gas prices and travel

[mckenney56]

Just filled up the car today. Here in central Illinois it hit the magic 3.99 a gallon. Calculated my MPG and I'm got 32.8. Go easy on that gas peddle and slow down helps.

I take 5 to 6 trips a year and save up for them, for the gas and the supplies. If I have any cash left over on the way home, I stop and have a steak dinner.

One problem I've encountered is the darn gas stations don't like cash anymore. They make you prepay if you don't swipe your card into the pump.

But, I'm a creature of habit. I seem to always camp in the Ozarks somewhere, either in Missouri or Arkansas. Trips of 250 to 400 miles one way.

[Shadow Catcher]

Gas prices have almost nothing to do with energy policy. Over 80 percent of America's energy needs are now being satisfied by domestic supplies. In fact, we're starting to become an energy exporter. It has everything to do with America's continuing failure to adequately regulate Wall Street. Demand is down in the U.S. compared to last year at this time, and global demand is still moderate given the economic slowdowns in Europe and China.

Speculators account for 64 percent of all oil contracts.

Bart Chilton, a commissioner at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission -- the federal agency that regulates trading in oil futures, among other commodities -- warns that too few financial players control too much of the oil market. This allows them to push oil prices higher and higher -- not only on the basis of their expectations about the future but also expectations about how high other speculators will drive the price.

In other words, a relatively few players with very deep pockets are placing huge bets on oil -- and you're paying.

Chilton estimates that drivers of small cars like Honda Civics are paying an extra $7.30 every time they fill up -- and that money is going into the pockets of Wall Street speculators. Drivers of larger vehicles like the Ford Explorer are paying speculators $10.41 when they fill up.

Note none of the Republican candidates has come out in favor of regulating Wall Street, how are donating BIG time to their Super Pacs.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

http://wallstreetpit.com/90265-why-repu ... e-gas-pump



Gas prices won't affect my travel. There are other adjustments to my budget that are made, but my rest and relaxation are one thing that won't suffer. Now if we start seeing $10/gal, that will be a different story.

[Martiangod]

Always wanted to see the wild west and the woes of traveling are still the same


When I need a weekend away. I'll take it no matter how much it hurts.
I burn a minimum of 3 tanks a week during my work season anyway, so one more,,,,,oh well

[jstrubberg]

Gas prices have almost nothing to do with energy policy. Over 80 percent of America's energy needs are now being satisfied by domestic supplies. In fact, we're starting to become an energy exporter. It has everything to do with America's continuing failure to adequately regulate Wall Street. Demand is down in the U.S. compared to last year at this time, and global demand is still moderate given the economic slowdowns in Europe and China.

Speculators account for 64 percent of all oil contracts.

Bart Chilton, a commissioner at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission -- the federal agency that regulates trading in oil futures, among other commodities -- warns that too few financial players control too much of the oil market. This allows them to push oil prices higher and higher -- not only on the basis of their expectations about the future but also expectations about how high other speculators will drive the price.

In other words, a relatively few players with very deep pockets are placing huge bets on oil -- and you're paying.

Chilton estimates that drivers of small cars like Honda Civics are paying an extra $7.30 every time they fill up -- and that money is going into the pockets of Wall Street speculators. Drivers of larger vehicles like the Ford Explorer are paying speculators $10.41 when they fill up.

Note none of the Republican candidates has come out in favor of regulating Wall Street, how are donating BIG time to their Super Pacs.

There isn't a democrat with the stones to do it either...more's the pity. And it's not Wall Street per se, it's the futures traders. Put a halt to commodities trading (futures trading) and the price of fuel and corn would both come down dramatically.

Right now, as long as I have the cash reserve I can buy up whatever percentage of next years output I can afford...then sit on it until I get the price I want. I'm not adding any value to the product, I'm simply holdign the supply hostage until you pay me what I want.

[Roly Nelson]

In hopes of getting greater gas milage pulling my super-lightweight teardrops, I recently purchased a 2012 Chevy Cruze, which advertises that it gets 42 mpg. Since this kind of mileage can only be expected if you have a manual transmission and don't drive over 20 mph on level roads with a tail wind, I elected to get the 4 banger, turbo-charged rig with a 6 speed automatic tranny. I've tried keeping a close eye on gas consumption, but the best I can get is 40 mpg on a trip, which is reduced to 38mpg with a teardrop in tow. Nevertheless, I am completely satisfied with my choice, which by the way, beats the Volt hands down, (plus only costs half as much). Bottom line, gas prices won't keep me from traveling with my teardrops.......yet.
Roly, paying $4.50 a gallon here in So Calif.

[Wanna Be]

Aw HECK, we could all go wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy back when,
and use the covered wagon teardrops like the pioneers did !!!!!

NO worries about gas prices then, or now if done that way !!

Stay safe, and have fun !!!!


Wanna Be

[myoung]

Life's too short (unpredictably so) to worry about the cost of gasoline when the chance to travel to new places that I might only visit once in a lifetime becomes a reality. We already have other non-trailer trips planned this year, but my wife has said it will be okay if I return from Chicago in early August to take that trip to the Canadian Rockies that has eluded me/us for many years.

So, in early August I'll hitch up the TTT (rather than the Airstream) and head north by myself with the northernmost destination being Jasper in Canada. Along the way to and from, I'll visit some new places in Utah; fish around Ketchum, Idaho; more flyfishing around Missoula, Montana; see Glacier NP from the east side on the return; revisit Yellowstone and Grand Teton in Wyoming; more fishing below the dam at Flaming Gorge in Utah; sightseeing along the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado; hiking among the Anasazi ruins at Chaco Canyon in New Mexico; revisiting Monument Valley and Grand Canyon on the last legs of the trip home.

In all, it looks like a 4,000-mile adventure. Hope it isn't too rushed because we have to leave for a month in California on September 1st. That's only 1,000 miles round-trip but not with a trailer.

Whew.

[parnold]

Mike:

That sounds like one heck of a trip! I'm sure you're going to love every minute of it and have plenty of tales and pictures to share.

[myoung]

Mike:

That sounds like one heck of a trip! I'm sure you're going to love every minute of it and have plenty of tales and pictures to share.

Yes, Paul, one major objective is to take plenty of photos. I've got a new camera on order just for that purpose.

[mechmagcn]

Mike, I agree that will be great trip. Only problem I see is a lot to do in so little time

[myoung]

Mike, I agree that will be great trip. Only problem I see is a lot to do in so little time

Absolutely right. Oh, I forgot to mention the flyfishing in Yellowstone too, I hope.

[pete42]

seems if you can afford it a long trip is planned by many.

I've having some remodeling done to my house it was in the budget what's not in the budget is a new cargo trailer.

since I'll turn 70 1/2 this year I will need to start taking a lot out of my 401K I may just buy myself a Cargo trailer all fixed up the way I want it

my GF has us planned for a trip to Baltimore in May it will either be a new trailer or motel/hotel rooms both cost a lot but I like camping better, she motels.

pete

[mikeschn]

since I'll turn 70 1/2 this year I will need to start taking a lot out of my 401K

I knew you had to remove so much per year from an IRA, but I didn't realize there was a similar requirement in a 401K.

Mike...

[myoung]

since I'll turn 70 1/2 this year I will need to start taking a lot out of my 401K

I knew you had to remove so much per year from an IRA, but I didn't realize there was a similar requirement in a 401K.

Mike...

The annual withdrawal required is a minimum of 1/27.5 for all tax-deferred saving plans. The Feds want the taxes as an annuity. They'll take more when you die.