Over the weekend my wife and I made the decision to sell her car (car payment of $400/mo) and buy a Piaggio Fly50 scooter. I will drive the scooter and she will start driving my Scion. Why a scooter? Well, it averages 70 miles to the gallon and it only takes 2.5 gallons in a tank. This means you can fill it up for less than 10 bucks and ride 140 miles. And it’s a hell of a lot more fun than driving a car! In the winter and on rainy days we will have to commute, but that will still save us money. Plus I look really good in a bucket helmet and the beep beep horn is great for picking up chicks (just kidding honey). Fuzzy dice coming soon!

Oh yeah… the Fly50 comes with a 50 dollar gas card, which means our first 800 or so miles are free!

Rising gas prices are one more good reason to use public transportation. If more people followed these common courtesies, we’d all be a lot happier!

—

Six Tips On How To Commute Well With Others
By Mellissa Seecharan (06/26/08)

It’s no secret gas prices are sky-rocketing, and one of the many ways that people are dealing with it is by joining the growing masses of commuters who are ditching their cars for public transportation. According to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Americans took 10.3 billion trips on public transportation in 2007, the highest level in 50 years, representing a 2.1% increase over the previous year. (Their 2008 numbers haven’t come out yet, but considering that the national gas average is currently at $4.06 per gallon, one can safely assume that ridership will continue to soar.)

With this growth, daily commuters can pocket the between $40 and $100 in gas money they save from not filling up the tank (minus the price of the public transportation, of course) - a reward worth taking the bus for.

That mindset is taking hold in cities across the country. In Detroit, commuters on city buses rose seven percent. New Jersey Transit ridership increased 5% during the first three months of 2008, while subway use in New York City jumped 6.8% throughout January and February.
The growth of public transportation use coincides with news that fewer Americans are hitting the road, according to a report by Cambridge Energy Research Associates. April marked the sixth consecutive month that driving mileage declined. Americans drove 1.8% fewer miles compared to last year, a rate that is continuing to decline.

Although the idea of taking a train or bus may hit a germaphobic nerve with some, it’s actually a relaxing mode of transportation if you know the basic rules.

MAINSTREET’S TIPS ON HOW TO COMMUTE WELL WITH OTHERS:

1. ALWAYS HAVE AN IPOD/CD PLAYER/NEWSPAPER/BOOK HANDY
Nothing passes time better than listening to your favorite band or reading the day’s news. But remember that expensive electronic devices may attract unwanted attention, so don’t flaunt that $300 iPod Touch.

2. BE COURTEOUS
Passengers don’t often take others into consideration, but if you do your ride will be a lot smoother. Don’t take up multiple seats or block the aisle. And, try to limit cell phone calls. Other riders are not interested in what you’re doing over the weekend.

3. KEEP TO YOURSELF
A nosey person will always ruin a good time, even if it’s a bus ride. Avoid reading over the shoulder of another passenger, staring at people or getting into altercations of any kind.

4. KNOW WHERE YOU’RE GOING
No one likes to be held up by a misinformed or clueless person, so map out your destination beforehand. Holding up the bus to ask the driver for help will only earn you dirty looks from other riders.

5. SIT CLOSE TO AN EXIT, IN CASE IT GETS PACKED
During rush hour, buses tend to fill up pretty quickly and the middle is the last place you want to be sitting or standing. Just make sure you’re near the front or rear exits because pushing through a wall of people is the last thing you want to do on a sweltering summer day.

And, last, but not least…

6. IGNORE THE CRAZY PEOPLE
Most of the time, you can put up with the guy talking to himself, but for those rare occasions when you can’t handle the insanity, just move.

Have a story about taking public transportation? Tell us about it!

Related Links:
Five Lessons From ‘Mileage Misers’ On How To Beat High Gas Prices
Gas Busters: Top Five Vacation Cities Where You Don’t Need a Rental Car
Gas Tank Math: Where Do Your Wheels Rate

If you can’t or won’t drive less… drive one of these.

