I Am Having GAS Pains!
First…I am JUST ABOUT FINISHED this book. YAHOO! But I am still internet-less from 9-5 on weekdays. Be assured, I *will* be reading and responding to comments after 5. So please don’t let me down and have me get online all excited at 5:01, only to find I scared everyone away…lolol!
That said…
You know, we never get too serious here on Plotmonkeys. With good reason–the four of us are easygoing, laid back people who just don’t want the drama. But I have reached the point where I just have to speak out about something.
I am freaking tired of paying forty-five bucks to fill up my gas tank, when it cost me twenty bucks four years ago when I got the car.
Now, I do not have the solution to the world’s energy crisis. But I can’t help thinking that if I could drive a car that got 60 miles to the gallon TWENTY-TWO years ago, why the heck can’t I find one now? My 1985 Honda Civic CRX (which I adored) routinely got 60 mpg long before the word “hybrid” referred to anything other than a cross-bred flower. (IE: It was a standard fuel engine.)
Sixty. Miles. To. The. Gallon.
Now car dealers do backflips to get people excited about cars that get thirty.
Why is that?
Frankly, I think we’ve all been screwed over. Certain financial interests have not wanted us to find an alternative to expensive fossil fuels, nor have they wanted to work to make those fuels more efficient. Otherwise, after twenty-two years of serious research and development, we’d have cars getting 100 miles per hour, rather than crowing about the ones that get 30. Or cars that ran on something else altogether! (I vote for all the used deep fry oil from McDonald’s.)
I would love to replace one of our cars, but with the new house, have to put it off for a while. But you can bet when we do, fuel efficiency will play a huge part in the decision. Bruce has a fantasy about driving a Jeep like he used to when we were first dating. But at 14 mpg? Uh, no. That ain’t happening, and he’s the first one to say so.
If more people bought with that as their number one criteria–rather than how bad-ass the latest monstrous 10mpg SUV looks–the carmakers might actually think they could make a real profit on energy efficient vehicles. And maybe they’d actually decide to try to make them even more efficient!
But, to be honest, it is not the extra dollars coming directly out of my pocket that most upsets me. It’s the state of the world we live in now and the political helplessness our reliance on a single commodity has caused us as a nation.
I can’t help imagining what the political situation of this world might look like today if somebody, somewhere along the way, had had the foresight to say, “You know, maybe it’s not in our country’s best interest to be completely at the mercy of other nations who stand for everything we do not, just because they control most of the planet’s supply of a single product that we can’t force ourselves to give up.”
But I digress.
Now, we think we’ve got it bad…do you know what a gallon of gas costs in Europe? Roughly eight bucks.
Know what it costs in Iran? Roughly 44 cents.
Logical? Hell no. Why do we allow it? Because the west has no other choice. Supply and demand, baby. They supply it, we demand it, and we’re f’d.
Now, this rant isn’t entirely just a rant. I might not have an answer to the problem, but I have a few minor ways that I and my family are trying to do our part to change things.
I don’t like the quality of the light in those new twisty, fluorescent light bulbs, but every lamp in my new house has one. And if you leave the room, even if just for a few minutes, the light goes OFF. (Wow, that’s a hard one to drill into kids’ heads!) It’s not gas out of a pump…but electricity still comes from fuel.
Small kitchen appliances I seldom use but keep plugged in on the counter? They’re drawing current–just a little bit, but they are drawing it. I now unplug em.
It’s getting cold now…but the thermostat is set five degrees lower than it was last winter. We wear sweaters. We use quilts. I curl up next to cutie-pups during the day when I write–she’s so warm and cuddly. (And next to Bruce during the night…he’s warm and cuddly, too…)
When oldest daughter is away at college, and the downstairs where her room & the rec room are located isn’t being used on a daily basis, the vents get closed and the basement door is shut. Why heat one-third of the house that we’re not using?
