Anticipated Ukraine fallout (gas prices)

iveofione

iveofione

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Much higher gas prices. You knew it would happen, the entire nation got a bug up it's ass to trade in economy cars for Belchfire 4x4 giant pickups that got 1/3 of the mileage. With more being bought for image and used as daily drivers the cost of fuel is going to be a big hit now that the economy car market is essentially stagnate.

I know about this as my Crusin' Casa is a 4wd pickup that gets about 17 mpg on trips. Once gas prices exceed $4.00/gal (already have) it is going to cost around $250 for every 1,000 miles of driving, a lot for a guy on a fixed income that drives a lot in the summer.

I am already planning to convert my Subaru Outback to a Mini Casa and cut back on the length of trips I take. Using the Subaru will cut the cost per 1,000 miles down to under $140 meaning more trips for the same money, more fishing and less driving. The Outback is big enough to sleep in with just a rudimentary bed platform or possibly buy one of the new pop-up tents that are a breeze to put up and take down. With some people living year around in an Outback I'm sure I can manage a 3 or 4 day fishing trip in one and have plenty of room for gear and a pontoon on top.

What changes are you going to make this summer should fuel prices approach $5/gal? And any suggestions for a really nice pop-up tent?

Ive
 
I'm going to wait until the 4x4s prices drop back down to reasonable prices, and then sell my chevy with 320K miles on for a new(ish) one. Crazy gas prices should mean a lot of folks will be dumping their gas guzzlers. Then once this war quiets down and we get a new administration in the office that has a clue - we should see gas prices become more reasonable again.

Until then, fewer trips across the mountains. We have tons of lakes in the area that we like to fish. And we have switched from gas powered boats to elected and pedal driven fishing kayaks.
 
I'm pending ( pending, def: Retired, but open to new prospects. ). My plan is to ride it out and wait for the inevitable federal fuel & food stimulus checks that will follow.
 
iveofione said:
Much higher gas prices. You knew it would happen, the entire nation got a bug up it's ass to trade in economy cars for Belchfire 4x4 giant pickups that got 1/3 of the mileage. With more being bought for image and used as daily drivers the cost of fuel is going to be a big hit now that the economy car market is essentially stagnate.

I know about this as my Crusin' Casa is a 4wd pickup that gets about 17 mpg on trips. Once gas prices exceed $4.00/gal (already have) it is going to cost around $250 for every 1,000 miles of driving, a lot for a guy on a fixed income that drives a lot in the summer.

I am already planning to convert my Subaru Outback to a Mini Casa and cut back on the length of trips I take. Using the Subaru will cut the cost per 1,000 miles down to under $140 meaning more trips for the same money, more fishing and less driving. The Outback is big enough to sleep in with just a rudimentary bed platform or possibly buy one of the new pop-up tents that are a breeze to put up and take down. With some people living year around in an Outback I'm sure I can manage a 3 or 4 day fishing trip in one and have plenty of room for gear and a pontoon on top.

What changes are you going to make this summer should fuel prices approach $5/gal? And any suggestions for a really nice pop-up tent?

Ive
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Define pop-up tent. Do you mean one that you sleep in on the ground or one that mounts to the top of the Subaru? If you mean a ground one, almost all of them are absolute garbage - at least to someone who recognizes good design and materials. There are some good ones but you will be able to buy a lot of fuel for the price. You might consider a multi-purpose pop-up tent/shelter/screen house like the Clam or Gazelle, but again they are pricey and very heavy, especially the ones with floors.

However, there have been some great design and material improvements since you likely purchased your last new tent. Many of them will be much better quality and lighter than a pop-up - and much quicker to set up and most importantly, take down. (Ask my sister).
 
Called work to see if I could get my old job back. 😉

I budgeted quite a lot for gas post retirement, though I might have to persuade my wife to let me strap a kayak on top of her Avalon...sometimes it manages 35 mpg if I'm easy on the gas pedal, and kayaks are pretty aerodynamic. ;)
 
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Like I did last summer after retiring at the end of April, I will tow the lightweight camping trailer places and stay longer. Already have three week-long trips on the calendar. We also tend to stay in the PNW for our family adventures, so no long-haul trips. That said, it’s a haul from the Tri Cities to Whidbey Island where our son now lives and works. At home, I try to consolidate errands and use the bike more when the weather allows.
 
Chadk said:
I'm going to wait until the 4x4s prices drop back down to reasonable prices, and then sell my chevy with 320K miles on for a new(ish) one. Crazy gas prices should mean a lot of folks will be dumping their gas guzzlers. Then once this war quiets down and we get a new administration in the office that has a clue - we should see gas prices become more reasonable again.

Until then, fewer trips across the mountains. We have tons of lakes in the area that we like to fish. And we have switched from gas powered boats to elected and pedal driven fishing kayaks.
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Maybe folks would dump their gas guzzlers if there were lots of options available. Been to a new car dealership to check out all the inventory lately?

@iveofione - I had a 1990, S10, 4-cylinder, 5-speed stick. There are days when I miss that gutless wonder. ;-)
 
I'm more worried about shortages (and I have no idea if such could be triggered by this immense geopolitical event).

I well remember the oil embargo of the early 1970's, and sweating every long distance trip about fuel. On one trip back and forth from El Toro MCAS in California to Spokane we waited hours in line somewhere in bumfuck Oregon with no certainty there'd be any gas at the pump when it was our turn. I remember the name of the gas station...'Terrible Hirbst's' because I stared at the damn thing for hours. There was no other fuel for at least a hundred miles in either direction, and we were on empty.
 
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Buzzy said:
Maybe folks would dump their gas guzzlers if there were lots of options available. Been to a new car dealership to check out all the inventory lately?

@iveofione - I had a 1990, S10, 4-cylinder, 5-speed stick. There are days when I miss that gutless wonder. ;-)
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yes, been actively in the market for cars between helping my kids and my wife while keeping an eye out for my next truck. Of course supply and demand plays a role in prices.
 
That was my thought this morning when I heard about the invasion in progress. What am I going to do about fishing and hiking trips this spring and summer? I thought I can just dip into my retirement savings to cover fuel costs. Then I noticed that the stock market has also taken a deep dive, directly reducing the amount of surplus funds I can access. Maybe just load my fishing gear in my backpack and thumb a ride to MT . . .
 
Loaded up on Chevron & Exxon, in 2020 and beginning of the year, up $4647 so far, year to date, not counting dividend, if the war grows, so will the stock price, if the current war has a happy ending, I’ll short it for the ride down, that’s my gas hedge, love it when it works.
 
I will continue to drive my 2006 Honda Ridgeline with 20 mpg. I only drive 6500 miles per year with most of them on trips to MT. It is just too expensive to replace and the expense of a newer vehicle will never be offset by fuel savings.

I will do longer trips time-wise and spend more nights in the boonies. Since I go by myself a shower every few days should be just fine as long as someone is not down wind. The money I save on hotels will offset increased gas prices.
 
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