Location, location, location. It's not just important for a business; it determines the options available to each of us, to avoid the bite that high gas prices take out of our wallets. For some, walking or biking is not an option due to distance. For others, it takes more gasoline to get to a public transit station than to drive to the actual destination. Still, there are many cases in which simple changes can make a big difference.
I'm not advocating radical changes. Moving to be closer to a job also carries a risk, especially in current economic conditions. Not to mention the gasoline required for the move and to become acclimated to a new neighborhood. Buying a new car, for example two years after my last purchase, is also counter-productive.
Instead, small, daily changes have a positive, lasting impact on the environment by saving gasoline, when these changes become a new lifestyle that lasts - and saves us cash.
Leave the car, increase fitness. While biking to work is not realistic for me, given the distance and the weight of the laptop-plus-accessories I carry, there are other ways to leave the car at home. Walking to the supermarket means, for me, getting out into the fresh air, and saving the gasoline for what would be a half-mile drive, but only a 0.2-mile walk. Once I learned to buy only what I can carry, I now make multiple trips to the supermarket, use the Express lane for check-out, and have even lost weight.
Stock up. When making a major grocery run, for example at a membership warehouse, stocking up on non-perishables means fewer trips. While that means making space in my garage for the extra supplies such as paper towels and detergent, it also means fewer frustrations of parking in an overcrowded lot. It also means fewer times that temptation will strike to spend money on items that are not on the shopping list.
Plan the route. While most of us plan our routes carefully when on vacation to make the most of our precious days off, it's a simple trick often missed at home. Taking the most efficient route between stops for errands means avoiding backtracking, and using less gas. Maybe it means getting up fifteen minutes early, personally difficult for me, to make that run to the dry cleaner on the way to work instead of on the way home. In the grand scheme of the day - it still saves time.
Get an oil change. While safety on the road is the major reason for car maintenance, it also means more fuel efficiency. Getting that oil change and manufacturer-recommended tune-ups helps increase gas mileage. I've noticed a change just by checking my tire pressure regularly.
Take public transit. Well, not if it takes as much time and gasoline to get to a public transit station, such as a metro or subway, as it does to get to your destination. Still, many commuters ignore this option. I've used it often for attending events, such as to see a ballgame, go to a mall, or have dinner. Just remember to check the schedule for the last train for your destination.
Become a hometown tourist. Sitting at home and twiddling my thumbs is often, well, boring. Still, there is no need to drive hours to have fun on weekends, or even on vacations. Having lived in major tourist destinations, it is typically the locals who only take advantage of local sights when guests visit. Even if "home" is not a tourist mecca, there will be fewer crowds and many surprises. Discover what is unique about your town, or the immediate surroundings. Take a camera, and treat it like a visit to a foreign country. The benefits? Less gasoline, no time zone challenges, and we all may just discover at thing or two about our hometowns.
Avoid renting a car. If you are on vacation in a far-away town, and are staying in the middle of the action, be it the lakeside boat rental or the downtown hot spots, there is typically no need to rent a car. Hotel shuttles and tourist buses typically stop close to the most popular areas. And think of it this way: have you ever really felt the spirit of a new town when simply driving through it? Walking, meeting the locals, and experiencing the atmosphere first-hand have always provided me a better feel for a new town or city. Try it!