Money Saving Tips - Smart Saving Advice

In this article, I'm going to show you a few tips on how to save gas. Many consumers are taking a closer look at their spending habits, and some are making a startling discovery regarding the price of gas. It is easy to lose track of how much money you spend on it each month because you may only spend between $30 to $50 or more on gas with each fill up. Still, you may not keep track of how frequently you fill up your tank. When you review your bank statement, however, you may notice that you visited the gas station four, six or more times in the last month. The reality is that many consumers are spending more on gas than they would like to. Some actually may be spending a hundred dollars or more than they need to each month. This is money that could be applied toward debt reduction, savings and more to improve your life in tremendous ways. By learning how to save gas, you can save money and even help the environment in the process. Saving Gas Is Easy If You... Learning how to save gas can result in significant financial benefits in some cases. Therefore, you may be eager to know what steps you need to take to see the results. When you want to know how to save gas, you can implement some of these tips immediately so that you can save as much money as possible: 1. Use Gas Gift Cards If you want to know how to save money on your gas purchases, using gas gift cards is a great idea. Many retailers offer a discount when you purchase a gas card. This may be as much as five or ten percent off the face value of the card. While you could buy a gas gift card for someone else, you can also use these gift cards yourself to save money at the pump. In fact, if you use these strategically, you may be able to save $5 or more each time you fill up the tank. 2. Use Gas Credit Cards Just as there are gas gift cards that can save you money, gas credit cards can do the same thing. Many gas retailers offer a savings of five cents or more per gallon at the pump. This is direct savings that you can enjoy, and the pennies can add up substantially. Remember to pay your credit card balance off in full each month to avoid paying interest on your fuel and losing money. 3. Shop for the Best Fuel Rates It may seem like every gas station offers fuel at a different price, and it is common to fill up at one station only to realize that the next station down the road had a better price. There are several apps that you can download. They will tell you the best prices for gas within your local area. These simple apps can save you a substantial amount of money over time by showing you the lowest gas prices in town. 4. Avoid Driving Upset If you want to know how to save gas through your driving habits, avoid driving upset. When you drive angrily, you are more likely to accelerate quickly as well as to drive faster. Both of these habits can waste a substantial amount of money. You will notice that you can save gas and stretch out trips to the gas station when you drive moderately. 5. Fill up on Wednesday or Thursday Morning Unless you have worked at a gas station in the past, you may not realize that many gas station owners change their prices for the weekends around mid-morning on Thursday. They make a substantial amount of money by raising prices for the weekend. The worst time to purchase gas is Friday through Sunday, so you should avoid buying gas on these days if possible. 6. Maintain Your Vehicle Properly Maintaining your vehicle properly can help you to save a tremendous amount of money. Consider, for example, that poorly inflated tires create an unnecessary drag on the vehicle. As such, it can inflate fuel consumption unnecessarily. There are other steps that you can take to improve fuel economy with your vehicle, such as changing the oil, replacing the air filters and getting your transmission checked regularly. While these can save you money on fuel expenses, they can also help you keep repair expenses to a minimum for additional financial savings. 7. Avoid Riding the Brakes Some drivers are rather timid in traffic, and they tap on the brakes frequently. Others slam the brakes because they closely tail the car in front of them and are forced to brake to avoid hitting them. When you ride the brakes, however, you also likely accelerate more frequently than you would if you simply coast. You can reduce the distance between you and the car in front of you, and you can adopt a coasting habit. This can reduce gas consumption. Also, it may decrease the likelihood of having a car accident. 8. Remove Unnecessary Weight From the Car Many people drive their vehicles regularly with unnecessary weight in the car. For example, you may use a bike rack for leisure on the weekends, and this rack may weigh 40, 50 or more pounds. This rack is unnecessary during the week when you commute back and forth to work. It is extra weight that may be costing you money. Take a closer look at your vehicle to determine how you can reduce its weight with each trip to work and other locations. 9. Avoid Idling Your Car Many people idle their vehicles for various reasons. Some warm up their car on cold days. Others run the vehicle on hot days so that it is cooler to get into. Some sit in a carpool lane to pick up their kids for very long minutes. These are just a few of the reasons why you may idle your car. If your vehicle is going to be stopped for more than 30 seconds, turn it off. This habit can save you a tremendous amount of money over the years. 10. Adjust Your Commute When you want to know how to save gas, it is critical that you analyze your commuting habits. You may be able to save money by commuting during non-peak hours. For example, you may leave the house before rush hour begins and head home earlier in the afternoon. This can reduce the amount of time you spend idling in traffic. You can also find a carpool buddy, use mass transit or even trade in your vehicle for a more fuel-efficient model. Your commute back and forth to work may be the source of most of your fuel consumption. Therefore, a closer look at saving money through this activity can yield tremendous results. Many people want to know how to save gas to reduce the impact of fuel purchases on their budget. Others are interested in leading a greener lifestyle. Regardless of your primary goals for reducing fuel consumption and saving gas, you will find that this these steps can result in significant savings. Now that you know how to save gas with your regular driving activities, you can start implementing these tips for great savings in the months and years to come.