Saving at the Pump

Saving at the Pump

It's typical for this time of year, and even more so when fighting in the Middle East or oil spills happen: The cost of gas goes up.


Money may be tight, but believe it or not, a higher price per gallon doesn't need to send you into a panic. What's important to remember is to drive smart. You'd be surprised at how much less gas you use if you put common sense and creativity into play.

Here are some quick tips:

1. Combine your errands. Plan on doing your grocery shopping or errand running after work instead of making a special trip.
2. Keep the windows up. This is especially true if you take the interstate. Having the windows down creates serious air drag on the car. Doing this can reduce your gas mileage by 10%.
3. Take the junk out of the trunk. A bunch of heavy stuff in the back that's weighing the car down will cut into your mileage. Clean out the back seat and the trunk of any items or gear that you don't need.

Perhaps the biggest difference can be made by carpooling to work. Even if it's just you and one other person, you're still cutting your gasoline consumption in half on the most frequent drive you make. If you can get more people involved, your savings will skyrocket. Here are some tidbits to remember if carpooling is in your future.

• Determine how many people will participate in the carpool. It can help to set a mileage limit. For example, if three people live within a couple miles of each other, then you might not want to bring in someone who lives 10 miles away.
• If it's convenient for everyone, pick a place to meet where everyone can park their cars, such as at a grocery store. Be on time and don't keep the others waiting. If someone drives to your house to pick you up, be ready and waiting two minutes before they get there.
• Try doing the carpool by weeks. If Joe, Suzy and Andrew are in the pool, then Joe drives one week, then Suzy, then Andrew. That keeps the days from getting jumbled up. If you are sick one day or can't make it, then the others go without you. If the driver can't make it, pick someone as backup driver and the sick person can make up the driving day later.

Get pumped up by using all the get-out-of-debt tools at My Total Money Makeover!