The Price of Gasoline - How does (will) it affect you?

With the minute to minute changing of the price of gasoline, how does it affect your photography trips, and will it influence your plans for the summer? As for me, a couple of things I was going to do this summer are probably out now. No long drives or going out of town unless there's a definate purpose. Even my in-town travels are going to have to be carefully thought out.

Yeah....there are some birding locations on the edge of the county I want to hit. The cost of gas sometimes stop the plans since I drive so much in the week.

I want to use the bus to get to work but I have not gotten myself to do so. Hopefully I will soon. I never thought visiting my mother in Los Angeles would cost so much coming from the valley.

I'm sure the price of gas will have a noticable impact on my photo trips this summer. I have already passed on some short photo trips this spring, due to the weather. If gas was cheaper, I may have gone anyway dispite the less than perfect conditions, but add the two together, and it just wasn't worth it to me.

I do plan on riding my bicycle, and motorcycle to work more often this year. I have been saying that for the last couple of years now, but I'm hoping this year I can actually motivate myself to do it.

As far as long trips go, we will have to wait and see. Just this week the wife mentioned taking a motorcycle trip to Glacier NP this summer. Traveling on the bike will save a lot of $ on gas, but it's very limiting as far as what we can take with us.

Yesterday afternoon my wife called me on her way home from work. She had just filled up with gas and the person at the station told her the price of gas was going to go up 10 cents tomorrow. So I took my truck and filled it up. A guy pulled in right behind me to do the same. I went home, and got my other truck, and went back to the same filling station to fill that one up too. The same guy pulled in right behind me with a differnent car to fill up. I guess the word was out. :) I'm interested to see what the price is on my way home this afternoon.

I'll be taking a few less trips this summer because of gas prices. When I do travel a good amount of distance, I'll try to bring a friend or two who are interested in photography so we can all split the cost of gas.

Around town I've been able to ride to work on my bike, which is good for my health (unless I get hit) and saves ALOT less gas. I've even been able to ride to school which is a 32 mile round trip.

My wife has even started to ride to the house she babysits at as well.

It's obvious that the gas companies are gouging again so they can make more record profits. Unfortunately it won't affect my driving, in fact, with these outrageous prices I am suddenly working more instead of less and driving more. It's really going to suck next month as I am shooting at Indy. I may however cut back the number of days at the track. I will however be there opening day, pole day, carb day and race day.
Carb day will be tough, at the track at 7am, out at 6pm and at the state fairgrounds to shoot a prom at 7pm.
There are a number of other races to cover as well in May, and a lot of miles to drive.

BTW, the news had a story on gas pumps not being measured last year in Anderson In and now the state is auditing every counties gas pump records to make sure they are being measured properly. Since I started driving in 1975 I have NEVER seen anyone measuring gas pumps anywhere in the country. I wonder how much money we are actually over paying for gas just due to faulty pumps?

JS

Its going to limit me a lot. I wanted to go several places in-state but don't know if I can now. The prices have already stopped one trip and being on limited fixed income, I'll just have to decide which places I can go.
The good news...maybe it will stop global warming.

I just heard a story on the news yesterday about the Gov. of Wisconin fining the oil companies for something or other. It might have been a tax for something, but I'm not sure. Either way, we all know who will end up paying for it.

I drive a Honda. 10 cents per gallon means $1.50 more per tank, which means $5-6 more per month. I spent more than that eating chicken wings for lunch today. The difference between what I pay now and what I paid 15 years ago is worth complaining about, but 10 cents is practically nothing in terms of how I operate my finances. I don't make a lot of long road trips and I work relatively close to home, so it's not really going to change my driving habits.

That doesn't mean I like the obscene profits the oil companies are making. Something needs to be done about that. One thing I'm concerned about, that seems to get little attention, is how high oil prices are effecting the cost of the products we have shipped, trucked, and flown in from all over the world. That's practically everything. I have no way to quantify that, but we are paying for it. We also use petrochemicals to manufacture all kinds of things, like plastic. I wish someone would do a study to see how much high oil prices effect the average Joe for purchases other than fuel. That would be interesting to see.

Paul

Good question...

Luckily I have only a 6 mile round trip commute to work so I feel I have a little freedom to drive for photography. With my new truck which has diesel I can also save some money there.

For now, I will have a purpose for my drives but I don't plan on letting the gas prices affect me too much. If I had a commute I would ride my bike everywhere....

