Lower gas prices could lead to savings in other areas

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Gas prices continue to drop around the country and in Southwest Florida.  According to AAA , the national average for a gallon of regular unleaded fell two cents overnight to $2.64. A year ago the average was $3.25/gallon.

In southwest Florida the average is down to $2.71.

“It’s the lowest prices since September of 2010,” Fort Myers AAA branch manager Marsha Kut told WINK News.

Kut says the prices are so low because the U.S. has more oil in its reserves than ever before.

“That is really really helping with the gas prices. It helps everything, it helps our economy, it helps our business. People are getting out there, they’re travelling, they’re shopping,” said Kut.

At Ruth Messmer Florist in Fort Myers, co-owner Jessica Gnagey says about a year and a half ago she had to start charging more for delivery, from $10 to $12.50, to keep up with the rising gas prices.

Now that gas has fallen, Gnagey says she may be able to lower her delivery charges back to where they once were, or close.

“Even if it was just a couple dollars I think (our customers) would be very happy. Most people want to spend money on the flowers not the additional fees that come with it,” Gnagey told WINK News.

Gnagey says she will have to wait and see if the price of gas stays low before she decides to lower her delivery charge.

The Energy Department predicts the national average price of gas in 2015 will be $2.60/gallon, the lowest full year average since 2009. The drop would save U.S. drivers an estimated $100 billion over the course of the year.

Kut says the prices will continue to drop – possibly below $2.00/gallon.