Beating the High Price of Gas
Wow, in times like this, we could start talking about the Great Depression! I'm kidding. Gas prices have actually started coming down in the last week or so, to about $2.46 a gallon where I live, so I'm really not complaining. We've heard all of the hype about how the gas prices will go through the roof, when in reality, they really haven't. When BP recently announced they were closing one of their main gas lines for major repairs, the gas prices stayed where they were and then started declining. So, what causes the gas prices to fluctuate so much that we're checking prices at five or six gas stations as we're tooling around in our cars? Some people blame the gas marketers. That's probably the right answer but I really don't think anyone knows exactly how the price setting works. It may be a combination of unknown factors with some greed added to the mix.
I remember when gas was priced under a dollar a gallon. Those were the days, right? I look at it this way: Like everything else, prices are going to get higher; it's inevitable. Some countries' gas prices are normally $6.00 a gallon, so I think we're somehow ahead of the game. Look at the price of new homes
or groceries.
If you are trying to beat the high price of gas, here are a few ideas that you may want to consider in your everyday life:
1. Walk instead of driving short distances. I know people that will drive to get
to their neighbor's house a block away.
2. Fly instead of driving on vacation. It's starting to become cheaper just to hop a flight, unless you have an aversion to security checks.
3. Run errands in groups, instead of "whenever," like the grocery store, dry cleaner, bank or local ice cream shop.
4. The dreaded car pool. Hey, if you are that concerned about beating the price of gas, you will do this!
5. Fill your gas tank half full and figure out how you can stop using as much gas as usual. I did this. If you drive a good distance to work or drive for a living, this idea is not for you!
6. When the gas price goes up, fill a partial tank instead of filling up and wait a few days for the price to come down.
7. Start driving a more gas-efficient vehicle.
8. Stay at home. Why is it that everyone thinks they need to be driving everywhere all of the time these days?
9. And last, but not least, and these are becoming more ridiculous, start eating more meals at home so that I can get a reservation to eat dinner out!
However you are coping with the high price of gas, remember that everything is
temporary.
