On Friday-April 15, 2011, the average price of gas in the San Diego community was $4.18 -- $1.07 more than we were paying a year ago. Prices have been escalating upward for weeks and show no sign of stopping. We've been here before. Often enough in fact to recognize that motorists travel through at three stages while absorbing bad news at the gas pumps.
Stage One: Fretting.
Called the fretting state, in the past the first response might have been fury. Consumers organized boycotts of certain oil companies or demanded action fro lawmakers." We are there yet"! If your looking for a tipping point it will probably come when gas prices hit about $4.50.
If we are not protesting we are fretting, by looking for cheaper gas prices @ Costco, and Arco etc. When we are faced with raising gas prices many of us feel helpless, for good reason. There is no way that we can control the price of gasoline. For some the fact that we have seen worst--$4.63 a gallon in 2008 cushions the blow. The second time around is much less shocking.
Battered by the recession, many have already limited their driving, shifted to pubic transportation and take other steps to cut fuel consumption.Since 2008 a lot of people have permanently changed their behavior.
Many families are abandoning activities they once enjoyed.
Stage Two: Reconsidering:
Per a survey reported by the Automobile Club of Southern California --64% of drivers say that gas prices are crimping their budgets. If prices rise $1.00 then you're paying an extra $600.00 a year or $50.00 a month. Many look for other areas to cut back on in there budget like eating out less, limiting driving, trimming entertainment, put less into savings. Looking for cheaper cellphone or cable TV plans. Brown bagging lunches. Walking or using a bicycle for errands.
Stage Three: Shopping.
gasbuddy.com and fueltracker.com post up-to-date reports on pumps across the county. Many gas stations in a typical five mile route includes 17 stations and a 14-cent spread in the cost of a gallon of unleaded. Many gasoline user's still buy gas were it is the most convenient unaware of the price difference.
rets
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