How are you handling near record high gas prices?
FROM CNN's Jack Cafferty:
Get ready for more pain at the pump. Some experts are predicting gasoline could hit $5 a gallon by Memorial Day.
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Right now, the national average for a gallon of gasoline is more than $3.80. That's just for regular unleaded. In some places, $4 a gallon is already in the rear view mirror. Prices have been on a steady climb for weeks. We're still off the all-time high, but not by much. Gas prices peaked in July 2008, when the national average was $4.11 a gallon. It's almost a foregone conclusion we will blow by that number… and soon.
This comes at a bad time of course. It always does. We have a fragile U.S. economy, and gas prices could threaten its recovery. According to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll, 68% of Americans say the high cost of gasoline has forced them to cut back on other areas of spending. And 62% said they are driving less because of how much it costs to fill the tank.
Businesses are experiencing higher transportation costs. They're faced with the tough decision: Eat those costs or pass them on to consumers. Either way, it spells tough times for most Americans.
Crude oil prices, of course, drive gas prices. And the unrest in the Middle East has been pushing prices up. So has an ever-increasing demand in developing nations.
Republicans blame President Barack Obama. What's new? When Obama took office, the national average for a gallon of regular unleaded gas was about $1.79, less than half what it is today. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has used Facebook to call Obama the $4 per gallon president. She's not often right, but might be onto something here.
Here’s my question to you: How are you handling near record high gas prices?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Jen in Granger, Texas:
We've cut back on eating out and going for local foods at the store. Also put in a garden with tomatoes, okra, cucumbers, squash, sweet corn etc. It may not save us too much but it’s a start.
J.J. in Toledo, Ohio:
We have given up on a vacation to North Carolina. It would have been our first in twenty years. We planned to have some interior renovations done while we were gone. Not this year. We will use our money for gas, utilities and food all of which have skyrocketed.
Steve in Michigan:
I arranged my life to reduce how much gas I burn many years ago. When gas is cheap I save money. When gas is higher I just save more money. It is a win-win deal. I drive a fuel efficient car and live near my work and all needed services. Gas could be $15 per gallon and it would not be that big of a deal for me.
Pierre in Florida:
I drive a scooter around Miami which gets 80 to 90 mpg.
Evinia:
Quit crying and suck it up! We, in Canada, have been paying nearly $6.00 per gallon for years! And guess what - the world hasn't come to an end. Americans think they are entitled to all the good things in life, but don't want to pay for them. They don't want to pay higher taxes. They don't want to pay for health care. They don't want to pay for educating young people. They don't want to pay for infrastructure. You get the picture. At least some of you are waking up and smelling the coffee.
D.:
With improved weather, I started riding my bike to work. It not only saves gas and wear and tear on the car but hopefully it will help me get back in shape. It's a six mile ride each with many bike lanes from which to choose and I encourage anyone who can to do so. You won't regret it.
Richard in Kansas:
Well, since I'm a wealthy oil executive I'd say that I'm handling it quite well. I just keep getting richer while you poor dumb saps just keep paying whatever I demand. Suckers.
@jackcafferty on Twitter
Just Fine I live in Los Angeles and I dont even have a car. Yes thats right no car in LA. I got sick of gas price 2 years ago sold my car and take the metro. It works just fine.
How do we handle the increased gas prices? less driving, cut out vacations, only making limited trips on weekends for supplies, errands etc. Gas prices will only go up as we get closer to summer. DO you think when it hits $5 per gallon things will change-unlikely until we change our dependence on arab oil. Not in our lifetime.
Simple, taking mass transit. Easy to do here in NYC!
Jack, I am watching my miles though not dramatically altering my life-style as yet. Unfortunately President Obama and his cronies will continue to demagogue oil comoanies while making it harder for us to drill for oil on our own land.
Then he will talk about decreasing dependence on foreign oil. I can't believe how Democrat-voters cannot see through this hypocrisy.
Consolidating routine trips around home, driving less, and actually mindful of accelerating slowly and smoothly. Make's a huge difference.
Gas is like air, you can't do without it, so it isn't a question of handling it, it is like waking up every morning, you just do it. You need gas? You go buy it, without much regard for the cost (and the gas companies know that).
Jack: I do not plan on going on long trips. No vacation, and no unnecessary trips to shop or pursue hobbies. If we use our automobiles less the demand for gasoline will be less, and maybe the price will go down. America only gets 10% of its oil from the Middleast. We need more electriv cars, and better fuel saving automobiles.
I doing what most Americans are doing – paying more for it. I commute 11 miles each way to work – not much I can do about it except pay more. (I guess I can gripe more about it – but that doesn't change it either). I do spend less on the stuff that has a better chance of stimulating the economy than increased gas prices – Washington, are you listening??????
This state is the armpit of the nation, I get by on a tank a payday. I just pay it and hope Obama regulated the commodities trading like he's supposed to. Would be nice if CNN covered that story on how traders are jacking the prices up.
With help of friends wanting to go the sameway. Plus we are making that one trip count with all stops in between. No thrill rides here!
Becky in Houston
Reduced travel, combining trips whenever possible, even local errands.
Cutbacks in other things, have to be made to finance the gas I have to buy.
Things are tight, right now, at these prices, I can barely go from my home to work and back and still afford some beans for lunch.
But the good news is: my wife said she could probably pull my finger and generate enough gas for me to mow the lawn.
Sorry Jack, couldn't resist.:)
hmmm well Jack that would be one word. Anger~ly .
Like the president, we're looking at electric cars and other alternatives to fossil fuels.
Here in Newfoundland, we are paying $1.35 CAN per LITRE, and we are a Province of Canada that produces oil. I drive a small car that's easy on gas; and drive it only as a necessity. However, many homeowners use oil rather than gas here, and that means at least $1000 per 250 gal tank, and we have cold & long winters. I have electric heat in my home which is not too bad. But we have had higher prices here - a couple of years ago it was $147 CAN per litre and higher in some areas of this Province, especially in Labrador. Here is St. John's it is usually cheaper than the rest of the Island and Labrador.
St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
I'm driving more & enjoying it less. I'm in the construction industry & my mailbox if full of price increases & I have to pass the cost on to the consumer.This is simply a fiasco. We have a pretend president that doesn't have a timely answer for anything. For this perpetuated fraud of a leader to throw out a flippant remark ( of go buy a new car) is something I'd expect a 10 year old to say. He doesn't get it & he'll never get it . Washington's full of gas, too bad we can't tap that unlimited source.
Not buying it.
The same way I would suppose 99.9% of America is handling them,with large amounts of disgust, and skepticisim. By now we all know that there are never any shortages that aren't situations contrived by speculators and CEOs of big oil in order to fleece us. I wish I could handle it like it was a burglary and call the police. The trouble is, it's a national burglary and there are no cops (congress) that are going to come to our rescue. Big oil has spent the last two decades conditioning the public to accept gas prices jumping all over the place so that we can't organize resistance to them.
We are trying to combine errands at every turn, walk when we can and
only own 1 used car. We think before we drive and will cancel plans for the summer vacation. Instead, we'll stay home, ensconce ourselves in do it yourself projects and be thankful we have 1 job and 1 car between us. A Sunday drive is yet another simple pleasure most people can no longer enjoy.
Not well.
With the current government restrictions on drilling and lack of permits being issued there may be no end in sight. This is a real drag on many industries that use fuel. The added costs are passed down to the consumer andwill slow our growth and make any recovery marginal at best. Competiton in the oil market is the best solution and best for America.
Jack, we were planning to drive to Myrtle Beach for our summer vacation. We had to put that on hold because of the gas prices. It looks like a lot of back yard barbecues and staying within the Pennsylvania border. We cannot afford the high cost of gas right now, and the talk is the price of gas is expected to go up even higher over the summer.
Well, since I'm a wealthy oil executive I'd say that I'm handling it quite well. I just keep getting richer while you poor dumb saps just keep paying whatever I demand. Suckers.
Thus far I am handling it pretty well. I am single with no dependants and have always been a "man of few possessions" who never bought into Consumerism. As a result I tend to have access cash and can weather a tank of gas going from $40 to $55 pretty well. However if this trend continues and it goes from $40-$80 of course this would change things a bit for me but I can only image what it would do to someone who makes my wages but has 2 kids and a spouse who was laid off two years ago.
I can also tell you categorically that anyone who says drilling for more oil in the US is the answer is on the oil pay roll or has fallen victim to some serious propoganda. Adding oil to the supply won't change the price. Period.
I'm handling gas price increases just fine since I know what happened when George W. Bush announced that we would increase our domestic production of oil. Prices fell just as quickly. If this president continues to follow the far left plan on oil production, he will not be reelected and that would be just fine with me as well.
The price of gasoline has gotten so high Jack that this year for vacation I decided to mail my car instead of drive it.
