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April 30th, 2008
09:46 PM ET
Economizing?
The economy is one issue you just can't ignore. It's not something separated from you by a TV screen or hundreds of miles. It's in your gas tank, your allowance, the places you go and the stuff you buy.
It's never been more expensive to drive, and if you've bought a gallon of milk lately, you probably noticed that it wasn't cheap. We'd like to know if and how you've been affected. Tell us whether you've been pinching pennies, noticing price increases, or if economic changes haven't affected you at all.
Carl Azuz, Anchor
Is horrible the way the gas price is going up each day, I used to spend about $20 in gas per week, now I'm spending $30 and sometimes even more. I used to watch for the gas price when it used to go up and down, but now I just know it will go up and not down anymore, at least on these days that the economy is so bad.
On my side-job, I work as a cashier in a supermarket, which is supposed to be one of the cheapest. It really does a lot of fun, but sometimes there are customers complaining about some things you witness in America too: milk-prizes rising up, vegetable-prizes rising up and the all-time favorite, bred. It gets more expensive every month and we recently had to lift the prizes of it again.
I always try to explain them, but most of the customers don't listen. At the end, they mostly blame the supermarket I work in, my boss or even myself!
And I detected something:
Work as a cashier in a supermarket and you'll notice even more of the global economics than you EVER did before.
School is nothing against it, this is practical!
Tonio from Hamburg, Germany
PS.: By the way, gas-prizes are rising up like a rocket here too! But it doesn't affect me that much, because I use my bike for all of my routes.
With our economy declining I have been affected tremendously. For instance with gas prices. I am a high school senior so I do not have that much money at all. So when gas is 4.00 a gallon I can't afford it at all. For the last couple of years I have always had a least a few dollars in my wallet but thats not the case anymore. The economy declining is defintly noticable and is changing many peoples lives today.
As an 18 year old who still lives with his parents, the only aspect of the economic recession that has really affected me has been the gas prices. My parents currently pay for my clothing and food (at least for the next few months) so I havn't noticed the increase in milk prices.. The rising prices of gas have really affected me because I have to pay for every one of those gallons my volvo sucks up. During the spring and summer I usually like to make the 2 hr drive to Ocean City, NJ to go surfing with my friends, but this year I may not be able to make as many trips. To cope with the rising prices, I have had to spend less on luxuries, and save up for those horrible days when I have to hit the pumps.
I haven't been affected by the way the economy is changing because I don't drive so I don't need to pay for gas. My family is always complaining about the rate of the gas increasing. If I did drive I know that I would be spending a lot of money on gas. Even though I'm not affected by the change I wish that the price of gas would go down so then people would stop spending so much money on gas rather then something else that is important.
The main issue affecting me is rising gas prices. Around here they've reached upwards of around $3.50 and approaching $4.00. I've had to seriously cut back on driving recently. The only thing I use it for anymore is driving to and from work and the occasional errand.
Recently gas prices and prices of food and other things have really effected me. I have been driving around less so i buy gas every other week instead of every week which is really draining the money in my pocket. As well as spending money for food im having trouble going out and eating i have been eating out less and eating in more because of these money problems.
The economic changes have greatly affected me in one main area, driving. Since the gas prices have gone up I have noticed my money going down. I feel like i work just to pay for gas. When the summer comes I have decided I am going to try to drive less in order to conserve my gas. I am going to try to walk places more. Hopefully, things change and the economy improves because I don't know how much longer i can deal with these prices!
The rising gas prices has severely affected how much I drive on a daily basis. I normally don't drive too much because of the cost and the emissions, but now I have much more incentive to back off of the pedal. I've gone from paying around $25 for a total tank fill-up to a little over $40 now. $15 is a big difference if you haven't been paying it before and now it's unavoidable.
I talk about this issue almost everyday with my friends and family... It's a constant struggle to go about your daily 'business' and not feel the pain at the pump. .. If you think about it... this is the perfect way for a country to (for lack of better words) "choke" a nation's infrustructure.. in a sense, it's almost like attacking the super power-without direct physical confrontation of waging war. Pure genious for other countries that oppose us.
i am fed up with the gasoline prices. somebody is making alot of money and laughing. were all going broke, but we cant stop paying for it because we need to get to places, school, work etc. Its absolutley absurd and rediculous how quickly they are rising. food prices are also going up and thats a shame. everyones frustrated and going on a strict budget.
Anyone who says that they haven't been affected by the economy changes clearly doesn't have a grip on reality. With gas and food prices constantly fluctuating it is hard not to notice. One day the gas price is $3.67, then all of a sudden the next day the price goes up to $3.77. The economy does have an affect on everyone whether you're rich or poor.
