According to a host of contributors to an Associated Press feature on Friday, “there are already signs that eye-popping gas prices are changing Americans’ behavior.”
Here are some interesting things to consider.
Only 37,000 people visited Mount Rushmore in March, down from 43,000 a year ago.
Along the Rhode Island coast, a favorite for scenic drivers, roadside businesses are down as much as 30-percent since early March.
Travel destinations do keep a close watch on gas prices and do their best to react. Some destinations are offering gas cards or discounts on rooms and services, but with gas prices high, there is still little room for extra spending. Carl Whitehall, of the Convention and Visitors Bureau in Gettysburg, PA, says, “While we still think millions of people will come to Gettysburg, they may not buy as many souvenirs or go to as many attractions as they hoped.”
Especially if gas climbs to $5.00 a gallon, the roadside restaurants, hotels, souvenir shops, attractions and regional points-of-interest will suffer dramatically this summer.
Do you remember the two-percent cut in the social security payroll tax that kicked in January first and was designed to give American families some extra disposable income? Those extra funds are now going right into your gas tank.
The airlines are also getting hit with high gas prices, which they inevitably have to pass along to the consumers.
Diesel fuel prices are up over a dollar from last year, which means increased shipping costs on everything that doesn’t move by train.
The bottom line on sustained gas prices hovering around $5.00 is it’s an economy killer. If people are paying an extra dollar or two for gas, they will be forced to stop discretionary spending on items now starting to make a slight come-back, potentially putting us back into the throws of a recession.
So, why are gas prices so high? This is what you really can do all by yourself to make an impact on demand. However, you will have to leave your comfort zone. There was a time not so long ago that driving an automobile required more than just turning a key and going. You had to adjust the choke for instance. You didn't have cruise. You had to check the oil every week. You had to change your own flat.
What does that have to do with high gas prices? Just trying to get you prepared for how you can save 30% to 80% on the fuel your car uses. You can wait for alternative energy cars that are mass produced in 15 to 30 years, and keep paying ridiculous prices for gas, or you can do something NOW.
Alternative energy is not new. The world has been using power from nature since time began. Think sailboat, water mill, wind mill, hot springs, wood, whale blubber, oil, horses, oxen, and fire. As a means of transportation these all leave something to be desired, especially when you already own a car.
It is now possible to burn hydrogen gas obtained from water, on an as needed basis, mix it with gasoline, ignite it in your engine, and increase your efficiency. You can build a device from common materials for under $60 that will accomplish this. It will take you an afternoon with simple tools to build, and under an hour to install it. The rub is, you will have to maintain it, which will probably take up to 30 minutes per month. Are you willing to give up your time to save $1 to $1.50 on every gallon of gas you buy?
Why are gas prices so high? They don't have to be.
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