I did not read the article but on the front page of today's (London) Financial Times is a snippet saying the Bear Sterns analyst who first predicted oil reaching $100 a barrel in the timeframes when it did is now saying he thinks it will hit $200 a barrel inside of two years. So minimising dependence on oil may be a smart move.

On the more general theme as other have said good financial planning normally means 1) live within your means 2) pay off your debts and 3) diversify your investments to reduce the 'eggs in one basket' risk.