9 everyday items that cost more than gasoline

This post comes from Len Penzo at partner blog Len Penzo dot Com.

I drove by the corner gas station the other day, as I do every day on my way home from work, and I couldn't help but notice that the price of gasoline had risen another few cents over the weekend. This time the sign was unapologetically advertising a price of $4.179 per gallon.

You know, I hate that sign. Some days I feel like it's taunting me -- especially the days when I have no choice but to pull into the station and fill 'er up. 

"I've read your blog, Penzo," that dumb old sign seems to say. "You and I both know shopping for low gas pricesis a losing proposition, so suck it up and pay the piper."

The fact that I own a Honda Civic that averages about 35 miles per gallon doesn't make it any less painful. I still end up dropping more than $30 each time I fill up the tank.

Anyway, when I got home I had to share the latest gas price news with the Honeybee, who happened to be curled up on the couch with a good book (so I'm told). "Can you believe it? Gas is up to $4.17!" I said, not even bothering to say hello.

"That's 3 cents more than Friday!" she replied, also not bothering to say hello. With that, the Honeybee promptly took a sip from one of her favorite drinks -- a foo foo iced caramel macchiato from Starbucks. Then she said, "You know, gas prices are just outrageous right now!"

• MSN Autos:Find the cheapest gas near you

She was right. But as I watched her take another swig of her drink, it dawned on me that gasoline really ain't such a bad deal when compared with those expensive beverages from the Starbucks menu -- or a lot of other everyday products for that matter. Consider that the 24-ounce caramel macchiato in her hand cost $4.65; if Starbucks priced them like ExxonMobil prices gasoline, that drink would cost $24.799 per gallon.

And we're complaining about the price of a gallon of gas?

There are plenty of other examples, of course. Here are just a few based upon a quick price survey I recently conducted:

So, as you can see, when put in perspective, gasoline prices really are a bargain when compared with a lot of other everyday products on a per-gallon basis -- especially when you realize what you get for the money. Post continues after video.

After all, consider what a gallon of gas buys you. Depending on the type of car you drive, that gallon of gas provides the energy required to quickly transport you, your vehicle, and a load of passengers perhaps as far as 40 miles down the road. Not bad, considering what a taxi would charge for the same trip -- or the length of time and inconvenience associated with public transportation.

• What are you doing to save on gas?

Think about that the next time you feel like paying the equivalent of $25 per gallon for one of those foo foo drinks from Starbucks, or a can of Red Bull at $30 per gallon. Now that's outrageous.

More on Len Penzo dot Com and MSN Money:

• How misplaced financial priorities lead to lame excuses
• My driving experiment: Does premium gas improve mileage?
• 9 great gift ideas for people who have everything
• Study: Gas will be 40% higher than last summer
• Why you should love $5 gas
• Gas prices around the world