Speculators took it to our pain threshold a couple years ago, so they know where to go to find salvation. I pray we don't go there, but it really is out of anyone's control.

The thing we have going for us this time around at least is that everyone is on to the game they play with the price on Wallstreet.

Last time during the run up we still had a segment of the population buffaloed into the idea that it was really a "supply and demand" issue that served to distract from the real cause which was financial chicanery perpetrated by the financial services industry.

This time if we see a similar spike at least we will know where to zero in on instead of wasting time arguing that it is anything but a speculative game that is driving prices higher. There are things that could be done to deal with that, but the monied interests on Wallstreet would have a fit so such action would be off the table. After all, it is them (and not the citizens) that Congress is most concerned with serving.

When Wallstreet can offer you a plush, cozy lobbying job for doing their bidding in case you are voted out of office, it drastically reduces a politicians fear of siding with them over the American people.

IggyPride00;549637 wrote:The thing we have going for us this time around at least is that everyone is on to the game they play with the price on Wallstreet.

Last time during the run up we still had a segment of the population buffaloed into the idea that it was really a "supply and demand" issue that served to distract from the real cause which was financial chicanery perpetrated by the financial services industry.

This time if we see a similar spike at least we will know where to zero in on instead of wasting time arguing that it is anything but a speculative game that is driving prices higher. There are things that could be done to deal with that, but the monied interests on Wallstreet would have a fit so such action would be off the table. After all, it is them (and not the citizens) that Congress is most concerned with serving.

When Wallstreet can offer you a plush, cozy lobbying job for doing their bidding in case you are voted out of office, it drastically reduces a politicians fear of siding with them over the American people.

It's being used as a safe haven, not a speculative game. Same reason that gold and other commodities are shooting up.

ccrunner609;549644 wrote:still got that money for internet dont ya?

LOL. more in a bit...

Fact of the matter is this...

- My wife and I do just fine. My philosophy on gas prices is, "Regardless of what the price of gas is, you're going to fill your tank up anyway, so it doesn't do you any good to bitch about it." A good friend taught me that a few years ago when I was bitching about $4.50/gallon. He said, "it's not like it's going to stop me from having to fill up my tank."

- I didn't eat crackers the other day for supper.

- My wife DID add 76 miles to her daily commute, against her will.

While I was joking with most of what I wrote, my serious part was the condescending nature of our tone. I don't see the necessity of being condescending to people when we feel we "have the right way." So what if you made $75 and made it work. That is all well and good, but to be condescending to someone (even though I was lying) is insensitive, rude, pompous, and arrogant. Some people do struggle. One of the things I learned a while back (along with my philosophy on increasing gas prices) is that it is not my place to judge people on the things they choose to do. If someone wants to eat like an idiot and gain weight... so be it. If someone wants to eat out every night and lose money... so be it. When they ask my advice, then I'll give it to them, but when they present me with their problem, I don't feel that it automatically warrants unsolicited advice.

ernest_t_bass;549848 wrote:Fact of the matter is this...

- My wife and I do just fine. My philosophy on gas prices is, "Regardless of what the price of gas is, you're going to fill your tank up anyway, so it doesn't do you any good to bitch about it." A good friend taught me that a few years ago when I was bitching about $4.50/gallon. He said, "it's not like it's going to stop me from having to fill up my tank."

- I didn't eat crackers the other day for supper.

- My wife DID add 76 miles to her daily commute, against her will.

While I was joking with most of what I wrote, my serious part was the condescending nature of our tone. I don't see the necessity of being condescending to people when we feel we "have the right way." So what if you made $75 and made it work. That is all well and good, but to be condescending to someone (even though I was lying) is insensitive, rude, pompous, and arrogant. Some people do struggle. One of the things I learned a while back (along with my philosophy on increasing gas prices) is that it is not my place to judge people on the things they choose to do. If someone wants to eat like an idiot and gain weight... so be it. If someone wants to eat out every night and lose money... so be it. When they ask my advice, then I'll give it to them, but when they present me with their problem, I don't feel that it automatically warrants unsolicited advice.

I’ll pay you $20.00 month to grammar/spell check my post and threads… will that help you out?

Belly35;549849 wrote:I’ll pay you $20.00 month to grammar/spell check my post and threads… will that help you out?

LOL... I said that we do just fine. All my bitching and moaning was for fun. Besides, $20 a month would only scratch the surface to be YOUR grammarer checkererer.

I think some of you have it made with paying for gas. I often think how much easier (on the wallet) it would be if I lived in the flatlands of Ohio. Especially in the winter LOL! But, I don't. I think that prices are always higher in the foothills where I live than they are in say... Columbus and anything northwest. Also, it does make a difference if you live in town or travel mostly highway miles.

I don't think this will help for everyone, but it is what I do. I may sound like the cracked article(I love that site, I'll read it after I post) but ever since I recieved my accounting degree I mentally deduct and even out my budget to coincide with the rising/falling gas prices. Gas is an inflexible demand, we will always need it, but we can save elsewhere.

