How to Save Money on Gas: 13 Tips to Spend Less at the Pump
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Are you tired of spending too much money on gas? It’s no secret that gas prices have been on the rise in recent years. They seem to be going up faster than ever before!
If you’re looking for ways to save money on gas, you’ve come to the right place. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the best tips that will help you spend less money at the pump.
So what are you waiting for? Read on and start saving today!
Ways to Save Money on Gas
Here are 11 ideas that will help you save money on gas:
1. Compare gas prices using a gas app
Before you fill up your tank, be sure to check the gas prices in your area using a gas app like GasBuddy. This will help you find the cheapest gas station near you.
The GasBuddy app is available for iPhone on App Store as well as Android on Play Store. When you download it, you get offers from well-known retailers. You earn what they call Gasback upon each qualified purchase.
This includes everyday activities like shopping and dining. You can get up to 10 percent of your purchase back. Your Gasback rewards are automatically redeemable at gas stations
when you pay using GasBuddy’s free card. The card also saves you 25 cents per gallon.
Gasbuddy also comes with savings tools to help you spend less while driving. They include a trip cost calculator, an outage tracker, and fuel insights.
2. Shop around for the best deals on gas
Don’t just go to the first gas station you see. Even when offline and can’t access online price comparisons, take some time to shop around for the best deals in your area.
You can save a significant amount of money just by taking the time to locate the cheapest gas station. However, be sure not to burn more gas while trying to find a pump with good gas prices. You can avoid this by only checking out the stations along the route you’re using.
3. Get cashback on gas purchases
One of the best ways to get cashback on gas is to use a rebate app like Ibotta. With Ibotta, you can earn cash back on gas purchases from select retailers.
To get started, download the Ibotta app and create an account. Then, find offers for gas stations in your area and save them to your account.
When you make a purchase, be sure to take a photo of your receipt and submit it through the app. In most offers, you’ll receive the cashback within 24 hours, which you can withdraw via PayPal or Venmo. Ibotta also offers grocery rebates, so you can save money on groceries as well!
4. Look for discounts and loyalty programs
Many gas stations offer discounts or loyalty programs that can save you money on gas. For example, some stations offer a discount if you pay with cash instead of a credit card.
Others offer loyalty programs that give you points for every purchase, which you can redeem for discounts on gas. Be sure to ask about these programs the next time you’re at the pump!
5. Buy in bulk
If you have a big vehicle or often drive long distances, buying gas in bulk can save you money. Many gas stations offer discounts for purchasing large quantities of gas.
You can also save money by buying a fuel card from a bulk gas supplier like Costco or Sam’s Club. These cards typically offer a $0.20 to $0.50 discount per gallon.
Just be sure to compare the price of gas at the bulk store with the prices at your local station. Sometimes, the bulk store prices aren’t as good as the local ones.
6. Pay attention to your driving habits
Your driving habits can have a big impact on your gas consumption. For example, speeding and accelerating too quickly can lead to higher fuel consumption.
In addition, idling for long periods of time can waste gas. If you’re going to be stopped for more than a minute, it’s best to turn off your engine.
7. Plan your route before you leave
This will help you avoid getting lost, which will save you time and gas money. In addition, try to avoid congested areas if possible.
You can save gas by taking advantage of alternative routes that may be less congested. You can also save time by planning your errands in a way that minimizes the amount of driving you have to do.
8. Combine errands into one trip
Combining errands will save you time and gas money. Maybe you want to purchase an item, deliver a package, visit a friend, or attend a party, among other things.
You can put together two or more errands to keep back some of your money that would have gone into gas purchases. Even if the routes are somehow different, you could still use less gas doing several errands at once rather than driving back and forth between the locations and your place.
9. Avoid rush hour traffic
Traffic jams cause you to stay longer on the road. A perfect way to save gas is to avoid rush hours as you’ll be spending less time idling in traffic.
The best solution is to time well. If shifting schedules is a possibility, feel free to do so. You can also map out some alternative routes that have the potential of getting you where you want faster without much fuel consumption.
Also, be an avid traffic reports reader. Such live information is readily available online. Just check your phone before leaving for your car for traffic updates.
10. Carpool or use public transportation when possible
If you live in a city, chances are that you can easily access public modes of transport. It could be a train, a bus, or other means.
Taking advantage of public transportation can save you a lot of money on gas. In addition, carpooling is a great way to save money if you have to commute to work or school.
If you can carpool with someone, you’ll be able to split the cost of gas between the two of you. It gets even better when there are more people car-sharing.
Not only will you save money on gas, but you’ll also help reduce traffic and pollution. So, you’ll also be saving the planet!
11. Ride your bike whenever possible
This is a great way to save money and get some exercise at the same time. Many people have the habit of driving even when they are going to buy groceries or do something else just around the corner. If you have a bicycle, ride it more when going over shorter distances. In case you don’t own one and want to save money on gas, consider making that purchase.
12. Keep your car well-maintained
This will help your car run more efficiently, which will save you money on gas. Be sure to keep your tires inflated, as this can improve your gas mileage by around 3 percent.
You should also get your car’s oil changed regularly. This will help keep your engine running smoothly, which will save you money on gas.
In addition, be sure to fix any mechanical problems that you have with your car. Ignoring these problems can lead to worse fuel economy.
13. Use cruise control
Constantly accelerating and decelerating can result in more gas consumption. Cruise control is a great way to be more fuel-efficient.
You get a chance to save gas as it will help you maintain a consistent speed. It works well on flat surfaces. Be careful when using hilly roads as the cruise control approach can eat up more fuel.
Wrapping It up
You don’t have to spend a lot of money on gas. By following the gas-saving tips above, you’ll be able to save money and get where you need to go without breaking the bank.
Try a few or all of the ideas and you’ll free up money and even be able to add other important things to your daily, weekly, or monthly budget. And, happy driving!