Have you done anything different, because of the rise in gas prices?

[NJmaverick]

Have you changed the way you commute? Canceled trips? Changed your driving style? Bought a new vehicle?


The two things I have done, is purchased a new bicycles for shopping and errands and changed my driving style to maximize MPG.

[Buzz Clik]

1. Absolutely.

We need a car with some size for our large clan and frequent needs to haul stuff. We went with the Honda CRV 4-banger rather than a bigger machine. I bought a hybrid for the second car.

We combine all trips. We seldom take a second car for the sake of convenience.

I walk to the store or bike there more frequently.

[madinmaryland]

2. Definately driving less.

Instead of going home for lunch, i bring something with me.

I'm trying to stretch 12 gallons over two weeks.

[DS1]

3. I bought a used mountain bike for 100 bucks yesterday

to get around town. To/from work.

[predfan]

4. The changes we're making should have been made 30 years ago,

but we didn't have the right leadership, someone who could see cheap oil wasn't cheap. We should be energy independent today.

[The2ndWheel]

16. We should be energy independent?

How can "we" be independent?

[Indenturedebtor]

5. Nope not a single thing. Don't need to.

There have been plenty of good reasons to conserve for a long time. If you weren't doing that before, go ahead and hate me, but I'm glad that you have to conserve now. It's my planet too.

[wildeyed]

6. Just things I should have been doing all along.

I have changed my driving style, too. I try not to accelerate quickly from a stop and to maintain a consistent speed between lights instead of driving really, really fast, then stomping on the brakes when I get to the inevitable red light.

Also, we bought a Honda Fit to replace our Subaru station wagon. Not as efficient as a Prius, but much cheaper and we don't drive it all that much anyway.

[stillcool]

30. I just noticed myself doing that...

driving slower and not hitting the brake. I don't make any conscious sweeping declarations, but little things here and there. Like making sure I get everything I need when I'm out. Instead of driving into town for a loaf of bread, I pay more but less at the candy store down the street.

[NJmaverick]

31. sometimes that is the best way

[KG]

7. yep. i now limit my searches on dating sites to women who live in my zip code.

any higher, i'll have to settle for someone that lives on my street!

[NJmaverick]

11. ...

[alaska1]

8. Yes I have!

Yes, I started driving my 1/2 ton Hemi Dodge pickup more to support the oil industry.

[madinmaryland]

19. Nice post, Ted Stevens!!

BTW, Welcome to DU!!

:hi:

[kestrel91316]

24. Welcome to DU. Enjoy your stay.

Trolls don't tend to last very long, however.

[Subdivisions]

25. That makes you just about the dumbest person on earth. But, don't fret,

there's plenty in that club with you.

[Warpy]

9. I knew they were coming 2 years ago

which is when I bought a super efficient little Korean econocar.

[RussBLib]

10. I bought a scooter last month

My commute to work is only three miles, round-trip. It was stupid driving my Mustang convertible V8 gas-guzzler to/from work. Sold that sucker.

I'd been test-driving scooters for a few months, and finally bought one in April. I'm loving driving it back and forth to work and around the neighborhood. On my second fill-up of the gas tank (it only holds 6 liters), I got about 85 MPG.

So far, it hasn't rained on me. But I've got my rainsuit ready.

[bikebloke]

12. Stocking up on food stuffs.

I haven't driven in years, but I figure truckers pinched for petrol will start cutting back on deliveries. So I make sure my cupboards are full.

[kestrel91316]

26. Confession:

I went to the 99c Store last night and bought a few cans of Armour "Treet" to stick in the pantry in case of, well, dire need. Treet is like Spam but has chicken with the pork instead of ham, and is just ham "flavored". I may fry some up with eggs and potatoes for a sort of hash - just to see if it's edible.

[dawgman]

13. Well the "family" car sits on the weekends and the dogs stay at home

so we can take my commuter focus on any of the local family outings.

My folks live about 100 miles from us. We usually visit them about 1.5 weekends per month but we haven't done that in quite some time as we can't fit the kids, dogs and luggage into the focus.

[TwilightGardener]

14. Not sure we're going to be able to afford our camping trip this summer--

we tow our camper with our Silverado, and the mileage is always sucky to begin with--a trip to the Grand Tetons/Yellowstone (where we are hoping to go) might be out of the question, even though it's only the next state over--might have to go somewhere closer (and less spectacular). Who ever thought that a supposed cheap family vacation could become so prohibitively expensive in just a matter of the few years since we bought our camper?

[NJmaverick]

15. Sorry to hear that

I bet your story is pretty common and is going to hit our economy hard this summer.

[TwilightGardener]

22. Thanks. I feel like a weenie whining about vacations, when hard times

are hitting many harder than me, but dammit, I want to see Old Faithful and steaming mud pots and bison and wolves! Camping is about the only way we as a family can afford it ($17-per-day campground, can bring our dogs instead of boarding them, and we'll cook most of our meals), and we like being IN nature, not just driving around visiting it. I suppose we will bite the bullet and still go this year, since it might only get more expensive in ensuing years, and my kids are getting older.

[LanternWaste]

17. My co-worker and I are considering expanding our carpool

My co-worker and I are considering expanding our carpool and allow two more people to get the vehicle in use to full occupancy.

And because there's a super-target, Ross, movie-theater, bar & grill and about a brazillion fast food joints just across the street from me, I've been averaging less than 100 miles per week in my car.

But then again, I've been doing that for over two years now... :) (smug, self-gratifying pat on back)

[taterguy]

18. No

I adopted a lifestyle that made sure I wouldn't have to use a lot of gas during the first Gulf War in 1990.

[GreenEyedLefty]

20. Yes.

I combine errands. We will likely not go on a vacation out of state. I drive slower. No new vehicles, yet.

[kestrel91316]

21. I didn't think it was possible to drive any less, but I am driving even less.

Gas is now $4.09 at the cheapest place in the area. Time to start using the bike and mass transit like I promised........

[Chimichurri]

23. We walk to the local market when we used to drive and I plan

ahead so I can do all of my errands in one trip.

Instead of driving down to the shore, we hop on the train and hang out in NYC.

[nadinbrzezinski]

27. Driving less and looking at a bike

[Subdivisions]

28. We eliminated up to 150 miles per day from our commute. But,

it was not because of current fuel prices, it was in anticipation of them. One year ago, I quit as a unionized construction tradesman after several years of teaching myself how to create and manage websites. I was driving up to 120 miles or more, depending on the jobsite location, EVERY DAY. My s/o was driving 30 miles RT per day. I now work at home. She changed jobs and now works 1 1/2 miles away. Grand total mileage driven per day now: < 5 (and that include errands!).

[NJmaverick]

29. Smart moves

:thumbsup: