I have given up stalking people with my car. Oh, and road rage too.

Sent by Ruben Mendoza | 2:38 PM ET | 06-09-2008

I drive about 22 miles one way to work. We have given up most summer activities that come w/a fee. No camp, once-a-month "eat out" lunches for me at work, no morning coffees for me on the way to work, gave up hope for family trip to Chicago to see relatives and sites (they gave up hope for traveling to family reunion in WV, too), and buying all summer "play" clothes at Salvation Army thrift store instead of Target. We ARE enrolling in several library reading programs, attending our church's day camp together in the evening for one week, and sending our son to Cub Scout Day Camp because he earned it through Scout activities he accomplished earlier this year. Not as bad off as some people, I know.

Sent by T. Weiss | 2:41 PM ET | 06-09-2008

Hey T -- wow, that's pretty amazing. I was planning on taking a trip upstate NY later this month, but pretty much nixed that idea. I think I'm going to stay home and watch cable TV and reading the stack of books that keeps getting bigger and bigger.

Sent by Matt Martinez-NPR | 2:49 PM ET | 06-09-2008

My RT commute is about 130 miles each day. I was already carpooling, but I've been struggling to find even more people to add to the pool. I live in Michigan, and sadly there is not much decent public transit between major cities or hubs. I spend quite a ridiculous amount of take-home pay on gas each month. It's getting scary. Many friends have moved out of state to urban areas with better public transit, and at times it's hard not to be jealous, though I still love a lot about Michigan, underdog that it is.

Sent by mariah | 3:14 PM ET | 06-09-2008

$4 gas = all the more reason to H??agen-Dazs!

Sent by Addis | 3:26 PM ET | 06-09-2008

I'm afraid it's only barely registered with me at all: even before gas prices skyrocketed, I'd gotten rid of my car and stuck with public transit, walking and Zipcar, a car-share service that started here in Boston several years ago. Now I've got access to cars anytime I need one, but without paying for gas, insurance, or maintenance, all of which are covered in the hourly rental fee. That fee has certainly gone up a bit in the last year, but it's still enormously cheaper than owning a car!

Speaking of public transit, $4 a gallon gas has apparently caused ridership on the T, Boston's public transit system, to jump over 10% just in the last two months!

Sent by Stewart | 3:51 PM ET | 06-09-2008

It will be interesting to find out if people come to the realization that some of the things they are sacrificing to pay for $4 gas are not a sacrifice at all. Not seeing family as often can be a bummer. However, having an excuse to skip your 3rd cousin's 3rd wedding is a relief. Mocha lattes do no one's waistline any good and make you late for work. Sewing is not only cheaper than shopping Target, but way more fun than driving.

The more I post here the more I start to sound like my mother. In the past I would have found this horrifying. Now it feels like a badge of honor. She taught all her kids how to sew, cook, and garden and it has served us well. She and my dad grew up during the depression and WWII. Their families learned how to do things themselves or do without. Perhaps the rising cost of energy will bring a return to these more frugal ways.

Sent by Dave Wiley | 3:59 PM ET | 06-09-2008

I am giving up my vehicle to afford gas. In other words, I have decided to sell my vehicle and pay down some debt I would otherwise be increasing by wasting money on gasoline and car repair. My fiancee' and I will share a vehicle and are cutting things like eating out, leisurely drives, and long vacations.

I walk to work most days and bring frozen lunches and leftovers, which has cut costs quite a bit. If you have the space, growing your own vegetables can be slightly beneficial (but mostly therapeutic).

Sent by aboyandhispiano | 4:07 PM ET | 06-09-2008

When I was growing up my family rarely owned a car because gas and maintenance was too expensive. Now I am 28 with a graduate degree and no car. I take public transportation to work and choose to live in areas where i can walk to the store, post office, farmers market, etc. High gas prices are making it difficult for me to budget car expenses in my budget, so i will be carless for a while yet.

Sent by star | 4:27 PM ET | 06-09-2008

@aboyandhispiano "I am giving up my vehicle to afford gas. In other words, I have decided to sell my vehicle and pay down some debt I would otherwise be increasing by wasting money on gasoline and car repair."

Atta boy, Piano Boy! At first my wife was very dubious that we could get by on one car. That was three years ago. Now the remaining car gets used so little we're thinking about getting rid of it too. Cars are a huge money-sink. Between the depreciation, taxes, and insurance my car cost $1000 a year just to sit in the garage. Gas and repair add to this.

We solved the lunch problem by cooking two dinners every Sunday. One we eat the other gets divvied into box lunches for both of us. This saves a bunch of money and it's better food than either frozen or restaurant fare.

Sent by Dave Wiley | 4:58 PM ET | 06-09-2008

My husband just started riding the bus after his employer offered free bus passes to all their employees for the year. We have a gas guzzling Durango and I am glad to wash it and store it in the garage with a tank of (cheap) gas! I have only noticed a $5-10 difference in gas for my car for the month, which isn't bad. I haven't changed my habits much since I run all my errands in one day and don't drive far to work (I hope to ride the bus to work soon as well). We have been very fortunate. The only problem I have is seeing my family who lives 160 miles away, but with the gas savings, we can manage for now.