No problem at all. I just don't go anywhere. I stay at home at watch you Jack!
JP Jones
Iuka, MS
I'm dealing with the gas prices wonderfully, I'm unemployed so I don't have to drive. Yeah, there's always an upside.
Michigan
I drive a scooter around Miami which gets 80 to 90 mpg.
With a husband who travels for work in a vehicle that takes $80 to fill up, I have to check our account balance before going to the grocery store. I see a hybrid in our future!
I arranged my life to reduce how much gas I burn many years ago. When gas is cheap I save money. When gas is higher I just save MORE money. It is a win / win deal. I drive a fuel efficient car and live near my work and all needed services. Gas could be $15 per gallon and it would not be that big of a deal for me, other than it would raise the prices of good and services, which is the primary area where the price of gas affects me.
Jack,
I am not driving anywhere, unless I absolutely have to.
My question to you to discover is whether gas prices are manipulated favoring big oil companies profits and speculators, at the expense of a Democratic President and Senate?
I have noticed every time a Democratic President is up for reelection gas prices are higher than expected during the summer and fall, but when a Republican President is up for reelection prices are lower. I wonder why?
Joe, Binghamton, NY
We've cut back on eating out and going for local foods at the store. Also put in a garden with tomatoes, okra, cucumbers, squash, sweet corn etc... may not save us to much but its a start.
Jen from Granger, Texas
Jack, I put my car down for my motorcycle to keep from paying out of the behind. But now, I'm freezing my behind off!!
South Carolina
looking for the cheapest gas and driving less.
Just when we were getting back on our feet after the recession, the rug gets pulled out from under us again by high gas prices. I find myself mapping out my routes to make my trips most efficient. And to think the Repubs are worried about the wealthy paying a few extra tax dollars....... I bet they don't have to map their route to make the most of their gas dollars.
Richmond, VA
I set a limit of $30 per week. Period. End of THAT story. Next?
quit crying and suck it up!!! we in Canada have been paying nearly $6.00 per gallon for years!! and guesss what the world hasn't come to an end !!..
..Americans think they are ENTITLED to all the good things in life ..but don't want to pay for them ...don't want to pay higher taxes ..don't want to pay for health care ..don't want to pay for educating your young people ..don't want to pay for infrastructure ...well you get the picure !!... at least SOME of you are waking up and smelling the coffee..
.it's really quite easy ..you drive when it is necssary ..you do your shopping one side of the street and then the other..in turn ..you plan to get as much done in one trip as possible...look in your cupboards and use what you have on hand ...NOT THE ANERICAN WAY OF LIFE??.... TOO bad!!.....B.C. canada
You pay for it, what else is there to do? Can I call in and tell my boss that I can't pay for the gas to get there? I have to get to my job, if I don't I personally know 2 long term unemployed people who would be happy to jump on it, regardless of what it costs them to get there. Public transportation is not an option in my area, unless you going to/from NYC. Although it does not save me any money in the big picture, I try not to let the tank go below one half so the hit I take is smaller.
tampa, fl as a disabled person on disability that hasn't had a cola in 2 years, i can see my car where it has been parked for days out of my open windows as my a/c is still off. i can stimulate the economy by buying stuff or just a tank of gas, not both.
The gas prices today are not as much of a problem as those anticipated in the near future. I have a weekly 500 mile round trip requirement for medical treatment which I can't avoid and its a strain on my pocketbook. The plus side of this is that we will be forced to develop our own available resources of which there are many.
Gerry
Arizona
I drive a fuel efficient car and have a short commute to work.
I don't envy the people who thought they needed an SUV for their daily commute, and now end up putting half their paychecks into the gas tank.
Canceled trip to see my family, and curtail trips to town. People like me on fixed incomes don't have too many choices. Drive or eat, drive or pay the heat bill, drive or pay utilities, drive or......well you get the picture. I hope the Oil Companies and the top one percent enjoy their luxury items while those in the middle and the bottom feel the weight of the world crushing us into oblivion!!!!!
I am not worried about how much I am paying now. It's the future prices that will make today's prices look like the good ole days. Remember when gas was approaching $4.00 levels across the nation and Bush was President? Everyone was willing to come up with a solution, including drilling for more oil. Instead, the media has remained largely silent, even though Obama has been the roadblock to any viable solution to increase domestic oil production. And spare me any talk about alternative energies. Nothing out there can compete with oil and the administration keeps picking favorites (wind, solar etc) and pouring tax dollars down those bottomless pits. These prices are going to kill the average American as they will feel it at the pump and everywhere transportation is factored into the goods they consume.
I am cussing at the oil companies. I even sometimes mumble under my breath at the gas pump.
And, if I actually have to go into the station, like to use the restroom or buy a drink, I let the poor hapless clerk know just what I think about getting screwed by the oil companies!
What did you THINK I was doing? The same thing everyone else is doing. Buying the gas I need, and paying the money. What's my options!
As a retire couple we now try to put together our trips so to save on gas. This has also cut down on our plans to travel in our R.V. this spring and summer. Plan on cutting back to one car also. Gas at the local station this AM is $3.95 for regular and $4.49 for diesel. Where is it going to stop. Port Orchard, Wa
Back in 2007, I was spending about $50.00 a week.
I still spend $50.00 a week.
I don't drive many miles from my home to restaurants, grocery stores, malls, etc.
I refuse to pay any more than that. If I run out of gas, I run out of gas. I am not running out of patience, I just don't spend any more than that. It takes discipline, but I am doing it. I am not changing my stride. I am changing how I used to do things.
Olga
Austin, Tx
No problem, Jack. My '83 Mercedes diesel is still knocking down 28 MPG. Bob, St. Thomas PA.
Jack, It's not the increased cost of gas that's hit me hardest, it's all the other costs that oil prices have driven up. My gas expenditures have risen roughly $50/month. But my electric bill has risen almost $200! Food prices? Cereal boxes are smaller. Coffee cans hold less. Peanut butter jars have a big dimple underneath that cuts the amount inside. And the list goes on. There's not much I can change or cut back on. The only smart thing I've done is to invest a few grand in oil companies. After all, if you can't beat them, join them!
In the short term, I minimized my driving needs so I don't line the pockets of Wall Street.
In the long term, I'm going to get even at the ballot box. Anyone not lowering taxes and the cost of living will NOT get my vote!
Now, if everyone will do the same, we will get somewhere.
driving only to work and food store...that's it....that too use small car...
IMO gas prices aren't high enough. $4.00 per gallon is a pain but it won't solve the imported oil problem. $5.00 and up will get some attention. Small cars will sell. Workers will car pool. Bus routes will be packed. Big business will find ways to get employes to and from work.
For now I still drive as much as if gas was $2.00 per gallon.
I have cut my trips to the grocery store to 1 every two weeks or less, We stopped shopping for any thing we really don't need and try to get everything at One store. We have canceled our vacation this year.
Houston Texas
Do we have a choice? Like most of my friends on fixed incomes I am driving less and staying home.
There seems to be no end in sight for the greed of the oil companies and their lap-dogs in Washington. That includes the Republicans, Democrats, and Tea-Party. When will our elected officials start looking out for those of us who dwell at the bottom of the economic food chain.
How about bringing our boys back home from Iraq, Afghanistan, and all of the other foreign bases so we can focus on jobs and balancing the budget.
I sure could use a tax break like Exxon, Mobile, Chevron, and BP. I have to pay my income taxes next week so gas for the next several months is out of the question.
Driving more carefully, it saves quite a bit of gas.
My Hybrid is handling it just fine, thank you!!!
Jack what we do is limit our trips away from the house to as few as possible. We only drive when absolutely necessary and we drive hybrid vehicles only. They average 45 miles per gallon. We shop for some elderly neighbors who can no longer afford the gasoline and that way we are sure they are provided for. We are learning to adapt to what we have. It is unfortunate that people that use Meals on Wheels for their daily sustenance are finding it harder to get volunteers because of the high fuel prices. Those people have worked all their lives and now that they are old and house bound they are dependent on others to provide for them. The same with the Meals on Wheels Companion Pet program that also delivers meals to their pets.
Thanks G-D I don't have to drive 50 miles each way to work anymore. I drive to the supermarket and some of the local businesses, and that's it. I
Jack, I am being much more careful with my driving. Combining trips, putting off short trips, until I can do 4-5 things on the same short trip. This has cut my consumption by more than 1/2. If prices continue to go up, I will break out my bicycle, or buy a scooter. I'm 66, retired and I have a budget that does not include $5 or even $4 a gallon gas. That is capitalism at work. When it costs too much, we quit buying it!
We're curtailing our long-distance trips to see our grand children, drives to far away beaches, cruising in our convertible, and delaying shopping trips. I'm getting used to extending our cabin fever for the summer.
We live in a retirement community which has sufficient facilities to assuage our routine life. Hopefully, our well-to-do children will find it in their hearts to bring the grand kids to us. I'm not holding my breathe!
