With gasoline prices over $4 per gallon and on the rise, many people spend over $250 per month just putting gas in their car. Imagine the following example and calculations on how Joe spends $526.40 on transportation to and from work every month.

Joe drives 20 miles each way to work. This is not such a big and unrealistic number; many people commute 20 miles each way. Joe’s car gets 12 miles per gallon (MPG). The cost of gas is $13.32 every day assuming. Multiply this by 20 working days in a month, a staggering $266.40 per month, just for gas. Joe makes $10 per hour at his job as a cashier clerk at a supermarket. Not only he spends an average of 2 hours per day driving to and from work, it also costs him 1.3 hour of his work time to pay for the gas to go to work. That’s a total of $266.40 per month + 26 hours of work to pay for the gas, some could see this as $526.40 per month as far as Joe’s cost of transportation to and from work. But hold the phone, this is not all, we have not factored in the wear and tear of Joe’s car, the tune-ups and maintenance… Joe is depressed enough as it is, no need to depress him any more. Let’s not factor in those numbers and say we did.

Joe’s example may be a little extreme but many people are faced with these numbers and must find a viable solution fast. From the looks of it, gas may go above $5 per gallon in the near future. A 20 or more mile one-way commute to work is a long way; the following are a few suggestions on what can be done to save some gas money. Some solutions save both gas and commute time while others only reduce the gas money spent:

• Get a new home closer to work. This may not be possible for most people but something to consider if a move can be afforded. This will reduce both commute time and save lots of gas.

• Get a new job closer to home. 52 hours worth of work and money spent just on going 20 miles to and from work may have many people consider this option. This will also cut the commute time and save gas money.

• Telecommute. There are many company who offer a telecommute program allowing people to work from their home one or more day per week. The more telecommuting days, the more gas, time, traffic and frustration is saved.

• Public transportation. Buses, subways and trains are the best way to save gas money. Many public transportation systems are equipped with bicycle carriers. This allows people to ride their bike to the bus station and from the station to work. Many people appreciate the exercise from walking or pedaling. What’s a bus or metro pass cost these days, $26?

• Carpool. A carpool can be setup by looking for people who live nearby and work in the same area. May be a little hard to find many people in one neighborhood that commute 20 miles each way. Although the commute time may be the same, the amount spent on gas can be divided by as many people who carpool.

• Buy a scooter. A scooter is a very good alternative. Many 50cc scooters get 100 MPG plus. A gas scooter is a fuel-efficient vehicle by all means. People who are new to scooters should consider a rider course. Buying a scooter online is an economical way to get a high gas mileage scooter that can get up to 100 MPG.