Rising gas prices & recession impact your summer plans?
Gas prices are up almost 10 percent in the last two weeks, and have hit a six month high. AAA says the national average is now $2.25 a gallon for unleaded regular, up $0.20 from two weeks ago. One of the main reasons gas prices are going up is because of rising crude oil prices, which closed at their highest level of the year on Friday.
Will the price of gas keep you from doing what you really want to do this summer?
The good news is analysts say it's unlikely that prices will climb as high as they did last summer, when most people were shelling out $4.00 a gallon. In fact, while prices are going up now, they're still nearly 50 percent lower than the record high set last July.
Also it's typical to see prices increase ahead of Memorial Day weekend - the unofficial start to summer, when more Americans start hitting the road. But AAA says they'd be surprised to see prices reach $3.50 a gallon this summer unless there's an unexpected supply disruption - something like a hurricane.
The slumping economy is also expected to keep prices lower. That's because income is the biggest factor determining how much people drive; and with unemployment at 8.9 percent, it seems more likely that people will stay close to home to save on the gas bill.
Here's my question to you: How will rising gas prices and the recession impact your summer vacation plans?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Donna from Colorado Springs writes:
We plan on taking small trips this summer. Because gas is over a dollar cheaper than it was the same time last year, we might travel a little more. You can't sit at home and worry about the economy 24/7. We all need a break right now.
Steve from California writes:
I'll be unemployed at the end of May. No money. No vacation. Even if gas were $1.50, I'd still be staying home.
Joe writes:
The price of a barrel of oil was $32 in January 2009. It has been climbing ever since, finishing today at $58/barrel. The real question is: why? The economy is staggering, unemployment is at 9%, businesses that traditionally use large quantities aren't, oil storage facilities can't take any more, tankers waiting to unload, OPEC turning the valve off. Yet oil is on the rise. One can only say that we are on the oil standard, not the gold standard.
Ron from Oregon writes:
We're still haunted by last summer's gas prices and I haven't had much work for the last 6 months. With that and all of the great news today about Social Security and Medicare, we will probably not travel much this summer. If we do, it will be within the state.
Marin writes:
I'm so over the slump of the economy. I want to have fun again without feeling guilty about it. I plan on taking a nice trip this summer, and gas prices and the recession aren't enough to stop me from having a good time. Wanna come along Jack? Bring Wolf.
Fernando from San Diego writes:
I will just have to stay here in San Diego this summer. I will have to relegate myself and my family to making sand castles, taking walks and eating at home together. We might even have to cancel our cable plan and just read or talk to each other. We will miss you, Jack. Well, not that much.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
Are you kidding? The economy's been so bad for so long, I never made any vacation plans to begin with.
Yes it will! Who has money to go on vacation?
We will do a "staycation" this year in my back yard.
Not at all,Jack. We've been too poor for far longer than just before this recession to ever have summer plans.
Living in South Florida, I've taken more advantage of Orlando being 3 hours away. Even with higher gas prices, a 500 mile round trip vacation is not that bad. We've learned more about the vacation spots within our state. Places like Key Largo, Fort Meyers Beach, Kennedy Space Center are all very doable with a small budget and a nice vacation.
Jack this issue is a sore spot for me. Gas prices go up each year just prior to kids getting out of school and the government says this is not price fixing "Bunk". The oil companies need more control of their pricing practices. If the barrel goes up on Monday our gas goes up on Monday even though what is in the "line" is cheaper. I will be going on vacation this year but only because of miles and points I get free air and a free room next year who knows.
Well we do have a nice backyard- Where we will be spending our summer! Gas is up 16 cents in a week, who knows how high it will go. Why bother to go on vacation even locally prices are out of this world.
No, Travel in the motorhome will just cost more.
Not at all. I wasn't planning a summer vacation. The higher gas prices will make my 11 mile commute to and from Work more expensive though.
What summer vacation? I don't have anything to "vacate" from.
Jack,
I will be taking shorter closer trips this year. How many of us have tourist attractions in our back yard that we never bothered to see before?
How will rising gas prices and the recession impact your summer vacation plans?
Vacation? I haven't had a job for 3 years so do you think I can afford one.
Jenna
Roseville CA
We will do local things,family things and have more fun doing it.
David
What's a vacation?
Jack,
What Vacation?
Jack
The money I had put aside for my summer vacation will be spent on root canal and a head gasket for my ten year old chevy. So I guess I will stay at home and watch you and Wolf on the situation room all summer.
I'll spend vacation at home again this year as I have the last 12 years. I traveled the entire United States when i was working, and I don't any need to see any other country. I will use any extra money that i have left over this year to give a nice Christmas party for some of the most meedy, that is a very good, and wise use of money..
Even if there were no recession I still could not afford to go anywhere. It always seems that when you can pay for a room the gas is sky high or the amusement parks are too high etc. I will sit home once again and every one will get sick of looking at my mug.
Well, I already drive my car much less than I used to...not only because of rising gas prices but also because I'm trying to reduce my impact on the environment. I ride on the city buses very frequently and I carpool with my brother. And I'm trying to save as much money as possible instead of throwing it away on gas.
No change, I couldn't afford to do anything either way.
Every year gas prices go up magically right before everyone tends to drive more. When are we going to live in a country and a world where things are not run by scumbag oil companies? Will my children ever see a world like this?
What vacation plans?
not much.i'm still watching my dollars, paying bills, buying food, paying rent and spending more dollars on my kids.but i tend to do more with my kids and i so we can enjoy our happiness than staying indoors for nothing.
Well sure that make a big difference. But there is nothing new , even in canada the price rise every summer,, we just don't get it
Jack,
What summer vacation?
Not one bit. I'm saddened that the economy is in a slump, but I'm not going to let that get me down. I think I've earned some R&R. Jack, I'm heading to South America this summer for a little fun and adventure. Wanna join me? Bring Wolf.
Not at all. I have no job and no money so I have no summer vacation plans and I can’t afford gas.
Jack: THe overall recession more than gas prices alone are significantly impacting our summer vacation plans. It's one thing to be mad at gas prices, it's another thing to anticipate that you might not have a job to pay for anything.
It will be a shorter vacation because of the recession. gas prices are greed by oil companies, government leaders looking the other way including the president or corruption in the government of all levels and the media for not doing its job correctly
Jack,
Not at all Jack. We never can afford a summer vacation.
Planning less auto travel.
When I take my summer trip this year I’m going to put the top down on my convertible instead of running the air conditioner. That and switching to charcoal from gas in my barbeque. Oh, and to hell with the lawn, let it go.
Yes, it is infuriating. Does anyone still question weather we should invest in renewable American controlled energy?(except for Cheney and Limbaugh I mean).
The rising cost of gas and the recession did not impact our plans, but they were the reason why we did not make plans for the summer.
Vacation??? What vacation????
No. Its too hot in New Orleans to make any plans for summer. Thats the time of year when you stay inside. Long distance plans already cost too much money so they weren't even in the cards anyway. We don't have plans until September. At which point we'll be having a good time in Atlanta, Georgia for a long weekend. Provided there's no unexpected hurricanes, that is.
Jack,
My wife and I have traditionally had three vacations each year ... his, hers, and ours. This year, we'll just have 'ours,' and travel to a relatively inexpensive destination.
Rick, OH
No. We were already too poor to have made summer plans.
No problem Jack; I'll just stay at home. A great opportunity to explore my city and spend time with the family.
Rising gas prices won't affect me much, as I don't drive much. Besides, the worst is yet to come as the economy continues to tank. Best pump up those bicycle tires...
Well Jack, since I'm still out of a job my summer plans consist of trying to keep my home.
In some ways rising gas prices are good. They increase the cost of factory farmed and processed foods, which are heavy users of fossil fuels, both in growing animal feed and in commercial pesticide reliant vegetables. I'll pray that the higher gas prices results in fewer fertilizer runoffs and dead zones, as well as less profit for agribusinesses that use factory farming. This is one of the downsides of all the bailouts, there's so much money floating around right now that commodities like oil are being bid up again by wall-street fat cats, obese on the government tab.
My summer plans for this year disappeared last summer..