Loren

Are you going to be photographing the Formula One event? My wife, daughter, and I are heading out for it.

Loren

Hahahahaha. Were Ethanol users in my family. Unless theres a drought of corn, We'll be good.

Ethanol is awesome! :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by photophorous

I wish someone would do a study to see how much high oil prices effect the average Joe for purchases other than fuel.

---

I work with electrical stuff, and in the week that followed Hurricane Rita the price of plastic conduit literally doubled. That had to do with plants in the affected area that make the plastic - then add the higher fuel prices for moving it all around and that equals higher construction costs... This stuff is a market priced commodity, much like the oil that goes into the process of manufacturing it. The cost of everything goes up if even just a little bit, based on the fact that it's more expensive to move it.

I drive a VW Diesel and usually get in the high 40's for MPG. 20k per year at 45mpg at $3/gallon is about $1350 versus $1125 at $2.50/gal = extra $225/year. It won't affect me too much... What can you do? Check your tire pressure at least once every two weeks. Replace your air filter as scheduled (in the owner's manual). Plan ahead and try to cut down on miles. This will reduce the quantity of gas that you have to buy which will help out regardless of the price - but obviously the more it costs the more opportunity you have to save. The benefits are more than just the cost though.

Huh, has it reached $7 per gallon yet?
£0.919 per litre for 95 octane here
That's $6.95 per US gallon
I don't reckon you've got much to complain about yet.

We have further to drive I think, Paul plus a very limited public transport unless you live in a city.
Milk recently went up 30 cents a gallon here. The clerk said she was told it was because of the increase in cost to produce the plastic carton. I don't think the carton cost more than one cent to make myself but they'll use any excuse to raise prices.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Frog

We have further to drive I think, Paul plus a very limited public transport unless you live in a city.
Milk recently went up 30 cents a gallon here. The clerk said she was told it was because of the increase in cost to produce the plastic carton. I don't think the carton cost more than one cent to make myself but they'll use any excuse to raise prices.

---

The increased cost of milk could be a result of ethanol. The price of corn has gone way up because people are investing in ethanol. That's great for the corn farmers that can sell their crops to the ethanol plants, but what about all the other farmers who buy corn to feed their livestock? Their cost of production just went up as a result of ethanol. It's not just milk. Pretty much everything that's corn based is going to get more expensive.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Frog

but they'll use any excuse to raise prices.

---

Same here, petrol prices creeping up a tenth of a penny at a time.
There is now a reduce packaging campaign starting.
e.g. four pears in a plastic tray, with a plastic cover over each pear, and a lid over the top, wrapped in clingfilm. Why not use recycled cardboard like an egg box, and only one cover?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Frog

We have further to drive I think, Paul plus a very limited public transport unless you live in a city.

---

I've done the maths on gettimg to work, $7000 per year in round numbers.
That's at 100-106 miles a day, depending on traffic diversions.

However going by bus and train, the cost increases !

SW,

a 10th of a penny? Try anywhere from 10 to 50 cents a gallon each time it goes up, and then when it goes down it goes very slowly from 1 to 5 cents at a time. Tonight listening to the scanner there were 15 drive offs in an hour, and two armed robberies.... oil prices go up and crime goes up with it.....

JS

I think gas would have to hit $5 or $6 per gallon (or more) before it would impact/change my driving habits as I try to drive as little as possible anyway. The corresponding increase in the cost of transported goods would be noticed first but, in the end, it is what it is.

The price has driven me to park my F150 4x4 and search for a VW Jetta.

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o.../GasMedium.jpg

Someone, customers or me is going to have to pay the tariff!

I just hope the the $4.00/gal prediction is a long way off!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by drg

Someone, customers or me is going to have to pay the tariff!

I just hope the the $4.00/gal prediction is a long way off!

---

What I wouldn't give to have one of those Exxon CEO's ask me to do some photography work for them. I'd start at $1,000 and an hour later raise it to $1,500 and so on. Just so they'd know how it feels.:D

I've been trying to convince dh to move back into the city. We'd use soo much less gas. On the other hand, I'm hesitant to give up the comfort we have here in a small town.

