This month’s rise in the price of gas for most Americans is affecting quite a few areas of the country, including the grocery store. With gas prices so high, people have to consider a range of options when it comes to food and transportation, as long as they can afford it.
Typically, people are allowed to drive up to 75 miles or longer during daylight hours before having to be refueled. However, with gasoline costing an average of $2.48 per gallon in the United States today, that time window is no longer sustainable. Most gas stations will let drivers use their car’s auxiliary power source until their fuel gauge runs empty. To cope with the added expense of gas, passengers have to choose whether to eat at home or cook dinner at the restaurant. In addition, many people are forced to drive long distances or miss out on dining out on Fridays or Sundays, and, in addition, those who can’t afford to drive longer distances will have to make the difficult choice between making those trips or staying home.
Even when you don’t have to go more than a mile or two to get gas, the cost of fill-ups can make a small trip into town too expensive. For many people, costs are a consideration when picking out what meal to prepare that day, not to mention long flights or car rides to those places that require longer commutes to work.
Due to gas prices, some people are starting to think more about their recycling habits or realize that it’s more cost-effective to use their carpool lane if they have one available. By getting more efficient with your usage of gas, it can save you money, too. Simply filling up at a gas station versus at a local carpool lane will save you 50 cents a gallon – meaning you can save more than $200 a year with higher gas prices!
The price of gas has decreased over the past week but it is still important to keep an eye on it in order to avoid any surprises that could put a big financial impact on your budget. Many social media posts may have you thinking that your commute will be free with gas prices being as low as they are, but they might not be as practical in practice as you thought.
By navigating your gas mileage carefully, you will be making healthier and frugal decisions that will last you through the next few weeks or months of high prices, like never having to make the decision to choose between packing lunches or heading out to eat. If you think you’ll need to adjust your spending, now is the time to shop around for the best gas deals.
By engaging in these small, thoughtful changes, you can take control of the cost of gas and reduce the burden on your wallet and your day-to-day life.