Many Americans are cutting back on everyday expenses as gas prices soar due to President Donald Trump’s war in Iran, now approaching the 10-week mark. About 44 percent of Americans said they’re driving less due to high gas prices, while 42 percent said they’ve slashed household expenses, according to a Washington Post/ABC News/Ipsos poll. In addition, the poll revealed that 34 percent have altered travel or vacation plans. Americans are changing their behaviors as national average gas prices hit $4.43 per gallon Saturday, according to the AAA motor club. This time last year, the national average was just $3.15 per gallon. Patrick de Haan, a petroleum analyst for GasBuddy, said Saturday’s average price marked a sobering new record. “The national average price of gasoline has never been higher on the second day in May than it is today,” he wrote on X.

  • Doorbook@lemmy.world
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    7 days ago

    I get trigger with these titles, 1/3 of USA people voted for trump, it is USA/Israel and Iran war. Calling it Trump war, making him the problem is misleading.

    Worst case they should call it Republican war.

  • SnarkoPolo@lemmy.world
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    6 days ago

    In the US, public transportation has been deliberately held back and kept low-quality, in order to keep us dependent on driving. And as an extra added bonus, the poors, the disabled, those who have to depend on substandard bus transit, are in the permanent underclass.

    Now we see the endgame. Make the underclass even bigger. Make Frank Freeway work just to pay for his hour-plus commute.

  • thespawnkiller@lemmy.world
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    6 days ago

    For now, we have the funds to live and purchase things the same as we have in the past but are choosing not to. I personally am avoiding purchasing from large retailers as much as possible simply because I refuse to support this administration. I avoid companies that have supported or support Trump in any way. While our spending habits have changed, it isn’t solely because of gas prices. But it does suck that all my cars require premium gas, so I’m also driving as little as possible right now.

  • Bytemeister@lemmy.world
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    7 days ago

    I have been driving less because of the gas prices… But that’s because my wife keeps stealing my fake Mustang for her errands, since it is too expensive to drive her gas-guzzer Honda Civic.

  • taiyang@lemmy.world
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    9 days ago

    You know I didn’t think too much about the daily expense of gas since we drive relatively fuel efficient cars, but I looked up the mpg for some of the trucks and stuff near me and… How the fuck do people commute with mpgs as low as 12, sometimes?

    Like, you shouldn’t commute over an hour anyway, but at 60 miles one way, some cars burn 5 fucking gallons. This has gotta be wrecking his truck driving supporters.

    • Joelk111@lemmy.world
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      8 days ago

      I’m pretty sure Biden did the fuel prices, that’s what the sticker on the pump said at least.

      -His truck driving supporters, probably.

      I’m a gearhead so my vehicles aren’t all efficient, and I just see higher fuel prices as the cost of my hobby going up, which isn’t good, but being a gearhead was already expensive. I’m sure these guys in oversized trucks feel feel similar.

      That said, I also like cycling, have an electric skateboard, and use public transit when it makes sense, and I work from home, so the fuel prices don’t really affect me as much as some. Now, if I had a 120 mile round-trip commute I’d kms get an EV or plugin hybrid or ride my motorcycle, only driving my fun cars on occasion.

    • Zedd_Prophecy@lemmy.world
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      7 days ago

      I live in central TN. I’m a Miata guy and the cost is hurting my wallet but almost every other vehicle is a monster lifted truck with oversized tires etc. I have no idea how those guys with truck payments can afford gas.

      • Soggy@lemmy.world
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        7 days ago

        You can really stretch the monthly payments with 7 year loans, nevermind that in the long term you overpay by a hideous margin.

    • vaultdweller013@sh.itjust.works
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      8 days ago

      The fuck. My dinkie little 25 year old Tacoma can go for about 230 miles on a full tank, that’s with it struggling up hill. Why would you want one of these trucks unless you wanted just the body to do an engine swap and fully customize but still.

  • Ironfist79@lemmy.world
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    8 days ago

    I guess it takes gas hitting $5/gallon for people to start riding bikes around here. It’s also strange how empty the gas stations are today.

      • phx@lemmy.world
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        7 days ago

        Yeah, frozen groceries aren’t going to make it home unspoiled if I bike down and up the significant hills between my place and Costco, and because of the way the buses work it’s also a 1-2h trip each way instead of a 10-15m drive so that’s not really viable either.

        I also can’t see myself carrying the 2x4x10’s or slats for my fence replacement on the car.

        Biking to work is somewhat more of an option, though the way back does need to deal with the aforementioned massive hill so in that case I’d rather go down by bike and up by bus.

        • Soggy@lemmy.world
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          7 days ago

          The anti-car crowd would have you believe that delivery is a viable, economical solution for all your woes.

        • alsimoneau@lemmy.ca
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          7 days ago

          That’s why people are pushing for 15 minutes cities. If you had a small local grocer within a mile of your house and did trips every few days instead on one big trip every other week, then it’s doable by foot/bike.

          North American cities are designed for cars, and it’ll take decades to change if we start now. But we need to do it sooner or later.

          • phx@lemmy.world
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            6 days ago

            It’s a neat idea, but comes back to some of the same issues we already have: the market is dominated by a few large corps, actual property costs a lot, freight and distribution costs are still a thing and disproportionately affect smaller operations more, and shelf space is limited.

            We do have a small store in the neighborhood within 15 minutes walk, that suffers from pretty much all of the above.

    • Psythik@lemmy.world
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      8 days ago

      Lucky! Where I live, it’s too hot to ride a bike for 7 months out of the year, and public transport does not exist outside of the suburbs.

      A round trip Uber/Lyft to work is $110, and I make $120/day after taxes/insurance/investments.

      A round trip drive takes two gallons of gas, so even at $45/gallon it would still be cheaper to just drive.

      • Joelk111@lemmy.world
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        8 days ago

        If gas were $45/gallon I think it’d be cheaper to invest in clean energy and drive an electric car or, better yet, the city invests in trolly busses or trains.

        • braxy29@lemmy.world
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          7 days ago

          you know, the price of oil directly impacts the price of electricity where i am. so assuming i could take on a payment equal or more to the cost of my electric bill to even purchase such a vehicle, i would also be sending my electric bill through the roof, plus increased insurance. i literally cannot afford this any better than higher gas, so i keep my fingers crossed that my 15 year old car lasts awhile yet.

          capitalists have nickled and dimed a lot of us americans to the brink, there’s no more wiggle room.

          (also, bussing to work is two hours one way, i checked. the eight mile trip by bike would be longer i’m sure, but we’re approaching the time of year where heat kills people. literally.)

  • Zedd_Prophecy@lemmy.world
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    7 days ago

    Because of the inflation, the wife and I planned that we would do in state road trips for spring through fall because we really couldn’t afford anything more fancy but with a Miata I thought that would be a fun compromise. Gas prices shut that all down. I thought how can I go even cheaper than that ? Ok this year is patio cookout and staycation. Sure, look at the price of food! That brings us back to inflation. This year is the year of laying low and eating poor. Puzzles are still cheap… Sigh.