Let see, gas demand is down and prices are up, that means that the short sellers and derivative dealers are making lots of dollars. That means that by summer gas will be over $2.75 per gallon. I guess my neighborhood pool looks much more enticing this year. Besides, I don't really have to drive to look for a job.
Same way it always does, stay home and support the local businesses that are involved in tourism.
I was planning to drive to Houston, Texas and confront some top executive oil men and now I can't afford to do so.
Jack: If anything goes up in price it will hurt the unemployed and under employed very hard. President Ronald Reagan was a success for many reasons, but one of them was the price of gasoline at the pump stayed steady. If Gasoline goes to $2.50 to 2.60 in the south there be travel, but when average price per gallon passes $2.80 look out. No vacations, prices go up on bread and milk, and beef per pound will go up. It will be a bleak summer.
It would impact us a lot less if we didn't know it is an artificial price hike. No matter what- these large corporations are going to gouge the middle class to make up for their bottom line problems. Credit card companies and banks, "health care" providers, petroleum companies, to mention a few, are guilty. I'm counting on President Obama to rectify these practices. We need to have some regulations that will protect the people who are being impacted by this greed.
I wouldn't call staying at home and driving only when necessary a "summer vacation".
What's a vacation? I haven't even been able to comprehend that word for the past 3 years. Don't worry, by next year things will be cleaned up enough so that the wealthy aren't the only ones who can afford to enjoy themselves. GOBAMA!
Gas prices won't really effect my summer but if the oil trader's greed starts to take over like it did the last year and a half then it'll throw any economic recovery out the door. Hopefully the Government will be keeping an eye on the situation. Brent in Ohio
Unemployment is impacting my summer vacation plans, which were never much to begin with.
It doesn't look like things are going to be that much better for awhile. So, I have changed my summer vacation plans to my fall vacation plans...and they may become my winter vacation plans. Hey, I'm flexible.
Jack
No vacation this year. The closest thing will be moving my daughter from Ohio to Oklahoma. Sort of a work vacation. HA!
I'm waiting for Al Gore to deliver the global warming he's been promising us so that the beach will come to me and I won't have to drive to the beach.
I guess it will be the same as the last few years, no money, therefore, no place to go.
yes they are. my travel plans are canceled for this year . I urge all americans to cancel their plans as well . Buy enough gas to go to and from work if you still have a job .Don't fund tourism in any part of this country.or any other for that matter.Hit the oil companies in the pocketbook and the price will fall .keep up the pressure till they charge a fair market value.it's our money don't let them have it.
My plans involved weeding the garden. That's free.
it will mean staying home and not be able to take a vacation this year or any in the forseeable future if gasoline prices and the economy don't improve
Jack how about the oil companies are back at the profit dial. Yes it has impacted me for the last three years.
Summer vacation? What's that Jack? I've been out of work for over a year and a half, with no prospects for a long time, and have no money to consider a vacation. Even if I were employed, I probably wouldn't earn enough to consider a vacation, let alone an automobile.
Gas prices rise and fall, but the steady decline of the American standard of living has been insidious and unsettling. This summer I will pull some weeds, cook on the grill, and stay close to home. There are lots of our fellow citizens who are on permanent vacations, and I doubt that the price of gas will factor into their plans either.
Well, my summer vacation consists of playing video games so.....maybe get a few less this summer
Not at all Jack as we will be going overseas and quite confident we will be safe as we always wear our Tee Shirts with the Canadian Flag on them.
The economy ruined last summer, and I'm not going to let that happen again. I've already got two camping trips and trips to Minnesota and Mexico booked. And that's all before mid-June.
Boise, ID
Jack No not at all i have been out Of work so long I am lucky If I can afford to drive any more than a couple of miles a week To get to the store For Groceries . Or Should I say TV dinners and Hot dogs So jack For Me No, no difference at all . You can not spend more any than you have ! To Bad Washington dose not practice this this.
Ron
San Antonio
Texas
I will be vacationing at work. I just hope they won't mind the swim suit, and the grill in my cubical.
We're not going anywhere Jack, that's how it's effecting us. Wasting money in a deflationary depression is a sin.
There'll be less driving, and more local leisure days.
We're considering leaving our 5-year old home while we visit Disneyland.
We won't take a summer vacation: And that's the problem. It is the impact upon the consumer that prevents the economy from recovery. Paul Krugman and Robert Reich, both respected economists, have explained the situation to my satisfaction. "Supply side" has failed and the USA needs to turn to "Demand-Side" strategies in our economy.
I live twenty minutes from the Jersey shore. Neither gas prices, recession or nature's fury can keep me off the beaches. Have a great summer, Jack!
Vacation? HA - try being booted out of the workforce at 62 when several H1B visa holders came here and took the tech jobs a lot of us were trained for.
How about cancelling retirement, healthcare, and EVERYTHING ELSE.
They won't I'm headed to Naples Fl in a few days and will be there for two weeks. I'll send you a postcard.
As usual the oil companies are arbitrarily jacking up gas prices as summer approaches. The excuse this time is that the world wide economy is improving, supposedly increasing the demand for oil. Problem with that theory is that no one has told employers that things are improving so they can hire back everyone who is unemployed. I'll be staying home again and make local trips to the beach and enjoy backyard BBQ's. So will many other people which will lead to less gas demand but the prices still won't fall.
As usual were paying the salaries of Big Oil execs, Stock speculators, and worthless Politicians.........with little return if any.
Jack–
Vacationing in the backyard is in style around here these days!
Since gas in Wisconsin has gone up approx 60 cents in the past week of course it will curb activity.
I haven't taken a summer vacation since 2002 because of the greed of Big Oil so I sure don't expect this summer will be any different.
Brownwood, Texas
You can bet on that. If we go through another cycle of gas hikes as we did last year, all that the Goverment has done and all that it has spend would have been for nothing and the recession will continue for all but the oil companies
Easy: there won't be a summer vacation.
Since I will be working for the summer and no vacation plans I still have to travel 80 miles a day back and forth to work. Will impact me somewhat.
Not at all.
Jack,
A big fat YES! It's like a double dose of stress even if you have a job.
Jack: Gas prices at $3.00 a gallon last summer broke the economy.
Look's like the Hedge Funds want to make another run at it again. Some inside trading?
I buy very little gas these days. I changed the set points on my vehicle and told it not to use gas. I don't plan on going anywhere this summer!
what summer vacation?? This year if my kids don't come and see me. I will have to wait till next year.I'm retired. I did all the right things back in the 50's. now no one cares. about me.
Jack,
We are staying close to home this summer because of gas prices and the economy.
BTW... when will we see the impact of all this stimulus money? When will all of these jobs be cretaed?
No impact at all. In anticipation of this mess, we took our 2009 Summer Vacation last July.
It has not. We are still going to Jamaica and will pay those attrocious baggage fees......perhaps we will cut back and just bring a carry on.
4 people x $25.00 a bag both ways saves $200.00 right there.
We rent a condo and cook ourselves.
Another staycation year. Garage sales are the new black, Jack!
At the moment my plans for the summer are to visit my son in Michigan and then go on a RV trip out west for 6 or 7 weeks.
I would not be able to go to Michigan without my oldest son, and I am being treated to the trip out west by my brother-in-law and my sister.
If I depended on my fixed income, I'd be lucky to get to the city limits of our small town.
I am sick to death of these oil companies and their obscene profits. It's almost summer and they want to gouge the public yet again. Regular gas jumped 20 cents a gallon over night. We are still under the national average but it is obscene to go from $1.95 to $2.15 overnight.
No impact, I have adopted a green lifestyle. First I bought a smaller boat that doesn't use as much gas and frankly I will be charging the gas and expenses to a credit card that together with the boat payment I don't plan on paying. I call it using someone elses green.. Yes I Can
Not at all. I wasn't going anywhere anyway.
We do not believe in wasting money anyway. We will take a short, one week trip this summer. I hope our Country can soon find something to replace the oil, from the big oil producing Country's. Cheney and Bush sure got us in a terrible mess, taking care of the rich oil people getting what they wanted, To heck with the people from America.
They are going to kill tourism, hotels, restaurants ... just like last summer. Only problem this year is Obama cant blame Bush for it. His excessive spending is devaluing our dollar faster that a fire pit could.
They have forced inflation on our country. Couple that with lost jobs and flat wages and Obama's little experiement is going to kill us in 2010.