It's awesome. The average American is barely holding on to the jobs they have and most probably haven't had a raise in 3 or 4 years, so this is basically like having a pay cut. Oh wait!! That's coming soon too. I currently teach and work 2 other jobs. Guess I'll have to get a 4th to pay for my gas. Rob in NC
I only drive where I need to, combining errands, and I'm waiting for it to hit $10 a gallon. Maybe then we can all pull our collective heads out of our gas tanks and realize it time to get rid our oil dependency and move on. This might require replacing our congressional lackeys who live on oil money to survive in congress. With non-taxed profits, oil companies do nothing positive for our economy.
We are always trying to cope with record high prices on something, be it gasoline, coffee, groceries, haircuts, clothing, airline tickets, whatever. The root of the problem is that our government keeps on printing money, whether for 'stimulus' or some other giveaway program, whose primary purpose is to serve some politician's (the president? the Congress?) re-election campaign. The solution to all of this travail is to balance the budget and stabilize the dollar, which unfortunately is heading lickety-split toward being nearly worthless. If worse becomes worst, we should all learn to speak Chinese.
Robert
Baton Rouge, La.
Most Americans today have experienced enough political scare tactics to pretty much take it in stride. The Republican party didn't show us anything better. So why worry. The hard part will be when we try to cross of over the borders to look for jobs. Is that why the Republican want the borders sealed to keep us.
I wonder how much money is given to our congress each to keep oil in business.
Traded my gas guzzler in for a new fuel-efficient model, and I'm able to afford the payments on it by refinancing my house at a lower interest rate. All things considered, I'm breaking even. Sometimes it pays to play the system.
My business gas cost is now about $75 per week per vehicle, about $50 more per week than it was 5 years ago.
My business is construction based, and right now construction is extremely slow. The amount of business related gas I need to burn is about the same now as it was when business was robust and revenue was about 500% higher.
To cope with the times I'm now carpooling to and from my business, have dropped healthcare, will go without lunch, have cut back on charitable contributions, and drink coke in bars. I found a bar that gives free coke if you tell them you are 'a designated driver.'
I have always bought American made cars but at this time I'm considering adding one used Honda Insight to my fleet.
The price of gas has reached my pucker factor. I am going to by a high milage new car.It will be an American auto that will not enrich another countries pocketbook and help employ an American.
By investing in oil and energy stocks, Jack. Unregulated speculation by Wall Street firms in cahoots with Big Oil is what is driving the price of gasoline higher, not the one or two droplets of oil that the United States receives from Libya.
If you can't beat em, at least try to hitch a ride on the runaway train. .
Well Jack, I spend more time with my morning constitutional, so as to enjoy the release more
I drive a little less and walk a little more – good for my health. But the entire gas price problem would be immediately resolved if we just charged the seniors and poor more for their gasoline, and charged the millionaires less ... at least that is what my Republican friends tell me.
Wes
Prescott, AZ
How are you handling near record high gas prices?
Simple Jack,
I save all my shopping trips to one day and plan my route before I go.
The high gas prices have nothing to do with the Middle East and more like Wall Street "shorting" oil prices.
Notice how the rest of the world gas prices haven't moved and only ours has.
Very telling.
Just more Wall Street GREED if you ask me..
Jenna
Roseville CA
badly. I want to kick myself for buying another truck
Just paying more and waiting for a tax hike to pay for another Obamanomic program that gives people gas money, to fuel the car they got for turning in a clunker ,so they can drive to the beach or ski slope and enjoy the day, because they are into another 6 month unemployment extension and it doesn't make sense to work. That combined with the car and housing subsidy from their bank (a/k/a not paying the car or house payment)
combining errands and not letting it define my life.
Jack,
More certain than death or taxes is that we will never see $3 gas again. Never, even if the price of oil should drop due to over=supply will we see 3 buck gas again.
We have no option. It was never in our country's businesses' best interest to develop viable transportation options. SO, the bucks always got cut.
What to do about the gas price, EAT IT.
If we want lower gas prices, we have to storm the private Federal Reserve and pry their hands off the printing press. These murders are printing us into a hyperinflation that will DESTROY this country. WAKE UP!
Easy! I have stopped driving except to and from work, making all grocery and other commodity stops on the way home. If we had mass transit in this area, I would just park my car. I figure if we do not purchase gas, the oil companies will have to reduce their prices as they certainly want our money!!! The old supply and demand scenario
The IRS needs to update the mileage rate reimbursement more than once or twice a year!!!!! The last time an update took place was late 2010. Many of us use our personal vehicles for work and are reimbursed by our employer. I feel that the rate should be adjusted every three months!!!
I traded in my old car for a Honda Insight (hybrid) and am not stressing at all. Hopefully the higher gas prices will make people realize just how unsustainable our dependence on oil for our energy needs really is. We Must switch to renewable energies if we're going to survive, as a species and as a planet.
I'm just glad I didn't buy a Suburban or Hummer when gas was under 2 bucks. Those folks have to be hurting.
Well Jack park the car and walk, anythings over 5 miles don't go stay home.
David
Don't have public transportation as an option but I do have a couple of cars so I use the more economical one more. Only use the SUV when really needed like hauling stuff from home improvement places. Also make sure I get gas at wholesale clubs when I don't have to go out of my way to do it. Some curtailing of what I would call pleasure driving but not a lot. Combine errands as much as possible.
Yes, I'm ready for high gas prices.
It's not that gas prices are going up; its the value of the US Dollar going DOWN. It takes more dollars to buy the same things now that we bought years ago. The private federal reserve has been printing paper and electronic money out of thin air since Nixon took the US off the gold standard on August 15, 1971. Inflation is going to bankrupt everyone holding assets denominated in US Dollars when the US Dollar collapses which I don't think is that far off from now.
Do your own research and see what I'm talking about.
My social life took a hit because I can't afford to drive to my friends house.
The more you guys in the media predict gas at $5 by Memorial Day the more you give reason for the gas oil thugs to get it there. Thanks, you unrelentless media reporters. Just stop talking about it!!
Jack, I am avoiding almost any non-essential travel. And, I have stopped trying to run over Republicans who are not already in my lane.
Thankfully public transportation is available in my area.
National gas average was $4.11 when Republicans were in charge. When Democrats took over was when it went down. Now Republicans control the House and it is going back up.
Move to Amish country and live like them, they aren't worried about any of these rising prices.
Well, the one thing I do not understand is why *are* oil prices so high? We get most of our oil from Canada and Oil companies pay little, if any, taxes! So why are prices so high – perhaps price gouging? Isn't that a criminal offense??
Just returned after going around Australia/New Zealand, where I pumped petrol at $.217 per liter. Here I go by metro from the park and ride to work and the Company subsidizes it. Feel good that even at $ 3.95, we are in better shape than a lot of other paces.
Gas where I live was just $3.59 and now it is $3.49 a gallon but my car just sit's in the driveway and dosen't move if I have to go grocery shopping or to the doctor I just walk no matter if its 1-6 miles some people like myself who are on disability can't afford it!
No problem–I'm unemployed and don't need to drive anywhere.
I fool myself by only buying 1/2 a tank at a time. It's the same price I used to pay for a full tank, but somehow it doesn't hurt so bad.
Well Jack park the car and walk just as long as it not over 2 miles. I think I'll call Sarah Palin, she can help.
David
The gas prices are being jacked up by the oil companies because they want Obama out in 2012. Obama’s progressive clean energy agenda is a threat to them. The oil companies, the author of our transportation backwardness, do not want Obama's alternative clean energy agenda. They will try to paint Obama out to be "another Jimmy Cater." As long as the banks and the oil companies run America(as is the case right now), we will not be able to seek the progressive agenda. As soon as the GOP win the 2012 presidential election, the gas prices will fall and everyone will say: “Those high gas prices were Obama’s fault – just like Jimmy Carter.”
Perhaps we all should honor the moratorium on buying any gas on April 15th. Let's hit em where it hurts...they started it
My husband and I own and operate one tractor trailer. We are now operating for the sole purposes of paying the truck payment and the fuel bill. So before all you enviromental tree huggers start talking about what a good thing these high gas prices are remember that some of us have to buy fuel to try and make a living.
I'm a college student who lives about 100 miles from my hometown. I used to go home much more often to see my family. Now with the recent massive upswing in gas prices, I go home about half as much. Even at school, i avoid driving as much as humanly possible, there gas prices have really taken the toll on my activity and how much i drive places. Going out to eat, movies, anywhere out of walking distance has come down exponentially.
I am not driving unless I have to I can walk to the bank, work, cleaners. restaurants, etc.. Go to the food banks for food, B-B-Q at home buy beer on sale, Life is good!
What other choice do I have but to pay raising gas prices if I need to drive to where I have to go?
