Yet another reason why long commutes are BAD! - Gas Savers

theclencher · 05-29-2007, 07:43 PM

http://www.startribune.com/1244/story/1212527.html

repete86 · 05-29-2007, 08:03 PM

It's amazing what people do for money. They have no time to even enjoy the 'things' that they 'need' yet slave day in and day out for it. That's why my goal in life is to work as little as possible.

cfg83 · 05-29-2007, 09:00 PM

theclencher -

That's me! All that stuff is happening to me right now. But, the article neglected the skin cancer studies on commuters. I have built an extra big sun visor to put over my visor, long sleeve extenders (white socks with holes in them to go over my arms), a window sill "shade shelf", and nose filter plugs so that I can "breathe" highway air without AC.

I used to be able to function on 4 hours of sleep, but now I need 8 to stay healthy. And I almost never get it.

CarloSW2

Erdrick · 05-29-2007, 10:52 PM

I experience the same thing. I used to have a 2-3 hour commute (total time) every day. It was done in a $4000 (price = new car) car. My back ended up feeling like it was going to die. I went to the doctor and only got temporary relief. I now have a hour and a half commute every day. My back is loving it. There are twists and turns, as I navigate one-way roads that accomodate two lanes of traffic. There are no traffic lights and no cars though, so it is a very peaceful drive. The scenery can't be beat either. I love seeing the road ahead of me, instead of some stupid rear end of a car.

Companies need to start offering more chances to work at home. When I return to America, I am pretty sure that I will end up in a sales-type job. Not sure which industry I will land in, but sales seems to be the best bet for me now. In other words, my car will be uber-important. I need to have excellent back support. I am looking at a 1998 Jetta TDI, and if need be I will replace the seat in it with something more supportive if my back demands it.

Oh, and my blood pressure doesn't suffer during my commte at all. It actually improves I think. When I get to my workplace, I have a 90/50 rate. Almost a little TOO low...

repete86 · 05-29-2007, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theclencher

repete: Working as little as possible is a laudible goal!

I learned the hard way, that all the dedication and loyalty and sincere effort and skill you give to a company means squat; if you aren't kissing the right *** they'll throw you out without thinking twice about it. No more!

I love the part in the story about the killer commute in order to have a "dream home"- another freaking breeder/consumer that can't see the forest through the trees! LOL

I have some anarchist friends in Lake Worth who really amaze me with regards to their ability to not work. There is a group of them who collectively own a house. They dumpster dive or grow all of their food, steal free water from the city with the help of a gray water filtration system, use almost no electricity, and as a result are some of the happiest people I know.

They have a friend who is a stagehand, and they will work with him for a few weeks of the year and then not do anything else for the rest of the year. Stagehands make $18 per hour. I met the guy when I was hanging out with them last weekend and he offered to get me into that once the busy season starts again. It should be pretty cool to make some quick cash and then relax for a while.

Peakster · 05-29-2007, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by repete86

That's why my goal in life is to work as little as possible.

Me too! When I get a career in the future, I'm going to buy a regular 3 bedroom bungalow, Finish the basement with 4 more bedrooms, and rent out the extra rooms for rental income. Once the mortgage is paid for, who needs to work full time?

I got this idea after my exciting time living in an on-campus residence at the University of Manitoba. It was a blast, and you'd be surprised how well 25 people per floor can share just 4 showers, 4 toilets, one living room, and one kitchen!

Every month, each floor's rent totalled over $10,000

. And there were 9 floors in my building!

repete86 · 05-29-2007, 11:29 PM

I'm not. The collective house I was talking about in Lake Worth houses 6 people, is about 1200 square feet, doesn't have a toilet (only a composting toilet that you can't pee in), and one solar shower.

They're anti-capitalists though.

Jim Dunlop · 05-30-2007, 05:55 AM

I do it. "On a good day" my commute is 1.25 hours each way.

My wife and I do not live an extravagant lifestyle. We're doing it so I can make enough for her to stay home with the baby and own a ~2000 sq ft home in a small town.

We could move to Milwaukee but we're simply not interested at this time, since we spend most weekends in Madison. Also, I travel a lot, so when I travel I don't have long commutes typically.

Obviously I will not do this forever, but at this point in my life/career it's what makes the most sense to us.

davidjh72 · 05-30-2007, 07:36 AM

I've moved from 70 miles from work to just over 7... traded my hour and 20 minute commute for a 20 minute drive across town. I'm keeping a log of my trips to/from work. I average 19 minutes to go the 7.1 miles each way. 0.2 gallons each way @38 MPG. Best so far was 41MPG with lots of OEC and clutch-in/neutral coasting down hills and to 60+ second stop lights. I figure I can get to/from work using 8 gallons of gas per month. Not bad, compared to filling my 12 gallon tank twice a week while commuting.

It's so true... Getting good MPG is great... Saving gas is even better!

So... with my highway driving virtually eliminated, I may not get the mid-40's MPG in town, but I'll certainly be saving $ and the gas it buys.

LxMike · 05-30-2007, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidjh72

It's so true... Getting good MPG is great... Saving gas is even better!

So... with my highway driving virtually eliminated, I may not get the mid-40's MPG in town, but I'll certainly be saving $ and the gas it buys.

thats how i feel about my commutes. there less than 6 miles to work and involve about 3-4 lights. might not get in the 40's but i'm just as happy cause i use less gas.

kps · 05-30-2007, 10:33 AM

Some time ago I lived about 500 yards from where I worked for a couple of years.

When they moved a few miles away, I called my car insurance company. My rate went down, because I now qualified for a "short commute" discount.

OdieTurbo · 05-30-2007, 10:54 AM

Hmmm, maybe I should move... I'm at a 90 minute commute, 65 miles to my job. The 3 hours out of my day really sucks.

cfg83 · 05-30-2007, 03:01 PM

theclencher -

Quote:

Originally Posted by theclencher

cfq: Too bad about the long commute. Maybe you should stop halfway, get out and do some stretches.

On the way to work I usually combine errands and stops, so in one direction it is usually not onnnnnnnnnne longggggggggggggg runnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn. I try to go off-peak, so I usually don't see the worst of it.

On the way home it is a different story (now I know why people had martinis when they got home in the 1950's). I may change my route to spend more time on the streets and thereby avoid the most stressfull part of my drive (trading time for stress). It's too bad I don't have a Prius (want to get at least 200K miles out of my current car), because the street part would be ideal for regenerative breaking and auto engine off/on. I'll bet DiamondLarry could get 100+ MPG on the street portion of my commute.

I have prided myself in being able to take alot of punishment over the years (must be an Ethan Frome thing), but this commute is maybe 10 miles beyond my current limit of stamina. But, I still have it better than others on my team, so I shouldn't complain.

Quote:

repete: Working as little as possible is a laudible goal!

I learned the hard way, that all the dedication and loyalty and sincere effort and skill you give to a company means squat; if you aren't kissing the right *** they'll throw you out without thinking twice about it. No more!

I have never had any illusions about my work. I saw all the bad stuff happen to my Dad, so my eye was already jaundiced. I know it will happen to me somewhere along the line, so I hope I am mentally prepared for the blow.

Quote:

I love the part in the story about the killer commute in order to have a "dream home"- another freaking breeder/consumer that can't see the forest through the trees! LOL

No breeding here. Our home is very nice, but it is the size of a postage stamp, so there isn't any room (or $$$) for kids even if we wanted them.

We looked at homes that were within bicycle distance, but we couldn't afford them.

CarloSW2