But hey social justice folks out there, keep jeering. Joe Biden said it right a long time ago. The Presidency doesnt allow for on the job training. And when your highest leadership skills are as a community organizer and youve never run a business ... you are likely to go out of business. Too bad our nation is the business.
We plan on taking small trips this summer, and because gas is over a dollar cheaper than it was the same time last year, we might travel a little more. You can't sit at home and worry about the economy 24/7. We all need a break right now.
I'm just staying home. I'll cook spam on the grill if I can afford the propane. Who cares anyway?
Not at all. We have saved for all our trips and major purchases for years and have payed off our credit card (s) each month. We carry no bills and this policy has thus far paid off. I think we'll do this again tomorrow!!!
Steve Blesofsky
Sun City Center, Fl
I won't be "supersizing" my fast-food orders or probably take bologna sandwiches on the road trip to visit the kids if gas keeps going up but I am still going. Might have to opt for a blanket and pillow at the rest stop instead of motel 6 but the inconvienence will be worth it rather than stay home alone.
No, Jack. I am still taking my summer vacation. It's just that instead of a week on the beach, it will be weeks on the sofa with the want ads.
I am planning a four-day bus tour around the Hamptons this Summer so I can introduce my kids to the lifestyles of the corrupt and infamous. It is important that they see how those who prey on the working classes of this country live.
Jack - We're staying home!
It will be another stay at home year but that's alright. We have been tiding up our yard and will have BBQ parties, till the end of summer, enjoying family and friends.
Oregon
Are you kidding. Just trying to survive week to week in this GOP destroyed economy has my family living that way. Forget summer!
HD in Phoenix, AZ
Glad I traded my Ford Taurus for a Toyota Corolla.
What summer plans?? This is the first American Legion Convention in 3 years I will miss. Even as a American Legion Rider the economy has killed all my plans for fund raising and convention trip this year.
Jack,
we were just talking about that specific subject of rising gas prices during my morning walk from yesterday...and unfortunately it boils down to the same conclusion : cynism about a deja vue movie with the same title and the same ending of incoherence between the rise of prices and the middle class ability to pay such increase especially at a time where the economy is slowly starting to have some glimpses of hopes ...I guess these glimpses are at the pump...it will not change until we end our dependancy on fossel fuels by moving towards a more sustainable environment with a strong energy saving policy and a renewable energy economy!!!
Hi Jack,
I have a very small sailboat and have not been able to launch her for 2 seasons because of the eceonomy. I also have a college senior so all of those factors have put a dent in my summer plans. But this, too, shall pass!
If it goes up to $3 a gallon, you bet!
Not much, Jack, since I still don't have enough money to go anywhere. I'll probably vacation in my own back yard. I'm lucky I'm working, but still, we have a heck of a way to go before matching the absolutely ludicrous rate it was last year. However, give them time...they may try it again.
The major oil companies should be re-investigated for profit fixing over the last 8 1/2 years! I'm familiar with the oil and gas industry. Rates at the pump NOW should reflect the cost of the crude 4 months ago, since it takes that long for the stuff to work its way through the processing. This business of raising the rate the day after the crude FUTURES go up is downright robbery!
Jack
I bought a Harley Davidson and gasoline prices are no longer a issue for myself. In 2006 I bought a 100 gallons a week. Today I buy 6 gallons a week. Big difference. I also believe in some small way I helped the American worker
What plans? My vacation money went to bail out the fat cats on Wall Street! This is a totally screwed up system we have in this country when the poor have to bail out the rich. If the shoe were on the other foot, the poorest of us would all be in jail for debt. Come to think of it ...
Well duh. Of course it will. My question is when will this administration make good on it's promiss to correct the comodities futures modernazation act and stop the middle east from messing arround in OUR futures markets.
Yes. No full time job, no vacation for the kids. Simple as that. We will visit local parks and museums. We will make the best of it.
Vacation plans?" Who the hell out there has money for a "vacation?" Certainly not the majority of working Americans. Have a job...go on a vacation. Make a living wage...go on vacation. Able to pay bills...go on vacation. Afford a vehicle...go on vacation. Have savings...go on vacation. College paid for...go on vacation. Member of the House or Senate...take many paid vacations. etc., etc.
Just out of curiosity. What is or what do you consider a "Vacation" and when and how often is one taken?
Thom Richer
Negaunee, MI
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Not much, Jack, since I still don’t have enough money to go anywhere. I’ll probably vacation in my own back yard. I’m lucky I’m working, but still, we have a heck of a way to go before matching the absolutely ludicrous rate it was last year. However, give them time…they may try it again.
The major oil companies should be re-investigated for profit fixing over the last 8 1/2 years! I’m familiar with the oil and gas industry. Rates at the pump NOW should reflect the cost of the crude 4 months ago, since it takes that long for the stuff to work its way through the processing. This business of raising the rate the day after the crude FUTURES go up is downright robbery!
One thing you got to admit, big oil isn't letting this little ol' world recession cut into their record breaking profit margins, and as for summer plans go, what summer plans?
Hi Jack;
Haven't you heard, America is going green, more open spaces that are free. Like recreation parks and cable tv pay per view. We can't afford to go jet setting all over America, WE the people are still in a recession, regardless what the elite bankers say.
Jogging in a park is free, so far.
Gas carbon products are poisonous, can't jog in poison, right Jack
What summer vacation Jack?
If we can afford it, I'm buying a kids pool, fill it with water, (if we're not rationing water in my county), a little umbrella for my drink and call it our summer vacation.
Vacation? People get vacations? They get vacations and can keep their jobs? Is this really true?
I'm so over the slump of the economy. I want to have fun again without feeling guilty about it. I plan on taking a nice trip this summer, and gas prices and the recession aren't enough to stop me from having a good time. Wanna come along Jack? Bring Wolf.
Two weeks ago I bought gas in Connecticut for 2.12/gallon last week it shot up daily and I just saw it at 2.49/gallon - what is going on!! and who is hedging their bets now?? Same ole, same ole.
Greetigns Senior Cafferty;
Gas prices are going to be increased?
I didn't hear that OPEC increased oil prices. So it is not OPEC that is to blame for the price at the pump.
Look to Exxon, Chevron, Texaco, Mobil et al. to find the culprits for the price at the pump.
Thank you.
Jack – I guess the the Oil Companies didn't like losing a little money last quarter (like everyone else did). We should all feel bad for them? After making record profits the year before? TOO BAD!
The sad thing is – we American's are dumb enough to pay those prices and enjoy it! We will enjoy driving around in our large SUV's and Pickup's getting 13-15 mpg.
We deserve it because we don't do anything to fight it – and don't believe there is such a thing as Global Warming! SAD!
Not at all ! I've gone to electric car and solar recharging !
Jack to be effected from the gas prices, I have to have some intention on having a vacation this summer. I guess I'll just have to stick with Marc Train and Amtrack. Prices are reasonable, and someone else is driving and sometime they may be on time.
David
Martinsburg, WV
We took our family vacation in the spring (while prices were still very competitive) and this summer we will hang loose, stay local and are enrolling our kids in several municipal library and Parks and Recreation-run programs. If there is any benefit to this recession, it's that it is steering more people toward the wonderful municipal programs that our tax dollars help to fund.
Missy M, near Phoenix, Ariz. (where it is a stifling 98 degrees again today).
I have been informed that I may be downsized in June. Therefore, there shall be no vacation for me until I either find out I was able to keep my job, or until I get a new one. Oh wait, that's right, I won't have any vacation at the new job for at least a year. So, either way, no summer travel for me!
Our intent is to drive 2000 miles to Florida on vacation this summer. I figure it could be our last chance before hyperinflation from this congress printing trillions of unfunded dollars hits making it too expensive in the future! Today Florida, tomorrow the Wymar Republic!
I'll be staying close to home. Camping in New Mexico is free and accessible. And it's very relaxing.
Jack,
Why is nobody blaming Obama for the rising cost of gas as all the Dem's did to Bush? I remember all the Dem's stating that Bush must have been tied to the big oil companies and he was helping them make all their money. If I remember correctly, gas came down below $2.00 prior to Bush leaving office and now it is on the rise. I am actually proud of the Republican party for not acting like all the Dem's and blaming the President for the surge in the oil price. Maybe the whining Democratic Party should take a lesson and quit blaming the other party all the time. Although, I hope they do continue to blame the other party as sooner or later this will catch up to the Dem's and bite them!!! Time for the Dem's to start taking ownership for the direction of this country since they control the Government nowadays!
