The problem affects us all. Gas prices are climbing steadily higher and putting the crunch on wallets from coast to coast. Nonprofit organization, InCharge Debt Solutions, reports that a confluence of factors are contributing to the soaring pump prices we have seen since November, and those costs will continue to rise. Recent foreign conflicts are creating global chaos and further impacting prices for everything, including gas.
Here are five ways to save money on gas:
- Use a Gas App – Drivers have been relying on the GasBuddy app to find the best gas prices for over 15 years. The app not only shows you the local gas prices wherever you are, it also has many helpful tools including a fuel logbook, pay with GasBuddy, and more. There are other gas app options available, so you can find the one that best meets your needs.
- Earn Gas Rewards – There are several gas retailer loyalty rewards programs that you can enroll in to save money when you fill up. You can check out the details of the various fuel reward programs and see which one is right for you. There are also several gas credit cards you can apply for that can help your fuel budget go further.
- Carpool / Share Rides – For years, co-workers have been saving money by carpooling to the office. Even if you don’t have neighbors that you work with, consider other ways you can share rides. One great way for families to save is to make a ride sharing plan with other parents for shuttling kids to and from school, sports, or other activities.
- Plan Your Everyday Trips – This may seem obvious, but in reality, it might be surprising how often we end up making multiple trips out during the course of the day. By planning ahead you may be able to combine some of those trips. For example, you may be in the habit of getting groceries on Sunday, but since you have a lunch date on Saturday, you can plan to get your shopping done after that, while you are out.
- Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated – Last, but certainly not least, take care of your tires. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, it is possible to improve your gas mileage by 0.6% on average by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Conversely, under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by about 0.2% for every 1 psi drop in the average pressure of all tires. Combine the modest inflation savings with what you can save by getting an engine tune up (4%) and using the right grade of oil, you are up to a combined savings of $0.24 to $0.29 per gallon. That adds up!
