100 Challenges Ahead: “The high price of gasoline”

A week ago I read that “the year-over-year rise in the cost of gasoline” in Q2, or the second quarter of 2011, was 28.1%, according to the Consumer Price Index, which is a part of StatsCan, I think. (London Free Press, Oct. 8)

Nothing was written about the challenges people face because of rising fuel prices but we can all predict a few of them, I bet.

The cost of driving to work will rise. The price of going shopping for groceries and clothing will rise. The same can be said for going to the YMCA for exercise or movie theatre for entertainment. Ditto for a trip to Canadian Tire for more light bulbs. In fact, every time we use our car(s), the cost of travel will be higher. Automotive oils and additives rose 24.4% so I think even looking at our car will soon cost more.

Are there ways to save money on automotive costs while gas prices rise?

For some people, yes.

Some will switch to a smaller car.


["Some will switch to a smaller pickup truck."]

Some will share a car with others, e.g., by car-pooling to work or shopping mall.

Some will carefully regulate their driving speed, e.g., reduce speed on the highway, reduce the number of fast starts and stops in traffic.

Some will organize their weekly trips more carefully by making a grocery list (vs hopping into the car every time they run out of something) or combining various shopping trips into one.

While thinking of the above solutions, however, I realized that many people will face a second and related challenge as great as the rising price of gas. Can you guess what it is?

More to follow.

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