Lots of errands pop up–every single day. Instead of doing them as they arise, they get bunched. Got a doctor’s appointment? Then that’s the day I also hit the bank, the grocery store, Wal Mart and the gas station. I do not make five trips. (Unless I run out of Diet Coke. For that, I’ll make the trip to the closest store.)
Online shopping for the holidays is not just a time-saving convenience to me this year. It also saves me the gas it would take to drive the 30 miles to the nearest mall.
My hubby is going to start car-pooling with my sister 2-3 days a week, despite having slightly different work schedules. It’s a little inconvenient…it’s also something.
Maybe if everyone did a few little somethings they’re not doing now, that demand could start to shrink. The supply might just perhaps go up. The teeter-totter might move in the opposite direction.
And if the money isn’t rolling in the way it used to, maybe somebody, somewhere, will stop worrying about lining their own oily corporate pockets and start researching–working hard to make a real change for the good of our country and our children.
End of speech. Feel free to throw tomatoes. Better yet, how about throwing some energy saving tips of your own? I’d really like to hear them!
***********************************************************
REMINDER: We’re asking YOU to help the Plotmonkeys give a happy holiday to some lonely American soldiers!
From now until December 7, the Plotmonkeys–Janelle Denison, Leslie Kelly, Julie Elizabeth Leto and Carly Phillips–are sponsoring a special contest. Just donate to a charity sending care packages to our troops overseas, and you’re eligible to win a $100 gift card to do your own holiday shopping!
All the details can be found here: THE SEASON FOR GIVING
Great post, Leslie! I, too, have been better about unplugging appliances I’m not using (esp. my cell phone charger!) and I’ve been consolidating all errands into one day for years. It drives people crazy (people being my husband) when he wants me to do something TODAY that I insist must wait until Thursday.
I’m also very interested in alternate fuels and watched a report on wind power research that was fascinating. I just can’t believe that the brilliant minds that are out there can’t get us away from fossil fuels. I know they can. I’m no conspiracy theorist, however, so I’m just going to be hopeful and keep encouraging my daughter to be a scientist when she grows up.
Comment by Julie Leto — December 3, 2007 @ 11:41 pm
I did a post at my blog about global warming awhile back, and it’s really made me think about how much energy I waste. I turn off lights, unplug unused appliances, use less water, any little thing I can think of. The temperature in the house though, now that’s one I can’t budge about. I HATE being cold, and even wearing sweaters I find myself still freezing, so I keep it a tad bit warmer while I’m home, turning it down when I’m gone all day at work, etc.
Comment by Stacy ~ — December 4, 2007 @ 7:19 am
Les, excellent post. We’ve begun a slow transition to those lightbulbs figuring we’ll get used to them over time. Shutting lights is challenging for my kids.
But it’s important! My car takes (truck) $60 of gas each time 
and since both of my girls are in the middle school/high school, they are no longer around the corner for pickup after activities etc. so I’m filling up way way more. I have a year left on the lease of this truck. After that, I need to seriously think.
Comment by Carly — December 4, 2007 @ 7:24 am
Amen to your blog post! I get so tired of people complaining about the price of gas YET they drive the biggest SUV they can afford. It’s absurd. I drive a 1997 Honda Accord that still gets better mileage at 10 years old than most of the cars being tauted. When we went to Atlanta for DragonCon, we got almost 35 miles to a gallon…not bad for an old car.
One tip I have is that if you have a regular work schedule, get a timer for your thermostat. It’s painless and you never suffer from the cold. You can set it as low as you want while you’re out of the house with a preset time to warm up before you get home.
Comment by Robin Snodgrass — December 4, 2007 @ 8:13 am
We walk a lot, which prompted one child in my daughter’s class to ask if we were poor! And Mr. Wonderful and I have been known to share a shower or a bath-tub. (Now I’m blushing!)
