When presidential candidates start using gas prices as a selling point for votes, you know gas cost is serious business. After all, it’s not like the majority of us can just stop driving. While in some larger cities, you may be able to take advantage of mass transit, for most of us we have to rely on our own cars to get us everywhere. So, what can the average driver do to quickly lower their spending at the pump?
Obviously, there are some long-term ways to save money at the pump. For instance you could purchase a more fuel-efficient car, move closer to work, or request that your boss allow you to occasionally work from home. Unfortunately for most of us already just getting by every month, such long term solutions won’t help in the immediate future. However, there are five (or possibly more) ways you can quickly begin spending less on gas that won’t require doling out a lot of money to help you lower your gas consumption now.
Ways To Save On Gas
Keep your car in good repair. Keeping your car running well will not only increase your gas mileage, but will ultimately result in allowing you to keep that car a bit longer, reducing your chances of having to purchase a new vehicle before you are ready to do so. Keeping your tires properly inflated, your fluid levels at appropriate levels and your oil changes up-to-date are inexpensive car maintenance chores you can actually do yourself. In fact, according to the government’s fuel economy website, fueleconomy.gov, simply keeping your car’s tires properly inflated can increase your mileage by some 3.5 percent or more.
Compare Gas Prices. Don’t wait until your gas tank is almost empty to shop for gas. You’ll end up paying more because you have to stop. Pay attention on your daily routes to gas prices or check out some of the online cheap gas sites to find the lowest gas prices in your area. More than likely, the same station will always have the lowest price, but don’t count on it. Just pay attention, don’t wait until you have to fill up and you’ll see immediate savings at the pump.
Fill Up your Gas Tank on a Wednesday. Believe it or not, just like groceries, there is a better day to shop for gas than other days. That day is Wednesday. Mid-week seems to be when gas prices are at their lowest because most people tend to fill up on weekends. Consequently, gas stations will hike their prices a few cents on the weekend to take advantage of that weekend spike. Pay attention to the gas stations in your area to see if this trend is prevalent there, fill up on Wednesdays and take advantage of this mid-week phenomenon.
Use a gas rewards credit card. While most of us cringe at the thought of having one more credit card in our pocket, having a gas rewards credit card can save you by using it to purchase your gas. Most gas reward credit cards off a cash-back on gas purchases, but you’ll find a few that actually offer savings at the pump. If gas is something you want to save on (and don’t we all want to save), check out the reward’s programs of your existing credit cards to see if gas is a reward. Some cards offer up to 5% cash back on all gas purchases. That’s 5% more money in your wallet every time you fill up your car and use your gas rewards credit card.
Purchase gas at a grocery store or bulk warehouse store. Yes, that’s right. You can save money on gas immediately by purchasing it at a grocery store. Grocery stores and bulk warehouse stores, have some of the best pricing in both groceries and gas. Kroger even has a loyalty card that works at most Shell stations. So, check out the price of gas on your next grocery run. You may just find that purchasing gas at the same time will be the quickest way to save gas now.
Saving Money On Gas Is Easy
We all want to save money. For the most part, saving money at the gas station just takes a bit of attention on your part, attention to your car’s needs, attention to gas prices, and attention to the trends in your community. Don’t let high gas prices keep you at home. Utilize our 5 quickest ways to save money at the gas station and drive wherever you want to go.
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