ALT-18 What you can do to Save Money on Gas
Has complaining about the price of gas become the popular now, like Paris Hilton saying "that's hot"? Gas does cost money, but aren't we being a little spoiled? I see SUVs all around me and the hummer has become a very popular vehicle. There are also those of us who speed like we are ALWAYS in a hurry!
The newscasters are always saying that we have hit record high gas prices. The dollar amount itself is the highest we've ever paid, but with inflation that's not true. We paid more in 1981 at about $3.29 a gallon in todays inflation terms. Not adjusting for inflation is crazy! That is like saying that the movie "Rush Hour 2" earned more money than "Gone With the Wind", which it did in actual dollars made, but with inflation, "Gone With the Wind" far exceeds a movie like "Rush Hour 2".
Now, I do know that gas does cost money though. We should be more protective over the money we work hard for, especially when it comes to gas. So here are a few tips from a mechanic's wife as well as a very frugal shopper.
1. Don't speed!You will definitely conserve the gas that you have by not being a speed racer!
2. Drive as little as possible!This is a common sense tip but be innovative! Ride the bus, bike, walk, carpool, or organize a gas saving group for help and ideas!
3. Clip and collect coupons when possible.This is a good idea if available, but don't go to far out of the way. Chances are that you will spend more in the gas to get there, than you will save once you get there.
4. Keep up car maintenance!Keeping up on your car's maintenance can really help your gas mileage as well as preserving the integrity of your car's engine. Make sure to change the oil about every 3000 miles, or about every three months, whichever comes first. Also, change filters regularly, especially the air and oil filter which does typically come with oil changes, but double check to be sure. Try to get a tune up regularly, at least once a year, and keeping the tire pressure in balance, can definitely help to increase gas mileage. Good luck and remember that wearing a seat-belt could possibly save you a $10 ticket, as well as your life and the ones you love!
Source Cited: 20/20 (ABC news). "Gouged By Gas Prices? Give Me a Break".John Stossel and Patrick McMenamin. June 1, 2007.
