| With the summer rapidly approaching, many are | | | | time around compared to last year. That being said, it |
| looking towards the gas pumps instead of towards | | | | will be anyone's guess as to how the "gas crisis" |
| their beach vacations. Just last week, gas prices were | | | | affects those who are experiencing financial hardships. |
| around $1.99. Then, two days ago, the prices had | | | | What we haven't heard a lot about are the hybrid |
| already risen to $2.26. It leaves many of us wondering | | | | vehicles. It is almost as if the hybrid revolution didn't |
| whether or not the prices will continue to go up or | | | | quite take off as some would have hoped. Also, |
| whether they will remain constant before dropping | | | | another effect of the gas crisis is the drastic reduction |
| again. My guess is that with the summer only a little | | | | in the number of people purchasing cars, especially |
| over a month away, we will most definitely see the | | | | sports utility vehicles. This, in turn, has led to the almost |
| prices rise. The question on everyone's minds now, | | | | sure bankruptcy of big name dealers such as Chrysler |
| though, is whether the price will rise quite as high as it | | | | and General Motors. If you do feel the need to venture |
| did last summer where we saw numbers upwards of | | | | outside over the next few months, think about other |
| $4 and $5 a gallon. I hope not. | | | | ways that you can conserve gasoline. For instance, |
| Despite the impending gloom that many are | | | | consider trying "staycations". Carpool with friends the |
| forecasting regarding the ridiculous gas prices, there | | | | next time you go on a trip so that you can spread out |
| are some who remain hopeful along with those who | | | | the expenses among several people versus just |
| have already begun (if they even stopped to begin | | | | having one person be financially responsible. Park your |
| with) to make life-altering changes to help reduce the | | | | car and decide to walk instead. If you have a job that |
| cost of spending money on gasoline. For instance, | | | | is far away, consider asking your boss if anyone is |
| instead of driving your car everywhere, more people | | | | interested in starting a business carpooling service for |
| are opting instead to go for a walk or dig their bicycles | | | | employees who live in the same area or who are |
| out of the shed. Not only is it great exercise, but it is | | | | coming from the same areas. |
| often cost efficient as well. Last year, the economy | | | | Just because the gas prices are high doesn't mean |
| was in a slightly different situation than it is this year. If | | | | that you have to forfeit driving; it simply means that |
| the increase in gas prices goes above $4 a gallon | | | | you'll have to be smarter about it. For instance, rather |
| again this summer, it will do more than just hurt | | | | than driving during times when there is heavy traffic, |
| people's wallets. We have to remember that there are | | | | spend a little time figuring out when the traffic flow isn't |
| significantly more people who are unemployed this | | | | as bad and consider driving then. |