Gas Prices: July 2008 Archives

On Route 116, probably because of the new Tom's opened down there recently. Just an FYI for those running on empty and looking for the cheapest of the "getting cheaper" right now.

Lately our staff discussions have revolved around gas prices and just how much prices would need to drop before we resumed driving like we used to.

To be blatantly honest, I don't know that I'll drive as completely unconcerned about the prices that I once did, but I would certainly plan more trips to the beach and more weekend getaways if gas was cheaper.

Take our quick poll and let us know just how cheap gas must be before you to resume your "normal" lifestyle.

Now that local gas prices have dropped a bit, I think its time we look at the positives of paying $3.99 for regular. People cut back. And not just on gas. They found value in cutting back on retail spending, vacations and impulse buying. And that's great. I don't believe the money we make should be used to stock up on DVDs or upgrade to the latest cell phone plan. The money, if possible, should be saved and put into the "it's always something fund." That fund helps pay for the car transmission that decides to go on strike and the home oil fill-up at 3 a.m. Just because regular gas has dropped to $3.69 doesn't mean we should relax the purse strings. Keep saving as if gas was still at $3.99. Don't worry, it will rise to that mark again soon enough.

A little more on the Catholic Church's stance on the environment, in the form of modern-day vices.

And please also check out the monologue from the blogger on the ethics questions that often get overshadowed by the endless science discussions. I think this is a really good take on the issue.

Let's start off with the fact that gasoline is not inexpensive. I don't care if many local stations are posting regular gas prices at $3.89 a gallon. That price remains way, way too high. I urge drivers not to get lulled into a false sense of security by believing that gas prices will continue to drop. Keep conserving. Cut back on vacations and long car rides. Most likely you've overlooked the benefits of your backyard or local park. Should the price for a gallon of regular gas drop below $1.99, I will admit that the cost of gas is where it should be.

I noticed over the weekend that gas prices dropped a penny or two.

I guess it's probably because oil prices dropped again, but it seems a little ridiculous that gas prices jump five to 10 cents when oil goes up, but only fall by a few pennies when oil prices go down.

Am I the only one who thinks that's nuts?

In terms of gasoline prices, I've found that how much you pay has a lot to do where you pump. Last week, my wife and I drove to Roanoke, Va. for a week-long vacation. On the day that we headed back to York County, I had to fill my tank. The gas station near Interstate-81 sold regular gas for $4.15 a gallon. Two miles headed in the opposite direction of I-81, gas was selling for $3.82 a gallon. It seems that gas suppliers are taking advantage of those who need fuel immediately. Have you noticed any discrepancies in price in relation to the location of particular gas station?

That phrase, whether said or thought, has probably gone through a lot of people's heads over the last few months.

"I could stop driving to see family so often ... but I can't do that."

"I could give up going out on a Saturday night with friends ... but I can't do that."

"I could stop eating a meal every day ... but I can't do that."

What have you come up with to save money, but then decided you couldn't live without?

Lately I've noticed that a lot of gas stations where customers want to pay with cash require that you pay before pumping.

I can't say for sure that this is a direct result of the high gas prices, but it seems like it would certainly put a stop to those tempted to drive off without paying.

As gas prices continue to rise, the risk of people not paying also increases. So the correlation seems to make sense.

I'm just wondering what anyone else thinks on the subject. Have you noticed more stations requiring you to pre-pay?

Gas is $5 in some places

- Brent M. Burkey (July 15, 2008 9:33 AM)

I've been watching gas prices elsewhere in the country and heard about gas nearing $5 in California from my brother-in-law. But this picture was unnerving.

Anyone want to guess when we'll see something like that? Or even when we'll see the local gas stations stop holding the line at $3.99 9/10, or a little lower in some places? It's got to be hurting them, as oil prices have gone up a good bit since $3.99 gas hit.

It's kind of a "no-duh" idea: Depending on where you drill for oil, it's going to be more or less expensive to get out of the ground. Obviously, drilling on land in Texas is less costly than drilling on an ocean floor in the Gulf of Mexico covered by several hundred feet of water.

But exactly how much of a difference is there, and what does that mean for our gas prices today?

I don't mean that I'm literally getting fatter over here, but I thought some of the information in this TreeHugger series is really interesting.

First the blog includes this map showing the obesity percentages in each state.

With oil prices falling, Iran decided to launch its missiles ... in a military test.

But that was all it took to start the price of oil rising again. It made people worry about the security of oil flowing from the Middle East.

Those missiles didn't kill anyone, but they managed to inflict a little bit of pain on the millions or even billions of oil-addicted people in developed or developing nations across the world, including 300 million Americans.

Talk about a smart weapon!

The price for a barrel of oil is slipping back a bit, so hopefully gas prices will follow.

The big question is, if gas prices start to fall, will it be back to driving as usual for you or will the trying to drive less continue?

A barrel of oil has hit $145 and several gas stations in the area have started selling gasoline for $3.99 a gallon, again. In the last two weeks, many stations dropped there prices to around $3.95 per gallon. So, what's it going to be? Are local stations going to hold the line until the July 4 weekend is over to boost prices or am I going to see $4.05 per gallon on way to the lake tomorrow morning?

Kathy Wallick of North York has won Rutter's "Fuel up Free!" gas give away. The contest awards free gas for three years. Wallick is expected to save $130 a month in gas. Three more Rutter's customers will win free gas when Rutter's names its three remaining grand prize winners July 14, Aug. 4 and Sept. 15.

In a few hours Rutter's will announce the first winner in its summer gas giveaway.

The lucky winner gets free gas for three years. (I'm officially jealous and the winner hasn't even been announced yet.)

Make sure to check back often this morning to see live updates from the event. Correspondent Greg Gross will be at the scene and e-mailing in updates to be posted here.

My guess is the winner is going to have a whole lot of people vying to be his or her new best friend.