What are they thinking?
Oil's fall to $100 won't change frugal energy use
One thing that has annoyed me as oil started to dip from its ridiculous high is that so many folks thought lower prices would mean we would "feel free to drive more" and thus prices would bounce back up. I don't get why they think we're so stupid - unless they really believe the "addicted to oil" nonsense that President Bush peddled a while back.
Fact is, we like being able to travel places to see our family or just get away. Besides, didn't Bush tell us to keep traveling and keep spending right after 9/11?
At some point, though, we push back and resist. I've already notified four major airlines that now charge for the first checked bag that I will not fly them anymore unless the airline choice is not in my hands. Many others, as the story notes, have opted to take time off from work and just stay home ("staycation"), and I can't say I would have traveled to Chicago on Labor Day weekend if not for the free travel I had - one half of the trip was free, every hotel night was a free night redemption and I didn't rent a car while there.
The next time I'm in the market for a car, I won't be looking to buy a suburban assault vehicle - those things just don't do it for me anyway, aside from the gas-guzzling. A Prius will be tough to get, but maybe a Corolla or Camry hybrid could work since I like those cars.
Retail sales unexpectedly drop in August
What I don't get is the headline - why is this drop unexpected? A tease for the story also called this a "surprise" drop - but what is surprising about it? Consumers have been battered by gas prices and soaring coasts for food and other necessities, all while jobs are being lost and wages aren't rising at the rate of inflation.
The only thing that would be surprising is if sales rose in August, quite frankly.
One thing that has annoyed me as oil started to dip from its ridiculous high is that so many folks thought lower prices would mean we would "feel free to drive more" and thus prices would bounce back up. I don't get why they think we're so stupid - unless they really believe the "addicted to oil" nonsense that President Bush peddled a while back.
Fact is, we like being able to travel places to see our family or just get away. Besides, didn't Bush tell us to keep traveling and keep spending right after 9/11?
At some point, though, we push back and resist. I've already notified four major airlines that now charge for the first checked bag that I will not fly them anymore unless the airline choice is not in my hands. Many others, as the story notes, have opted to take time off from work and just stay home ("staycation"), and I can't say I would have traveled to Chicago on Labor Day weekend if not for the free travel I had - one half of the trip was free, every hotel night was a free night redemption and I didn't rent a car while there.
The next time I'm in the market for a car, I won't be looking to buy a suburban assault vehicle - those things just don't do it for me anyway, aside from the gas-guzzling. A Prius will be tough to get, but maybe a Corolla or Camry hybrid could work since I like those cars.
Retail sales unexpectedly drop in August
What I don't get is the headline - why is this drop unexpected? A tease for the story also called this a "surprise" drop - but what is surprising about it? Consumers have been battered by gas prices and soaring coasts for food and other necessities, all while jobs are being lost and wages aren't rising at the rate of inflation.
The only thing that would be surprising is if sales rose in August, quite frankly.