How Can I Save Money on Gas?

What follows are quick and simple ways to lower your fuel expenses. Some of these may not apply to everyone, especially people in very rural areas, but there should be a few tips that everyone will find helpful.

Tip #1: Opt for public transportation, especially for quick trips around town. A public transportation pass can save you money on personal gas expenditure and transportation fare. A two for one deal.

Tip #2: Use technology to track down the lowest gas prices in town. Use an Internet search engine to search for things like "lowest gas in town" and "local fuel rates". If you comparison shop from home, instead of on the road while driving in circles, you'll save even more money.

Tip #3: Join a supermarket club. A lot of wholesale club cards and rewards cards also work at gas stations either on the store property or through some kind of contract deal. Either way, always carry your supermarket rewards cards with you and check the signage around the pump to see if your membership qualifies you for a discount.

Tip #4: Don't be so lazy. Many gas stations offer a discount to patrons who pay in the store with cash. It saves gas station owners money when they don't have to pay credit card processing fees, so they are usually able to pass the savings on to the customers. Combine this tip with Tip #3 for a double dose of savings.

Tip #5: Keep unnecessary weight out of your vehicle. A heavier car requires more gas per mile than a small and light car. Don't treat the trunk space as the place to put things you don't want to see anymore. Also, don't worry about filling up the tank all the time. Less fuel is less weight. Only fill up a quarter to a half tank per gas station visit.

Tip #6: Check the gas cap. If a gas cap is loose or broken, precious fuel could be disappearing into thin air...literally. Fuel, like water, can evaporate.

Tip #7: Carpool with friends or neighbors. Everybody wants to save money, so don't be embarrassed to ask. By rotating cars every day, the total number of trips to common places like school or work could be cut in half, if not more (depending on how many drivers decide to join the pool).

These aren't the only ways to save on fuel, but they are some of the easiest and fastest ways to squeeze as much cash out of your gas tank as possible without having to make any major investments.