Let's have a brainstorm session

[Mafesto]

It's fair to say, most of us are at our wits end with the fuel prices.

What ideas do any of you have that may lead to spending less on fuel?

We put on less than half of the miles we used to, so in a sense it is saving us money.
The problem with that mentality (or anything leading to less fuel use) is road tax funds suffer greatly & will likely increase.

I am even planning on mowing lawn less frequently this summer, that's nuts!

There are alot of sharp minds on here.
Surely there's gotta be some good ideas out there?

 

[w8tn4u]

stop the breeding

population control

 

[Mafesto]

What are our viable political options?

Everyone has turned anti-oil company over this, yet is it reasonable to ask them to charge less than what the market will bear?

Perhaps it is reasonable to ask this, and here's my rationale....

What if the farmers truly united & were able to dictate the prices for their goods?
I am confident the govt. would intervene in that case, so maybe they should here?

While the oil companies are getting fat on this, I think they are being very short sighted.
They had us right where they wanted us. We had cheap fuel, & therefore we used the stuff like it was water.
Now we are learning to conserve & making that a way of life.
That will certainly bite the oil companies in the end.

 

[IMSICK]

What are our viable political options?

Everyone has turned anti-oil company over this, yet is it reasonable to ask them to charge less than what the market will bear?

Perhaps it is reasonable to ask this, and here's my rationale....

What if the farmers truly united & were able to dictate the prices for their goods?
I am confident the govt. would intervene in that case, so maybe they should here?

While the oil companies are getting fat on this, I think they are being very short sighted.
They had us right where they wanted us. We had cheap fuel, & therefore we used the stuff like it was water.
Now we are learning to conserve & making that a way of life.
That will certainly bite the oil companies in the end.

The government has intervened...... Problem is, they are making money on both sides, so they have no reason to fight the ever increasing costs. It's a vicious circle.

Companies drill - they paid for mineral rights which most likely came from government. They paid for the drilling licence. Since the drilling rights are only rentals, they pay a royalty to what ever governing body on every boe recovered. Pipeline costs.... oh, government takes their part, processing, then sales where, if you look at the fuel price break down is mostly tax.

Now.... if you look at the whole process agian.... the drilling rig and every other service out there that contributed to drilling, completing, well tie in, etc burned countless gallons of diesel..... So no matter which way you look at it, local right through to federal government made money the entire way through.

If I was in that position.... I wouldn't fight the 100.00 oil or the massive fuel cost. Until people back off on the useage, it will never stop. With the price of oil & natural gas, I'm busier again now and thus put on more mileage than I ever have before....

 

[Mafesto]

The option that I'm affraid will happen is simply adjusting to the added expense of false excessive fuel prices.
Inflation. Excessive inflation.
This will work for many in the work force, as their incomes will adjust.
But for those on a fixed income, excessive inflation simply moves many in middle class to lower class.
That's a ball sucker!

 

[GODEEP]

im just gonna follow the airlines plan. "only fill the tanks half way". lol..

These prices are just rediculous. Diesel makes no sense to me. 4.50 for diesel is rediculous.

 

[IMSICK]

Problem is tho.... with adjusting income to meet inflation, there is only one financial institution that benefits..... Government.

Like you said.... fixed income living will suffer terribly.
Realization and a mass joint retaliation effort would be the only way to go..... but, to do do that, we would all have to give up the toys that burn fuel, the cars, quit using electricity on things like washing clothes, watching tv, tec.

I don't remember the days when people washed their clothes in the lake, or the family sat down after supper and played a game..... But those are the times that would have to be relived in order to send the message....

Ha..... sledgy can be the movement leader and teach us how it was back in the day.

 

[IMSICK]

chit..... I filled up my CBR yesterday.... it cost 20.00 to fill a bike up!!!

 

[GODEEP]

I don't remember the days when people washed their clothes in the lake, or the family sat down after supper and played a game..... But those are the times that would have to be relived in order to send the message....

I kinda wish those days were still here.

 

[winter brew]

Quote: "I don't remember the days when people washed their clothes in the lake, or the family sat down after supper and played a game..... But those are the times that would have to be relived in order to send the message...."

This alone would solve a number of our social issues!!

