Los Angeles News

  Have soaring gas prices been taking a toll on your budget? Are you cutting back on your driving or curbing other spending to deal with the pain at the pump? We want to know how you're coping with this fuel furor. Email your thoughts and experiences to kcbs/kcaltvwebsite@cbs.com and we'll publish some of your feedback right here.

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I work at two locations - one in Barstow and another at Fort Irwin - I'm upside down in my truck loan, so trading in my 2004 Silverado which has about 80,000 miles on it wouldn't do me an ounce of good - Glad its got a V-6 but being out here in Barstow, I feel that our Fuel prices out here are greater because they are marketing the people that drive to Vegas - I have to drive at times a 100 miles a day especially when I go to both locations - I don't get paid or reimbursed for my drive - Fuel prices on both military installations are obnoxious. How I deal with the pain at the pump - Don't get to buy the stuff that I desire - Don't go out to eat at theme restaurants - Can only do the basic essentials.

-John, Barstow, Calif.

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Vote yes on Prop. 87 and Gas prices will go Up, Well 87 lost and gas prices are going up? Race Cars have been running on alcohol for years but then Corn prices will go up and meat prices will go up. We do need to stop depending on Oil. There are ways, we need to stat using them.

-Jerry H., Lakewood, Caif.

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Really, what did we expect? We have an oil man for president. We have a war raging about... you got it, oil. Now oil companies are raking in record profits. Hmmmmm.....................

I hope Americans wake up and smell the coffee. Let's change out the guard in the next presidential elections. We can't afford any more oil men in office!!!

We need to clean house starting with congress, moving on thru the senate and then the presidency. Only when we have had a complete changing of the guard can we begin to start over.

May we never lose our sense of awe at the magnificence of the Universe.

-Zoe

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There is one word that describes the oil companies relationship to the American people -- traitors.

They are traitors to every one of us. When everyone in the country was trying to help the victims of Katrina, the oil companies were gouging us; lining their pockets with ill-gotten wealth. They might as well have put a gun to our heads and robbed us, because we have no choice but to pay, if we are to survive, and they know that.

It's time the American people realize that oil should be controlled by the people, because it is a necessity in these modern times. No corporate entity or private citizen should be allowed to control such essential things. We should have elected officials governing these things just like we do with other utilities. Finally, we should demand the return of the ill-gotten money and prosecute all those who are part of the oil companies.

-Adam S.

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Hi there,

I cope with high gas prices by riding my bike 34 miles per day. If I do that two times a week, I end up saving over $80 a month on gas costs.

-RL P.

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I think it's obscene that the oil companies are making such outlandish profits at the expense of the American public. If they were a department store or some other local business, it would be easy to boycott them and go somewhere else until they either bent to public pressure or went out of business. What are we supposed to do when it costs approx. $40 to fill a lousy 13 gallon tank? We don't have to worry about some other country bringing our great country to its knees, our corporate greed will do it for them.

Suzanne P.

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I believe in free enterprise, but the "profits" being made at the common citizen's expense is a down right SIN. They are price gouging the public to line their pockets. I have a small economy car, I don't go anywhere except to work and get a very few groceries. Because of the high prices of oil, it affects every part of our lives, food, utilities, fuel-everything we come into contact on a daily basis. Farmers, Manufacturers all have to pass along the high cost fuel to the consumer. Food, clothing, everything goes up, we all have less money to spend. Where will that lead our economy? I don't like the government meddling in my affairs, but there are some things that they just have to get in to and take care of. This is one of those times and needs to be done NOW!

-Vicki

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My job and son's school are within walking distance of our home in Santa Monica. My husband had the foresight to purchase a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (www.Gemcar.com) for our short trips that are too time-consuming for walking/biking. It only has a 25 mile range but we've driven over 4,000 miles in the past year. It costs us about $6 a month in electricity. We're adding a photovoltaic system to our house so we can generate our own electricity and are converting our '71 Beetle to electric for our high speed/long range driving needs.

