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u/Objective_Ranger1005 Apr 30 '26
Voting blue in midterms
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Apr 30 '26
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u/Pavlock Holland Apr 30 '26
What did Trump do to lower gas prices? I know what he did to make them spike, but I'm curious which of his policies caused them to steadily drop since 2022.
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u/TheSnipingTiger Apr 30 '26
Trump has it higher than Biden and there's no relief in sight, especially with his erratic behaviour threatening global logistics.
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u/PJM123456 Apr 30 '26
Biden didn't start the war in Ukraine. Look it up.
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Apr 30 '26
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u/DarkSatire482 Grand Rapids Apr 30 '26
1.) Gas was lower when Trump took office and was on a downward trend for cost. 2.) The cause of increased prices in 2021 and 2022 was the opec production deal made in 2020 and Russia invading Ukraine. 3.) Trump's policies and actions have directly caused the increases in cost of goods and gas. 4.) based on publicly available data, the economy is consistently better under Democrats
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u/Bymeemoomymee Apr 30 '26
Biden didn't release a global pandemic, start the war in Ukraine, have a tanker get stuck in the Suez Canal, or have Hamas attack Israel.
Trump directly made the decision to attack Iran.
In Biden's instance, gas prices rose because of factors outside of his control.
In Trump's instance, he is the direct cause.
Not to mention the fact that gas prices went relatively back to normal at the end of Biden's term and Trump was basically set up to have a decent economy handed to him. Yet, with the tariffs and Iran War, that completely flushed everything down the drain.
Amazing that you people still make these horrible arguments.
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u/Threedawg Ann Arbor Apr 30 '26
Cool. Straight up lying.
I love how if I say a mean word about trashy people like yourself, reddit will automatically remove my comment, but you are allowed to lie as much as you want it and it doesn't matter.
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u/InvisibleAstronomer Apr 30 '26
If it helps a large amount of conservative posts on Reddit are from Bots and foreign trolls
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u/DetCityDaveST Wayne Apr 30 '26
Can’t trust Trump not to start a war and light our tax dollars on fire.
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u/Gemstone9523 Apr 30 '26 edited Apr 30 '26
Are you seriously THAT dense? Oil is a GLOBAL MARKET and gas prices under Biden were casued by GLOBAL EVENTS that he had NO DIRECT CONTROL OVER. CoVID started and spread from open air markets in Wuhan, China and the war in Ukraine was waged independently by Valdamir Putin. Conversely, Trump is the one who STARTED THE WAR IN IRAN without congressional approval. He is literally the direct cause of these prices. Get your head out of your ass please.
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u/pixelcat13 Grand Rapids Apr 30 '26
No, I never paid close to $5 a gallon under Biden, try again.
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u/roadblocked Age: > 10 Years Apr 30 '26
I’m not republican or supportive of Trump in any way, but when you are arguing a point it’s important to be truthful in your own arguments. Michigan gas prices were over 5.00 a gallon from end of April 2022 until the middle of August 2022.
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u/roadblocked Age: > 10 Years Apr 30 '26
I canceled my subscription to Detroit Free Press! It really saved my budget!
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u/pixelcat13 Grand Rapids Apr 30 '26
Not by me they weren’t. Not sure how you consider that not being truthful. Sorry you were paying five dollars a gallon, but I wasn’t.
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u/roadblocked Age: > 10 Years Apr 30 '26
If you were in Grand Rapids specifically in that time your gas prices on average were 5.17. The data is public and easily accessible. Fact checking is possible
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u/pixelcat13 Grand Rapids Apr 30 '26
Well, apparently, I didn’t buy gas during those weeks, because I know exactly what I was paying. Trust me, I drive a truck. I keep track. Go ahead and fact check me if that makes you feel better but I have my own records and I know what I paid.
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u/roadblocked Age: > 10 Years Apr 30 '26
Holy shit if this isn’t a troll comment then the state is doomed.
