Pack a lunch for work rather than leaving work to eat out.

Do a little pre-planning and consolidate trips to the bank, grocery store, etc., rather than unnecessary back and forth trips from home.

Vacation closer to home rather than lengthy trips.

Keep tires properly inflated to improve gas mileage.

Remove heavy items from the trunk and back seat. Extra weight affects gas mileage.

Consider selling your “gas guzzler” for a car with better gas mileage.

Get a tune-up on your car to improve gas mileage.

Travel as a family in one car to church, and other activities, rather than driving two or more cars to the same place.

Don’t eat out as much. However, when you do eat out, consider restaurants closer to home rather than the ones across town.

Invite friends to eat out together and share driving. You can drive this time and they can drive next time.

On the way home from work, stop and pick up “take out” food for dinner rather than going home and then back out.

Consider ways to entertain yourself at home (board games, reading, puzzles, etc.) rather than always going out.

If you attend a church with a long drive, consider changing to a church in your own community.

If you are driving long distances to work consider carpooling, or use public transportation whenever possible. If you can’t do it every day, consider it once or twice a week.

Consider changing jobs altogether to find something closer to home. You would not only save on gas, but also have more time for your family and yourself.

When going on vacation, it can sometimes be less expensive to fly and rent a car when you consider the cost of gas and the “wear and tear” on your car.

Consider vacationing with friends and share the cost of gas when driving.

Drive the speed limit, and remember to start and stop slowly to achieve the best gas mileage.

Park in the shade. The hot sun causes gasoline to evaporate more quickly.

Don’t use higher grades of gas unless required by the manufacturer. Regular gas is sufficient for most vehicles. Higher grades of gas do not provide better gas mileage.

Purchase your groceries at a particular grocer and receive 10 cents off per gallon of gas.

Log onto the following website and type in your zip code to locate the cheapest gas station in your area: autos.msn.com/everyday/gasstations.aspx?zip=&src=Netx.

When running errands, consider using the family car that gets the best mileage. No need to use “the guzzler” when you don’t have to.

If one spouse is driving longer distances to work, and their car gets worst gas mileage, consider swapping cars to reduce gas consumption (at least try it occasionally).

Why not walk or ride a bicycle for short trips? It will not only save on gas, but improve your personal health.

Purchase a used golf cart, moped, or bicycle to use on local trips.

When traveling to sporting events and school functions invite friends to carpool and swap off driving.

Plan out your meals a week or two in advance, and buy everything you need in one trip to the grocery store, rather than multiple trips back and forth.

If you are a high school student, consider riding the bus rather than driving your car. If you don’t think you can handle it every day, then consider maybe once or twice a week.

Speak to your congressman about supporting a comprehensive energy policy that will help America to be less reliant on foreign oil.

Encourage your congressman to support tax incentives for those purchasing electric, hybrid-electric, and fuel cell vehicles. The cost of these vehicles will come down in price as more are mass produced.

Keith Turner

115 Thomas Trail

Fayetteville, Ga. 30215

kturner@harpscrossing.com