What We Can Do About the Gas Prices
Written by: Tom Sawyer
Last Monday we talked about gas prices and why it seems like everything, except our salaries, seem to go up as gas prices increase. Well, according to Henry Paulson, the U.S. Treasury Secretary, there are no quick fixes to high oil prices. Paulson also acknowledged the U.S. economy was experiencing a “downturn” and reiterated that a strong dollar was in the U.S. interest. He discussed this during a trip to the Mideast – he was supposedly there to deliver a message to officials of Saudi Arabia and other oil-producing nations that soaring oil prices are putting a burden on the global economy. It is almost as likely that he was there to hang out!
One thing that should be pointed out is the fact that gas prices don’t necessarily have to be this high for oil companies to make a profit. In 2006, Exxon Mobil made $36 billion in profits, $108 million per day and $4.5 million per hour! That, ladies and gentlemen, was a U.S. corporate record at the time and it came partly due to the prices at the pump. Just to rub salt in the wound, when Exxon Mobil CEO, Lee Raymond, retired that same year he was given a $400 million retirement package which included, among other things, personal security. At least he knows he may be hunted down.
OK, so what can we do about it? Boycotting all the gas stations just isn’t going to work. All the emails have been sent out before and we just need to buy gas when we need it. I have an idea and while it is simple I know a lot of people will not like it. We need to quit buying all these big SUVs and trucks! I know a lot of people who have these vehicles and tell me about spending $90 plus to fill up. I just don’t see how they can continue to do this. What’s worse is the fact that most people who have SUVs and trucks don’t need all the space most of the time. The next argument they will make is they like the high vantage point they have while driving these behemoths. Crossovers and small SUVs offer the desired seating position plus offer decent fuel economy. I don’t know about anyone else, but I see a Mini Cooper or better yet a Smart Car in my future. I’m not saying anyone else does, but I don’t measure myself according to how big my vehicle is.
June 2nd, 2008 at 7:44 am
Gas is out of control. But what can we do?
June 2nd, 2008 at 7:59 am
We can stop underestimating the power car makers have and stop buying these huge vehicles that we don’t need. If truck sales go down, the car makers in Detroit will start screaming bloody murder and something will happen. Forget about boycotting one day. Find a friend with an old truck that is paid off and buy something that gets great gas mileage. If someone drives a car that gets less than 20mpg in city driving they should think about changing out vehicles. Sure, there will be those times when you (think) need that room, but those times will not compare to the money you have in your pocket from amount you will save at the pump!
June 2nd, 2008 at 8:25 am
Here in the U.S., we are outraged at the high gas prices. But last week, I was watching The View and Suze Orman, the financial guru, was on there. She said something that was very interesting concerning gas prices. She said that in Europe, gas prices have ALWAYS been between $4 – $6 gallon and that we Americans have somewhat been privileged in our low gas prices. She basically said, we (Americans) need to get used to these prices as we are catching up to what other countries have always paid. Tom, what do you think about this?
June 2nd, 2008 at 6:11 pm
I talked to some of my co-workers about this today. Actually, I was trying to tell them that they should consider getting rid of those big trucks. Uh, that didn’t go over too well.
Kim, I agree that our gas prices are essentially catching up with other countries. However, I feel like I have the right to complain since I can’t get a BMW or Mercedes at the same prices they can get them in other countries. There are trade offs all the way around. This one is just too hard to swallow at the present.
June 3rd, 2008 at 6:05 am
[...] high gas prices and what we can do about them. Namely, quit buying big suvs that are rarely needed.http://7daybuzz.com/whats-up/what-we-can-do-about-the-gas-prices/Nissan USA – Nissan Cars, Trucks, Crossovers, SUVs, HybridOfficial site for Nissan cars, trucks, [...]
June 3rd, 2008 at 11:38 pm
[...] [...]
