stlmomsworld.com - Kay Quinn

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Who Stands To Gain From High Gas Prices

I filled up the tank on the way home last night. Even with about a quarter of a tank left, and it still cost me $53 dollars. That's a picture of my pump above.
Local economists have recommended we get used to these high prices for the long-haul. We recently aired an interview with Dan Henrichs, a wealth planner with Merrill Lynch in Clayton.
He's advising anyone on a budget to simply build in high gas prices to their plan. Henrichs says the price of gas won't be falling anytime soon and anyone struggling to fill their tank needs to take a serious look at long term options. For many, that means cutting back on other expenses. But Henrichs also recommends carpooling and public transit.
Prices aren't going down as we head toward the Independence Day weekend. The national average for a gallon of regular unleaded gas hit a new high overnight at $4.08. Since the last Fourth of July weekend, the price of gas has risen over one dollar a gallon.
Truckers and others protested the high cost of gas in India and Britain today. I wonder if it's just a matter of time before we see protests here. Frankly, I'm surprised there haven't been any locally.
I also found an interesting story on the positive effects of high gas. I know, it sounds impossible. But I found a story on the Associated Press wire that quoted the outplacement consultancy Challenger, Gray & Christmas Inc. The company sees high gas prices as a gold mine for office supply stores, because of the prediction that more Americans will be telecommuting.
Companies that sell bikes and motorized scooters are looking forward to an increase in sales. Online retailers, alternative energy companies and makers of home entertainment systems all potentially stand to gain as people choose to stay home more.
Are you changing the way you live because of gas prices?

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¶ 10:59 AM

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Name: Kay Quinn

Location: St. Louis, MO

ABOUT ME

Health and medical issues make up one of the most exciting beats in the newsroom. Few other areas of news touch each and every one of us so closely and so often.

Whether you're a senior worried about paying for prescription drugs, a parent concerned about the health of a child or waging your own fight against cancer or heart disease, you can usually find health news that applies to you in my daily reports.

I always tell St. Louisans they are so fortunate when it comes to health care. Our city is home to two research hospitals.

Doctors and scientists at Washington University School of Medicine and St. Louis University School of Medicine are involved in some of the most critical research underway in medicine today.

Work is bring done right at this moment, right in our area, that could lead to a vaccine for bird flu or better ways to diagnose and treat Alzheimer's disease.

I enjoy staying on top of those stories, as well as bringing you health and medical news you can use.

Along with the latest medical breakthroughs, you'll frequently find information on low-cost exercise programs right around the corner from where you live, or details on where to get this year's flu shot.

Many viewers want to know whether I have a medical background. I don't, but my mother was a nurse and I know her health background made a big impression on me as a child.

It's the lifelong curiosity and interest I have in health issues that serves me well in my work as health reporter.

Staying on top of what you need to know to stay fit and healthy is a job I love.