I know we are at our breaking point and no, we didn't see THIS coming. I'm still a bit in shock how everything has gone downhill so quickly. Why does the byproduct of refined gas (diesel) cost so much? There is no one excuse that makes sense. It's been around for years and you mean to tell me that the last couple of years justify such a huge increase? What about when positive things happen such as increased supply or less demand? I don't see the prices dropping as fast as they go up.
Can I afford it still? yes, with sacrifice in other areas. Do I want to? Not if it means the big oil companies will reap record benefits and the politicians won't do anything to help us regain at least some balance.
Supercharged wrote: Looking at most of the people who post that they can't stay in RV parks and they can't afford fuel, tires and the rest.
It is simple, they spend so much on all the goodies. A 45 thousand dollar plus diesel 6 passager, 4x4 with all the goodies on it, a 5th wheel 1/3 longer than needed and twice a expense as they needed to do the job. Now they are all yelling, it cost so much for the fuel.
Now lets say you travel like us about 7000 miles in the summer. Lets take 10 mpg for the mileage, and take three years ago at $2 dollars per gal. now it is $4.50. So the old and new number for gal is 700 gals. time two dollars or $1400 dollars, now at $4.50 it is $3150. or $1750. more for this summer.
Now remember you could have bought a pickup for $20,000 less than you did, and a 5th wheel or even a nice travel trailer for $30,000 less. Take $50,000 x 8 percent interest, that is $4000 dollar per year you could have spend on fuel and had $2300 dollars left over for Rv Parks, steaks and beer. I see the answer, what is the problem.Is this another subprime problem in ones life.
Simple.....you pegged it Supercharged.....they don't have the $1,750.00 difference for fuel now. Read the posts how many are parked permanently and won't be used at all.....they're tapped-out....
As long as I can afford beer I will camp in the driveway. The neighbors may not like it but they don't realize the stress I'm now under. There is absolutely no way I can afford the extra $1,750.00 for fuel. On a positive note, I have trained my wife to drink cheap, domestic beer so it's still in the budget. I hope the neighbors don't get too angry when I crank up the stereo in my driveway and break out the sun screen and beer. Sun glasses will be required when I remove my shirt since I'm very white from the lack of travel and camping. Damn these high fuel costs!!
Crowe wrote: Who gives you the right to be so judgemental?
Skid Row Joe you have a message.
2005 Chev 5.3 Supercharged 395HP 425 T hp. Two wheels on front, 2 on back. one seat, tint windows. front and rear bumpers, headlights, windows. Door on each side. Heater, floor mats, junk behind seats, some dirt. Pulls so hard.
So, if money is getting too tight, one has to either increase their income or reduce their expenses......
The elimination of little luxuries can make a big difference...example - I've suspended my Directv service which frees up $50+ a month, increased deductibles on HO and auto ins. to lower premiums, unbundled some of the package stuff and limited services - even went back to 'dial up' for the computer. Library videos/dvds vs. rental or purchase, one 'errand - shopping day/trip per week' - shop generic and once a month for groceries....
Have a yard sale......
Have the teens cut the neighbors grass.....
Give up salon hair care and do it yourself....
Bag lunch....
Thermos of coffee from home....
We will soon be part-timers and plan to travel in the U.S. We just returned from a weekend in San Antonio, TX and were shocked by fuel prices even though we see and read the news and the forums.
However, we did discuss this on the way home watching the gas station signs pass us by. It is decided, we can easily travel 250 miles a week at $4.00 a gallon and still see the whole country. Much slower, but who cares once we have retired.
Slow down, travel less, and enjoy the scenery. We will make up the difference with our travels the rest of the year here in Mexico as long as fuel prices are half of that in the U.S.
As I have said before, maybe it will be a small car with a tent, two cots, two chairs and a table but we won't give up being outdoors. If I have to, I will buy a Smart car and a 6 foot pop up but I won't give up communing with nature.
angel3 wrote: What are they going to do when it hits 10 dollors next year
who do you mean the ones who aren't concerned right now? i think the ones who aren't too worried are mostly retired and know that they don't really have to travel for anything other then recreational driving. so a few extra bucks now isn't breaking the bank but i ask you this if your one of these people aren't you at least concerned for your children or grandkids? if you think that this will just pass and go away it won't. when i was 16 i could afford to at least drive a car and get to work. now half a check goes to filling a tank with gas.and as everything goes up in price they and young families will be the ones who hurt the most. i fall in that bunch. i'm not wealthy in the dollars sence,and i personally don't care about that. imho the most expensive thing in life to buy is free time to spend with friends and family.
as for the attitude of some on here saying that people are getting what they deserve? i think thats in real poor taste. not everybody can be rich the world don't work that way. although i do know people who fall in the work for all the toys and be up to your armpits in debt i would never laugh or wish that they lose it all as the economy falls apart. and i'm sure there are some on here who may or not be worried about rising cost but don't want to admit they are,imho those are the ones that are usually in the most trouble. at least that seems to be the case in my circle of friends. then all of a sudden without a word they start selling it all????
I will simply say I had to work this week. BUT, our RV and my wife are in an RV park having a "swell time" without me. She just called me to let me know she is about to dump the black tank. People, people, where are you priorities? My wife is RV'ing without me.
I know the price of fuel is an issue. Don't get me started on how we got to where we are in America. (I believe it primarily five things for those that care)
- excessive government spending
- spending and resulting loss of value of the dollar
- political madness (socialism, life style give away programs, cronyism)
- environmental "madness"
- wasteful spending (Amtrak, farm subsidies, stupid "study" programs, etc.)
But, I digress...
I don't feel RV'ing has to be expensive, but it sure can be. However, he is right about some who overspend on a truck, (or anything else) when an older used diesel truck would have gotten them "there" just as well. If that's all he meant, then I don't think I disagree.
We saved for a LONG time to be able to buy the RV, the maintenance, and the fuel.
Is there something in the OP I'm not getting that has garnered all these replies? Me thinks I'm missing something here. I hate getting old, but, I'm simply not following this thread well...
I think probably anyone has the right to be judgemental. I think that is a big part of freedom. One need not crave the approval of others to be happy, one only needs to approve of what they(themselves) are doing.
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