Gas prices and buying cards

[bobbyw8469]

Elections have consequences.

[Fuddjcal]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

Elections have consequences.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yx2exbhMHQU

[toledo_mudhen]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

Elections have consequences.

Absolutely Correct - How many will remember in November?

BTW - Just filled up yesterday here in South Texas

$125

WTF

[VintageBall]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

Elections have consequences.

Yep. Those Russians need to stop electing Putin.

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by VintageBall

Yep. Those Russians need to stop electing Putin.

That's like blaming the cactus in the ground for us jumping on it naked. No...we have to blame ourselves for this one. Elections have consequences.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by VintageBall

Yep. Those Russians need to stop electing Putin.

I think maybe he was talking about energy policies like shutting down the Keystone XL Pipeline on Day 1 and things like that.

But, hey, if that's what you got out of his statement, then so be it.

[Bestdj777]

Inflation in general has cut/basically eliminated my hobby funds. It’s hard to justify even a $5.00 purchase when I have to make a conscious choice about whether a particular item at the grocery store is a justified expense. To the extent there was any remaining funds, gas prices will further squeeze them. Some things, however, are more important to me than collecting so I’m okay with the gas prices for now. I wish my microwave meals would go back to $3.00 though…

[Michael B]

Originally Posted by Bestdj777

Inflation in general has cut/basically eliminated my hobby funds. It’s hard to justify even a $5.00 purchase when I have to make a conscious choice about whether a particular item at the grocery store is a justified expense. To the extent there was any remaining funds, gas prices will further squeeze them. Some things, however, are more important to me than collecting so I’m okay with the gas prices for now. I wish my microwave meals would go back to $3.00 though…

Target in VA has Lean Cuisine for $3 or less usually. My wife likes them. I live across the street from the mall which has a Target. They also have the cheapest milk - $2.89 for a gallon of skim.

Depending on what quadrant you live in the city there are plenty of Aldi stores that are close. In MD there are ones in Takoma Park, Silver Spring, Hyattsville, Cheverly and Oxon Hill near the casino.

There is also one just off of 395 at the Seminary Road exit.

I have a Lidl and Aldi across the street from each other here in Springfield. I usually go to Aldi. Yesterday I paid 80¢ for a dozen eggs and 99¢ for English muffins. Their bags of microwave vegetables are mostly $1 to $1.50 and non-Greek yogurt is 35¢.

I do all of the shopping in my house so I am on top of prices and know which store is cheapest for which item.

[jchcollins]

I'm a collector, so have to say I wouldn't necessarily mind a significant reset in vintage card values. It would allow me to finish work on my '67 and '72 sets, and add a lot of other things on my wantlists much easier.

[philo98]

I split my time mainly in SE Asia and normally in the US during baseball season.

In Manila yesterday, filled up the Toyota Fortuner which when converted to US dollars was $102.20. Average monthly salary in the country is around $400. This is true in many countries in the region.

[bobbyw8469]

The US needs leadership right now. Unfortunately, we don't have any. Those are your facts.

[Johnny630]

People Driving to Strongsville in a couple weeks are gonna be bitching about the gas prices there...should be interesting, I have a feeling a lot of dealers are gonna be getting the L&B along with let me think about it.... I'll circle back and then disappearing. Expect the dumpster diving $1 boxes to be busy with divers.

[ullmandds]

why dont you guys take your political shit elsewhere.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

The US needs leadership right now. Unfortunately, we don't have any. Those are your facts.

Bobby, one more comment about elections/this administration and you will get an infraction. Most know my leanings politically but this isn't the current administrations complete fault. And rising gas prices, as much as they suck, I support because of the Russian attack on Ukraine. Let's try not to get too political please. And I am sorry if my comment is somewhat political.

As for the gas prices, it hasn't stopped me from buying cards yet, but I have quit getting in the car to go get 1 item at the grocery store.
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[Michael B]

Originally Posted by Leon

Bobby, one more comment about elections/this administration and you will get an infraction. Most know my leanings politically but this isn't the current administrations complete fault. And rising gas prices, as much as they suck, I support because of the Russian attack on Ukraine. Let's try not to get too political please. And I am sorry if my comment is somewhat political.