Comment by Darlene — December 4, 2007 @ 8:34 am
what a great post..i couldnt agree more with every thing you said.. we to have kept the house a bit cooler than normal.. like you say.grab a sweater and a blanket.. started going to the other lightbulbs too, and unplugging anything we dont need..
small steps.. im 25 miles from town, so my trips have become very few and far between. hubby works there so he now does alot of my errands and grocery shopping after work or on his lunch when needed…it all adds up…
Comment by Jolene — December 4, 2007 @ 9:28 am
Bravo Leslie,
Wonderful post. I think a lot of our problems is basically most of what you said. I don’t trust the automobile industry in america.
I drive a 2005 Honda CRV ( special edition)it averages about 26 miles to the gal. I live 12 miles out in the country so a round trip to town uses a gallon of gas. I remember when I bout it it took about $17-$20 to fill it up the Hurricane Katrina hit and gas went throught the roof. Now I spend $30 or more to fill it up it has a 15 gallon fuel tank.
I think the gas companies got used to charging so much and don’t want to change there prices now.
I also heard that the US doesn’t have enough refineries to keep up with the demand. Most of our refineries were built in the 70’s and need to be replaced, but the would cut deep into the oil companies pocket.
I used to drive a Ford Fiesta when I was in college. I think it was a ‘78 model or something. I think I got 41 miles to gallon way back then.
I have changed most of the light bulbs to the swirlythings. I need to buy a couple of hot water heater blankets, but other than that. I economize in everything else. the thermostat is turned way down. I have thermal curtains in some of the colder rooms. That really made a difference in summer and winter.
I don’t think we have to completly blame the problem on foreign oil. I think there are a lot of BIg Wigs right here in the good ole USA making a fortune off our oil woes.
Comment by Gigi — December 4, 2007 @ 9:35 am
I too have been consolidating all my errands into 1 trip. I make a list and start at the farthest point and work my way back home. It’s ridiculous when you cheer and get excited that the price of gas has dropped back to $2.99 a gallon. However, Carly, I know what you mean about filling up a truck. My hubby has a pick-up and drives 40 miles each way to work, so when he fills that beast up, he’s putting at least $60 in it a couple of times a week. I always turn off the lights, but again, it’s hard to get through hubby’s head to do that. I can sit at night and watch TV with no lights on, I love to burn my candle at night while watching TV, but the minute hubby comes in, he thinks we need to turn on the light. What is with men and lights anyway???
Take Care All and Have a good day!!!!! :santahat:
Comment by Kathy — December 4, 2007 @ 9:36 am
We have switched most of our lights to florescent bulbs. I hate them, but it saves money and energy that we can’t afford to lose. My kids are getting better about turning off lights and we have used our fireplace more for heat this year than just ambiance. I used to carpool when I worked in Arlington, VA, but working only ten minutes from home takes that need for carpooling out of the equation.
Comment by Patty L. — December 4, 2007 @ 9:45 am
Awesome post Leslie. I will get the low energy lightbulbs the next time I buy. I’m big about setting the temp in my house lower in the winter and higher in the summer. It just takes a little bit to get used to either temp. I have blankets all over my house and extra on my bed, so I don’t really notice except right out of the shower. The summer is a little harder, but I do have a couple of fans that my a/c guy said would use less energy. I also lecture my nieces when they are at my house about turning off the lights when they leave a room. This past summer I started charging them $5.00 every time I had to turn the light off after the 2 older girls(the youngest will turn the lights off in all the rooms even if you need them on). Neither one leaves lights on in my house now.
I have a Toyota Corolla, with is a little small if you have more than a few people in it, but really gets great gas milage. I know when I went to my sister’s over Thanksgiving, I got over 35 miles to the gallon. This is my second Corolla and it gets just as good of gas milage if not better than the last one that I drove for over 10 years. My family had a Chevy Chevette when I was growing up. Three kids, no a/c, and long trips. Yes we had to touch in the backseat, but most of the time we would just lean on each other and sleep during the drive, or play car games. Maybe a few smaller cars on the road wouldn’t be a bad idea.
Comment by Liza — December 4, 2007 @ 9:46 am
the gas issue is so frustrating. and because its so expensive i keep waiting till my tank is nearly empty which ends up feeling like im spending more at the tank each time!