Some Canadians have been paying close to $5 a gallon for years now. They've survived and so will we. I just wish the price hikes included more taxes to pay for things like rapid rail instead of more profits to the oil companies.
Maybe it's part of the bigger picture? People need incentive to get off fossil fuels, I think it's good to get the ball rolling on alternative energy.
Cut back on all vacations, more transit rides and less groceries per pay check.
after riding my bike 3 miles to work, i moved only 3 blocks from work and giving my brand new 4-cylinder truck a break...
I am unemployed and here in the Chicago area gas prices are about $4.25 it's pretty hard to go around job hunting and getting errands done knowing gas prices keep going up everyday. Something needs to be done here.
I'm driving less. I'm on a tight budget, and $50.00/week is all I've got. So, I have to choose where I will go, and where I won't go. I saw a friend riding his bicycle home from work yesterday. I guess that will be next.
I only go to church and the grocery store since I am retired. I also walk around the house cussing the Koch Brothers who are making more money on oil than anything else.
Jack, Americans are dealing with the high gas prices just like they deal with all the results of an inept and self-serving congress. Term limits will go a long way in clearing up many of America's problems.
I go to work and back, other than that I don't drive. When I do drive I try to keep a fairly steady speed. It's hurting our family. We traded our Suburban for a Toyota Camry and saved $225 just in gas and insurance, but at 3.60 gal and climbing that savings is quickly going away.
I am handling high fuel prices by MAKING MY OWN FUEL!! I have an old Mercedes Benz diesel 300TD. I converted the engine to run on waste vegetable oil that I get F*R*E*E from Asian restaurants. Anything is possible!
Gas prices..I don't even recognize them. I just go to the pump and fill up.
At least BP, Woodside, Brent Crude & Co. are doing well? Their pockets are getting nice and fat now!
I must say though, I think your "political analysts" are missing the 'True" dark-horse of the 2012 presidential election. So, who's the dark-horse? Its: Count Chocula!!! If anyone can balance our budget, surely an immortal evil, blood-sucking accountant could balance it right?
Given that the rise in oil prices has been predictable for at least 5 years, I purchased a house within biking distance from my work and walking distance from public transportation. So, with the exception of the likely increase in natural gas prices as well as food prices, this shouldn't really affect me at all.
I really don't understand why people continue to be surprised by this.
The rising gas prices are the just the push Americans need to turn to mass transit and alternative transportation!
Although no one believes me, I knew Gas Prices were fixing to go up the second the Republicans took majority control over the house. The same thing happened when Clinton was in office and also when BUSH Jr was in office. So why make a big deal out of it. You wanted the Republicans back in control, and this is the result.
I suck it up and go to work. It bothers me that people are claiming this is Obama's fault. Has everyone forgotten the 8 year Bush administration that put us into many of our current economic problems?
Just as the last time prices were this high – walk more, drive less, make fewer trips. It merely requires a little more planning. I rather wish that gas prices would stay high so that we might get serious about hydrogen fuel cells for our cars. This will be expensive at first, but once the filling stations are in place it will be much cheaper and cleaner than gasoline.
I drive a Honda Civic. I am handling gas prices much better than the republican plans to ditch to Medicare.
The rising gas prices have caused our family to cut all non-mandatory spending. We do not eat out anymore, and we do not spend money on any entertainment. Being a four person family, this economic strain on our family has hampered our relationship and has caused a much more stressful life style.
Pay it. Get a grip, we have been beating up half of the Middle East for a decade to keep this cheap gas flowing. We either pay at the pump or we pay with blood and treasure, but we can't afford to do both and shouldn't try.
Jack,
we have no alternative to higher gas prices because the republicans have been pushing oil, and only oil, since Ronald Reagan. We have never developed a plan to get off of it, even though it makes great campaign rhetoric. Besides, how are we going to perpetuate terrorism and the need for the biggest, most expensive military in the world unless we fund them at the pump?
My boyfriend and I have 2 vehicles. I usually drive the one with the bigger tank to school. Both vehicles get the same gas milage the difference is the size of the tanks that's how we handle the high gas prices
It stings a little when I fill up, but in the grand scheme of things even the whole last decade worth of increase is still cheaper than what a lot of people spend on a daily latte. Gas is a finite resource with high demand and speculative investment. It's gonna keep going up in the long run, and complaining won't change that.
How am I handling it? Well I go to the gas station and pump gas when I need it, and wonder how this is possible with all the known reserves we have on our own soil....I have no choice, I have to go to work so I can put alot of my paycheck back in the tank to get back to work to put alot of my paycheck to get back to work....ect...ect....
Fed up with $4+ gas. Get Mini Cooper!
I am handling the prices as well as one on a fixed income and no cost of living raise (Thanks Obama) and no promising solution to my problems. Obama claims credit for boosting domestic production, but it is only on the back of previous administration issued permits going into effect. Lets give Brazil a BILLION or more to drill there instead of HERE!!
Give me a beak, here in Canada we pay the equivelant of $5.40 US a galon. Quit your complaining and deal with some real issues, like your housing crisis and your unemployment.
We are getting what we deserve. We knew since the 70s we needed to consume less oil. President Carter put the country on the right path in 1977 but The Reagan Administration told the big car loving American people the crisis was over and we were blessed for a time with a stay of execution. The President is not to blame he has to pick up where Carter left off in 1980 and the auto industry seems to be on the right path again building small cars. It will take a few years but we will see 50 mpg cars. We will need them because cheap gas is gone forever this time.
Jack –
How am I handling near record gas prices??? NOT by blaming President Obama! Two reasons: first, the President of the United States has little effect on the prices of most everything, including gasoline; second, we've seen prices just as high during George Bush's presidency, for quite a while as I recall. Don't blame Obama. Blame the oil companies and those who invest in oil futures.
Getting back into shape and learning how to walk/bike somewhere!
Jack you need to verify what you just said. When Obama took office (Jan. 2009), the national average was way more than $1.79. I remember paying over $3.50 a gallon before then. Gas prices rose under George W. Bush more than any other President. Instead of pointing fingers, congress needs to find lasting solutions to the problem.
I am working from home 2 days a week to save on gas. When this discussion comes up, why isn't anyone talking about the impact that the speculators are having in driving up the prices? To think that the President is soley responsible for the price of oil and gasoline is absurd.
With improved weather, I started riding my bike to work. It not only save gas and wear/tear on the car but hopefully it will help me get back in shape. It's a six mile ride each with many bike lanes from which to choose and I encourage anyone who can to do so. You won't regret it.
Hi Jack,
How am I? The same way I've dealt with my health insurance costs doubling over the last three years, my credit cards spiking interest rates, my employer cutting my 401K match and salary frezes for 2 years now. I'm a middle calss American. So I'll find a way: Get a little more behind, give up on a retirement, get a second job microwaving burgers, and paying all my taxes on time to make sure corporations, the top 2% and the lowest 10% of my fellow Americans have enough to "get by" on too.
Dave in CT
Jack, don't complain! As a Canadian, I am paying $6 a gallon....before the exchange rate...and we produce the stuff!
Alyce
I understand that NGO's want to protect our land but if we were able to explore for our oil it might help our gas prices. One factor to these gas prices is the fact that U.S. refineries are competing for crude oil with other countries raising the price of crude.
Palen made the comment about calling Obama the "$4 a gallon president" lets not forget that the same thing was going on when GW was in office. I have an idea, how about instead of spending BILLIONS on frivolous things we spend that money on researching and developing alternative fuel sources. Oh, but then i guess all the lobbyist for "big oil" would cry and we cant have that can we [sarcasm]. Or how about this, if the government cant "run" this country any better then everyone in office should take a pay cut, you dont get pay raises for doing a terrible job, you get fired [insert Donald Trump voice clip].
These gas prices are hurting my family! President Obama wants us all to get greener vehicles and quit driving SUV's. I drive a Suburban because I have 4 kids. I can't fit my family in a Prius! My kids go to school 35 miles from home, as is the nearest Walmart. Out here in the west we have to drive many miles to get basic necessities. President Obama doesn't understand anything about our way of life out here! I don't know how we are going to make it financially if gas prices keep rising.
If you think stimulating the economy, your not..... when what you spend in the stores ends up in your tank. The only thing stimulated there is ...Opec!
Its absolutely insane we pay so much at the gas pumps but do not DEMAND "true" alternatives. We have super computers the size of credit cards now but still using oil and goal to power them? Give me a break! Your government is lying to all of you. HHO or Hydrogen Boosting is a real viable technology here now. We could power our planet from water but nobody listens. Energy is the ONLY aspect of our lives that has not seen a quantum leap in development. You people need to start asking mainstream and governments why they only mention "Clean Coal", "Wind" and "Solar". Their are other alternatives out there folks, Youtube John Searl, Stanley Meyers, or Tesla. Cold Fusion is real, fuel from water is real, johns searls SEG (Searl Effect Generator) is real. They are hiding these technologies from us!!!!
