Are higher energy prices affecting your behaviour?

jyl · jyl's Garage

Just curious, are you guys doing anything different due to higher gasoline prices (and I guess soon higher natural gas and heating oil prices)? Driving less or differently, doing less shopping/spending/traveling, cutting back on XMas giving, turning down the thermostat, etc?

I know I'm not driving any less (I didn't drive that much anyway, take bus/BART to work), but am driving the 911 more gently (shifting early and less gratuitous throttle) and I bumped up my tire pressures to 34 F / 37 R (was 32 F / 36R). I do seem to be spending less and buying fewer toys, though I didn't consciously think I was doing it due to energy prices, maybe I'm subconsciously trying to offset the Red Cross Katrina donation or something. I'm not planning any change in the kids' XMas presents, and do still plan to award myself something, probably a $1,000 gun, at least a new $300 iPod. It being only Oct in the Bay Area, we're not really using the thermostat yet, but I probably will turn down the program a bit come heater season.

Here in CA, our gas prices were very high even pre-Katrina, and I have the impression it didn't go up as much as elsewhere (I speculate this is because most CA gas is refined in CA, but I'm really not sure about that). And heating the house never costs much. But still, $70 to fill the 911 tank, every 3 weeks, is painful.

mikester · 10-12-2005, 08:32 PM

I drive less; bus more but I've been doing that for the last two years anyway since I started working in downtown LA.

singpilot · 10-12-2005, 08:44 PM

Finally got a locker at work. Come and go to the cleaners from there. That means I can commute on the bikes (no luggage).

I drive the Prius a lot more than the Pcars now.

I try and keep the speed at altitude below Mach .80 Used to be much faster, but am doing my part up there too.

cantdrv55 · 10-12-2005, 08:57 PM

Sold my Infiniti FX45 and bought a MINI Cooper and Nissan Xterra. The FX45 was getting 15 mpg on premium gas. The MINI gets at least 30. We don't drive the Xterra much at all but gets 18 mpg on regular gas.

Bought oil call options but sold too late. Set my stop loss too low.

Dantilla · 10-12-2005, 09:22 PM

As a landlord, I do not drive the Porsches to my property. Don't like the "rich landlord" image, even though I have tenants with more expensive cars than mine. As a result, the daily driver has been a 3/4 ton pick-up.

After the first time it cost over $70 to fill it, I bought a used Miata. Gets over 30 mpg, is a hoot to drive, and has no prestige. I drive the truck now only when I need to carry or tow something.

mikester · 10-12-2005, 09:57 PM

SoCal, a recent news article I was reading regarding gas prices was that the amount more folks would be spending on energy costs would be about 3-4% more of their income over last year. The typical raise a person gets a year is also in that range.

I'll raise it one more third rail - My wife an I were talking about her medical benefits this evening because open enrollment is approaching. He benefits are going up from ~$75 a pay period to ~$100 which also equates to nearly 4% of her salary per year which is ALSO what her raise typically is.

Though they do give pretty good bonuses. I asked her if it was a deal breaker and if she would look for another job over it and she said no. She gets to work from home 3 days a week and the company is very good to us in a lot of other areas.

We have the option of just using my insurance which has no premiums but it is crappy HMOs and a lot of the Dr.s around here are no longer accepting HMO insurance.

techweenie · techweenie's Garage

Around here, the used car lots are full of big trucks. But so are the roads.

For hauling, I had a '97 Cherokee (the un-Grand one) that was fairly economical, but replaced it with an A3 that gets nearly double the Jeep's mileage if I drive sedately...

I didn't do it so save money. I did it to reduce the amount of gas I use.

cantdrv55 · 10-12-2005, 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SoCal911SC
Yet, a lot of people are changing their behavior, even doing such drastic things as going out and buying more fuel efficient cars, because of that small monthly cost increase. Seems a bit over-reactionary.

The gas thing is just one of the reasons why I replaced the FX45. It was great vehicle, fast as hell, corners like a sports car. But who the heck needs an SUV that can do all that but tows only 1500 lbs (I think) and is scary in snow? Thought I did but I was wrong. The gas thing pushed me over the edge so I sold it.

Mulhollanddose · 10-12-2005, 11:31 PM

To a chorus of Democrat jeers, the energy bill barely passed.

Mulhollanddose · 10-12-2005, 11:43 PM

Environmentalist puppets

Mulhollanddose · 12:09 AM

Tom Delay does SNL

livi · 10-13-2005, 12:37 AM

Picked up cheap Army supply blankets to keep the children warm after I turned off the heat. Make them more physically active since its too cold sitting in front of computer or television.

Further more, I drive the Porsche a lot more since its way cheaper than the Grand Cherokee.

gavinlit · 10-13-2005, 01:26 AM

Gives me another excuse not to drive into work but work from home instead.

gas.save · 10-13-2005, 02:48 AM

Spam ad deleted. -Z-man.

Dixie · Dixie's Garage

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rcm · 10-13-2005, 04:30 AM

Set the cruise on 65 or 70 now. Used to be 80. No heated garage this year as fuel oil for heat will rise by an estimated 60% from where it is now. That means $4500 to heat the house for 6 months????!!!

turbo6bar · 10-13-2005, 04:37 AM

I don't drive the big truck at 65-70 mph on the highway heading to the rental properties. I now do constant throttle on the diesel engine and try to hold around 55-60 mph. That gives me 22-30 mpg depending on load.

I was planning to install storage sheds at some of the rentals, but I'm holding off due to higher material pricing.

jyl · jyl's Garage

Other than changing cars or driving habits or maybe the thermostat, is anyone cutting back spending on other things? In other words, are energy prices affecting other parts of the life and budget, or are you keeping things contained to the driving/heating part?

osidak · 10-13-2005, 04:47 AM

local NG company said expect to pay $100 more per month this winter...... OUCH

Used to drive the 911 every weekend and now it is a few times a month. I shift much earlier now when I do drive it and keep right around the speed limit.

My Jetta has been returning 53 mpg now that I shift earlier and moved my commute times to make it easier to keep a steady speed.