Can't convince the wife

[Frank Lee]

Ha Ha- "ecomother". Reminds me of this mother of a huge litter thinking she was so green because she got a hybrid. An ecomom or ecowoman of any sort would certainly be the exception rather than the rule.

[Jyden]

Originally Posted by usmclowrider

I enjoy trying to get the best fuel mileage possible, but my wife doesn't even try a little bit. And we just got a hybrid so her excuse is "well it already gets better mileage so why bother". I have tried to convince her that gas is one of our highest and most user controlled expenses we have, but she still won't listen.

She enjoys doing the couponing thing and saving money on a lot of our other consumables, but she drives 75 on the highway and won't take it easy at the stoplights. Anybody here have any ideas on how to convince her to take it easy?

Let her pay for the gas out of her own money!

[Seatofpants]

This thread is funny. I don't feel so alone anymore. My wife too got the small, but sporty car 'cause she wanted to not waste so much fuel, but have fun driving. (no harm there, always one for a fun drive) I gave up on trying to make gentle suggestions on how to squeeze more mpg's when I had to reminder her more than once on the highway at 70, its ok to shift into fifth gear.

[usmclowrider]

I hadn't done the calculations on how much or little I am saving. I just figured that argument would because she doesn't like spending money. She also just likes getting where she is going.

She always complains when I take forever to get home, but when I take my time in our old camry I can get up to 33 mpg. That's up from 26 that it gets normally. I thought that was pretty amazing, but she just gets irritated.

I guess with such negligible savings the arguing isn't worth the time. between the two we have averaged 40 and 41 on the tanks since we bought the car this weekend, so I guess its not that big of a deal.

[RustyLugNut]

I tell the family ( 3 people ) to do what they can to cut costs and save and the difference will go towards our family vacations.

My son carpools with his buddies as much as he can. He rarely drives if he can walk or bike.

My wife gangs her daily driving so she gets most of her chores done in only a two day stretch.

I drive 120 miles one way between the Inland Empire and San Diego, twice a week. My Hemi Magnum isn't going to save me much with eco-mods and eco-driving so I collect used vegetable oil from a couple friends' restaurants and drive the old Mercedes 190d back and forth. My main costs are tires - which I use up about one set a year ( 50K mile rated tires ).

We have vacationed in Europe, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico and most of North America on the "car money".

Depending on how the family does this year, it looks like either Hawaii or New Zealand.

It is a easier to motivate when the reward is sweet and palpable.

[Frank Lee]

I hadn't done the calculations on how much or little I am saving. I just figured that argument would because she doesn't like spending money. She also just likes getting where she is going.

She always complains when I take forever to get home, but when I take my time in our old camry I can get up to 33 mpg.

Show her the calculation on how much time it takes to make that trip at your two different speeds. I'd wager the difference is under 10 minutes. If that 10 minutes is so critical, suggest leaving 10 minutes earlier, or spending 10 minutes less time getting ready to go.

[redneck]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Show her the calculation on how much time it takes to make that trip at your two different speeds. I'd wager the difference is under 10 minutes. If that 10 minutes is so critical, suggest leaving 10 minutes earlier, or spending 10 minutes less time getting ready to go.

Lol...

Logic doesn't work with women.

However, guilt can...

Well, at least for a little while.

>

[Frank Lee]

Yes, I know. I've been in that situation- showed the math, etc.

Another thing is, we were always "late". Ultimately I found a solution that worked wonderfully: LIE about the departure time- say you want to be on the road at 5:30 when the truth is you want to be on the road at 6:00. You will end up leaving at 6 and everybody will be happy... well, except about your GRANNY driving.

[botsapper]

"For women: Do not expect your husband to change after marriage.
For men: Do not expect your wife to not change."

[poomanchu]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Yes, I know. I've been in that situation- showed the math, etc.

Another thing is, we were always "late". Ultimately I found a solution that worked wonderfully: LIE about the departure time- say you want to be on the road at 5:30 when the truth is you want to be on the road at 6:00. You will end up leaving at 6 and everybody will be happy... well, except about your GRANNY driving.

Oh man it's the opposite with me. I'm usually late to appointments that don't involve work; like Dental, doctors etc. I was so hurt the first time I found out she nudged the actual times 30 minutes sooner. lmao! it works though and I got over it.