Is the high price of gas getting in your way?
By scorpiobabes
@scorpiobabes (7225)
United States
May 23, 2008 11:48am CST
I heard on the news this morning that many people have trimmed or completely cut out their travel plans this Memorial Day because of the high price of gas! I'm using close to $100 a week--and I'm not even going anywhere! I try to go to the store, bank or post office as little as possible now, and limit my trips to being combined with something else, so I can save a bit of gas. This has gotten out of hand--now I'm watching my gas gauge sink faster than stone every day....and the prices keep going UP! 
My daughter's 15th birthday party is out--my aunt offered a weekend at her shore house, but I can't afford the gas to get us there! 
So what have you had to give up lately?
My daughter's 15th birthday party is out--my aunt offered a weekend at her shore house, but I can't afford the gas to get us there! So what have you had to give up lately?1 person likes this
3 responses
@desertdarlene (8911)
• United States
23 May 08
There was a time when I used to go out to the desert or the mountains at least once a month to do photography and take reference photos for my artwork. Now, it's just too expensive. I miss going to these areas. If it wasn't for the internet, I wouldn't even know what was going on at all the places I usually travel too. I just got this car and I have a little problem that I need a good long road trip to figure it out and I can't do that.
Wow, you're spending a lot on gas. I only spend about $60 in a month and that's more than I used to because my newer car gets less gas mileage.
1 person likes this
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
23 May 08
We have horrible traffic--I could sit five minutes or more just to get out of my street! I also have a 2006 Suzuki XL7; when I bought it, they must have filled the tires to look good, because when we checked the air pressure last week, it was all off! The tires are supposed to be 32 lbs; the two on the right side were 31.5 lbs. (not bad), the left front was 29 and the left rear was 41 lbs! YIKES! My transmission fluid needed to be topped off, my air filter was pretty clean, but now I need brakes, an oil change and alignment, as well as someone to check the shifting on my car (it still seems off). I hate the dang thing, and want to sell it, but no one is buying anything!
Going out to the desert or the mountains sounds nice--do you live far? 
I hope you can get things sorted out without those trips (or gas prices come down soon).
Going out to the desert or the mountains sounds nice--do you live far? I hope you can get things sorted out without those trips (or gas prices come down soon). 1 person likes this
@desertdarlene (8911)
• United States
28 May 08
Thanks for the best response. I actually don't live too far from the mountains or the desert. I'm about 45 miles from the mountains and 80 miles from the desert. But, still takes a lot of gas to get there and back. And, I don't always like to go to the same part of the desert. Sometimes, I like to go to Coachella Valley which is about 135 miles away.
@carolscash (9491)
• United States
23 May 08
Yes, we have given up a lot of things because of gas prices. Instead of going on a picnic to a state park this year for the holiday we are camping on a piece of property that we own. It is not a lake front or anything just a plain peice of land. I can't afford to go to a state park.
I used to take my kids to the park for lunch but we don't do that anymore either as it just costs too much!
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
24 May 08
That's a shame that you can't afford to go to a state park now, but at least you're fortunate to own some land to go camping. 
The government should be preaching conservation, not whining to the oil companies (although I don't agree with the Exxon chair receiving a $12 million bonus while people are out of work!)
The government should be preaching conservation, not whining to the oil companies (although I don't agree with the Exxon chair receiving a $12 million bonus while people are out of work!) 
@foxyfire33 (10005)
• United States
23 May 08
I didn't have much to give up in the first place...grocery runs, going to see the older kids, and taking my son to preschool 3 times a week. Preschool is over now, and I haven't left the house since Tuesday and that was only a 10 mile trip.
I thought you might enjoy a little more gas station humor...
1 person likes this
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
23 May 08
You're very fortunate...because I have MS, I NEED to drive my car (I can't walk everywhere, and the nearest supermarket is over a mile away). When I first lost my job 2 1/2 years ago, I began grouping my errands into specific days, so that I could get by on unemployment; now, I'm driving someone to work every day (round trip is nearly 30 miles!), I'm using close to $100 a week...and that's just for HIS trip. I think he'll be giving me $150 now...and I'll have to stop eating altogether, unless he treats me! And thanks for the gas station humor--I've attached some more for you! 