I'm 64 years old and I haven't taken a summer vacation since I was 16. I'm probably the exception, but at least rising gas prices and the recession won't impact on my plans for the summer.
I haven't own a car in 16 years and I see no reason why I need one. When I travel, I choose cities with good mass transit systems, such as San Francisco, Chicago, Washington D.C., Toronto and London. Renting a car is one more worry I don't want during my summer vacation.
I believe gas prices are going up because of speculators (same as what happended last year). It has nothing to do with demand /supply. It will badly hurt mass for the benefit of few speculators /traders.
Jack, why do you care? Obama wants higher gas prices and you seem to think that your job is to sell his program. Remember last year he said he wasn't upset about $4/gal gas only that it happened too fast! We'll just have to suck it up;.
The administration refuses to expand domestic development or to increase nuclear power and then laments US dependence upon foreign oil. Obama wants to create such an energy crisis that his policies will seem reasonable. Everyone will be happy- our standard of living will decrease but the polar bears and the environmentalists will be happy.
If gas goes above $2.50 per gallon here in California, we will stay home. It's over!
There were no reasons for last summer's gas prices other than pure and simple "Corporate GREED"! What's worse is that the Bush administration "LET" it happen and did nothing. Was I surprised? no.
Can we expect the same with this new administration?.... Time will tell.
I hope not.
Jamie, a school teacher in California.
I think the analyst are wrong.. They will most likely go even higher then last year. We will not be drilling for any oil here. And now that the Arab countries know that who control all of the oil, they are going to raise, raise, raise the prices.. Obama will try to blame the oil companies and tax them which will only make them raise the price even higher. He will use those tax profits to spend, spend, spend. Just like the dems do. Just like the Dems did for the past 2 and half years they have been in control of spending. Now with no checks and balances, they will do nothing but spend and waste tax payer money. Things are not going to be good. Mark my words.
I won't be going anywhere again this year. With the greedy oil tycoons screwing us again on oil prices.
Any fool could have predicted the "money grab" by the big oil companies just in time for summer travel plans. BUT...they aren't going to get my money. Our family made a pact that if the price of gasoline rose above $2.00 per gallon, that we would vacation at home. Well, you know where to find us!
If we could harness the power of "political gas" my Summer plans would hold all kinds of activities, but since we can't.... no vacations, no unneccesary trips to anywhere. Less spending all around. Think we could get the science wizards on that 'political gas' thing?
Well, I'm thinking that if I act quickly I can probably still get a great deal on a Mexican vacation in the wake of the swine flu brouhaha.
Jack, I am going to do as much travel as I can this year, because gas prices are only going to rise from here. I saved a gas receipt from December, because at $1.53/gal, I doubt I will ever see prices here in California that low ever again. And I am only 25 years old!
Vacation?! That's a good one Jack.
anything above $3 a gallon and i will seriously curtail my travel. No more paintball trips or simply driving just because i want to. I live in the boondocks and everything is out of the way. I guess i'll stay at home and work on the yard! One good thing i guess i'll play more video games!!!
I live in Hawaii, I'll just walk out of my house and I'm in one of the best beach of the world so I don't need to worry about that. But the gas prices does make holes in my pocket, living in Hawaii mean expensive living especially on gas. I live in Oahu North Shore and work in Honolulu, thats about 40 miles in between. Driving with 35 mpg car and $2.49 a gallon. Additional to that Hawaii legislature just overrode our Governors veto on rising of taxes. Ouch!
What vacationI haven't had a vacation since Bush took office, Now it looks like it will probably never happen again. Jerry/ Iowa
NOT A BIT JACK!!!
We'll be out in force this year because we didn't get to do much last year worrying about GAS and the economy. Everything was surcharged last year.
This year is totally different.
Cafferty,
With all the financial problems people are having and all the money big oil has made off us don't you think we deserve a break. We the people deserve some good news.
We won't be going any great distance. Camping, biking, visiting family in local area, museums, sports, concerts in town & state. Normal gas hike trend taking place over decades. No surprise.
Not thinking about vacation! I'm just barely managing not to have to vacate the home I own. I think I'll just sit in my back yard call all my credit card companies and suggest they take a hike for their summer vacation!!!!
Guy
As former oil exec of a small fish consumed by the big ones, gas prices have their own earmarks to cover everything from middleman's commisions to compensation for new taxes and insurance fees. I can cross a state line to neighboring gas stations and see a ten to fifteen cent price variation on any given day , an obvious sign no true regulation exist. I now earn zero from the industry, but sleep better at night .
Of course we are getting taken to the cleaners again. It's coming summer and up goes the price. It's coming close to a holiday and up goes the price again. I live in the Southern Tier in NY. When everyone was paying below a $2 a gal we were paying more than $2 a gal for no reason. It isn't because of a shortage it's because the big oil companies need more profit. The hedgefuns are at work again.
With the economy the way it is, and with people not having much disposable income and also with unemployment continuing to rise, how do you think a slight increase in gasoline prices will make any difference to travel plans. A lot of people are not planning to go very far now. Get real, and understand the situation many, many people are in at this time! You can't get blood from a turnip, as the saying goes.
I am comparing driving vs. flying for a family of five from Minneapolis to Atlanta for vacation right now. Gas is not high enough to justify the airfare, but its creeping closer. The good news is that gas is not as high as last year (yet), hotels/condos are much more willing to deal to drive occupancy, and selection is still relatively good. We save for our annual trip every year, so the money is available and I think I would rather spend it to help out the economy than save it at this point. I have a glass half full outlook on the economy now...I didn't 60 days ago.
I think someone had more input/ influence on the amout gas was per day during the Bush era then they do now. Common what do you think it would really be like if Mccain won, I see 7 dollar gallons with a pipeline from alaska to everyones home. This current price is still fair and the stmnt people drive more when gas is less. I hope this is not taken as though the gas we are disp. is what make Americas driving force to continue our lives. That is a whole other form of slavery right their!
It won't. At $2.50/gallon, it a bargain.
I am frugal throughout the year, so when it comes to my summer vacation plans, I will not let the price of gas prevent me from going where I want to go, no matter how far. I try not to waste money in times like these and I don't consider summer driving to be a waste of money if it takes me to places I want to see. If I cut back on anything, it will be dining out or buying things I simply don't need.
People are already in lock down when it comes to spending what extra money they have. Now that gas prices have gone up, that will now only worsen. It is not what this country needed given the current financial crisis and I'm disappointed in President Obama that he hasn't done something to prevent this.
well no summer vacation again this year for me, which in return effects the economy because i not spending my money on vacation. we just give it to the gas companys. the economy is suffering not just because of the housing crisis. the gas prices are hurting so many people. as long as the gas prices keep going up, the economy will not get any better, mark my word
It has put all my plans into one basket,
Last year I bought a sail boat, have you ever try fishing off a sail boat Jack?
Higher gas prices = less $ = NO travel. Just essential, to & from work and grocery. Times are already very tight and if more money is spent at pump less is spent for other needs.
I am watching gas prices closely. I am planning to stay on the beach 4-5 days next month. A while back i figured prices would be about $2.30gal. by mid-June, but now they are already at $2.15gal. and raising. So in turn i am either going to wait and see or cancel my plans all together if the prices go above $2.50gal. My get-a-way plans seem to be changing by the minute. I'll do something much closer to home if i have to.
I hope people use common sense and dont do anything like go on their trips just to say "see there is no recession im going to spend money to prove it". I dont like agenda driven quotes like that.
Jack
Rising gas prices and the recession are like military intellegence, they shouldn't be used in the same sentence. This shows that regardless of how bad things are out there, the oil companies "adjust" with the supposed start of driving season. If you have no job like me, you are not going on a vacation,
We've been saving up for our Summer 2009 road trip. We've been using $5.00/gal for our gasoline portion of the estimate.
It looks like we're in good shape, but you never know....
Not at all, I am doing better than I ever have $ wise.