Today I went to the grocery store and purchased 65 items. The average price for my purchases were 1.19. Before anyone says I bought crap, I purchased balanced breakfast, lunch, and dinner items that I can cook or is ready made. I live near a Meijer and a Kroger so I made 2 stops and bought almost only what was on sale. I am aware most cannot do this(baby food, diapers, clothing may not always be on sale, perscriptions never are) but each purchase I saved noticeably from as if I only made one stop. I also have downgraded to generic brand on several food items. I cannot tell the difference between name and generic, and most are from the same factory. However, there may be a 20% difference in price. Pop and meat tastes are very different so I can see brand loyalty there, but I see on many Generic food labels that they guarantee the same taste as the name brand, some are "money back guarantees." I pack my lunch to work, I am teaching myself how to cook over eating out, and I am constantly talking myself out of impulse purchasing. I guess what my point of the above babbling is that it is a good idea to save elsewhere to make up with what you'll have to pay in your gas bill. Most of the time I don't even notice I'm doing it. I drive an Explorer and generally need to fill up weekly. Gas jumped where I lived about 30 cents(2.65 to 2.95) so thats about 6 dollars a week in gas. I'm positive I saved more than that tonight at the store.

Trying to help.

^^^^Good advice. There are a lot of places to save money, and these savings can usually overshadow any increase in gas prices.

bwcomet89;551263 wrote:I don't think this will help for everyone, but it is what I do. I may sound like the cracked article(I love that site, I'll read it after I post) but ever since I recieved my accounting degree I mentally deduct and even out my budget to coincide with the rising/falling gas prices. Gas is an inflexible demand, we will always need it, but we can save elsewhere.

Today I went to the grocery store and purchased 65 items. The average price for my purchases were 1.19. Before anyone says I bought crap, I purchased balanced breakfast, lunch, and dinner items that I can cook or is ready made. I live near a Meijer and a Kroger so I made 2 stops and bought almost only what was on sale. I am aware most cannot do this(baby food, diapers, clothing may not always be on sale, perscriptions never are) but each purchase I saved noticeably from as if I only made one stop. I also have downgraded to generic brand on several food items. I cannot tell the difference between name and generic, and most are from the same factory. However, there may be a 20% difference in price. Pop and meat tastes are very different so I can see brand loyalty there, but I see on many Generic food labels that they guarantee the same taste as the name brand, some are "money back guarantees." I pack my lunch to work, I am teaching myself how to cook over eating out, and I am constantly talking myself out of impulse purchasing. I guess what my point of the above babbling is that it is a good idea to save elsewhere to make up with what you'll have to pay in your gas bill. Most of the time I don't even notice I'm doing it. I drive an Explorer and generally need to fill up weekly. Gas jumped where I lived about 30 cents(2.65 to 2.95) so thats about 6 dollars a week in gas. I'm positive I saved more than that tonight at the store.

Trying to help.

I think the thing I like most about your advice is that there is no condescending undertone to it. Most people (I'm guilty of it) just say "this is what I do, it works for me, so it's the right way!"

bwcomet89;551263 wrote:I don't think this will help for everyone, but it is what I do. I may sound like the cracked article(I love that site, I'll read it after I post) but ever since I recieved my accounting degree I mentally deduct and even out my budget to coincide with the rising/falling gas prices. Gas is an inflexible demand, we will always need it, but we can save elsewhere.

Today I went to the grocery store and purchased 65 items. The average price for my purchases were 1.19. Before anyone says I bought crap, I purchased balanced breakfast, lunch, and dinner items that I can cook or is ready made. I live near a Meijer and a Kroger so I made 2 stops and bought almost only what was on sale. I am aware most cannot do this(baby food, diapers, clothing may not always be on sale, perscriptions never are) but each purchase I saved noticeably from as if I only made one stop. I also have downgraded to generic brand on several food items. I cannot tell the difference between name and generic, and most are from the same factory. However, there may be a 20% difference in price. Pop and meat tastes are very different so I can see brand loyalty there, but I see on many Generic food labels that they guarantee the same taste as the name brand, some are "money back guarantees." I pack my lunch to work, I am teaching myself how to cook over eating out, and I am constantly talking myself out of impulse purchasing. I guess what my point of the above babbling is that it is a good idea to save elsewhere to make up with what you'll have to pay in your gas bill. Most of the time I don't even notice I'm doing it. I drive an Explorer and generally need to fill up weekly. Gas jumped where I lived about 30 cents(2.65 to 2.95) so thats about 6 dollars a week in gas. I'm positive I saved more than that tonight at the store.

Trying to help.

That is good advice. I haven't noticed any negative effects personally from the economy, gas, etc. and I think the main reason for that is simply that I've gone away from eating out/fast food to a large degree and have put more effort into shopping smart at the grocery store.