Urp! If you haven't noticed, gasoline has surpassed $4.00/gallon. And I just heard on the evening news it's expected to go as high as $10.00/gallon. There's a hydrogen car out there somewhere, a car that runs on water -- yes, water -- and doesn't emit toxic fumes that destroy the environment and lungs. There are cars that run on grain alcohol, but very few stations where once can fill up (I happen to live within five miles of one lonely pump).
Until the automotive industry gets it together, try some alternative travel options. My husband has the scooter pictured above, the Kymco People 250. He's topped it out at 70 miles per hour and gets over 60 miles to the gallon on gas mileage. This model isn't cheap and this size requires a motorcycle permit. There are smaller scooters, the 150, the 50, that don't require a license and don't go as fast. All sizes are great for getting back and forth to work if you don't need to take the highway, trips to the grocery store, the bookstore And they look cooler than a moped.
In fact, my husband has captured the attention of Harley drivers at the gas station. His dad, who drives a Yamaha, was trying to strike up conversation with the guys, find out where they were headed, but their attention was on Scooter Boy. (My husband came up with that super hero moniker himself). He felt bad for stealing attention away from this dad, but it isn't the first time it happened.
The can be show stealers. When I was in Miami Beach last summer, I saw a woman with five inch stilettos, a halter top and tight white capris, and long, brown flowing hair driving a 50 down the sidewalk (Is that legal? I mean driving on the sidewalk, not driving with stilettos). You will also often see sexy, sleek ladies straddling the equally sleek scooter in advertisements. (I'll let you find the mamacita on the Kymco site).
A few tips: My husband bought his used, found it on a reputable online site, but gave it a test drive in person before purchasing. Just like cars, the price goes way down after it's driven out of the lot. Sometimes you can scare a few extras buying used as well. My husband's scooter also came with a windshield and a top case, which is really nice for storing a few essentials, and up the three bags of groceries, a small laptop, or a few books, magazines and writing supplies. Driving in the rain isn't the most pleasant, but it can be done, just be prepared.
You'll want to get a quality helmut, a ventilated jacket, a pair of primo sunglasses and, if you plan on riding long distances, some comfy gloves. Oh, and don't forget your permit if you get a larger scooter.
Spend your next $4.00 filling up the entire tank, instead of enough gas to get you to the office, a mocha latte stop on the way, the back to home, a stop for a gallon of milk (don't get me started) on way.
...and have some fun.
Buy shoes for a cause. For every pair of Toms Shoes you purchase, Toms donates a pair to a child in need. Their goals it to put shoes on the feet of 200,000 children this year. Founder Blake Mycoskie, found the business for him when during a visit to Argentina he witnessed first hand the poverty that kept kids barefoot, and the hurt and disease they suffered because of it. If you don't want to buy a pair, participate in a Shoe Drop in Argentina this year. Put the pair of "Tiny Toms," pictured on the left, on the feet of a baby or toddler. Toms has shoes for all sizes of feet and for boys and girls. Visit the Toms Shoes website or FriendsofToms.com to find out how you can get involved. 