Comment by Cail — December 4, 2007 @ 9:55 am
I recycle every week.
I use twisty bulbs.
I think twice before going anywhere in my mini-van. (Can’t go any smaller than that with 5 people and two pets. My gas mileage makes me want to cry.)
I take my foot off the gas when going down hill. (No brainer.)
I have quit drinking bottled water as frequently. (Plastic is made from petro, and a lot of petro is used to get imported water across seas.)
I buy American made when possible. (Thought my car was until I discovered the engine and transmission was foreign. WTF?)
And I pray, because I’m overwhelmed with the big picture and my kids’ future on this planet.
Comment by Heather Harper — December 4, 2007 @ 9:56 am
No tomatoes coming from me. Although I have to disagree with one thing Julie said, I am a conspiracy theorist. There is a geogogist in the Tucson area that swears a small town to the east of Tucson is sitting on a huge oil well, it’s never been tapped and he’s been told to keep his mouth shut about it being there.
But, aside from that, I always tell my husband I wish I could be alive in 100 years when everything is powered by the sun. I know they’re going to be laughing at us and how “in the old days they relied on fuel when the sun is giving us all this free energy every day.” I just wish I was smart enough to figure out how to use it and convert it for all of our needs.
Comment by Jodie — December 4, 2007 @ 10:33 am
We switched to those bulbs too. They have newer ones now that look like old bulbs. It knocked a good 20.00 off yhe bill so they are worth it. Little Zoey lays in front of the heat ducts (forced hot air here)because we run the heat lower. At 3 # 5 oz. she can’t stand the cold. Don is a mechanic and says changing car filters more often increases mileage.
Need to tell that school mate that we use bikes as the transition, before having to walk.
Pretty soon, as the gas, heat and electric get higher and higher, we will all be too B R O K E to afford new cars etc.. Then where will the big corporate
guys be. THey make so much money they have an unrealistic idea of just how much we little people can take. Or is it that they just don’t care?
Hmmmmm!
We had about 16″ of snow up here near Sugarloaf. The ski slopes will be packed this weekend and the business owners are dancing in the streets.
:wreath: 
:wreath: 
:wreath:
Me I have one more day trapped in this picture postcard setting, wrapped up with Zoey and Don in front of the fire. Eat your hearts out.
Comment by jeannie and Zoey — December 4, 2007 @ 12:15 pm
Leslie, I couldn’t agree with you more. All the little trips I have to take to run my daughter around for activities is starting to really annoy me. All over the price of gas! Here, here!
Comment by Michelle — December 4, 2007 @ 12:24 pm
Interesting post, Leslie. I don’t know what the answer is but I don’t believe one person can change the world. We can change our corner of the world but unless everybody makes changes it isn’t going to happen globally. As long as there is oil and shiploads of money to be made we are going to be paying whatever price is on the gas pump if we want to drive our cars. Until there is no more oil and no more money to be made from it. Money makes the world go round.
I do my part to save energy by turning off lights in rooms when no one is there, recycle, use those twisty light bulbs, drive a car now instead of an SUV, we heat the house with a pellet stove now so it saves a lot on the electric/gas bill. We had a front yard zerascaped to save on watering a lawn.
One of our neighbors just had solar panels installed on their roof. The electricity that they don’t use will be routed back into the system.
Hope everyone has a good day. :wreath:
Cher
Comment by Cher — December 4, 2007 @ 12:47 pm
Jodie, I’m not saying there aren’t conspiracies…just that my little old brain can’t think about them.
I really don’t think it’s the oil that’s the problem–it’s the refining. We really just need to get away from fossil fuels.
Comment by Julie Leto — December 4, 2007 @ 1:11 pm
Hey Leslie,
This is the right attitude to change things. And if everybody used energy more wisely I think we could do a lot of good. I can’t relate to people who leave their house but are too lazy to switch the light offs. (Unbelievable but it actually is true). I try to do anything to save energy and unplugging appliances certainly is a step into the right direction. It seems like a small one but if everybody did so…
Great subject.
