Oil prices have been going down steadily and consumers have been wondering why gasoline prices haven’t been following.

Part of it is obviously because your local service station has already bought its gas supply at a higher price and it isn’t until these stocks are depleted and replenished at a lower cost that you will see any savings at the pump. Another factor is that demand remains steady despite the price increases, which creates little incentive to lower prices. Eventually, as some stations lower prices others follow, which is what is happening right now.

Gas pump numbers finally have started to reflect the decline in oil prices with the national average per gallon of gasoline price down to $2.33 for regular. If that still seems high, consider last year’s prices of over $3 per gallon.

If you go on a yearly vacation, say to a warm location during the winter months, then you may want to consider a timeshare.

Buying into a timeshare can save you money over the long haul but it’s a large investment to begin with. If saving money is not the most important item on your vacation list, then you may consider how much more you will enjoy your vacation in a timeshare than in a hotel room.

Over at ConsumerAffairs.com, there is a good article that lists nine important things to know when considering a timeshare.

Timeshare Tips for Travelers

Part of the pressure of modern life is the overwhelming variety of choice available. No matter what you want to buy, there will be hundreds of alternative ways to buy it, some wise and some quite foolish. It is for this reason that I have never been into a Starbuck’s - the range of choice is just so confusing and exotic that I’d never know where to start!

When it comes to travel, however, there is some good advice available. Kiplinger has a list of travel-related sites that they have tried and found to be excellent in their service. These cover things like airfares, where to stay, car rentals and cruises.

If you are short of time to do the research in finding the best answer to your travel needs, take a shortcut and use a service that others have recommended!

Car rental companies, passenger trains and companies that offer chartered private jets, all saw an upsurge in business following Thursday’s foiled terrorist plot against commercial airliners in the UK.

In the short term, people seeking alternative forms of travel will benefit companies that offer alternative means of travel. The big rental car companies on the other hand, who get 75 to 90% of business from airline travelers, will suffer in the long run if fewer people fly.

The increase in business may also reflect emergency one-way travel plans as people sought alternate ways to get home from other locations in the face of delays, cancelled flights and new restrictions regarding carry-on luggage.

What is not known is how many American travelers will move away from air travel over the long term in the wake of the recent terrorist threat.