Murdo, SD

THE REAL COST OF SHOPPING OUT-OF-TOWN 

As I have sat back and watched the price of gas keep going up and up and up, I began really thinking about what I read on the Presho blog months ago about the true cost of shopping out of the towns we live in.  Each time we choose to do our shopping out of town, there are costs in doing this that we may not be taking into consideration.  Here is an example of how much it would cost to shop in Pierre, South Dakota.  These figures are just estimates and averages for a couple (2 people) to drive to Pierre to shop. 

Pierre 106 miles (round trip)  106 divided by 20 (average of miles per gallon) = 5.3 gallons 5.3 X $4.00 (average cost per gallon) = $21.20 

Fast food meal for the two persons in the vehicle would be approximately $7.00 per person, which would equal $14.00 if one meal/snack is purchased. 

The time it takes to drive to Pierre to shop is approximately 1 hour, which equals to 2 hours drive time for a round trip.  Using a low hourly wage of $8.00 per hour, we then take the drive time of 2 hours X $8.00 per hour to equal $16.00. (This is not considering the time that is spent shopping.)  

Total cost of driving to Pierre to shop: 

$21.20 (fuel)

$14.00 (food)

$16.00 (time) 

$51.20 total  

The wear and tear on your vehicle is not included in this cost and because you are driving out of town to shop, you increase your chances of getting a speeding ticket and/or having an accident.  You can use this same formula if you choose to shop in Mitchell (254 miles round trip) or Sioux Falls (408 miles round trip) or Rapid City (260 miles round trip). 

The further one travels out of Murdo to shop, the more it will cost in time, gas, food, etc.  Needless to say, there are some things that a person cannot purchase in Murdo but I know from experience that several of the businesses here are willing to order and try to get the item that is needed. 

Opinion Polls & Market Research

To see poll results: 

http://www.vizu.com/poll-vote.html?n=67998

This was the sound the contents from the “Change Murdo” canisters made as it was being counted at the bank.  The canisters have been in several of the businesses in Murdo for just over a month and $77.04  was the total amount collected so far for our “Welcome U to Murdo” program!!  WAY TO GO PEOPLE!! 

Thank you for supporting these Horizon projects that have been started in Murdo.  It truly is amazing to see how a “little bit of change” can really add up to help MAKE changes happen!! 

We will be needing new ideas for projects to sponsor with the “Change Murdo” money.  How about starting a much needed FOOD PANTRY or some type of THRIFT shop??  Please comment here on the blog with any ideas you may have for our community.  Ideas from other communities welcome too!! 

A big THANK YOU to PRESHO for the great idea you started with your “Change Presho” idea.