Gas Prices
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,383
Likes: 1,801
From: Ohio
Yeah they do, so many smoke, blow money on subscriptions etc when they really aren't in a position to yet do so anyway.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,383
Likes: 1,801
From: Ohio
Idk, my assessment for solar is less in energy costs saved, unless this current state of affairs becomes the new normal and more about taking control of your energy supplier and the perks as you mentioned as perceived value. ie: i can get my oil changed at a local indy vs diy; the only solid takeaway is that im in charge of performing the service to my personal requirements. I still have to deal with buying parts, tools, disposing of the used oil and physically taking the time to perform the service etc.
Depends on how friendly your state is. My system cost $36k before incentives but with the savings + SREC my breakeven was ~10 years but it ended up being a little over 9 because of some good years
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 1,085
Likes: 202
You'd think that any intelligent adult would but there's always going to be those living beyond their means requiring instant gratification. That's not going to change even if gasoline was free.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,838
Likes: 4,107
From: Maryland
You're missing the point entirely. People are trying to minimize the impact of these increased gas prices, they have a big impact on people’s finances, we are not typical Americans here.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,383
Likes: 1,801
From: Ohio
Typical Americans blow money on overpriced convenience store items and gambling that is in excess of the gas price increases. I don't have sympathy for bad decision making
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2025
Posts: 1,085
Likes: 202
Typical Americans blow money on overpriced convenience store items and gambling that is in excess of the gas price increases. I don't have sympathy for bad decision making.
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Yeah they do, so many smoke, blow money on subscriptions etc when they really aren't in a position to yet do so anyway.
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Yeah they do, so many smoke, blow money on subscriptions etc when they really aren't in a position to yet do so anyway.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 17,190
Likes: 530
From: Knoxville, TN
$9 cigarettes????????
Holy MOLY where have I been???
They were $5 when I quit (15 years ago), and just a hair over $3 when I was 21ish.
And I have to agree, many people who are broke always can seem to find money for scratch offs and cigarettes no matter what gas prices are.
Holy MOLY where have I been???
They were $5 when I quit (15 years ago), and just a hair over $3 when I was 21ish.
And I have to agree, many people who are broke always can seem to find money for scratch offs and cigarettes no matter what gas prices are.
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CL Community Team
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,388
Likes: 621
From: IL
17 months in we’ve saved roughly $3500, and I’m expecting payoff to be mid-2029, just under 5 years.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,838
Likes: 4,107
From: Maryland
You spend lots of money on things you enjoy, that has no bearing on the fact that a 50% increase in the cost of someone's utility is a huge increase. You need to be exposed to people from different socioeconomic classes.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,838
Likes: 4,107
From: Maryland
Been a while since I was inside a convenience store but AI Overview suggests that the average price of a single pack of cigs in Tennessee is $9.21. If anywhere close to accurate, just one pack of cigs would about cover the additional cost of gasoline for a week of average driving as expressed earlier. Not to mention studies suggest that smokers are disproportionately low income... so there's that.
Seriously, the hoops you guys are jumping through to pretend this isn't a big deal are amazing.
Been a while since I was inside a convenience store but AI Overview suggests that the average price of a single pack of cigs in Tennessee is $9.21. If anywhere close to accurate, just one pack of cigs would about cover the additional cost of gasoline for a week of average driving as expressed earlier. Not to mention studies suggest that smokers are disproportionately low income... so there's that.
I remember buying cartons of Reds in college for $30. Anyone remember Marlboro Miles?
Still got my Miles Swiss Army knife. The Chili cook book is upstairs somewhere too.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 17,190
Likes: 530
From: Knoxville, TN
I'm not jumping through hoops. I clearly laid out what I would do if the cost of gas really affected me. It sucked that it was this expensive a few years ago and it sucks now.
The $25+ in takeout food I buy 5 days out of the week (while still paying for regular groceries), that would stop. Then the cable bill would be cut in half.
The $25+ in takeout food I buy 5 days out of the week (while still paying for regular groceries), that would stop. Then the cable bill would be cut in half.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,838
Likes: 4,107
From: Maryland
I'm not jumping through hoops. I clearly laid out what I would do if the cost of gas really affected me. It sucked that it was this expensive a few years ago and it sucks now.
The $25+ in takeout food I buy 5 days out of the week (while still paying for regular groceries), that would stop. Then the cable bill would be cut in half.
The $25+ in takeout food I buy 5 days out of the week (while still paying for regular groceries), that would stop. Then the cable bill would be cut in half.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,383
Likes: 1,801
From: Ohio
How many former drug addicts you hang out with/helped get them off stuff? Always hilarious seeing you make endless assumptions and think you know best lol!
Last edited by Striker223; Apr 11, 2026 at 07:43 PM.