Fuel prices have gone up and down like a yo yo in recent years, with the going up being the more common state of affairs. Although dips in fuel prices are a welcome relief, this is no reason to be complacent about fuel conservation and finding alternatives to fuel usage. The trend in the long-run points to increasing fuel prices, so it pays to use the times of dips in price to shore up your household's wealth.

Continue to act as if fuel prices are too high. All the things that you do when fuel prices skyrocket should continue as your regular habit. This is good for your budget, good for your health, and good for the environment. Most of all, it means you are continuing to shape the habit of less reliance on fuel. So, keep:
* Leaving the car at home unless you really need to use it
* Walking to the local stores, clubs, sports activities etc. that are within walking distance
* Preferring public transportation over your own car use
* Cycling to and from work, school, studies, activities

Put the savings in the bank. You will know how much extra your fuel cost you during a rise in prices. Try to put that difference into the bank account. Of course, if you were barely making ends meet during a price rise, you will need to focus on bill payments and grocery shopping but try to put aside any savings possible. This will become a form of future-proofing against the next round of fuel price rises. Avoid buying gas-guzzling cars. Keep on the plan to reduce the amount of cars in your household and trading gas-guzzlers for smaller models, or even for a hybrid. Think long-term rather than about the short-term benefits of a dip in fuel prices.

Continue to learn as much as possible about the depletion of the world's fossil fuels. This will be the ultimate price-driver as new fuels are barely in testing mode and are totally inadequate at this stage to take the place of oil derived fuels. Lobby your local representatives for helping and funding research and development of alternative fuels. A dip in prices can mean a boost in research money for the future. Encourage friends, family, neighbors and communities to demand wider availability and usage of alternative fuels. It is important not to become complacent and feel seduced by lower fuel prices - we need to be planning now to improve the viability of alternative fuels.

Keep your car in good shape so that it uses less fuel.Leave messages when you travel asking bus, rail, and aviation companies to let you know what they are doing to find alternative fuel solutions for their transport fleets. You opportunities to get around, to vacation elsewhere, and to receive reasonably priced goods in the store are all reduced as the fuel prices continue to rise.