We started combining our trips to the grocery store, paying bills, etc. back when the prices went up so much the first time a few years ago to keep from having to buy extra fuel and we still do.
It’s bad enough we are being hit with the increase in the price of oil in the form of higher groceries and electricity costs. Not gonna give em one cent more than I have to.
Another thing I noticed at work is all the companies that placed a “fuel surcharge” on their invoices back then never changed them when the prices went back down.
Back in 2008 the airlines started charging flyers for extra bags. It looks like some of that is coming back:
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/business&id=7905441
http://www.660news.com/news/local/article/170970--airline-fares-taking-off
http://www.wtma.com/rssItem.asp?feedid=114&itemid=29622508
This suggests to me that higher fule prices are not only here to stay but will be getting worse.
40+mpg if I can stay out of the throttle, faster than 99% of the cars ever made, initial purchase price $500.