I've been thinking a lot about the price of gas lately and how we, as individuals, can help.  It's not that I can't afford gas for my car, and it's easy to think we have a tiny impact on the big picture, yet it's all us "little pieces" that do create the big picture.  If you've ever put a puzzle together you know what I'm talking about.  It we all do lots of little things, it can (and will) make a difference.    Here are some of the things I find myself doing:

1) Generally I like to personally attend all of my closings.  However, recently I recommended that a seller client, who moved about 100 miles away, NOT come to closing... that we will FedEx the closing documents to them.  This will save them about 10 gallons of gas and $30, not to mention other maintenance costs (and 4 hours of time).    That $30 can be put into some other part of the economy (that really needs it). 

2) If clients suggest we meet at a property, I suggest we go together.  Better to burn my gas, than mine and their's.

3) I try to Fax things when I can instead of deliver them to someone's office. 

4)  I don't let my car idle so much these days.  For example, I used to stop at the post office, pick up the mail, get back in the car and start it and let it run (with the air conditioning on) while I skimmed through the mail.  I now roll the windows down to get air while I read the mail. 

5) I try to consolidate trips to town.  If I don't need to go, I wait.   

We realtors do a lot of running around, so I think we need to make a conscious effort to make changes where we can.  I'm sure everyone can find ways to conserve, and save their money for other things in life (like paying the higher cost of everything due to the increased costs of shipping). 

Just a few of my thoughts.