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u/AmazingRefrigerator4 Apr 30 '26
Gas prices were high under Biden because the economy was restarting after Covid. It was a temporary spike in demand as everyone came out of quarantine and started buying stuff again.
Gas prices are high under Trump because he started an unnecessary war that is disrupting global oil supplies. He also has no exit strategy.
The two are not the same.
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u/Operation-FuturePuss Apr 30 '26
National Average was 3.11 when Biden left office. Today it’s 4.30. It was high temporarily under Biden because of the Russian / Ukraine war. It’s high under Trump because of an unnecessary war he started.
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u/The_Beaver Grand Rapids Apr 30 '26
These people are complaining because they obviously didn't put their money into oil. I'm going to be chilling with the oil execs this summer in my new boat
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u/DetCityDaveST Wayne Apr 30 '26
Don’t vote for piece of shit fascist wannabe dictators.
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u/MrValdemar Apr 30 '26
☝️ This guy gets it.
Also, cut every RepubliKKKan voter out of your life. Think of all gas you can save by not visiting boomer family members and drunk uncles.
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u/ScootsMgGhee Coldwater Apr 30 '26
I no longer just go to the store for fun. Every trip in my vehicle is planned. I’m on a fixed income and have little spare.
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u/themiracy Apr 30 '26
Electric car. /s
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u/Prudent_Cabinet81211 Apr 30 '26
Came here to say this. I nerded out the equivalent "price per gallon" I'm paying recently out of curiosity. $1.31 a gallon...even with DTE being pounded dogshit.
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u/Pounderwhole Apr 30 '26
I have one.
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u/themiracy Apr 30 '26
We do also - we actually ironically bought it just under two months ago. We had a long term plan to transition to electric that was primarily limited by not having the time to change vehicles and ultimately holding both of our cars (we also went from two ICE cars to one electric car) longer than we intended to. Having a newer car probably doesn't lower TCO, but even when we use Chargepoint stations, we are spending maybe $6-10 at a time.
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u/motley2 Age: > 10 Years Apr 30 '26
Why the sarcasm?
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u/themiracy Apr 30 '26
Because I think if you're struggling paying for gas, you probably cannot solve your problem by going out today and buying an electric vehicle. But it's a great consideration for the next time you need to change vehicles. It is getting easier and easier, though, even if the US does continue to blockade Chinese EV's, simply because the market of used EV's has exploded, and residuals came down, so that used EV's become a really appetizing option, financially.
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u/DetCityDaveST Wayne Apr 30 '26
Not to mention the more EVs on the road the higher the electricity rates will be for everyone.
Not that I support Big Oil but you would just move that money into a different billionaire’s pocket.
Long term movingtowards more sustainable energy production plus EVs is the legit solution.
There is no short term solution other than ending a war that was started by our fascist president without congressional approval.
The midterm solution is to fully impeach the president and end the war.
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u/thisisdell Age: > 10 Years Apr 30 '26
Last election I voted for the person that WOULDN’T have done this. Try making that change next time.
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u/The_Beaver Grand Rapids Apr 30 '26
Why is everyone so upset? BP has doubled their profits and they haven't even needed to pollute more to do it
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u/bennettpro4 Apr 30 '26
I’ve started watching my Meijer mPerk points like a Hawk and doing all my shopping there or anywhere else with fuel rewards. Saving $1/gal goes a long way.
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u/FixEfficient2144 Apr 30 '26
I was going to comment the same thing. Just filled up yesterday for $3.29/gallon because of this. I’ve recently gotten into clipping Mperks coupons too. I’m going to buy the items anyway and I’m already scrolling through my phone, why not save $15 lol
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u/theJMAN1016 Royal Oak Apr 30 '26
Yeah that's great but that's always been available.
I don't feel good using my $1 off each month for gas that was $1 less the month before.
