Teens tapped at the pump

By Alicia Rimel

Published: August 3, 2008

At just 16 years old, Erica Maine, of Waynesboro, knows the value of a dollar.
On a wage of $6.50 per hour, the teenager is responsible for a $200 per month car payment, as well as filling up her 1991 Camaro.
With gas prices averaging $3.73 in Waynesboro, local teens are forced to be economical.
“I penny pinch,” Maine said. “I usually save up so whenever I go [shopping] I can get a bunch of things at once.”
The high school student took a break from her job in the kitchen at Hardee’s on West Main Street to weigh in on the issue of fuel prices.
Maine’s mother, Laura Martin, 36, of Nelson County, says her daughter is learning tough lessons early.
“I hope that this will teach her some responsibility and how to manage money,” said Martin. “I hope some day, even if gas prices get better, it’s something that is going to stick with her throughout her adult life.”
Most adults have been feeling pangs of anxiety at the pump lately, and teenagers are no different, most paying for gas on minimal incomes.
The list of ways to deal with fuel costs varies from teen to teen.
“When I go places with friends, we do a lot of carpooling,” said Tielor Dietrich, 18, of Stuarts Draft. “On trips, we’ll take whichever car has better gas mileage.”
Dietrich is employed by the Waynesboro YMCA as a day-camp counselor. On a wage of $7.50 per hour, he fills his 2005 Honda Civic “once every couple of weeks.”
Dietrich has a backup plan, though.
“Sometimes I’ll ride it until it’s low and then take a ride with my parents,” the teen said. “Sometimes they’ll fill it up.”
Mikie Randolph, 16, of Fishersville, earns a respectable wage of $8 per hour as a lifeguard at the Y.
A new driver – on the road for just a couple of weeks – Randolph drives his mother’s 1999 Toyota Avalon, using an incremental method to top off the tank.
“I usually wait until it’s on E and then I put about $20 dollars in,” he said.
Maine, who is already preparing for college, is finding it difficult to make ends meet. An aspiring James Madison University psychology major, she will be responsible for covering “most” of her college tuition.
“I’ve got to save for college, too, so it’s getting hard,” Maine said.
She closely watches the rates around town, resorting to bargain shopping until she can find a higher-paying job.
“Depending on the price of gas, I choose which station to use,” she said.