Here is a consequence of rising gas prices: nonprofit work is becoming more difficult to administer to those in need. This is another thoughtful article from our partners at MainStreet.com.

—
Rising Gas Prices Are Hurting Nonprofits
By Lyneka Little

Gas prices are not only hurting millions financially but it may be costing some seniors their lives.

As gas prices rise to astronomical heights—the average price per gallon of gas costs $4, a record—and consumers get hit with high grocery bills, some of the nation’s most defenseless people are left to fight a losing battle: Against hunger. While there is always a war against hunger, rising fuel and food prices have only exacerbated the situation.
Meals On Wheels

This situation is clearly seen in nonprofit food delivery programs to homebound seniors such as Meals On Wheels. In these programs, oft-time volunteers deliver meals to the elderly, typically by driving—and paying for the gas—their own vehicles. Nowadays, volunteers are finding it harder to fund the delivery.

The MOWAA has seen a 58% loss in volunteers due to the gas prices alone. Dealing with the loss of volunteers, “our programs have to cut back on everything,” says Enid Borden, President and CEO of Meals On Wheels Association of America. Now, “sometimes volunteers are only able to go out once a week or once every other week,” says Borden.

The one meal a day can turn into no meals a day or a meal and frozen dinners for additional days. Now 4 out of 10 seniors sit on a wait list hoping to be one of the million to receive a warm meal.

Continue reading, and consider what you can do to help.

Remember this Will Smith classic?

…Adjust the base and let the alpine blast
Pop in my cd and let me run a rhyme
And put your car on cruise and lay back cause this is summertime

Summer, summer, summertime
Time to sit back and unwind [more lyrics]

Ignore the hub-bub about gasoline prices. Summer remains the prime car-buying season. Are you in the market for a new set of wheels? Peter McDougall of MainStreet.com explains when it’s better to get cash back over a lower rate.

Ditching the wheels? Check out Geezeo’s group, Carless Crusaders.

—

Car Loan Guide: When To Take Cash Back Over A Lower Rate
By Peter McDougall

Summer is here, and so are the ads for new cars and trucks — which means your dilemma is going to be whether you can afford one, and if so, what’s the best method of payment.

The summer months represent peak sales season for cars and trucks, according to the National Automobile Dealers Association.

Despite high fuel costs, Americans are still buying: The industry experienced only a 2.5% drop in total sales between 2006 and 2007, and NADA analysts expect a similarly small decline through 2008.

Many dealers still offer the tried-and-true package of cash back or low-interest financing. You rarely get to have both, so choosing the one that makes the most financial sense for you is important. Use the Rebate vs. Financing calculator from BankingMyWay.com to help figure out which option provides the best savings in the long run.

Rev the engines for more, here.

Are we entering the much-debated state of “Peak Oil”? You’ll recall that’s the state where the world’s reserves are officially leaning toward the “E” side of the dial. Maybe, maybe not… One thing is certain: gas prices are likely to continue going up, not down.

The average Geezeo user spent an average of $72.38 on purchases labeled “gas” last month.

How does that impact your wallet now? Here are six tips to help you with your “gas problem”:

1. Combine trips. Plan your errands so you do them all at once versus multiple trips and multiple miles.

2. Eliminate trips or carpool. Reconsider the expense of public transportation versus what it will cost you to drive. Or, consider where you can walk. Even in less pedestrian-friendly areas, you can find ways to walk. Even walking between parking lots can save some cash and give you some exercise.

3. Fill your tires. Properly-filled tires allows you to get the best gas mileage.

4. Change your oil and replace your air filters. Again, keep your car in the best working order. These tips cost a little up front but will save you in the long run.

5. Empty your trunk. Many people use their trunk as extra storage. You’re paying more for gas for every additional, unnecessary pound of weight in your trunk. Clean it out!

6. Find the best price online. Sites like GasBuddy.com allow you to find the best price in your area. Just don’t drive a considerable distance out of your way to save a few cents…

What gasoline usage tips would you add? For example, if you have a yard and use a gas-powered mower you might consider switching to an old-fashioned human-powered machine.