I was just going to add this to the gasoline thread, but didn't want to mess it up with another thought.
So, here goes.
How are you conserving on gasoline?
Angie has put hers on the gasoline thread and I thought it was very interesting.
I am doing my part by not having to go someplace every day. Daughter combines her needs so that one trip downtown a couple times a week is enough. You should see the list I carry to Wichita with me of things I need but can't get here. I learned that I could wait for a lot of things when we lived 10 miles from the nearest village and 30 miles from Salina, the nearest larger town. I also stockpile so I don't run out of necessities at an inconvenient time. Incidentally, I save lawnmower gas by letting my son in law mow my yard.
I shop every two weeks, unless I am close to the store from a doctor appointment for Ted. I use a list and stockpile also. When we go to Kansas City we always stop at the Petsmart store in Lenexa on the way home. I stock up on dog and catfood there, as I can save quite a little bit. Sometimes I spend $150.00, but then I do not have to buy for a couple of months. I also cook for the dogs as part of their regular diet. I walk to the post office, city office etc. Once in awhile, I drive, but not often. However, sometimes I have quite a little shipping to do with my Ebay sales. I also shop online. If I am looking for something that is hard to find, I usually find it online. I also call ahead for local purchases. Hubbys' dog has had to cut back to one ride daily instead of the accustomed two. He has always been a 'go' dog, and hubby and he always have to get out of the house for a little each day. I think this helps to conserve sanity for all three of us, dog, hubby, and myself. We are thinking about moving hubby's heart care to Tulsa or Wichita. He uses the K.U. med center transplant program, and is doing so well that we hesitate to move his care. I guess we will have to bite the bullet for awhile more. I will probably drive my little Miata a little less :'( :'( as it is purely for this old ladys' pleasure. But I'm not going to give it up yet. I waited many years to get it! ;)
To conserve, I bought a Toyota Prius Hybrid... I currently am averaging 57 mpg. My commute to and from work is an average of 400 miles per week. I have cut out 100 miles by going to a 10-hour work day and only working 4 days per week.
Additionally, I have changed every single light in my house to CFL's (compact florescent lights). I saw a very dramatic difference in my electric bill when I did that. I also turned off my land-line telephone and just use my cellphone for everything.
I try to do all my shopping and errands on one day so that I am not using the car anymore than I have to.
Good grief. I live on a farm and believe me, we are trying to conserve every ounce. I'm so scared of what's going to happen the first time Billy has to fill up the tractors to cut hay in a week.
I had to take Lane to Howard every other day for preschool. I try to drive slow. I drive an old feed truck. I know, not the most economical choice, but I feel safe in it. We change the oil regularly, and keep the gas tank full.
Billy drives a 4x4 diesel pickup to Moline every weekday. He can run on one tank for 2 weeks. He, too, drives the speed limit or a little under and changes oil regularly. To fill that monster up costs sometimes around $115.
I plan errands on the days I will be in town. My schedule will have to change now that school is out and I no longer have to take Lane to the bus. I park at Batson's, walk to the bank, Cookson's, Lanning's...wherever I have to go. The truck does not move until it is time to go home. I also try to coordinate doctor's appointments in El Dorado on days that I know Billy's grandparents have to go.
I used to drive to El Dorado to WalMart, Dillon's, & Orschelen's every 2 weeks. I haven't done that in the past year. I have been shopping locally. We also try to order more clothing online so we don't have to drive. It's easy to shop for Billy since he's worn Wranglers all his life. For Lane it's also easy, we order his clothes from Old Navy because they always fit. It's a little more difficult for myself. But I try!
We mow once a week and do not shut the mower off until we're finished. The garden tiller is a bit more tricky. I'm still recovering from using it Tuesday night. I still have two more spots to till up. It has used a half tank of gas. Not sure how to conserve there.
I'm also unsure as to how to save fuel with the tractors. Any ideas?
Nice photo Dale! I'm jealous of your Prius ( I keep wanting to call them Pious.) The 4 day week is really great when you can do it.
