Does the Price of Gas Upset You?

The last time I checked sales of SUVs dropped between 30% and 55% and with gas costing $1.00-$2.00 more per gallon than a year ago, I am a little surprised that those figures aren't higher. While I do not feel too sorry for the auto manufacturers because of the high prices they charge, I am sorry for all of those who have SUVs and are now having to pay in excess of $100.00 to fill their tanks only to get 10-15 miles per gallon. Now many owners of these once popular vehicles want out but are finding that it is hard to sell them because no one wants a big gas guzzler any more, and if they decide to trade them in many are finding that they owe thousands more than their vehicle is worth. It looks like they are stuck; or are they?

It depends where you focus your thinking. When I saw my gas bill exceed $500.00 per month I have to admit the thought ran across my mind to get rid of our SUV and get a more efficient vehicle. When I spoke to my wife about it she said; "I love my SUV, it makes me feel safe and has a lot of room but if we must, we must." I thought, if we must, we must? Hmm do really we have to compromise and lower our standards or are there other options available? Sure there were; I could either allow the high price of gas to decrease my lifestyle and place my wife and family in a vehicle that they did not feel safe in to save a few dollars, or.... I could increase my income a few hundred dollars to overcome those higher prices.

I chose the latter. I took the attitude of victory not defeat and surrender. I made up my mind that I would do what it took to hold onto something that I valued. I began to look for ways to increase my income by finding another business to get involved in, another investment, I would increase my speaking engagements, write another book, write more articles etc. (I wound up doing all of these)