Save On Gas Without Sacrificing Fun
No matter in what state you live or how much you drive, gas prices could hit your wallet hard if you don’t change your driving habits. It’s smart to plan ahead before your finances are in trouble.
The national average for gas is $4 a gallon, up from 3.28 a gallon at the beginning of the year. As oil prices continue to increase, financial experts predict that gas could cost $4.25 a gallon by late April.
Not driving a car is out of the question for many people. The lack of public transportation in many areas of the country forces people to drive their cars constantly. According to the Motor and Equipment Manufacturer’s Association, Americans drive about 3 trillion miles per year and consume 20 million barrels of oil per day.
Another reason that drives gas prices up is the high demand for gas in the summer, where people drive to other states for Fourth of July and summer vacation.
You may be wondering how to save on gas without sacrificing your summer vacation. Financial experts at Missmoneybee.com will tell you how to save a couple of dollars in every trip:
Check gas prices around your town: Before filling up your tank, visit gasbuddy.com to check updated gas prices by town. Once you identify the cheapest gas station in your neighborhood, fill up your tank! Experts recommend you look for a gas station when you have a quarter tank left to ensure you have enough time to find the inexpensive gas stations.
Carpool as much as possible: Find coworkers who live close to you and take turns driving to work and split the gas. Another strategy that works is to run errands with family members. For example, instead of you and your husband buying groceries separately, make a list of all the groceries you need and buy them all at once.
Consider public transportation in the weekends: It’s hard to use public transportation when you have a schedule, but try it on the weekends. If you go out to dinner or drinks, take the bus or the metro. You will save in gas and you won’t worry about drinking and driving.
Drive at a constant speed: Every time you hit the accelerator your car consumes more gas, making it a good practice to keep your speed constant. Studies show driving at a constant speed will improve your gas mileage by 10 percent. Also, practice keeping a car lengths distance between you and other cars. This will help you avoid having to slam on the brakes.
Turn off your AC: If the temperature is appropriate, turn off the air conditioner when you are driving and when your car is off. When driving, roll down your windows to let air circulate throughout your car, but don’t roll them all the way down because too much incoming air makes your car use more gas.