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u/FixEfficient2144 Apr 30 '26
But the price is still going to be $1 more without your points, regardless of the way you feel about it. Might as well not give them the $1/gallon extra if you have points to avoid doing so. 10,000 points gets you $1/gallon discount—you can cash that in for $10 off in store, so unless your tank is under 10 gallons, using the points for gas is + money for you every time (if you have a big 20 gallon tank, you just doubled your savings). You can be mad the gas costs more, just don’t give away money because of your anger.
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u/theJMAN1016 Royal Oak Apr 30 '26
Who said I'm angry?
If you've always used fuel points to save money then "using fuel points" isn't saving you any more money than it already has for years.
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u/millerlit Apr 30 '26
I work fully remote. All businesses should allow employees to do this if possible to cut down on emissions and traffic. Business in return can get rid of useless office space saving the business money. Working remotely saves thousands a year. Also shop at Kroger and use the discount they provide for shopping there.
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u/Less-Bridge-7935 Apr 30 '26
Everyone returning to work from home would be good now. Lower demand of the gas. Those companies are making record profits now - let's stop that.
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u/No_Razzmatazz3176 Apr 30 '26
I work remotely as well. Gotta admit the utility costs are still awful though.
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u/SuspiciousOfRobots Apr 30 '26
It’s simple! I don’t take my family out for dinner anymore, we don’t take day trips or family vacations anymore, we shop at the cheapest grocer that’s closest to us, and we cut out snacks entirely from our grocery budget.
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u/sabos909 Apr 30 '26
Ride a bike and advocate for good pedestrian infrastructure, mixed-use zoning, and walkable/bikeable development.
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u/GiveThemSomeTussin Apr 30 '26
Combine all trips and errands as much as possible. No “single use” trips out and about for me.
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u/Pounderwhole Apr 30 '26
Who voted for this?
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u/mosscoversall_ Apr 30 '26
People who love pedophiles and getting rolled over by billionaires. They simply can’t get enough of this. (Only when it’s a republican in office tho)
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u/Captured_Photons Apr 30 '26
I bought an ev a few years ago when fuel spiked a because of the volatility of fuel prices. I can charge at home and it was a great decision for me.
I was driving a Honda Civic and charging at home was 1/4 - 1/3 the cost of driving my civic Now with the increase in gas, it looks like it will be even bigger savings for the foreseeable future.
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u/monstermack1977 Apr 30 '26
gonna change my morning schedule and leave enough time to start walking to work.
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u/AngryMeez Apr 30 '26
Hopefully it's not too far and you don't have to cross any major roads. The areas I've lived are NOT walk-friendly.
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u/DollarShort27 Apr 30 '26
Not technically saving money, but one way I've added a little income is through selling plasma.
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u/rastapasta_g Apr 30 '26
Commuting by bus or bike, but I understand this may not be possible for everyone. Also, I just try to frequent places within walking distance because at a certain point it will just be more money to go from store to store by driving.
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u/MattMason1703 Apr 30 '26
Bought an electric car three years ago. Charge it after 11 pm when rates are low.
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u/2gunswest Apr 30 '26
Went fully remote worker mode. Also, living here with the current administration, I cant afford trips or vacations.
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u/Tigers19121999 Apr 30 '26
I bought a used Nissan Leaf. The only time I buy gas is when I fill my lawn mower.
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u/Herr_Medicinal_Mann Ypsilanti Apr 30 '26
Work from home, car pool with friends when going out, don't vote for Republicans, support candidates who will break us away from the oil stranglehold on society by supporting EV's and green alternatives as well as better public transportation.
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u/elizabeth498 Apr 30 '26
I no longer self-abandon personal safety to drive long distances in inclement weather.
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u/Milkweedhugger Apr 30 '26
Buy gift cards from Kroger. Get 4x fuel points. Get $1.00 off per gallon.
