High gas prices can be offset by saving

Once again, the price of gasoline has reached a record high. This time, it looks like the prices won’t be coming down anytime soon. You can panic, or you can take some initiative to use less fuel than you have in the past. Here we will offer some tips on how you can save money on your gasoline expenses.

More below.

Gasoline is expensive, but you can arrange to use less of it.

Seasonal demand, uncertainties in the Middle East and shenanigans by the White House and the major oil companies have contributed towards gasoline prices that have reached record highs. The prices tend to fluctuate, but the idea that we will see gas for less than one dollar, as we last did in 1999, is probably folly. Prices of $3 per gallon and up are going to be with us for a while, and we may eventually look back with fondness on the days when we could get gas for as little as $3 per gallon. While prices are at the highest they have ever been, that doesn’t mean that you cannot find ways to spend less. Here are a few tips that might suggest ways for you to cut your gas expenses:

Use a credit card that gives you a cash back incentive. The Discover Card does just that; they even have a special version of the card that is designed specifically for gasoline purchases.

• Get your car tuned up. A car that is running at its best uses less gas than one that is out of tune.
• Inflate your tires to their proper pressure - Improperly inflated tires contribute towards additional gas consumption. Most people are driving around on tires that have insufficient pressure.
• Wash your car - That may sound silly, but dirt does add to drag. More drag means more fuel consumption.
• Drive close to the speed limit. Most cars get their best gas mileage at 50-55 miles per hour. If you are driving significantly faster than that, you are using too much gas.

• Walk - If you need to go somewhere close and it’s a nice day, get some exercise and walk. It’s good for you, good for the environment, and it doesn’t use any gas at all.
• Take mass transit - Most major cities have some sort of mass transit, even if its just a bus line. If you can use it, you ought to at least give it a try.
• Combine trips. If you want to go to the store today but need to go to the dentist tomorrow, run both errands tomorrow. 
• When buying a car, look for one that gets good gas mileage.
• Search online to find the best gas prices.
• Carpool - Studies show that most people still drive to work alone. There are even some situations where you can get tax breaks for carpooling. If you live near others who work near you, it’s worth a look.
• Shop online when possible - Why drive to the mall? Drive to Amazon or buy from eBay instead. You can have the packages delivered to your door.

The price of gasoline is just one component of owning a car. There are the payments themselves, the repairs, the insurance and registration and license plates, too. But the only area that you can control is how much you spend on gas. If you want to spend less, you’ll have to find ways to save. Look over the list above; you can probably find ways to save at least a few dollars each month.

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