It is kinda funny, kinda sad, to see $2.55 here! at the beginning of this post. The national average for gasoline has gone over $2.90/gallon, currently sitting at $2.937. It is also very interesting to read articles and listen to George Bush (who incidentally attacked Kerry in 2000 for a 50¢ gas tax, the guy did SOMETHING right) about what should be done in the short and long term for our gas needs.
Long term -- ethanol (which anyone reading these boards knows I\'ve been harping about forever
Short term -- nothing we can do.
BS there is nothing we can do.
1. use less fuel. I consolidate my outings to make sure I am doing more than one thing when I go out. If the wife needs milk, I check to see if there is anything ELSE that I can pick up on the way and whenever possible include my entertainment in with that (if I want to go golfing, bowling, etc...).
2. purchase cars that are more fuel efficient.
[INDENT]LAST year I drove 19,000 miles. At $2.93 a gallon (today\'s prices) that is $2,420 I would spend on gas this year at 23MPG.[/INDENT]
[INDENT]THIS year I am on track to drive only 10,000 miles and bought a car that more fuel efficient at 25MPG. That makes my fuel costs only $1173 this year[/INDENT].
There are ten things I do now that help me with changing habits.
1. I go to the local store (.6 miles) to buy groceries instead of Wal-Mart (11.3 miles). I was traveling almost 23 miles to go to a DISCOUNT store when I was saving literally pennies on the dollar for my food.
2. I go out less often. With the big-screen, surround sound entertainment many of us have in our homes, and services like NetFlix that deliver movies to your door, there is no reason to go out.
3. I don\'t go to the post office as often. I asked my PostMaster to drop any large packages at my door and I do most of my bill-paying online.
4. When we go out, my wife make a whole day of it. We go to the ocean (in Florida), go out to eat, and see a movie all in one day instead of making multiple trips. That saves A LOT on gasoline.
5. I found a job closer to home and so did my wife. We both had to take pay cuts, but it actually costs less than if you factor in the price of gasoline (my wife traveled over 30 miles I traveled over 20. Now she travels 10 and I travel 12). We used to travel 50 miles everyday now we travel 22. Again, at $2.97/gallon and 25mpg that is a savings of $3.33/day or $16.65/week or $66.60/month or almost $800/YEAR.
6. Our public library offers to deliver and pick up books for us.
7. We cut out \'leizure driving\' and now take walks together. Not only does it save gas, it makes us more healthy!
8. I take the SHORTEST way, not the QUICKEST way to get to work. Ties in with #5
9. I regularly check the air pressure in my tires, use synthetic oil, keep the car and the car\'s engine clean, make sure the air filter is clean, tires are rotated and balanced, and overall make sure the car is in the best running condition. Not only will this make the car last longer, it will save a little in gas.
10. I use the air conditioner as little as possible and just use the vent (at night, morning, etc.). Using the air conditioner can reduce your efficiency by as much as 20%!
