Simple Ways to Save Money on Gas

Sooner or later, the American public will have to face the fact that gas is not getting any cheaper. Goldman Sachs predicts that prices of oil could rise up to $200 dollars a barrel in the next two years (http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/2008-05-06-oil-prices_N.htm) , which would almost double the price that you are currently paying at the pump. Instead of running away from the inevitable fate of rising gas prices, it may be time for Americans to begin adjusting there lives in a way that will offset this horrible budget burden. Below are a few simple suggestions as to how an American may be able to spend less on gas while still maintaining the same level of well being.

Car pool

I know that you've all heard this one a million times, yet you STILL won't consider saying to the coworker that lives down the road "Hey, would you like to drive to work together once in a while?" To some degree I understand. After all, we take pride in our cars. We get a decent paying job in hopes of buying a nice car, we enjoy listening to our own music and radio stations in our car, and we don't particularly like the idea of sharing our car with other people. However, gas is expensive!

Think about it this way: Suppose you save ten or twenty dollars a week by driving with a friend. That right there is a nice dinner out, a trip to the movies with the family, or at the very least enough money saved to offset the burden of rising gas prices.

Bike

This one may be a little bit extreme. However, I was just visiting a friend whose dad biked the four miles to work everyday in the spring, summer, and fall. By doing so, he is saving ten car rides per week. Besides the money saved on gas, he is also saving wear and tear on his car as well as staying in very good physical shape. If you have a job that is relatively close to home, you may want to try this method of commuting.

Make fewer trips

For the greater part of the last decade Americans have become used to low gas prices. In turn, we have become used to getting in the car on a whim. If you don't feel like car-pooling, and you don't feel like biking, you can save money by consolidating your car usage. In other words, plan your trips! Try not to food shop more than once a week. Also, cooking at home can be a fun and relatively inexpensive alternative to eating out.

Rising gas prices are tough on everyone. However, just because gas prices are rising doesn't necessarily mean we have to re-mortgage the house or sell the apartment. I'm sure that if you try at least one of my three suggestions, you will find yourself not having a heart attack if gas breaks six dollars a gallon next year.

Sources:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/energy/2008-05-06-oil-prices_N.htm