Spot on Miss Red. The cost of fuel has no bearing on my ability to punt. Time is the more precious commodity for me.

A punt is my luxury Spoil and treat! Time and money is always a factor! Proper planning is essential!

The money I used to spend is being spent on other necessities at this stage ... yes I do still enjoy an afternoon a month spoiling myself, bit not twice a month anymore ... because having considered the cost, it's effectively that would equate to the repayment of the instalment on one of my vehicles ... but also as advised in this thread it is not just the fuel cost, it is the consequential increase in all commodities ... and ensuring that all other priorities are catered for before any playtime is contemplated.

I travelled extensively before lock down and I am a spur of the moment punter. If I have spare time in a certain area then that's it.

Now after lockdown a lot of companies don't mind a Teams or Zoom meeting.

So that makes me punt a lot closer to home or office

On 2022-07-16 17:43:10 RenePhillips said:
I think you are looking at it through a limited lens... Over time, the direct contribution of petrol inflation to headline inflation has not only increased, but has also exceeded its weight in the consumer price index. In addition, the petrol prices have an important bearing on the prices of other (non-petrol) commodities in the economy.

So the impact may not be as simply limiting it to the extra R50/R100 you mentioned. So someone who had set aside R1000 a month for his "non essential" punt, may not have it anymore based on the ripple effect of the petrol hikes in his/her life.

But I accept and respect your opinion on the topic as being true in your world view. I was just sharing mine (which I do not postulate to be the correct one either).

Happy to learn from the views and experiences of others on this forum.

A gentleman and a scholar. Always a pleasure observing your courteous interactions here Sir RP.

P.S. By the way, on this one I'm actually not seeing it your way, I'm more aligned with Sabrina when I think about marginal costing.

Yes it has. Even before the increase in fuel prices. Issue for me is I live close to sandton and the WG prices are too much for me just coz of the area only. So I only punt in my preferred areas when I have other business to do in said area. It doesn't make sense petrol wise and time wise to get into my car and go to a particular area just for a punt. It needs to make sense in terms of other business I need to do then I can punt after.

Also remember punting is and becoming a very expensive habit. Depending on frequency you can spend thousands a month including petrol etc

If you have to punt everyday, fuel will probably be a issue. Once a month, then fuel is most likely not the biggest of your problems.

I think the question is a very litteral and straightforward one, and not related to the overall effect of fuel on inflation and how that affects one's overall budget and ultimately punting. But quite simply, does the cost of fuel you need to put in your tank affect your decision to punt or not. And my comment is if you are keeping one eye on the fuel guage on the way to a punt, or weigh up between filling your tank or a punt, or fuel comes into the equation on where you can or cannot punt then you shouldn't be punting or you should punt less. That goes for any essential expenses. Punting is a luxury and should be quite far down the list when it comes to spending.

Petrol price not really a factor, but only punt in certain areas due to business activities.

If any goes wrong, or being spotted by friends or family, there is no need to explain why I was in a certain area.