HomeAviationTravelPhotosMinistryResourcesBlogFunFilesXtraFilesResumeEmailTemp
Andy Borgmann's Blog
Where The Producer Gets the Mic
Next: Do You Deserve To Have An Opinion? Previous: Thank You James Dobson {sarcasm}
Are Fuel Prices Really That Bad
I went to Hilton Head again this weekend. It was wonderful. I relaxed and did absolutely nothing on Friday but sit on the beach and listen to music. Had good discussion with Charlie. Watched baseball with Nick. Julia studied her Bar Review materials. Great time. But on the drive down, I paid over $4.00 per gallon for fuel for the first time. In doing so, I think I am the only American that doesn't mind it a bit.

Fuel is in theory at "record highs" right now, but my question is "record highs" compared to what? The 1990s? The 1970s? Let's put this in perspective.

When adjusted for inflation, fuel prices are just $.25 more per gallon than they were in 1979. While this still constitutes a "record high" label, it isn't quite the burdening number most of us think it is.

The chart below shows fuel prices from 1979 to 2008. Look how the red line (actual price paid) jumps significantly higher, but when adjusted for inflation, it stays relatively the same.

Think about the price you paid for your house in 1982. Doesn't your current house look ridiculously expense when in comparison to your 1982 house? It's the same with fuel.

US National Gas Prices : 1979 - 2008



The problem lies in perception. For some reason we bought the idea that the fuel prices of the late 90s were somehow the norm, instead of an anomaly. I remember one time filling up at a Speedway station in Fort Wayne, IN for $.76 in the summer of 1999.

But these fuel prices were largely due the Asian market crash of the 90s (as well as the tech burst) and should never have been thought of as normal. In fact, they were further from normal on the low-side, as fuel prices are now on the high-side.

Now we all know I am super anal retentive. So I went through my records and pulled up every1 fuel purchase I made from 2002 to 2008. When adjusted for state differential and inflation, I am paying approximately $2.00 more a gallon now when compared to 2002. So it is easy to see why it "feels" bad. But in 2002 we were still $.25 below the adjusted norm of 1979.

Andy Borgmann's Gas Prices : 2002 - 2008



So does this mean fuel prices are where they should be? No. I am not going to say that. It is slightly high. But these things will correct themselves over time. What I am saying is that for most of us out there, the pain at the pump is more a mental problem than it is an actual budget problem.

And heck, at least we aren't in Europe paying over $9.00 per gallon for fuel. We have much to be grateful for.

P.S. For those who want the charts of date you can find them here: Fuel Prices Workbook. And if you really want to see an example of my anal retentiveness, you can see my Fuel Mileage Worksheet for my Honda Civic.
Comments
CJ Mills
Sunday, July 6, 2008 01:08:28 PM    Quote Selection | Permalink
Gravatar.com That's some pretty hardcore graphing, bro...


Andrea
Monday, July 7, 2008 07:15:27 AM    Quote Selection | Permalink
Gravatar.com One would think CJ and I would not have time to comment on your blog with a two year old and an infant at home, but alas we both did it. Yes...they are that bad...I don't care what your stats say. And you have further convinced me of your complete nerdiness with your chart :-). We look forward to seeing you in a few weeks at which time you and Jadyn can play games with your gum!


Andy Borgmann
Monday, July 7, 2008 10:56:59 AM    Quote Selection | Permalink
Gravatar.com
One would think CJ and I would not have time to comment on your blog with a two year old and an infant at home, but alas we both did it.
Glad to see you relaxing the right way: reading my blog :)

And you have further convinced me of your complete nerdiness with your chart :-)
Well...you know... Think how much easier your life would have been if you married me and I took care of this stuff like a responsible husband instead of CJ who makes you be the nerd. And I am probably better in bed (which now with two kids is probably not all that alluring). Sheesh!

We look forward to seeing you in a few weeks at which time you and Jadyn can play games with your gum!
I don't think you know how proud I am of myself that I have been a bad influence on your daughter for the first, of what I would hope to be, many more times ;)

Looking forward to seeing you as well.

Hey P.S. - I haven't blogged about it yet, but unofficially we have been picked up by WOWO in Fort Wayne.


sarah elwer
Thursday, July 10, 2008 07:36:03 PM    Quote Selection | Permalink
Gravatar.com what is WOWO?


Andy Borgmann
Thursday, July 10, 2008 07:37:12 PM    Quote Selection | Permalink
Gravatar.com
what is WOWO?
Fort Wayne talk radio station.