As for cutting fuel costs, I started carpooling on a regular basis, I now drive every other week so this cut my work related fuel in half...60 miles round trip/day.
I actually just skipped a weekend of sledding since my usual group wasn't going and I didn't feel like spending $100 on fuel for a days ride, vs splitting fuel costs with a buddy.
I try to plan out errands and shopping better so I make fewer trips, drive fewer miles.
I wish I could mow the lawn less often, took 2 hours on the rider yesterday, but I found a 5 gallon can of gas from last summer....it was like stumbling upon a lost treasure!!

 

[MARCUSO]

The problem with me is that I am jumping from jobsite to jobsite, so I have to take my tools and equipment with me.
Sometimes I get put on a job for a couple of weeks, so I bought a jobsite lockup box, and some heavy chain.
I am now riding my bicycle to work, the box costed me a few hundy, but I will save that on fuel in about a month's time of riding.
I considered getting a second vehicle, one that can carry a lot of stuff, like a mini van, and is good on fuel. I think the cost of the vehicle, insurance, and all would not balance itout though....
Guess I will have to up my rates... it all comes full circle unfortunately.

 

[Bubba700]

I think a lot of it is going to come down to us changing the way we live and use fuel before anything changes. Some points that have been made.
Car Pool
Plan your errands so you get em done in one trip

A couple that I try to do is if its under a mile I try to bust out the long board or mtn bike. Better for my health and saves cash and wear and tear on the car.
Instead of doing a one day trip I try to plan 2 or 3 days that way its only one trip of fuel in the truck to get there.

1 or 2 that might help
Every one should run 600 Smaller and less gas plus it would let the really good riders shine compared to the crappy ones.
Look into the bio diesel at home stations. If I owned a diesel I would look into these for sure. Last I saw initial investment was about a grand after that you could make fuel for 50 to 60 cents a gallon. I would think the cost of the system would be recouped pretty quick if you were saving even 3 a gallon on diesel.

 

[IMSICK]

The car pooling..... great!! Now just convince everybody to do it... Funny thing about the whole fuel cost thing is.... It takes the smallest little persuasion to convince people why the need to fill up and drive 100 kms for nothing but you can argue with the same people till you are blue in the face to save money by reducing fuel consumption by car pooling.

Lots of little ways to change things.... if you can get the individualism out of peoples heads. As bad as it sounds.... the colony dwellers have it figured out for the most part.... They all jump in a van and drive to town. They all jump back in the van and drive back home.

 

[snow_knight]

i say post

 

[HawkShot99]

Well I run a lawn mowing buissness. I just told all of them that rates are going up. Raised every lawn $5. Now I still use the same amount of gas as before, and gas didnt go up that much, so now I make more money.

 

[IMSICK]

buy hawk.... take in all the costs that did increase due to the cost of fuel..... fuel prices went up, the price of oil changes went up, cost of blades went up, trimmer line went up..... in the end, the increase is justified. Add up the numbers, and the profit margin you are looking at, may not be that much!!

 

[Ex-Member]

Bend over and take it?

 

[xrated]

Bubba, good ideas, but bio-diesel still doesn't like cold weather....I see that as a draw back.

I have been setting the cruise between 55-60, we plan trips into town, eat out less etc. Even started line drying the clothers.

Also plan on spending less time in front of the boob tube but I do that every summer.

 

[IMSICK]

Bubba, good ideas, but bio-diesel still doesn't like cold weather....I see that as a draw back.

I have been setting the cruise between 55-60, we plan trips into town, eat out less etc. Even started line drying the clothers.

Also plan on spending less time in front of the boob tube but I do that every summer.

Couple less showes a week..... and the old golden shower rule, If it's brown, flush it dow.... If it's yellow, let it mellow!!! Ha.... not a chance!!

Almost time to go build a small shack out in the middle of nowhere and live off the land... all laura ingles style.

 

[Bubba700]

Good thing to know X. I would still do it for the saving in the summer time then. The savings after a year or two would have to be worth it.
Another that people don't think about but I grew up with is a garden in the back yard.Does 2 things for ya. Saves money at the store and helps you to teach work ethic in your kids when its hard to keep them busy during the summer. Weeds keep poping up so there is always work to do.
Droppin the speed helps too. I noticed in my car that at 80 my mpg dropped to 22 at 75 its 24 and at 65 up to 26, so I don't mind the low speed limits here in WA since Im getting better mileage.