I know! :( My parents live about 25 miles from the university where my bar classes are at, so that'll be 50 miles a day roundtrip 5 days a week - and my boyfriend lives 100 miles from them, so when I go visit him on the weekends that'll tack on the rest. My car gets 30+ mpg all the time, but it's still going to suck!

The average in San Diego right now appears to be $3.89/gallon. :(

My roommate and I had a conversation the other day about how people might be able to make some sort of impact. In the past, you'd get these forwarded e-mails from people urging everyone to not buy gas on a particular day in protest of prices. However, drivers would just fill up the day before or after.

My roommate suggested looking into which gas companies are owned by unfavorable refineries (eg. Citgo, fuel from Venezuela), and having everyone not buy gas from those 2-3 companies. In other words, feel free to fill up anytime from any station *except* for the 2-3 we've decided we don't like.

He theorizes that when sales for those companies dry up, they might start feeling the pain and may start whining and/or lowering prices. Since we'd be picking on the least favorable companies, then no big deal.

There's got to be some catch to this that I'm not seeing at the moment. What do you all think of my roommate's theory on a new style of gas protest?

.....Kelly :)

Hey, you gotta do what you gotta do.

No type of "boycott" on gas will work. That has been written about too many times.
Check under urban legend sites.
Save everyone the "trouble":
http://www.snopes.com/politics/gasoline/gasout.asp
http://www.scambusters.org/urban-leg...as-prices.html

Thanks Jon! I didn't think to look on snopes (it's not so much a scam or urban legend as it is a poor understanding of economics). My roomie has to drive 350 miles every *weekend* and I'm sure that hurts his wallet. I think he's already considering purchasing a smaller car, which would fall into the "buy less gas" suggestion given in the snopes link above. Thanks!

.....Kelly :)

The NJ Turnpike and Garden State Parkway are still at "just" $3.49. My local stations are still a nickle or so less.

I'd gladly pay $3.49 right about now...

In the City of Chicago gas is somewhere between $3.99-$4.09. I was excited the other day being out in the suburbs (on the border of Cook and Lake Counties) and finding gas for $3.79.

Last weekend I paid $3.65 in Indiana for gas (and that was about the low in Indiana and Michigan).

K-In this case it was not yet a scam/urban legend.
That said, all too many chain letters with same idea have been going around for years and ending up in all to many in-boxes.
And that is why it is covered in the Urban legend sites.

US Gas Is Cheap Compared to Most
 

NEW YORK (May 1) -- Despite daily headlines bemoaning record gas prices, the U.S. is actually one of the cheaper places to fill up in the world.
Out of 155 countries surveyed, U.S. gas prices were the 45th cheapest, according to a recent study from AIRINC, a research firm that tracks cost of living data.

The difference is staggering. As of late March, U.S. gas prices averaged $3.45 a gallon. That compares to over $8 a gallon across much of Europe, $12.03 in Aruba and $18.42 in Sierra Leone.

The U.S. has always fought to keep gas prices low, and the current debate among presidential candidates on how to keep them that way has been fierce.

But those cheap gas prices - which Americans have gotten used to - mean they feel price spikes like the ones we're experiencing now more acutely than citizens from other nations which have had historically more expensive fuel.
http://money.aol.com/news/articles/_...002x1200043254

:eek:Today, the first time in my area, Pasadena crept past $4.00 gallon, 2 at $4.03, and paid $4.05 downtown LA. My older sister in Wyoming reporrts they are on the rise there, too. There: $3.35: no CA taxes and whatever else they tack on here.

On I- 75 from Tallahassee to Tampa I saw once place that had gass for 3.79! Also gas was on average 3.65 in tally while it is 3.52 down in Tampa Bay. I wonder why the difference?

My "favorite" gas station is up to $4.339/gal for premium. A ten cent increase in three days.

$3.79 for the super cheap costco stuff today. :(

$3.65 in Charlotte, NC today.. 20 miles down the road in Fort Mill, SC you can find a few places in the $3.50s.

