Marketers in all kinds of industries are using free gasoline as a lure to get you in their stores. Mitsubishi, for example, is offering up to $2,500 in free gas if you buy one of their vehicles. One bank offered $25 in gas for opening an account, and people signed up in droves. They had to end the promotion, in fact. A record company also offered free gas: either $50 for joining or a grand prize of a year’s worth to sign up. The company generated about 50,000 responses. So, clearly gas is making people feel out of control these days. But, you do have control if you set you mind to it. More people are doing what’s called “vehicle substitution,” where they take the more fuel efficient car instead of the gas guzzler when taking trips. Bicycle and scooter sales have skyrocketed, as well. People are riding bikes or scooters into work to save money. So, you can make decisions now that will impact your life. Even better news is that natural gas prices have dropped about 15 percent since the hurricanes hit. Prices will probably continue to drop, but it’s going to be a tough winter. The Wall Street Journal recently said energy prices are in a bubble right now, but it will eventually burst. We are entering a cycle of high prices, especially when it comes to heating our homes. But it won’t last forever. So, for now do what you can. Caulk around your windows, use electric heaters instead of natural gas where possible and insulate your house. This is a year when you’ll have to be innovative.