But you realize this is all just mental. You're spending the money
eventually anyway. You can go to the gas station just as often and
put just as little gas in as you always do if you start looking at the
3/4 full mark at the Empty line. And you'll be able to figure out
mileage reliably.
I had an injury that damaged all systems. Brain damage and I had to do
my Own cognitive therapy, because I couldn't handle the 5 day, 6hr/
schedule, because I couldn't stay awake for more than 3 hrs. I would
get So tired, I would hope I had enough gas to get to a station the
next time I drove, because I coudln't stop on the way home, Getting
home, even a few blocks, was pure agony. I had to relearn, math and
spelling, because if short term memory damage, though long term was
still in tact, so I would practice, and make up games and tests. Had
to figure out the prices and add them up, Before i went shoping, so i
didn't feel like I got overcharged. I couldn't do it on the fly, at
the register. With the price of gas, and Knowing the oil co's are
robbing us, and the war is About Oil, I buy gas Very reluctantly, and
like if being robbed, if a mugger only got Some of the money you had
on you, you feel like you didn't get taken for That much, I try to
give them as little as possible. I usually only drive 2mi/day.
I smoke and smoke little filtered cigars that look like brown
cigarettes, 20 to a pack. I get them at a wholesaler, and with No
cigarette tax, they are costing me 1$/pk. Because the wholesaler is
only open M-F 9-4PM, and because of my injury, I don't function that
well in the daytime in traffic, I stock up. I never spent more than .
90/ pack for cigarettes, since when the name brands got that high, I
found a cheaper one at .60/. When they went up I found the little
cigars for that much. When they hit ,90/ I found the brand I smoke now
at .45/. I was buying 180 packs at a time, so I didn't have to make
the trip in the day that often, and they are only 1mi away. Now they
are up to 1$/, and I only buy 120 packs. As cheap as they are, it
still is a struggle to part with the money.
With my old car, if I fill up in NJ, I still run it down till the
needed stops moving, and then I reluctantly buy more. Because I ran
out SO many times when I was much worse, I carry a can of gas in the
trunk. I haven't run the Sube down to see the light, but put 5$ in
twice, and 10$ once, and 25 when in NJ. I thought about filling when
in NJ, but have been going over more often recently, and to break in
the Sube faster, I've taken some 100mi plus trips, to drive it in
different areas, on different type roads, to get familiar with the car
on them.
Everything is a learning and relearning experience for me. When
buying something I get jammed up if I feel I am spending 1$ more than
need be. It is a challenge to find or get the best price. Ebay was
driving me crazy, and making my heart race and head hurt when getting
close to the end of the auction. With the damage I have, I started to
worry about having a stroke or heart attack for a few $, so eased up,
and pick a price I can live with, and go with that, win or loose.
VF