2008 Woodie Awards
Gas price fluctuation plagues wallets
Gas Prices: Students adjust their budgets to help pay for expenses
By: Cristian Vasquez & Noraly Hernandez
Issue date: 3/11/04 Section: City News
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Driving past the local gas station it becomes evident that gasoline prices are once again on the rise.
Nevertheless, the nation's insatiable thirst for oil leaves few options for EC students who must endure the price fluctuations in their efforts to carry out their daily routine.
For some students, increased gas prices have led them to leave their vehicles at home and to opt for other means of transportation, including carpooling and public transportation.
"I drive an Expedition, so I get about ten miles a gallon. It's about fifty dollars to fill my tank every week," Tim Revero, nursing major, said. "I keep my car at home (and get rides from) my friends."
Although public transportation and carpooling help alleviate some of the financial burden caused by increased gas prices for some students, still others must continue to spend up to $50 on gas each week.
"I live in Hawthorne and I work in Redondo Beach so I still have to drive every day to work and drive every day to school," EC student Laura Eisenhower said. "The bus just takes too long to wait for, but if you have a car and if you have enough money, it's like a necessary evil."
Eisenhower drives a 1982 Toyota Celica and finds herself spending anywhere from $25 to $30 every two weeks in gas.
Students currently find themselves redistributing their budgets in order to help pay for their weekly expenses on gas.
"I don't have money to spend on things I would rather be spending (my money) on because gas is a necessity in this day and age," Ethan Pruett, EC student, said.
Although to most people there seems to be little rhyme or reason to the determination of gas prices, there are many factors including crude oil cost, distributing and marketing costs, taxes and local station mark-ups that contribute to the different prices of gas.
The price for crude oil, the principal component of gasoline, is mostly determined by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), which is composed by 12 different nations including Iraq, Kuwait and Venezuela.
Nevertheless, the nation's insatiable thirst for oil leaves few options for EC students who must endure the price fluctuations in their efforts to carry out their daily routine.
For some students, increased gas prices have led them to leave their vehicles at home and to opt for other means of transportation, including carpooling and public transportation.
"I drive an Expedition, so I get about ten miles a gallon. It's about fifty dollars to fill my tank every week," Tim Revero, nursing major, said. "I keep my car at home (and get rides from) my friends."
Although public transportation and carpooling help alleviate some of the financial burden caused by increased gas prices for some students, still others must continue to spend up to $50 on gas each week.
"I live in Hawthorne and I work in Redondo Beach so I still have to drive every day to work and drive every day to school," EC student Laura Eisenhower said. "The bus just takes too long to wait for, but if you have a car and if you have enough money, it's like a necessary evil."
Eisenhower drives a 1982 Toyota Celica and finds herself spending anywhere from $25 to $30 every two weeks in gas.
Students currently find themselves redistributing their budgets in order to help pay for their weekly expenses on gas.
"I don't have money to spend on things I would rather be spending (my money) on because gas is a necessity in this day and age," Ethan Pruett, EC student, said.
Although to most people there seems to be little rhyme or reason to the determination of gas prices, there are many factors including crude oil cost, distributing and marketing costs, taxes and local station mark-ups that contribute to the different prices of gas.
The price for crude oil, the principal component of gasoline, is mostly determined by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), which is composed by 12 different nations including Iraq, Kuwait and Venezuela.