Wednesday, May 28, 2008

It's 1979 Again

Holy crap people, I paid $4.03 a gallon yesterday to try and fill up my car... and I say, "try" because, hello, my ATM cuts off at $75 which means I haven't actually filled the tank in about 6 weeks... nice.

Maybe, says the Auto Fairy, you should look into a Prius... George Clooney drives one and George Clooney is hot.

Am I the only one who thinks $3.69 for a pound of apples is a lot?  Or that $4.89 for a box of Raisin Bran seems a bit over the top?

Chocolate isn't $3.69 or $4.89... chocolate is cheap.  Stop trying to feed those kids healthy foods!

Look, I have never been one to cut coupons or even pay too much attention... I mean, lettuce is x and chicken is y and there you are... buy the damn groceries already and make dinner.

Or, Hot Pockets.  They are dinner in a silver pouch.

Now, however, I am in shock.  SHOCK.  I wander through the grocery store like a newly arrived alien on planet Earth... and when I ask why bread is suddenly $3.50 a loaf I am told it's because the cost of diesel fuel is killing suppliers... and suddenly I am all, the war be damned, my voting issue this fall is OIL and who is going to do something about it? 

Carbs are bad for you.  Less carbs means more money for gas.

Probably, it all comes down to efficient mass transit... something Southern California has yet to get a handle on.

Think about a move to SF or NYC or Portland... they understand the beauty of cable cars and subways and trams.

I can't be the only person feeling so f*cked by the oil industry... pining for the good old days when gas was a mere $3 a gallon?  

Or $2 a gallon?

Now, that being said... tell me what you are doing or changing in terms of your spending habits as we enter into this delightful and new economic phase?

37 comments:

Jill said...

Chicago apparently has the highest gas prices in the country right now. In the city, we pay anywhere from $4.19 to $4.40+ per gallon. It's ridiculous! Though I did read an article this morning that said prices have peaked. Let's hope so!!!

Kristin said...

peaked is good. i can roll with anything as long as it doesn't keep changing on me!

Phoenix said...

Gas in Denver is 3.89 for unleaded. I have a freaking VW Beetle and I can barely afford to put gas in it.

I'll tell you, I just started making my own coffee, because I just can't afford Starbucks anymore. It makes me kinda sad, but I guess that's the way it has to be right now.

Anonymous said...

this summer my goal is to buy more locally grown food to support area farmers and reduce the gas-related impact of the stuff we're eating. I'm not at the point yet where I'm cutting myself off from things I love that are NOT locally grown, but just trying to do more locally.

does that count?

Kristin said...

Jennie - absolutely! I try buy as much locally grown food as I can... but, I've noticed that even with seafood, caught right off our coast, is more because the damn fuel to gas up the boats costs more... it's a vicious circle!

Kristin said...

Phoenix - Starbucks for gas... it's a sad day! ;-(

Anonymous said...

I can't believe it either. It costs me over one hundred dollars to fill up my car! 100!!!!! It's disgusting. I am trading it in this fall on a hybrid, but until then, I am screwed.

Marisa

furiousBall said...

i ride my bike to work one day a week, which may very well become 2 days or 3 days.

Kristin said...

FB - bike riding is impressive... also, gives you a good ass.

Anonymous said...

I haven't changed my spending much. I'm just bitching about it a whole lot more. The gas really gets me though. My gas guzzling SUV is costing me $100 every 5-6 days. really puts me in a bad mood every time my gas light turns on.

Jenny said...

Shopping for food is outrageous. Fresh food is heaftily priced.

We, even at the big groceries, are trying to buy local, thinking of the farmers market 1x a week and cutting out alot of junk food and buying those things at target where prices haven't gotten as out of control as others.

I hate to cut out the things we love, like good meat and fresh fruit....but who knows. I like you never really thought about it.

Heza Hekele said...

I'm actually getting to know my own neighbourhood and taking the kiddos on (hold your breath) walks! It's taking a toll on the 'ole student induced love handles (not a bad thing). I'm also planning trips across town (or province) and killing two or more birds with one stone...I think this might be called planning ahead? For groceries...old habits win: Costco. Costco. Costco.

