Gas prices affect holiday travel, spending plans
No matter where you are, gas prices are all over the place. GasBuddy.com surveyed 100,000 people to ask what folks are planning to do with any money saved at the pump.
83 percent said they’re going to save the money or use it to pay bills, while just 14 percent said they’re going to spend the money on gifts.
As for travel plans changing, the majority of people said their plans aren’t changing. But the 23 percent that responded their plans might change said they will either buy more gifts, travel farther, spend more on food or treat themselves with upgraded accommodations.
Overall, the survey results indicate cost isn’t the most worrying thing about money and the holidays. Thirty-seven percent of people say travel itself is the worst, while 27 percent said weather and 26 percent said the cost is the worst.
Saturday, Dec. 20 will be the busiest travel day of the season, but some said they may even leave earlier if they save enough at the pump.
The majority of people are planning on traveling over 500 miles, most of them by car. With all the talk of lower prices, AAA reports Idaho’s average gas price is only a nickel more than the national average of $2.53.