-Mimi

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I live in Long Beach. Where is the nearest low price of gasoline? I live at Atlantic and South St. Yours truly. JR

JR, prices at local gas stations change daily if not multiple times a day. But you can always find the best deal in your area right here on our Gas Watch section. Click here for the Best Gas Prices.

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I think that it's time for a big change, and I think that change is now. It's time to really make this world a better place for everyone. I know I'm tired of the B.S.

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I brought me a Metro rail monthly pass. Guess what, it's great. Park and Ride.

Ted (6/16)

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I commute to Santa Monica to work at least 3 days a week & spend the week in town from Moreno Valley, one day I stopped to refuel my Expedition in Ontario & 2 different people came up & asked for money. I think that they should try a different marketing approach to asking for money go to 7 - 11 or Circle K to ask patrons for money. a gas station is not quite the place to go for a handout since fuel & gasoline is high. it just seem funny

Tom (6/8)

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Simple! Shop smart. Drive smart. Take advantage of credit card discounts, like AAA. Promote alternate work schedules with employers. Reasearch MPG before purchasing your next vehicle. Tune-up your old one. Make sacrifices you would not normally do. Maybe not so simple, but absolutely necessary to make ends meet.

Jack (5/30)

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You do what you have to do – buy the gas. I'm very much concerned for middle class people, poor people, single moms, kids just starting out working, people close to retirement, how will they make it? Very much concerned!!!

Kathy (5/23)

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HEY, I WISH IT WOULD NOT BE THAT HIGHER PRICE. I WAS ROBBED OF ONE GALLON LAST WEEK BY ANOTHER DRIVER WHO ASKED ME TO LOAN HIM ONE GALLON. IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN IF GAS PRICE WAS NOT THAT HIGH.

THOMAS (5/16)

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Downsize! Sacrifice your large gas guzzler for a more economical one. Stop spending money on frivolous expenditures, and initiate an account to finance travel expenses, gas! Limit the amount of vehicles in the family, and share. Exercise is good, so walk or ride a bike on short outings. Get the whole family involved, and promote that philosophy with friends and neighbors. Might get to know them better anyway. It requires a life-style change far overdue! That includes work ethics.

Rod (5/16)

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If you drive around the freeways and streets around Southern California then you know that the impact and pain of the Gas crises is a myth. People still drive crazy on the freeways and streets, speeding and changing lanes without slowing down, people are still driving in large SUV's and huge vans with single occupants. So there is no impact of the rising gas prices. If people were really affected by the gas prices they would either change their driving habits or would drive smaller vehicles which is not happening now.

Therefore the gas crises is a Myth, there is no crises according to the drivers of this city. Bring on $7 a gallon and maybe you might begin to see some behavioral change in drivers.

James (5/15)

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Can you explain why the fuel prices keep going up, even when the oil prices go down? More profits for the oil companies. The people are being RAPED.

Larry (5/15)

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Gas prices are getting too high. Why don't people take a nation wide day off. Maybe gas prices will get lower.

Doug (5/12)

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I don't care how high gas prices go as long as we can get it...remember the days of rationing???

Tina (5/12)

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Everyone is bitching about the price of gasoline. Well you might get with the program because it ain't going back to where most would like it to (old school) . This is inflation at work. Wait! it's not just the gas prices. Many other prices are rocketing thru the roof. It's the coming of things we all should have heeded the signs we saw in the past decades.

Louis (5/11)

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How else can So. California cope with rising gas prices?
Do as the Europeans do and rediscover the JOY of WALKING!!!!!!!!!!

Dana (5/11)

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Not too long ago, trips like the following were common in our household:
going out three or four times a month with the wife and kid to eat dinner.
And, once a month, driving on a weekend to one of the local attractions, having lunch, do some light shopping and then coming home. Now, most all of that is out with the expectation that the extra money will help offset the high cost of gas. There are still more extracurricular expenses that I can curtail to help offset any future gas increases. Bottom line is that my money is not going out to the small, medium and large businesses that rely on us consumers and their 'suffering' will eventually impact the economy as a whole. Meanwhile, big oil can roll happily in their profits.

