Is there anyone left who can afford to drive?

[Sword-In-Hand]

Let me ask some advice here. What is a person to do when they can't afford to put gas in their car to make it to work? I don't have a bicycle or a moped.

Prices just reached 3 dollars a gallon where I live and it's a strain to say the least. How is anyone else coping with this stuff?

[Joykins]

I switched from driving into work to driving to Metro, parking, and riding the train in. If the prices continue to rise, I may see about taking the bus to Metro (which is problematic, since I will still need to pick up my kids at day care, but if the prices continue to get bad maybe my husband and I can carpool to the Metro).

[jcright]

I'm having the same problem. It's a ridiculous scam and yet somehow legal. I've been thinking about alternative transportation for a while now. Not sure yet what i'm going to do.

[arunma]

I'm going back to university tomorrow night. After that, I won't have to drive anywhere, so it won't really affect me. As for my parents, I think I'm going to encourage them to take the bus.

[seebs]

I'm a freelance writer and I drive a hybrid.

Honda Insight. Best buying decision I ever made.

[Flynmonkie]

Funny, I just wrote a friend a "vent" letter on this. I am truly holding on to my faith - and you should too! :prayer:

I drive a 1988 Chevy Beauville! Yes, full sizes van! (Paid for! And keeps me humble!)

Had a new Full size Dodge off road but got rid of it (I always say I traded it in for our new son!) Purchased a newer used Ford Taurus - and hated it. The thing rattled more than any other vehicle I ever owned. One headache after another! And I felt cheaply made. So that went too! We are in the market for a newer vehicle, but not in a really big rush. Thinking Diesel!

Well Alls' I know is that my van gets 15 miles a gallon - 120 Miles driven a day to and from work at almost $4 a gallon here this translates $32+ a day just to work...this equates to $160 a week or $640 month. A bit more than it costs to have somewhat reasonable childcare for one child a month...hmm

This does not include errands, doctors appts, recreational weekend event driving. (What’s that? :confused: :D )

But there is no public transit stops for 48 miles---we live on a farm 40 minutes outside of KC proper.

How'd ya like them apples? (we truly need a roll eyes smiley to insert here!)

[£amb]

I have a friend who works at a gas station and she said there are tons of drive-offs now. There has always been a few, but with prices going up, there are loads of them. The other bad part is people trying to syphon gas from others cars. Just recently, I went out to my car in the morning to go to work, and found my gas tank wide open. Only alittle bit had been syphoned.

[Flynmonkie]

Only alittle bit had been syphoned. Good! They were probably amateurs and won't try this at home again! ^_^

My 16 year old told me the other day everything is pre pay now - I had not noticed? He said this was happening!

[TwinCrier]

I have a half tank and I'm scared to go anywhere. Here are are prices:

[Sword-In-Hand]

These prices are just utterly insane. Iy cannot be expected that the average worker, making minimum wage, can afford gas at the prices they are and still be expected to make it.

Things of this nature bring about anarchy and chaos. Honestly if something isn't done, then I forsee something bad happening on American soil. I really don't know what can be done, but it is sad that Americans, who are supposed to be under the banner of freedom, are dangled along by people who just want to put one more quarter in their pocket. We are ruled by the corporate office and not much else. What's sadder is we let ourselves get this way.

I don't have the option of taking a bus or carpooling, so maybe I will have to look into that bicycle;)

[MrJim]

I can run 2 weeks on a tank of gas in my little 4cyl Plymouth Acclaim (189K miles thank you very much). To work and back is a measly 14 mile trip and I'm somewhat of a hermit so I don't go out much.

I don't worry too much about the gasoline prices as I do the heating oil/natural gas prices this winter...

[Flynmonkie]

What about a mo-ped? Sounds silly but practical?!? I believe you can go only to 55 mph on them though? It has been years. They were the big things in HS. My hubby wants to buy a motorcycle - fat chance that will happen. (He knows he will come home to my arms crossed and toe-tappin’ over here!) It is not necessarily the bike itself that’s the problem - is that people don't seem to know how to act around them, you know? I wouldn't recommend but I know many people going that direction.

