Paid $3.79 USD a gallon yesterday making this quickly out of date.

Despite appearances my car is pretty easy on petrol averaging 23 to 24 mpg in commuter driving and nearly 30 mpg when on the highway. Better than a family sedan, most smaller cars and certainly an SUV. The issue isn't the gas price itself, it is the rabid inflation that has come with gas prices recently. It was not long ago when I came to Arizona that I was paying $2.50 a gallon.

While petrol is a small cost in monthly expenses for most people, being around than 25% of the monthly budget, rapid inflation that has been occurring recently does pinch. There is no way that salaries can expand so quickly to cover the increase costs of fuel, food and other essentials of modern living.

The US and Australia have it better than most countries as gas/petrol is pretty cheap. An English friend of mine complained about paying 75 pounds to fill up his car. We worked out it was about $9.50 USD a gallon he was paying. I recall when I was in Germany a couple of years ago being horrified at how much a tank of petrol cost.

I make a decent living and do pretty well for myself, if I am noticing the increased costs of gas, then I can only imagine what most other people are thinking of this recent inflationary burst in the cost of living.
More reading: Tags, Gas, Petrol, Inflation
Cam Riley: South Sea Republic. Freedom, liberty, equity and an Australian Republic.

Comments

  • avocadia . # .
    I saw a (US) editorial cartoon depicting a fuel gauge, but instead of Empty->Full it had $0->$15->$30->$45 and I laughed my arse off at America.
  • Any idea why I can't comment? I've tried twice to post a reply here, but I get a "Sorry, can't comment" error...

    UPDATE: Well my comment that says I can't comment posted just fine! I will try posting again.

    UPDATE: Still can't post a longer comment.
    • adam . # .
      I've been having this problem with long comments too. I ended up breaking them in two.
      Give me utilitiy or give me something slightly better!
      • cam . # .
        It should probably be an article if it is that long ;) Will have a look at why.

        'Sworn to no party, and of no sect am I.' Frederick Vosper's republican motto.
  • cam . # .
    Just a note. I paid $3.82 USD a gallon less than a week later. Inflation is steep atm.
    'Sworn to no party, and of no sect am I.' Frederick Vosper's republican motto.
    • Oddly enough, I filled up today and the bio-diesel was DOWN to $4.49 Forget that inflationary retoric I was spouting yesterday. Cheap fuel is making a come-back!
      • cam . # .
        pfft. I dont think diesel is a real fuel anyway.

        'Sworn to no party, and of no sect am I.' Frederick Vosper's republican motto.
  • cam . # .
    Bigger isn't always thirstier;

    In the 2008 Corvette Coupe, the big bad 6.2L LS3 is rated at 16 city/26 hwy. Hardly a guzzler in the traditional sense, the V8's rating isn't that far off from the direct-injected Ecotec turbo. Furthermore, the V8's fuel economy comes with 430 horsepower and 424 lb-ft of torque.

    Though my car has the LS2, not the LS3.

    'Sworn to no party, and of no sect am I.' Frederick Vosper's republican motto.