Gasoline prices increase. A tax program that favors the rich and punishes the poor. Lower Medicare payments and Social Security. The Republicans are on the correct track. Their plan will easily increase new tax revenue and get more jobs as the poor all have to work multiple jobs and longer hours. Genius!
I'm handling it well,i haven't had to drive to work for over a year and a half!Unemployment has its' advantages.
Jack,
Woe is me – oh, no ! I can afford my gasoline because I actually
drive a car that is paid for and gets upwards of 26mpg. Unfortunately,
I can barely see over and around all the Urban Cowboys in their
pick-ups, Soccer Moms in their SUV's and High Rollers in their
Range Rover gas hogs. To heck with 'em. If they couldn't afford
the gas at whatever price, maybe they should have considered a
more economical vehicle. Duh! Typical Americans – reactionary
instead of preventative.
Hi Jack –
Honestly, I think that we whine too much about gas prices. Much of the rest of the world has been paying agonizingly high prices for gas for decades! Our insistence on driving huge vehicles, inability to get off of our butts and walk or ride bicycles, and failure to catch up with other industrialized nations and build fast light-rail systems are coming around to bite us in our complacent rear-ends. Let's wake up America; if we don't like the high price, let's demand more public transportation, shuttle services, bike paths, and such. And hey, don't like the deficit; let's add another buck to a gallon of gas for the infrastructures. Then, no new taxes for what we've needed for years. Thanks for your ear.
Mohamed from Ashburn, VA
I'm using my brother's 12 year old New Beetle to commute to DC while my brother in Abu Dahbi getting a one dollar gallaon there
We shouldn't be surprised or upset, we all make our choices. I am sure you are as guilty as I am when it was time for your last vehicle purchase. My wife got a hybrid!
They're getting us with gas prices so we can't go anywhere or do anything. Our kids can't even afford to go to work, even though they fortunately still have their low paying jobs. We used to hear that in Russia they had cards that had to be approved for them to go to the next town or county. With gas prices like they are getting to be we will soon be in the same straight jacket. Sad this country has come to this.
Hey, Situation Room, New Jersey here. How am I handling gas prices? I'm a high school student, and because of the gas prices, I'm starting to consider whether or not I need to start taking the bus–I figured out I end up paying about $4 dollars every day to go there and back. I drive a Ford Explorer and it takes $65 to fill it up with REGULAR. This is ridiculous; I have to work for two hours just to START making money. After working, I only earn roughly $14, which I use up in only four days from DRIVING TO SCHOOL.
As someone who lives under their means, the gas rising prices come out of the money leftover at the end of the month. Of course, at some point rising prices will meet income and we will be in a less comfortable position.
Jack,
I bought a bike and a new iPod and am ready to do my traveling by man power this summer,though I havent thought what I'm going to do though when the upstate New York winter hits again.
I'm going to sell my car so I don't have to buy gas anymore. Of course I will have to quit my job and go on welfare too. But thanks to the President, I will then also have healthcare which I can not afford anymore since Obamacare passed. And by the way, I'll receive a $7,000 check at the end of the year from the fools that work for a living.
I don't mind paying that much for gas as long as I know the taxes are going to something constructive not to line the pockets of execs and ceos
Luckily I switched to a hybrid car 3 years ago when the gas price was similar to the current price. I am guessing that people will seriously think about getting hybrid vehicles instead of SUV or gas guzzler.
I'll handle it FINE in my Toyota Yaris @ near 42 MPG!!! Who's not far off? It sure as hell isn't Palin the butt!! The $4 a gallon Prez is Bush!!!!!! These High Prices are not Obama's fault they ARE those who let the OIL Industry run rough shod over the American People!!! Cough Cough can you say republican?
I have planted a garden 1 1/2 acres and plan to grow my own vegs this year for extended family. I do not buy anything I can't make or produce on my own, have own chickens/eggs, eat fish from the river, survive off the land, I do not buy new clothes, no un-necessary purchases. Only buy the bare minimum of non pershiable groceries. We barely survive.
Jack,you forgot the $4 a gal. during the Bush years before $1.80. Palin should check the facts but I quess she likes foot in mouth. She likes to rewrite history.
I don't worry about the gas price, but the poor people in the country when the Federal government cuts so much fundings which will help them. The gas price seems less a problem than what the poor in this country will face
Jack, the battery in my car died in December, so I just left it in the parking lot behind my building and have been taking the bus. It takes me longer to get around, but it's a lot cheaper, and I get more exercise.
I've turned a lose-lose into a win-win. My cholesterol is down 50 points, and I have lost 10 lbs.
Oh, and I have some extra money to get myself some new clothes for my slimmer figure.
– Ekat
We decided that having 2 vehicles was one too many for retirees. So we just sold our Lexus RX (which we absolutely loved – shout out to Toyota Motor Company) and are sticking with our 5 year old Prius. Getting 48-52 miles per gallon and finding that it accommodates our needs both in town and cross country travel, our decision just makes sense.
Start drilling and extracting more oil up there in North Dakota please!!
Jack, we are one of those "rich" american families that make $250,000. a year. We drive a Prius and my son rides a motorcycle. There isn't much we can do about the price of gas other than spend less someplace else – like not going to a movie or eating out. If it's affecting us, imagine what this does to a family where they are barely making over minimum wage. Mass transportaiton is a joke where we live. And the real insult comes from the fact there is no gas shortage – its all the stock market and speculation that causes us harm while the real rich people get richer.
The last time gasoline was $4/gal was in 2008 while George W Bush was president. I don't know where you and your buddy Sarah get this $4-a-gallon-gasoline-president moniker. My 2006 Prius gets 43 mpg, and it's that low because I go on a lot of short trips, and don't travel a lot while prices are so high. I also don't tailgate, I drive the speed limit or slightly below, sometimes slightly above. And I don't drive like a maniac. Americans refuse to drive reasonably. Speeding does not get you to your destination any faster than driving like a sensbile human being. Stop being a maniac on the road!
Martin
West Virginia
We live in the country and have to drive to get anywhere. The price of gas is killing the American people. It cost us $68.00 to fill our vehicle up. That doesn't leave much to do anything else. We used to blame George Bush and had hopes that the Democrats would bring us change. They did! It just got worse. (Disgusted in Yellowcreek, Pa.)
jack, I am a 67 yr.old senior of female gender. I do not take my car for short trips. I walk to the drug store, bank, post office and local store for milk and bread. I decided to calculate the mileage per week, I was astonished to find that it equals around 27 miles of moving my feet. I realize that a great deal of people do not live within a mile or two from the above businesses, but one thing is for sure, I have not passed one Republican on the street, sidewalk, or parking lot, they pass me in their automobiles.
I feel healthier than I have in some time
South Carolina
My commute is 80 miles a day in an expedition for a $10 an hour temp job, that I had to take because my unemployment ran out. Its almost two days worth of work to fill up the tank. We wont talk about the empty refrigerator. Social services wont help me, but they'll take my kids and charge me with neglect if they knew the only meals they get are in school.
Hi Jack
We are already paying $1.30 per litre $5.20 per gallon for regular
and $1.41 per litre $5.64 per gallon for super. Your gas is still
a bargain at $3.80 a gallon.
Andrew Mcintyre
Ontario Canada
I'm in the military, and this time last week I wasn't sure how I would handle the increased prices in gas as well as other commodities. After seeing the manner in which congress narrowly averted a shutdown, I can say that from now on I will handle my bills by watching congress and hoping that they will figure out a way to do their job in the future (with a tax-payer funded paycheck) so that military personnel will not be left stranded.
Gotta have it, even if it goes to $10 per gallon. We're not going to sit at home an fret about it. We just allocate more to gas and less to spending on unneeded items. $15 total to get to/from work is small change compared the the loss of $600 a day income.
We spend $39.9 Billion in this country just for the month of March. I drive less. We sold our huge truck and bought a more fuel efficient car. Until we get serious about finding alternate fuel sources – we get what we deserve. We all forget about the high prices when the Middle East OPEC monsters back off. It's not our President's fault. We need more people demanding alternate fuel. We are all guilty of wasting.
I just paid $4.43 for gas in Fresno CA! We are always higher than even other parts of CA–maybe that contributes to our higher than average rate of unemployment! How can these prices not affect us?? Stay at home family fun instead of movies, eating out etc.
The same way I'm handling the high price of everything else–poorly. Maybe the oil companies should be financing our military–most of our military budget is about protecting oil so companies–foreign and domestic can make a killing–and they do.
And yes, every 4,723 statements, Palin gets one right but $4 a gallon is the result of many factors including 24-hour news and business reporting and isn't Obama's baby. There is no GOOD reason for the price increase. The Saudis said they'd make up for any shortage and we've known about emerging nations all along. It's just the buzz so maybe CNN or Bloomberg want to share in the blame.