As for the gas prices, it hasn't stopped me from buying cards yet, but I have quit getting in the car to go get 1 item at the grocery store.
.
.

Thank you Leon. Your comment is not too political. It helps to make your point. As a matter of perspective gasoline is sold by the liter in Europe. I have a friend who lives is Zurich, Switzerland. Fortunately, they have a great trolley and train system which he can use to get to work. When he needs to drive, this is what he is paying as of Monday:

Switzerland Gasoline prices
Litre Gallon
CHF 1.880 7.117
USD 2.031 7.688

There are 3.3 liters to the gallon. He is paying almost $8 US for a gallon of gas.

[irv]

[jcmtiger]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

The US needs leadership right now. Unfortunately, we don't have any. Those are your facts.

Retired, I don’t drive much, but it still sucks for the people that have to drive to low paying jobs.

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by jcmtiger

Retired, I don’t drive much, but it still sucks for the people that have to drive to low paying jobs.

Yup.... Uber and Lyft Drivers are dropping like flies. When gas hits $6.00/gallon (I know it already has in many areas), Rideshare Driving becomes a losing proposition. The related expenses and depreciation outweigh the meager income. Very sad.

[toledo_mudhen]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

The US needs leadership right now. Unfortunately, we don't have any. Those are your facts.

Actually, we do have lots of leadership - and they will jam this "Green Deal" down our throats whether we want it or not.

In order to do that - the 1st thing you have to kill is the Oil Industry.

[tbob]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

Elections have consequences.

Give me a break.

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by tbob

Give me a break.

How so? Are you saying they don't?

[Touch'EmAll]

Inflation and high gas prices will probably affect the lower and middle income folks more. So I could see the $20.-$1,000. stuff not selling as much as they used to. But the big ticket cards probably will be still traded for high prices by the folks with high income. Personally, I am looking more than ever at raw cards of my youth to satisfy the collecting itch.

[Yoda]

As far as gas prices are concerned, I think Americans have been spoiled for a long time when they go to fill up their large SUV's. I lived in the UK for nearly 20 years over two different time periods and wept every time I filled up my modest small car. When I left London in 2013 and returned to the hobby, a gallon of regular cost around $15 a gallon. Most of this, of course, is tax and, of course, our politicians don't dare talk about raising the gas tax. And, I believe until recently, Britain was a net exporter of petroleum thanks to their vast North S oil reserves. This awful war in the Ukraine is going to pound the Western European economies as their energy imports become even more dear.
I can't help but wonder, now that the US has cut off Russian oil, whether we could make up our shortfall from our nice neighbor to the north, Canada? Better than Venezuela (ugh) or Iran (double ugh).
I believe pre-war should hold its value unless the war widens, while I see '60's and 70's vintage under pressure. How modern basketball and all those red hot NFL quarterbacks end up is anyone's guess. If everything falls apart at least we still have our cards.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by Yoda

If everything falls apart at least we still have our cards.

On the 1970s issues, I've spoken with a number of middle-class vintage collectors who are starting to collect 1970s cards because of the high cost of earlier cards. It's fun and not a financial risk.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by Yoda

I can't help but wonder, now that the US has cut off Russian oil, whether we could make up our shortfall from our nice neighbor to the north, Canada?

We already import most of our oil from Canada. In 2020, Canadian imports made up about 61% of our oil imports. I think last year was about 57%. Those numbers may very slightly depending on your source, but the majority of our imports already come from Canada. Russia was about 4th on the list.

Edited to add: And the current administration is looking to lift the ban on Venezuelan oil.

[Yoda]

I knew that, but meant if Russian oil imports represents 7% of US energy needs, why not ask Canada to prime their pumps and make up the shortfall. They got plenty.
Personally, I would prefer to suffer at the pump rather than have us import oil from those 2 terrorist rogue states, Venezuela and Iran.

[Directly]

Synthetic fuel or synfuel is a liquid fuel, or sometimes gaseous fuel, obtained from either syngas, a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, or a mixture of carbon dioxide and hydrogen. The syngas could be derived from gasification of solid feedstocks such as coal or biomass or by reforming of natural gas. Alternatively a mixture of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and green hydrogen could be used for an almost climate neutral production of synthetic fuels.

