Rising Gasoline and Food Prices Are Slowly Changing How US Americans Live
Just think if you had to ride a bicycle 42 miles to work (one way) in Bakersfield, California, you would save roughly $400 a month. One man does just that.
Also if you lived in a rural area and owned a horse you could save even more money. Let's just hope there is someplace around your workplace to tie your horse up to and make sure it gets enough water to stay cool.
Turn on the news when you get home from work and you will see many others finding ways to beat the rising gasoline prices.
What about those who drive to work?
This is also changing and will do so until the oil tycoons either lower their gasoline price or give us low income homes a raise in pay. Funny, I don't see either of those happening. Slowly, more and more people are either carpooling if public transportation is not available or taking that bus, cab or some other transportation.
I recently saw in the news that carpooling has nearly increased to match the same figure as public transportation usage. This increase will eventually put a damper as to how much fuel is consumed by the individuals in this category.
Then there are those who are selling their gasoline guzzling vehicles and investing in a hybrid one instead. Personally, I wouldn't mind doing this, too. Some are even resorting to moped type vehicles, and those who live closer to work are considering walking or riding a bicycle.
Another trend that is creeping in is the fact that more homeowners are looking to raising their own vegetables and fruits, if they are able, with their limited funds and knowledge.
Many of these same people may resort to canning their food as well, which in turn will increase the sale of crock-pots, mason jars and water bath canners. Of course, that shall be nice for those who sell these products.
The regular farmers have been looking at better ways to cut their costs so they can sell food for less to the consumer and still stay in business. Many corporate farms are seeing this as a threat to their business as customers are buying fewer of their products. Thus, a new economic war shall develop between the two.
The real question is, "What are you going to do about the rising cost of food and gasoline?"
As a nation we can turn this around to our advantage if we take the measures that need to be taken. Write to your congressman, governor, and the president, and take action in your own life to cut everyday costs.
Published by Harold Dean Sink
I don't write as much as I used to, but I do find it as a way to put my thoughts on paper or on the computer. View profile
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11 Comments
Post a CommentI think more companies should consider letting their employees work from home if possible. Very timely relevant article for the struggling times we're all facing.
Working from home has never been cheaper! Very good read, Harold!
This is a very timely topic, Harold. People do seem to be really concerned with the rising petrol and food prices. But current prices for fuel and food in America are still only about half of what I am used to paying in the UK!!!! It is still very cheap to live here compared to Europe.
Sophie
It really is changing how we live. My boyfriend and I are thinking about moving closer to where he works. We've also stopped going to Walmart every week, which is 20 miles away. The prices are much cheaper there, but the cost to drive over there makes it cheaper to shop at local grocery stores.
I'd love to be able to bike everywhere but I have a fear of getting plowed over by a car. Excellent article. :-)
Great piece! I am fed up!!!!!!!!!!! We are selling our home right now and planning on moving close to where my husband works. He drives an hour to work and has fifteen years to go before he retires. We no longer drive anywhere that is not necessary and taking drives through scenic S. Jersey used to be a favorite thing for our family just to get out of the house. no more!
Sorry, I got long winded. To finish my thought. Three businesses I know of went out of business just last week. And it is only going to get worse.
We find that we rarely go out any more because everything is so far from where we live that we literally can't afford the gas. We are doing good to just to get my husband back and forth to work and everyone to doctor's appointments, etc. My daughter and I clean houses and we are going to be forced to raise our prices between $5 and $10 because of the cost of gasoline. The house we clean tomorrow, for example, is nearly 15 miles from where we live. That is 30 miles round trip or just over two gallons of gasoline in her older vehicle, equating to $8 just to get there and back. Add on top of that the rising cost of cleaning supplies (especially green ones) and we have no other option. Chances are that we will lose at least one house even though we charge about 15% to 20% below other similar cleaning services. The reality is that some people will start cutting back on those kinds of services. Small business is already beginning to feel the pinch. Three that I know of went out of business j
So glad I work at home, great job!
Shoot, I'm not sure I could ride a bike four blocks much less 42 miles! Makes me glad I work from home!