Thanksgiving Miracle

I filled up my gas tank yesterday before work. FILLED it - put 10.2 gallons in my 10 gallon tank - and the total was less than $20. When the pump clicked off, I looked up and saw $18.42 and nearly squeezed the trigger again thinking the tank couldn't possibly be full. And then I saw the gallons dispensed.

Honestly, I nearly cried. What a wonderful world!

$2.01

It seems that none of the gas stations between home and work are willing to go below $2/gallon. Really, I'm not complaining. $2 works for me just fine. But given the current price per barrel, we should be showing more of a discount at the pumps. Even the "expensive" stations that are usually a good 10 cents more expensive than the rest are at $2.03.

C'mon guys... give us cheap gas. We deserve it!

$41.01

Mark the date.

Today, I paid over $40 to fill up my gas tank.

"...and that's all I have to say about that."

Cross My Heart...

I promise this will be my last gas price rant for at least a week... probably 2 weeks. But really, it simply MUST be said:

I paid $39.04 to fill my tank today.

I drive a compact car that holds a maximum of 11 gallons of gas in the tank. And I didn't buy 11 gallons of gas today.

$39.04.

It took me by surprise. I may have blacked out behind the wheel as a result.

All day today I was wondering how long ago it was that I was paying less than $30. I remember that it was recent, and I remember being glad I'd put it off as long as I had, because Scott (with the bigger tank) had been paying $30+ for a while. So I just took a look through my bank statement and found out that on March 28 I paid $29.78 to fill my tank, and then on April 14 I paid $31.89.

April 14 was 33 days ago. And that's like a 20% increase! (it's late, so please forgive me if my math is way off there) What the heck is going on out there?!?

And now, as is my custom when I am angry about gas prices, I shall offer this charming tidbit from our Commander in Chief (courtesy of CNN.com):

"We've got to do more at home," the president said on the lush lawn of a resort overlooking the Red Sea in Sharm El-Sheik, Egypt.

Speaking after a private meeting with Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, he mentioned moves that have long been part of his agenda but stymied in Congress, such as developing alternate fuels, improving conservation and expanding domestic exploration.

So let me get this straight: our own "oil man" President is blaming CONGRESS for not pushing alternate fuels? Yes, I admit to hearing something along the lines of, "no...you may not drill for oil in a wildlife refuge." But other than that, I call bullshit. grrrr

$OMG!

I forgot to update on this post. Believe it or not, the next tank of gas I bought was on Tuesday the 6th, and the price had only gone up to $3.55!

Since I guessed $3.60 and Janette guessed $3.61, that means I won back my own $5. I will buy myself a large un-sweet tea and some chicken nuggets with my winnings.

Sadly, I'm going to have to fill up tonight or tomorrow, and it's not looking pretty. Gas across the street was $3.65 when I got home last night, and the gas station close to work was $3.71! (note that I put those prices in the past tense... I'm rather afraid to find out what happened over night)

Enough of gas prices. Here's a video of the man I'm blaming for the gas prices (the part I like starts around 1:40):

Gas

I originally took this picture on Sunday the 20th. I was on my way home from work and had to stop for gas and couldn't believe what I was paying. The silver linings?

a) My little car gets kick-@$$ gas mileage and this tank will take me about 300 miles.

b) My daily round trip is only around 30 miles

c) Since Scott hates my car, we primarily use his on the weekends

That means this tank of gas will last me about 2 weeks.

Unfortunately, gas at the very same station is now $3.53 - up two cents from the day before. By my next fill-up, I'm guessing I'll be paying $3.60. Anyone else want to take a guess? $5 for the winner...which will probably still be enough for a gallon of gas by the time you get your prize!

$2.83

My gas tank was basically on fumes when I came home from work on Monday night. I, however, am a procrastinator, and decided to wait to fill up my tank. Besides, gas was already up to $2.76 - how much could it possibly go up in two days?

Seven cents a gallon!

My most expensive fill-up ever - just under $30 for a tank of regular unleaded.

Note to self: Add 'buy a hybrid' to my lottery winnings wish list.