Photos from Around the World Protesting High Fuel Prices

[MARK JOLLIFF]

The impact of high gas prices would be greatly minimized if Americans hadn't stretched themselves to the limit on personal debt. What is the average credit card debt per household? I forgot the exact figure but it's in the thousands. I'm paying more just like everyone else but I can absorb the costs due to living within my means for a long time. Sure i like $2 gas much better but I'm only paying $80 a month more than last year. If I had a $400 car payment and $15,000 in credit card debt then that $80 would hurt much more. people are downsizing their cars, driving less and shopping for bargains. If $4 gas makes people wake up and change their way of living then maybe this situation isn't all that bad.

 

[Roscoeman]

The impact of high gas prices would be greatly minimized if Americans hadn't stretched themselves to the limit on personal debt. What is the average credit card debt per household? I forgot the exact figure but it's in the thousands. I'm paying more just like everyone else but I can absorb the costs due to living within my means for a long time. Sure i like $2 gas much better but I'm only paying $80 a month more than last year. If I had a $400 car payment and $15,000 in credit card debt then that $80 would hurt much more. people are downsizing their cars, driving less and shopping for bargains. If $4 gas makes people wake up and change their way of living then maybe this situation isn't all that bad.

I have a Jetta Diesel and get about 47 miles per gallon on an average. I have no credit card debt and a reasonable mortgage payment. I also have been living within my means. I hope people wake up and realize the days of your house being your ATM are over. Some will survive and some won't, its just the way it is.

 

[MARK JOLLIFF]

I have a Jetta Diesel and get about 47 miles per gallon on an average. I have no credit card debt and a reasonable mortgage payment. I also have been living within my means. I hope people wake up and realize the days of your house being your ATM are over. Some will survive and some won't, its just the way it is.

I'm in the market for a new car as my 01 Camry is getting up there in miles. I've always bought boring but practical cars. the only cars I've ever purchased new were a 84 Honda Accord and the Camry. I'm looking to buy something that gets good mileage but is a little more fun in the 25K range. How do you like your Jetta? Any suggestions that would fit my criteria?

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

My insurance premium is $560 / mo. - $5000 deductible in an HSA
My house payment is about $670/mo
My house insurance about $150/mo
My meds run $160/mo
4 Telephones $160/mo.
Farm loan about $400/mo

OK....gas is $4 - I drove 28,000 miles - 25k at 28+mpg and 2k at 14mpg last year and charged off 52% of it as biz and farm at 51± cents. I got $7,425 in deduct. I spent $3000± in gas...If I had a car payment that'd be say about $4200 - just about a wash..Gas is one of another bill....

I can do a lot of things to help the bottom line. Sell the truck. Cut down to cell and 1 fax /phone line. [the cell saves way too many miles to give up] Liquidate some equipment and pare down the farm payment. Cut my own firewood. clean my own house. None of us are totally helpless. I probably should be doing some of that anyway.