Cutting down on gas usage
Consumers wanting a little extra debt relief can start by thinking about their gas tanks. It’s no secret that gas prices can vary widely in today’s fluctuating economy. With heavy mileage, driving a car can strain anyone’s finances. These are some ways to cut down on fuel costs.
Comparison shop
It’s convenient to visit the local gas station, but it may not be cost effective. Be aware of the difference in prices at gas stations along your daily commute, and check online tools like GasBuddy.com, along with BillShrink.com that will tell you what the gas prices are on your route.Samir Kothari, the founder of website Billshrink.com, says, “People need to be aware of the varying gas prices. The difference can be up to 50 cents in savings per gallon.” With a little strategic planning, you can save a considerable amount.
Pay with cash
Last summer some gas stations started charging higher prices for customers who pay with credit cards. The idea is to pass credit-card processing fees along to the customers who benefit from the charges.Some gas stations are finding ways around credit card costs. For example, ARCO restricts payments to cash which allows stations to charge 5 to10 cents less per gallon.
Use warehouse club gas stations
Jason Toews, founder of GasBuddy.com, says, “It depends on local market conditions, but usually [warehouse clubs] sell [gas] cheaply enough so that they’re beating out the competition.” Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s all sell discounted gas. For instance, the BJ’s located in York, Pennsylvania, lists regular unleaded for $ 2.59, while locals sell for around $ 2.65. Finding debt relief a few pennies at a time adds up, especially if you drive a lot.
Maintain vehicles
You can improve fuel efficiency by properly maintaining your vehicle. Proper maintenance of a car doesn’t mean costly repairs all the time. It just means taking everyday care of a vehicle: inflating tires properly, changing the oil in a timely manner, and changing oil filters. Most oil-change stations help customers keep track of their maintenance schedules. Take them up on free service reminders, such as email updates.
Slow down
Studies show that drivers pay on average 24 cents more per gallon for every 5 miles of speed over 60 miles per hour. Rapid acceleration and hard braking reduces fuel efficiency by 33% on the highway and 5% in city. The easiest and simplest way to cut back on driving costs is to alter your driving habits.
Get rid of extra baggage
Extra weight can increase fuel consumption considerably. According to the Department of Motor Vehicles, gas mileage decreases by up to 2% for every additional 100 pounds. Taking bowling balls, bags of salt, golf clubs and heavy tools out of a trunk can make a difference in the amount of fuel required for travel.
Limit air conditioning use
According to the Alliance to Save Energy, running an air conditioner can decrease fuel efficiency by 25%. To beef up fuel efficiency and therefore save money, and therefore find a little debt relief, try scaling back on using the air conditioning, or at least use a lower setting.