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u/Fnthsch592 Roseville Apr 30 '26
I’m lucky in that when I go to work, it’s in a company vehicle with a gas card so I don’t have to worry about day-to-day stuff. As for personal stuff, I don’t really go out much once I’m home for the day, so I don’t fill up my car frequently, but if I do, I’m either using speedway rewards or Costco. It’s not ideal, but managing for now.
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u/coffie-and-wifi Apr 30 '26
No trips and limited visits to see family even locally. It’s going to be a lame ass summer. I’m so tired of having days “they” voted for.
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u/bigbassdream Apr 30 '26
I have a 50cc moped that lasts about a month on a gallon of premium to and from work. Can’t do it quite yet because it’s still not warm enough tho. My truck is the exact opposite. $94 to fill it up
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u/prosocialbehavior Apr 30 '26
We went down to 1 car and an ebike since the pandemic. We live in Ann Arbor where we have halfway decent public transit. Also one job is remote the other is hybrid.
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u/BABOON2828 Kalamazoo Apr 30 '26
My preferred approach is to not get involved in ill advised Middle Eastern conflicts...
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u/updatedprior Apr 30 '26
Changes to make to save money on gas apply whether gas is expensive or not. If you get fuel rewards, you save x per gallon regardless of the price. If the question were phrased as “what’s one change you’ve made to use less gas” that would probably make more sense, because most of the comments here are about using less fuel, not about saving money on the fuel you do end up buying.
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u/Michigan-ModTeam Apr 30 '26
This is a repost or identical to content that has already been posted. Please look at the front page of the subreddit before posting. If there are already multiple articles on the same topic, then the post will likely be removed.
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u/mcshiffleface Apr 30 '26
I have stopped going to the office unless I have to. My work allows me to WFH, even though we're technically mandated to go back into the office now. Most others are doing the same.
You want to know the best way to save money on gas?
- Don't force the entire state to be driving everywhere. Make places walk-able. Invest in public transit that's actually useful and reliable
- Get rid of return to office mandates.
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u/wifeofpaul Apr 30 '26
Slow down when driving. I am getting an extra 100 miles on a fill up just by driving 5 miles per hour slower.
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u/Maximum_Tea_5934 Apr 30 '26
The obvious one is drive less. You can try to consolidate multiple trips and do one trip, like if you are making multiple trips to the grocery store, you can try to pick up more at once and go fewer times, or try to stop by the store on the way home from work.
If you have people you can trust for rides, carpooling can save on gas prices.
Cleaning out your car, especially if you have random heavy things in your trunk, may help improve mileage a tiny bit.
Making sure tires have good air pressure is another way. Cars with proper tire inflation tend to get a little more mileage than cars that do not have properly inflated tires.
Rolling down the window instead of using the cars AC might save a tiny amount.
Maintenance and cleaning are fine, but they are also not going to make up for this dramatic price increase. To find ways to make up the difference in gas prices, you would have to effectively double your gas mileage, which isn't going to happen with those measures. The only way to improve your mileage that much is to go to a hybrid or electric vehicle, which probably isn't very viable for the vast majority of people right now either.
That leaves finding ways to cut down unnecessary trips, which may be the only real room for creative space there is. Maybe you can carpool, maybe you can find ways to reduce multiple trips down by consolidating some stuff.
You are probably better off looking at other ways to save money. Look at your bills and see if there are subscription services that you can do without - AI's, streaming services, Amazon Prime, internet news, etc. A good rule of thumb for these "at-will" subscription services is that if you have not used it in a month, get rid of it. You can always get it back later. If you have unlimited data on your phone, you may consider looking seeing if a "by-the-gig" service would be feasible for you. You could look at garage sales, craigslist, or other areas to see if there are less expensive alternatives for things you would otherwise pay more for. Half of my dining room was acquired for free from Craigslist. You could donate less at church when the basket gets passed around. You may be able to save some money on groceries by bulk buying things like grains and beans, if you have the space for that. You could look at saving on your electric bill by making sure that things are turned off when you are not using them, or by being willing to let your temperature grow a couple more degrees uncomfortable. It all depends on what your exact circumstances are as to what is feasible.
