The predictions have come true. I was driving home yesterday, and to my horror, saw that gas prices had risen to $4.05 per gallon at my local station. The price of gas had gone up $.20 in a week! It now costs more than $40.00 to fill up my gas tank. Due to this, and the fact that I am employed by the state (good benefits, shitty pay), I am going to have to reevaluate some of my driving habits.
Fortunately, I don't live far from my office, so I will not be spending an exorbitant amount of money on gas due to the drive to work. However, I do like to go to Portland a lot (especially during the summer months) to see my family on weekends. I fear that unless I plan to stay over at least one night, little trips to see the family are officially a thing of the past. :-(
Now for the radical thoughts. What would happen if I bought a bike, and rode that around instead of driving every so often? Perhaps I could prioritize my shopping trips, and do them all at the same time, instead of spreading them out over the weekend? Is there anyone in my apartment complex I could car pool with sometimes?
When I bought my Ford Escape a few years ago, the Hybrid version had just been introduced. I really wanted the Hybrid, but couldn't afford one. I don't plan to get a new car again for a few years, but I will definitely make it a priority to get a Hybrid. Hopefully by that time, we will have made more breakthroughs in the gas efficiency technology. I literally don't think we can afford not to.
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