Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
I wasn't expecting this, but my fuel expenses over the past six months have dropped from last year.
Last year Jan-Jun we spent $5308 in fuel.
This year Jan-Jun we spent $4513 in fuel.
My wife and I have basically overcompensated for the higher prices and have managed to be much more efficient in our errands, shopping, non-required trips, etc. We still drive a minivan and full size truck, so the mileage hasn't changed, just the number of miles driven.
Funny how unintended consequences work. Has anyone else noticed the same in your fuel expenses?
Steve
Last edited by austin-steve; 07-30-2008 at 03:10 PM..
I haven't put a pencil to it, but I know I'm driving much less, and saving money, because we fill up much less than before.
If I have someplace to go, I save the trip until a have several places to go in the same direction. No more just jumping in the car and taking off for no special reason.
My wife and I ... have managed to be much more efficient in our errands, shopping, non-required trips, etc.
Huh. How does your work-related mileage stack up year over year? I've heard that fewer buyers are looking out in the sticks and I wonder if that is true in your experience.
Quote:
Originally Posted by austin-steve
Has anyone else noticed the same in your fuel expenses?
Would that it were true... We have relatively rigid schedules with me guarding a cubicle and my wife shuttling the kids to mother's day out, music classes, etc. At least we have reasonably fuel efficient cars...my father-in-law lives in Plantersville (outside Houston) and has a 70+ mile RT commute to a post office job in Conroe in a full size pickup.
How does your work-related mileage stack up year over year? I've heard that fewer buyers are looking out in the sticks and I wonder if that is true in your experience.
Well, that's primarily where the savings comes from. We are very selective about new buyer clients and have low tolerance for being run around all over the place. It's pretty easy to tell after the first round of showings if someone is capable of making a decision or if it might be 9 months of looking. Other Realtors we know are simply providing driving lists to warm buyers and letting them go scout out the neighborhoods on there own, attend open houses, etc. We don't do that. We still provide full service but are simply more selective about who gets it.
I guess it would be tougher for 9 to 5ers with rote driving schedules to make meaningful adjustments, but I think it can be done. Much of my new driving habit is not work related, such as errands.
Steve
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
We have relatively rigid schedules with me guarding a cubicle and my wife shuttling the kids to mother's day out, music classes, etc. At least we have reasonably fuel efficient cars...my father-in-law lives in Plantersville (outside Houston) and has a 70+ mile RT commute to a post office job in Conroe in a full size pickup.
