Poll: Fuel spike curbs vacations, dining out

[phantom power]

WASHINGTON - Many Americans will forgo vacations and dine in more often to combat soaring fuel prices, while 1 in 10 are rethinking where they live or work, according to a Reuters/Zogby poll released on Wednesday.

Nearly 39 percent of those surveyed said they were considering changing vacation plans, while 31 percent plan to eat out less often. The poll of 1,113 likely voters found that 58 percent intended to drive less, and 2 out of 10 said they would rely more heavily on mass transportation.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25237798/

[kestrel91316]

1. Kestrel: Fuel spike curbs pet health care.

:cry:

It's not just about the prospect of me going broke. It's about some of the terrible suffering I am seeing because people are waiting until their cats are damned nearly dead before bringing them in now. Preventive care and routine "maintenance" is a thing of the past.

If you care about your pets (and the psychological health of veterinary industry folks), PLEASE do not put off that visit when kitty or puppy is sick. PLEASE.

[phantom power]

4. That is sad.

A lot of people are abandoning their pets outright. I can't even work up a lot of anger, since it is happening because people are losing their homes, and/or having to choose between pets and children.

It's just the ugly unwinding of cause and effect.

[hendo]

2. I think I took that poll :)

I do plan to eat out a lot less, although I only eat out once every 2-3 weeks as it is. I also try to not drive anymore unless it is for work and I can expense it.

I wish that we had a more reliable public transportation system here. We have local buses, but it takes an hour to go 15 miles.

[phantom power]

3. Last Friday, my wife and I walked right into a restaurant at 6pm...

that never, ever, ever used to happen. Friday at 6pm used to be a guaranteed 60-90 minute wait, at pretty much every restaurant in the Phoenix metro area that didn't feature a drive-thru window.

It was certainly pleasant, but thinking about what it implies about the economy took a bit of the pleasure out.