Gas Prices Still Soaring

Gas prices in the central Maine area are at an all-time high. With the average around $3.24, many people are wondering when this rise will stop -- before or after no one can afford to drive anymore? For some, the prices have forced them to get more economic vehicles. For others, it means lowering the thermostat and wearing layers all the time at home. For still others, weekend plans are canceled and family is seen less often.

In my area, there are a few cheaper gas stations but in general the prices are all within cents of each other. I no longer have a vehicle at all, mostly due to not being able to afford it. I was working in Freeport, an hour away from my house, over the holidays. The drive was about 30 miles one way, so 60 miles a day five or six days a week. Getting 25 miles per gallon in my Ford Focus, that's more than 2 gallons of gas a day- in a five day week, it's 300 miles, or 12 gallons of gas, around $36. Considering this only counts my commute and not errands or other driving, that is quite a bit of money. My paychecks at the time were around $225 a week. That means more than 15% of my income went to just paying to get to and from work. Food, a place to live, car maintenance, all cost enough that in my entire time in that seasonal position, I wasn't able to save money.

Because I no longer have a car, I took a bus to visit friends in Bangor, about two hours north of where I live. The bus cost me $27 from Augusta to Bangor, and I gave a friend $3 for a ride to Augusta from Turner. With prices going up like they are, I'll soon be saving money to take the bus! It's only 60 miles, but I don't have a car payment, car insurance, gas, oil changes, or other maintenance to worry about.

If gas prices hit $4 a gallon, and airline prices stay stable, then it will soon cost less- a lot less- to fly to many places instead of driving. Municipalities should be working on ways to solve the problems of many citizens by implementing public transportation. Many people won't be able to afford cars much longer. Some landlords in the Lewiston-Auburn area have abandoned their buildings - and tenants!! - because of the price of heating oil. It's becoming less expensive for some to use their electric heat, something that used to be frowned upon as a waste of money.

One of the best programs in Maine currently that can help people with the gas prices is Shaw's and Irvings' partnership, where you get coupons for a certain amount off every gallon of gas for every $50, $100, etc you spend on groceries. More tips can be found here.