Common ways for refining synthetic fuels include the Fischer–Tropsch conversion,[1] methanol to gasoline conversion,[2] or direct coal liquefaction.[3]

As of July 2019, worldwide commercial synthetic fuels production capacity was over 240,000 barrels per day (38,000 m3/d), with numerous new projects in construction or development, such as Carbon Engineering. (Fuel for thought)

[Stampsfan]

Originally Posted by Yoda

...
I can't help but wonder, now that the US has cut off Russian oil, whether we could make up our shortfall from our nice neighbor to the north, Canada? Better than Venezuela (ugh) or Iran (double ugh).

Thank you for this. While I post here intermittently, and read daily, I try and stay neutral here. However, on this topic I struggle to do so.
Given that, as someone who lives in Western Canada, I (and many others up here) cannot understand why your current president is so against getting this resource from us. The US imports approximately 660,000 Barrels of Oil a day from Russia. Keystone was going to supply slightly more than that on a daily basis. It is stopped in its tracks on day 1 of the new term. Then as prices goes up, he goes to Saudi and basically says "Pump more oil... oh yeah, and sell it to us."
Now Venezuela, Iraq, and OPEC are approached to provide more. No mention of coming to Canada for supply.
Canada has the third largest reserves in the world. We have among the highest environmental standards in the world. Canada is not going to invade any other democratic country. We don't kill reporters.
We in Western Canada simply don't understand the logic and bias.

[vintagetoppsguy]

Originally Posted by Stampsfan

Given that, as someone who lives in Western Canada, I (and many others up here) cannot understand why your current president is so against getting this resource from us.

I don't have the answer, but I can speculate. Canadian oil has heavy sands. It is more time consuming to refine, it pollutes the environment (air and freshwater) 3X more than conventional crude, and it's more harsh on the process equipment because of the abrasiveness. All around, it's more costly to refine. Again, I don't know if that's the reason or not, but I imagine that has a lot to do with it.

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by Stampsfan

Thank you for this. While I post here intermittently, and read daily, I try and stay neutral here. However, on this topic I struggle to do so.
Given that, as someone who lives in Western Canada, I (and many others up here) cannot understand why your current president is so against getting this resource from us. The US imports approximately 660,000 Barrels of Oil a day from Russia. Keystone was going to supply slightly more than that on a daily basis. It is stopped in its tracks on day 1 of the new term. Then as prices goes up, he goes to Saudi and basically says "Pump more oil... oh yeah, and sell it to us."
Now Venezuela, Iraq, and OPEC are approached to provide more. No mention of coming to Canada for supply.
Canada has the third largest reserves in the world. We have among the highest environmental standards in the world. Canada is not going to invade any other democratic country. We don't kill reporters.
We in Western Canada simply don't understand the logic and bias.

Bravo Bob. As a Canadian, you expressed it best. I am a life-long registered Democrat and, of course, am utterly baffled why Biden cancelled the Keystone Pipeline at a time when the US now has a dire energy problem. Politics as usual, I fear, to keep the far left and the Greens mollified. How short term can you get, the same problem that has gotten the US in messes many times, and we don't seem to learn. Bob, I presume that Canada could pump and export enough non-Keystone oil to fill the 7% energy shortfall we will incur as Russian exports cease. With your vast reserves, I would think so. Anything is better than bringing in oil from those rogue states, Venezuela, Iran, and the Saudis.
I have several dear Canadian friends in Ontario (Lake Simco area) who always says US actions keep them guessing.
Leon, I haven't forgotten the card rule. I picked up, on Ebay of all places, a beautiful PSA5 Rochester Baking Jack Lapp. Deals can be hard to sniff out on Ebay but they are there.

[G1911]

I don't think this impacts cards much.

First, it's an odd economic time. Inflation is growing at an alarming rate that is horrifying me, but there are also tons of jobs open and they are generally paying quite a bit more too (I'm sure some roles aren't, but wages have been rising quickly). Everything cots more, but most of us are making more than we made in 2019 too.

