Could Higher Gas Prices Be Good For Us?
All cross America we are beginning to feel the pinch at the pump. I’ll admit it, my truck takes almost $100 to fill up, which is a sobering thought. But ever the optimist, I starting thinking about this from a slightly different perspective. Maybe, just maybe, $4 per gallon of gasoline is a good thing.
Hear me out.
When our budgets get squeezed, we each have to resort to changes in our behavior in order to make ends meet. Exactly what changes are we making as the result of rising costs?
I for one am not going out to restaurants as often (yes, that is a part of my eating/diet plan), but it definitely is cheaper to buy groceries for a family than to eat in a restaurant. As a result, I’m eating better. I’m also eating less as I look to stretch a meal into leftovers for the next day’s lunch.
I’m also driving my Can-Am Spyder (a three wheeled motorcycle) to work. It burns much less gas than my truck. And because I lean into the curves, it is working my core more than driving a car or truck. Yes, that is relatively minor, but small changes do make a difference over time. I’ve also considered walking to work (although the 90 degree plus days with South Arkansas humidity would leave me a bit unkempt). Are more people walking? Or at least walking to the closest bus/subway stop? I imagine so.
My girlfriend (fancypants) was telling me that the company she used to work for is now allowing all employees to work from home one day per week as a way of helping their employees deal with the higher commuting costs. Fewer cars on the road, driving fewer miles also means cleaner air. Think about that one for a while.
Another area where I can see a potential positive is where companies might cut back on employee travel to make it through the economic slump. Less travel means fewer business meals and tempting hotel bars/mini-bars. I definitely feel more comfortable sticking to plan when I’m home. I’m not sure my travel will be reduced (due to the nature of my job), but for many, I could see this being a real possibility.
I’m not so sure that paying more for gas is a curse. It might just be a blessing for many of us. What do you think?
I follow the philosophy walk first if it is easy to go there. Then take the bus or train to densely populated areas. I drive basically to go to the park with my family, go grocery shopping, go to the laundromat, the hospital and those places where it is very inconvenient and time sensitive.
A lot more people in my experience are using public transportation. I have to get up a little earlier to guarantee a seat for myself, and be a little more aggressive in the crowded subways to get where I am going.
Gas is really expensive. It is not just gas, insurance is going up, and it is becoming much easier to walk places.
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I am a firm believer, there is a bright side to everything, if you take the time to look.
I agree and have noticed a reduction in travel, for a variety of reasons, including soaring fuel costs. It is interesting to see how people and business change as it forces individuals to think outside of their standard routine. I love that.
We already have all of our associates working from home, which doesn’t limit us to location of resources. I believe more companies need to adapt to the changing world. More companies should consider a 4 day work week or allow one day at home. Less cars on the highways, less smog (ok I live in California, so a concern), it is a shame it has been so long coming. The City of Los Angeles was doing it 20+ years ago.
We have increased our online conferencing usage. Clients appear to love it and online meetings are usually much more time efficient. Which everyone enjoys. While I believe that face to face interaction is a great way to interact with customers, technology has brought new tools, that allow us to share a very similar experience digitally.
Adopters of e-Learning have recognized a significant savings in travel expenses and creative overall consistency to their training programs. Not to mention the savings in consumables, such as paper, ink, media, packaging, etc.
Sometimes people forget that the cost of logistics are built into products and services.
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All excellent points! I’m in Memphis, so I agree with you on the walk-to-work problem, but on weekends, I walk or bike some of my errands. I do that for health and environmental reasons more than anything, but the gas savings are a bonus.
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@Book Calendar - I have to admit that I have been a staunch driver for quite some time now, which probably has a lot to do with my weight issue. I drive my motorcycle because its fun. But now I’m strongly considering alternatives and will when I can.
@Tawny - I agree that our wired world is allowing us to do amazing things. But there is still a strong need for that personal connection that you only get by being there in person. I think companies should explore the topic and not just write off online opportunities.
@Cammy - I’m not so sure that the layout of our cities doesn’t have something to say about our obesity issues. The south tends to rank high on the charts and we also have the weakest mass transit and more need to drive for standard trips.
I waste less food, so I think we will adapt to whatever changes occur in the economy.
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I know youre right and yet I still lazily b*tch up a storm.
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I agree that there is always a bright side to every cloud. BUT….I live in a very rural area, I HAVE to drive–everywhere. There’s no walking to Walmart or to the library–these things are 55 miles away. I drive 110 miles a day. The bright side to that is that although my gas bill is HUGE, my cost of living is lower–lower housing cost for one.
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