Are gas prices going to go up? Why are gas prices so high?

Most of us have been asking ourselves these questions lately. Anyone with a car or truck is concerned with the cost of gasoline. But the impact is far wider than just what we pay at the pump. World oil prices effect nearly every aspect of our economy in real, tangible ways.

The next question, of course, is what to do about it. Either we find alternatives to oil, which may not be immediately practical, or figure out how to get gas for less money.

The real question becomes, "Gasoline prices are too high. How do I spend less?"

Now we have a more manageable goal. None of us is going to directly impact world gas prices, but if we can improve gas mileage, it has the same effect as paying less. A 50% gas mileage improvement translates into paying half-price at the pump.

Fortunately, there are a lot of free and relatively easy ways to boost our mpg. A simple search on the Internet returns thousands of websites and resources devoted to improving gas mileage. Here are just a few simple, effective ways that you can start on today:

1. Your Car. By simply inflating your tires to their proper pressure, changing your air filter, and changing your oil, you can boost mileage by as much as 20%! Brake and wheel alignment can add another 2-3%
2. Your Driving. Highway speeding is one of the biggest loses of engine efficiency; your mileage drops substantially when you drive over 55 mph.
3. Your Trips. Plan your errands so you combine them into one trip, and do them during "off-peak" times when you can avoid stop-and-go traffic, congestion, and excess idling.

Now when you ask what can we do about gas prices, you have three big gas mileage improvements that will have a direct impact on your wallet or purse. Think of it as getting gas for less money!