I've always been such a tight wad, that I've always done what lot's of people are just starting to do. I have a hard time getting Al to turn off lights, but going to all CFLs has helped a little. Now I have to find out what to do with them when they do burn out. Wait for a hazmat day, I guess. My regular bills are all automatic deducts from my bank account (free service) and we went to online banking for our charge card payment (free, don't carry a balance) and have a value checking account that has some free things with it and only requires a balance amount that I'm comfortable with anyway. I'm not going to renew several magazines the next time they are due, and I've stopped buying cookbooks...I can find whatever I want online. I'm starting more plants from seeds, expanding the garden and putting in a new cold frame. I'll can and freeze even more than I do now. Several of us neighbors may go in together on a steer, but we have to really look at that. We try not to have both cars on the road at the same time, which ever one of us has to be out anyway runs whatever errands need to be done. We still have fire house duties, but can usually do some errand with that also. I cold water wash when I can stand to do it, some things just have to have some hot water for me. We take shorter showers, almost GI style. I use "green" homemade cleaning products when I can. I use house brands, buy in bulk on sale and clip coupons with the best of them.
I might add that if there is something that you need from the grocery store or even Cookson's we have learned that if you just ask they might be able to get it for you. If you put a pencil to it, you are saving so much in gas money by shopping here in town. I have also found out that some of the things in town aren't, if at all, very much higher than Walmart.
Another thing Jeff and I try hard to do is, we check to see if someone in the family or around town is going out of town and we have them pick up what we need. My van does pretty good on gas, but it is just the thought of filling it up!!
I saw this mentioned above and it is shopping online. I want to tell you that that is the way to go. Do you know that Old Navy has only 5.00 shipping. That is for whatever you order and no matter the amount!! Now you tell me, you can't drive out of town and get the same thing for that price. But you can buy almost anything online and you don't have to drive it is sent to you. I love ebay.
Devyn, as for the tractors I have the slighest idea how to save fuel on those. It makes me sick to think that we are not going to be custom haying and baling. Do you know the amount of money we are not going to be making? It is a little chunk of change believe me. Jeff has said that we would save money if we would just buy our hay and save the grass that we will have for the cattle this winter. I don't know, but if anyone has an idea please do tell??????
Wilma, this is a great thread and is garnering lots of great information. I am 67 years old and office in my house, I work 8-10 hours a day and enjoy every minute of it. Many days neither Myrna or I drive anywhere, when we grocery shop we try to buy in large enough quantities to last for awhile. There are just the two of us here and we use minimal energy for heating and cooling, we turn lights out when we leave a room. We stepped down from V8 engines to 6 cylinder engines in Myrna's car and my pickup both, we drive economical Hondas, we have slowed down our driving speed. I have been involved in the energy supply side for 40 years and it really is encouraging to see the positive attitude and effort that is exhibited here, the future will get worse before it gets better but I am confident the "AMERICAN CAN DO ATTITUDE" will get us all through this.
Frank
I certainly feel for folks like Sally who must decide that their job away from home is now worth the drive, or would it be better to move closer to the job, or to give up some other expenses to pay for the current gas expense. The rural communities are hurting for sure; what was expensive before now is totally outrageous. Most of us have been conserving already, in many ways. Many of us get by with second hand clothing, medicine samples, generic drugs, and strict monitoring of home temperature. A great many of us live on fixed income, our lives devoted to our families, pets, and church. We take enjoyment from the outdoors, but do not go camping because it is too expensive. Social security looks at the rise in the cost of living and gears the increase of payments to match that rise. I know that the 2.3% we received last year was not even close to the true cost of living for us. Our out of pocket medical expense was over $12,000.00, not a lot by todays' income standards but a huge chunck and it hurts a lot. This does not include expense incurred to get to the doctors. We have all but given up feeding the birds because it has gotten so expensive. I worry that any increase for social security is going to be tied with the sagging real estate and automobile markets, two markets that seniors seldom use. It hardly seems fair that we might be penalized for the indicretions of the housing speculators who got caught with their pants down whilst 'flipping' houses. I guess that this really should have gone under a sop box heading, but it is almost Friday.
Old Navy also has a special right now that is if you spend $50 or more you get FREE shipping. Believe me, I took advantage.
My garden is getting bigger. I haven't went out to eat as you people know it since Sept. 29 1995. I buy groceries once a month or less. Everything I cook is from scratch. Changed light bulbs a long time ago. Now I use to go deer hunting for meat, but that is now a rich man's game. Fixing to cut my dish channels back to the least amount I can. And yes I could move closer to work, but the housing is quite a bit more expensive that here in Piedmont, Kansas. Driving to Howard to shop is not any savings as compared to driving to Augusta. I won't be driving to town in something that isn't highway legal even if I am bad for using more gas. I truly don't think I'm near as bad or wasteful as Frank thinks I am.