I think if we want to see a swift recovery within the economy, crude prices would have to remain under $60 per barrel. Seriously, the outrageous gas prices, the bullish and greedy oil market is what got us into this mess today. People started to get into trouble when gas prices hit $3 nationwide. We need to drill our own oil and slowly translate to renewable energy. You fix this now, you fix the future. We evolve around oil.
...in the same way they'll continue to impact my Fall, Winter and Spring plans: I'm tightening everything up because the water level is rising past my nostrils.
Here comes BIG OIL again. Getting back at the poor and the Obama administration for pushing Green Energy options. Is anyone surprised ??
I personally think raising gas prices just before summer is just a scam!
You'd think leaving those gas prices lower would raise the percentage of consumer travel. Also it would give more job opportunity for those small businesses through the summer. The more people who travel the more businesses make there money! Very simple!
Gas prices is what caused this whole economic crisis in the first place. Rampant speculation and pure greed bankrupt the worlds economy's. Gas rose to $4 a gallon causing all other goods and services to rise. Consumers had to cut back to just necessities which resulted in less production which led to lay offs and falling stock prices. People started defaulting on credit cards and loans just to buy essentials. If President Obama does not address this issue we will be right back where we started from by the end of the year. This was the cause of the recession people. Wake up...
What is really awful is that with all the lay offs and hours cut, people, including myself, are having to take jobs paying half what they used to, if they can even find a job. Now, with gas prices rising again, I'm going to be paying a couple hours worth of pay just to buy gas to get to work and back. It's really sad when you know you're educated and intelligent and hard working enough to be worth more than a few dollars an hour, but you have to take what you can get and then pay out so much of that for gas, and these gas companies are making MILLIONS.
Yes. I plan to not spend more than necessary, but will stock lots of food for the imminent collapse this fall that rising fuel prices will cause to this heavily damaged economy.
The gas prices started this mess and now it looks like it will deepen it. I will probally stay home and mow the lawn with my sissors. Lance Ideker Nipomo Ca.
None, my five mile trip to the golf course will only cost me about sixty cents more three time a week. The golf course dropped the cost of a beer by forty cents a can so I'll come out ahead.
As far as rising gas prices are concerned, every time we read about the
economy possibly going in a positive direction, we shortly read about
something that negates the efforts to more forward. Higher gas prices are
certainly going to have a negative multiiplier impact on so many aspects
of the economy. Is there any end to this madness. As far as I'm concerned
at this point in time, there's no place like home.
It will remind me that our country uses too much oil unnecessarily and has a financial regulation deficiency.
I don't think many people have summer vacation plans anyway. Unless you are the CEO of AIG, of course.
Not at all. We still plan to camp, kayak, fly to see our family in the Pacific Northwest. All because, we live within our means, save up for the things we want to buy........ and pay the .... one.... credit card which we have, off each time the statement arrives.
When our family travels we can make our destination on one tank of gas. We go to the Jersey shore every year. Right when we got home from our last trip I start saving all my change and extra money I make working extra hours. I waitress, so there is always change. This year I was still able to save money even with my husband being unemployed for 14 weeks.I just worked extra shifts when they were available. Knowing his job was being eliminated beforehand we "knew" what was coming and planned ahead. We had to cut back on the extras, but it will be worth it for us.
No affect. I made it through last year, I can make it through this year!
When our family travels we can make our destination on one tank of gas. We go to the Jersey shore every year. Right when we got home from our last trip I start saving all my change and extra money I make working extra hours. I waitress, so there is always change. This year I was still able to save money even with my husband being unemployed for 14 weeks.I just worked extra shifts when they were available. Knowing his job was being eliminated beforehand we "knew" what was coming and planned ahead. We had to cut back on the extras, but it will be worth it for us.
We are from Red Hook,NY
Yes they will Jack. I'm pulling in my horns and betting everyone else will too. A pox on those who have put us into this position. The Elite Bankers is who !!!! Thank you.
Summer vacation plans? Are you kidding me? Fortunately I'm still employed but got a 27% paycut the first week of Feb. and it is all we can do to stay afloat.
I never made "summer plans". I knew I would be broke this summer, high gas prices or not. Not having a job, or even the possibility of one, has that effect on travel plans.
Every summer I drive to Ohio to visit my brothers, their families, and my friends from childhood through young adulthood. I have lived in Georgia more than 40 years, and I would cut back on many other expenditures before I ever would forgo this annual trip. The price of gas did not stop me last year, and I do not intend to let it stop me this year either. I do not consider visits to my family and friends to be luxuries; they feed my soul.
I gave up my car a year ago, I travel by public transit. To hell with the oil companies. I will still go away on vacation and enjoy my trip. I stay local, I live in a wonderful place called Cotati, Ca, wine country all around me.
Gas prices already have caused me to drive only primarily for work and church. No side trips. No short jaunts to the store for whatever. Until somebody gets the balls to tell the gas industry what shall be done, I will continue to cut back because that is the only language the gas companies understand. Work, yes. Travel for pleasure - nope!!
Because of the gas prices and economy, I've decided to take a trip that doesn't require driving. I'm flying to the Phillippines for a week. I still get out of town, but without the traffic, the gas prices, or the headaches.
I will take my vacation(s) and conduct my businesses as usual dispite the increases. However, with that said I will say....
The price of oil has little to no bearing on the supply and demand theory, but is a direct result to direct manipulation by the producing countries who are and have been our enemies. From the Muslim countries in the Middle East, to Russia, to several South American countries they put the pricing knife to our throat. every opportunity they get.
Every time our economy begins to come to life they raise the price killing any momentum.. From the trucking industry, to the middle class to governmental concerns, the increases suck the lifeblood out of their budgets. It was the pricing last summer which put the final nail into our systematic collapse.
The Oil companies go along with this because the suppliers are their lifebllod and they know their future is limited once America really puts an effort into alternative energy sources.
I'll be unemployed at the end of May. No money. No vacation. Even if gas were $1.50, I'd still be staying home.
nope, staying home in the air conditioning.
the price of a barrel of oil, was $32.00/barrel, January, 2009. it has as you indicate, been climbing ever since, finishing today, at $58.00/barrel. the real question is why?? with a staggering economy, unemployment at 9%, busnisses that traditionally use large quantities aren't, oil storage facilities can't take any more, tankers waiting to unload, Opec turning the valve off; yet oil on the rise; one can only say, that we are on the oil standard, not the gold standard..
It appears that oil companies and gas stations have little concern about the state of our economy, the unemployment and the hardships of the common people. Instead, they are looking for any and every excuse to push gas prices up. It's interesting that more "people-oriented" corporations have appeared to be doing their part by slashing prices to stimulate the economy. Let's get moving on the green type of transportation so that we can finally say good-bye to the oil companies!
Because I live in one of the most beautiful states in the union, I will continue to vacation right here. I've already traveled the world and "done time" in homelier states like Texas, so I'm glad to be where beauty is right out my door!
This summer's vacation plans are all about 2 things; car pooling and camping. Having driven a car from Long Island to Panama City, nothing is more fun than a road trip with friends. What you would normally pay for a solo trip ends up getting cut to a fraction if every1 throws down for fuel. Camping is also a must because the money that would be used for hotels and so on can be put towards gas, a win win, considering its usually free to camp in many areas. Getting rid of those gas guzzlers couldnt hurt either.
Jack, how come you weren't on TIME's 100 Most Influential People list? My husband suggested you should be – every year. The people who read your blogs are best prepared to deal with life wisely, that includes planning summer vacation.
Probably won't impact me much. As a recent grad with a great job and making good money, I plan to treat myself to a nice vacation.
They won't, because I'm a spoiled 20 year old kid and my parents pay for my gas. Muahahah!
No need to travel far when you live in a beautiful state! I'll be spending time in Santa Fe and Durango, Colorado.
We are taking our two Granddaughters who come from Canada to spend the summer with their Father to Disney World. Had promised them last year but was not able to make the trip. Now again just because the summer is coming, gas companies going to rip the general public off as much as possible. Well this year come hell or high gas prices we are going. Something they will remember after Grandma and Grandpa are gone.
What summer vacation plans? Having enough money for some summer fruit would be great.
Gasoline prices will have no impact on my plans. They had no impact on my plans last year, either It must be a slow news day Jack.
