Off-setting the cost of gas

**Blessed** · 05-16-2008, 11:42 PM

Are you cutting back in other areas to make up for rising fuel costs? We are!

I've been packing a "lunch" and snacks for our weekly shopping trips (30+ miles from home) instead of going to McDonalds. That about pays for the gas used on that trip.

We definately aren't shopping as much. It's come down to deciding if it's something we need, or do we just want it before we run to the store. We are 5 miles from town, so it's almost $2 just to drive up there and back!

Dh is getting the garden in, and like I said in another post, we'll be eating a lot of eggs this summer. I think my old running errands time will become canning time this fall.

**PrairieRose** · 05-17-2008, 08:44 AM

I am. I just don't jump in the car and drive as much these days. I think my gas bill is about the same with about 1/3 as much travel. (as compared to a couple of years ago) I'm not stressing about it, just trying not to use the car much.

**Frugal Nurse** · 05-17-2008, 08:48 AM

I'll bet that more and more people will be re-thinking the gas consumption and do thier shopping/stock up like... once a month.

(30 miles! holy crap!)

**Shoshana** · 05-17-2008, 08:59 AM

Yesterday, my dd and I purchased bus tokens and took a bus to the grocery store! If I can figure out how to read the route maps, we might be able to take the bus to her swimming lessons, the library, and various summer festivals. If nothing else, I'll save wear and tear on my car, and help the environment in a small way.

I've also stopped driving to the big city to buy organic foods. That means that I haven't been buying fruits and vegetables except for the organic ones I can find in the local grocery store. Certainly saves money! I'm looking forward to the farmers' markets opening.

**Mom2Many** · 05-17-2008, 09:17 AM

My commute is about 80 miles round trip each day. (No jobs closer to home yet.) I try to get everything I need on the way home from work so I don't have as many trips during the week. Thankfully, school will be out soon (I'm a teacher) and I won't have that commute each day.

**Dad_of_4** · 05-17-2008, 09:52 AM

I don't drive very far to work, but I have started driving differently. I live 4 miles from work almost all down hill on the trip to work. Two days this week, I coasted more than half the way. There were places that I dropped to 10 MPH below the speed limit but others where I went over by 5 MPH or so. I have even gone as far as turning the engine off whiile coasting. I drive a manual so just have to pop the cluthch to re start the engine. I should know in a week or so how much I'm saving. Here is a good article to read about the extreme milage some are getting.

http://www.forbesautos.com/slideshow...miler-ten.html

**Frugal Nurse** · 05-17-2008, 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by Dad_of_4

I don't drive very far to work, but I have started driving differently. I live 4 miles from work almost all down hill on the trip to work. Two days this week, I coasted more than half the way. There were places that I dropped to 10 MPH below the speed limit but others where I went over by 5 MPH or so. I have even gone as far as turning the engine off whiile coasting. I drive a manual so just have to pop the cluthch to re start the engine. I should know in a week or so how much I'm saving.

LMFAO!!
Coffee all over the monitor now!!
Damn! that's funny!

**ShawnaRae** · 05-17-2008, 03:44 PM

I am. I drive 100 miles (one way) to a decent grocery store. My local store is a tiny place, more like a convenience store. Not much I would ever want to buy there anyway. And here's an example of the prices; 1 gal. milk = $4.99, 1 head of iceburg lettuce = $2.99. I would like to support my local store, but most of the items are convenience foods. I couldn't buy the foods my family eats from that store, even if I wanted to! I used to drive into town 2-4 times a month, but have been going 1-2 x a month for the last few months. I am glad that the growing season is here. Fresh produce is a must for us, and sometimes fruits and veggies are about all I need from the store. Once our garden starts producing, I'm sure once a month will do it. DH's work is only 2 miles away, so that's helpful. The P.O. is about 12 miles away, so I've been checking the mail a little less often. Oh, this is kind of funny, the PO and store are in the same little building. It's also the gas station! We are way out here! lol ! And actually, I quit my job last year because it was a 60 mile round trip! (not the only reason to quit, but a big factor).

