Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Gas Prices Down, Are You Driving More?

I guess there are some positives out of this whole economic recession situation that we have found ourselves in the last few months. A few months ago when the price of crude oil was around $120 people were all talking about trying to sell their gas guzzling SUV's and finding fuel efficient vehicles. But oil prices hit a low of $61 yesterday and consumers across the country have been feeling a little bit of relief at the pump.

When gas prices were ridiculously high over the last few months, everyone was screaming that we must drive less and look for alternative methods of transportation so we do not pay for the high gas prices. However, now that gas prices have dropped significantly, are those people screaming before still preaching for other forms of transportation?

Do you change your driving habits based on the price of gas?

I won't lie, I feel alot better filling up my tank now for less than $40, however, I really don't think I am driving more often and taking more trips just because the gas costs less. I definitely made more efforts when gas was so high to carpool and look for shorter routes to my destinations. I even took the train out on the weekends a few times! Many times I answered someones request to come pick them up for an evening out on the town with "Sorry man but we are in a recession!"

So really I am guilty. My habits have changed, as gas prices are cheaper, I will drive more and when gas prices are more expensive, I will drive less. I am my own hypocrite. But I can admit it. What about you? And what about those people screaming earlier this summer? I used to see articles telling people to "Trade in you SUV against oil!". I doubt we will see anyone writing any articles titled "Oil prices are affordable now, but you should still get rid of that gas guzzler!".

If anyone finds one please let me know! Be easy people and carpool!

9 comments:

paradigmshifted said...

i ended my dependence on foreign oil in march, haha.

Sharon Rose said...

Hi there-I must admit, I haven't changed my car habits, but its nice to know I'm getting extra petrol now prices have gone down to under £1 here-they were around £1.20 not so long ago!! Thanks for stopping by too, I'll add you to my bloglist!

Doctor S said...

@paradigmshifted - you are going to have to explain this one to me girl!

@Sharon Rose - Glad to have a new friend in the UK! I will add you as soon as blogrolling fixes themselves or I find a new service! Thanks!

jpkittie said...

i am happy to say that i feel better filling up the tank as well - but the higher prices didn't change my habits.... just one of those things, you know?

FruGal said...

I don't have a car these days since I live in the centre of London and am surrounded by cheap and convenient public transport. But when I do see the price of petrol every now and then I think to myself that I would be really struggling if I still had to drive to work every day like I used to. The price has almost doubled from what I used to pay. A lot of people must be hurting, poor things.

DebtLessDuty said...

I filled up my tank today and gas was $2.09 per gallon. That is the cheapest I have seen in my area. To be honest I have not changed my driving habits just because gas prices have come down. For me, I would love to see gas below the $2.00 mark. Not sure if that will happen but I will hope. I am just wondering how long it will take for us to see the cheaper prices in other areas such as food, clothing and such.

DLD

paradigmshifted said...

:) i sold my car in march.

Budget Mama said...

I'm thrilled to see the prices down, but I'm not driving more. I'm still driving the same amount of miles and just keeping that cushion in the bank.

Dolly Iris said...

We definitely changed our gas habits. We were already conserving but there was more bike riding to and from work and taking the bus. Also, BF took this as an opportunity to buy a motorcycle. *sigh

It also impacted us driving people around and cut down on our weekend drives around the island. Not fun.

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