MNN - Mother Nature Network

In an article last week about rising gas prices, I asked MNN readers to comment on whether the high gas prices were affecting their monthly budget. Readers sounded off on both the article, itself, as well as on the MNN Facebook page.

 

Jeremy Smith is taking several steps to mitigate the affect of high gas prices on his budget:

 

“I just started carpooling three days a week to help reduce my fuel consumption. Like many others I have also been planning my trips ahead of time and not just hopping in the truck to run to the store or arbitrarily driving around until I see a place I'd like to stop for dinner. I have been bicycling to get the "forgotten" ingredient or gallon of milk and have moved my grocery shopping closer to home. I also moved more centrally. I live walking distance to a Phoenix light rail station and use it on the weekends to toole around town. In times like these every bit helps, it's kind of nice to stay local, shop local and get to know your neighbors.”

 

High gas prices can definitely have a positive impact on small, locally owned businesses when consumers decide to spend their shopping dollars close to home.

 

Kerri Lawrey-Jones is driving less, but not only because of the budget impact:

 

“I refuse to support the oil companies by filling up my tank, so I refuse to drive unless it is absolutely unavoidable. Unfortunately, public transport is not accessible where I live, so I am driving more than I like, but I am only running the errands I cannot avoid. And, when there is a car out there that provides meaningful fuel savings, I will replace my car.”

 

Jander Katze’s comment on the MNN Facebook page also targets the oil companies:

 

“Maybe this will wake people up. And if it does, I hope gas goes up to $10. Lets render big oil useless.”

 

If $4/gallon gas causes this level of uproar from the American public, I can only imagine what $10/gallon gas would do.

 

Anna Marlena, a single mom, and her kids are really feeling the pinch:

 

“Gas prices are definitely affecting my budget. As a single mom, I've had to cut our entertainment and grocery budget. I wish public transportation or biking to work were options for me. My kids are the ones most impacted because there is no way we can afford trips to places like museums, art institutes, nature areas, etc. It's very frustrating.”

 

There is good news for those facing a budget crunch due to the high gas prices – the daily increase in price has come to a stop. According to the AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report, the average national price for a gallon of gas is $3.951. One week ago this was $3.967. A nearly two-cent drop in prices doesn’t sound like much but it is a step in the right direction.