What Sacrifices RU Making Because of the Pump Prices?

dude: here's what I did, and ya all can call me stupid, I don't care.

I quit a $14.50 an hour job that has me driving 38 miles round trip a month ago when pump prices were just slightly over $3.00 per gallon because I can foresee that we're hitting $4.00 and going over pretty soon.

In my country we got a saying.
Spit comes down, prices don't.

I quit that job because where I work the only way you can get there is your own vehicle, unless you want to go bus, train, train, bus then bus again, which is ridiculous because even if you can make the sacrifice of leaving at 5 am to get to your 9 or 10 am shift on time, there ain' gonna be no shape or form of transport after your shift, and there ain't no company anywhere in this democratic republic of the US of A that's gonna give you a shift that accomodates your public transport schedule.

Secondly, the company cuts time anyway in the summer months when calls start to go down. They got this "mandatory early leave" policy, which is understandable because the Idiot award goes to the manager who maintains an on-the-floor workforce of 70 where each gets a maximum of 30 calls per day, so they ask for "volunteers" who want to go home early and that means your paycheck gets cut a quarter off, and the summer months to early fall is when I figure gas prices hit a plateau before it goes up again for winter........from over $4.00.

So, here I am, looking for a job in a more metropolitan part of the District where public transport are like fire ants in the summer and cupboard ants in the winter so I can leave the car in the lot, or drive no more than 10 miles one way to work, and I'm not scared of the economy because my God is bigger than any economy in this fallen world, and if it takes time for Him to open up an opportunity for this His redeemed sinner, then, fine, it gives me more time to fellowship with Him and wait on Him.

Believe me.
I done this same thing before which other more pragmatic believers will call foolhardy, and my God always came through.
He ain't ever let me down.

 

We're definitely driving less. I've basically parked the truck and drive the 'backup' 98 Corrolla w/manual transmission . And mowing around here can get into your pocket before you realize it. I'm even beginning to mull over the pros & cons of a few goats or a beef cow or even a milk cow (there's a good demand for raw milk around here), but I hate fences. I am resistant to putting up fences on my place. Maybe I'll just have to get real

I have been young, and now am old; Yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his seed begging bread. Ps 37:25

My homesick brother, you're in my thoughts and prayers.

 

Some are going to think this impossible but it is not. I have learned how to eat on less then .75 a day, usually about .50. I am not saying I follow that every day as I still go out and eat once in a while, usually once a month, as well as eat over that amount at home at times, but it is possible and it is not a bland or starvation diet.
I also do not drive as much and seek to only drive by scheduling my trips so as to take care of everything at once.
I carefully watch my electric use. One way is to leave the hot water heater off until I need it and only leave it on about 10 to 15 minutes to heat then shower then off again. Saves about 15 to 20 dollars a month. I have all the energy efficient bulbs and I do not leave them on when not needed.
I intend to start unplugging everything when not in use, save the frig and freezer, as just about every appliance and gadget uses some electric while plugged in and save a couple bucks a month.
For central air I have changed the refrigerant to a product called Enviro safe http://www.es-refrigerants.com/ or here http://befreetech.com/envirosafe.htm it can be bought by anyone even without a license and it requires about 60% less refrigerant and gets colder then what comes with the units as well as it lowers the electric usage of the unit from 15% to 30%. I also have programable thermostat which helps and I have installed a window unit in my bedroom (6500 BTU @ 6amp) so as not to have to cool the whole house at might just to keep my bedroom cool. The unit is very quiet and efficient.

 

You're in my thoughts and prayers too, sister. I'm afraid we haven't seen the end of this yet. An actual depression may be what's coming.