How to save cash and gas

[Mark Sedenquist]

Seriously, I am going to start handing out boxing gloves soon.

Actually, the cost of fuel is not enough of an incentive to result in any changes in my use of vehicles. A professional trucker would certainly see some upside to reducing fuel expenses, when possible, by lowering speed, but I can't see it motivating my behavior until sometime in the distant future. Maybe if the price of gas hits $10 per gallon -- but not much before that....

Mark

[RoadTripper Brad]

It effected my behavior long long time ago... I moved within 10 miles of where I work. A tank of gas lasts quite a bit of time, even with my big V8 (or previously my V6 moonlighting as a 5 Cylinder).

Now that I have to move...again... I'm staying within that 10-ish mile radius. If only apartment prices would agree with that rule. It's getting way to expensive to live, and last time I had a roommate it didn't bode well. I guess I'm out of luck 'till I get some girl to agree to marry me.

[Mass Tim]

Many, many years ago when I was 'commuting' between Maine and Delaware on a regular basis through some of the heaviest traffic around, I noticed something that has stuck with me ever since. Traffic moves in waves.

I've noticed this, too. I've sometimes likened the group of traffic to that of a magnet, drawing in most of those vehicles that are, for the moment, outside the control of any single group. I'm often out "there" in the empty space between groups. I get to chill over in the right lane and watch the group form up ahead.

I've also noticed that there isn't a separate left or right lane wave; this would assume that traffic in the left lane is traveling at a higher rate of speed than the right, which is not always the case.

As for telecommuting, in my line of work, I find my home office to be more conducive to the type of concentration I need. My work office can be noisy, and concentration is often broken, resulting in thirty minute tasks taking hours. At least the sales person is in a different room.

I have found it important to prepare for a day at the home office the same way I would prepare for a day at the work office. That means getting up at a reasonable time, shaving, showering, etc. I was actually hoping to telecommute once a week, maybe Tuesday or Wednesday, but that hasn't shaped up. So instead I spend 45 minutes each way commuting in relatively light, yet still irritating, traffic.

[Midwest Michael]

I think this is where people might be more careful if they track their mileage for each tank. If that person who normally goes 300 miles between fill-ups starts seeing that he is going 320 miles instead, it might be an incentive. It would be for me. Particular with today's gas prices.

Thats the thing though, most people know that usually get about 300 miles per tank, but it already swings anywhere from 280-320 or more depending on other traffic, wind and weather, and all the other factors that go into a tank-full of gas. If they drove slower on every day, and they really took notice, they would probably see a small improvement, but the vast majority of people don't drive enough or pay close enough attention to notice a 5% difference.

We're a society that wants immediate gratification, but until most cars have the fuel mileage right next to the speedometer, people won't notice or believe that driving slower would save them money.