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The price of being a parent goes up every year thanks to Exxon and friends, and there’s not much anyone can do about it except buy fuel efficient automobiles. But for those of us who aren’t in a position to invest in the latest hybrid, there are some interim steps we can take that will make a difference. I live in a rural part of Maine where fortunately, the school buses are still running. But the price of country living is dear when you start to add up all those errands.
1. Carpool: This one is obvious; parents have been doing it for generations. But consider co-op trips to places other than school. Do the weekly grocery shopping with a neighbor and split the driving duties. Carpooling to work is another obvious choice, but these days if there’s no one living near you who works near your place of business, talk to someone with whom you can connect at a midway point from your home and from theirs. Half a carpool is better than none.
2. Combine errands: Develop a working relationship with a neighbor or two that results in one person going into town for everybody’s errands. You can only do this when everyone knows exactly what they want, but think about all of the trips to the hardware store or pharmacy you make every year, and then imagine what it would be like if you only had to drive for those errands every fourth or fifth time.
3. Take that rack off the roof: If you have a rack for skis in the winter or kayaks in the summer take it off when you’re not using it. Those racks are a permanent drag on the car’s ability to move through air smoothly; use them only when needed.
4. Change the fuel chip: These days the engine is really controlled by computer chips and electronics. At one time you could make your car more powerful by changing the fuel input chip. Now you can “detune” the car to provide for more efficient fuel use at lower speeds while maintaining power at higher speeds.
5. Slow down: This particular suggestion really only has an impact at high speeds, out on the interstate. Of course that’s where the tendency to drive at the same rate as everyone else is most compelling. But the fuel consumption difference between 60 MPH and 75 MPH is substantial. It’s controlling those lifelong habits that is difficult.
About the Author:
Bob Hartzell has been writing for five years about education, business, budgets, and other life essentials on a variety of websites. He writes steadily on the changes in collegiate goals with focus on the new bachelors and online master programs.
