by Jennifer E. Brown

Created on: August 15, 2008

The national average of gas has now peaked at $4.05, and it's expected to go up again soon. Oil is getting more demanding, and Americans feel the squeeze in their pocket books. It feels as if we're in a losing battle with the government. Do we fill our SUV with gasoline and shuffle our kids to soccer-or do find alternatives and form a carpool? At this rate, Americans are seeking out all options to pinch pennies and make their budgets stretch. It's all they can do to save money for tomorrow.

Our first way of saving money is to organize a carpool. If you're a student or have a group of friends you each lunch with at work, bring this idea to the table. Each person takes turns paying for gas and driving during the week. Maybe on that someone's day they stop for coffee or bagels. It'll reduce stress, and most of all-gasoline prices. The gasoline prices are expected to skyrocket, so why not soften the blow while you can?

Second, find alternatives to your car. Many cities have taxis, el's, subways, etc. It's a lot cheaper to get a pass and it helps save the environment. We could help stop global warming if only half of us would use public transportation. If it's in walking distance, why not ride a bicycle or walk? It's good to exercise on a beautiful day, and there's opportunities to meet new people..

Next, save energy by turning your thermostat down 2 degrees in winter and up 2 degrees in summer. This not only saves you money, but it helps you trap heat into the house. Another good idea is to insulate all windows and put an insulated blanket on your water heater. This will help the environment and also help your budget. Also, your house will become much warmer and cooler depending on the season.

Fourth, make sure your car is clean and efficiently tuned. Most people don't know this, but every 100 pounds can reduce the fuel up to 2\%. It's also better if you stay within the speed limit. Be aware that mileage decreases after 60 mph. Just replacing your air filers on a regular basis can increase mileage by 3\%.

Finally, logically combine errands into only a few days or one day if possible. It's better not to spread them out because you'll use more gas in your car. Try parking in your car in a general area and walking to each place if they're in the same area. You're burning more gas if you idle your car. We can all beat these high gas prices!

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