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In recent years, we have been taught to use metrics such as miles per gallon (MPG) to determine the gas efficiency of a car. Certainly, driving the same gallon of gas on a Toyota Corolla is many times more efficient than that on a BMW X5. However, many of us don’t realize that it might be just as beneficial if we become more gas conscious! Often in life, we neglect to think of how we can change the situation by bettering ourselves and instead try to find ways to patch the problem. In our example, our problem is really spending too much money on gas and the patch is to find a more gas efficient car.

Sure, having a car with high MPG definitely allows you to spend less money, but it only reduces your spending. In order to be really efficient, you should look at how much gas you are wasting.

Let’s walk through my Monday and see how much gas I wasted. I live 2.12 miles from work and I drive to work every single day. I could bike to work or at least bike some of the time. It would be healthier for me, and would save me a bunch of gas money, not to mention the wear and tear that I put my car through driving all these short distances.

At lunch, I drive home to eat which is another 2.12 x 2 = 4.24 miles. I could eat at the office, but I choose to go home. Actually, I have no idea why! I eat alone there, and then I have to clean the table that I sit on plus use all that electricity while I’m at home.

After work, I went to a specific bakery to buy a birthday cake. Sure, I could have just called and ordered a cake, but I wanted to see the cakes in person and talk to the cashier about them. I also could have gone to the store on my way one day as I pass by that place once a week. However, I choose to go on a separate trip, last minute. I really like driving my car you know. The place is 7.23 miles from my apartment and 8.84 from work. So another 16.07 miles there and back.

Once I got home, my fiancée is still not back from work. I have been thinking about getting a new cell phone cover and the boredom of waiting has helped me decided to get it. I wanted it right away. The store is just around the corner anyway, I thought. Another 5.28 miles to and from.

So the total miles I have driven that day? 27.71 miles and most of it are wasted. My estimate would be about 95%+ wasted since I could just plan the two purchases (cake and cell phone cover) to another day when I drive by and bike to work.

Help!

How many of us think this story sounds familiar? With these short drives, my MPG is actually more like 20 than the actual 30 that the brochure for my car claims. If I was efficient about my way of transport, I can perhaps just purchase the BMW X5 and still spend as much on gas as I am right now.

I shouldn’t try to patch the problem of spending too much money by looking at more gas efficient cars. The root of the problem lies within me, and I plan to fix it.