Another thing I try to avoid is taking the car for distances I could easily walk or take the bicycle (which has another positive effect : it’s even better for my health) So folks, leave the car in the garage and take a walk.
A lot of people in my neighborhood recently had solar panels installed and that is showing to me that there are more people out there that have the same thoughts . And that’s what pushes me to act instead of doing nothing.
It certainly is a matter that regards us all and so we should do something about it because one person alone isn’t likely to change a lot.
There’s one thing this blog made me aware of even more: you just need the right mentality to start and that’s definitely NOT the “I can’t change anything” kind of thought because we most certainly can if we just acted
So, I think that’s enough for today
Take care all and enjoy
See you
Vero
Comment by Vero — December 4, 2007 @ 3:23 pm
Thanks for bringing this to everyones attention.
:stocking: :santahat:
Comment by Donna M — December 4, 2007 @ 3:39 pm
Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah and I’ve now got my :menorah:
So you may not celebrate but I can still wish you a VERY :happychanuk:
Comment by Carly — December 4, 2007 @ 4:50 pm
We actually had our electrical service replaced today. It was mostly from the original build. Right after WW2. Not only old, but scary. So I spent the day cleaning the living room and getting ready to put the tree up this weekend.
How big of a TV do you need? We have a 50″ plasma HD. Why? A couple of reasons- my hubby is visually impaired and he can see it. Which is why he always turns lights on in a room. Although he does forget to turn them out. That is old age creeping up.
I like the big screen myself. Makes staying home and watching movies worth it.
I drive a toyota Rav4 suv. It gets about the same as the CRV does. Next year when it is paid off and I go to buy a new one, I am looking at the Ford hybrid suv. Yes, I do need one. I am the one who does all the hauling, etc for the family. You can take the girl off the farm….
Don’t wait until the tank is almost empty to fill. When it hits E it starts pulling any crap up through the filter that might be in there. It’s better to fill it at 1/4, which is where I am heading now. Don’t forget the cabin air filter which new cars have. That should be replace yearly at least. If you don’t know where it is check your book. And get regular oil changes- I use synthetic oil and it works better and I don’t have to change it as often as regualr oil.
I use the new bulbs, which hubby hates, so we had to go up in the wattage a bit.
As for my outside Xmas lights- I am switching them over to LED’s when I can find them and not go broke doing it.
I seldom get my stuff in plastic bags anymore- I have bought many canvas and different ones and keep them in the truck. Many grocery stores here will give you credit on your bill when you use your own. It may not be much but it counts. And I don’t have piles of them to trash, except when we do a big shopping trip at West Point. They keep me in bags until we go again.
I got some really great ones from a company in CA. They come in a bag to store them, and then a storage bag for all of them. I love them. They are tiny and fit right in my purse, yet hold about 40lbs and are made of rip stop nylon.
6 more days of work!!! Not that I am counting
mastree:
Comment by EV — December 4, 2007 @ 4:51 pm
Carly-
:happychanuk:!! We took the grandkids their presents this past weekend, even though it was early. Then they found the ones mom bought in a closet. Had to tell her how to hide them better.
Comment by EV — December 4, 2007 @ 4:52 pm
My kids are older. I didn’t even wrap this year.
Comment by Carly — December 4, 2007 @ 4:56 pm
Bravo, Leslie!
Comment by Estella — December 4, 2007 @ 5:26 pm
I agree with everything said. Several have mentioned the problems our kids and grandkids are going to inherit. I’d like to say that not only should the problems be considered with the future generations in mind but the solutions as well. For instance, the big push for ethanol and biodiesel from corn. Cleaner perhaps but it also takes corn from the food supply and affects prices as well as providing incentive to cash poor third world countries to raze more rainforest in order to use the land for agriculture. Those bulbs that we’ve switched to are great (I don’t mind the light as much as Leslie) but they contain mercury and can’t be put in landfills. They have a 5-7 year life span. What are we going to do when all of us need to throw them away in 5 years? I’m definitely not saying we shouldn’t be doing these things, just that we need to think further down the road and make sure the cure isn’t worse than the disease.
