[Doly]

I've read a few posts lately from people saying that peak oil is affecting their lives in a very real way, right now. With this I mean that the high prices of transport or heating are forcing them to lifestyle changes, right now, whether they wanted it or not.

If you are one of them, please post here about your experience.

[Raxozanne]

I work as an administrator for a small company that manufacturers cleaning chemicals. In the past few months I have received letters from nearly all our chemical/plastic/courier suppliers stating that they are having to raise their prices due to the increasing cost of oil. I just hope that the company doesn't go under or I will be standing outside the dole office

[FatherOfTwo]

It has definitely impacted me, but (for the most part) not in a negative way.
Living in Alberta I’m directly benefiting from oil’s (and NG’s) continued price increases. Government coffers are overflowing (prosperity cheques are being mailed out, there is talk of eliminating income taxes) real estate here is the strongest in the country, companies are doing very well etc. etc. Not all of it is great though. They are going like gangbusters with the mining of the oil sands up in Ft Mac. Fortunately only roughly 10% of the oil sands will be mined, but that 10% could leave a mighty scar… it depends on how much reclamation they ultimately carry out.

Living and working in a fossil fuel based economy is a real double edged sword. During times like this you personally benefit, but you can’t help but look at the whole endeavour and know that we’re going to pay a price somewhere, sometime. (either locally, globally or both). Nothing is free.

[Gazzatrone]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'F')ortunately only roughly 10% of the oil sands will be mined, but that 10% could leave a mighty scar… it depends on how much reclamation they ultimately carry out.

[FatherOfTwo]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Gazzatrone', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'F')ortunately only roughly 10% of the oil sands will be mined, but that 10% could leave a mighty scar… it depends on how much reclamation they ultimately carry out.

[Gazzatrone]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'S')orry, no. Do some research on it. The other 90% will be in-situ.

[strider3700]

I think he's getting at the point that they don't need to strip mine to get the other 90% it can be accessed through other means.

[The_Toecutter]

My dad lost his job last year due to injury. Thus we've been cutting back *before* gas hit $2.50 last summer and *before* natural gas prices jumped sky high. Peak oil is simply making the problem worse. I wonder if I'll graduate college and get my own property paid for and student loans paid off before any serious problems arise(if they indeed do). 3 more semesters left...

[aswerfawf]

the oil well in my basement is in terminal decline.

my home economy is on the verge of catostraphic collapse. soon theyll be wars between me and my room mates over control of the sipon. the conflict may spill over into my neighbors yard if the shooting gets outrageous enough. i might have to declare marshall law. weve already started rationing food between us and our two cats and the goldfish. but i dont think im prepared for underwater conflict. on the bright side, i get to gloat to my room mates about how right i was when i predicted that the peak in domestic oil production would happen during our lease.

[Omnitir]

Peak oil has had a large and very real impact on my life.
Thanks to peak oil and the subsequent conservation efforts, I now save a considerable amount of money on transport, gas and electricity costs, plus I am physically fitter then I’ve been in over a decade, plus I’m healthier thanks to changing my diet away from overly processed foods towards locally grown fresh produce.

Sorry if that’s not what you want to here, but it’s true. Peak oil has so far been a very positive thing for me.

I find it ironic that thanks to all the walking and cycling I now do, the higher fuel prices rise, the more money I actually save.

[aldente]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Raxozanne', ' ')I just hope that the company doesn't go under or I will be standing outside the dole office

[crapattack]

Peak Oil has effected me insofar as I am addicted to reading, researching and trying to make plans. Economically we are paying more for gas (equivalent of about $3.60/gallon here from about $1.90/gal a year ago) but my partner and I are not finding that a hardship as of yet. This year I think the PO concept will find more traction in the mainstream consiousness and it will be quite interesting to see all of the various denials and obviscation ramp up. Meanwhile I am trying to save to buy land to farm with my family. All of my dreams for graduate school have been put aside as I can't see the need now for a PhD, but I do see the need to learn a varity of 'old world' skills so am putting myself on several crash courses.

[Specop_007]

Surely has. More in bills, more in gas. It hasnt sunk my lifestyle by any means, but I find myself not driving if I dont really need to.

We lived somewhat frugally before the whole peak oil knowledge. I remember when gas was around $1.30 a gallon and I would drive our Taurus instead of the Expedition around town. At $1.50 to $1.75 we stopped taking the Expedition on vacations so much. Essentially we've gone from driving the SUV "just because" to when we need it.

[aldente]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('albente', '[') you better hide under a solid blanket and that, in my humble opinion can be found in mind altering practices that make uncomfortable things go away.

[aldente]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Specop_007', ' ')Essentially we've gone from driving the SUV "just because" to when we need it.

[Barbara]

Hubby is an architect and all his artisans are complaining about the price of glass, iron and steel doubled in the last two years. The price of home renovating is skyrocketing because of this.

[CarnbY]

While looking for music on ebay I came across this seller from Wisconsin who is apparently feeling the effects of PO quite well:

"Got surprised by a retardedly (no offense to you Special Olympics folk) high heat bill and need to move some of my collection so I don't default on my damned mortgage."

People are definitely cutting down on discretionary spending, and are selling anything that's not essential. And we're just getting started...

[aldente]

Well, here in California, (at least the central coastal part that is) the utility providers now say that if you use more electicity than you did last year you will be charged 40% extra. Not sure about private housholds, this referres to commercial units and companies.

[AmericanEmpire]

Peak oil arrived for me the day I found myself on www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net.

All my hopes and dreams for the future down the drain.

[crapattack]

AmericanEmpire:
$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'P')eak oil arrived for me the day I found myself on www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net.

All my hopes and dreams for the future down the drain.