Gas

Can't live with the price, but can't live without it. And there are no easy answers.

Unfortunately, the time to economize on gas was before the price rose. Nowadays, you can't give away that nice big pickup truck or other guzzler you've been cruising in. So unless you've got an income or resources that will enable you to buy an economical car without trading in your dually, you're outta luck.

How many weeks will pass before you can organize a carpool to work? Maybe you should've done that sooner, huh?

My daddy used to say, "Do the math." In this case, it shows a no-brainer. Most of us don't need to carry seven passengers or a roomful of furniture every day. Therefore, we can drive a little Honda, and rent a truck for the occasions when we need one.

The math:

30 mpg, 1200 miles per month = 40 gallons, at $3.89 = $155.60

15 mpg, 1200 miles per month = 80 gallons, at double the cost.

You can rent a pickup truck for a day for the difference. Every single month.

Note to looney lefty liberals: We didn't invade Iraq to steal their oil, or it'd be cheaper.