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Are gas prices fueling your pain? - READ ONLY

10042 messages,  Last post on Jul 12, 2008 at 3:07 PM

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What is this discussion about? Fuel Efficiency (MPG)


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#5074 of 10042
Re: Record Prices... [kdhspyder] by lemko
Mar 14, 2008 (5:13 am)

Replying to: kdhspyder (Mar 14, 2008 5:09 am)

Well, that brings up the whole housing mess subject. Fortunately, I bought my house before things got out of whack. My combined monthly mortgage/property tax/homeowner's insurance doesn't even crack the $1,000 barrier.
#5075 of 10042
Re: Record Prices... [lemko] by kdhspyder
Mar 14, 2008 (5:22 am)

Replying to: lemko (Mar 14, 2008 5:13 am)

Yep this makes the situation worse since so many people are 'upside-down' in their homes. Not only is easy credit spending our future earnings but easy access to home equity has spent all the future growth in value of many of the homes in the nation.
 
That's a double whammy.
 
Then strike three on the money supply. Consider all the people that became real and paper millionaires on their investments in the 90s. Were these profits real? To an extent yes but it also created sudden wealth which was spendable. Take the 'Redmond Millionaires' who suddenly were able buy like they've never bought in their lives. Picture a $25000 a year maintenance worker suddenly having a million bucks in the bank generating $50000 in interest annually? Helloooo.
#5076 of 10042
Re: Record Prices... [lemko] by bobw3
Mar 14, 2008 (5:23 am)

Replying to: lemko (Mar 14, 2008 5:13 am)

Exactly...some folks bought their homes under the assumption that in a few years they'd go up so much in value that they could pay interest-only for a couple of years and bought more house then they could afford, assuming they could refinance or sell in a couple of years for a big profit. If they would have gone with a 30yr fixed, saved money for a good sized downpayment and only bought what they could afford today, there wouldn't be this housing mess.
 
And these same people are probably also crying because they have a giant SUV in their driveway with terrible MPG that's also worth less than their loan balance. Not saying that we shouldn't help these folks, but any financial help they get should have a future payback requirement and not just a free ride until the next time they do something stupid.
#5077 of 10042
Re: Record Prices... [kdhspyder] by gagrice
Mar 14, 2008 (5:42 am)

Replying to: kdhspyder (Mar 14, 2008 5:09 am)

Reign in credit and you'll see the US$ start to climb again...but we'll also go into a crashing recession/depression. but we'll all be better for it.
 
It has to happen sooner or later. Lowering the interest just adds to the problem. I have friends that may lose their homes because of shady lending. And poor planning on their part. Too bad our schools do not teach common sense economics. Kid turns 18 and here comes a credit card application in the mail.
#5078 of 10042
Re: Record Prices... [gagrice] by circlew
Mar 14, 2008 (6:07 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Mar 14, 2008 5:42 am)

We are bringing up a generation of Mall Rats. There is only one economic lesson being taught and that is spending. Schools do not teach reality economics...it seems most learn the hard way.
 
Do not spend what you don't have. Spend a little less than you make.
 
Regards,
OW
#5079 of 10042
Re: Record Prices... [gagrice] by dieselone
Mar 14, 2008 (6:11 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Mar 14, 2008 5:42 am)

No kidding. I guess I'm just a bit cold at heart, but I don't see why my tax money should be used to bail out someone who is over their head in a house. Granted, if they can prove the lender used fraudulent lending practices, then some help should be provided.
 
But for the majority who saw interest only/ARMs as a way to get the house of their dreams, then sorry, let them foreclose the house. Last I checked the constitution doesn't state all citizens have a right to own their home.
 
Gagrice, your right on the money. It's sad that many people don't understand how compounding interest/amortization works. They just see a monthly payment that they can afford completely disregarding the actual total cost those payments.
 
Ironically vehicles are the source of money troubles for many. Many are screaming about the cost of gas, but give very little importance on what really costs them. Paying interest, taxes, insurance, etc, on a depreciating asset. Considering all of that, the fuel cost in my Suburban is small.
 
We are going to my in-laws this weekend. It's about a 300mile round trip. We can take my wifes GrandPrix (which we hate) getting 25mpg or my Suburban (much more room and less fighting between the kids) and get 16mpg on the same trip. Hmm, it will cost about $41 to drive the GP and be uncomfortable vs. $64 in the Suburban riding comfort not to mention less fighting of the kids. I'll gladly pay the extra $23.
#5080 of 10042
Re: Record Prices... [circlew] by bobw3
Mar 14, 2008 (6:11 am)

Replying to: circlew (Mar 14, 2008 6:07 am)

Of course it's spending that keeps the economy going. Look at Japan's poor economy and stock market due to folks hiding yen in boxes.
#5081 of 10042
Commuters' Tricks... by lemko
Mar 14, 2008 (6:12 am)
...to save money on fuel from the Philly newspaper:
 
http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/20080314_Area_commuters_find_tricks_- to_trim_gas_costs.html
#5082 of 10042
Re: Record Prices... [bobw3] by circlew
Mar 14, 2008 (6:24 am)

Replying to: bobw3 (Mar 14, 2008 6:11 am)

Oh, I don't know. Their economy is quite impressive for an island nation the size of, say, Florida.
 
The top ten economies of the world in 2004 and their respective values in millions of US dollars, after China's new tally.
 
Country US Million $
United States 11,667,515
Japan 4,623,398
Germany 2,714,418
United Kingdom 2,140,898
France 2,002,582
China 1,981,000
Italy 1,672,302
Spain 991,442
Canada 929,764
India 691,876
 
Regards,
OW
#5083 of 10042
Re: Commuters' Tricks... [lemko] by kernick
Mar 14, 2008 (6:29 am)

Replying to: lemko (Mar 14, 2008 6:12 am)

I find it amazing how many people make choices to live so far from work, whether it be they don't like a neighborhood or the schools, or the housing prices. Or even take the job in the 1st place. I know there are exceptional reasons in some cases. This was not the case for many generations in the U.S., it's probably only been true the last 30 years or so.
 
But if fuel prices stay high, then there will have to be adjustments. Employers in high cost areas will either have to pay workers more, or relocate to lower cost areas where housing is affordable. And people will have to stop making the choice that "I like this town" and I'm going to take a job 60 miles away.
 
If people lived closer to work: 1) less gas overall would be burned, 2) people would drive less meaning less congestion, and 3) biking and such becomes an option at least for some or in certain good weather.
 
I also think that 5 day 8hr work-days, could be changed to 4 day 10 hr in many sorts of jobs. I know my job could transition to a 4 day week, if my company didn't have the mind-set that for fairness or normality everyone had to work 5 days.

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