Second, people who are barely scraping by don't really purchase vintage cards. It's just reality. I was poor and broke ten years ago in college trying to score a $10 card once a month, but this is a very, very tiny segment of the hobby. Even most low grade collectors on the cheaper end of the spectrum (I'm one of them) are not living paycheck to paycheck where a tank of gas doubling alters their card budget. Just as rising prices on household goods and astounding inflation the last year have not reduced card prices, neither will this. People who were overspending irresponsibly will continue doing so and those who can responsibly afford to do so will continue to do so, which together constitutes almost all vintage collectors.

[bmattioli]

First Covid now this crap.. I need a break..

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by bmattioli

First Covid now this crap.. I need a break..

My daughter is 26 and one of her first memories is watching the towers fall on 911, coupled with the mortgage meltdown in 2008, divisive polarized politics (shame on y'all), a general lack of respect we have for each other as humans, her's was the first generation raised on social media and all it's negative influences, etc., then throw in a world wide pandemic and now a war.

We were talking about it one day and she said "My generation is tired of constantly going through life changing events, we just want some degree of normalcy in our lives". Her and her friends are a smart group of kids, they know baloney when they see or hear it, and have a real solid no nonsense middle class approach to life.

[rdwyer]

The cheapest place to get gas is Taco Bell.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by Casey2296

My daughter is 26 and one of her first memories is watching the towers fall on 911, coupled with the mortgage meltdown in 2008, divisive polarized politics (shame on y'all), a general lack of respect we have for each other as humans, her's was the first generation raised on social media and all it's negative influences, etc., then throw in a world wide pandemic and now a war.

We were talking about it one day and she said "My generation is tired of constantly going through life changing events, we just want some degree of normalcy in our lives". Her and her friends are a smart group of kids, they know baloney when they see or hear it, and have a real solid no nonsense middle class approach to life.

Exactly how my daughter sees it (23 y.o.). She and her friends are frustrated at missing their early 20s. Luckily, she did a semester abroad in Europe in the fall of 2019 and traveled all over the continent during the holidays, just steps (unbeknownst to her) ahead of the COVID outbreak. She returned home just a few weeks ahead of the wave. So at least she got that experience, which is priceless.

I get the frustration. I am so frustrated that I am willing to go to Atlantic City this summer, something I said I would never do again. But I am not going another year w/o a National. No way.

[mintacular]

Calamity is a matter or perspective. Grow up during the middle ages and you were lucky to reach the age of 30

Originally Posted by Casey2296

My daughter is 26 and one of her first memories is watching the towers fall on 911, coupled with the mortgage meltdown in 2008, divisive polarized politics (shame on y'all), a general lack of respect we have for each other as humans, her's was the first generation raised on social media and all it's negative influences, etc., then throw in a world wide pandemic and now a war.

We were talking about it one day and she said "My generation is tired of constantly going through life changing events, we just want some degree of normalcy in our lives". Her and her friends are a smart group of kids, they know baloney when they see or hear it, and have a real solid no nonsense middle class approach to life.

[Seven]

Originally Posted by Casey2296

My daughter is 26 and one of her first memories is watching the towers fall on 911, coupled with the mortgage meltdown in 2008, divisive polarized politics (shame on y'all), a general lack of respect we have for each other as humans, her's was the first generation raised on social media and all it's negative influences, etc., then throw in a world wide pandemic and now a war.

We were talking about it one day and she said "My generation is tired of constantly going through life changing events, we just want some degree of normalcy in our lives". Her and her friends are a smart group of kids, they know baloney when they see or hear it, and have a real solid no nonsense middle class approach to life.

I very much feel this.

I'm 27, only a year older than your daughter. It seems like every time something settles down, or we're getting ready to do something, a world changing event happens.

Right before the pandemic occurred, I was getting my finances in order to finally purchase a home. Housing prices in New York were already high to begin with, but I was looking at a nice little Co-op for a shade over 250K. I would be able to put down enough to have an affordable mortgage, on my modest salary. I budgeted everything, and crunched the numbers and figured "well if things keep going the way they do, I can definitely buy something like this within the year"

Then Covid hits, the Real Estate boom as crushed any thought of that. The one that I was looking at? Just sold for 325K, it's absurd. I'm considering ditching the state all together, and looking for a job elsewhere because at the rate we're going I'm never going to be able to afford a house.

As for the cards? Who knows. I don't think anyone thought a global pandemic would turn cardboard into an extreme asset class, that doubled or tripled the value of certain cards in some cases.