So how are people dealing with increasing fuel prices?
CNN.com put together a
number of comments from its readers on how they are dealing with increasing gas prices. A few people make the case for
diesels, others bought a scooter, and some people just stay home. The testimony from many of the readers shows how the
increasing gas price is creating serious financial troubles for their business or their family income. While this can
be devastating for many of us, the only way for the general U.S. public to become more concerned about fuel consumption
and conservation is if it affects their bottom line. [Source: CNN.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
rw 11:19AM (4/22/2006)
Wow I am the first to post. well how do you cope with te price of gas? Drive less and make the most of the trips you make.
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Galley 11:24AM (4/22/2006)
Same here, but I only drive 8,000 miles per year, so the prices don't effect me as much as most people.
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Razib Ahmed 12:07PM (4/22/2006)
There is no sign of decrease in the price of oil and SOuth Asian people are suffering in the worst way. I think that less and careful consumption in the developed world can help a lot in making the price of oil stable.
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mattmagoo 12:27PM (4/22/2006)
I don't know why you americans complain about fuel prices
here in the UK it is about 3.60 for a gallon of petrol which equates to over $6, twice as much as you pay
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John Davis 1:40PM (4/22/2006)
I found out what many fleets accross the country are doing to save fuel and meet the emitions standards. It was on NBC News and Fox News as well. i posted it to my site at www.LiveWellGlobal.com
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Richard Warren 1:58PM (4/22/2006)
I ride my bike more, combine trips, walk more.
But-- if you strip away inflation the fuel price is actually about the same as it was in 1995. Compared to much of the rest of the world, the US has reasonable prices.
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Joel A 2:02PM (4/22/2006)
Drive less and consider more fuel efficient vehicles in the future. We've briefly looked at alternative transportation such as bikes, buses, etc., but they are woefully inadequate for our lifestyle.
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Afterthought 10:24PM (4/22/2006)
Like what everyone else said, drive less and enjoy nature (or what's left of it) more by biking and walking.
On another note, I find it very ignorant how people are filling up and booking it without paying, and/or yelling at the gas attendants for the high prices (yes, it's actually happened). And also how they blame the GOVERNMENT for high prices, but NOT Big Oil. If people can't take the heat, then they better step out of the kitchen. People these days...too damn arrogant and ignorant to have humility and accept their own faults.
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John B 11:52PM (4/22/2006)
I read the CNN article and this did bring a smile:
"I drive between 60 and 65 and carefully keep the RPMs at 2200 (or is it 22,000?)"
After reading the various comments, it appears the average citizen is ahead of any government in "getting" the relationship of high energy prices and fuel efficiency.
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Doogs 1:07AM (4/23/2006)
If this goes like the comments to previous posts on the topic over on Autoblog, we can expect the following...
- Someone from Europe saying their gas is still way more expensive
- A screed against big SUVs
- Clamoring for less driving, more public transit
It boggles my mind that people who take pride in driving so little and people who seem to outright hate private transportation are so active on sites like Autoblog.
Personally, I love cars. I love driving (except for rush hour). I make excuses to run to the store. My idea of a perfect Saturday is a drive through the Texas hill country.
How am I coping? Well, last July I traded in my Xterra for a Mazda Protege5. To date I've saved nearly $900 on gas. I've consumed 350 fewer gallons than I would have by keeping the Xterra. And twisty roads are a hell of a lot more fun.
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Jason 11:56AM (4/23/2006)
I find it funny and sad that there are people on that CNN page claiming they "need" a large SUV like a Suburban to carry around their kids and groceries. Hate to break it to you, but a Honda Odyssey will carry the same number of kids more comfortably and safely, while using FAR less fuel and posing less of a danger and nuisance to other motorists. And if you need the cargo space of a Suburban to carry your groceries, you should look into cutting your food intake by about 80%.
Also, I should point out that many of us got ourselves into this mess a long time ago by not heeding warnings by scientists. We chose unhealthy lifestyles in sprawling metropolises, replacing free time with commuting time and midsize sedans with Ford Expeditions. The government played a role through misguided regulation by special interests, but it was either ignored or heartily supported by We the People. So we really have no reason to complain over our own ignorance of the consequences of our actions. You can't buy a gas guzzler and live in suburbia and expect to not feel the pain of fuel prices.
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Mike Hamilton 12:37AM (4/30/2006)
Well the wife and I are looking at going from two cars to one, as she has a commute and I have a three mile drive to work, and living in AZ I can ride my motorcycle a lot more of the year than I coul dhave in Rochester, NY. I am trying to talk her into a GEM Car www.gemcar.com for around our little area we live in which has high snow bird/retirement (Sorry "Active Senior") activity so the drivers are used to golf carts and the like on the regular streets.
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Androo 5:32AM (5/08/2006)
This whole thing puzzles me. Middle-income people must be driving a huge number of miles at very low mpg if their incomes are being stretched to breaking point.
Other people have made the point that fuel in Europe, and especially the UK, is much, much more expensive, and yet I don't hear the same complaints that their standard of living is in danger.
What's different about American consumers?
Is it that they refuse to switch from their gas guzzlers or learn to drive more econimically? Is that all it is?
If so, they should stop moaning. Things can only get worse.
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Mad Scientist Matt 9:56AM (5/18/2006)
Last year, I traded in my Isuzu Amigo for a Ford Focus. It's been getting significantly better mileage, but this year I've decided to take up motorcycling. I've picked up a well-used Honda CX500 and the safety gear. Haven't started riding it yet, but I'm taking the state MSF class in two weeks. I'll be the first to admit that I bought it as much for fun as fuel economy, but I do plan to use it for commuting too.
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Dave 11:58PM (5/21/2006)
Venezuela is selling gas at $.03 cents a litre which comes out about $.11 cents a gallon, lets send our tankers there to fill up. We the people need to stand up and stop all this crap, if it is started you can count me in.
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david 4:22AM (5/22/2006)
we had had the technology for years;for making autos get higher mileage.and today we don;t use what we know to make higher mileage cars.why i have always said the car makers;oil companies;and our goverment are all partners in this.while the rich get richer ;we poor keep getting poorer.because of the price of gas;everything goes up but wages.i think its time for people around the world to stand up and let our goverment we are tired of their lies;and promises.there is no need for higher prices;because there is no oil shortage..as a young teenager;i helped drill wells that produced and made good wells;with high out out.but only to have them capped off to use at a later time.so what we are being told by our goverment and oil companies;is not true.its called nothing but corporate greed.but i say we should use other sources of powering our homes;cars .then we could tell the oil companies;and the hype they have been telling us thats not true to take a hike..thank you
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