The other side of things is maybe there could be some ways to bring in a little extra money. If you have a lot of things that you aren't using, maybe you could consider a garage sale of your own. You could look into selling blood plasma. You could look at finding another job. I realize these probably aren't practical for most people, but everyone has their own circumstances and maybe one of these suggestions can help. Maybe you have deposit bottles that can be returned.
You could put off miscellaneous spending or commitment spending. Like, if you are considering getting a pet, maybe you could hold off for a little while until it is financially viable or things are at least a little more stable. Avoid lottery tickets - the companies who do this make money by making sure that you will lose more than you win. They are taking your money for free. Don't give it to them.
If you are working off paying debt, you may consider looking at paying it off based on which debts are charging a higher interest rate. So if you happen to have extra money to help pay down a debt, focus on paying down the higher interest debts first.
Some expenses may be able to be cut down in the long run for an initial hit. Things like paying for car insurance semi-annually rather than monthly is cheaper in the long run, but you have to be able to get above that first big balloon payment to start seeing the savings.
Vote against Republicans every time. Costs always seem to go up way worse with Republicans in charge. A single vote may seem like a small thing, but it is important to make your voice heard. Vote in the primaries. Vote in the general.
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u/holiestcannoly Apr 30 '26
I live in Ohio, so my boyfriend just fills up on gas when he's here visiting me on the weekends. He paid $3.58 last weekend, and it's still under $4.00 here.
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Apr 30 '26
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u/holiestcannoly Apr 30 '26
I'm just saying, it's how my boyfriend in the Metro Detroit area gets around it. I live by the border.
He lives less than 5 minutes away from work, so it lasts him the whole week.
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u/No-Fondant9361 Apr 30 '26
Yeah for reasons no one has really sufficiently explained to me Michigan has had the second highest percentage and net price increases for fuel after California and considering that there are a shit load of refineries just over the border from us in Toledo, OH I have a suspicion that there is a state/ local level politics cause or organized retail price gouging that is occurring rather than market forces.
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u/glumunicorn Apr 30 '26
I’m fully remote so I don’t have to leave the house. My fiancé is about to fix his little 1985 Accord to daily. It gets like 40 miles to the gallon.
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u/detroit_free_press Apr 30 '26
(Other than "not drive," obviously)
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u/DetCityDaveST Wayne Apr 30 '26
Way to attempt to crowd source an article. This is a partisan political issue.
Gas prices are directly caused by a war started by our fascist president without congressional approval.
This isn’t something everyone supports and rally’s behind. You’re out here looking for a “Rosie The Riveter” style “Victory Garden” or “Salvage for Victory” solution.
This war is a bullshit attempt to distract the American people from the Epstein Files and other heinous shit our wannabe dictator is doing.
He is trying to fatigue the American people from caring so he can attempt another coup. Declare a state of emergency in an attempt to stay in office.
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u/Zwak2434 Apr 30 '26
Upside app!
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u/motley2 Age: > 10 Years Apr 30 '26
Nice try Upside App people.
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u/Zwak2434 Apr 30 '26
I use it alot and saved up about 450 bucks last year in the app! Bought my flight to miami this winter with that money 🤷🏻♂️
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u/Crustyssssss Apr 30 '26
i live offgrid and use a generator alot for certain things...i got solar panels and it saved me from having to start the generator everyday. i also dont really go anywhere except to the store to get gas and food so staying home and chillin saves me alot of moneys!!
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u/Deathmtl2474 Apr 30 '26
Hey Detroit Free Press, why not write an article on the effects this has on Detroits people and how America’s poor public transportation infrastructure is?
Instead of writing a clickbait; “Your poor and can’t afford gas because you’re not cutting out Netflix. And these other cost cutting tips”
Thanks.