Heza Hekele said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
The Ferryman said...

I can't speak for others, but I have switched from the pricey cocaine to the much more economical crack.

Anonymous said...

Luckily, I walk to work. Of course, my office is in my basement, so that's not saying much. When I do drive -- and I try to have at least two no-drive days per week -- I drive a Mazda 3, which gets good mileage. I also bundle my errands so that I'm not taking the car out for one purpose only.

In the grocery store, I've cut back on processed foods -- cookies, crackers, and other junk -- but I was doing that anyway, in an effort to make our pantry and fridge more healthy. Since I have kids and kids like treats, I bake instead of investing in Pepperidge Farm and Little Debbie. When I make cookie batter, I only bake 1/3 or 1/2 of the batch and freeze the rest of the dough for a future baking session. When I make brownies, I freeze most of them and pull them out for school lunches.

Amy Y said...

I'm actually kind of happy about the expense of gas. We should have other transportation alternatives by now and consumers won't demand them unless they have to. I think, maybe, now we will. It's a forced "greening" of America. And if we want our earth to be around for our kids, it needs to happen.

As far as being frugal... or trying to be... we've been clipping coupons, finding less expensive ways to entertain ourselves, and walking where we can. We reuse everything we can and try to be less wasteful. I've shopped at thrift stores (it's like a treasure hunt!) for ages now and rarely buy anything over $10 for me or my kids (shoes and jackets/coats and bathing suits are exceptions). And ebay.

We try not to use the air conditioner if we can avoid it, especially to cool an empty home... switched to CFL's and turn off lights to save on electric.

Sorry you asked? :)

Kristin said...

Slackermommy - I hear you... each time that little "ding" alerts me to the low fuel, I feel my blood pressure rise.

Jenny - vegan, here we come!

Heza - me too! It's amazing how many more walks the girl and I, not to mention the dogs are getting... well, were getting until THE FALL!

Mr. Fab - You're a genius! I'm going to save the big money, now!!

Jen - the baking thing is probably a good plan... although I have a hard time stepping away from the dough...

Kristin said...

Amy - not sorry at all! I've just stopped shopping all together!

Daniella said...

my comment disappeared. Gas here in SW Fl is at $3.99 for premium. I drive a tank so I try to fill at the halfway point - it makes me feel better. I also use my bike to go on local errands. Our boat is diesel and holds 350 gallons. We just paid $4.40 a gal. for fuel. We have slowed our speed down significantly. We try to buy local as well but the problem with the fish is the same here - the fuel. I never used to look at prices in grocery stores either and now I do. I'm going to Costco a lot more.

Kristin said...

Daniella - we're having the same boat issues.

Los said...

Yeah - Philly's mass transit is appallingly awful ... Gas prices are insane ... something needs to be done.

Shelley said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Shelley said...

Today, $4.23 for gas in Orange! And that's not the high-test stuff.

I've been clipping coupons for about 6 months now. Last trip to the store I saved over $20 from coupons alone (and $20 more from being a "club member"). That's half a tank right there.

We also now do not use the AC. I've been doubling up on my dryer-loads.

And I walk to work too. :) My commute now consists of stumbling out of bed and into the home office.

Sadly, I've been cutting back on my lunch outings too, as you well know. While that has not been by choice, it has made a difference in our expenses.

I'm now almost regretting making reservations for camping in Yosemite this summer. Wondering if it might not be better to stay home.

LindaJ said...

Oh my gawd, where to start...My gas large SUV is killing me in gas, but I refuse to trade it in on a mimi car. I have 3 kids, boat, trailer, and love my suv.....happy for those who can by a hybrid..hard to tow a boat with a hybrid.

Groceries...I gave myself a dollar amount each week to spend (never done that before) I stay under the amount and it really helps not by all the junk.

I buy all my fruit and veggie at Costco. This week I did go to our local organic stand to buy veggies.

