It’s getting goofy, isn’t it? The price of gas is so high that I cannot believe how high it is. And it seems to just KEEP. GOING. UP. It doesn’t stop with the price of gas (though the price of gas is largely responsible for all the other crap). Shoot, the Krispy Kreme here in town had to close (as in pack up and close down in the middle of the freaking night) because they couldn’t afford the gas it takes to deliver donuts to all the places in town that ordered them. So there’s no Krispy Kreme donuts. Like, for forever. NOT RIGHT, people.
Groceries have gone up, though I will admit to being surprised that the price of milk has gone down somewhat. We paid under $2.50 for a gallon of lowfat yesterday. Skim was just over $2. Not bad! And certainly better than it was. But I’m afraid that’s where the good news ends with groceries. Everything else is going up, up, up. Don’t get me started about cereal. It’s just nuts.
Everything is expensive now, but the big one is gas. Our trip to Elko this month pretty much drained our budget. I’m a little scared about next month and the drive down for BlogHer. We stand to use more gas for that. We have a room reserved, but we may have to back out of it unless I’m able to scrape together some extra money to help pay for it. Yes, it’s THAT bad. Gas is nearly $5 a gallon down there, ya’ll. I have a feeling this is definitely going to impact my “cute outfit” budget. Oh well. I wasn’t really planning to get anything anyhow. I do want to get my hair cut, however, and am still planning to do that.
I know I have a ton of stuff around here that I could sell on craigslist, list on various forums for sale, etc and so forth. Shoot, I even have a closet full of clothes that I’m hoping to just GIVE AWAY. I just need the time to go through it all. Extra time has been in sadly short supply lately.
I wish I had a marketable skill. I just… don’t.
In the meantime, it’s a lovely summer vacation at HOME. I couldn’t afford to go anywhere even if I had somewhere to go. (Does it get much more pathetic than that? I think not.)
Just please, PLEASE tell me that gas prices will be going down soon. Something has to give.
{ 9 comments }
Ariel (12 comments.) 06.23.08 at 10:12 am
Oh boy, I hear ya!! Fortunately for us, gas is running close to $4 and not $5!! Unbelieveable!
Ariels last blog post..Nothing like it…
Sarah Lena (19 comments.) 06.23.08 at 10:29 am
I had to go to New Orleans for work last week (I know, sucks to be me, right?), and before then, I had wanted to take my husband on a subsequent excursion to the Crescent City.
But as I’m doing my expense reports this morning: my hotel bill? $459. My gas expenses? $350. My dining expenses? Almost as much as my hotel.
We will not be leaving our city limits any time soon, sadly.
Bethiclaus (7 comments.) 06.23.08 at 10:57 am
It’s frightening, right? My Winter professor last year lives in England and was sure to remind us that gas prices at their highest here are nothing compared to Europe. I don’t really think the prices will ever come down. I think instead we’re all going to have to change the way we use fuel. Which is all well and good, except I don’t have a plan for financing those kind of changes for myself or anyone else.
Bethiclauss last blog post..Grr…
Lisa 06.23.08 at 11:09 am
Yeah, I hear ya. I was shocked when I went to the store today and our milk (usually $5.99) was $6.72!! THAT is ridiculous. We postponed a trip back home from last month (were going to go this weekend) but I’m starting to wonder if we should cancel it. Selling stuff is all well and good - if anyone’s buying. Almost everyone I know is cutting back too. My gas spending is up $40-$50 the past few months (despite attempts to cut back). Food costs are $100 over.. The only option is NO fun stuff. No eating out or special events. It sucks. It could be worse, I know. But it does bother me because I know that people cutting back will only make it worse (less money trading hands means less need for employees means layoffs means less money to be spent) but there’s not much other choice. Blah. And I don’t much care about the difference in cost of gas overseas and here. So it’s higher elsewhere. The cost of everything is different here and there. Raise the cost of gas there and they’re other stuff goes up too. What matters is the delta to the people used to living on one level and having to move to another level
Marilyn 06.23.08 at 11:15 am
Yeah, I kinda have to agree, Lisa. When the gas goes up SO FAST and people aren’t getting any sort of cost of living adjustment to their income (Don’t EVEN get me started), it is a huge crunch. And when you live outside the city and it’s a good 10 miles to go anywhere including the grocery store, you kind of tend to rely on using your vehicle somewhat.
brit (97 comments.) 06.23.08 at 12:07 pm
For the first time I’m glad I have to fly to blogher instead of driving….
brits last blog post..Weekend Rundown
Jennifer, Playgroups are no place for children (6 comments.) 06.23.08 at 1:34 pm
Gas prices are freaking me out. I feel like I shouldn’t go out much for fear of spending money unnecessarily.
Grocery prices scare me. I buy mostly generic brands and cheaper meats as it is. I don’t know how to cut back anymore than I already do.
Jennifer, Playgroups are no place for childrens last blog post..Everything is better in the light of day
Wendy (1 comments.) 06.23.08 at 7:14 pm
Yeah, what does it say that we’re looking to sell our stuff on Craig’s List and Ebay to pay for gas! That’s just insane. No longer is garage sale “a little somethin’ somethin’” money. We’re like the people who burned their chairs to stay warm in the winter. We’ve got to comb through our attics to make it to the grocery store…where we can no longer afford to buy milk!
Note to self: get a car. And a bike!
Wendys last blog post..Baby’s Bottom Line - Etsy.com Giveaway - Gowheele’s Finger Puppets!
Queen of Shake Shake (11 comments.) 06.25.08 at 1:32 pm
Milk is over $4/gallon here, just like gas. This is THE summer of stay-cations for me and I’m about to go insane from cabin fever.
I want to plan a revolution for year-round schools so we can plan vacations during other seasons of the year when gas isn’t so frackin’ high!
Queen of Shake Shakes last blog post..The Incredible Sulk
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