Roland (5/11)

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If we are having a gas crisis, and its time to take drastic measures, how come we are still producing 3 fuel grade types.

Wouldn't it be cheaper to produce one single grade of gasoline, (87) instead of all three types (89) and (91), therefore making access to fuel more readily available and in larger quantities for everyone to purchase at a fair price instead of being gouged by the oil companies at the pump.

As for reinvestment, no new refineries and there is no hiring frienze for employment for workers to increase drilling rig outputs. But I do see increased lobbyists in Washington for the Oil companies.

Peter (5/10)

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Owning a small sign installation company, we need to go all over so.cal. on a daily basis in trucks that get only 7 - 8 mpg so we have started charging our fuel on our "miles" credit card - at least we'll be able to go on vacation in a much shorter time!

Margie (5/10)

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We are continually told by the oil companies that they are only covering rising costs, and passing those costs on to the consumers. Then please explain how they could be experiencing record profits? Doesn't profit equal income minus costs?? How much more evidence is necessary to demonstrate that we are being gouged!

Bob (5/10)

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To whom it may concern,

You know, my question is why is everybody complaining about gas prices, when I see girls all over downtown Long Beach clubbing buying $10-16 drinks, people buying $4 dollar beers and they have no problem paying for that. They go to Vegas and gamble and have no problem with that. Why is everybody complaining about gas prices?

I'd like to hear from responses. Because I'm curious how do they do it. Thank you, and I hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,
George (5/10)

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Everyone has all kinds of answers the rise in gas prices; the barrel price, refining and then retail. You have had reporters at stations, and they raise the price right there, for no reason, and they say the barrel price just went up, and how can that be. The prices are raised 2 times a day, without any deliveries, and when I have questioned them, they say they got a call from headquarters. Three stations on opposite corners, 1 delivery, raises the price, then (station), and (station) raise their price. HOW, WHY, this is PRICE GOUGING. You have reported that State Agencies, are investigating, and if you call, all you get is a Press Release. Once again, I am asking you to find out.

Richard (5/10)

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I can't believe it when I hear people at my job, church, doctor, and supermarket complain about the gas prices and then they talk about how much their house is worth. The only people who should be allowed to complain are renters. I don't see people crying bloody murder about their home be worth 5X's what they paid for it just a few years back. I say homeowners should just shut up and pay for there gas.

Martin (5/10)

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I have had to do without quite a few things in order to buy gas to get to work every day. The prices are absolutely awful. I also will not be able to take a planned driving trip for my vacation this year due to the high costs of gasoline. I have a son who is working part-time and going to college and he has to take the bus because he can't afford the high prices as well.

Shelley (5/10)

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History Repeated: In the 70's the auto makers made rolling Tanks with big motors, america bought them up. Then the "Gas Shortage" hit, Big Oil made Big Money and Americans had to buy small cars so the auto makers made out with Big Money.
If every Suv was traded for a hybrid Big Oil would be in Big Trouble.
My car gets 38 mpg hwy (actual mpg) whats your SUV get?

John (5/9)

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Gas prices are effecting us trendously. In our family of seven. Mother and Father: 4 boys & 1 girl. There are various other and more important ways my family copes with the increase in gas price.

1. Avoiding unnecessary driving such as: Driving in the streets to purchase food and
goods. We have limited our purchases. Avoid going to store several time during
the week. Shop in bulk and freeze foods. Limit eating out to one day a week than 3
or 4 a week. Making lunches for work.

2. Shop on the internet. Avoiding driving by viewing information on the internet
instead of at the stores. It was normal for my wife to good out shopping
to the malls in the past. She has changed her ways since gas prices have
increased. She is able get better bargains and obtions on-line.

3. Calling over the phone instead of visiting.

4. Taking walks and going the park instead of Chucky Cheezes.

Some ways to save and leave money in our pockets.