Hello
When is someone going to mention to the public that it is wall street that is running up the price of gas. This is something that needs to be looked at and reformed. The solution is not to tell an unemployed man with a work truck to sell his gas guzzeler and buy a car made in Japan.
The answer is to reform wall street trading of gasoline and home heating oil.
Jack,
A little math, the average family lost $50/week in extra gas cost. $2400.00/year. I stop and say "at least I have my health". The price of gas is pittance to the fallout from the stipends the republicans want to give for my healthcare. I will never say "it can't get any worse", because it always does. Remember Murphy is an optimist.
Jack, This is more about your using mid-grade gas.It really isn't necessary to use 89 octane gas.Your car(or your daughter's) will be just fine using 87 octane gas.If you would like a second or more opinion,call a local AAA approved shop.Also,as far as gases which claim to clean your engine etc. with additives,it's all a marketing ploy.Those products may have been useful during the days of leaded gasoline but unleaded gasoline is so clean that problems with fuel injectors(equal to carbeurators) and fuel filters are practically non-existent,or at least 99%+ less likely than those days. Greg M. Largo,FL
No vacation, no new big screen TV, no movies and no new patio deck. All my expendable money is put into the gas tank.
I am not better off than I was two years ago. Are you?
I just don't get why we all aren't getting better oil prices with all the money we spend on the mid east wars... I figure that soon the dollar will devalue to a point where oil will be bought and sold in another currency. Signs of the times.
I changed my voter registration from the Democratic Party to being an Independent – that will fix the problem!
I'm handing the gas prices by spending less on groceries, increasing my insurance deductible on all policies and I'm about to shut off the cable TV. This so that the rich oil companies can post record profits again and blame the prices on the middle east conflict. I'm sick of it and sick of our government saying they can't do anything about it. How about putting profit limits on gasoline by regulating that industry. It alone is destroying the beginning of the recovery. Does Washington care? Do they even know?
My husband and I just moved to New York City about a year, thus we are fortunate to rely solely on our feet and public transit.
But the way in which these absurd prices have effected us are in the form of family. Currently, our family members can hardly afford to visit us here. Airline prices haven't sky-rocketed like gas prices have – yet, but unsteady prices allow for the uneasiness of the unseasoned traveler. Add to this roller coaster in the skies the ever-climbing gas prices, and you have a very reluctant group of people wishing only to visit us.
Furthermore, in deciding which airports to fly out of, my family members often chose the more expensive flight if it is closer over the cheaper flight that isn't as convenient.
By the time they drive to the airport to take the less-expensive flight, they will have spent over $70 in gas alone.
Turmoil in the Middle East and increased demand driving oil prices? BS! This is speculators seeking profit from a game they have no skin in. This is oil companies and economic terrorists taking advantage of uneducated people by using fabricated reasons and flawed reasoning. They'll post record profits again but point to a stronger GDP and margins in line with competitors. They won't tell you that their huge piece of the GDP actually weakens our economy. They won't tell you "in line" margins are catastrophic to the U.S. economy. They won't tell you they don't care about U.S. citizens because they can bleed us dry with impunity. Continuing to accept the rhetoric is at our mortal peril.
I walk when I can. Gas prices up here in Alaska are over $4/gallon for Regular, and that's in the towns and cities. The villages have to pay much more. It's ridiculous, especially since we're one of the largest domestic oil producer.
Jack,
The higher prices of gasoline are obviously not good, but the silver-lining is that the higher prices mean more gas taxes being paid to our cash-strapped cities and that people will think twice about jumping into the car to drive when they don't need to. It's going to be expensive, but hopefully, we'll adapt and possibly learn to ride a bike or walk. It will improve our lives, especially here in Los Angeles, where gridlock is absolutely unbearable at times.
I have a planned vacation this summer to visit family in northern Idaho and then south to Boise and back home to the coast in my 24' class C RV.
Calculating the miles for this long planned trip and multiplying by a typical motorhome mileage factor, almost keeps me awake at night?
I'm retired, on a fixed income but the image of us retirees enjoying a leisure cruise around the country in an RV i to visit family and sightsee s frightening now at possibly $4.00+ a gallon!
I need a drink I think?
There's a simple solution for those who can afford a small investment.... Buy some shares in oil stocks.
Jack, the gas prices are out of control. I live on Block Island and our prices usually run 60 cents a gallon above the mainland. I have starting walking to work and the store and have curtailed trips to the mainland to visit friends and family. Many of my friends are doing the same thing.
Hi Jack,
4 years ago I bought a diesel that gets 37 miles to the gallon on the highway. I am retired and live in a small town so I do not have commuting costs. My driving is mostly around town with occasional long trips. I use 1 to 2 tanks of fuel a month so the increasing costs are more an irritant that a problem for my budget.
These gas prices are quite simply cut-throat! It's almost as if big oil sees their time coming and are playing off of the events of the world stage for their publicly announced excuses
the question shouldnt be how are we handling the price of gas but why did it take 150$ a barrel oil to hit 4.11 per gallon gas and rite now its still under 120$ a barrel. how much proffit is aceptable before it turns to greed.
Aside from combining trips to save fuel, I have been driving diesel vehicles for the past 6 years and running them on vegetable oil and/or biodiesel. With a little effort, it's not hard to find waste vegetable oil, as most Americans are too lazy to bother with the collecting and filtering. So...I simply go right by the gas stations and watch the prices soar, as I drive around for no money out of pocket. Despite the GOP's claim that now is not the right time to fully invest in alternative energy, that is exactly what this country needs to be doing. If not now...when? When we hit 10 dollars a gallon..?
I'm sorry Jack but I don't feel sorry for your daughter. I just looked up the chevy trailblazer gas mileage and it's 12-16 mpg!!! People who waste energy and drive cars that get that kind of mileage should pay MORE at the pump. Does she leave all the lights on 24 hrs/day at her house too and then complain about her electricity bill?? The problem we have is compounded by people who waste energy carelessly. I get 36 mpg and I don't complain about gas prices (other than the fact that O&G Cos get subsidies that they don't deserve)
What's to handle? I have a car that runs on gas. I can't afford a new car and I have to transport myself and family. I buy gas at the best price I can find and cut back on something that I don't need. I also have to keep my family warm on Oil heat. can't afford to replace the old burner with solar cells or a windmill so I shop and cut again. Cable comes to mind. I do pay $175 a month for Tv, Internet and phone. I may not be sending anymore comments soon!
every year this time we discuss rising gas prices its all bout the profit (summer vacation) pay it or not, but it will go down in August..
Jack,
I am concurrently boycotting gas stations as much as practicable, while eliminating any unnecessary travel. I am also forced to freeze hiring and cut spending in order to mitigate the tremendous impact fuel prices have had on my business. Until we drive down demand and drive out the politicians who sit back and let us be perpetually victimized by oil producing nations, the same nations we seem to be pouring billions into in order to protect, we won't see any significant change to the status quot.. The only thing that seems to be improving are the lives of those in the mideast who are receiving the benefit of our political and financial largess.
Look, it's only a $15 dollar difference per fill up compared to last year or before. and I run premium fuel because my car requires it. I am cutting back by eating out less which is what most Americans need to do any way. Not going on vacation because of high gas prices is dumb, when you can easily put aside an extra $100 for rising fuel cost. If you drive a large SUV you need to park it.
My Handling of today' s high gas prices, what can we do but keep on buying gas for our cars, we still need gas until we finally use other means of energy source,
I am in the energy field and am personally appalled that the oil companies have the audacity to jack the price of gas up, blame it on the price of oil, and post record profits?! How blind do we have to be. I like to be kissed first please.
jack
i thought youre remark about the repulicans blameing obama
for the high gas prices was right onthe money for them to blame him
+when infact it is the repulicans who got us in this spot to bege n with
with irac war and now lybia i find it funny that the repulicans are bakc in power and we are in the same boat they havent been in power less than a year and $4.00a gallon gas is back
obama is not the problem remeber it was the repulican johnmccain who wanted the air strikes on lybia
im handle high gas prices by eating beans
which is what i think sara palin is full of and thatsbeing kind
i think that she should take acitizenshptest also i bet she would not pass the americans need to wake up repulicans are for big oil and wal street not the commen man
Almost nothing. Lets be honest, the real gas guzzler is to and from work. 2 miles to the grocery store? That doesnt save anything no matter how much I economize my shopping. How's the American farmer doing? Probably not well. Poor people can't save a dime, and won't be able to buy new cars and certainly not houses. I think we are seeing the beginning of the end actually. If Republicans can somehow convince enough people that we need to lower taxes and cut down social programs, it will be an unwinnable battle. Once we break free of the mentality of corporations are good, and the higher the profits the better, we might have a chance.
Jack, if the republicans believe Obama is responsible for the high price of gas in the US, how do they justify the high price in Canada?
