Gas Prices Reach Record Highs
Colin Lovett – PIC Current Producer
As oil roars past $100 a barrel and gas prices head towards $4 a gallon, American drivers are feeling the pinch of fuel costs in more than just their gas tank.
My brother recently remarked to me that his fuel prices are coming close to passing his monthly car payments. As absurd as it may seem, this may become a reality for many as they face more sticker shock at the pump.
According to a recent CNNMoney.com article, gas prices are at all time high of $4.10 per gallon while oil futures recently also rose past $130 a barrel.
And because of high oil prices, it also costs more to produce and ship almost all goods, including food. Have you noticed the cost of milk moving up at your grocery store? It’s at least in part because of high oil costs.
Are there any ways to solve this problem? The easy answer is no. But are there steps that you can take to save money on gas.
If you’re like my brother, you may be commuting 40 or more miles a day. You could do like he recently did and use public transportation. Some people may not like public transit, but I love it. If you live in an area with public transportation, try it. It’s usually not as bad as some may think. True, occasionally you run into someone who doesn’t know how to bathe. But all in all, it’s a quick way to get to work and is far cheaper than driving and parking. Plus, I love the people watching. It can be better than any reality TV program on some mornings.
If public transit is not an option, find carpool partners in your community. Many areas have programs to connect prospective carpoolers. Who knows, you might even make a new best friend.
Something everyone can do is called trip chaining. No, not tying up the guy at the gas station in frustration. Trip chaining is all about planning your errands, mapping out a route to cut down mileage, and taking care of as many errands as possible in one longer trip instead of many smaller trips. This will save you money.
Obviously, these solutions will not work for everyone. If they did, we would not have our current problems. So how can communities solve the issue? More fuel efficient cars are a start. So is more public investment in mass transit. No one likes to pay higher taxes. But no one likes paying $4 at the pump either.
In short, we have choices to make and we better get busy making them. If my brother can change his driving habits, maybe the smelly guy on the bus can be convinced to take a shower.
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