Originally Posted By davewasbaloo It is a bit steep. It takes about $130 to fill the tank, but I at least get about 34 miles to the gallon on average, 38 if I am a good boy.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo If only. Thankfully my milage is mainly covered by customers. But it is no wonder people don't tend to travel far in the UK.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I suppose this is why I don't baulk at the latet admission prices to a Disney park. Is it expensive, I suppose. But comparitively I prefer to buy a pass than gas!
Originally Posted By fkurucz <<However, if you are a long term holder of stocks, all you've really accomplished is to gain back all the losses from 2000-2001. The overall indexes are pretty much sitting exactly where they were 7 years ago, not the greatest returns when you open up your field of view.>> Exactly. And the indices haven't exactly been roaring lately. Had I bought Euros back in 2001 and stuffed them in my mattress I would be ahead. And I expect the dollar to continue its race to the bottom.
Originally Posted By fkurucz <<In fact, Alan Greenspan and I looked at much the same data. HE claimed he couldn't see it coming.>> Then he's either a fool or a liar. Plenty of people saw this coming. They just don't have shows on MSNBC.
Originally Posted By fkurucz <<One thing that my mom noticed was how expensive groceries were in the Bay Area. She paid 6 times as much for a loaf of bread as we do here, and about 2-3 times more for everything else.>> How much was that? Where did she buy it?
Originally Posted By nbodyhome >> If only. Thankfully my milage is mainly covered by customers. But it is no wonder people don't tend to travel far in the UK. >> But at least you tend to have good public transport. Well, decent anyway. I do wish we had a rail system like in Europe. I didn't realize you were from the UK. I'm sorry for our government putting you through so much on arrival. I met up with someone from the UK who went through quite a bit - having orders barked at them, etc. I just don't see it necessary. But then again, they sometimes do it to us (Americans) too. I like traveling abroad - the coming back isn't fun.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Hi Denise, No worries. Actually it's complex. I am an American citizen that has lived in the UK for 22 years, married to a Brit, and my kids are British, not being entitled to dual nationality as I moved as a minor. So, in the US they treat me like a defector, and in the UK, they treat me not so nice either as I have not taken on British Citizenship (I used to be able to, but it was $4000 and I couldn't afford it - now that I could try to afford it, Bush won't allow it - so I am still a US citizen). And no, tranport here sucks if you use it all the time. I pay $80 to travel 100 miles round trip into london, often have to stand for the whole journey (if you can even fit into the train), the trains often run late, and so commute times are often 4 hours a day. Not my idea of fun!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo "How much was that? Where did she buy it?" I think she said she paid $4 for a loaf of bread and $4 for a jug of milk. I can't remember the chain, but it was a normal grocery store in the bay area. I couldn't believe it, then she showed me the receipt.
Originally Posted By nbodyhome Even in the Bay Area, you should be able to pay just a buck or two for store brand bread. Are you sure she didn't go to Whole Foods? That would probably be pretty pricey. I am in FL, but have never been anywhere in the US where the bread was $4.00 standard.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Well I have to say I did question her as it sounds steep to me - we pay between 80 cents to $1.20 for a loaf here, and about $2 for 4 pints of milk. I am actually keen to understand the costs for budgeting for our trip in Feb.
Originally Posted By nbodyhome Whole Foods is very popular in California, I just can't imagine she went anywhere else. They are pricey. .80 is on the low side (I actually think London has some really great grocery prices, though I know your milk has gone up lately). I would say less than $2.00 for store brand bread - like Publix in FL has 2 different types of store bread. One is cheap, probably a buck. If she went to Whole Foods, than she'd have found organic milk, which would run closer to $3 or $4 for a half gallon. If she bought a whole gallon, than $4.00 would be closer to accurate on regular milk.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Feb 17th into San Francisco, then 20th Monterrey, 21st Santa Barbara, 22nd - 1st Newport Beach, 1st - 6th Grand Californian. I can't wait!
Originally Posted By nbodyhome That sounds great! I can ask my family in SF as far as where to go for bread/milk if you want. I think there is a Costco in the area, if you are a member, and a big Whole Foods (expensive). Probably a Safeway or something similar too. I was just there for the first time a year ago. I can't believe it's already been a year. Go on the night Alcatraz cruise if you've not done so already. That was incredible. If it's a clear day, you can look at San Francisco from there, the view was fantastic. I remember walking out of Alcatraz, looking for the bathrooms - and THERE was SF. Just wow.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Thanks Denise. We're in hotels in SF. It's Newport Beach where we will be using the grocery store. Alcatraz is cool. I went on my first protest march there when I was a baby. I am from a North Beach Family - Columbus Avenue!!!
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy << I am in FL, but have never been anywhere in the US where the bread was $4.00 standard. >> I've noticed that the local grocers here in CA usually mark up their prices by as much as 50-100% for anyone that doesn't have the discount card to swipe at the register. It wouldn't be surprising to me to find $4 bread at Ralph's, only to see the price cut in half after swiping the discount card. It's a racket to gouge unsuspecting customers who aren't aware of the discount programs.