There is one thing I have that conserves water and laundry products. That is my front loading washer. When I was getting ready to move over here, I decided to buy new appliances. My appliances were 20 years old. The appliances in this house were every bit as old and the washer wasn't working right. So off to Sears I went and looked at what they had. What I saw was a front loading washer with dryer to match with the controls on the front of the machines. I saw the benefit of this to me in that I wouldn't have to stand up to unload it or set the controls. What I didn't realize until later was that a front loader doesn't use as much water. It weighs the load and uses only the amount of water that is needed. Using less water requires less detergent and softener. I am using only about 1/4 the amount of detergent for a full load that I did with my top loader. I don't know about the electricity. It is probably about the same. But using less water also saves on the gas used to heat the water. I never use hot water, but medium. My clothes aren't dirty enough to require hot water like my husband's greasy jeans used to.
Sally, I know absolutely nothing about your habits or your fuel usage and I don't think I ever said anything about it. I have never pointed out anything about any individual on the forum, the only time I have said anything about an individual on any subject was something good about them. I do not know what you are referring to. I want to add that I do not care what any individual's fuel usage is that is each person's business I only try to point out what I think is happening and what we need to do as a nation to preserve the future for our children and grandchildren.
Frank Winn
I am an American. I didn't mean that you had said anything about Sally.
I, too, work from home, so I feel like I'm helping to conserve gas. Electricty, is a different story... with all the computer, electronics, internet, printer stuff that I have, I sometimes feel like my office is just glowing and the meter is spinning! During the summer, I usually sit in my office in the dark. We have good windows that let a lot of light in. Or I'll work from the living room where it's lighter (like today). Growing up in the country taught me how to stock-pile food and necessities, and the importance of making lists before shopping. Sometimes it's hard for me to conserve money, though, since I don't shop all that often... many things get me off track and I end up buying them!
Wilma, I agree on the washer! We researched the options and got front-loading washer & dryer when ours was beyond repair this spring. We got a set of Frigidaire Affinity which was half or less the cost of the pretty colored ones everyone has advertised, and had much better reviews! The washer uses a fraction of the water (average 6 gallon vs. over 30 gallon) The machine is EnergyStar rated too, so it uses less electricity and, like Wilma said, a much less quantity of detergent. I switched to vinegar instead of fabric softener (at you-all's recommendation) so that saves me money and my towels are more absorbent 8) The washer and dryer both run about half as long as our old ones, so it must reduce our electricity use.
As they burn out, we switch most of our light bulbs to the new kind, and that has helped a lot (some of our fixtures where we need more light won't hold the larger bulbs.) The new bulbs don't get burning-hot like the old ones ~ that's great for my reading lamp! And we use ceiling fans to keep the air stirred in the summer and bring the warm air down from the ceiling in the winter.
We try to recycle as much as we can... I know we can do better, but it's a training process and we'll keep working on it. I just found out a month ago that I can recycle junk mail and scrap paper too ~ that was a surprise to me. I am SO THANKFUL to have the recycling trailer here twice a month, very few places have that available to them and we are really lucky! It's cut our trash quantity well over half and makes me more aware when I'm shopping to choose recyclables when there's an option. Now if I could just make myself start composting instead of "thinking" about it...
I'm trying to cut down on using disposable things, zipper bags, paper towels, paper cups etc. We have a big garden and hope to put up some stuff; if I don't eat it all while I'm out there weeding... :-[. Don't worry Tobina, the okra is safe from me! :P) I have tons of canning jars in storage so that will be a big project later in the year.
Tobina, you made a good point. I think most of us don't realize how much electricity our electronics and appliances use and I worry about that too. I did start turning the power strip off things that we don't use daily, and try to remember to turn the cable box off as well as the tv. Our stereo has to be unplugged because it has a light to tell you when it's off as well as one for when it's on ~ who would have thought? And I read that things like cell phone chargers use electricity even when they are not being used!
My husband switched jobs and cut out a 76 mile round trip commute per day... ::) Okay, that wasn't strictly in the interest of conservation, but it's going to make our marriage last much longer! :D
We are very concious of keeping the house weather proofed, and that helped TONS on the heating gas in winter and electricity to cool in summer. There's still a lot to be done, but we're working on it a bit at a time. The trees that shade our house are a big part of our conservation too~ helps keep the house much cooler than it would be otherwise (I know it's cheating, some places just don't have trees.) We don't have central air, so Marty usually opens windows after dark and then shuts them again before 8 in the morning to help keep things cooler. Okay, that doesn't really work by late July or early August, but till then it helps a lot!