Sent by Natasha | 5:29 PM ET | 06-09-2008

I left the states in 2004 when my local 7-11 had cheap gas at $1.90. When I got here (Wellington, NZ), it was $1.25 a liter ($5 a gallon) and I about fainted... That was nothing, however. We just hit $2.10 ($8.40 a gallon, $6.35USD) a liter and rising. This is comparable to the woes back home because while it's more expensive, we don't drive anywhere near as far everyday.

Our other advantage is that we have good public transport and my Honda Civic gets 44mpg.

Sent by Carlos | 5:36 PM ET | 06-09-2008

I'm not sure it's so much what I'm giving up, but what I'm doing. I just had an interview for a second job. I make my own pizza sauce and sometimes spaghetti sauce if we're in a big crunch. I'm going to start riding my bike to work. My husband and I use the points on our credit card to get free movie passes so we don't have to pay for movies. We never went out to eat much in the first place so that wasn't something we had to quit and we also don't have cable. Being fairly freshly post college does have its benefits since you're already used to living frugally.

Sent by Sarah Lee | 5:38 PM ET | 06-09-2008

Got my wife to quit her job and take one where I work- just cut our gas costs in half. And next week, we'll start riding the bikes to get here.

Sent by BC | 6:03 PM ET | 06-09-2008

I live in LA. EVERYONE in LA drives. No one takes public transportation. Gas prices here are almost $5. I just filled my tank this morning at $4.41.

What am I giving up? I've already given up my Coffee Bean/Starbucks vice. Home brewed coffee has become my best friend!

Sent by MF | 7:24 PM ET | 06-09-2008

We're watching the budget more carefully, not just gas. We're fortunate to be in good shape compared to a lot of people, and so try to be grateful and teach our kids the same. For example, we had a mini food drive at my son's birthday party (which we had in the backyard instead of somewhere "fancy"). The two of us later took the donations to the Food Bank and it seems like a good thing for him to see. Some little things we've changed: Daughters are now in a cheaper preschool (still not cheap!). Stay home for lunch on weekends. No pastries from my favorite coffee place, though I still do a small decaf a couple days a week. We emptied our full coin jar and put the $83 in our "emergency" cash fund. The kids are looking forward to seeing how long it will take it to get full this time :).

Sent by Sandy, Honolulu | 7:48 PM ET | 06-09-2008

I've given up the morning Starbucks (on days that I opt to get it, guilt gnaws at me all day) and don't leave the house unless I have at least three things to accomplish while "out" (aside from getting to my job on time). Goodbye also to pedicures, which were already a rare treat.

Sent by Becky | 9:49 PM ET | 06-09-2008

I'm gushing. All of you are proof that there is life without a car and quite an excellent one at that.

Personally, when I lived in the states I didn't have a car. Even when I lived in rural Indiana. Just rode my trusty bike.

When I moved to the Netherlands, I bought a car! I drove 40 miles each way to work (hated the commute with a passion even though I liked my job). I quit my job and got a new one I could commute to with a bike/train. Life is much better.

Gas here is ???1.69/litre. That's $10.61/gallon folks. Even with a very efficient car (around 50miles/gallon) with depreciation, road tax, insurance and everything I was losing more than $1000/month! My new job pays just as much and it feels like I got a 15% raise. So what did I do? Now I work 4 days/week. Hurrah!

Sent by Nathan in Holland | 6:54 AM ET | 06-10-2008

Planning a wedding during these rising prices has not been easy. We turned our 700 sq ft. Chicago apartment into a green house so we can grow all of the flowers for our centerpieces and decorations. I am making a lot of the accessories like the ring bear's pillow, veil, and having my dress handmade. Cutting out the middleman really makes a big difference. It adds a lot more work but leaves extra money for things you can't skimp on like the open bar tab.

Sent by Janene | 9:49 AM ET | 06-10-2008

I'm taking the bus to work more, I won't be driving home to see my family much this summer, and I've been trying to cut spending in other areas.

Sent by E | 10:28 AM ET | 06-10-2008

Luckily I can walk to work and walk to most of my needs, but I do hear anecdotally that people in the bay area are riding public transportation more. I don't know if these stories about gas are always based on where you can get the lowest prices, but here in the bay area, I have been paying over $4 a gallon for at least one month now.

Sent by lisa ormerod | 11:09 AM ET | 06-10-2008

Nothing...I live in Alaska and higher prices means a bigger Permanent Fund Dividend.Plus I don't own a car...that's a big money saver.

Sent by Jessica | 12:25 PM ET | 06-10-2008

I've stopped buying books and have embraced the library. The fines are only costing me about a gallon every couple of months.

Sent by E in portland | 1:38 PM ET | 06-10-2008

I saw a sign the other day that stated that when Bush took office the barrel was $35 dollars this morning the barrel was $134. What's the F#*%.
One barrel contains 42 gallons of crude oil.

Sent by tony | 1:57 PM ET | 06-10-2008

i can offer you all an 'on the ground' update of sorts. The report early in the show specifically mentioned my home, Fresno, Ca, ad some of the highest prices, at 4.40+ per gallon. This is actually a bit low as most places here in town are charging more like 4.55+ per gallon. Of course, depending where you go in the city, the price will vary. It is always more expensive near freeways and city centers.

We as a society have got to get off of oil, and i agree with your guest from a few days ago that higher prices will force us off, but im afraid it will break the middle class before that happens. It seems to me the people preaching 'higher prices is the way to independence' are the ones that can afford those prices. I cannot.

jeff stiefer

Sent by jeff stiefer | 5:14 PM ET | 06-10-2008