$ gas prices = WOW!

[redrhodie]

Like many of you, we're a one car house, mass transit and bike commuters as much as possible, so not so affected by the gas prices. But, the price of everything else impacted by the high gas prices, especially food, is really noticeable. Bread is crazy expensive. Many bakeries are going out of business. I assume it's becoming impossible to make a profit from a small bakery. It's sad that the lesser quality ones seem to be more profitable, more able to survive high energy and supply costs. I know, I should start baking my own bread. I'm nearing that point.

[Blueberry]

I know, I should start baking my own bread. I'm nearing that point.

I've been supporting a local restaurant that bakes fabulous bread (they sell it in their cafe). For that reason, I'm not baking my own right now.

I can't remember if you were a participant in the Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes threads here, but I can't recommend that highly enough when you're ready to get started baking

[redrhodie]

I've been supporting a local restaurant that bakes fabulous bread (they sell it in their cafe). For that reason, I'm not baking my own right now.

I can't remember if you were a participant in the Artisan Bread in 5 Minutes threads here, but I can't recommend that highly enough when you're ready to get started baking

I couldn't even read that thread, the pictures were just too yummy. I did not participate, but I think I might start. I actually like baking, and even have time to do it, but haven't worked with yeast very much. I think that's my block.

[KnottedYet]

Bread is crazy expensive. Many bakeries are going out of business. I assume it's becoming impossible to make a profit from a small bakery.

That's where the advantage to living in a city or town comes in. Folks can walk to their local bakery, supporting a local business and keeping their neighbors employed and keeping their local community vibrant - and save themselves the price of gas.

The big corporate bakeries ship bread to big stores, adding one more link in the oil chain. The store wants to maximize its profits, so buys the cheapest bread that can be shipped. The larger bakeries win with their cheaper bread that can dilute the cost of shipping.

We have a lot of independent bakeries that do counter sales. They also sell bread to the independent grocery stores. (Wal-Mart is not allowed within the city limits, thank goodness!) I can walk into my neighborhood market and find products from at least 4 local bakeries. One independent store in walking distance has its own bakery, but still sells stuff from local bakeries as well. I can walk to 2 free-standing bakeries easily (I'm not counting the one inside the independent grocery store... that would be 3).

Cheap bread may take less money from my pocket, but it is devastatingly expensive to my community and my quality of life.

"Keep it Small, Keep it Local."

[Mr. Bloom]

Many of us are not in a position to commute to work for a host of logistical reasons, but for those who can't, consider all the other short trips you can eliminate in your life and still save a fortune.

A DOT study indicates that 50% of trips are three miles or less

My car normally gets 25-30mpg, but on a three mile trip, it averages 10mpg because it never warms up. So, if my math is right, I break-even on the cost of a commuter if I eliminate about 300 short trips... That sounds like a lot until I realize that I have two grocery stores, 4 drug stores, 1 Target, 1 K-Mart, 1 post office, 1 mall, at least 16 fast foods, 3 bookstores, 3 Starbucks, and 1 COLDSTONE within an easy three mile radius of my house...so it's less than 1/day for a year.

[Tri Girl]

A DOT study indicates that 50% of trips are three miles or less

My car normally gets 25-30mpg, but on a three mile trip, it averages 10mpg because it never warms up. So, if my math is right, I break-even on the cost of a commuter if I eliminate about 300 short trips... That sounds like a lot until I realize that I have two grocery stores, 4 drug stores, 1 Target, 1 K-Mart, 1 post office, 1 mall, at least 16 fast foods, 3 bookstores, 3 Starbucks, and 1 COLDSTONE within an easy three mile radius of my house...so it's less than 1/day for a year.

I like the way you think, Mr.!
Since most of our trips are short- that's the best way to eliminate your dependence on the car. You can use the car for work and still save buckets worth of cash AND be doing something healthy for you and the planet.
It may take longer to get my bike ready than to just grab the keys, but I've never once regretted riding my bike instead of driving. Bikes are great- but we all know that here.
Now if I could just get my city to put bike racks out so I could stop locking my bike to signposts...

[badger]

I was just talking with co-workers how EVERYTHING is so darn expensive here in Canada, it's not even funny. I went down stateside last weekend and stocked up on groceries - bread is still dirt cheap there! $2.99 for an Ezekiel loaf that costs us $7 up here.

A lot of things defies simple logic, as our dollar is actually stronger than the US dollar right now, but I also know we're taxed to death on everything. The same $5 bottle of wine is $17 up here. Same with our gas, it's taxed, taxed, and then taxed some more. One of the taxes is for our public transit system; I wouldn't feel bad in paying it if we actually had a decent system, but it's apalling. They increase fees all the time, cut routes, and they often go "missing" and end up having to wait longer for the next bus. For some people the high cost to use transit is actually poor incentive to leave cars at home; it's actually cheaper to drive.

[Bike Writer]

Gas prices = grrrrrrrrrr!

I drive a car that gets good mileage but it's a poke up the road to visit my family. I can bike to work if the weather cooperates but these gas prices still get my goat!

[Koronin]

I like many others can't commute for work. After the last time gas went up rediculously high I cut out as much driving as possible and have tried to stick to that as best I can. With my work I can do some of my shopping after I'm finished working since I do do some work in grocery stores, drug stores, and dollar stores. So that does help. We just bought a home and are in the process of moving in. I don't think we'll get much out of a graden this year, but are planning on one for next year. I did get my blueberry bushes planted inthe ground instead of keeping them in pots, so hopefully by next summer we'll have some blueberries. We also bought two strawberry bushes (on sale at Lowe's for half price) which are also planted. Hopefully that will be a good start.
Also I'm considering after we get some debt (credit card) paid off, looking into getting solar pannels installed on our new home. No HOA to worry about, and there are about a dozen homes in the neighborhood with solar pannels.

[tulip]

Koronin, solar panels are all well and good, but you'll get alot more bang for your buck if you spend your money on really good insulation. Get a blower door test and find a really good insulating contractor who will look at everything and install it properly.

* * *

I filled up my little car today for $47. Since I usually fill up once a month or so, it's not a hardship for me, but if I had to do it every few days, I would have a problem.