by zagroscyclops

Created on: May 23, 2008   Last Updated: May 28, 2008

I used to love my car.

A thirteen year-old Saab with nearly 160,000 lovingly accumulated miles, we were once the best of friends. We would go on long drives through the dusty back roads of my small New England town for no other reason than to simply enjoy the smell of the newly awakened cherry blossoms, carried through the open windows by a lazy spring breeze.

That was then.

With gas prices topping out at nearly four dollars a gallon, I decided to part ways with my old companion. She has now been relegated indefinitely to the garage, while I am left to take in aroma of this spring's flowering trees on foot.

Truthfully, in my town, shelving your vehicle permanently turns out to be somewhat of a pipe dream. Sure, it is as much bold and noble on paper as it is environmentally sound and thrifty, but such a sacrifice can be difficult in practice if you reside in East Boondock like I do.

Lacking any true form of public transportation, Hanover, New Hampshire is a quintessential New Hampshire town. Unfortunately, as it lacks a public transportation system, it is also one that is best navigated by car.

For us those of us who do not reside in major metropolitan areas, the "quick fix" of public transportation is often not an option. Being one of these individuals, I was forced to turn to other ways to save money on gasoline. I'm happy to report that you don't have to let rising gasoline prices change your life, just as long as you stick to a few basic ground rules that will keep some change in your wallet, while simultaneously making you more efficient, healthier, and happier. Here they are:

Rule #1. Walk. We'll start with the obvious. It cuts down on your trips to the pump, reduces the size of your carbon footprint, and gets your butt into shape. Too far to hoof it? Ride a bike or rollerblade. "But what if I'm going shopping?". Arm yourself, your spouse, and the kids with backpacks and make it a family outing. You'll enjoy each others company and save money. All too often, we don't realize how close our destinations actually are when we're riding in our cars. The first time I walked to work, I prepared for what I thought would be an epic trek; I headed out of the house with hiking boots, my headphones, and two water bottle. Needless to say, I felt pretty foolish when I arrived at my destination a mere eighteen minutes later. I realized that, in fact, the commute on foot had only taken me about seven minutes longer than it had formerly taken me behind the wheel. Which brings

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