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With all the problems concerning the recalls from China, with the situation with gas pains at the pump, though that’s getting better, we have had to change the way we think about shopping trips. Have you had the same problem? For instance, before even though it was going to take more gas than we planned, often we would find a reason to go to the store. We forgot something essential to a meal, it was going to be storming the next day, no time since we had to work. All the excuses in the book. Heading out to the store seemed to be at least a two to three times a week event. Since the gas prices went up, since the goods and food prices went up, we simply did not have the money to be spending on frivolous trips to the store anymore. Due to that, I think we developed a different attitude which is saving us more money.
In the past, we were aware of how far away the store is but when you have a food emergency….. The reality is, there is no food emergency. You simply wanted something so you went to get it. We did that. Now, we have decided to plan when we go, what we get and what we can do without. I realize that many of you are doing that and have been but maybe you let your plan slip a bit over the years like we did. But now is a great time to get back to the basics. We have and it has changed many things. Especially now when Christmas buying season is upon us, it is so important to seek out the best deals, save as much as possible and feel better about our trips to the store.
One of the more basic ways to save money on shopping is to do it online. The resources here are amazing. You can find nearly anything you want. With the auction sites, the discount stores that are online, the only online stores that have amazing discounts because of the low overhead, the sales that you would not know about except for the research that you did, these are all good ways to save money. If you do more of your shopping online, you save that gas for a true emergency. Saving money by not using as much gas is fantastic because it will show at the pumps and the oil companies want you to keep driving.
For those who work, this is a great opportunity to pack the store trips into your time out. Perhaps you can take a few moments at lunch time to do your shopping and eat at the desk. Yes, that’s a real pain but I found that getting away from the work environment did wonders for my thinking abilities when I got back. I was more fresh to do the afternoon part of the day. Yes, it can be a difficult way to do things but it is possible. Now, if that store is on the way to work and home, easier. Stop right after work. It might mean going home a few moments later but the shopping is easier too. Or do it in the mornings when you are fresh. There are ways to save the money on driving. You will certainly be able to work your own ideas out. There are as many as there are gas pumps, I am pretty sure.
How much can you pack into a single trip out to the store? If you have not tried it, you will be amazed at how much you can cram into one trip out. For instance, the other day we had to go to three stores, the doctor, the pharmacy. And while we were out, we also were both working on videos that my husband and I were making for a contest. We packed all that into one trip. To really appreciate just what a long day it could be, you will have to understand that most things are not right next to each other. This trip includes many, many miles of travel, no matter which thing you are doing. I did not keep track of the mileage but we were gone a good share of the day with our errands. You know, one of the benefits of all that, as long as you do not go to the fast food places, is that you might get to lose weight with all the activity. I am counting on it!
So, even though prices for gas are falling right now, we save money by conserving how much we do in a single day. Having done that, unless there is some type of unexpected occurrence, we will be able to stay at home for many days. That saves a lot of gas. My husband and I have already noticed a difference in our gas money extending farther than before…for both reasons. The price is lower but we are doing less driving too. Frankly, I believe that the best way to get the big oil companies to sit up and take notice is to hit them where it hurts them most, in the wallet. They have done their best to hit us there. You know the old saying…payback is a b***h? I agree. It is. And it’s their turn.
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6 Comments
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I’ve learned how to save about 10% on gas use - just drive more sensible. Just because the sign says 70 is the speed limit, doesn’t mean you have to go that fast. cutting back to 55 can save a TON of gas.
I totally agree with you. That is a lot of savings. You can learn to save gas from changing the style of driving.
Thanks for your comment!!!
will not just that, accelerating and breaking also matters… take your time and be patient and you will save A LOT OF money..
i have a muscle car and driving more reasonable has saved me a lot of money
You are very right. And we don’t have a muscle car. Sometimes I wish we did. I love those, have since I was a kid. In those days, girls weren’t supposed to like that sort of thing but I was very different. *grin*
Now the muscle cars, for the most part, have to take a back seat to economy and saving money. Some of the best auto companies in the world are on the brink of going out of business. This is an extremely sad time.
Thank you for posting your comment!
Yap..It i convinced with you that we should change the way we think about shopping trips ok… but what should i do i have muscle car and driving more reasonable has saved me a lot of money.
What I think we are looking for here is economy. So, you have at least a couple of choices. One, you could sell the muscle car and get a more economical car that saves gas and money. Two, you could continue with the muscle car but use it less often and not drive like the muscle car suggests you drive it, wildly. Three, you could keep the muscle car and buy a more economical car for such trips. The main thing is to be more economical.
With all the problems associated with the oil industry and the housing market, I suspect most people are in the category of needing to save money. Since that is the case, some things are going to have to be changed. If you use a car that guzzles gas, you have to think beyond your own wants because it may be a fun car but it is a problem too. Frankly, I love the muscle cars. They are just arrogant pieces of machinery and I love them. But in this day and age, it is not sensible to have one for general use. I would love to have one but it would not be my normal mode of transportation. It would be a car I could bring out on sunny, warm days to take a ride in for the heck of it. It would NOT be my regular car.
Thanks for your input! It is appreciated.