Gas prices take toll on family budgets

[Baruch HaShem]

This forum is starting to show the reason why we are in this situation, most people have such narrow vision and will only blame other people for there misery. Until we as a Nation can understand the laws of supply and demand, with the impact of limited natural resources we will start to turn our nation around.
It is compounded with the inclusion of a Recession that just makes this much worse, we all must become part of the solution and stop being a contributor to the problem.
God Bless America.

[maureenlee]

Batch 37 Pain is Good wrote:

I've noticed less traffic on the expressway. A lot easier for me to get around. I kinda like this.

You know, I just noticed this too. Before, not any difference-up to 4 bucks--yep a decrease in traffic.

[KIM]

You don't have to have kids to feel the crunch on gas. The worst part is that they are talking about giving a tax break during the Holidays for gas, but why bother the gas companies just raise the prices at the pumps. It's time the goverment takes the gas companies to task with their 10.9 billion profit and have them give back.

[Wow]

I am shocked. Seriously as humans why do that?!? She simply said they weren't going anywhere, she never complained. Seems like most of you are. To think we are in America is a joke right now huh? Why are you so quick to judge an individual? Does it help you sleep better at night? That is just down right rude.

We have cut back on driving ourselves my husband has sucked it up and is taking public transportation -- considering a stop is right down the road. Oh NO! He has to walk. If it continues to go up I will be riding bikes with the kids to go to school..no big deal, but the snow will be kind of brutal.

Smart budgeting and driving with common sense. Older vehicles do not get good milage and I don't think most individuals have good enough credit to update their vehicles. Yes, it may make common sense for someone but someone who goes through a divorce their credit is RUINED! The house they used to own, cars, etc. Its a mess. She said she goes without so her kids can have. I am amazed with the lack of human compassion.

She is a single mom with 2 kids and one who has special needs. Lay off of others and get a life. When your a single mom you become very creative and I bet those kids will think that they had the BEST summer ever. Just because SHE spends time with them.

I think its great...America will thin down!

[tom]

come on, she lives in Muskegon, and can't
go down to the lakeshore? gas is $1.70 more than a year ago..so a trip to the lake & back is like 60-80cents More...GR
down & back is $7.00 more....Montague $2.50 more(2 bottles of pop)
gas is wwwaayy too high, but let's stop with the "can't go anywhere or do anything" crap, swelled & hyped by the media.
if you want something done, get after congress!
in the meantime, quit scaring the hell out of people every single day & night

[cdc]

I like my life wrote:

<quoted text>
For the last 20 years, I tried to drive small, fuel efficient cars like Caveliers, Escorts, Mazdas, Kias, etc. Not a one of these cars was well-built and reliable. My last car, a Cavelier, had 27 recalls in two years and thousands upon thousands of dollars in repairs by the time it hit 25,000 miles. These repairs were not from abuse or neglect, but from shoddy workmanship! In more than one instance, that shoddy workmanship could have easily cost me my life!
For anyone with children, I would never recommend them buying a little "death trap" like a Cavelier!
Melanie, I know you love your children,...so find family activities at home, but stay with a larger, safer vehicle!

you must of gotten one bad apple!! mine runnin strong it depends how you take care of them mine is a 03 with 140,000 no car repairs since 90,000 miles and its true some yrs they are junk!!

[Muskegon man]

lol I just invested everything I could spare in the oil companies... come on $5.00

[Batch 37 Pain is Good]

Anyone interested in stocking up on Petroleum Jelly? We are gonna continue to get it from our Congress.

[oh boy]

Batch 37 Pain is Good wrote:

Anyone interested in stocking up on Petroleum Jelly? We are gonna continue to get it from our Congress.

LOL

[Kymmie]

Mel,
Keep your head up. You do what needs to be done for the boys. People just need to keep their mouth shut and stop ragging on you. The story was on the gas prices... not what vehicle you do or don't drive.

[Pam from Conklin]

I am not going to change my travel plans for the Summer. I am not going to make my children suffer and not get their vacation trips. I will stop doing the little extra trips, like going to the store to get 1 or 2 things. I will try and hold off until I "have" to go.

[Bike Man]

Because of the high gas prices I have stopped using my car and now ride my bike to work each day, 17 miles one way, it's a long ride but with the price of gas I can no longer afford to drive my 1984 Yugo.

[Bike Man]

Batch 37 Pain is Good wrote:

Anyone interested in stocking up on Petroleum Jelly? We are gonna continue to get it from our Congress.

Available at Sam's Club no in 55 gallon drums.

[janet]

Its not just that gas is costing more, food is up too.

Its getting harder and harder for everyone to make ends meet. This woman is just an example of what is happening in households around the country. How about some constructive ideas instead of the snipping

[Sherwoodc]

I feel this state may need to go to a 4-day workweek for the summer. Cutting commuting to 4 days a way not only saves gas and automotive wear and tear for workers, it will save utilities and other costs for the employers. Less fuel consumption also creates cleaner air. I'd gladly work a longer day to save fuel.

[Howieduesit]

Really cuts into that beer and cigarette budget huh factory rats?

If you drive 12000 miles per year which is average, and gas goes up a dollar a gallon over last year and you average 20 MPG it is costing you an extra 600 per year or about $12 per eek. Put down the soda (po to you rednecks)
and beer and cheetos and save money.

What a bunch of losers.......

[dkrt]

Here's the deal!! I face a similar problem, I drive 80 to 95 miles a day just to get to work and back, I own a small 4cyl. car, and a motorcylce, but i is stilll expensive!!!!!!!!! Sure, i could find a car with better mileage, but then (ya do the math) then i would still pay $4 a gallon, plus a car payment. Don,t you think that if we could ALL aford the car payments, we could aford gas too, Well we can,t all do that, So I say, Mel, you are doing exactly what you need to, and your kids are going to look at you like a hero. keep your head up and forget the IDIOTS.

[MustangDan2112]

Unfortunately Melanie’s story is not that unusual. We have been accustomed to relatively cheap personal transportation. Those are long distances from Muskegon to Holland or Muskegon to GR. Many of us do that though.

I believe we need to begin a very serious look at good public transportation. I really like the White Pine Trail for my bike, but always believed it was a great idea for the state to maintain it as a continuous right-of-way. Maybe it can become some sort of light rail system.

[dkrt]

Howieduesit wrote:

Really cuts into that beer and cigarette budget huh factory rats?
If you drive 12000 miles per year which is average, and gas goes up a dollar a gallon over last year and you average 20 MPG it is costing you an extra 600 per year or about $12 per eek. Put down the soda (po to you rednecks)
and beer and cheetos and save money.
What a bunch of losers.......

And to you, not even in Mi. If the only jobs around are factory jobs, then guess what, you'll be a factory rat to feed your family!!! If you new any thing about Mi. you would know the problem with gas prices are compounded by the road construction, that ADDS 15 miles and two hours to my, and many others daily drive!! So after that frustration evry day, maybe beer and cheetos is cheeper than therapy!

[Biker4312]

Well As I said Mel is my niece and she does NOT complain about what live has dealt her and her family--she does the BEST she can with what she has and provides love and a home for her boys.

Walk in her shoes before you all open your mouths and bash her

Mel no matter what anyone else says YOU know who you are and what you do for your family so HOLD YOUR HEAD HIGH and keep that beautiful smile BIG.

Lov ya
Aunt Barb