Community Corner
Moms Talk: Higher Gas Prices Alter Routines
Attributed to unrest in the Middle East, gas prices have continued to rise in recent weeks. We spoke with two East Cobb work-from-home moms who are nonetheless affected by the increased fuel costs.
Martha Parker is a mother of two and develops and writes exams for insurance education programs for LOMA, with offices in Atlanta. Although she works from home most days, she has adjusted her time behind the wheel and now carefully plans routine errands. Crystal Brown, also a mom of two, is the owner of Crystal’s Expressions and makes custom children’s clothing in her home studio. Because of increased energy costs, she has changed the way in which she prepares for local craft shows that she participates in throughout the community.
How are you handling the soaring gas prices?
Martha Parker: Fortunately, in my work, I am able to telecommute most days. My schedule is very flexible. Usually I would go in [to the office] two times a week just for short periods of time. Now, I’ll come in once every two weeks and stay a longer period. That saves a lot of gas money.
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Crystal Brown: Last week, I was headed up to Acworth. I passed a gas station where the price for regular was $3.15. When I was coming back home three hours later, the price for the same grade of gas at the same station was all of a sudden $3.25! I was like, ‘Oh, my God!’ And now, at some places, it’s up to, what, $3.35! So now I try not to go out much, only if I have to.
What cost-saving strategies do you employ?
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Martha Parker: I try to plan my errands well so that I’m doing more than one thing in one part of town to make the trip more productive. The trade-off is that I’m spending a bigger block of time running errands, but that’s better than two or three small trips in the long run.
Crystal Brown: At some of my craft shows, I have the option of setting up my stuff a day early and then returning to the show the next day when it opens. But now, because of gas prices, I don’t make that extra trip. To go set up for a show, then come home, then go back the next day. That cuts into my profit. So I don’t do that anymore. For me lately, I try to combine all of my errands in one trip. I try to make a list and try to make it so that I’ve got everything I have to do in one run. Otherwise, you’re just wasting gas. One good thing is, at Kincaid, they have a sign that discourages idling in the carpool lane. The original intent was not to save on gas, but shutting off the engine while waiting a half-hour in the carpool lane definitely helps.