I slightly changed my habits with the intention to change them more, but we still drive out to the far away mall or movies on weekends when we are bored!  Overall if we want to do something, we aren't going to NOT go just because of Gas. 

However here are some of the most obvious tip, but this is what I do:

1. Before you leave the house for one thing, sit and think about anything else you need while your out.  Plan your route accordingly.  I already do this on the way home from work every day, but I have recently decided to *try* to do this even if we are going to a movie or dinner.  Basically, I'm trying to make each trip count for as much as it can.  The worst feeling is when you get home and realize you have to go out again for one thing.
2. If the purchase, item, etc, can wait - let it wait.  Wait until you have a dozen things to buy from the store instead of running just to get one thing.  We used to go grocery shopping on a whim, whenever we needed something.  Now we make a list and try to get everything at once.
3. If your husband has a more gas friendly car, make him drive everywhere ;)
4. You got legs - use them!  I told my husband this summer we won't be hopping in the car just for slurpees.  We'll walk, it's only about a mile round trip.  Last summer we walked half the time but got lazy the other half.

And don't forget to start carrying more cash around!  A lot of gas stations are now charging more for Credit Card users, and if you haven't seen that on the news, it's likely you didn't even notice.

Ride the hog to work?  Vroom! ;>

I'm also trying to combine errands. One of my big car efficiency tips is to keep your car in top shape. Make sure it has a recent tune up (with a new air filter), check that the tires are properly inflated and take any extra weight out of the car. Next time you need to get tires, look for tires that are rated for higher inflation pressure. Most tires today are rated for 35 pounds per square inch (PSI) of pressure but some newer tires have ratings of 44 and 51 psi. The higher your tires are inflated, the better your gas mileage will be. However, keep it at least a couple psi below the rated amount.

I already walk a lot of places and also use the stairs instead of the elevator whenever possible. Not only does it save energy, it's good for your health.

--Bob

I am driving much less than I normally would, and it has really hindered a possible driving trip I wanted to do at the end of Summer.  Oh, and the national average is certainly not measure up here.  We are always "ahead of the curve"....lol

Hey Bob, our dept just moved from First Floor to 4th Floor... I used the stairs twice today up and down but I can't do it every time :-D  I'm getting better at it though.  Used to be I'd come up the 77 steps (yes I counted) and be completely out of breath.  Now I come up and I'm just breathing heavy for a few minutes and then I'm fine.  My coworkers and I are using the move as a good excuse to exercise.

Spokaneman, we havent been changing our plans due to the gas prices.  We plan to drive 2 hours away for vacation in Sept, and I figure we'll do it no matter how high gas is.  What will change is that we might eat at a cheaper restaurant or gamble less (it's a casino) once we get there :)  So you can balance out the gas prices for your trip by making other parts of it cheaper.

I live within 10 miles of work, so used to go home just about every day for lunch. Now I pack my lunch and cut my daily driving in half. It really helps in the short term.

I also have an SUV that gets poor gas mileage coming off of lease in a few months. I'm planning to replace it with something much smaller and smarter: probably a Toyota Prius or Corolla.

M

I also try when I can to combine errands and doctor's appointments. I saw it at $4.07 today! Jo

It's really tough for us SAHM's as we usually go on field trips for the entertainment during the week.  I have been doing many things like

1. combining errands with their field trips, and also taking advantage of the many free things for the kids to do here in Houston. For example, I don't feel so bad driving downtown when we go to Miller Outdoor Theater (free) then stay and play in the park and splash pad and feed the ducks.  Full day of fun for nothing more than the gas. So I guess I have just tried to save money on activities and the trip costs. 
2. Like everyone else, when we can, Bryan will be trading in the SUV for something that gets great mileage like a hybrid and we will continue to use the van for family trips. 
3. I also try to use cash for gas, since I found a $75.00 hold on my debit card AND the cost of gas so I was actually for almost a week paying for the gas twice. 
4. Use gasbuddy.com or similar site their are even some through the news sites, they tell you where the cheapest gas is located in any given area, so if I am traveling somewhere specific I check to see if their gas price is significantly less there, if so wait and get it there. I am never failed at the difference in gas price just from Rice Village in Houston to out in the burbs!

Another SAHM here. I let my school age daughter take the bus home, instead of picking her up. Also I trade with other moms dropping off and picking up for afterschool activities. I combine errands. I try to buy gas at the cheapest station. I also try to save money by buying in bulk on non-perishables when they are on sale.

I drive the speed limit now with my  truck...love the truck hate the gas prices.  I leave before my husband and he always catches up to me with the Saturn, but I am ok with the speed limit and I have noticed many others are content  driving slower too...Just hope my husband learns content as well when he drives my truck :)

3 years ago this week gas was $1.58 and it only cost me $40 bucks to fill up my 4 x 4 now it costs me almost $100 for a fill-up and with it getting only 18 mpg I bought a motorcycle that gets 51mpg! When I do drive the truck its only because it is raining or I need more stuff than I can haul on my V Star. Plus since I don't get on any high speed roads the AC in my trucks stays off and I drive like I have a raw egg on the gas pedal. It will sure feel good next month when I go to Indiana and only have to spend $61 in gas for the V Star each way as opposed to $175 each way in the truck!!

