I love my Jeep – it is “the awesome.”  But gas prices have forced me to look at ways to lower my costs.

My daily commute is about 32 miles.  With the old me, that was 2 gallons a day.  At today’s costs, it would be $8 a day, or $160 a month just for gas.

CNN had an article about the myths of saving gas and mentioned that the best way to improve your gas mileage was to slow down.  What?!? Oh noes!

The first tank of the experiment wasn’t much of an improvement… I was still adjusting to my newer, kinder, gentler, “omg I’m going so slow!” way of life.  But the second tank of gas actually improved 3 mpg over the last 2.   That saves me $25 a month!  Think of all the beer that buys!

The weather has been nice — I think the top has been up maybe 4 days over the last 2 months.  I’m slowing down and smelling the gardenias… and the natural gas and sewage and road kill, but nevermind that… but it’s becoming nice.

I’m slowly getting used to going slow.  Now, if I look down and haven’t been thinking of my speed, I’m going about 62 mph, or about 10-15 mph slower than my old cruising speed.

I kind of like life in the slow lane.  Going 15 mph slower adds 3 minutes to my commute.  Three more minutes of enjoying the outdoors, the clear blue skies, and the bird song.  I definitely like that!