Lissa
Saturday, July 12, 2008 06:17:28 PM    Quote Selection | Permalink
Gravatar.com You keep track of every fuel purchase you make.

It's a victory when I can wake up and put on clean underwear in the morning. It means I've done laundry, and then I get all proud of myself.

Why don't you just accept your fate and become a lawyer already? Then you could go find people just as crazy as you are, in large groups.

;)


Andy Borgmann
Saturday, July 12, 2008 08:32:30 PM    Quote Selection | Permalink
Gravatar.com
Why don't you just accept your fate and become a lawyer already? Then you could go find people just as crazy as you are, in large groups.
You would have really liked this blog I wrote earlier today about Nancy Grace, but I took it down after I realized I might get fired for writing it (even though I didn't publish it on the Allen Hunt Show site). I'll send you the link privately through e-mail. You'll get a kick out of it.

Ohh and PS, after seeing what it takes to pass the Bar, I am convinced I could never do it. Mad props to all you Bar people out there, it will be over in a couple of weeks. And then it is smooth sailing for the rest of your life.....that's how it works.......right...... ;)


CJ Mills
Sunday, July 13, 2008 03:00:31 PM    Quote Selection | Permalink
Gravatar.com #1 - you can't TOUCH me in bed...I'm like a freaking spider monkey on speed and sour patch kids....

#2 - didn't we have a whole conversation about this whole saying you're unofficially picked up by WOWO? Are you or are you not?


Join the Discussion and Post A Comment
Name:
Email Address
(mandatory - always private
also will be used for gravatar)
:
Website/Blog (optional):
(Standard HTML Tags allowed - a,b,blockquote,br,code,i,li,ol,ul - abusers will be logged and blocked)
 
Are You Human? (Captcha)
(Capitlization doesn't matter)
Premium user avoid this step and have access to other tools. Sign Up Here.

What's Andy Up To?
Andy Borgmann - TwitterAdd Notre Dame, Alabama, Georgia Tech, Georgia, Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, and Pittsburgh Steelers to the iPhone calender: check!
Andy Borgmann - Twitter"Ice Is Back With A Brand New Invention... Ok Just A YouTube Video" - http://is.gd/eRLS0 - I am back on the blog baby! More to come.
Andy Borgmann - TwitterI opened up my to-do list pad and what did I find? Drawings by Jadyn. It made me smile. Thanks Jadyn I needed that http://twitpic.com/2ka5uo
Andy Borgmann - TwitterLet it be known: the first official act of my 2022 IN Senate campaign was today when Lisa Blosser officially changed her name to Borgmann.
Andy Borgmann - Twitter@and_elf Greedy Capitalist :)
Andy Borgmann - TwitterForgot my phone at home today: saved by GMail phone - love that feature of GMail. Another reason that @EricaKJustice should drop hotmail.
Andy Borgmann - TwitterJust bought 2 things I have never bought ever. Advil and rubbing alcohol. If my ear is still there in the morning it may be time 2 see a Dr
Andy Borgmann - TwitterI find this to be a fascinating read of the human condition: http://is.gd/eM26J - even though it sad, I agree the findings are accurate
Andy Borgmann - TwitterHot damn the Broncos are playing the Steelers on Fox. Change final destination from home to Jenny's. Her Steelers are going down!
Andy Borgmann - TwitterLeaving the Fort. You guys are the best. Thank you so much!

Description
Andy's blog aims to be like a Scrubs episode, mixed with a Chuck Klosterman column, centered around the topic of faith. It is open, honest, raw, and a little embarrassing. It is a place to discuss religion, politics, ministry, pop culture, and well, just life - especially focused on the time of life we call our 20s!

Andy is the Executive Producer of The Allen Hunt Show; a progressive (in the literal sense), talk radio show based in Atlanta, GA aimed at bringing faith back into the public discussion. Andy enjoys travel, aviation, web design, politics, friends, and faith. He holds that the secret to a full life is loving God and loving people - which he fails at constantly.

Andy grew up in Fort Wayne, IN. He now lives in Alpharetta, GA.

More information about Andy can be found at www.2timothy42.org or Andy's Facebook.

P.S. As has been mentioned on air, Andy is horrible at grammar and spelling. Please excuse any mistakes, trust me, he's sorry.



Email Subscribe

Powered by FeedBurner


Calendar
<<    <    Jul 2008    >    >>
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
  1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
2008-07-31 00:00:00
2008-07-31 23:59:59
31