As far as the shape of our country - yes your right Just with the tragedy alone in the southern states we are witnessing is being handled right now.

I heard they are not accepting people (refugees) unless they were already in the Dome before the storm? This burns me up.

It is sad. . I told my husband today - this is all this generation knows is chaos….
one tragedy after another........I wonder if the country is just in shock at times?

In the past few years we have been loosing jobs, people are loosing their homes, including around here our service men while they are away serving our country. Charging outrageous fees for health insurance or even just plain doctors visits, gas prices going up, businesses are not being held accountable for faulty product or faulty practices including employment practice. And finally in October, there will be no protection for the average Joe without again paying companies to see if they can file bankruptcy. People are being sued for outrageous amounts for accidents – liability insurance is going up. Everywhere you look there is shoddy work produced it seems, and we pay for it. While the big corporations are not touched and the leaders of our country are taking month long vacations. (It was my prediction this would happen long ago - no accountability)

There are five in our family; our insurance quote through work is $689 a month $1500 deductible 81/20 program, and I tell you I don’t remember so many flu’s and virus’s when I was younger. as I have had to deal with this day and age. Outside childcare is $600 a month on a good day, add the transportation cost of gas $680 and this is not including utilities, mortgage, or living/food/household expense. Forget extras! Luckily right now I don't work outside of the home, but if I did? Whew. I cannot imagine how the single parents or min wage earners are doing it. You have to be living in a box now in our state to get assistance and even then they deny you if it is a good box! ;)

But honestly, we have gotten through so far - and I know the Good Lord will continue to get us through. He has not let us down yet! I feel it is a stiff reminder that we are not in control - He is. We have to hold fast to our faith. I just have to remind myself every day - our rewards are not here - they are in heaven. Keep hopeful and keep positive – holding on to the virtues we have been taught and blessings bestowed on us. Matthew tells us He has us covered - what are we worried about? But I believe everyone goes though this it is trying.......I am tired too!

[Joykins]

I heard they are not accepting people (refugees) unless they were already in the Dome before the storm? This burns me up.

What I was hearing on NPR today is that they were going to only put people in the Astrodome who had come from the Superdome, but they weren't actually turning away people in need. But once the Astrodome is filled, that is it.

Since your statement isn't clear which Dome--I wouldn't be surprised if they were turning people away from the Superdome now, since from what I was hearing it is unliveable there and even the people who are there are being evacuated.

[Flynmonkie]

Yes it is the Superdome. I actually heard it yesterday morning. I can understand not allowing people out once they are in - but there are many that are roaming the streets. For whatever reason.. I understand these people were told the day before to evacuate (mandatory) but LA is a poor state, one days notice is not enough (not their fault I understand) but the state did not offer the means for transport then – so why hold people accountable for that - and some of these people are tourists - stuck! I did see something I believe this morning regarding busses that just showed up in Houston… they almost did not let these people in? Now it seems that those that did get themselves out – are not being assisted for following the rules? Somehow I believe they need to be looking to a greater good, than worrying about those whom were irresponsible. I doubt very seriously they will ever do it again, you know?

[Sword-In-Hand]

I've come to the conclusion. The end is not near, the end is here.

[Joykins]

It is always the end. :(

[aReformedPatriot]

It is always the end. :(

yes, but maybe this time it really is ;)


lol, all joking aside, I wish the world would end today and I could be with my heavenly Father.

PHP 1:21

[MatthewDiscipleofGod]

yes, but maybe this time it really is ;)


lol, all joking aside, I wish the world would end today and I could be with my heavenly Father.

PHP 1:21

As should we all. :thumbsup:

Since we still are here though we better go about the buisness God has told us to do! :D

[JPPT1974]

IMO the end is coming sooner than later. As given evidence by not just Katrina. But by 9/11 and the Iraqi War. The Lord knows when He will come. More sooner than we think.