All Pumped Out. I Mean About the Gas Prices

Welcome to my first blog post. I'll provide some background to help explain the purpose of this blog.

Today I filled up the gas tank of my family's 2002 Land Rover Freelander. For a little over $30 I got a little over half a tank (see receipt). So after going over the hard math in my head, I figured that a full tank would have run me around $60. It was then I finally realized that gas prices were not going to drop, the problem wasn't going to go away, and how often I purchase gas is going to have a dramatic effect on my budget.

With my family of four, my girlfriend and our two kids aged 7 and 8, we are able to get by with one car. I work from home, or travel to Chicago via train. She teaches at a local school. We try to conserve gas already, but our lifes are about to go through a big change, and the cost of gas is about to effect that change.

We are moving to Chicago where gas prices today are over $4 a gallon. I will still work from home and commute by public transportation when necessary. My girlfriend is looking for work at one of the many Chicago schools, but nothing is certain. There is a possibility she will need to make the 30 mile commute back to Indiana to teach there. I haven't yet figured out what that comes to be, but at $4 a gallon and 60 miles round-trip, it will certainly be expensive.

As a family we'll be going through many changes in the coming months. Moving, commuting, trading in for a new car, visiting family in Indiana, are what our summer will consist of. And gas prices will effect every decision we make. I am aware there are those who are in worse-off situations. Through this blog I hope to personalize this crisis we are in and account for the days ahead.

I will attempt to post each gas purchase from this point forward. For now I have to go prepare to pick-up my girlfriend and then we drive to Chicago to see more condos to rent.

See you next fill up!

Joaquin