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If you are one of the millions of people who are watching their pennies, you may dread going to the gas station to fill up your tank. Gas prices seem to fluctuate by the day, so you never know how much money you will spend on your gas fill-ups. Many people are looking for ways to curb this expense, and the good news is that there are effective ways for you to stretch your gas dollar. These five tips can help you to save money on gas and decrease the frequency of your trips to the gas station.
-Get a Gas Card
There are two different types of gas cards, and both can help you to save money at the pump. The first one is a chain gas station card that is designed to be used specifically at one chain of gas stations. These often give you a few cents per gallon off of the price you pay. This is an immediate reward that you can enjoy, but you need to be sure to pay the gas card off in full each month to avoid being hit with costly interest charges. The other type of gas card that you can use is a typical Visa or Mastercard that allows you to earn points on gas purchases, and these can be redeemed for cash back or other perks.
-Make a Cash Payment
While some gas stations give discounts if you use their credit card to make a purchase, others give a discount if you make a cash payment. This can save you a few cents per gallon. You simply have to plan ahead so that you have cash on hand to make your purchase, and you can enjoy the savings at the pump.
-Choose Gas Stations Away From Busy Thoroughfares
If you have paid attention to the price of gas per gallon at different service stations, you may have noticed that the price can vary by 15 or 20 cents or more in some cases depending on which gas station you visit. You may be aware that some gas stations away from the Interstate and other major highways have a lower price per gallon on a regular basis. While paying cash may save you a few cents per gallon, choosing the right gas station to visit can save you considerably more.
-Avoid Idling Your Engine
If you are like many people, you may find yourself sitting in your car from time to time. For example, you may sit in the car waiting for your kids in the after school pick-up line. Rather than idle your car, simply turn it off to conserve gas. This will help you to get more miles out of a tank of gas so that you can fill up less frequently.
-Adjust Your Driving Habits
Another point to consider is how you drive. Do you accelerate aggressively? Do you alternate between the gas and the brake frequently rather than coasting periodically? Do you drive with the windows down? These are all behaviors that can decrease fuel efficiency and that can increase the number of trips you make to the gas station.
Regardless of whether fuel costs are currently on the higher or lower end, nobody wants to pay more than the need to on gas. These tips can help you to avoid paying a small fortune at the pump and can help you to get the most out of each tank.