Gas prices are going to ruin my budget

**Mojjo** · 04-20-2006, 04:52 PM

Can I say I am seriously considering bike riding (j/k...it wouldn't work in the burbs with 2 kids). But I budget $50 for gas every two weeks. This is enough for us for commuting (DH and I work in the same building) and weekend runs. But if gas goes up like "everyone" is saying it will then my gas bill is going to double and that's money I'm currently putting towards what little debt I have left gosh darn it.

I guess this is more of a vent than anything, but it's just so frustrating. Just as I learn the rules they change.

**mom2matty** · 04-20-2006, 05:22 PM

It will definately make a difference for us as well!! Luckily dh works just a mile from the house (after years of commuting 100 plus miles a day!!) and I can certainly make changes and save on gas since I am a SAHM. Our biggest expense right now is dd and her car. She commutes 45 miles a day for college, thankfully her car is fuel efficient but still it is costing a fortune to keep 3 cars in gas!!!!!!!

**frugalfarmwife** · 04-20-2006, 05:33 PM

It's been hurting us for a while, it's bad enough that hubby commutes an hour each way, to top it off we need to keep the tractors fueled for the farm, it's really put a crimp in my style around here!

UGH

kj

guest7 · 04-20-2006, 05:43 PM

I just listened to the depressing news report that gas prices in our area are already over $3/gal for plus. $2.89 for reg.

DH and I just looked at each other and said thank goodness we work only a few miles away.

Last year I quit my high paying job in Boston b/c of the long commute and sitting in traffic. We're so glad I did. It was a pay cut (1/2) but the environment is what I was concerned about.

**wendy** · 04-20-2006, 05:45 PM

Hubby commutes about 45 minutes one way to work. Fortunately, he's a teacher so this summer we can save a little. My job is less than a five minute drive, and if I didn't have to be there so early in the morning (5am) I would ride a bike...and if I wasn't pregnant.

Gas prices are ridiculous and they're just going to get worse. If I didn't have sunlight sensitivity, I'd get a moped.

**Jenna** · 04-20-2006, 06:04 PM

My SO and I are lucky. We each live less than 10 miles from work. It still costs over $30 to fill my small-ish gas tank.

Ahhh... I remember the good ol' days when $15 would fill it up, and gas was less than a $1 a gallon.

**ironmaiden** · 04-20-2006, 06:17 PM

My tank had the empty light on it and I had driven for a while with that light on. It was the first time I past the $40 mark filling it up.

My best commute was when I worked for my cousin and lived in her house. A 30 second walk down the stairs

My longest commute was a half hour going the opposite way of traffic. My last job was 2 miles from the house. For the first month they kept asking how I liked the job and I kept raving about the commute - far quicker than going to Boston and I wasn't paying big bucks to park my car nevermind the time saved and gas too. It was a nice raise just having free parking.

**Mom23boys** · 04-20-2006, 06:27 PM

It is killing our budget too! I usually budget $110 for 3 cars biweekly. DH just went to fill up which usually lasts 2 weeks and it cost $55!! I haven't filled up yet. DS#1 filled up today, but stopped at $25. He isn't completely full so he needs to top it off, which will cost another $10 at least. That is already $95 with the extra $10. I know it will cost me at least $30-$35 for my car. So, it could be anywhere from $125-$130. That's $15-20 more biweekly or $30-$40 more a month!

I am ready for gas prices to start dropping....which will NEVER happen! UGH!

**ewokgirl** · 04-20-2006, 06:45 PM

Thankfully, both of our cars are pretty fuel-efficient, but we've traded cars anyway. DH usually drives our Honda CRV, and I drive the Honda Civic. He hates driving my Civic because he's tall, but he's driving it now to cut down on gas costs just a little. I'm hoping this will save us at least $20/month. It's not much, but every little bit helps.

Oil is a dying resource, and unless we can come up with other means of power for our transportation, the prices are only going to go up and up.

**joyb** · 04-20-2006, 08:41 PM

The last time I bought gas it was $2.69 and today it was $2.84 for regular. I don't really have to get out but about once a week for shopping and errands, so I think I'll just be spending a lot of time at home. Dh has to drive everyday to work, but I sure don't so I won't. I agree, it must be hitting a lot of people hard.

**homesteadmamma** · 04-20-2006, 08:55 PM

It's killing our budget as well. Right now we are paying $109.9 a litre. It costs us $100.00 to fill it up and we never let it go under a 1/4 tank. I can't imagine how much it would be if it was empty.

**Buckeye5** · 04-20-2006, 10:16 PM

It is hurting DH too, plus DD #2 needs gas too. DD #1 pays for own and just said that it is killing her checking account, she commutes to school and works everyday after school in town. How much is gas in Canada?

**homesteadmamma** · 04-20-2006, 10:33 PM

Buckeye5, I'm from Canada. As posted above we are paying $1.09 a litre. It's anywhere from $1.06 to $1.16 a litre and on the east coast even higher.

**chatterweb** · 04-20-2006, 11:29 PM

I ride to work on the bus/train free. So, I could leave the car at home, but 4 miles roundtrip is super cheap, so I drive to the train station...

DH refuses to commute, and he also rides free...whatever! I cannot force him, and he really has no ides about all the juggling I do that lets us live comfortably
and pay all these bills.

**frugalfarmwife** · 04-21-2006, 12:04 AM

Hubby and I were talking about ethanol and basically how easy it is to produce, we'd love to see a way for the farmers to have the ability to produce it right on the farm, say grow a few acres of crops earmarked for fuel and a small plant to convert it to fuel and fill the tractor.

Would be nice but I bet that the government would find a way to tax the bejeebers out of it or prevent it all together.

kj