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Gas has gone up $0.50/gallon for regular in the past week. We likely won't have any shortages like the UK/EU might see. I was just up in WI for a weekend event and got gas for $3.19 before I crossed the border into iL. It's $3.50 where I live.
Been a while since I did a big grocery shop, so I decided to do a big one, just to have full cupboards.
ETA: I drive 40 miles roundtrip a day for work. I use about 3/4 tank a week.
I was just about to pull the trigger on a new vehicle ($60-70k), a new computer ($6.5k), some camera gear ($10k), and a new sofa for my theater ($3.5k).
Instead I decided to "keep my powder dry", inventoried my sock drawer, and ordered 6 new pairs of socks ($120 or so).
I also filled up my gasoline vehicles earlier this week, upon hearing from our island's fuel delivery guy that the incoming barge shipment of fuel was going to be more expensive. As it was, I paid $5.69/gallon for regular-grade gasoline. I also checked my spares inventory, and ordered a few misc bits like fanbelts, spark plugs, wiper blades, brake pads, oil, and a set of tires.
I also spent a few hours returning my most fuel-efficient gasoline vehicle, a base-model 2011 Mini Cooper, to full functionality - some electrical problems resolved, and a couple of suspension bushings. I figure it'll be my go-to vehicle when I need an internal combustion non-truck vehicle for the next few years.
Bae, I thought you had an EV?
Indeed, a 2017 Fiat 500E. It has a range of ~100 miles, I use it for 90%+ of my island driving. I use my Toyota pickup truck for pickup-truck-needful things here, or long road trips. My Mini I am using for routine mainland excursions, as the Mini has insufficient range. I usually only fill up the gas-powered vehicles once or twice a year. I also have several sports cars, but in total they get < 2000 miles a year or so. And a Hummer H1, diesel powered, that until recently I used for fire-department-related tasks, but my role has changed, and I usually use the Toyota pickup instead now, so the Hummer is becoming more of a vintage-collectible than a routine-use vehicle.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tradd
I had been thinking of collapsing several of these vehicles into a single new EV with longer range, more room, and more safety, but I'm holding off on that for now.
Ah, OK. I didn’t realize the Fiat’s range was so little.
I have a 2024 Crosstrek. My MPG is about 27. It would be higher if my commute was highway, but it’s all surface streets.
I havent noticed.
I have been completely happy with this little Fiat, which I bought used in early 2020 for a song. It still has nearly the same range as when I bought it (a bit less in the cold). However, the range is insufficient for a day-trip to Seattle and back, and it lacks fast-charging technology of any sort, so recharging on the trip isn't a realistic option.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tradd
The 2011 Mini gets nearly 40MPG and is reasonably fun to drive, and very easy to park and maneuver in cities. My Toyota truck gets fairly poor gas mileage, and is a pain in cities.
We are also looking at buying a newer car and that is on hold for a while - maybe a hybrid makes more sense. Trying not to look at the stock market IRA accounts because they are definitely going down overall.
Yes, I’ve also not looked at 401K and IRA.Quote:
Originally Posted by pinkytoe
Time to take RMD now that market is down or wait? I’m thinking now so less in taxes though not sure it really matters.