I am slowly getting better about my shopping habits and impulse buying. I don't go shopping (other than groceries) very often, but when I do, I get carried away sometimes! I'm sure I drive more than I need to, and that's another in the long list of things I need to work on improving... but if I was perfect I'd be an insufferable boor. Ha! My sister thinks I am already :o Just kidding Sis! (I hope!)
I have one more thing to add to this. As some of you remember, I had a metal roof put on my house last fall. I did notice that it was easier to keep the house warm during the winter, but this summer is really telling the difference. The house stays cool for a much longer time each day. It isn't until mid afternoon that I feel the outside heat and that is when the sun hits the west side of the house. Much different from last summer. Has to be the metal roof. The other benefit is that I didn't worry about stray fire works landing on my house this year as I have previous years.
Living in a small, rural town offers an advantage that one wouldn't find in larger cities --- we can convert to the use of golf carts for our in-town driving. I know a man in my hometown who uses a really nice golf cart for all his travel. Because of some limitations, he can't drive out of town anyway. But regardless, I watch him with envy as he buzzes around town in an electric golf cart. He tells me it is capable of going 15-20 miles on an overnight charge.
Obviously, the vehicle would need to be legally tagged, with headlights, horn, seat belts, and that's all available when you buy a golf cart.
Just go to a senior citizen retirement community in Arizona, south Texas, etc., and you'll see lots of carts that are used for local transportation.
You can buy a new one for around $5,000 and I've bought used ones for as low as $400.
The problem is: Who will be first? My wife says she will gladly take this route but she's not going to be the first little lady in our hometown to do it.
Again, it's an opportunity for really small town residents. You might not want to try this in Wichita or Dallas.
I've seen two or three golf carts being driven around Howard by older ladies. If I had the money to buy one, I would in a New York minute. ;D you know, I've heard that phrase hundreds of times and never stopped to think about it. ??? ::) what's the difference between a New York minute and a Kansas minute? Is one shorter than the other? Don't think I've ever heard anyone say "quicker than a Kansas minute". Guess that should go under a "points to ponder". ;D
I saw a lady running around Elk Falls on one. I doubt it was tagged. But there, who cares?
By the way, a "New York Minute" is about the blink of an eye... much, much faster than a Kansas minute.
In this area, the Smart fortwo has been seen with increasing frequency.
It is a three cylinder gas automobile, a few inches longer than a golf cart and holds two people.
According to the manufacturer, "The 2008 smart fortwo achieved the highest ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for front and side crashworthiness."
Cost starts at $11,590.
Transmission is five speed manual.
Fuel tank capacity is 8.5 gallons.
It gets thirty-three in the city and forty-one on the road but needs premium fuel.
Mercedes-Benz is the maker.
There are other cars with better mileage, but they are probably not as cute (or ugly depending on your view).
Quote from: Diane Amberg on July 06, 2008, 10:16:08 AM
By the way, a "New York Minute" is about the blink of an eye... much, much faster than a Kansas minute.
Thanks for clearing that up for me. ;D I"ll take a "Kansas minute" any day. In other words, SLOW DOWN AND LIVE LONGER.
Someone in Severy ws using a golf cart around town and they DID get a ticket for not being street legal.
This brings up the subject of four wheelers. It was decided by the state legislators that four wheelers were illegal to use on streets unless the local township okayed the usage. We have had a problem with four wheelers and youngsters here in Moline for some time. We live in a central area that receives a large amount of the local traffic and I can sit on my porch and have a heart attack every day. I see too many close calls between fourwheelers and cars; I have nearly hit one myself. I see babies being carried on the front of the driver nearly every day; no head gear, nothing. When the law first came into effect, it was enforced, but now it is not. Probably a matter of time until some child is killed or maimed I am sorry to say. Our city government has not okayed their usage to my knowledge.
If someone hits one of these kids (God forbid), where is the liability? I know that law enforcement is sparse here, but it seems to me that this is a safety issue, not just a local ordinance issue.
I think this is a problem in many towns and it is scarry. Does Moline have local law enforcement to enforce their ordinances?
Right back to the posts of all of the things that you would like to have changed and the opinions of those that want it. GO TO THE MEETINGS OF THOSE THAT ARE IN CHARGE. State your opinions and wants and wishes. That is the ONLY way they will know your thoughts. They have to document the things that are brought up at the meetings, so there can be a motion made and acted upon.