Jack,
What vacation? When I was a kid, no vacation. Even as an adult, I can't afford to take a vacation. This year, still no vacation and who can afford one with being unemployed. I am one who would like to tell my 3 kids, "We're going to Disney World", but that isn't happening any time soon.
Well Jack, having just lost my job TODAY, I'm not going to be travelling at all!!
I will just have to stay here in San diego this summer. i will have to relegate myself and my famliy to making sand castles, taking walks and eating at home together. We might even have tto cancel our cable plan and just talk or read to each other. We will miss you Jack...well not that much. What a concept. i can not wait. Less is more
Does anybody else see comspiracy here? The economy stinks...layoffs continue...and people are drving less. Yes the price of oil continues to rise? Based on what? Not supply and demand, as there are tankers waiting offshore for the prices to rise. No, this is once again traders speculating and oil companies scheming to drive up prices, while the economy tanks. So a big bank announces that it made a profit last quarter, and what happens? Oil traders bet up the future price of oil. It all smells rotten to me. We all need to stick it to them and STAY HOME this summer. BUY LESS GAS.
Does anybody else see conspiracy here? The economy stinks...layoffs continue...and people are drving less. Yes the price of oil continues to rise? Based on what? Not supply and demand, as there are tankers waiting offshore for the prices to rise. No, this is once again traders speculating and oil companies scheming to drive up prices, while the economy tanks. So a big bank announces that it made a profit last quarter, and what happens? Oil traders bet up the future price of oil. It all smells rotten to me. We all need to stick it to them and STAY HOME this summer. BUY LESS GAS.
What vacation plans? I haven't gone on vacation in 6 years. I'm going in the back yard this summer with a garden hose and call it a water park.
It won't, i am using my bicycle as my SUV.
The rising gas prices and the recession will cause a grave impact to any summer plans I may have had. Last week my employer of 15 years announced the closing of all our locations in Dallas. I will be spending time at the unemployment office. Fortunately there is one about 3 miles from my home. Unfortunately, unemployment has not stabilized. I suspect the gas prices will rise even more as the greedy ones try to make up for less gas consumption.
Oh Jack, stop being silly! What summer vacation?
Jack,
I used to live in the suburbs. I drove long distances or flew for my summer vacations. I commuted back and forth to work.
About five years ago, I moved to South Korea. Is purchase by the liter, and it's pretty expensive. Now, I don't even own a car. I walk to work and take mass-transit when I want to travel.
How will gas prices affect my summer travel plans? Not one bit.
Of course it will. At the end of this summer I plan to know more about Tennessee History than the Tennessee Historian!
What summer vacation unless your a big shot in wall street or a banker who has been bailed out your confined to your home. The goverment wants us to spend but the problem is we have nothing to spend. Jack were is our bailout?
They won't. I have no vacation time. I am Retired.
Jack-
What vacations plans? You must be kidding.. I am now working again for the first time since June 2008 and working 3 jobs. All are wonderful commission jobs, and I am earning less then 25% of what I used to make. I am lucky that we haven't lost the house or the cars, and that student loans are available for my kids college. We are healthy, fortunately because we can't afford health insurance. And you are worried about a summer vacation? Not in my plans.
No effect at all, my 10 year old 250,000 mile Honda Insight, still gets 70 mpg .
Jack,,
I have no summer travel plans because I am conserving my money just in case this recession does not end as rapidly as many pundits are telling us it will. Okay, maybe I'm a bad American by not supporting the economy by spending as much as I could. However, I sleep better at night if I don't spend everything I have in uncertain economic times.
Not at all, Jack. Unlike others, my wife and I don't have any credit card bills (we don't have credit cards at all), no ridiculously high mortgage payments, or a car loan (it's payed off), so we can afford to take a reasonable out of state trip. We live within our means, so we can afford to do what we want, when we want.
our summer plans are to stay at home watch out new 52 inch TV Swim n our new inground pool and cook on our newly build B. Q pit. All that's from the money we saved by not going on vacation last year when gas prices were high.
2 – 4 dollars a gallon...come on that's cheap compare to here in rural Alaska. You want to see expensive gas come to some of the Villages out here in Alaska that ain't near Anchorage, Alaska.
Jack,
I am a retiree living in Florida. I love the summers here, so the recession and rising gas prices will not affect me one bit. I am staying home as I always do.
Peter from Port St. Lucie, FL
Here' my thought on the rising gas prices: Will the media blame President Obama for the rising prices as they did George Bush? Bush got crucified for when they were rising under him. I thought President Obama was going to start working on our energy problem the FIRST THING.
I am not surprised. Hedge Funds and retirement funds that created demand for oil futures (not oil) last year are at work again. Last year argument was that demand in India and China is increasing demand for oil so prices are going up. Demand in India and China did not go up by more than 100% for oil prices to reach $147 from $60. Now again they are saying demand from China is driving the prices higher. The shallow argument from Wall Street is again the justification for another manipulation of oil and gasoline prices by oil future traders.
Not one bit. I don't drive an SUV or a Hummer or a 30-year-old jalopy. I walk, ride my bike, take the bus, or take the train. Does anyone who constantly moans about gas prices ever consider doing one of those things? Apparently not.
Well since this recession I have been saving money so that I am able to escape the monotony of my work life. Travel is a huge reason I stay sane. Life is too short to stay in one place for very long. It is probably mean but I hope that people don't travel, it means better deals for me.
SUMMER VACATION! HA! Who can afford a vacation, I will be looking for work.
SUMMER VACATION....funny
What Summer vacation plans?
I'm a college student living on campus for the summer and I'm more worried about getting a summer job. With the state of the economy, there aren't many near campus and I driving too far much will make a part time job pretty much pointless. Driving to a job to pay for gas to drive to the job.
Yes, being jobless does put a damper on my plans to tour Europe this summer and cruise around the world. But I'll play the lottery today, and as long as that works out, I will be okay!
We're still haunted by last summer's gas prices and I haven't had much work for the last 6 months. With that and all of the great news today about Social Security and Medicare, we will probably not travel much this summer. If we do, it will be within the state.
Jack,
My wife & I have not had a "real" vacation since the mid-1990's when gas was $1.35 and diesel for my truck was .99 cents a gallon. Since then we have been doing "staycations" and it looks like this is going to be the same for this year and future vacations. I love how the Rich & Wall Street has destroyed our ability to have disposable income that allowed us to have some extra cash and fun in our lives. It appears that is all over now, and we have to adjust to living in a Third World Country. They (Congress/Executive Branch/Wall Street) have done a good job at turning America from a Superpower to a Third World Country...Hats off to them. Not!
Jack, any summer edu-trips to Europe/Mexico/Hawaii are definitely out because the recession has hurt our income big time (we're both in home construction). But we are determined to enjoy a summer family vacation with the kids and will instead drive to Florida's Gulf of Mexico beach area. 4th of July in Florida... sounds pretty good! Tom
Wolf, I'm not taking any cash with me because we are going on a road trip. It will be cheaper and more beautiful for my family of three than getting on a plane.
Jack, it will not affect that much my vacation as long as it stays under $3 a gallon. I work in the retail and I was worried about my job for the last six months. Now I'm relieved which means that I'm letting Obama deal with the economy while I'm enjoying my San Francisco-Seattle road trip. By the way my sister is graduating from college and will be added to the millions job-seekers.
With the economy in a state of disarray and the increasing gas prices, my families vacation plans are nixed for this year and we are opting for long weekend excursions close to home.
Mike
New Freedom, PA
gas needs to come down...only way it comes down is if we use energy efficient cars and oil independency.....drive less hit oil companies!!!!!!!!!!!my dear fellow americans.....god bless..
Jack, when is someone going to reel these guys in? Certainly not those who continue to get rich by being in bed with these thugs! I've about had it with the oil companies, banks, wall street and any other establishment that caters only to the rich! Thank God I live in beautiful Philadelphia, PA, I'll be taking in some of the sites in my own home town for a while to come!!
Vacation? What's THAT?
What vacation plans Jack????
The Oil Oligopolies ARE RIPPING OFF THE PUBLIC YET AGAIN!!!! Crude oil, Gasoline Diesel AND Distillates inventories ARE ALL UP a record 15 weeks in a row, IN FACT inventories are at an 18 year high.
