Gas Price and Conservation

When it comes to fill up the gas tank, it is the wallet that suddenly seems to become empty. Why? The rising cost of gas across America. In Seattle, Washington alone, the gas price has consistently bounced between 3.49 to 3.59 a gallon. I grumble at the pump when I have to fill up my girlfriends tank. The end price is $40.00 USD even (unless you go to an Arco Am/Pm and then you have to pay an additional .45 cents for debit/credit card transaction). Do you grumble at the pump when you have to reach into your wallet for the debit card or cash to pay $35-50+ for a full tank of gas?

I remember being in high school, driving around town in a beat up 1970 Ford Maverick (black with a two-tone front end) and there was Regular and Unleaded. Regular was .99 cents a gallon and Unleaded was 1.09 a gallon. And, while reminiscing upon this, I don't think I had ever spent more than $20.00 on a full tank of gas.

The other issue at hand, however, is not just the price of Gas, but the newer vehicles that are coming out have less gas mileage than previous models from 5-10 years ago. In fact, 10 years ago, it was unheard of for a vehicle to have less than 30 miles to the gallon as a brand new car. Yet, today, most vehicles are now barely over 30 miles a gallon for Highway mileage. So, what do we have? We have a higher increase regarding the cost of Gas, vehicles that are being produced with lower per mileage and it all ends up victimizing the wallet and pocket book.

What should we then do to conserve gas and spend less at the pump?

The first thing I would suggest is that when you are looking in the market for a newer car (07/08 Models), to look at the actual mpg on that vehicle? While the SUV's are nice and very classy, remember, not only will the potential monthly car payments will hit you, but the full coverage for insurance to cover the vehicle, but also the price of Gas. Mathematically speaking, if you purchased an 07 Suzuki Grand Vitara, the estimated mpg for that vehicle is 19 mpg for Highway and 24 mpg for city. (information from Suzuki's website for the Grand Vitara}

In 2000, the Grand Vitara for 2WD was 25 mpg for highway and 28 mpg for city (the 4WD was 24 mpg for Highway and 27 for City) {EPA Lists for Mileage Estimates for 2000 - Press Release October 1, 1999} While this maybe more gas mileage per gallon in 2000 than what it is currently, one also has to remember that back in 2000, gas prices were lingering around an estimated 1.59 - approximately 1.99 per gallon of gasoline. Thus, not only was the price of gas cheaper 7 years ago, but cars were much more fuel economy 7 years ago than they are today.

Therefore, when you are looking at making a new vehicle purchase, find the car that is definitely right for you, but also, find the car that is right for your budget and pocket book.

Secondly, if you reside in a large metropolitan area, you will spend less money on public transportation than you would on 4 weeks of gas. Take for example Seattle, Washington. A monthly two-zone peak/off-peak bus pass is around 85 dollars per month. 4 weeks of gas at 42.00 dollars per week, you are spending approximately $168.00 a month on gas alone. Thus, if you lived within the Seattle King County and Sound Transit system, you would save yourself $83.00.

Another way to conserve energy is if you are within close proximinity of your work. if you are within a couple miles of work, why bother getting in the car when you can simply walk to and from work? Not only will this be cost effective (zero dollars), but you will also be exercising at the same time.

A third way and the most beneficial for health and fitness as well as fattening up your wallet is to go out and spend 200-500.00 Dollars on a bicycle. This will be an initial cost, however it will pay off in the long run. Not only will you receive exercise, but you will also save yourself money.

Now, what I am not saying is to completely throw away the keys to your vehicle. There are going to be times when you need to use your vehicle. Major Grocery Shopping, road trips, and other such errands. The whole point here is that when you take the time to sit down and see how much you are spending at the pump and you want to start conserving your gas budget, one should follow a prudent way of not grumbling at the gas pump. Instead of filling the tank up every week, see if you can do it every two weeks.

In conclusion, if we do nothing more than just grumble and complain about the price of Gas every time we fill up the tank, it is our own personal stubbornness that gets in the way of actually seeing that there are ways we can be prudent, conserve and save our money to be put forth for better things.
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