With fuel prices soaringeveryone is looking for some kind of answer.



But is there really a solution out there? Let's face it there's nothing we really can do about gas prices. San Francisco MarketWatch claim with the surging crude prices, which could exceed $200 a barrel in four years on confining supplies, could shove gasoline prices to as high as $7 a gallon, CIBC World Markets analysts said Thursday that crude supplies are actually less than some official estimates indicate, while demand is unlikely to fall anytime soon, according to a statement by analysts led by Jeff Rubin at CIBC, an investment bank. They forecast that these tighter supplies and continued high demand will drive oil and gasoline prices to roughly double their current levels by 2012.

Hybrids, suddenly, are becoming the feel-good sensation of the decade. With gasoline prices at a US avarage of $3.56 per gallon, according to AAA--up 23percent from a year ago--hybrid sales have more than doubled so far this year compared with the same period in 2004. And some industry experts foresee a hybrid in every garage. Credit cards are even joining the ban wagon and offering their customers competitive offers like 5% back on their gas purchases. Fox News.com even reports cases of "Gas Rage" accross the country. People are so stressed out they yell at clerks, cashiers and sometimes they even drive off with out paying.

While all this is incredibly stressfull, I mean if you were able to fill your tank with $20 now it's doubled, and $40 isn't so bad to some - especially those in suv's or trucks. We're all feeling the crunch. Companies are tacking on higher fuel charges to their deliveries which trickle their way down to our pockets. So everthing and everyone is effected. What is one to do? Well there are some steps we can take to lessen the burden. Here are a few effective methods you can put into practice to save on gas. Use common sense. Don't take short trips in your car if you can walk...like to the mailbox...or from one end of the mall to the other because it's "too far to walk"...think of this as part of your exercise routine to stay healthy. Try to only use drive-throughs if you don't have to wait on line. Try to combine all errands when possible and don't spend time (and gas) looking for the perfect spot. Just park in the first spot you see. Drive at the speed limit, not 15 MPH over....faster means fewer MPG. Drive more smoothly...forget the jack-rabbit starts...forget the head-snapping acceleration when passing on the freeway...these habits only eat fuel.

There is no need to race to a red light only to then jam on your brakes. Slow down and coast if the light ahead is already red. The light may well turn green while you are still rolling and you won't need to go thru another jack-rabbit start.

Keep your car in good health. Keep your tire pressure at the proper level. Remember that by driving you will heat up your tires and raise your tire pressure. So try to measure your pressure with cold tires or before driving more than about a mile. There are even some great products on the market that raise your gas mileage by over 75%. It reduces emissions which helps with global warming by converting your car/truck to burn water as well as gasoline. Overall saving money and combined with the tips it's a win-win situation. The key is whether YOU are concerned enough to do so. If you think about your wallet, the trade balance of the U.S. and global warming, how can you not?