It’s interesting to see how complex factors interact to create new business opportunities for aspiring companies as well as new trends in how people and companies spend their money.
Examples of these trends can be seen in the article: How to Guard Against High Gas Prices. It’s key points are a new company called MyGallons.com, a website that lets you pre-buy gas at a flat rate, and investing in stocks that tend to rise along with the price of gasoline.
As listed in the article, MyGallons.com makes their money less on the gas and more on the $30 yearly membership fee, so near as I can tell it sounds like a pretty good deal. With the constant threat of gas price hikes driving people crazy at $4 a gallon anyway, you could easily save a few dollars in price fluctuations over the course of a year.
The article also suggests investing in stocks that rise with the sale of gas such as oil companies and companies that indirectly benefit from these high costs, such as railroads, an economical alternative to trucks for moving freight. I myself need to start using my credit card that gives me money back for buying gas; I have the feeling I’m going to need it.
Update: World must brace for oil beyond $150 a barrel