You’ve been paying a lot more to fill up your car. Other forms of energy have moved in tandem with the cost of gasoline. Airlines, for example, have suffered, as have factories. Consumers are going to feel a punch in the pocketbook this winter. We should expect a 20 to 25 percent increase in gas. But it’s an area where you are not a sitting duck. Corporate America has become much more efficient in its use of energy. Corporations have changed how buildings are lit, how factories are run, and consumers could learn a lot from them. The only place in America where people have done a better job is in California, where necessity was the mother of invention. But people can make choices, too. Clark is laughed at repeatedly for his compact fluorescent lightbulbs. But the amount he’s saving is unbelievable. The energy savings may be $30 per bulb. Turning the temperature down on your water heater is also a great way to save, as is turning down the thermostat to 55 or 60 degrees when it’s cold. When appliances die, buy an Energy Star appliance. They are much more efficient. So, there are things you can do. Start doing it now.