On Feb. 28, the U.S. and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran, sending shockwaves through the oil industry and driving gas prices up 36%, or $1.06 per gallon, as the Strait of Hormuz is in the process of reopening, according to Reuters.
Students at Kirkwood Community College are feeling those impacts, with some making changes to their daily routines and cutting back on expenses to compensate.
Paige Hanghey, art, said that gas prices have been affecting their daily routine.
“I really procrastinate on getting gas now, and I just keep hoping that it’ll go down a little bit, and then, my tank’s dead empty,” they said.
Hanghey is finding their social life is also impacted by the price of gas.
“Mostly, I just hate going out now. I have a lot of friends in Iowa City, and I don’t want to drive 30 minutes to go see them anymore. It’s definitely confined me to staying home,” they said.
Victoria Mondragõn, STEM- Literature, said the rising prices have put a lot of stress on her family. Mondragõn shares a vehicle with her brother and mom, and the rising cost of gas is causing her family to set aside more funds for gas.
While discussing her brother, Mondragõn said, “He’s been putting money aside just for gas. So any money he makes, usually in cash, he sets aside for gas.”
Mondragõn also expressed concern that her ability to attend classes in the upcoming semester might be impacted.
“I’m still going to go to Kirkwood. I’d just have to figure out how to get around to buildings with walking instead of driving,” she said.
Even students who do not feel greatly impacted still notice the difference in their daily lives. Though Jayson Huygens, financial services, did not express too much concern over gas prices, he has still made changes to his daily routine, opting to walk to class instead of driving and cutting down on non-essential expenses.
Huygens said he has felt the difference in cost before versus after the conflict in Iran started. “I used to pay $30 per tank, and now it’s $40, so $10 per tank, it adds up fast,” he said.
Some students, like Bryce Engberg, mathematics, and Aras Basu, engineering, do not feel as though gas prices have had a significant impact on their daily lives. Despite this, they both expressed annoyance about climbing prices.
“I have to do things I do anyway, so it’s just annoying,” said Engberg.
Basu, although not making significant changes to his life, is still being more conscious about his gas usage.
“I’m kind of still doing what I’m doing, but trying to be a little more efficient about what I’m doing” he said.
Chey Duncan, business, is significantly impacted by these rising costs, estimating they pay about $20 more to fill their tank since the start of the crisis in Iran. Duncan is also cutting back on expenses like food and non-essential items. Despite this, Duncan is still optimistic.
“Personally, I’m someone who’s always going to make it work. So, no matter what, I’m going to be here. We pay to be here. It does put strain on everything else, though,” they said.
According to estimates from the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, gas prices are expected to peak in May before gradually declining. The increase could cost American households an additional $857 this year.
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