The other day I was driving down 48th Street and noticed the price of gasoline, I was shocked. My man usually fills my car and I don’t notice the high cost of fuel. My car was on empty and obviously it was my turn to hit the pump. $58.00 later my car was on full and I continued my journey home.
If you have read my blog for long you will know I like to save money, I clip coupons and use them, pay cash for most everything and always pay my credit card bill off each month. So naturally, after spending over $50 for fuel I got to researching how to save on fuel.
1. Have a Cash Budget for Fuel
What I have noticed is if I use cash and have a budget I seem to be more mindful of my fuel consumption. Using a credit card or debit card makes it easier to spend money. If I only have a certain amount of money in my fuel budget I am more mindful of how much I use.
2. Buy a Higher Grade of Fuel
Some people think you should buy the lowest grade fuel your car will take but we have found a little higher grade of fuel gives us better gas mileage. In Nebraska we have Ethanol in our lower grade fuel and our mileage goes down with Ethanol. In Kansas, fuel with Ethanol is more expensive so we buy the lower grade fuel. Does that make sense?
3. Observe the Speed Limit
For every 5 miles over 60 miles per hour you will pay an extra .24 cents a gallon. UGH I hate this fact because I like to drive about 5 over the speed limit, my husband likes to drive, you guessed it, 60 mph.
4. Combine Errands
I don’t have to tell you this you already know it. But, be mindful of it, try to only run an errand if you have at least 3 things to do. Map out or at least think about the best most efficent route.
5. Drive a Fuel-Efficent Car
If you have more than one care, drive the one that gets the best gas mileage.
A vehicle that gets 30 MPG will cost you $880 less to fuel each year than one that gets 20 MPG (assuming 15,000 miles of driving annually and a fuel cost of $3.52). Over a period of 5 years, the 30-MPG vehicle will save you $4,400.
6. Consider Using Public Transportation
If you have a daily commute and public transportation is available to you, you could save $10,000 a year by using public transportation. WOW
7. Travel at Non-Peak Hours
You will save on time and fuel by traveling though the city when you don’t have to start and stop as often.
