Carmax Doesn't Want Your SUV

Well at least they didn't want ours. My legions of faithful readers will remember from today's earlier post, that my girlfriend and I were going to CarMax to trade in our LandRover and purchase something more gas-friendly. Or is it gas-efficient? Whichever it is look up your car's mpg and see the highest rated cars here http://www.mpgbuddy.com/

So, back to our LandRover. CarMax wasn't buying. They offered almost exactly 50% of the blue book value. I checked here, http://www.kbb.com/ to find out the blue book value while my girlfriend went into shock from Dave, our CarMax salesman, telling us the bad news. Dave did try to explain that CarMax doesn't pay bluebook value because they pay for certain costs that we would incur if we tried to sell it ourselves (for sale sign, detailing the car, etc.)

In addition, he told us that SUV's are not selling well due to fuel costs. To his credit, the lot was full of SUV's. So we're now back at square one, trying not to get ripped off trading in our SUV that no one wants. All because of gas prices.

I knew gas prices would effect the car buying process, but I hadn't foreseen this. At this point gas prices are hindering the car buying process. How deep does the rabbithole go? (Is that quote right? Am I using it correctly?)

Sort of sad to say, but I fear I will have plenty of material to blog about concerning how high gas prices is helping shape our lives.

By the way, we have used half of the gas I purchased on Thursday that I hoped would get us through the weekend.

There Is No Gas Conspiracy...Yet

Well, this is just an update. There apparently is not a conspiracy (see yesterday's post). The gas price didn't change just because it was Friday. But I will pay attention for the rest of the weekend. I wonder what Memorial Day weekend will bring as far as gas prices go.

Today we are off to go look for a new car. I wish we could find a hybrid, but we'll be looking for something with better mpg than our current Landrover. We know we may have to compromise something we both love for something that will help save us money on our gas budget. Just another example of how today's gas prices are shaping major life decisions we make.

At least we are able to look for a new car, things could be worse. Enjoy your weekend!

Mid-Week Fill-up. Save a Buck?

So today I figured I would fill up again. Partly for an excuse to write, but also because my girlfriend and I both firmly believe that gas stations raise their prices Friday through Saturday. But to be fair I love a good conspiracy.

I figured receipt pictures might get old, and this pump said I had to go inside for a receipt. Yeah, right. So you can see (see photo) how much gas I bought. I now know that a round-trip drive to Chicago, our new home come June, taking my girlfriend to work and a drive to my parents' this morning to work out, cost me $20.46.

I actually wanted a car wash which would save me .10¢ a gallon but this pump didnt let me choose if I wanted a wash. And it was on Thursday, and now I'd have to wash the car one day later which is Friday, hmm...

Perhaps there is a conspiracy amongst the gas companies and those guys who make the multi-color foam...

Anyways, my hope is that this tank will get us through the weekend Likely it won't. We have at least, 2 little league games, a trip to CarMax, a drive to my parents and probably more stuff that I've forgotten but my girlfriend has planned. I wonder which of these activities we'll have to cut once gas prices get even higher. How far away from that day are we, and are others already experiencing that kind of gas-usage-budgeting. I'll keep you posted.

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