I have had the same paper boy (girl) for 12 years. She always delivered early in the morn so I can walk down to the Mailbox get my paper and come in to have a cup of java.

She called me yesterday, told me she was quitting and asked if she could come by to get her last payment.

I asked her who was going to deliver my paper now and she said probably the district manager

She said about 15 people quit because they couldn't afford the gas anymore to deliver (we live in a rural area).

Isn't that SAD!!!!!

People trying to make it the best way they know how and they can't even afford to work because of the gas prices.

EWWWWW that just burns me.

debbie and i did routes for extra money and worked full time too we quit about a yr and half ago because it was too expensive to run 3 rts 65 plus miles everyday and gas was only at 2 40 a gallon when we quit, i cant imagine running those routes at 4 20 a gallon, there is no way you can make money at that rate per gallon of gas,

sorry you are losing your paper delivery person beth hopefully you will get someone who is good to replace the one who is quitting

I have cancelled all my paper subscriptions (just 2) and have gone to reading the paper online.

I still buy the Sunday paper at the grocery store on Saturday night just to get the coupons.

I figure the less paper used and gas used to deliver it will help the environment and my pocketbook at the same time.

I just feel bad for the people who depend on their paper routes for income.

Thats me too Kelly! I feel bad for these delivery people. They aren't kids! The are adults trying to make extra money to make ends meet.

I don't mind having to go buy the paper at the corner I just get angry when someone is trying to make some sort of living so they don't have to go on welfare and they get smacked down.

yep beth, it's the same for pizza delivery too.

hubby and i own a business. we expect to get lots of teens applying for part time summer jobs. this year has been triple the teens and adults. in the past we never go adults applying for entry level positions. i wish we could afford to hire.

we have a friend who owns a pizza parlor. he can't find anyone to deliver.

My son had to quit his job (parttime) because the gas was more than what he was making each week.

He put in some applications in town but I'm sure what little was there are gone now. (we live in a small town so he was working about 15 miles away). He was a bus boy and dishwasher.

I felt bad for him. He was bringing home about 100.00 a week and 75 was going into is gas tank. How sad huh?!

Same here. Online subscriptions are definitely the way to go. Plus, in my case, eliminating that weekly 10lbs. of papers to haul out on trash/recycle day was a huge bonus.

Since I discovered the weekly ads online, I don't even get the Sunday edition anymore.

Check this out: http://www.sundaysaver.com/

Bethie, you're quite right about those who depend on vehicles to make their living. It's a crying shame that we can afford to be policing the entire world but can't make a difference in our own back yard.

It's my considered opinion that printed news will become completely obsolete in the foreseeable future. It's expensive to print and distribute and just one more thing the environment doesn't need-- all the way from the paper mills to the delivery. It's almost unnecessary at this junction.

I agree! Another good site for finding your local ads : http://www.shoplocal.com

Beth,

If Congress actually acts on what they learned today in their hearings on fuel price manipulation, then prices will drop significantly by the end of the summer.

The witnesses during the hearing were significant people, and they pointed out how and where the problems/price manipulation is taking place. If these issues are resolved, then prices will get back into the $2 range and a bunch of Energy Speculators/Hedge Funds will bite the dust instantly.

I am not holding my breath on this happening so fast, but the good news is that the Congress has its rear in the fire right now,..., more so than they ever have.

Let's hope for the best.

-Vic

Wanna see something kind of freaky? Take a look at this:

http://www.nationmaster.com/red/pie/...il-consumption