Monday March 17th 2008, 1:55 am
Filed under: Budget, cars, environmental, lifestyle, money, social/environmental
It seems like every spring and summer for the past 3 years a wave of disbelief over gas prices sweeps the nation. The feature stories on our favorite news programs all go something like this:
Reporter to everyday working man: Gas is now $2.50 a gallon. How will this impact your lifestyle?
Working man to reporter: The price of everything is going up. It’s getting harder to make ends meet. I guess I’ll try to drive less.
Production Note: Replay this footage when gas hits $2.75, $3.00, $3.50.
So this year the price of gas is expected to reach $4 a gallon. In parts of the west it already has. Why do so many people still seem surprised? Oil is a finite resource. Prices may fluctuate but the trend will remain in an upward arrow. That means bitching and moaning isn’t going to help. The government can’t save you. The only solution is to take action on changing your consumption habits. Luckily, the right thing for your wallet is usually also the right thing for the environment. Whether your motivation is saving money or saving the planet, you get points for both. Woo hoo! Hit up your Cheap Drinks group buddies and celebrate the greenest St. Patrick’s Day ever.
I found a cool resource at StopGlobalWarming.org. You can join their virtual march and use the Carbon and Cash Savings Calculator to find out what impact small changes can have on your wallet and the environment. According to the calculator, I reduce carbon output by 7,950 lbs. a year and save $2,500 by leaving my car at home 5 days a week. Public transportation actually costs me a little more than gas right now. I’m really saving the money on parking. But I had no idea the environmental impact of my choice was so huge.
Cooking and eating at home is a big money saver. Did you also know that greatly reducing the amount of takeout foods you eat can save 24 lbs. of carbon a year? One of my goals for the year is to break the habit of buying books and use the library more often. That should save me roughly $300 a year. According to the calculator it will also decrease my carbon output by 30 lbs. So yeah, I’ve been meaning to go green. In my desire to save the other green I’ve been making a difference without even knowing it. What changes have you made that are good for your wallet and the planet?
Hey- group Greentrees, I expect to see some comments on this.
Been Wasteful? Confess your sins on Geezeo Money Confessions.
March 17th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Just to put things in perspective with gas prices… “if you buy a 12 oz. can of Coke out of a vending machine for $0.75 you are paying $8 per gallon for that Coke.�
March 17th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Wow, Laura, that does put things into perspective…
Must
Drink
Less
Coke
Haha. Seriously tho, this has been something that I have been thinking a lot about recently. It is so important to conserve what we have left. I think if America as a whole continues on it’s path, it’s going to destroy everything it’s worked so hard to build because eventually resources will run out and it will go down hill from there.
We should all take seriously what we were taught in school: Reduce Reuse Recycle
March 21st, 2008 at 8:35 pm
This site gets better and better each month!!
March 21st, 2008 at 9:49 pm
You’re right Adam, and I hope it stays that way!
May 17th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Gas now over $4.00 Chicago area, Do you want to know how to learn to save gas?
1) Slow down, do not speed, no jack rabbit starts, anticipate the light to turn yellow.
2) If you will sit in traffic for longer than 30 seconds (train, traffic light, accident), shut off your engine. More gas is wasted while your engine idles.
3) Make sure sure your tires are properly inflated, clean air filter, and you that your trunk is cleaned out of junk you do not need, and your vehicle is properly maintained.
4) Consolidate your trips, and errands, the less you drive, the more you will save.
5) Work related issues: Leave for work early, to avoid traffic jams, car pool with other employees, and if your job is flexible, ask if your employer would consider four 10 hour work days instead of five. Or if you have a job that would allow you to work from home a few day’s a week.
6) Start walking more to certain close destinations, instead of driving.
7) If public transportation is available, take advantage of it.
Hang in there, it is indeed going to be a long bumpy ride for awhile.
June 9th, 2008 at 8:56 am
Coke at $8.00/gallon has to be one of the most foolish “put into perspectives” I’ve seen. I hear that one all the time. I don’t know about you but if Coke was taken off the market I would still be able to go to work, heat/air condition my home, buy plastic (fill in the blank), etc, etc. Put THIS into perspective: Do a little research on how many things high oil prices affect - you’d be shocked at how oil prices affect almost every aspect of our lives.
June 19th, 2008 at 10:38 am
That didn’t put anything into perspective. The coke idea gives me a cost-use view. Just like if you think about how much people pay for bottled water. Oil price affect doesn’t put anything into perspective. It just says “hey this is more now too.”
June 24th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
I do not feel bad for my carbon footprint. I am all about using less energy and saving resources and money but will not be guilted into feeling bad for living life.
June 27th, 2008 at 9:57 am
You probably don’t use 10-12 gallons of Coke a week, and if you did, you’d probably be able to get it for better than $0.75/12oz
June 27th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Also, Chapstick costs $212/lb, but you don’t use 1/2 a pound of it a week for lunch sandwiches.. These kind of comparisons are unfair and meaningless at best