Feeling the pinch at the pump

Ways to help ease the pain of high gas prices

Veronica Carrington

Issue date: 6/11/08 Section: Features

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Media Credit: staff photo

Nobody is exempt from the impact of the rising cost of fuel-combine that with sky-high tuition and food prices and the almost four dollar a gallon price of gasoline hits college students especially hard.

For many of us, cars are the only way of transportation. However, there are a few simple tips that can help you to spend less money on gas, as well as reduce the amount of gas you use to help the environment.

Don't drive unless you have to.

If your destination is nearby, walk or ride your bike to get there. Not only will this save you gas but it will also be a great work out. If you cannot walk or bike to your destination, try taking the bus or other public transportation. "I always ride my bike; I just don't have the money to drive everywhere," ECU senior communication major Karen Harrison said. Harrison has saved over $500 so far just by making the change.

Carpool.

Not only will you save money on gas, but you will also help reduce traffic congestion. Jennifer Savage, a junior nursing major at ECU, rides to classes at the Brody School of Medicine with two other nursing majors in order to save time and money on gas. "We all meet up and ride together--it saves us money and we all rotate who drives each week," said Savage.

Buy the cheapest gas you can find without going out of your way.

"Some people drive all over their city to get to cheaper gas, not realizing that in their quest to spend less money on gas, they are using gallons of it just to get to the gas station," according to wisegeek.com.

Be wise and buy cheaper gas, but do not waste all of your resources to find the lowest prices. A study done by Severin Borenstein at the University of California at Berkeley and the National Bureau of Economic Research found that retail gasoline prices respond more quickly to increases than to decreases in crude oil prices. Quite simply, when the barrels of gas prices are projected to rise, then it's time to fill up before the inflation literally chokes your wallet.

Ultimately, high gas prices are here for now but by following a few simple tips to save money you can shed less tears at the gas pump and spend more money elsewhere.

This writer can be contacted at features@theeastcarolinian.com.

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