Decisions decisions...Fortunately, I'm one of those people who doesn't really pay a lot of attention to how much $ I spend. :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by swmdrayfan

With the minute to minute changing of the price of gasoline, how does it affect your photography trips, and will it influence your plans for the summer? As for me, a couple of things I was going to do this summer are probably out now. No long drives or going out of town unless there's a definate purpose. Even my in-town travels are going to have to be carefully thought out.

---

It is really strange to read this discussion (about using your car less) and see that nobody has mentioned global warming. This is really getting to be a big deal in Europe. Didn't people see Al Gore's movie?

In Europe we have always had what Americans would call high gas prices. Personally I have a small car, I drive economically, I don't make unnecessary trips (including plane trips) - but it's to limit my output of CO2.

Charles

p.s. Global Warming = the CO2 gas produced by combustion is causing the world temperature to rise, with unpredictable effects on the weather and on the world in general.

I didn't read all the replies, but I'm not going to let it stop me from going out. In fact, I've just done two 300+ mile trips in the last two weekends. I have to fill up on premium too.

What I will do is try to improve my MPG.

- Keep my right foot in check
- Take out the clutter for weight reduction.
- Clean air filter (I already have a free flowing intake which helps)
- Keep tire pressures up
- I just installed an underdrive pulley which has netted me 5+ MPG the last two tanks.
- Next weekend I'm going to detail my car to a 'smooth as glass' finish to reduce drag.
- I have light-weight wheels and tires on order which should be here by end of May.

At least I'll have an excuse to not mow the lawn so often.
I know...get an electic lawnmower. How long would it take me to save as much on gas as one would cost?
I'd like a more fuel efficient car but my Bronco,(12.5 mpg) is only worth about 2,000 and for anything decent I'd need to spend 12 to 15 grand I'm guessing. Take a long time to save that much on gas, too.

As for global warming, I have no doubt it is occuring but each side makes good arguments about how much mankind is to blame.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Franglais

It is really strange to read this discussion (about using your car less) and see that nobody has mentioned global warming. This is really getting to be a big deal in Europe. Didn't people see Al Gore's movie?

In Europe we have always had what Americans would call high gas prices. Personally I have a small car, I drive economically, I don't make unnecessary trips (including plane trips) - but it's to limit my output of CO2.

Charles

p.s. Global Warming = the CO2 gas produced by combustion is causing the world temperature to rise, with unpredictable effects on the weather and on the world in general.

---

That's a good point, Charles, and that's why the rise in prices isn't really bothering me. I don't like spending the extra money, but at least I know it's leading to lower SUV sales and more fuel efficient cars.

I think the biggest thing that prevents people from seeing An Inconvenient Truth is our current Administration's stance on Global Warming. I think the official party line says something like, "let's wait until it's too late and then blame it on France"...I'm paraphrasing. :D Seriously though, a lot of people don't trust Gore because they still believe he tried to take credit for inventing the internet. It's sad how smear campaigns have such a long lasting effect. I wish someone other than an ex-politician had made this movie, so more people would give it the consideration it deserves.

Paul

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Canuck935

Next weekend I'm going to detail my car to a 'smooth as glass' finish to reduce drag.

---

I doubt this one is going to help more than theoretically, but it looks cool!

Charles, I've noticed that a lot of Americans roll their eyes at the mere mention of global warming. Since they don't see the effects right now, right in front of their faces, they don't believe that it's true and therefore don't need to worry about it. Fortunately, not all of us think that way.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by another view

I doubt this one is going to help more than theoretically, but it looks cool!

Charles, I've noticed that a lot of Americans roll their eyes at the mere mention of global warming. Since they don't see the effects right now, right in front of their faces, they don't believe that it's true and therefore don't need to worry about it. Fortunately, not all of us think that way.

---

Thinking about what I wrote - everybody in France is aware of global warming and is convinced it is a reality. We just had an amazingly warm month of April. The leaves came out on the trees a month early (I keep a calendar of events to photograph).

However I don't think that people have actually realised that they can do something about it by changing their behavior. If the cruising speeds on freeways has dropped from 95mph to a more legal 85mph it's because of the radar speed traps. And long weekend trips to other European capitals (by plane) are becoming more frequent.

I don't know anybody else who has actually changed behavoir to reduce CO2 emissions. That's why it was funny to read the original post - I saw the same concerns but for different reasons.

Charles

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by another view

Since they don't see the effects right now, right in front of their faces, they don't believe that it's true and therefore don't need to worry about it.