I haven't been to the mall for shopping in months....I couldn't even tell you what is hot right now.

I used to buy rag mags and Starbucks almost everyday....I get my celb gossip online and make my own black iced tea.

I just have one thing to say.....THIS SUCKS!!!

Joannah said...

I just received my Chev-ron bill today, and it's the most it's ever been. I don't know how to cut corners, but we're going to have to think of something.

SUEB0B said...

I love you, Kristin, but I decided to delete all the partial feeds from my reader. It isn't personal!

Julie said...

Gas here (Montreal)is $1.40 per LITRE! So if I'm doing my math right ( 4 litres in a gallon) that's $5.60 a gallon! So officially I win (or loose, rather) :o)

At least the croissants are cheap ... ahhhh carbs!

Kristin said...

Los - But, you do have cheese steak and Rocky...

Shell - we're splurging on Thursday!

Linda - yes... we actually need our SUV for the same reasons... but, um, I sadly love it's ungreen self.

Johanna - ugh... the mail scares me.

SueBob - I love you too! I understand!

M.I.C. - thank you, I feel better. ;-)

Lisa and Tate said...

I only wish I could bike or walk or take public transit to work... just not available to where I work.

I have a small SUV- gutless in power but a little better on gas. I have taken my rack off of the SUV top.. hear it caused drag and thus more gas usage. AND freakin' slowed down when driving.

Just planted a small grow box garden (square foot gardening).... and will buy local and clip coupons.

Have not brought myself to making own coffee... I drink non fancy straight up coffee and love the drive thru for this.

Joe said...

Yeah, carbs give me gas as well. That was the point of this post, right?

I do find myself driving less, and going out a lot less, and forgoing luxuries. There are a number of reasons for this, but it's primarily economy driven.

Gracencameronsmomy said...

Don't move here(although I would love t. we could drink. all the time.) I paid $4.22 for gas and I saw that the granole that I like was $5.65 (!). And Bart doesn't go where I need to go (south). DH did trade in the gass guzzling durango for a convertible...but I am not sure that was about gas prices...(cough-mid-life crisis)

Kristie said...

Less Starbucks runs since it costs me about $6 a visit for a venti americano and those darn madaline cookies for the babies.... not to mention sitting in the drive thru I'm wasting gas....

we're eating dinner at the in laws at least 4 times a week these days. We started buying bread in bulk and tossing it in the freezer, thanks Costco...

Farmers market here we come to get some veggies and fruit.. cuz Sydney can munch through two apples and a banana in one sitting...

tough times... I'd like to trade my SUV in for something more green.... like a bike ~lmao~ but I'd have to invest in 3 helmets, and a burley to attach to the back to get the kids to and from daycare.. plus I'd have to wake up a good hour early to get to work... maybe I can trade in the SUV for a sedan to sit all the kids.. but are they safe enough?

Chrissie said...

Its been a good excuse to shop more on eBay :-) Save gas money by surfing the net for stuff instead of driving. Amazon is another great site to find things.

Thankfully, I don't care much for Starbucks, but I definitely have cut back on the Tim Horton runs. Its a sad, sad day.

Evil Witch said...

getting a job because as the price of EVERYTHING rises the wages have NOT! and so we are struggling to survive literally. We just hit $4.11 here in Astoria Oregon.

carrie said...

You can go 6 weeks between fill-ups?

I am in awe. And a little jealous too.

Posy said...

I would love to buy into a farm share program where you get the benefit of having a garden without the dirt, back braking work, and sweat. However, with the cost of gas sucking my limited income away, I will not be buying into the farm share this year. I hate oil too.

Poppy B. said...

I'm bunching errands, trying not to drive three days a week, and haven't set foot in a department store for months. I find I'm spending more money on food--lots more--but since I don't see the credit card bills, I don't see how everything else is going down--restaurant meals, especially, but also other goodies. I got the Amazon monkey off my back and switched to half.com for books/CDs/DVDs and the libary where I can.

With gas at $4.40 a gallon, I'm glad I never developed a Starbucks habit!