There is no "supply and demand" capitalism going on here, it is ALL oligopoly monopoly manipulation AND GOUGING, PLAIN AND SIMPLE!!
Not at all. After retiring 4 years ago my wife and I bought a Touring motorcycle and at 42 mpg on regular gas we can go from LA to NY for $178, and anywhere else for 16 cents a mile with gas at $2.50 a gal. in the LA area.
If American do not change those who leave their home gong on a vacation with money they do not have, may find their items on the curb and their homes foreclosed, because they refuse to live on a budget! So go ahead keep living in wonderland, the nightmare will come true when you come back, and your home is gone!
stay home :::::::::
what summer vacation plans..?Gas prices going up again should make people understand just how much we need alternative energy sources. I don't know about anyone else but i'm sick of the energy market being manipulated as it is.Just plain sick of it all.It's hard enough to survive in this world.
What vacation plans? Since I do not have a job to take a vacation from, I would like to have a vacation from the vacation. Spam would be a treat, after living on sloppy joe made with elcheapo ground beef.
Vacation- what vacation?!?! My wife was laid off from a job she has had 17 years, I was laid off last year anbd working at 1/3 of what I was making- House was foreclosed in January- We are happy to have a rental propery roof over our head and food on the table!
You know everyone knows the gas prices get higher now, and before the Presidential Elections the prices are always at their lowest prices.
You would think we could learn something here?!.
What can we people do about it.
Springfield,Mo.
i was planning on a trip to florida memorial week end but this week when gas went over $2.00 a gallon i decided to stay home and drive a few miles to the river.
what's really up with higher gas prices?
has obama joined up with the rich republican oil men?
Greetings Jack,
I'm a high school teacher way down here in Biloxi, Mississippi, so I probably don't know too much, BUT I've been telling my students, and predicting for over six months now that the price of gas would be back to three dollars per gallon by summer time! Hey, that's when everyone wants to take a vacation in the family auto! It matters not if a hurricane looms in the Gulf, or a crisis breaks out in the Middle East, it all boils down to pure, simple, unadulterated greed by the rapacious oil companies! I grew up with Economics 101 which stated that the more supply, the less the cost! It appears to be percisely the opposite these days – weird. Of course the rising price of oil will curb most of our (ordinary Americans) plans to travel this summer! God, I pray for alternative fuels some day, but those new companies will probably turn around and screw the consumers also! God bless you Jack, and God bless the USA!
Harry K
Biloxi, MS
bILOXI
Jack,
With all of the stress from the recession mania, I think the summer is a time to get away to relieve stress, have fun, and relax. With this in mind, I don't think the rising gas price and recession will impact my vacation plans. Thanks, Jack.
Jackson
Jack,
As I am unemployed, I plan to stay home (as long as I can keep my home). The investment speculators who pushed oil to $147 a barrel last year, including investment banks, are at it again. The world is in a recession, but oil is going up. The domestic oil companies are squeezing gasoline supplies by lowering capacity, thus less gasoline and diesel fuel; resulting in higher prices. Even after all the greed by the banks, the oil companies are now taking their turn. So, why take a trip and hand what little money I left left and give it to oil industry crooks?
Nick
Longmont, Colorado
We are doing something different this year. Taking a week off, and going to Kansas City for a few days of some much needed R and R. We usually do a week cruise, but because of the economy etc...we decided against it this year. We will still enjoy nice resturants, and maye take in a show...and just relax. Thats what vacations are for.The money we save we will spend on redoing a room in the house. Im just happy we are lucky enough to afford a vacation.
It is not my vacation plans that concern me, Jack. What concerns me is that the oil companies still hold a major share in the operation of our congress and we the people have no representation there. The oil companies will continue to overcharge us, rake in record profits and donate enormous sums to politicians and things go on as usual.
hi Jack
I'm going to do what I've done for the past couple of years, Veranda Beach!
That's right! I'm going to walk out my 3rd floor balcony door and sit on my balcony and drink water (heck, I might even splurge and put a slice of lemon in it) and imagine what it would be like to be an oil executive
If that doesn't do it, I'll hitch up my two horse team to my bicycle and have them pull me to the unemployment office.
I'll be doing my part to help the environment!
We are once again going to Yellowstone National Park, gas prices last year were a bummer but we went anyway and this year i hope we get a little break111
The recession has led us to search for better jobs out of state. Since we'll have to brave the rotten gas prices in order to move forward, our only choice is to cut back in other areas, including hotel stays and grocery and dining expenses. Of course, we will also have to cut out vacation and other non-essential travel as well once we're back home.
My wife and I are both active duty. Unlike most people out there, we're for the most part unaffected by what's going on in the civilian job market, although our retirement investments are down about 40 percent...glad we've got 2 military pensions to rely upon. I guess it's some compensation for nearly 20 years of family separations, deployments, hazardous duty, etc. 10 days of Disney and Orlando in July! Whoo-hoo!
Oil companies have made their highest profits in their history, while
the economy was falling apart, my question is how can the cost continuing to rise,.......and always before the holidays, vacation and when college students will be home and on the highways.
Myself, I do not intend to take a vacation......in less it's a short distance,
I've already limited my driving by half, in the last year.
Think oil companies should be investigated....their books and files,
on supply and demand.....the cost of commerce affects every thing
the consumer purchases, not just gasoline for their auto, ....all food
produce,........everything.
Vacation???? What is that Jack! I've been unemployed for 10 mos so a vacation to be is only having a dream when I'm asleep that I'm on some tropical island sipping on a mint julep and counting my millions of tax-free dollars.
Jack, there would be no impact at all. In anticipation of this mess, we took our 2009 Summer Vacation last July.
Those who continue to buy the free-market trash served up by the slew of conservative radio blowhards will have a hard time with this one. Gas prices are rising because we are all victims of concerted manipulation by the oil interests. Clearly demand is not going up in the middle of a recession, but price is.
Not at all my vacation will be even further and better this year. Life is great Jack I have unlimited unemployment, soon free heath care, followed by a credit card and housing bail out it does not get any better than this!. I am living the dream! God Bless President Obama!
All thing change but the American people, even when our people know things are bad right now thye refuse to change thier ways. Going on trips like a flock of birds every year to spend money they they do not have is just dumb. You can not make the economy better when all your money is gone and you have to go on food stamps just to eat. Failing to plan for the future will make everything worse then they are right now!
I have the money saved for a vacation....I just need to find a job, LOL.
UGH! I hope to find one before my unemployment runs out so I don' thave to dip into that saved "vacation money".
Considering that gas prices have gone up A LOT every friggin' summer for as long as I can remember (and I'm a Baby Boomer), why has no one done anything about the obvious price gouging for summer?
Jane (Minnesota).....11 mile commute? Mine is 73 miles one way!
My answer is a resounding yes, Jack. Every week when I drive I take a look at the prices listed for every gas station I pass during my travels and every week they go up. I then begin to cry. Then I go home and watch Tony Harris, Kyra Phillips, Wolf Blitzer, and you talk about how bad the economy is and how the recession continues to decimate jobs in this country. I am a retired Navy vet who can’t find work and I am eating through my savings like termites through wood. So, again, yes, rising gas prices and the recession is having a major impact on my plans.
Let me answer it this way, How will the extra charge that some of the airliners are planning to charge the overweight Americans affect the travel? None.There is no alternative for us consumers. When is the last time consumers were given a choice? Never. Therefore, we take the hit until the alternative energy rescue us. Jack, can you forcast when we will stop using foreign fuel and watch the Gas companies line up so we bail them out? I hope soon. By then it will be too late.
so long
Costas
Jack,
Ideally, it should be good news for my country(Nigeria) especially at this time, I assume we are the third highest exporter of oil in Africa, but i wonder if the government even takes note of the rising price of crude!!! Our leaders are clueless- we are doomed!!!
It obviously won't affect me in anyway.
Tomi
Abuja, Nigeria
Our plans revolve around camping trips which normally are fairly cost effective. But we still have to get where we want to camp. As a direct result of the fuel cost, we have decided to cancel all our summer plans except for one.
Just want to say thanks to Big Oil for causing this mess. Its time we nationalize all the oil companies.
