Today at the local 7-11, I overheard a lady complaining about the rising price of cigarettes. Thirteen dollars and change for a cheap plastic lighter and two packs of the hard stuff. The exorbitant price of slowly killing herself should have been reason enough to kick the habit, but sadly no. This woman would continue to exercise her constitutionally protected freedom to contract cancer no matter what the cost.

That got me thinking about the rising price of gas and what hapless commuters can do to cut down on the cost of making a living. Unlike the lady with the cigarettes, we can't simply quit cold turkey. But we can start instituting some cost saving measures to take the sting out of driving back and forth to our jobs.

Motor less, pedal more. I used to live and work in the city, allowing me to walk back and forth about twenty blocks each day. Sure beat fighting traffic and paying for parking, not to mention kept me in shape without a gym membership. Unless you're horribly out of shape, try walking or biking to work. Many employers will be happy to provide a secure storage area or bike rack for employees who want to give it a go.

Fuel when it's cool. You get more bang for your buck when filling the tank in the early morning or evening hours. That's when temperatures are usually lower, allowing more efficient fueling. Hot air helps gas evaporate, leaving less for the tank. Also, make good use of nozzle covers. They help stem evaporation when correctly positioned over the tank opening.

Carpooling and public transportation. It's not unusual for neighbors to work at the same place of business or nearby. Advertise on company bulletin boards, Craigslist, and neighborhood houses of worship. You'd be surprised at the number of people who would be willing to share driving obligations if they leave and come home around the same time. Unsuccessful? Try public transportation once or twice a week. Provided the buses and/or subways are effecient, you'll save money and gain time to relax back and forth.

Telecommute whenever possible. Some positions are flexible enough for an employee to work from home every now and then. For long commutes, a day or two each month in your pajamas can translate into a monthly savings of $100 or more.

Shop around. Don't go to the neighborhood filling station just because it's convenient. The other day, my neighborhood Shell station was selling regular for $4.19 a gallon. About ten block down the street, the local BP priced the same gallon at $4.01. For a mere five extra minutes drive, I saved about $2.00 on a fill-up. Many websites can help locate the best local gas prices. Program a reliable url into your mobile so that a gas price check is always just a click away.

Take advantage of specials and promotions. For the longest time, my credit card earned rebates at Toys R Us. But now that my children are practically grown, I've switched to a card that earns rebates on gas. I am also very mindful of specials. When a gas station runs a $.05 off per gallon promotion, that's the day I fill up the tank.

Recently, some businesses announced free gas with purchase promotions. No telling how many more will step on that bandwagon. Couldn't hurt to periodically Google to stay informed.

Car maintenance. When your vehicle and tires are in the best shape possible, they burn gas more efficiently. Do regular oil changes and tune-ups as needed. Check tires for proper inflation. Not only will regular maintenance make a difference in gas mileage, it will also increase the life span of your vehicle.

To those of you who travel for business related activities, Congratulations. The IRS just raised the mileage reimbursement rate a whopping $.08 to a $.585 per mile. You won't get rich on tax day, but every little bit helps.