Just wondering if you are into conserving energy and there is only two in your household and one works out of their house, why would there be a need for two automobiles?
We only have a part time officer,not on a regular basis. We do not often get paroled by the sherriff department, and I can see that with the price of fuel. But what is the price of a childs' life?
Quote from: flo on July 06, 2008, 02:43:15 PM
I think this is a problem in many towns and it is scarry. Does Moline have local law enforcement to enforce their ordinances?
SDM, It is great to hear about somewhere that only needs a part time officer.
Reading your post I wonder if their is a typo you mean patrolled not paroled?
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D I can't stand it! Thanks DNA....You kept me out of big trouble ;D ;D ;D
you know, I skipped right over that. I guess I read what they mean and don't dwell on spelling, punctuation, etc. After all, no one is getting "graded" on here. There is a lot of that goes on here. What say we quit "nit-pickin".
Flo I read what people mean as well. When I read paroled and patrolled talking about police it is one of those times where it makes a difference. My guess is that it is a typo as I said. But you never know, that is why I asked.
David
:D My bad! Some places need to have their officers paroled, but here they mostly patroll when you see one. LOL!
And yes, it is pretty quiet for the most part, we did have a full time officer. When he passed away suddenly he wasn't replaced. Just not enough money in the community. Our town hasn't changed much as a result, but it was nice having him here. Gene Williams was one of the good guys!
Sorry for the misunderstanding .In this instance spelling makes a difference, one is funny and the other is what is the most likely meaning. Six Dogs Mom I hope you see the humor.
David
Flo, sorry if you thought I was questioning her spelling. I could see it was a typo. If you read my quote below you will notice my spelling mistake of "their" when it should be "there". I never point out any forum member's spelling or grammar mistakes and in fact if you look at my past posts you can see where I have said that it happens in a forum where we are typing\talking off the top of our head and is no big deal.
"Reading your post I wonder if their is a typo you mean patrolled not paroled?"
David
David - no problem. I see your humor now. I kinda was too quick to "pull the trigger". There are those that seem to think that a mis-spelled word is one of the 7 deadly sins. I do enjoy this forum, just that sometimes it gets a little nerve racking. Now a legal document is quite something else, but here - let's have fun. ;D
There is only one way you can make up for it! Take us up in the DC3 for fireworks!! LOL! ;D Course, you gotta go pick up Diane in Delaware, and all the others who are widespread over this great land!
Yes! Please!
Me too, please? I would even bring treats! :-)
Yes, everybody! The more the merrier!
Not my DC3, my neighbor is very generous but I don't know if I could swing that. I think our flight cost him around $2000 in AvGas We spent 90 minutes flying around the S.F. Bay looking at all the fireworks. Then we went down for a high flyover of all the fires south of us. I think the best I can do is invite everyone to come out for my Fourth of July party next year. Get your reservations in early I think the flight we had this year will make the limited seating go fast. We had 3 people with Kansas roots this year who knows what we can do next year.
David
WooooooHoooooooooooooooooo!!!!!! ROADTRIP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'll bring the donuts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D
Wow... that would be a long road-trip from Atlanta, Georgia... but it sure would be fun. 8)
If you fly into Dover Air force Base, we can set up the DC-3 for tours and pay for the fuel that way. :laugh:
I cannot begin to phathom what it might cost to fly that thing across country? ??? ???
I would say.. more change than I have in my great big pickle jar ... :'(
Dang it, I wish Kermit still posted on the Forum. He's an old DC3 pilot.
Cost well let's see. It burns about 90-100 gallons of fuel every hour, cruises at about 200 mph. Roughly 2100 miles across the US. AvGas about $6 per gallon. Two round trips from West Coast to East Coast. Gas alone would be $24,000+. Configured with the comfortable seat it holds 25 passengers. We could hold more if we put in the old troop carrier seats maybe 28 people then. We better go out and start picking up pop cans now.
Now we just have to hope that California is still here and has not burned up. Gas price doesn't double in price by next year...
David
Quote from: Rudy Taylor on July 07, 2008, 10:36:24 AM
Dang it, I wish Kermit still posted on the Forum. He's an old DC3 pilot.
Not to open a can of worms.. but Kermit left on his own accord. He was ask to come back..
His chose not to.
( Sometimes it's best to not cut off your nose to spite your face..when in the long run of things, you find no one cared anyway. )
**Yeahhh :-\ I speak form experience.. ;D ***