how've you been doing with gas prices & such?

[Jessesbride]

OK, DH & I were discussing tonight about how we are doing on our gas in our respective vehicles & I was very happy to report (since we've cut down on going shopping once a week & errands to maybe 1-2 days/week - sometimes on same day that I go grocery shopping) my gas has lasted since the last time dh got paid ~ 2 WEEKS ago this friday!!! in fact, I've only used 1/4 of a tank & that includes today where I went driving most of the day! lol~! DH is down to 1/4 tank (b/c of working so much & when he's on call he ended up having to be at the office at late hrs to get stuff done that he couldn't do during the day ~ they've been down to about 2 or 3 people in a 9 person dept for the past 2-4 weeks!). To top that off!!! Ds & I found some gas certificates from 7-11 in my car (the hidey compartment thing that we never open...lol...) ... 3 $5 gas certificates & I gave them to DH & he has yet to use them!!

Oh & when we filled up, we put $120 on the gas card! I think this time I will put $60 on his own gas card & put $60 on my own & use it only if needed ~ & maybe have "free" gas a few months down the road when $$ isn't as nicely forthcoming or there is an extra bill we'd like to pay!

What do you think? How have you guys been doing with the gas prices & such???? Talk to me people! lol! & any ideas you all have would be great! I am SO addicted to new tips!

Kim

[sdrjeolsen]

They're kinda killling us. Sorry, I'm not much help as far as tips. We fill up two vehicles at least once a week, usually more often. DD pays for her own gas, but DS doesn't have a job yet, so we fill that tank...he is getting job soon. We live in "the middle of nowheresville" so a trip to town is a major haul. Dh drives 50 miles/day to work. I try to just go to town 3 or so times a month and do all my shopping then, otherwise I have no car anyway. I've tried to talk dh into taking the bus from our small town, it would save 30 miles every day, but so far its a no go. Right now we are spending about 5-600/mo in gas, but we knew that when we chose to live where we do. Hate to think what summer will bring.

[Luv2BeFrugal]

We're sticking to our usual "routine" of driving only when necessary...and combining errands... Trying to make it stretch as far as possible.

I haven't filled up since end of December... Dh has filled up twice...once on the 2nd and once on the 12th...around a half tank each time...we're just shy of $50 on gas this month so far. We usually end up around $100/month so we're doing a bit better than usual so far!

[foxxyroxie]

Gas here still hovers around $3 a gallon (EEEEEKKKKKSSS). Was up to $3.15 just last week.
It's really hitting hard, but we have cut down on trips. No more scenic drives here. Basically just to and from work.
Unfortunately roommates don't have a vehicle so we are spending a bit more on gas that we normally would because they don't 'contribute' to the gasoline fund (and auto expense fund) as much as they should, but when it's family you kind of overlook it and I figure if we are moving at the end of the month, it won't last forever. I'm not sure what they'll be doing for transportation then, but I'm sure they'll get by and it will be a lot more expensive for them then than now.

[Jskell911]

DH and I each work over 30 miles from home, so gas is a nightmare! Other than work we try not to use too much and combine trips. It seems to help. We really saw the difference when I was out of work for 6 weeks. I didn't go anywhere so we saved about $200!

[jamie79]

We are doing pretty good. Dh works 10 miles from home so thats 20 a day. He fills up on the 1st and the 15th. I filled up on the first and still have a little less then a half tank. I have been staying in alot so we are not doing too badly

[Momto2Boyz]

We are really lucky in that we don't have to pay for all of our gas. DH drives a company vehicle and has a gas card. I drive a truck, but gas can last up to a month, as I try not to drive anywhere.

Last spring, I decided that I was going to "stop" driving. Okay, I still drive occassionally, but for the most part I walk and ride my bike. So far, this winter, we have done really well. We bundle up and head out. This weekend is going to get chilly though, so we will see how it goes.

I don't know of any tips really. If you have to drive, you have to buy gas. My only suggestion is if you can walk or ride your bike, do it. Otherwise, it sounds like you are on the right track consolidating your errands and such!

[kaykwilts]

I don't get out as much as I used too. I try to combine trips as much as possible. We don't drive gas guzzlers.

[many houseapes]

We are very fortunate that dh has a company van & the company pays for his gas. We have only one vehicle for the family-a huge beast of a van( no chance of downsizing at the moment w/ all of our houseapes).Gas dropped yesterday by 4 cents, making it 2.95 a gallon-but that uaually means that its about to jump another 10 cents. I don't get it-we live right where some of the major refineries are & yet our gas is more expensive than other parts of the US.
Anyway, the local convenience store has a store card that takes 3 cents off of every gallon of gas that we buy & that has helped. I do my once a month grocery/household shopping & combine errands. some of my kids go to work at the same time, so they share rides- anyone else that doesn't have the same work schedule as the majority-walks to work. If the baby needs milk during the week,I will usually stop by the store on the way home from taking a kid to work(kids work places are no more than a mile from the house)....otherwise, my older kids will walk to the store for me.When dh isn't home(I can be stingy w/the gas) & providing that there are no dr. appointments, I can pretty much make a tank of gas last 3 weeks.The furthest place from our house is the bank,church & Sam's club-the rest are within a mile.We homeschool too, so that has helped as far as having to go to extra places.

[mommy4ever]

Dh uses about $40 a week, this is 2 and from work, any errands I have in the evening and the kids activities on the weekends. In my van, I have used $40 in the last 3 weeks. I rarely drive. only during the day when it's inevitable.

[fernykins]

I use 19.00 a week ......... it takes me to the Drs, pharmacy, and rhe stores, I try to make the circle. gas right now is 3.05 a gal.
Fern

[frugalfarmwife]

Hilde (my crew cab dually) is out of service for now, she just uses to much fuel, and I'm FURIOUS that diesel is more expensive than regular gas, diesel is a lower grade, less expensive to process so by all rights should be cheaper.

Hubby drives a good 40 miles one way daily, so 400 miles a week. I use his truck the few nights I work and for errands once a week.

If I REALLY have to get somewhere I have to plug Hilde in for a few hours to warm up first, so I usually talk myself out of going

Just getting harder and harder isn't it?

kj

[banana]

We are fortunate that dh works about 2.5 miles from home. We both drive compact cars and a full tank of gas will last us each 2 weeks with 1/4 tank to spare in each car.

I fill up both cars every 2 weeks and put $30 in each car. So $120 for gas for a month is not too bad.

[amykhar]

I work 50 miles from home, and DH will be working 35 miles from home in a different direction. Gas really hurts us a lot. I also read where the government is considering a 40 cent a gallon tax to improve highways. I don't know what we will do if that happens.

I use my Giant bonus card to get discounts whenever possible. Unfortunately, that's not nearly often enough. Sam's club is all the way across town from me; so I only fill there if I'm in the neighborhood.

Amy

[sdrjeolsen]

I also read where the government is considering a 40 cent a gallon tax to improve highways. I don't know what we will do if that happens.
Amy

They just had a big story on our news a couple nights ago regarding that tax. They are plannig to raise it .08/gal each year for the next 5 years. Don't know if/when it goes into effect.