There is no way to avoid fueling up from time to time. How much you pay and how much you use is a variable dependent upon things like the time of year and how well you plan your excursions. Ensuring that your tires are properly inflated, your car is in good operating condition, and that you stay within the speed limit all help reduce your fuel usages. When combined with other basic strategies you should see some significant savings. Here are some more tips on a much needed topic: How do I save on gas and use less money?

Seasonal Fluctuations and Full Priced Gas

As we all know, the gas companies like to stick it to the driver by raising prices just when we are about to hit the road more. This translates to higher prices during the summer months in particular, but also elevations around big holiday weekends year round. You can’t do much to prevent paying more during these times. However, fueling the car you want to drive over the weekend earlier in the week and using another vehicle can help a bit.

No matter when you are traveling, you shouldn’t be paying full price if you can avoid it. Almost every supermarket and grocery warehouse now offers discounted gas. Up front savings of $.10 or more are common. The benefit is usually offered just to the members of warehouse clubs, but supermarkets offer a “savings card” to use whenever you shop at the store. Once you hit a certain level of purchases each month, you get your discount.

Be wary of the supermarket deal though. You might end up spending a lot more on groceries in order to save a few cents on gas, and that is no bargain. (Everyone knows this is obvious, but so many of us do this so watch out!)

Scope Out Prices Online

There are a number of sites online that allow people to enter the price they saw at a gas station along the way. The nicest thing about these sites is that the prices are updated throughout the day, so you really do know what you are likely to be paying when you get there. Additionally, you can figure out if any of the stations lay along your intended line of travel, so you can take advantage of cheaper gas that may not normally be worth while.

Plan Ahead

It’s an oldie but goodie: plan your trips. Running out for every little errand is wasteful of time as well as fuel. Make a list of your errands and plot them out so you don’t travel over the same stretch repeatedly. For short trips, consider using a bicycle or walking rather than taking the car.

Along the same lines, you should consider carpooling when you can. Commuting sucks up more gas than anything else most people do. While picking up your colleagues isn’t as convenient as driving on your own, your costs will be reduced significantly. Furthermore, you will get to know your coworkers more, which might even help you at work.

Of course, some people opt to just buy an electric car instead of worrying about gas, but that is a rather expensive solution in the short term, and most people don’t even keep the car long enough to break even.

Stick to the basics, and you’d be surprised at how much money and gas you can save.

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