Every Monday since November 2006, we publish in the newspaper edition a "Market Basket" feature, which lists the average price in Monroe of a gallon of gas and a gallon of milk. With a comparison to prices of a week, month, half year and year ago, It's a quick and interesting snapshot of the local economy for consumers.
I'm sorry to report that today's entry for the price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline was the highest since the feature started. It didn't top the $3.50 mark, but the average at 9 a.m. this morning was $3.49 per gallon. Interestingly, not more than minutes after we put today's paper to bed, the average in Monroe jumped to $3.51, as the four stations we check with all raised their prices by 4 cents.
Which made me wonder how often gas stations raise their prices on Monday after we do our morning check? We'll keep an eye out for the answer.
I've also been curious why gas always seems to increase by 8, 10 or 12 cents per gallon (sometimes more), but when it decreases it's by 2 cents per gallon?
On April 23 last year, gas averaged $2.71 a gallon in Monroe. Imagine how cheap that would look now! The inflation rate in Monroe for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is 23 percent.
The cost of a gallon of gas on Nov. 27, 2006, when we started tracking the price, was $2.26. The low since then was $1.99 (on Jan. 22, 2007). Last May, gas shot up to $3.39 a gallon (May 21, 2007) before dipping a bit, though it's not dropped below $2.74 (Oct. 15, 2007) since.
Makes me feel even better (though not happy) for buying a hybrid car.
Which brings me to my questions about gas prices.
What are your feelings in general about gas prices?
Have you had to limit your driving, and if so, when?
Who do you blame for high gas prices? And what do you think must be done to bring them back down?
I'm sorry to report that today's entry for the price of a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline was the highest since the feature started. It didn't top the $3.50 mark, but the average at 9 a.m. this morning was $3.49 per gallon. Interestingly, not more than minutes after we put today's paper to bed, the average in Monroe jumped to $3.51, as the four stations we check with all raised their prices by 4 cents.
Which made me wonder how often gas stations raise their prices on Monday after we do our morning check? We'll keep an eye out for the answer.
I've also been curious why gas always seems to increase by 8, 10 or 12 cents per gallon (sometimes more), but when it decreases it's by 2 cents per gallon?
On April 23 last year, gas averaged $2.71 a gallon in Monroe. Imagine how cheap that would look now! The inflation rate in Monroe for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline is 23 percent.
The cost of a gallon of gas on Nov. 27, 2006, when we started tracking the price, was $2.26. The low since then was $1.99 (on Jan. 22, 2007). Last May, gas shot up to $3.39 a gallon (May 21, 2007) before dipping a bit, though it's not dropped below $2.74 (Oct. 15, 2007) since.
Makes me feel even better (though not happy) for buying a hybrid car.
Which brings me to my questions about gas prices.
What are your feelings in general about gas prices?
Have you had to limit your driving, and if so, when?
Who do you blame for high gas prices? And what do you think must be done to bring them back down?
