Ok...no one is happy with the price of gas these days no matter where you are in the world. Now is the time to come up with a coping strategy so that we don't lose our cool as the days get warmer. It's time to get proactive rather than reactive.
So what can we do? Other than buying a new tiny car, this is the time to think about how we can make best use of the gallons in the tank. Here are few which may seem obvious but who can say? What's obvious to some might not be to others.
- Car pool if you can. Might be a great time to catch up on the news with friends we don't get to see often enough as it is.
- Combine your errands so that you don't go out several times. I just did a round trip around the bay we have here in Rhode Island and got as many things done as I could along the way.
- Keep lists where everyone in the family can get to them so that trips to the store can happen less frequently and everyone's requests can be honored
- Walk when you can. It's good for the body and good for the wallet. Besides the weather is getting much nicer so we can't use that as an excuse!
- If you have a business...and these days almost anyone can run a small business from home...combine the business errand with the personal one and the miles can be deducted for taxes. Keep track and record those miles daily as that is what is required by the IRS. (Looking at some ideas for a small business? I've been an entrepreneur at heart and in practice forever it seems and I have a few suggestions for you. Just email me and I'll give you a few ideas.)
- And most of all, keep your sense of humor! Losing your temper over things you have no control over not only stresses you but sets a bad example to those little ones who do what we do, not what we say to do