---

It seems to me people are noticing the changes, but just aren't inconvenienced enough yet to stop driving alone in full size SUV's to work.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by walterick

It seems to me people are noticing the changes, but just aren't inconvenienced enough yet to stop driving alone in full size SUV's to work.

---

I agree! Global warming is on my mind, and I am trying to take some small steps to reduce my CO2 footprint. I just bought a midsize SUV, and one of my main concerns when making my purchase was fuel consumption. Not just because of the price of gas, but also because of global warming, and the CO2 output. Yes, I could have bought a much smaller, much more efficient car, but there was nothing like that on the market that I liked. The new SUV is easier on fuel than my old pick up.

When I mentioned riding my motorcycle and/or my bicycle to work more, it is both to save money on gas, as well as to reduce my CO2 output.

I'm so sick of big SUV's

I don't have a car :) I have a vespa-esque motor scooter that gets 85mpg. I'm also a professional cyclist so I ride almost everywhere.

I am amazed at how many people here in the US still think global warming is a farce. I've spent significant time racing in europe, and the attitude seems to be completely different. Every time I cross the pond I realize how stupid and close-minded so many Americans are.

Let me preface by saying I do believe global warming is an issues.

HOWEVER....

If I didn't, Al Gore's movie wouldn't be enough to convince me that it was. First off, it's a movie. Second, from what I've experienced, the majority of the people who think it's a made up problem seem to be more conservative and tend to follow the conservative view on political/enviromental issues.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by adina

from what I've experienced, the majority of the people who think it's a made up problem seem to be more conservative and tend to follow the conservative view on political/enviromental issues.

---

Same, IME, as we drift towards the waters of the "Off Topic" forum...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Trevor Ash

I'm so sick of big SUV's

---

:confused: Why do you hate SUV's?


I drive a truck but I use it. I haul fire wood, building material, 4wheelers, bikes, trailers, mowers and all sorts of stuff. It is a 4x4 F150 4.6 V8 1999. I can't do that in a subcompact car. My wife drives a Chevy S10 4cyl. I am going to Maine this summer it is about a 1000 mile drive. I am going to rent a small car for my wife and two kids.It is cheaper for me to rent a car than drive my truck. Now I have to smell feet and a%s for a 1000 miles. Mean while we have all that off shore oils and oil in Alaska that all the enviromental freaks don't want us to get. It has been said that there is enough oil in Alaska to last us until Oil is no longer needed but yet we have to pay out the butt to for forigen oil. The temps in the city are 5 to 10 deg higher than out here in the country. Why, it is because of all the new solar pannels that keep poping up (new roads).I know it sounds stupid but we need to change the color of our asphault to reflect light not absorb it. That is also a problem. Also have you seen the prices of these Hybrid cars, I can't afford one, can you? All of this global warming needs addressed, by people like us, the factory, auto, mechanic, police and fire workers. Not rich people that can afford endless batteries for the hybrid cars. President bush is more enviromentaly friendly than Al Gore. There was a report published a short time ago about Al Gore and how much energy he uses and how and where he gets it. I wish I had a copy of it.

It is easy for Al Gore to talk the talk but can he walk the walk, I say no. it is more or less up to us and our childern to help stop this problem. Al Gore is a fake.

Cleaner fuel and personal choices are the answer. I hope I didn't offend anyone but thats my 2 cents.

Tomarrow night there is going to be a program on CNN Head Line news about gobal warming. It is supose to debunk Al Gore and the golbal warming people. 7pm to 9pm EST.
I guess in 1970 there was a Global Cooling trend?

Quick, someone talk about a camera so we can keep this in the Viewfinder :D

Actually, as I think about it, no one is in debate over whether the earth is getting hotter.
The debate lies over whether or not carbon dioxide is contributing to it.

...

Okay, I guess this is headed for the OT forum afterall. Darn it.

- kicks rock and sulks off into corner -

I love how as soon as someone mentions global warming, everyone jumps all over SUV owners.

How come if I drive my SUV 100 miles a week, I'm more to blame than the guy with the little car who drives 500 miles a week.

Yeah, they could be more efficient. But if I plan my trips accordingly and run all my errands at once instead of 10 different trips out, and we carpool, try not to drive more than necessary, how come we'd be blasted before the guy who enjoys filling up the tank on his sporty little car every day.

It's not always the SUV owners.