**annymoll** · 05-17-2008, 04:19 PM

DH wants to get a motorcycle, but I am just too afraid, mostly of other drivers on the road.I limit trips, walk when I can, team up with friends and share rides to offset gas costs.I have a neighbor that chips in on gas with me and we ride together to the store.We do own half a duplex closer to work so that cuts on costs.

**rudypoo98** · 05-17-2008, 04:22 PM

ShawnaRae, sounds about like living here since there is only one grocery store now.There is a Dollar General tho where I buy alot of what I need.To get to a good store we have to drive 50 miles used to go once a month but haven't been for two now.

**Jellybeanz** · 05-17-2008, 05:05 PM

Yea, I am constantly trying to figure out how to make up for rising prices on fuel/food.

I got my home phone cut off the other day and now just have my cell phone. I decided to make a choice to keep the cell because I can take it with me, although the reception isn't that great. I have to step outside for people to hear me on it at home. LOL

I've cut down on unneccessary trips, to the point I jokingly told my friend I didn't know how much longer we could meet up for lunch anymore. We meet about halfway which takes a 25 minute drive, plus the food. She doesn't care about all that, not b/c she's rich or anything.. .that's just her personality. She truly does not worry about money, and I've seen her in some broke situations too. ! LOL But she just smiles and moves right along. We are opposites, I think we must ground one another or something :-)

I called the bank and got a montly recurring fee removed from my checking. That saves 84.00 a year.

I am buying less food/cheaper foods, less meats, etc.

Under serious consideration is cutting out the sattelite service if I can talk husband into it.

Nothing escapes my consideration !!!

Oh yea, I put a ban on buying myself ANY new clothing or shoes indefinately...............

**larabelle** · 05-17-2008, 06:17 PM

Yep...I am busy like everyone else looking for ways to cut costs to offset the cost of gas/groceries.
1.) Decided not to take a vacation this year and instead take time off from work when family comes into town to visit but I am sticking around here.
2.) Stopped buying clothes/shoes
3.) No eating out
4.) Put the dog on a diet!! (laughing)

I like the idea of taking the bus to the library and grocery store I may consider doing that.

**PoorRichardsGirl** · 05-17-2008, 06:18 PM

Wow, you guys who have to drive so far to shop--I don't know whether to feel lucky where I am, or jealous. We have a ton of stores around here, and if I don't take advantage of sales at all the different ones, I start feeling guilty. It would actually feel nice to know I couldn't shop but once or twice a month. I could relax the rest of the time!

I'm doing things like getting some errands done on the way home from work, and grouping other errands. DH and I walk to the public library when weather permits. I'm trying to buy as much as I can at Aldi's, to cut down on trips to other stores. I'm trying more of their different products, even though I've been pretty loyal to some name brands over the years.

I've cut down on lunch meat and milk, and we're using frozen concentrated orange and grape juices now. Cheap Aldi pretzels instead of Snyder's sourdough. Cheap Aldi saltines instead of Toasteds or Sociables. Toast instead of bagels. I'm trying find more ways to use things up before they go bad. Less take-out. Being more vigilant about checking my receipt and getting rainchecks. (Got $1.89 back the other day, because an item rang up the wrong price.) Fewer cups of coffee at work.

I don't want to do without this stuff forever, but I'm trying to keep the nicer snacks for special occasions.

**Hannahs mom** · 05-17-2008, 07:31 PM

Originally Posted by Mom2Many

My commute is about 80 miles round trip each day. (No jobs closer to home yet.) I try to get everything I need on the way home from work so I don't have as many trips during the week. Thankfully, school will be out soon (I'm a teacher) and I won't have that commute each day.

Ditto that! Except my round trip communte is only about 60-65 miles. This summer I had planned to limit the trip to town to one a week, but now I'm really considering once every two weeks. I plan to do all errands, grocery, and library all in the same day.

I'm trying to offset the gas with saving more at the grocery and on the electric bill.

**Marie78** · 05-17-2008, 07:41 PM

We combine trips while running errands, no unnecessary travel. My only "splurge" travel wise is when I visit my mom a few times a month, she lives an hour away from me.

I have started using stretching the food I buy and making sure we are paying attention to suggested serving sizes on packages. Those serving sizes tend to suggest less than we have been using. This will hopefully help my waistline too

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