Everyone is noticing the increase and it is painful! In my area, gas is up 79 cents a gallon in the past 10 days. This is not in my budget! So, I am now on a mission to figure out how to stretch my gas dollars, and am going to share them with you! Here are 10 ways to spend less money on gas!
Gas is a necessity for many of us on a daily basis. Even if you do not own a vehicle that you are paying for fuel, you will begin to see these increased fuel costs in the form of higher delivery prices, fuel surcharges, and higher prices on anything that needs to be transported.
So, this increase will affect everyone for some time. We don’t have to like it, but here are 10 ways to spend less money on gas.
10 Ways to Spend Less Money on Gas!
Use a site like Gas Buddy to buy gas at the cheapest places in the area
Knowing the cheapest gas in the area can be a double-edged sword. The further you have to drive to get gas, the more you are using up. So, if you are driving out of your way to the cheapest fuel, make sure that the savings are large enough to offset the extra fuel use. Or combine errands to that area of town and get your shopping done at the same time.
Plan your trips together so you drive less
Combine trips and errands so you are making fewer trips. Keep an “errands” list at home so you make notes of errands you need to do, but don’t do them immediately. Then when you head in one direction, batch any of the needed errands that are in the same section of town together.
Keep your tires inflated to the proper PSI
Keeping your vehicle maintained properly will help it get the best miles per gallon (mpg) that it can. This allows you to get the most distance out of the fuel you do buy. So now is the time to get your car checked out so it is running the best it can!
Look for discounts and join loyalty groups
Keep your eye out for discounts or loyalty cards at gas stations you frequent. Many credit cards or banks will offer cash-back deals at various fuel brands. Recently, I have seen discounts at BP and Shell stations through my bank. If your local stations offer fuel rewards programs, sign up for ones you use frequently and start earning those rewards on spending you were going to do anyway!
Always take the most fuel-efficient vehicle you can
If you live in a multiple-vehicle household, be intentional with the vehicles you choose to drive. If you can, pick the most fuel-efficient vehicle to do the job. If you are just driving to the store to get groceries, you don’t need the big truck! Instead, take the fuel-efficient sedan and save some gas!
Carpool or share trips with friends
Rather than driving separately, look to carpool or pick up friends if you are meeting up. Unless you are coming from completely opposite directions, then you can probably gain some efficiencies by meeting up for some carpooling. Plus, the trip is always more fun when there is someone in the car with you! If you commute for work, look for ways you can use public transit, walking, biking, or carpooling to get to and from work daily. Many companies will subsidize transit passes, so check into that to save money if transit can work for you!
Enjoy a staycation rather than a road trip this spring
Road trips are fun, but if you haven’t explored your local area, then see if a staycation would work for you! Staycations don’t have to be at your home, consider a town that is new to you within a 20-mile drive and stay/explore there instead of taking a trip to a neighboring state.
Drive less aggressively and use cruise control
Make some changes to your driving habits! Accelerating is the time when your car uses most of its fuel, by accelerating gentler than normal, and being less aggressive with the gas peddle, you can boost the MPG on any trip. Cruise control can help keep your car at a consistent speed which saves money too. Bonus tip! If you are waiting in your car, make sure the engine is off and you are not wasting fuel while idling.
Fill up when you are in an area with low gas prices
Every place has some special area or neighborhood that is known for cheap gas. Where I grew up, there was a Native American Reservation nearby, which always had the cheapest gas. So anytime anyone went that direction, we would fill up the gas tank driving by. Gas taxes vary by state and even county in some areas. If you live near a border with a different state, look at gas taxes and see if it is cheaper to fill up when you are in the neighboring state or county.
Consider going electric
This is a much bigger decision than just high gas prices, but it is something to consider if an electric car would work for your needs. The purchase price of the vehicle can be higher than many traditional gas models, and the cost of installing a charging station or figuring out paying for charging can be prohibitive. If this is a possibility, it will definitely require a lot of initial research before you make your decision, but you can completely eliminate your gas fuel bill with a switch to an electric car. Definitely an interesting idea!
What about you? How are you responding to the increase in fuel costs in your life right now? I would love to hear your best tips and tricks in the comments below or over on our Instagram page!
Pin Me!
Leave a Reply