5. Gardening: Avoid paying for a gardener $120. a month. Do the work ourselves.

6. Pool Cleaner: Stop paying for pool man. $80. a month. Doing the work ourselves.

7. Arrange child care with friends and family.

8. Checking mileage more regularly. Slowing down. Leaving earlier.

Steven (5/8)

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My truck is an 8 cylinder engine and it eats a quarter of a tank each day I take it to work. I have to fill $70 worth twice a week. But you know what? GOOD! That's right, I said "GOOD!" Now I am far from being rich so paying high gas prices is as tough for me as for anyone but bottom line...We are addicted to oil. Except for the poor citizens why should we care so much about the Middle East? Why is Bush ready to destroy thousands of acres of pristine & delicate wilderness to search for oil? We have lots of oil rigs and on our land, why is it not producing enough? The answer is you! You are demanding cheaper gas so the demand is high and profitable for corporate big wigs. So stop demanding! Imagine, what if we never had to buy oil from the Middle East. What would happen to their lifestyle?
Meanwhile, I'm riding my motorcycle to work everyday. Much cheaper in gas, faster, & more fun.

Jon (5/8)

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I have made quite a few changes due to these outrageous gas prices. Since it's sandal season I get pedicures but no manicures. In the fall it will be closed toed shoes manicures no pedicures. For my hair I just get a wash and no set. I drive over other peoples lawns so their sprinklers will wash my car. I use my tea bags twice okay three times now. I go to the park now instead of the beach. I rent movies instead of going to the movies. Eating out is taking out food from the freezer. From a house to studio, from an SUV to bike.

Margaret (5/8)

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When I was in England recently the Brits were unsympathetic toward Americans. They have been paying more than $6.00 a gallon for years.

Navy92286 (5/8)

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I'm absolutely furious about the gas prices. My husband is in the military and currently serving in Iraq. We have 4 children, one being a newborn, due to his absence we are now on a limited income. I was barely coping with our home and personal payments and now with these gas prices it's absolutely insane. I am managing but when I think of single mothers and fathers that are struggling even more I wonder how they are making it. I wish our president would stop and think that not everyone is rolling like him and other rich oil tycoons.

Theresa (5/8)

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Yes, the soaring gas prices are really affecting us and quiet honestly I don't know ANYONE who drives that it hasn't affected. I drive purchased a Honda Civic a couple of years ago to help keep the cost down for my commute. I live 20 miles away from work and my child's school and it takes an hour plus each way on many days. Since I spend so much more money on gas now, eating out and shopping has really declined for us, because you never know when the prices will jump again and you need the extra $45 to fill the tank. Hope we can start working from home or fueling our cars with garbage really soon, or we will basically be working for gas.

Stephanie (5/8)

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I only use my car to get to work. For all other commuting, I use my electric motorcycle. It was made in 1973 by the now out of business Auranthetic corp. in Burbank, CA. It has a top speed of 30mph and can travel 30 or more miles on a charge. If you look close at what would normally be a gas tank, you will see there is a plug on the side for an extension cord. This is for the built-in charger. I believe I have one of the very few of these machines still on the road today. It draws quite a bit of attention in public places. An identical Auranthetic by another owner was featured in the August 22, 1979 edition of the LA Times(I have the article). Even back then the number of machines still in use were in question. The Auranthetic was the first successfully mass produced electric motorcycle and is far superior to any electric bikes sold at department and auto parts stores today. It might be possible for someone to still find one at a garage sale or swap meet. You can search the name Auranthetic on the net for more info on these machines.

Stephen (5/8)

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WHAT AREYOU GONNA DO?????? WALK!!??! JUST PAY WHAT THEY ARE ASKING FOR...GET IN YOUR CAR ..DRIVE OFF..AND JUST BE GRATFUL YOU HAVE A CAR TO DRIVE IN!!!!! I MEAN COME ON... HAVE YOU SEEN WHAT TAKES THE BUS HERE??????!! oy!!!!

Stephany (5/8)