No problem, we'll continue with our plans for a driving vacation, and will just try to drive economically. I don't blame the president for increasing gas prices any more than I blame him for the weather, because he doesn't control either one.
Birmingham, AL
Falmouth, Cape Cod
We are trying to combine trips as much as possible plus use the smaller, more efficient car when possible.
My boat goes in the first of May. I can not imagine the marine fuel prices
Jack,
High gas prices are inevitable. We are slaves to Exxon/mobil and are powerless to change that. They are too powerful, too greedy, and too unpatriotic to change the status quo. To think that we actually give the petroleum industry subsidies shows how intertwined the industry is with government.
Americans have been brought up to believe that gasoline (like everything else), is something we are entitled too. Some think that petroleum will last forever and we should be pumping it at all costs.
We lived through this before and we will not learn from it again.
We complain, we blame, politicians grandstand, nothing gets done.
Here in Canada it's already above $5 per gallon, and our dollar is now higher than yours, making it even more expensive.
I quit my job, i am not driving 35 miles 1 way to work. I will find a job that is within 3 miles or i will move. These prices are caused by rich people playing the futures market. Our goverment is responsable and needs to put a stop to it. Before the 70's Oil companys had controll of the prices, and the ass's in Washington made it tradeable.
Jack, Years ago when this happened on George W's watch, I learned my lesson. I sold my 8 miles per gallon Pickup, and bought a 40MPG Economy Hatchback, so I'm not feeling the pain at the pump like many people. I can't say I feel sorry for those that drive the big gas guzzlers, they had the same chance as I did to buy a more efficient vehicle.
By the way, I filled up an almost empty tank yesterday for $23!
Jack there is no coping. Just accepting the hit. What does one do?
We have no choice. My grand parents did not own a car until 1955.
They walked to work in a small town. Not possible in our society.
I manage a Mobile station and our prices are mandated by by our
close competition. $3.92 per gallon for regular in the Florida panhandle.
How am I coping? I myself consume one barrel of oil per week.
I assure you its about to stop.
I have no control over the prices at the gas pump just like I don't have any control over what the politicians are doing in Washington. Just like we need to find alternative energy, we need to find alternatives to the politicians in Washington.
Dear Jack, I stopped driving under the last $4.00 a gallon President. and he didn't have an uprising in the Middle east (until he created one) and speculators driving up costs -. Mellie M
I have heard so many times how rich this country is in resources such as natural gas and crude oil.
The environmentalists and those who have an abundant amount of "funds" have used lobbyists and their influence to drive these prices up. This is nothing but "greed"!
The table will turn when we get a president in office that cares about this country. We need a strong and dedicated person who is willing to take those on that are "ruining" this nation, its people, and our economy! Maybe we should all look for a candidate with morals and honesty! 2012 cannot get here fast enough!!
Jack,
I purchased a new car that uses diesel fuel which is 15% higher in price but gets 40-50 miles per gallon. $48 used to get me 320 miles. Now $60 gets me 600 miles.
Why not just invest in gasoline futures to offset the additional cost? When you pay more at the pump you also make money on the investment. If you lose money on the futures you'll be saving money at the pump. It's just simple hedging – anyone can do it.
dave from michigan. there is no world wide supply shortage to cause this price hike. the brokers and speculator in the market are back to fueling fear and feeding their greed! if you are a democrat you just drive as little as you can. if you are a republican who believes raegan was right when he said "greed is good because greed built america" than you rejoice with happiness when you fill your tank because you are helping to build america!
Jack
I have been watching you since your days in NY.
As far as the price of gas, we are not doing well. Every penny it goes up, I need to cut back on my families food bill. Most of my bills are fixed so food is all thats left.
I think that this is a shame. I keep asking how our elected officials can put the screws to the people that elected them. This country and for that matter our empire runs on the backs of the middle class. Why doesn,t our country take care of the middle class, it just maked good business sense. If your wealth came from growig apples you would make sure they are in good shape. I am affraid I will not be middle class for long...the rich get richer, the poor get poorer.
We spend $39.9 Billion in this country just for the month of March on OIL. I drive less. We sold our huge truck and bought a more fuel efficient car. Until we get serious about finding alternate fuel sources – we get what we deserve. We all forget about the high prices when the Middle East OPEC monsters back off. It's not our President's fault. We need more people demanding alternate fuel. We are all guilty of wasting.
Dear Jack; im returning my vehicle to the manufacture, canceling my vehicle ins. shutting down my home phone and internet svcs.Calling on the Senior center for rides to the DR. office. I have 3 disabilities and know i face riding my bicycle for local transportation, regardless of the pain associated with that activity. OIL IS KING, and we are subservient to it. Im making every effort to not use it, thank you very much, as i would rather eat than drive. Will you join me?
By driving smarter. I don't go to the post office but once a week, I go to store on my way home. McDonalds is the loser, as I used to run get a milk shake most nights, but that;s history.
I’m managing because I have to. It’s like living. If you want to keep living you got to take in a breath of air as soon as you let the last one out. You wanna keep driving you keep buying gas. Poor Sarah would blame President Obama for her having to sneeze.
WOW!! We are paying $4!!! All of us should be thankful we are not paying the pump price paid in most European countries which is now about $8 per gal.
We Americans need to start buying more of the smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles. Anyone who buys a new car that gets less than 30 mpg has no reason the complain about fuel prices!
I have always lived below my means so paying more for gas is not that big of a deal. If Americans were more careful with their money it would not be such a big deal for them either.
I've learned to enjoy both walking and public transportation.
Speculators in the now de-regulated commodities market are pushing
gas prices up.prices up. It's the same reason a lb of coffee at Dunkin Donuts is now $14. And it has nothing to do with President Obama.
The average mileage per year is 12,000. Say a car does 20 miles to the gallon.
12,000 divided by 20 is 600 gallons times 50 cents = $300
$300 divided by 52 = $5.76 per week, the price of 2 coffees.
Obviously the higher the rise in prices the more it will cost.
Is the above enough to break most people's budget?
Wow Jack, you sure can tell that you don't resemble Middle America, or where I live ....why we drive 10+ Yr old cars with close to 200,000. miles on them which are only propellel by $10.00 fill-ups seperated by 2 days of finger crossing . Just can't remember my trucks last fillup.in Schwenksville PA
I live in the rural high desert of San Bernardino County, Southern California. Regular is $4.05.9. I am a reporter for the local newspaper (so you know I'm low income), live 27 miles from my office, drive all over the area to cover stories at .34/mile, and it costs more than $50/week to keep me mobile.
Add this to a mortgage I can't refinance because my income is too low after my husband died last year. Add this to the credit cards I can't cut up because I and my 2 dogs need to eat, and things break. Add this to my age – 59: too young to collect my embattled SS, and too old to compete with the sweet young things living at home.
Mr. Cafferty, if the high gas prices are hurting me, with no children & lucky enough to have a job, what is it like for those less fortunate than myself?
You Americans are always whining about High Gas Prices. We, Canadians are producing the oil for your gasoline and we are already paying $ 1.37 per litre or $ 5.20 per US Gallon. We should be doing all the bitching, but hardly anyone is talking about it in Canada. The problems is: Get used to it and promote/purchase smaller vehicles and Diesel engines
which are 25% more efficient and much more powerful.
Jack nobody wants to REALLY find an alternative. I have been trying to get an alternative plan out their that would drastically lower the unemployment rate, stabilize the economy and get the country off oil. Too bad I cant get the press or politicians to even look at it!
By paying near record gasoline prices
We live in a chicago suburb where gas is $4.16 gallon.It is becoming increasingly difficult for families to get ahead. we have limited our driving whereby the car is used strictly for work and only necessary trips. If we need to go to store, post offfice etc we do at one time to save gas. I am unemployed and still hoping to find a job. the increase in gas prices results in our family spending less..
I just hope that when the people pay for their gasoline they still have enough money left to pay for the corn that I produce cause it's going to cost you about twice as much as last years crop.
I converted my commuter car to a plug-in electric vehicle and haven't purchased gas since last September. Best $12,000 I've ever spent.
I am a year round cyclist, in the great northeast. I use the car sparingly anyway.
Jack
The higher gasoline goes the closer we arrive at our solution. A hundred years ago we ran on steam and coal. Gasoline will be replaced by natural gas and hydrogen. It's really a fracking mess isn't it?
I planted a garden so I can save on food prices.
I'm blaming those Dems and Republicans. They've forced us to drive bug gas guzzling SUV's, Winnebagos, and told us we don't need high speed rail, alternative energy for our homes, and to keep building those 5,000 square foot houses. The oil companies have us hostage....if we didn't consume it, they wouldn't sell it. Ride bicycles to work like other countries? Heck no, we want our diabetic, bloated, consumerist lifestye...It's our right as Americans to do so, and the heck with everyone else!
