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With gas prices going down over the past few weeks, I have noticed that more cars are on the roads again.  If you are driving more today than you were a few weeks ago, park the car!

As gas prices rose at the pumps almost everyone began planning their daily trips with greater care.  Locally, our gas prices have declined by $1.75 a gallon over the past three weeks.  And, it is apparent that most of us have learned very little from the past higher prices.

The decline in the price at the pump is an opportunity that we should be taking advantage of instead of exploiting.  I realize that I don’t drive as much as some.  I don’t drive to an office everyday.  In fact, some days I don’t drive at all.  Because of good weather in my area I can either walk or ride my bicycle instead of driving if necessary.  I have incorporated those little runs to the market into my daily exercise plan.  If I need a quart of milk, I take my daily walk to the grocery store at the foot of the ridge, killing two birds with one stone so to speak.

But, I have noticed more and more over the past couple of weeks that there are more cars on the road again.  This is a squandered opportunity and a lesson lost.

For example, I usually try to fill up my gas tank once a month.  When gas prices were highest it cost me $64.00 to fill my tank.  When I filled up this month a tank of gas cost approximately $35.00.  The difference in a full tank of gas today and three weeks ago is $29.00. 

I can either get sloppy in my travels and begin driving more to keep my monthly gas cost at $64.00 OR I can do the wise thing and continue to plan my outings, and for as long as possible save $29.00 a month.  I have no idea that gas is going to stay at this lower price.  OPEC recently decided to cut back on production.  That can only mean that sooner or later (and I’m betting on sooner) the prices are going to begin climbing. 

In the meantime, let’s assume that I can save $29.00 a month.  What would it mean to me and my family budget if I could save an extra $29.00 a month?  Over the course of a year, it would mean $348.00.  What would $348.00 mean to you?

I’m not so naive as to suggest that $348.00 would solve all your financial problems or mine.  But, let’s suppose that each of us could find other ways to save, other ways to cut back.  That small sum of $348.00 would be a good start.  It could be used to pay on credit card debt.  It could be used for savings toward that security fund for your family.

In these difficult economic times, with rising unemployment, I suggest that we look at the present lower gas prices as a gift.  It is not the time to become lax in your activities.  It does not mean that we should all get out and drive around town to look at foreclosures.  It simply means that we each have a small gift that we can set aside for a rainy day.

Drive wisely.  Determine how much you can save each month and actually set aside the difference in the prices you were paying and the price today. 

I caution everyone that this is a real test to determine if you have the self-discipline to recreate your financial reality.  Continue to develop the habits that will help you relieve the stress of the economic crisis.  Saving at the gas pump is a great way to start.