If the Cost of Fuel is So High, Why Aren't We Making Any Personal Changes?

It seems like the topic -- whether it is in the news or a personal discussion -- of fuel prices is an everyday occurrence.

We complain and show fear of the cost to run our vehicles but what upsets me the most is that we don’t seem to do a whole lot about it. We don’t seem to be thinking about helping ourselves out financially.

I don’t try to plan my trips to the stores any better than I did before. I should be stocking up on groceries so I only make one trip a month to the grocery store instead of two. I only shop for gas prices occasionally; while I should always keep my eyes open. Knowing that prices keep going up -- especially on weekends -- I should stock my gas tank and containers now instead of only when I need the gas for yard work or my tank is empty.

Speaking of yard work, I haven’t noticed anyone mowing their lawn less often than before the gas prices were high. Longer grass means less watering, too, so you save water. We seem to be more worried about how our grass looks than the expense it takes to keep it looking good. I have to say that is one area I am working on myself. We have a pasture and part of it is our yard. I am having my husband and father-in-law skip the mowing for longer intervals. I don’t know of anyone who has been injured by a little high grass here and there.

I saw a news report a about a week ago on how we are not even slowing down to reduce the cost of our gas. The news reporter drove the highway at 60 mph, which was around the speed limit, and everyone, including a bus was passing him. It is sad to know that we can complain but we don’t even think about helping ourselves. Studies show that for every five mph over 60 mph, it costs you 20 more cents in gas - - in other words, if you are driving 65 mph and drove ten miles, you paid $2.00 more for gas to drive the ten miles. I tried driving 60 mph up I-35 but I think people wanted to run me down! I felt like screaming at them, “Hey, you can’t complain about gas prices if you won’t do anything about it!” But, I too, find when I’m late somewhere or the speed limit is 65 and 70 mph, I have trouble doing 60 mph.

I believe that if something doesn’t give soon, I will be training my horses because we will all have to go back to the day of the horse and carriage soon.

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About the Author:

Angela Logan is an accountant and mother of five children. Mrs. Logan has a web site on the Internet entitled Jefyology if you would like to visit and help, please contact her through that web site.