P.S. this may be off topic but it was nice to see Carl Azuz headlining the news again.
The economy is really starting to worry me. The worst part is I just realized whats going on in the economy so it's come as a shock. I work a part time job along with high school, and I've noticed at least half of my paycheck is going toward gas. It's annoying that I work so hard, but most of my money is going toward my gas tank.
the economy is getting worse and that means prices are going up. gas is getting to expensive to fill up the car and price on food is getting hard on some others in the community. we should do something about this so our economy is not ruined
Sad to say but its true our conomy is bad, we can't hide from it i've moved so much because of the economy, i've lived in 4-5 different states and over 6 towns. I still i am moving after graduation because, there is no houses that my parents can afford here washington. it also cost over 55 dollars to fill up our car. It has effected people worst then me. some people can even pay their bills or even keep a house just because they can't afford it.
Personally i am highly dis-satsified with what are economy is doing. There is no reason for all the shortages and higher prices. i hope that the government can straghten up and get everything back together and prices back down to normal.
the economy is such a conterversial inssue nowadays. We have to be careful about how much money we spend in comparision to how much we make. For more and more people this money is becoming less in both cases. in order to spend we have to have money. i just hope that the government does all it can to fix what the president has screwed up.
The economy hasn't been affecting me that much mostly because I don't buy anything. My parents buy my gas, food, and essentials so I don't fully know the impact. I am concerned for when I do start paying for everything like college and insurance. I know it will hit me pretty hard in the next year after grauation.
I have definatly noticed the prices going up recently. I used to be able to fill up my gas tank with $20 when I first got my car. Now it's double. It's also hard not to notice the rising price of food. When I first started my job I was excited to be able to not have to ask my parents for money, but with the rising price of just about everything, I find most of my paycheck goes towards my car, and I am finding that I need to start asking for money again, even just to go to the movies. The biggest money problem was paying for prom. With the expenses of prom, and still paying for gas and food, I really had to ask for money.
The economy has been hurting my cash flow because i pay $200.00 a week in gas alone... i really hope that the gas prices will go down.
Kyle,
Washington
Because of the rising costs of food and gas due to our economy, I feel so guilty when I buy something or when I fill up my gas tank. I feel like I should be saving my money or that it is almost a waste to be putting such a high percentage of my money into these things. I dont think these economy changes are affecting me as much as other people but I know that if things get too much worse there will be very few people lkeft who are not impacted.
After discussing the issue of the economy with my father, I realize that we are in a situation that can not be ignored. It really is upsetting to see the lack of interest and knowledge reagrding the situation. People need to become better informed about this crisis so that it can be resolved. The only way to change is through knowledge, and by the looks of it, change is far from close.
I find it delightfully hilarious that there's several boards that need to look at charts, graphs, and several different reports. Then they file a report about what they looked over and pass it over to another board where they do more or less the same thing. Then that board sends a transcript of they're meeting to a room full of chimps with typewriters, where those chimps will compose an official statement that the United States government can officially say that we're in a recession.
Anywho, whether or not our government is compotent enough to say that the economy isn't doing so great, I've noted that it's going to cost me an arm and a leg just to drive.
The price increases have been really hard manage, especially for high school student with a part-time job. To turn 18 and be expected to pay for everything, while managing your money to save up enough for college is not one of the most fun and entertaining things in the world. Especially when it is senior year and friends are wanting to do activites before everyone is scattered to the winds at separate colleges and careers.
Gas prices keep going up the food in the markets are also going up. The shopping mart Goodies have went out of business because of these prices. This cost of gas is rediculous we shouldn't have to pay that much just because people in the goverment are struggling. if gas prices keep going up ill have to get rid of my new car that my dad bought me for y 16th birthday when it comes!
the price of gas is just rediculous. there is no need for gas prices to keep going up all the time. I used to spend about $30 to fill my gas tank and now im almost paying $45 to $50 to fill a small tank. the government is pretty much in control of all the gas prices and the price of the barrell. the government is just money hungery and they are making everybody in the country poor.
With rising prices on nessicary things such as food and gas, people are struggling to make ends meet. Our government can't expect the average american to be able to keep up with the always rising prices. Minimum wage needs to be raised and more comminuity transportation needs to be available for people who can't afford the rising gas prices yet need to get to work.
I think I really want a bison burger!
The gas prices have affected me more than anything else. My boyfriend and I are having to ask my parents for gas money. It's really frusterating, especially because there is nothing we can do about it.
I can see how the economy is changing and it is affecting me through gas prices and through grocery shopping. Gas prices have risen to record hights in these last few months and it is affecting what I do with my free time.