Try a ten cent a gallon increase OVERNIGHT!!! We went from 3.599 to 3.699 from yesterday when I came home from work at 10pm and headed out today at 1pm.

$3.63 at the Safeway down the street from me (plus you get a discount on top of that if you have one of their club cards)

$3.43 here, or that's what it was when I left campus today. It will probably be higher tomorrow though.

My "favorite" gas station goes down by 7 cents between 4-7pm. I usually go then, so that it's about $3.35 instead of $3.42, but last week, I saw that BP is at $3.22--all day everyday. :cool:

SWITCH!!!!!!!!!

I can beat that. The Speedway near my house was $3.719 when I left for work this morning. Now it is $3.959! :eek: Good thing I filled up yesterday!

Thetagirl- maybe because Tampa has a big port and thus the gasoline is easier to transport?

Either that, or the same reason why gas prices in Gainesville are much higher than in most other parts of the state- to trap the rich students.

http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com...-of-2-99-Gas-/

The "Let's Refuel America" campaign "gives buyers of many new Chrysler, Dodge or Jeeps 3 years of 2.99 gasoline. Each qualifying buyer will get a 'gas card' that has been linked to their own credit card, but when they gas-up they will only pay $2.99 a gallon with Chrysler charged the difference." The offer is not available on many Chrysler models -- "The program is limited to 'fuel efficient' models and limits each buyer to the discounted price on only 12,000 miles worth of fuel each year."

According to Chrysler, the eligible models are: Dodge Caliber, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Chrysler PT Cruiser Convertible, Dodge Avenger, Chrysler Sebring, Chrysler Sebring Convertible, Dodge Charger, Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnum, Dodge Journey, Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town and Country, Jeep Patriot, Jeep Compass, Dodge Nitro, Jeep Liberty, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Commander, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Ram and Dodge Ram HD.

The deal does not apply to: All SRT models, Dodge Viper, Dodge Challenger, Dodge Ram Chassis Cab, Chrysler Crossfire, Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Sprinter.

p.s. i think its kind of a shame that the "bargain" is gas being 2.99/gal. but sheesh, ill take it!

TWENTY CENT increase here today, folks. TWENTY. Thank heavens I still have a half tank from filling up at $3.54 on Monday.

I am happy that I still have over half a tank of gas left from filling up last Saturday.

Was going to the grocers but needed gas!

Made that decision easy. No grocers!:mad:

Jumped .10 over night, $3.59. Guess the weedsa and grass will have to keep growing too!:rolleyes:

I'm actually getting tired of the whining about gas. People, we've been SPOILED for a long time. We pay way less for gas proportionally than we do for Starbucks, booze, and any number of other items. We still pay way more for a gallon of organic milk at the grocery store!

Everyone better get used to this, because the prices are not likely to drop much in the future. This is why the rest of the world has thought we are crazy for driving our big SUVs and trucks - Europe pays two to three times as much as we do for gas! It's time to rethink the cars we drive and rethink public transportation in this country. OR, adjust budgets to fit in this expense. I actually think this could be a great A-ha! moment for this country.

You are very astute!

So, I drive a Honda (9 years old) and drive 4.5 miles a day!

What the hell else do you expect me to do?

But, You are right! Get out of the big damn cars!!!!:mad:

I am tired of subsidising you asses who drive Mommy and Daddy Cars to hold your friggen Kids!:mad: Oh, I be cool, Benzes, BMWs or what the hell ever!:mad:

I would drive a Mo-Ped but cannot afford to buy the damn thing!:o

I agree-- it amazes me what people spend on Starbucks! :eek: I think part of the problem is that this country has grown into a materialistic society. It seems to be all about what purse you carry, what car you drive... ugh. :( It keeps people living above their means, so when things like a skyrocket in gas prices happen, it kills them. Hubby and I drive pretty fuel effiecient vehicles (I have a Honda CR-V and he has a Ford Ranger). I only work 4 months out of the year, which is now over, and just drive locally (to the store, beach or whatever) or when we go on trips. We live on a strict budget, I was looking back this week, and last year at this time we had a $40 a week budget for gasoline. Our gas budget is currently at $100 a week. We're lucky enough to afford it, as long as we watch the small things and don't splurge on things we really don't need. We also had to cut back what we put into our liquid savings fund, so vacation will be a little more sparse this year. I can't imagine, however, if we were strapped at this time last year what our situation would be now. We're also fortunate, in that we bought a new house, and hubby's raise completely covered the difference in our rent payment and our new mortgage payment.