June 4th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
Why won’t people just get a car they can afford instead of buying big ol trucks they can’t just to have a SUV? It’s scary to see what some truck and SUV owners drive up to and live in. It would also be nice if there was more mass transit in some of our cities……FLORENCE SC for one.
June 5th, 2008 at 8:53 am
There were two guys who turned a regular gasoline running car into an electric car. IN THEIR GARAGE! FOR AROUND $3,000.00!!! Now, if two regular Joe’s can do this for $3,000.00……..how much can those good ol boys do it for in Detroit? AND the environment/OZone would love us. We all may end up on scooters for it’s all over
)
June 6th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Ok, I’m a day late on this but might I say, Tom, saying don’t buy an huge vehicle is like saying, don’t buy a large house unless you need it, or only buy the amount of clothes you actually need. I don’t own an SUV or have a hankering to own one but my husband does and I must say, it has come in handy for many things. One is the great feeling of sitting high. I know that is probably tomfoolery to you, but it feels great! Bottom line is WE ALL spend money on what we deem necessary and desirable for our lives. He is in the process of trying to get rid of it, and I’m glad. Why? Because of gas prices but, if gas was reasonable, I would probably buy one myself!
I have an ex-boss/friend who is from England and has since moved back to England. Every since I have known him, he has told me gas prices are high there. He told me gas was $4.00 gallon years ago. Last I talked to him; he told me gas prices there were $7.00 a gallon. I asked him if they had a different kind of money than us, lol. Absolutely not. And if they do, in our dollars,gas cost $7.00 a gallon. Omigoodness! I hate paying $3 – $4 a gallon for gas but I am aware of the fact, we are a spoiled and whiny country.
Karen, just last night my husband asked me to buy him a scooter. Lol.
June 6th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
“my husband asked me to buy him a scooter”
Something bout that statement bothers me….. kinda..
June 6th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
I have to disagree when you compare buying an SUV to buying a big house. I think the comparison would be to buying more car than you need which isn’t necessarily a bigger car (vehicle).
Keep in mind you just moved. During normal day-to-day activities, how often would you need a big SUV? Probably not enough to justify the gas bill associated with ownership. Additionally, what if everyone wanted to have the high vantage point a SUV provides? Eventually everyone would be right back to where they started because everyone would be sitting up high. For me it is OK to sit in a SUV, but nerve-racking to drive one. But I’m the type who likes to have total control with quick responses from the vehicle I drive.
The bottom line is this, if sitting high is what you want there are small SUVs all over the place now. That would save you gas and eventually – an unlikely scenario – the car companies would scream bloody murder and the gas prices would go down; if they can’t sell those big trucks/SUVs they would ask for relief in the way of lowered gas prices.
June 7th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Ok let me deal with you first John. My husband was kidding but… if I remember a comment you made, if he asked, I should just buy it! Right???
Tom, yes it could be compared to a house. Gas and electricity prices of heating and cooling a home have soared. If you buy more house than you need, just like buying more vehicle than you need, you will have to cool and heat dead space. Really, let’s be honest, owning a big house, a big car, a luxury car, designer clothes, etc. are all status symbols, MOST OF THE TIME. Any of the areas I just mentioned could be downsized/downgraded and life would roll on. As I stated before it is ALL a matter of, we all spend money on what we deem necessary and desirable.
I just spent way too much on a shirt. Did I need it? No, but I justified it. I told myself, I looked cute in it, I hadn’t bought one summer garment yet, it would go with many things, and I looked cute in it! Now, had I never seen the shirt in the store, my life would have continued as is. But, I wanted it and justified buying it. It is the same difference with cars – sizes and styles/models-, homes, shoes, jewelry, clothes, electronics, etc. It is all a matter of what is important to you.
June 8th, 2008 at 10:29 am
I have to agree with you Kathy about people buying what is important to them. I do balk at the price of gas, but I realize it is what it is. Food prices have gone up too, but I won’t stop buying food just like I won’t stop buying gas. They’re both something I need, so………