With regard to only being one person and doing what we can to make change. I went to a training course on effectivness and they used a great example. Very large ships, like super tankers, have enormous rudders for steering. The rudders are so big that they themselves have a small rudder that gets them started turning. It’s called a trim tab. When they want to turn the ship they turn the trim tab which starts to turn the rudder which starts to turn the ship. Sometimes you’re the trim tab and eventually the ship will turn.
Jody, I’m with you on the conspiracy thing. I’ve believed for a long time that the oil companies have squashed and grabbed up alternative energy technology and have it in a vault somewhere. They’re just waiting for the right time. With them pulling in record profits, now is certainly not the right time.
Honey, I did my part to save energy. I didn’t get the Christmas lights up last weekend like I was supposed to.
:happychanuk: Carly and everyone who celebrates!
Comment by Bruce — December 4, 2007 @ 5:51 pm
WOW! Some really really great commentary here today while i was gone! Thank you so much, everyone, for all the terrific suggestions.
And Bruce–given the content of this post, I guess I’ll stop whining that you can’t get up on top of the 24′ tall roof to put up the lights.
Supposed to snow a little here tomorrow—not nearly like you have, Jeannie, but I’m looking forward to it! :snowmanhead:
Comment by Leslie — December 4, 2007 @ 6:39 pm
YAY! We have a new :menorah:
So Happy Hanukkah Carly!!! :menorah: :menorah: :menorah: :happychanuk: :happychanuk:
And cool new turkeys and Santas and smileys and snowmen.
I am sensing a major icon attack…
Comment by Leslie — December 4, 2007 @ 6:41 pm
great on finishing the book
Comment by kim h — December 4, 2007 @ 6:43 pm
:happychanuk: :menorah:
May you enjoy the Holiday Carly and everyone who
celebrates! Jeannie and Zoey
PS 18″ here but we are going home tomorrow.
“Awe shucks,” Zoey
Comment by jeannie and Zoey — December 4, 2007 @ 6:44 pm
:cold: :santawhat: :elf: :happychanuk: :candycane:
mastree: :wreath: :stocking: :snowmanhead:
Leslie:I have been doing everything everyone mentioned, except the canvas bag thing and I FINALLY did that! Whoo hoo. Hubby thinks I am crazy (he also thinks I am crazy when I tell him other energy/water saving stuff, too).
The oil companies have us ‘by the barrels’, if you know what I mean. I would drive a smaller car (other than a mini van), but there are five of us.
Comment by katie — December 4, 2007 @ 7:29 pm
:cold:
Here’s a money saving link.
Anyone recognize any of the names on here. LOL
http://beta.bordersstores.com/online/store/BordersMediaView_couponromance
Hope it works.
:fourturkeys:
Comment by ev — December 4, 2007 @ 7:34 pm
I don’t turn the lights on at night - I’m watching tv, who needs lights. I also use nightlights so I don’t have to turn on the lights when going into a room. I use the laptop more than that big ol’ PCU. I don’t turn the furnace on unless it’s at the freezing mark. I have an electric blanket I keep in the living room, plus a space heater - less electricity and gas than the furnace. I have lights on the Christmas tree, but not outside - I can’t see them anyway and it saves electricity. Rooms not used - the doors are closed.
Comment by Bailey Stewart — December 4, 2007 @ 8:09 pm
Ev! I love your coupons!
BTW, this is a great place for us to announce (I’ll go into more details tomorrow!) that if you buy a book (or books) by any of the Plotmonkeys, either as a gift for yourself or for someone you love for the holidays, we will send you an autographed bookplate (for the author you bought) and a Plotmonkey bookmark! Just email me the receipt (if you order online) or send it to me (I’ll put up my PO Box tomorrow) and we’ll pay the postage to send you the bookplates and bookmarks! Don’t forget to send your snail mail address!
Remember, Plotmonkeys make great gifts!