I think that economy is in a recession. I think that the stimulus packages will help a little bit but only so much since we are only gettin so much money that money will just go back to the government and then we are back to the same place we were. its a vicious circle
I can't believe how much money has taken over. The prices for comodities and gasoline and food has gotten to be outrageous. I have noticed that I have had to watch what I spend just to be able to pay for my bills and gas, but also value the money I have keft over. I wonder if this will ever end?
the economy is bad right now. i think the stimulus package is a good idea.
The economy has effected me in a negative way. My friends and i can no longer afford to drive around aimlessly and take road trips to places that are far away from our home town. We are limited to the places close by. I will be driving soon and paying for my car, insurance and gas... and with the rising prices, my wallet will definitely be empty.
Due to the rising gas prices, I have been trying to limit my driving lately to save money. My family as a whole has been tight on money and the rising cost of simple, everyday products, such as gas and milk, is not helping and possibly a key contirbuter to our current financial state.
I've been feeling the economy shift slightly. Mostly in the gas tank. My vehicle gets close to 12 mpg, and traveling around town gets costly fast. I spent over $100.00 in gas in a few weeks and i feel it's not the end.
I believe that economy needs to to be fixed in very soon before more and more people end up jobless and homeless. Lower the prices of the common needs for people like gas, food, etc.
I want a hybrid. It seems completely ridiculous to be spending thirty dollars on gas that only gets me 25 miles a gallon when I could be going forty miles a gallon with a hybrid. I'm tired of the gas prices. I'm tired of feeling like Bush is doing a completely awful job and that his stimulus package is only a tiny solution to a large problem. This whole scenario is annoying and could have been avoided if we had not gone stayed in Iraq for as long. Sure my views are radical and liberal but the fact that we are in a large "recession" or shall we say on our way towards a DEPRESSION it seems that someone needs to be able to tell me what or who caused it and give me facts because right now my finger is pointed at Bush and his strive to get rid of "terrorism" . Until we get a new president I don't predict that there will be much change. Just attempts to fix the "slight decline" that is forcing people to lose their homes, businesses and income.
For the gas issue, there is some ways to save money on gas. Fill your tank on Wednesday morning because for one, gas prices drop a little during the middle of the week. Secondly, if you put gas in your car when the temperature is cold, the gas will expand in your tank which lasts longer.
I do not believe that by the Federal Government lowing the intrest rate that the economy will become better. They do not realize that they are still hurting big companies such as real estate and car dealerships. If there is a lower intrest rate yes people will be willing to spend their extra cash on bigger expenses however will there be enough people buying these cars or houses to keep the bigger companies from foreclosing? I do not believe there will be. There is going to have to be a bigger change than just intrest rates to make the economy uprise. Maybe they should try fixing the issues that effect us all like maybe gas prices or food costs!
I think that if they cut down on the people with bad credit that can get a loan the Fed's wouldn't have to cut or raice the interest and the economy wouldn't suffer for those who shoudln't have lit their credit get so bad in the frist plase.
With gas prices going up it get alot tougher as a soon to be 18 yr old to afford things. As a lesson my parents have me pay for everything, car insurance, monthly payments, cell phone bill and gas. This is a tough job when prices keep rising on gas and even food. I am happy that the federal reserve cut down the interest rate becuase that means when i start to move out it will be cheaper for me to get a car or apartment. With the stimulus package on the way i know i don't get the money my parents do but hopefully we are able to spend it so the ecomony can get boosted so this doesn't have to happen again. I hope the U.S. isn't in a recession and this is just a streak of bad luck
The economy is bad right now. I think the stimulus package is a good idea.
Well I have cut back on spending HARD CORE. I put my money into savings, and to help my family get by... I might even have to get a 2nd job... I don't really drive to school or work anymore I just ride my bike there, and if it is a really nice day i will walk.
When I do shop i don't spend much and i try to aviod wal-mart and stick to the little guys.
I live in CT and there's a tax on gas here. Everywhere in the US gas prices are outrageous, but in CT it costs $4.15 for super premium–per gallon! I can see why so many people are struggling to pay their bills. Part of it is because its harder and harder to find the minerals we need to make gas. Not only does it affect the economy, it effects the environment! I care a lot about the earth and living a "green" lifestyle, so that is another reason why the high gas prices are concerning me.
Bad economy really hurts our daily living. However, it's also a good timing we can examine our life style. Are we wasting too much energy, too much money? Do we really need to live so comfortable? Maybe cherishing every resource is the best way to survive the crisis.
Thanks for the excellent segments on the U.S. economy. These topics are presently being discussed in my Economics classes at Lyman High, Longwood, Florida.