Hyde Park,NY
In Canada, like most of the rest of the world, we buy our gasoline in litres, and when translated to U.S. gallons it comes out close to 7 dollars (and a whole heck-of-a-lot more in Europe). So, while you guys, in your typical "the-sky-is -falling" mentality, might think you're suffering some pretty major pump-shock right now, fasten your seatbelts 'cause you ain't seen nothin' yet.
Well, I've just about parked my 20-year old V8 truck that gets 13MPG and am mostly driving my 12-year KIA that gets 27MPG.
I guess since there is plenty of oil and gas, and the oil companies are making huge and record profits, we can blame the president. Makes as much sense as the other things the foil-hat group come up with.
Allen
Hartwell GA
It's sad to know that were not paying these high gas prices (4.19 in my area) because of low supply. Were paying these high prices because the oil market speculators are driving up the prices on fear that the supply might drop becasue of instability in the Middle East. It's time people stand up and demand the President make oil speculation illegal because it's a racket used by the oil companys to pad their profits on world fear and poor market regulations.
We need to start asking our governments and mainstream media why they only mention energy technologies such as "Wind", "Solar", "Clean Coal". Their is no such thing as clean coal.
We need to start asking government and mainstream to talk about "REAL" alternatives that could truly break us out of this oil prison we are in. Problem is nobody on TV or our governments won't touch on these alternatives because it could bring the world clean and free energy.
Don't you guys wonder why we now have super computers but still use coal and oil to power them? Don't you think drilling holes into the earth or digging up coal is a little low tech?
Their is fantastic technologies out there that could change our world overnight if the people would get behind research and development of them instead of believing our governments can only bring us clean energy through low tech applications such as wind and solar.
John Searl, Stanley Meyers, Nikola Tesla (just a few names of individuals to youtube)
HHO, Hydrogen, SEG (Searl Effect Generator), Fuel From Water, Anti-Gravity, Cold Fusion, Zero-Point Energy, Structured Water. (Just a few things to type into the search field on youtube)
Did any of you know we can power our planet using only water?
Jack.....I make an effort to line up my ducks, and do my "rat killin' " (errands) all in one day...for the most part is it working.
There is a domino effect as there has been in the past to the high prices and that is eventually passed onto the consumer.
Also, I maintain my vehicle best as possible.
I, as many folks will continue to pay the prices....alternative is little or no driving.
Insanity is alive and well in D.C.
I'm not handling it well. It's is really effecting us financially. We can only try to drive less and take no trips or vacations. If it were feasable I'd buy a horse. Hay and shoeing are probably much less expensive haha but then he'd probably slap a high tax on feed too. Let it end soon!
Hahahahah don't buy gas on the 15th? Everyone knows that unless you drive less, any gas you don't buy in the 15th you'll buy on the 16th or the 17th or.. Completely pointless.
One word sums up the high cost of oil, Speculation.
Belmar, NJ
The way I see it Jack, it's a sheep in wolf's clothing. We've become such a lazy, obese nation of over-consumers; let's kill two birds with one proverbial stone – walk, ride a bike to work if possible – we can shape up and help save our environment simultaneously. BRING IT ON!
Love it....sold SUV, found a job closer to home and bought a bicycle. Both my husband and I are now in great shape, all this at 53.
Just fine, thank you. By investing in oil company stocks15 years ago, I have made enough profit to cover all my gas purchases for the rest of my life, no matter what the price. Had we had high prices consistently for the past 30 years, our free market system would have developed a reasonably-priced alternative fuel by now. We might even be energy independent. Thanks again to the do-nothing clowns in Washington!
Sycamore, IL
I am really hurting. My job is 52 miles roundtrip and public transportation would get me 10 miles. I can't ride a bicycle on the freeway and that's the only way to get there – so I pay for the gas and watch my ability to save go down the drain.
I believe 100% that these prices are nothing more than gouging by oil companies – why is it that I can still buy all I want or need? There is no shortage – just greed.
I'm handling it just fine – but then I'm retired and don't go out unless I have at least three errands to run. Since the time of Jimmy Carter's speech about our getting off imported oil, I've thought that the only way we will is if we stop the oil subsidies and stop having the government pay most of the bill. Our gasoline costs nothing like it does in Europe, but it should. The Congress has never agreed, but they had to know it was coming, oil is a finite resource. Maybe now we'll jump on the band wagon of clean energy. It'll be healthier for all of us. It's about time.
I'm handling the high gas prices by spending less in other areas. I cook at home, entertain at home and am going to do more shopping online.
At some point, I may trade my Z71 for a hybrid, but not until there's a Z71 hybrid. I may even switch from Jack Daniels to Evan Williams… Nah. Those are both terrible ideas.
Driving less, walk more, it is good for me to walk more anyway!
I'm handling it by asking everyone at the gas station when I go "How do you like Obama now?" What else can we do when our govt just isn't interested in powering vehicles with domestic fuels like natural gas?
I'm handling it by cursing the oil companies that lie why gas prices need to be increased but show record profits the next quarter. Also, curse our legislators who allow them to get away with it.
Clearly, they are not looking out for us. When will all Americans realize that our present democratic form of government is worthless to 95% of us but good for the top 5% on the income scale. We are rapidly becoming an aristocracy.
We need to change the legislators perception of us but I don't believe that changing the electoral process will work! We vote them out and nothing gets better for the majority of us.
I would be interested to learn what your readers would do to fix our government.
and find a way to fix it no matter what the consequences!
Jack Dudrick
Nanticoke, PA
As one that lives in a rural area, we have to deal with it. It is either walk or stay home. I don't blame the President per se. He has no help. I blame the speculators on Wall Street and Congress' lack of will power to stop something that is smacking them right in their faces.
Jack,
It's the same old system year after year. Blame but no solutions. Someday the american public will wake and and revolt. For sure the government leaders fatten their pockets at every turn and could care less.
Thanks
Bob
Gas is a ripoff. There is no less gas than in years past. Prices rise seasonly, and then there is the usual excuse– FEAR. How many times have we heard that gas is going up because of fear of something stupid. We don't use the type of oil produced in Libya, but we should FEAR gas shortages? Why don't we charge the oil producers more for all the weapons we supply them with, or the protection they get from the U.S. How to handle high gas prices? No unnecessary driving. No pleasure trips. Open the oil reserves. Higher prices for gas guzzlers and recreational vehicles.
So far so good, glad I am retired though. I go only when I have to. They will decline as soon as speculators come back to earth. Tell me again why we have to give oil companies tax breaks.
How else Jack, paying the price if I want to go! In order to profit from shale oil it has to be above $3 a gallon. The U.S. and Canada has shale oil so go figure, there was just a story how large equipment was being delivered by boat, so large they must close highways to deliver it to U.S. and Canadian refinerys so we must let them make a profit! Big oil controls this country and owns both Democrats & Republicans! Don from Wapakoneta, Ohio
well i look to see if Bush was back at the white house because all we heard was that bush was a oil company man. there is no way we as consumer can stop the big oil company from charging any price they want. we could have our elected people stop give them big brake for drilling and set a man date to stop over charing in times of world unrest.
that will never happen. All of our elected people have been payed off by67 the big corparation so just grin and bear it.
Trade your cars in for a bicycle. And walk. They do it in the other third world countries.
We only go to places we absolutely have to go and combine trips. We gave up luxuries a long, long time ago and only buy what's necessary. So much for our "golden years" ... We just don't have any gold to buy gas!
If everyone would just quit their jobs and stay home and collect a check from the government. We would not need to worry about the price of gas.
suck it up America. Everyone else on this planet, except for perhaps qatar and saudi arabia pay $6-8/gallon. I've got a scooter that gets 80 mpg. I eat local through my CSA and although my nearest grocery store is 30 miles in each direction, I do just fine. Local organic food, scooter, bicycle... Time to wake up and realize we are no longer at the top of the heap. Infact we are on the decline... just like the frog that is put into lukewarm water before it is set to boil.....It just keeps getting warmer and warmer and before too long, it will be too late. That's where this country is today.
Jack,
In your article How are you handling near record high gas prices you state that, “Crude oil prices, of course, drive gas prices. And the unrest in the Middle East has been pushing prices up. So has an ever-increasing demand in developing nations.”
Did Exxon-Mobil write that? If these were pertinent factors, why then do we read about record profits in the next quarter?
Give ME a break!
Jack Dudrick
I'm killing all the birds in my neighborhood and collecting their feathers and building me some wings......
$5 a gallon? Bring it on. My new car, a hybrid, gets twice the mileage my previous car did, so even at $5 a gallon that would be equivalent to $2.50 a gallon to me now. The increased mileage has already paid for the additional cost of a hybrid.
Drive less. Drive slower. Combine trips. Drive a more economic vehicle. Bottom line: change your attitude or continue to pay. Your choice.