How to Get More Merchandise Per Dollar

First, know how many miles you expect to get for a gallon of gas.

A 15 miles per gallon truck with current prices at the pump of $3. per gallon, means a cost of 20 cents per mile. Written mathematically 300 / 15 = 20 or 300 pennies divided by 15 miles = 20 cents per mile.

A 25 miles per gallon car with current prices at the pump of $3. per gallon, means 12 cents per mile 300 / 25 = 12 cents per mile.

Of course, a taxi ride will likely cost so much per mile plus red lights.

To further break it down, for instant mental calculation, you can estimate approximately 10 city blocks per mile or check the typical city block in your area for how many blocks there are per mile. (Older cities may have 11 or 12 blocks per mile on average). In other words, from 20^th Street and 1^st Avenue to 70^th Street 1^st Avenue. For a quick estimate suggest about 5 miles.

Close counts when all values are estimates, anyway. A close guess is much better than no input at all. So from 20^th St to 70^th St is about 5 miles. A round trip to the better priced store and back, means a cost of $2. for the truck or $1.20 for the car. Analysis : Making the additional stop to avoid paying a higher price at another store means a savings of over $2. is required to justify the trip for the truck, and a savings of over $1.20 is justifiable for the car.