We can't afford the gas to get to work every day and on top of that, the cost of our grocery basket has sky-rocketed practically over night. Even worse, many folks have lost their homes due to unscrupulous mortgage practices. It's time to drag out the old tricks that we used during the inflationary 70s and 80s and see what we can make work for us in the new millenium.
Oh how I remember those times! Unlike the typical middle-class mom, I didn't use coupons because you just can't find coupons for ramen noodles. I had to pay my rent every two weeks because I couldn't save up enough to pay it all on the first of the month. My hardest battle was keeping the utility gods appeased.
I'm much better now. But we are all starting to feel the squeeze on our wallets once again, and then on top of that, the American collective social conscience has suddenly kicked in--now we all have to be green. It goes without saying that Green is gonna cost you more.
So it appears that our years of glorious excess are over--at least for now, so we need to get back to the basics. Careful consumption and a more conservative lifestyle will serve both purposes well. Maybe we can invent Green Survival.
Here are a couple of tips that can save you gas the very next time you get behind the wheel--and the planet will love you for it:
- If you drive aggressively, don't! All that sudden acceleration, slamming on the brakes, and then accelerating again can cost you 35% of your gas bill!
- Stick to the speed limit, all the way down to 55 mph when it's possible. That could save you another 15%!
(tips courtesy of edmunds.com)
