One result of rising gas costs
 

I've really cut down on running to the grocery for 1-2 items. Since it's almost all mountain driving to get there and back, it's approx $4.50 just in gas (maybe more - my math sucks). I used to run up to grab a gallon of milk or one of another item, but no more. I probably go once every 1.5 weeks instead of the once every couple of days I used to go.

I get to go to Atlanta tomorrow though which means I have an excuse to do a Trader Joes run :) :) :) Taking 3 coolers.

You're smart,I have to be more aware and do that.

I visit the store about once every two weeks.
However, I did that before it was $4.29/gal.
Now I wish I drove more.. when it was cheap.

I have a little 49cc 4/stroke water cooled Honda Ruckus (99 MPG) scooter I use for those kind of trips. Probably wouldn't work in the mountains though.

There is one bridge here that I can only get up to 15 mph on this little thing. Going down the other side is fun though :-)

On a flat surface with a good tail wind I can hit about 48 MPH.

But unlike my big motorcycles, you can set like a case of beer and maybe 2 bags of ice on the floorboard, plus more shit under the seat.

I know it's paid for itself in gas already versus if i drove one of our cars our trucks for these little trips.

Sometimes I can go a whole week without driving a 4 wheel vehicle.

But then again I have most everything I need within a few miles of home.

Yeah, having a motorcycle or even a little 4 cylinder just couldn't pull off getting off my road ;) Now, if I could get the town to make ATVs street legal........ :)

I'm sure I've been wasting money for years - from the time I was 16 I lived with my father who stopped every day at the grocery on his way home from work so I just got used to buying "for the day". When I moved up here I DID cut down just because of the time factor, but when I realized I was paying $4+ to buy a $6 gallon of milk, I kinda had an epiphany, lol..

I'm in the process of buying a brick and mortar business so I'll have an excuse to "stop by on the way home" on the days I work there, lol.

That is the only set back of living in the country. Lucky for me the smaller mart 1/2 a mile from me is not that much more expensive if I need to pick up that gallon of milk or something like that.

Today I actually walked to the grocery store for those few items I wanted.

Right after my usual 2km walk.

Whenever I'm up at the cabin or out in the country now I throw on a backpack and ride the mountain bike to the store.

Yeah, well, after I took my usual 10 mile hike I walked the 8 miles to the grocery store (in flip flops which are REALLY hard to walk in), bought a weeks supply of milk, cat litter, cat food, doggie treats and a big huge watermelon, then walked the 8 miles back on my hands while carrying the groceries in my toes.

:1orglaugh:1orglaugh:1orglaugh

Our family is in a similar mindset, we usually don't figure out dinner until the same day and probably visit the supermarket at least 5 times a week. Sometimes more than once in a day. It's a relatively short trip, would cost roughly $2... but sometimes we do that just to get a drink...

Not only does this save you gas, it is also great for time management. Create lists. Resist the impulse "now" items and work on planning better.

Stephen Covey has a chapter about this in Seven Habits. It's pretty good.

Through 3 feet of snow?

If not you're a lightweight.

Well, it's not really an impulse "now" situation, it's more of an "I'm out of milk" situation. I do lists. Lists for everything. Groceries, outlet store, book store - heck, I somehow even managed to have 2 different "wish lists" on Amazon. I'm actually pretty good at planning "trips out of the woods" but found myself many times running out for milk. Of course, it may also have been cabin fever and my need to leave the subdivision! Now with the weather nice, I like spending more time at home floating on the lake, hitting the pool or being lazy on the hammock. I mean, making those 10 mile hikes..........:disgust

I know I tend to have not such a heavy foot and try to plan my trips more carefully

I am thinking about picking up one of those guys @ $2500 bucks.

I think i would go crazy having to deal with lines and bullshit of the supermarkets on a daily basis. We try and plan out meals for the week and buy them all at once. Of course we often end up going back for a meal or two but do the majority once a week.