[Villages PL]

mikeod: VPL, do you see the disconnect in this? Your original post states that you don't want/like to use plastic. Part of this is because technology can use the information to track your purchase choices (among other concerns). So, to use cash, you have to make two trips to the cashier. And you want technology to solve that?

Good technology versus bad technology.

Remember that the volume of gas in your tank will vary with ambient temperature, so calculating how much gas to fill the tank based on miles driven and tank size will only yield an approximation. They would have to develop a very accurate sensor that could track minute changes in levels. But what if the car is not level? Front to back or side to side? That will affect the reading. So if you're determined to fill the tank each time, the problem will continue.

I could live with an approximation within a quarter of a gallon. And I'm pretty sure the gas tanks are level. It always seems that the concrete pads around the tanks are level.

Probably the only solution that saves that extra trip to the cashier is to just run the tank down to a level that you're comfortable with, then put in a set dollar/gallon amount. True this won't allow you to calculate mileage on your own, but most modern cars do it for you as you drive.

Good suggestion, but where I run into trouble is when I hear that the price of gas is due to go up and I go to the service station to top-off my tank. But yes, under normal conditions I could let the tank go down to a certain low level and then put in a set dollar amount. Then I don't have to worry about it being exactly full.

[zcaveman]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

I have a trip meter button. So you're suggesting I should fill the tank and set it to zero? Then after driving X number of miles I would calculate the number of gallons used? Then multiply the number of gallons needed times the price per gallon? OMG!! I'd rather make two trips to the cashier.

Not exactly but close. In the older gas gauges it was an arrow that told you how low your tank was. That was only an estimate also. Same difference. Once you get used to the lines you will be able to guestimate how many gallons you will need to fill up your tank. If you do not want to do basic math then I would suggest that you wait until the lines gets to half and give them $15 and get $15 worth of gas and drive away. See how close you are to full and adjust the amount the next time you get gas.

That would save you the two trips.

Z

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by zcaveman

Not exactly but close. In the older gas gauges it was an arrow that told you how low your tank was. That was only an estimate also. Same difference. Once you get used to the lines you will be able to guestimate how many gallons you will need to fill up your tank. If you do not want to do basic math then I would suggest that you wait until the lines gets to half and give them $15 and get $15 worth of gas and drive away. See how close you are to full and adjust the amount the next time you get gas.

That would save you the two trips.

Z

But double your trips to the gas station!

[zcaveman]

Originally Posted by CFrance

But double your trips to the gas station!

Until he gets the calculations correct!

Z

[KayakerNC]

Just get a Volt, Prius Plug-In, or save up for a Tesla.

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by Carl in Tampa

1. Dave Ramsey, the financial consultant, would applaud your abstention of using credit cards. Using credit cards is a pathway to overwhelming debt for many people. I tried to buy one of his books on his web site using a credit card and discovered he won't accept credit cards.

I have listened to him on the radio from time to time and I think he provides a good public service by encouraging people to be debt-free.

2. You might want to re-visit your car dealer's advice about only using Shell gas. That might have been in the era when Shell was one of the last brands to introduce ethanol into their gas. Gas without ethanol provided more power and was less likely to damage components of your engine. Alas, those days are over, Shell has 10% ethanol like all the others and is often more expensive per gallon than competitors.

This was in March of 2012, it wasn't that long ago and they already had ethanol in their gas.

3. Your analysis on privacy is quite accurate. A person who uses credit cards and a Smartphone is very easy to track, including pulling up surveillance video of their movements.

Yes, and it could potentially be used against citizens in the future if the wrong people come to power. It may sound far fetched now but you never know what might happen in future decades.

[justjim]

VPL, I have a good friend who insisted on paying cash for everything. That is until he retired and he and his wife wanted to travel a lot. Do you know how difficult it is to do much traveling without a credit card?

He broke down and got a credit card. Now he sometimes travels for FREE because of the rewards points he gets for using his credit card. But to each his own---like you said----we are retired now and have plenty of time.

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by zcaveman

Not exactly but close. In the older gas gauges it was an arrow that told you how low your tank was. That was only an estimate also. Same difference. Once you get used to the lines you will be able to guestimate how many gallons you will need to fill up your tank. If you do not want to do basic math then I would suggest that you wait until the lines gets to half and give them $15 and get $15 worth of gas and drive away. See how close you are to full and adjust the amount the next time you get gas.

That would save you the two trips.

Z

I could wait until I get down to about 4 lines, that would be easier to count. Then pay about $30; I think that would do it.

[Villages PL]

Originally Posted by justjim

VPL, I have a good friend who insisted on paying cash for everything. That is until he retired and he and his wife wanted to travel a lot. Do you know how difficult it is to do much traveling without a credit card?

He broke down and got a credit card. Now he sometimes travels for FREE because of the rewards points he gets for using his credit card. But to each his own---like you said----we are retired now and have plenty of time.

How about travelers checks? About 50 years ago I took a trip to Mexico and used travelers checks. I would go to a bank about once a week and convert some of my checks to cash.

Having said that, I'm not all that interested in traveling abroad.

[Sable99]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

How about travelers checks? About 50 years ago I took a trip to Mexico and used travelers checks. I would go to a bank about once a week and convert some of my checks to cash.

Having said that, I'm not all that interested in traveling abroad.

I read somewhere in the last few weeks that a lot of businesses weren't taking traveler's checks as so many of them were fake.

In fact, I recently had my van for sale and thought about listing it on Craig's List. They had a warning on their site to be careful about accepting cashier's checks as they are being forged.

I wish I still had my van but that is another story!