As long as the oil companies run the United States vacation plans will be continually be cut back. Oil will go up today and the next morning gas will go up. Prices have gone up here in Central Virginia 20 cents per gallon in a week. That is absurb. No excuse for that. Obama needs to put the oil companies in their place and quit giving them all these tax breaks. They are to blame for 99% of the problems we have now in the US. My 2 week vacation to Florida did not happen this year because I knew gas would be up 20-30 cents per gallon by memorial day. I hope to live long enough to see these greedy oil companies have to beg us to buy their gas.
I'll take a vacation very nearby and spend some of the time praying I don't return to the next round of lay-offs.
this is the problem when prices go up we confine ourselves. Save your money while gas is down and plan to spend it when prices go up, we have to save and spend to save this economy. This is not permanent, are you going to remember 20 years from now when you were 16 years old 18, 20, 22 etc. Yes, you will remember, your going to remember how you stopped your life during a economic crisis.. live your life and save your money and spend it...
Jack, the recession has definitely changed my summer vacation plans, but for the better. Now the whole family treasures the few days we spend together. I don't know about you, but that sounds like a vacation to me.
What vacation ? I have not had one in three years. At the rate our president and our so called leaders are running our country down I probably won't have another three.Thank you Helen Lozaw N.J
Nope niether one affects me as I have always lived a debt free life, worked my way into a industry that isnt as affected by these recessions, and even when it is I live off the fat in my savings account, until it passes.
you see I left the farm in the last great recession and stood in line for a minimum wage job, but I got it and worked 7 days a week 12 hours a day and took 6 years at night to get a 2 year degree and lived in a crappy apt while doing it, but it was mine and things got better.
I saved for my childs college education in a guarenteed plan before I even had children and was still living on minimum wage and things got better.
I saved for my retirement as my salary increased instead of hopeing the goverment would steal what others have made and give it to me, and things got better.
I dont cry about fat cats in the hamptons, or the ones in washington, or big oil and if I run out of money.......well things will get better!
Stop complaining about the gas price. In this part of Europe it costs now about 6 dollars per gallon, and it was almost eight during last summer. If you Americans stopped wasting the fuel, it might be cheaper. We Europeans are not angels on this matter, but compared to you we look like that.
As a person living with chronic disabling conditions, and a small pension, I would love to be healthy enough to take a vacation, much less afford one. All these people whining about losing your jobs or having to give up the ski boat or the 2nd house at the lake, or the 2nd SUV, or putting off the purchase of the home theater, of the Bahamas vacation, yada yada yada, I understand your severe emotional distress but for heaven's sake get over it! You don't know how lucky you are if you still have your health. You can still go out and start all over again. So shut up, grow up, and count your blessings.
This summer, as cliché as it is, I will be looking up ways to have a series of mini "stay-cations" instead of taking a major trip anywhere.
With the cost of everything going up, except wages, I don't plan on going anywere. And that's the whole problem to this depression, I mean recession. If gas was $1.50 a gallon and we were not paying mini-bar prices for food, water and electricity, people would have the extra money to travel and spend like the good old days. instead we stay home and save our money for the next round of inflated bills.
I have live in San Francisco for 32 years and there are still things I haven't seen, out of the way places, and that is my future travel plan. I haven't been to Alcatraz since 1976. I might go back agaon over Memorial Day.
What's a summer vacation? Cheers from Michigan.
My family and I will be taking a vacation only because its been pd for .for awhile now. But when we get there we won't be able to really do anything ,cause money is really tight.We will even cook there so we don't have to eat out.
Hi Jack......
It will be a summer @ the hacienda...I'll continue to clean, purge, and head out to the re-sale shops to hopefully have some return from the "what was I thinking of " purchases in past years. The higher prices LAST year did not keep me from being "airborne" three separate trips, and I enjoyed every moment. It is not so much the gas prices as it is the costs to board the mutt....forget a college degree...run a clean, safe kennel with caring staff, and you will find a lucerative income.
If I weren't to spend $$ on gas or airline tickets, I would be short changing myself, so will head out in the fall. Whereever, and whatever one chooses to do........it is almost a requirement in this day and age to take down time, and leave all the tech toys @ home.
Jack,
Gas prices are certainly holding off a lot of plans for many people. I drive past gas stations and see their prices creeping up like a bad weed! Airfares on the other hand are great! Skip the car and fly this summer!
Well, considering today (!) we just got word we will be working a 4 and, more than likely, 3 day work week (24 hours less 1/2 hour for a break) until an undetermined date - no vacation here. Oh yes! I still have to pay my full amount for insurance as well. Our EC staff "believes" this will assist the company in keeping within their fiscal budget. Of course, we know what they really expect... you will look for another job, quit this one (if you are LUCKY enough to get another one) and they save BIG. Possibly hiring someone else in the space you vacated (if they do it at all) and save, save save on not paying out any benefits! Lovely system...
I've read most of the comments made on this and I would say
95% of the people are not taking vacations this year and about
the same are blaming the Big Oil Companies for ripping the
American people off again. So my question is Why Do WE
Allow This To Happen? I hope nobody travels and The Big
Oil can take their gas and shove it!
Why hasn't anyone noting the thousands, possibly millions of us who are "still" unemployed since 2007, and who have had to take their 401K to survive, to save our homes, and feed our family.
My question is, what type of relieve is there in the "stimulus package" for those of us?
We like to go to Maui each year and spend..spend..spend. Due to loosing income from our real estate business, we are going to count are pennies and, if, and I mean IF, we go this year at all!
Alan-Buxton,Maine has it pegged right on. Its that yearly gough routine enjoyed as the Rich Oil companies get Richer and the poor get Children. So what's new, Jack? James Melching,Springville, Calif.
LOL what vacation... who can afford to take time off work? Not I
Gee whiz Jack, what are you talking about? I'm paying equivalent to $4.16 per gallon here in Canada right now. We'll be heading south for holidays soon. A King room anywhere in the south is around 70 bucks a night. You can't get a single for that anywhere in Canada anytime. A decent round of Golf in Canada???? $70 – $80 bucks plus cart. See you real soon!
It will be another summer spent at home, which as it turned out last year was not all that bad. Maybe if we stayed off the roads, they could get fixed all at once instead of tying up traffic in the same spots year after year. At any rate, the oil companies have decided that they need more money for whatever they need it for, and prices will rise no matter what we say or do.
We haven't been able to afford vacations or many trips to visit friends and relatives the past few years, and most live within 200 miles of us. We have 7 grandchildren, and we rarely get a chance to see them. If gas prices rise to levels of last summer, I don't know how hubby will be able to get to and from work (80 miles round trip). He's 63 and has stage IV cancer, so bicycling is out of the question. I guess we'll just stay home and watch the grass grow.
Because of the rising gas prices, my vacation is going to be in the backyard and on the patio. The oil companies will not rip me off anymore. I, like many other people view the oil companies as enemies of the economy and will not give them a cent more than is necessary.
If the recession is not bad enough, we give hundreds of billions of dollars to the greedy morons primarily put us in this situation. But can the government for once think about the proverbial 'average Joe' when is comes to giving some relief on gas tax. Or capping the amount of profit that the Oil companies make off the sweat of the poor and ever shrinking middle class....hell no. Vacation, right. I have to start another savings program because when I am at retirement age there will be no Medicare or social security. Do I sound bitter? Hell yes! So are a millions of people by the day!
Vacation...that's funny. Wait no it's not...that the sad truth.
Jack
Vacation?
What the hell is that?
I’m a poor Latino in this country. The only vacation I can afford is when my wife goes food shopping on Saturdays I have the bathroom all to myself.
BTW - is this the "Change" we expected?
I don't believe reports that say less people are taking vacation than the last years. Actually, most vacation spots state that business is thriving and people are vacationing to ease their minds of the economy and what's going on in the world. And gas prices are going up because Obama wants us to stop using gas-powered vehicles and use those unsafe green cars...also, they're trying to make a big business of this alternative to gas agenda.
Vacation? Vacation? Just getting by paying my bills, vacation will be spent on the deck with burgers, dogs, & beer.
I've been on "vacation" for over a year. There are no jobs out here and I'm too broke to move back to Texas. Thanks alot "W". We all owe a debt of gratitude for your policies that have now crippled this once great country.
We are taking the train.