't work at all - and meanwhile - EVERYTHING is going up - and the farmers use a lot of gasoline - so guess what??? looks like we won't be eating much
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April 22nd, 2006, 06:49 PM
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Recipe Buddy
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: southern IN
Posts: 1
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Re: How Have Higher Gas Prices Affected You?
I have stopped driving all together. When I need to get groceries or anything else, I depend on someone else, who is already going to take me.I've spend a total of $20.00 on gas in the last month and I still have half a tank. The only reason I will drive is for an emergency.
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April 22nd, 2006, 07:00 PM
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Recipe Buddy
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1
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Re: How Have Higher Gas Prices Affected You?
when one person in our home goes to town they run as many errands as possible for everyone.and when I go I call my sisters and see if they need to go and we carpool.No more drives just to enjoy or relax the outdoors.Most visiting is done during chance meetings on errands,over the phone or online.All our lifestyles have changed ALOT!
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April 23rd, 2006, 02:16 PM
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Recipe Buddy
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 2
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Re: How Have Higher Gas Prices Affected You?
No yet but I am really getting concerned
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April 23rd, 2006, 11:34 PM
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