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How are gas prices affecting you?
While I was out and about today, I noticed that gas in my area is averaging about $3.35 for the lowest octane unleaded. The rising price of gas has definitely affected me and my family.
We bought a second car (Ford Taurus) last summer that we avoid using because it doesn't get nearly the gas mileage of our Honda Civic. We have to fill it up three times in a week if we both drive it work, whereas we fill the Civic up twice when we both drive it to work. Gas prices were a major consideration when I was debating whether to keep my current job or find a new one when the company relocates in June. The company has decided to lease a van and the 5 of us that are staying with the company and live in the Salt Lake area will be carpooling to work every day.
I was considering a trip to New Mexico in the upcoming months to visit with some friends but have decided against it...mainly due to the cost of gas. I'm sure that our road trips in the future will be less frequent than in the past, and air travel is unlikely for us anytime soon.
Our "fun money" for movies, dinners out, and the like has been cut into as well. We are staying in more often and renting movies instead of going to the theater, much to my dismay. One of mine and hubby's favorite pasttimes is watching movies in the theater; we used to go 2-3 times per month but we've only gone 3-4 times since the New Year.
Indirectly, prices for food and such have gone up and our grocery bill is larger than it was a year ago. I'm not an expert on the economy, but I know that rising fuel prices for the transport of goods have been passed onto the consumer.
So...how have gas prices affected you? Has your standard of living changed? Have you made lifestyle changes because of it?
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"They say that patriotism is the last refuge to which a scoundrel clings; steal a little and they throw you in jail, steal a lot and they make you king"
Formerly Medusa
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