Gas prices may be rebounding from the sky-high levels of the summer, but families (and economists) are apprehensive that prices may be heading north again. Yes, the all-American love affair with gas-guzzling sport utility vehicles and recreational ramblers may have gone the way of the cloth diaper and the VCR. We can no longer afford to wander the vast countryside without worry of where the next gallon of gas will be found, and how much it will cost to fill our monster machines.

Even if you’re not trying to lose weight, chances are you’ve seen some ideas on how to do so: “Eat what you want and lose weight!” “Lose 30 pounds in 30days!” “Finally, a diet that really works!” “Lose one jean size every seven days!”

10 practical ideas to save gas

There’s little question that the world is running thin on fossil fuels. If not now, then in the future, we will be over-extending our use of oil, coal and natural gas. That’s why automakers are scrambling to research and introduce new fuels, or combinations of fuels, to power our next vehicles. Michael Coates, of HybridCars.com, explains a couple possibilities.

As children, when we dreamed about the “car of the future,” it probably had wings and looked a lot like the vehicles zipping around outer space in the Jetsons cartoons. Well, you can say goodbye to George and Jane Jetson, and hello to “Tesla,” “Volt” and “Phill.”

Buying a new vehicle for your family can be a stressful and confusing process. Kelley Blue Book helps families smooth out the process by offering the following 10 tips for financing and purchasing a new vehicle.

Check out these "thrifty under thirty" gas sippers.