I think many, many Americans are up the wazoo in debt and the gas "crisis" is just adding to that. We were at one point, we came from $18 k in credit card debt to zero. So I can understand the pain, but those same people are spending a LOT on unnecessary things as well. :o

My thoughts exactly. However, less discretionary spending means that we are in for a bumpy ride for now until things work themselves out. A lot of folks (myself included) have to cut back on certain things which leads to trouble for certain industries that cater to the "extra things" in life.

Some of us really have no choice but to drive big trucks and such. You try hauling a trailer with a hybird civic with less than 200 hp. its doubtful you'll get very far. Also, because americans are generally more obese than other countries, its not as comfortable to fit six people in a civic either, so people go for the SUV.

I started to say that, but was afraid of the pouncing. Glad someone had the guts. :o

I broke it down: We pay approx. 3 cents per ounce for gas. However, compare that to 5 cents for an ounce of milk, 7 cents for an ounce of soda or 22 cents for an ounce of a caramel frap and well...Americans are idiots. :shrug:

Do you drink more than 26 gallons of milk every three days?

From an economic standpoint, they aren't comparable.

^^^I like it enough that I would if I could afford it. However, I don't go through 26 galloons of anything in a week, so this chicken is moot.

Get over yourself. If people have the resources and the want to to drive luxury sedans and SUVs it should be none of your concern. Yeah, fuck all of those parents who drive big and safe cars for their children. You tell 'em tough guy.

In my county they range from 3.57 to 3.65. It seems to have less to do with a neighborhood's average income and more to do with its proximity to a major interstate and thus ease of tankers to get the gasoline to the station.

Brother;
You may just wish to turn on the news this morning.
The sales of large SUVs is dropping like a stone in water.
They are sitting on the lots.
Per CBS-National radio news 7:00 AM.

Yeah, but you're missing my point, when I'm in school I go through 26 gallons of gas every four days. While this is certainly not an average for most americans, i don't know what is, but you get my drift that you use a lot more gas than you do milk. My point is that there are way more supplies for gasoline than there are for milk or most other products. The reason that oil prices are so high is because the demand in the global market is high. OPEC claims that they are producing enough oil to meet the worlds consumption, so there are only two ways to lower gas prices, simply use less, which is not a viable option as the demand for gas is very inelastic. The second is for OPEC to raise their daily output, which they have already said they aren't doing. And when gas goes up that makes everything else more expensive too. To compare gas to a consumer product such as milk is just flat out retarded.

I agree but there is at least one other "choke point" which is production.
And just thought of another one which also has been in the news: distribution/transportation.

We all have heard by now of need for more production facilities and when ever one plant goes down for whatever reason, prices go up.

Just as when ever pipe line or tanker has a problem prices go up.

No, I didn't miss your point. You seem to have missed mine. I don't go through 26 gallons of milk in a week, but I don't go through anywhere near 26 gallons of gas either, so asking me that question as a way to support your argument was ineffective. That's what that post meant.

And the flaw is not that one is a necessity and the other is a consumer product. The problem is that we gripe about how expensive our necessity is when we happily spend on consumer products which are infinitely more expensive. That's what's retarded. It makes America look like a place full of people with backwards priorities (which it is but we could at least try to hide it). If you don't do that, then it doesn't apply to you.

That is expected. Doesn't really have anything to do with what I was saying though.

People who want to drive SUVs and luxury cars and have the means to do so are going to do it and there shouldn't be anything wrong with that. If someone called my mom an "ass" for driving a Mercedes they're probably going to get a fist in the face. That goes for old men with drinking and spelling problems as well.