Comment by Julie Leto — December 4, 2007 @ 8:51 pm
Great post, Leslie. I often consider that the main incentive to oil companies to keep prices high is the astronomical records they are setting for profits. All in the guise of how expensive it is to produce oil. /we aren’t using our own supplies because it costs too much to pay people real money to do the exploration. Oh, and we don’t have extensive pipelines that go from all over to a very few refineries in the US. Now, I’m not an economist or international trade expert, but when you can make that kind of profit, why expend any on finding new sources or other alternatives. No need. Big business is getting bigger at the expense of every day people.
Ok, that’s my rant. 
I could go on, but I’ll spare you all.
I’d really like to buy a hybrid, but keep hoping that the car companies will realize they don’t have to charge us an arm and a leg. As long as it’s so expensive, people will buy the less expensive fuel hogs. It’s a trade off I suppose. My biggest challenge is getting kids to turn off lights when they leave a room and close doors to conserve the heat or a/c. I’ve started working at home one day a week (I would love to do it more, but there is still the old school of thought that if you’re at home you’re not working.) Everything I do is via telephone or email. Where I’m at physically doesn’t make a difference. However, it is saving me a roundtrip to Dallas from Ft Worth once a week. Save me about 75 miles a week in commute.
Comment by Lynn Matherly — December 4, 2007 @ 10:36 pm
Holy Cow, Plotmonkeys…I just bought SWAK at eHarlequin (don’t tell hubby), LOL! Okay, I also bought other books (shush, don’t tell anyone else!).
Comment by katie — December 4, 2007 @ 10:52 pm
Great post, Leslie. I’ve tried the new light bulbs in my daughter’s room. However, noticed the light is so bad I had to add a regular one so she can work on her word search books (so not sure if this helps). Like you, I pull the microwave, etc. plugs out when not in use. I always turn off lights, use sweaters rather than the furnace, &, living in L.A., hang out my clothes, foregoing the drier. I’ve always done errands with a plan to drive as little as possible. I had a Scottish mother, & there weren’t any money-keeping tips she didn’t know & use.
I HATE SUVs, not only for the gas they consume, but, because, with my 19-YO Corolla, they keep me from seeing anything in front of me. Last year, I had my Corolla’s top 1/2 of the engine overhauled. I had bought the car new, it still worked quite wonderfully (I’ve serviced it well), I loved it, & couldn’t see getting a new one. Most people were appalled, telling me how it didn’t make financial sense. However, to me, my insurance & license fees will be considerably less, it still gets great mileage (&, in CA, they are tested for emissions all the time), Corollas never leave you stranded, & I didn’t want to buy a new one. In 19 years I don’t think this car has cost me $15,000, & another $2,000+ to drive it 5 more years seemed a bargain.
BTW, as a Xmas present to me, just ordered your 5 in 1 from eHarlequin.com. Should be arriving soon. Speaking of eHQ, it is having money saving deals every day in Dec., in case anyone has an interest.
& Happy Hanukkah to Karen (sorry if it’s late–new medical challenges with daughter).
Patricia A.
Comment by Patricia — December 5, 2007 @ 5:45 pm
When my mom and I moved into our current home almost 3 years ago we had to buy a washer and dryer. Unfortunately we only had enough for one. The washer it was. Later we were going to get the dryer. Well, electricity bills being as high as they were Mom decided not to get the dryer. The cost of the electricity would be too much on a limited income. We use liquid fabric softener in the wash but even then the laundry is usually stiff and linty. I miss having a dryer.
Comment by bluecat — December 7, 2007 @ 4:01 am
Not sure if this has already been mentioned, but…laundry detergent. From the back of the Seventh Generation laundry detergent box: if every family replaced just one 42-load box of petroleum based detergent with vegetable based laundry detergent a year, the barrels of oil saved would heat 12,500 US homes.
It’s not hard to switch detergent brands, and these little changes can make a big difference.
Comment by Charlene Teglia — December 16, 2007 @ 12:11 pm