Here we go again! Gas hike on the way, page

reply to post by TheRedneck

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The prices go up tomorrow? Bit of a late warning, eh?

I kid. Seriously though, it doesn't seem as if gas prices will ever tangibly decrease. I'm really glad I drive a tiny compact, I still manage to get around for $20-25 a week. I feel really sorry for anyone who has to drive a bigger car or truck for occupational/family reasons.

reply to post by dgtempe
Well, I do what i can... twice now I have attempted to warn people, when I found out about a spike coming.

Yeah, I know that's not what you meant. But my point is that we have to do for ourselves this time. Things will change, gasoline will come back down compared to wages, food will do the same, although it may be some time before it happens. In the meantime, while lobbying for political help is of course an option, the real solution is to look at what it is you have as opposed to what it is you need. What you have is more than a laundry list of what's sitting in your cupboard; rather it includes your skills, your abilities, your talents, even your time. We all have something we can use to survive.

I would hope that as times continue to get tougher, people will look at their blessings as a way to help others who are being hurt worse. When was the last time anyone here took food to the crazy guy down the street? When was the last time you gave someone sitting hopelessly by the side of the road a pair of used jeans that you never wear anymore?

We must stop looking to those who refuse to help and become those who help. I'll continue to let folks here know as I find out if prices are scheduled for another jump. It's precious little, but it's something. And every journey begins with a single step.

TheRedneck

reply to post by dgtempe
dg, you are breaking my heart, and there is no sarcasm in that statement. I really mean it; I feel so badly for you and wish there was some way I could help.

A few suggestions, but they may or may not apply to you, because I obviously don't know your situation in any but the broadest sense:

Carpool to town with neighbors once a week. Split the gas cost.

Buy groceries in bulk when you can, and store them. If you're careful, maybe you can build up a small reserve. Don't ignore the roadside stands or farmers' markets; no need to pay a salary for a middleman.

Have your husband look into something cheaper for his transportation. Maybe a smaller car, even if it has a few problems, or a motorcycle. Maybe a carpool? Point out to the other people involved how much it would save. They are probably hurting too. Maybe telecommute? I realize that's not feasible in most jobs, but in some it is.

GROW A GARDEN! Even a small one. If you're that far from anything, you probably have enough land. And don't think modern, think old. You can make fertilizer yourself from things you probably throw away... grass clippings, animal waste, even ashes from burning wood brush. Around here, no one goes hungry during the summer, as someone always has a few bushels of extra food from their garden that gets passed around amongst the neighborhood.

Get in touch with a church or charity that helps people out when they need it. You'd be surprised how many are out there, but they usually don't get many requests. If you don't like charity, then offer to give back something in return. Money is only a medium of exchange, not the final authority for value. Time can be more valuable than money.

Ignore those doom and gloomers at MSNBC. They've been lying to the people for so long, even they don't know what's real. You'll get better info from some guy with long hair and a ratty beard eating greasy food in the local truck stop.

Above all else, DO NOT LOSE HOPE! This is a waiting game, a test to see how much can be sucked out of the economy before it collapses. It will collapse, and those who have friends and neighbors who help, those who can provide something they need, will survive and emerge victorious on the other side. Life is hard, but change is inevitable.

TheRedneck


[edit on 22-5-2008 by TheRedneck]

Originally posted by iggster

dgtempe could you please post a link to that statement?

I'm not dgtempe but here is the link to the $12 a gallon statement.

This is just getting rediculous. I have to drive around the city for my job, and I'm barely able to justify the gas costs to my paycheck right now.

reply to post by Peepers
The word I am hearing is that OPEC (and the other producers as well) are not charging any more for their oil than they did before, in terms of real value. If you calculate in the falling value of the dollar, the price of oil paid to the producers is pretty stable.

The problem is the speculation. When a barrel of oil is bought and sold several times before it ever sees a refinery, it drives the cost up. And since the dollar is dropping like a rock, it takes more dollars to do the same thing they would do just a couple of months ago.

I'll admit that Bush made another pretty pathetic showing though. Following a sheik around like a puppy, begging for scraps. How disgusting!

TheRedneck

Wall Street has gamed the system to keep oil prices high despite increased domestic production.
  Posted 13 days ago with 8 member flags

Enough World Oil Reserves for the Next Million Years?
  Posted 4 days ago with 5 member flags

Just HOW much does it cost to produce a litre/gallon of petrol/gasoline ?
  Posted 5 days ago with 4 member flags

who needs oil, We need Weapons Grade Hydride
  Posted 9 days ago with 1 member flags

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