Traveling a zig-zagging path

Measuring worth.  How does one determine the value of something that isn't exactly quantifiable?  There is always a certain amount of guess work involved in such a determination; and, the end result usually has a lot to do with the person or people making the assessment.

At this point you might be asking just where this piece is going.  Well, it is headed down a road that will take about 12 months to travel.  A journey which will require all travelers to make determinations along the way involving just what is and is not worth carrying to the end.  Just what can we continue to carry and just what is going to have to be left on the side of the road.

Am I going to need this at the end of the trip?  If it isn't essential, will the benefits outweigh the costs?

Just because something is, does not mean it must be.  Just because you have it, does not mean you can afford to keep it.

Is there an easier way?  Is there a less expensive way?  Can we do without?

Figure out where we are going yet?  The journey will become clear over time.

Shifting directions for the moment, let's talk about taking another trip, to gas up.


Gas is one of two key components to everything right now.  Gas prices are going to go a long way in dictating your next president, whether the economic recovery we keep hearing about continues on its "torrid" pace, and whether we are able to maintain an all ready diminished standard of living.

While there are competing predictions going on, for the most part, it seems gas prices are predicted to stay around the existing average through Labor Day, assuming someone doesn't invade someone else.  There may be a sigh of relief for some, yest it is still a hefty amount for others.

Yes I know we as a nation pay significantly less than most countries per gallon.  We as a nation, as high as our taxes are on gas, also do not tax it anywhere near the degree most countries do either.

Fuel truly is a key component in driving the economy.  Gas prices at the pump jump, it means fuel costs for all modes of transportation are going up.  It means it costs more to get goods to the stores, which means it costs you more to buy the goods and it means most people are caught between a rock and a hard place.

Stand in line at a convenience store with a gas pump and pay attention to the amounts people are prepaying for the gas.  $7, $12, $18, $3.  Think that isn't significant?  Think about what you use to hear.  $10 on pump 2.  $15 on pump 5.  $20, on pump 4.  $5 on pump 1.

When you hear these things.  When you see what is going on around you, you realize that we aren't out of the woods yet economically.  

People everywhere are still maintaining a tight grip on their money, some out of fear, some out of necessity and most probably a bit of both.

Everything they are telling us about an economic recovery happening may be true, but until it trickles down to us, it doesn't exists for most people.

You may not be able to reduce the costs for someone, but we all need to look at ways to get the most bang for the buck.

Maybe not quite a zig-zag path we are traveling, but  rather a large circle.