The economy is falling apart by greed, I believe the petroleum industry is the first guilty party followed by the auto makers and the people in control of food costs are using the global demand and fuel issues as an excuse to get rich on. Now it comes down to the common man to make choices. As for me, it means dropping medical and neccesary prescriptions in order to eat and gas to go to work on. I better stop as I get so mad as there is others to fault at our US situation.
The economy wouldn't be quite so bad if the American lifestyle (the lifestyle of any forst world population, really) wasn't so extravagant. Most people who ate lucky enough to live in the U.S. eat too muc, waste energy and water, and don't seem in general to be concerned enough about the earth's natural resources.
Not to mention that US currency is a fiat currency-that means it isn't tied directly to any precious metal, making inflation impossible to stop unless that fact is changed.
The economy is definately heading into a recession. The Federal Reserve has been cutting interest rates but still many people can not spend more because of rising food and gas prices. The gas price has went up fourty cents in the past two months.
Yes, it will have a huge problem with obama, and hopefully Hillary can use that as an advantage to be the democratic nominee
Its time for trucking companies and any other company with fleet vehicles to strike. They can afford to lose a few bucks for the greater good. The average citizen cannot afford to lose a few. If the truckers, utility companies and the Fed X, UPS and DHL companies went on strike someone would have to take notice.
I don't drive at all but I am totally fed up with sky-rocketting gas prices. It hugely affects my only hobby "traveling abroad". As you know, a lot of airlines are suffering from soaring gas price and nearly bankrupt. Not only airlines, but also travelers are struggling with the cost of traveling. In order to offset the cost of gasoline, airlines seem to be eager to add the cost of airfare. I wonder how can we keep calm while escalating cost and rare punctuality of airlines.
All I hear about is people struggling with the economy and gas prices. However, for me, living in Doha, Qatar, it doesn't affect us as much. especially since there is a plethora of oil here.
Mr. Adams my geography teachers, allows us to watch CNN Student News{which is the best}!!! I really enjoy his class he has taught me alot about Tennessee and the world!!!
Nothing is more saddening than the state of our economy right now and it only keeps getting worse. I watch CNN everyday keeping up on the weather, politics, the war, the economy, and everything else. I remeber the headline of Costco limiting the bags of rice that people are allowed to buy. It is clear things need to change and $140 billion stimulus package won't do the trick, it is only a temporary relief, not a solution to solve the problem. Everyday i drive to school looking at the cheapest gas station in town and i see rise about 5-7 cents every few days, i just can't believe how such a common thing is affecting our daily life, it severly limits the family trips we take. I really hope things start to change for the better in the coming months and years and that our future leaders will take action to prevent such a decline in the U.S. economy.
Speaking of the economy, I think that Jenna Bush and her new husband should have spent there honeymoon in the states. Set an example for the American people. Also put some money back into our economy not Europes. Europe is a beautiful place, but there are beautiful places here in the states.
The economy's definitely a major issue right now, and I can definitely feel its impact. My parents are stressed sometimes, and even though they don't say anything to me about it, I can tell its affecting us and lately we haven't had as many luxuries (trips to the store often, eating at restaurants at least once a month, etc.).
I do hope that the next president pays more attention to our economy, rather than the war (Which is wasting money), tho ugh at the same time I think that we can't just depend on 'Mr(s) President!" all the time, we have to lower how much we buy, and how we use our resources, however that will be hard since many people don't think about turning lights on and off, or how long we take our showers, since we tend to take those things for granted, and many don't even know how endangered our economy is.
Of course the rising gas prices affects me, I drive 50 miles a day to my job, I'm considering a pay cut to get a job closer to home, not sure the extra salary is worth the gas. I'm doing all I can to economize, my hot water heater is turned off most of the time, tv and components unplugged, I've seen a huge difference in my electric bill since doing this. When I shop for groceries, it's with a list and it stops with the list, alsot buying everything fresh that I can and cutting down on portions. Also shopping dollar stores more and getting all errands done in one trip. I drive 60 on the interstate versas 75 and find it relaxing on the way to work..
The dept of energy says that Sunco-Conoco-Sinclair-BP Phillips-Hess-Arco-Pilot-Flying J-Loves-Racetrac-Valero Oil companys do not buy gas from overseas. Then why are they just as high as the oil companys that do?? The Saudis are boycotting American goods, we should return the favor. Citgo oil comes from So. America, from a dictater that hates Americans.. If the oil companys that dont buy the oil from overseas, drop their prices, and all americans buy from them only then Oil from overseas will drop down where it was 2 years ago.