Gas prices have skyrocketed in recent weeks, forcing students to reconsider their spending habits and spring break plans.
Students will feel a heavier burden during every day activities like going to work and school, thinking twice before driving to their local mall or fast food restaurants.
Local gas prices are now more than $4 a gallon, causing students with a tight budget to get even more creative when it comes to their finances.
“I remember when putting $40 of gas meant something, now it doesn’t even last me a week,” said Marlene Garcia, 19, nursing student.
Garcia attends GCC five times a week, usually spending all of Monday and Thursday on campus. Garcia lives in Burbank and because of the price hike, she has cut back on her outings.
“I used to drive home during free time, but sadly now I can’t afford it. [I’d] rather be [on] campus than spend gas on going home,” said Garcia
Is there no cure? Respite? No remedy in sight, the prices are bad now but it seems as though they will only get worse as they year progresses. The problems in Libya can only add to the problem.
The Chicago Sun Times reported gas prices will hit $5 before the summer and $7 before the end of the year.
Prices have seen a steady increase over the course of the year. The Los Angeles gas price chart reported that gas has risen 87 cents in the last 11 months. Prices that were high in October, are now considered a bargain.
When Arco gasoline hit $3.87 on March it caused an uproar. Lines formed around the block. They were even mentioned in the L.A. Times and Pasadena Star- News as the best bargain in town.
Transportation is a key element in every person’s daily routine, be it public transportation or driving. We rely on it every day.
Walking and biking are options that only work locally: you really can’t walk or bike to go a club or restaurant.
With students spending more of their budget on gas it has left them spending less money elsewhere.
“I stopped going out on the weekends. If I do go out I try and carpool with as many friends as I can. I had to cancel the road trip I was planning to have during break,” said Edward Ruano, 19, journalism major.
In some extreme cases students have lost their jobs due to the rise in gas prices. Student Mario Lopez was forced to quit his pizza delivery job when the prices kept rising but his wages stayed the same.
“Working for Papa John’s was bad enough, I barely made ends meet. I drive about 28 miles a day at work. I had to quit my job, I was spending more money filling my tank than making going to work,” said Lopez.
The problem of gas prices is one that can’t be solved. Not every student can afford a hybrid or electric car.
Students who live far from campus seem to have the most trouble adjusting to the new prices.
There is nothing a student can do but endure the prices by subtracting income from other areas of their spending.
“I fill my tank whenever I need gas, I don’t like the prices but I just have to put up with it. Driving 46 miles a week is not cheap,” said Nicole Rubio, 20, health science major.
Rubio lives in Glendale so driving back and forth hasn’t hurt her wallet as much.
The best way to put up with the increase in gas prices is to pay attention to the gas station signs. Don’t settle for $4.17 a gallon when you can drive an extra mile and find it cheaper.
