"How is high fuel prices affecting you", you might ask." I just pass that cost onto my customer like every other associated cost." Therein lies your answer Mr. Watson. The high cost of fuel is affecting the consumer - your customer. It matters little whether you deliver products or your customer comes to your door. The price of fuel is affecting your bottom line.

The National Retail Federation recently did a survey. I quote, "Whether gas prices pose a fiscal or psychological concern consumers are affected regardless of income."

Nationwide, the 16.4% of adults put off major purchases of cars, TV and furniture. Eating out has been reduced by 25.2% and vacation plans by 31.2%. 23.7% spend less on clothes, while 17.3% are cutting back on their food bill.

The poll shows it matters little if the income bracket was $50+ or -. The results were the same. If you one of those suppliers of groceries, travel agencies, car dealer, clothing store, furniture store, hotel or motel, fast food or restaurant you are affected by current high gas prices.

Every thin dime spent at the gas pump is a thin dime not spent a the retail level. That thin dime goes affects the consumer at the service industry level as well. Those service trucks run on fuel, expensive fuel as it turns out.

That fuel pump is increasing the cost of doing business for all service/repair related trades. Whenever you see that repair truck drive up to your home you know the cost is going up because the cost of getting to your door has gone up, dramatically.

It is same old story. Those who can least afford it get hit the hardest. Low income families and seniors or retirees on fixed pensions, makes little difference. They all suffer from the effects of high gas prices. These folks cannot often find a place to cut back spending to afford the higher cost of doing business and their cost of living allowance is not keeping pace with the rising prices of fuel.

Extreme times require extreme measures. A savvy business owner might apply some or all of these innovative ideas.

• Anticipate higher prices and order earlier than usual
• Shop Online
• Research competitors Online
• Group errands for one trip savings
• Use the Internet, mail or email for business contact
• Pay bills by mail or Online banking
• Advertise more and travel less

Think outside of the box and I am sure that being the savvy business owner you are, you will discover many more ideas that will help your bottom line and your customer at the same time.

Before you buy your gas see where it is cheaper. If the station is close buy use it. If not, it may cost you more to get there than you will save when you get there. Remember, a nickel on 15 gallons of fuel will only save you 75 cents. A little more than a pint of gas. Hardly worth the time or the expense of traveling to save a nickel.

Check out this site to see if it is worth the effort when you go out. As you know, gas prices can and do change daily, so check back often.

http://autos.msn.com/everyday/GasStations.aspx?m=1&l=1&zip=(zip code here) leave off the
parenthesizes.

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