And it's a heck of a lot more fun to ride the bike! :-) 

dovey said…
Another SAHM here. I let my school age daughter take the bus home, instead of picking her up. Also I trade with other moms dropping off and picking up for afterschool activities. I combine errands. I try to buy gas at the cheapest station. I also try to save money by buying in bulk on non-perishables when they are on sale.

---

My wife and I were wondering if the cost of gasoline is going to change the suburban lifestyle of running kids around to soccer games, dance lessons, music recitals and school events. With two kids and an SUV, that adds up to a lot of gasoline. Any thoughts on that?

--Bob

Probably parents will focus a lot more on carpooling.  Designating a parent each week to pick up all the kids for soccer games, etc.  Most of those events do involve multiple kids, and most of the times the kids live near each other, so it makes sense.

In my high school, we always had buses take the team to the games.  All we had to do was get to the school. I don't know why a lot of grade schools don't seem to do this.

Probably parents will focus a lot more on carpooling.  Designating a parent each week to pick up all the kids for soccer games, etc.  Most of those events do involve multiple kids, and most of the times the kids live near each other, so it makes sense.

In my high school, we always had buses take the team to the games.  All we had to do was get to the school. I don't know why a lot of grade schools don't seem to do this.

Bob, I think it will eventually.  I will be doing a lot of driving to/fro this summer with planned activities. I have to tote a little baby around, too. I will probably bring a good book and the stroller and a well stocked diaper bag and stick around instead of driving home. 

I bet more people will seek out other parents and try to get carpools going. Schools could foster that more with sign up sheets for that kind of thing.  A lot of kids do non school related activities and that may be trickier. You have to trust the person driving your kid around, and that takes time.   

I haven't altered my lifestyle at all.  I have a little car that I fill up about once every 3 weeks.  I was driving 10 minutes to work each way but now that it is summer and school's out, I'll be driving even less.  My husband's commute is much longer but he has a company car and credit card for the gas.  If he didn't, we would be hurting for sure.

bkovacs said…

dovey said…
Another SAHM here. I let my school age daughter take the bus home, instead of picking her up. Also I trade with other moms dropping off and picking up for afterschool activities. I combine errands. I try to buy gas at the cheapest station. I also try to save money by buying in bulk on non-perishables when they are on sale.

---

My wife and I were wondering if the cost of gasoline is going to change the suburban lifestyle of running kids around to soccer games, dance lessons, music recitals and school events. With two kids and an SUV, that adds up to a lot of gasoline. Any thoughts on that?

--Bob

Bob,

I have to believe it will.  At least in places like South Florida where public transportation is almost non-existent.  South Florida, like Southern California was designed to be driven.  Some days I can rack up 100 miles just doing my daily stuff.  That's going to leave less money for the dance lesson, tennis lesson or whatever.  Something will be sacrificed.

Rudi

---

Well since my hubby drives from one work location to another and uses tons of gas...I only fill up my Jeep once every two weeks. Thankfully I am a stay at home mom who doesn't use much gas.

I was remembering when I started driving, way back when it was only 99 cents a gallon. Ugh!

sarahmarah30 said…

I was remembering when I started driving, way back when it was only 99 cents a gallon. Ugh!

---

This will stamp "GEEZER" on my forehead but the cheapest I ever paid for gasoline was 16.9 cents in Waynesboro, PA in late 1972 or early 1973. In October 1973 was the first oil shortage (the "Arab Oil Embargo") and the price of petroleum products was never the same.

However, in the spring of 2002, the cheap gas station around here charged 87.9 cents per gallon. That's the last time gasoline was "cheap."

--Bob

bkovacs said…

sarahmarah30 said…

I was remembering when I started driving, way back when it was only 99 cents a gallon. Ugh!

---

This will stamp "GEEZER" on my forehead but the cheapest I ever paid for gasoline was 16.9 cents in Waynesboro, PA in late 1972 or early 1973. In October 1973 was the first oil shortage (the "Arab Oil Embargo") and the price of petroleum products was never the same.

However, in the spring of 2002, the cheap gas station around here charged 87.9 cents per gallon. That's the last time gasoline was "cheap."

--Bob

---

I wasn't even thought of then Bob.  Just thought I would brighten the GEEZER stamp a little for you.

 Carrie

"...have you changed how you drive or how often?"

Yep...  I don't drive anymore...period.  Everything I need is within 3 miles of my apartment.  So, I get on my bike and ride there.  If it's a long way off, there's always Metro-Link and buses.  No car payment, no high gas prices and no insurance.

OldHippie said…

"...have you changed how you drive or how often?"

Yep...  I don't drive anymore...period.  Everything I need is within 3 miles of my apartment.  So, I get on my bike and ride there.  If it's a long way off, there's always Metro-Link and buses.  No car payment, no high gas prices and no insurance.

---

That's fantastic. Unfortunately, we live 12 minutes to the nearest grocery store.

 

"That's fantastic. Unfortunately, we live 12 minutes to the nearest grocery store."

---

Is it a "straight shot" 12 minutes or 12 minutes with several red & green lights?  How many miles is it?  Start off doing just one or two miles on a bicycle - three to four times a week.  Then keep increasing the distance slowly.  Next thing you know...you're doing 20 MILES!

Wish I could tale public transit or bike everywhere, but...I put 70 miles a day on my car and that is just my commute back and forth to work!