I don't commute, I quit traveling as much, and I drive as if gasoline were dear and limited (like it is).

Don't do as the Europeans and protest without real action. Will angry screams and threats make one more drop of oil come from the ground? Russia, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, and the other oil countries can't hear your cries for the clamoring of buyers after their product. You could weaken the US companies by increasing their tax. You could nationalize the European companies. But, you'll do nothing but limit the built-in efficiencies of business seeking profit. They are delivering the oil as close to the price you're governments can squeeze out of them. Protests accomplish nothing but create hysteria, and there's nothing good that comes of that.

You may as well scream at the sky in drought. If you hate the oil industry for profiting from the product they invested in, waited on, and suffered for, then stop buying their oil. Everyone says "But, I have no choice."

This is the lie like all lies of addiction. I steal because my drugs require it. I lie because the situation demands it. Etc., the lies and self-lies aren't useful if you're looking to improve your situation.

1. Tune up your car, inflate the tires, change the oil, use an additive (one of those proven to be effective) to boost power in your engine, change the air filter, and do all the things that boost performance and efficiency. It will add up.
2. Walk more. If you're close to something make it a walk instead of a ride.
3. Cut down on useless driving. Plan shopping, family trips, spend less time doing convenience driving.
4. Get with school officials and sports committees and see if you can convince folks to take the parents into consideration when planning and scheduling.
5. Work fewer longer days. You can cut a substantial commute cost by working 4 10 hour days instead of 5 8 hour days. That's a 20% cut instantly, and you get another day to spend with your family.
6. Car pool. Don't just whine and say "I can't." You can. Plan and do it.
7. Buy a bicycle and see how much stuff you can bike to near home.
8. Plant some vegetables at home. A few healthy fresh foods growing around home will improve your diet, improve your outlook, and eliminate a few trips to the grocery store.
9. Buy a scooter or lightweight motorcycle if you can't avoid multiple personal trips. It will pay for itself in months. (obviously, physical risks come with this -- drivers won't stop killing bikers due to poor observance)
10. Buy an electric car if you can afford one or use one. If your commutes are under 100 miles a day, there are several options.
11. Work at home if you can. Many jobs are information jobs, and there's no reason to be in an office if your data is digitized. Talk to your employer. It's reasonable and practical to send most customer support and information workers home.

Posted in current events | economy | personal change jasonn's blog