I started thinking about this question recently as gas prices have been rising again. I am fortunate my office is only 4 miles from my house, so most days I back for lunch. I get in touch with my wife and my two children as they remain at home for a few years.
Recently, I think of how much it costs me each time to drive the same Road twice a day and if it was really worth. My car has a decent average of 30 miles per gallon (mpg), then the national average of $ 3.48 a gallon, a 4 mile trip cost me, $ 46 or $ 92 round trip, and I live only 4 miles away! If I drive home 5 days a week (20 days per month), then it costs me $ 18.40 per month for lunch.
Of course, there are tradeoffs here, the first being that I can not put a price on overtime I get to spend with my family every day. Also, how much would it cost if I go to a restaurant every day? This is certainly more than if I brought my lunch to work with me.
A recent survey by ABC News showed average worker commutes 16 miles one way. In today's economy average fuel for a new car 20 mpg, the price of round-trip just to drive to go to work each day is $ 5.57. Monthly it would cost $ 111.40 to drive only once a day to work. If you were in drive home for lunch, so your gas bill will double to $ 222.80!
As Americans, we never thought about this? Experience has shown that many people do not. With the rising cost of fuel, it is time to start achieve our impact on our budgets. Visiting the grocery store on the way to work can save an extra trip. So can carpool or by asking neighbors to pick up something for us while they're out and vice versa.
None of these ideas are convenient, but if you really want save money, we must stop acting as consumers we are and start doing things that other countries have done for years.
Could you walk or ride your bike to the store? Could you use a coil mower to cut grass? Do you need a van (worse fuel consumption) for you and a child? Begin by starting small and watch savings really add up in your budget!
Here is the formula for determining how much you pay your trip:
(Kilometers traveled) (price per gallon of fuel) / (Avg mpg.) = cost of your trip
Example: (4 miles) ($ 3.48) / (30 mpg) = $ 46
What is your trip cost you? Leave your comments and advice on our blogs …
About the Author:
Justin Lukasavige is a Personal & Business Coach and owner of Lukas Coaching. Visit www.lukascoaching.com/resources.htm for a ton of free tools to help you improve your health, finances, business, career & life!
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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – My Lunch Cost Me $18.40
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