One of the reasons Southwest Airlines has remained so profitable is because the company hedged its bets and pre-purchased fuel several years ago through futures contracts. As a result, the company is paying the gas prices of 2003 and 2004 instead of 2006. It’s a great idea, if you’re willing to take a risk. A company in Minnesota is allowing people to do this. It’s called “First Fuel Banks,” and it’s only open to people in Minnesota right now. But this could be a great idea for business all over the country. If you are able to fix the price of what you’re paying for gasoline, you’re sitting pretty when gas prices go up. For example, many people in Minnesota are still paying about $1 for a gallon of gas. Of course, the downside is that you’re stuck if prices go down. But it’s all about hedging your bets. In Clark’s opinion, it’s better to let the rate float. But sometimes it works. What if you could commute at zero dollars per gallon of gasoline? Commuting by bike is the answer. Safety is a concern, of course. But cities all over the country are adding bike lanes to their roads, so it’s more of a possibility than you may think.