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High Gasoline Prices
You can save money on high gas prices with these tips
High gasoline prices have been in the news for quite some time, and it doesn’t like like they will come down anytime soon. Here are some tips that will help you save some money at the gas pump. The last thing anyone wants to do after returning from a vacation is to take out a home equity loan to pay for their gas.
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High gas prices are here to stay
Summer has arrived and with it, America has pulled their cars out of their driveways. Studies show that most Americans take at least one major trip each summer and 80% of us take a trip by automobile. There are always a few things to worry about when traveling by car, but few things get us as worked up as the high price of gas. Granted, US prices are low compared to the prices in Europe, where five or six dollars per gallon wouldn’t be unusual, but we are a nation of roads, and we like to drive them inexpensively. While there is little that can be done about the price of the gasoline itself, there are a few things the average motorist can do to reduce costs and fuel consumption. A little bit of effort goes a long way here, so read on:
- Get a tune-up. It’s easily done, and obvious - if your car is running at it’s best, it will use fuel more efficiently. That, in turn, will give you better gas mileage, and better mileage means less fuel purchased and that saves you money. In addition to getting that tune-up, make sure that your tires are properly inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure. Properly inflated tires cause the car to use less fuel.
- This may sound silly, but properly washing and waxing your car will allow it to move down the road with less wind resistance. Dirt and grime on the outside make your car work harder on the inside. Keep it clean and polished and try not to mount luggage, bicycles, kayaks or whatnot on top of the car if you can. These items increase air resistance and force your engine to work harder.
- Make sure that your air conditioner is properly functioning. It gets hot in the summer, and a working air conditioner will keep you and your passengers cool. While running an air conditioner does consumer more gas than driving without one, it uses less fuel than if you had the windows open. Less air resistance is good, so fix the A/C and keep cool.
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- If you have a credit card, such as the Discover card, that offers a cashback bonus for purchases, use it to buy gas. The total amount of the rebate may only amount to one percent per year, but that can easily amount to several cents per gallon of gas, and on a trip of several thousand miles, the savings can add up. Discover has recently introduced a special credit card intended for use on gas purchases which offers a better cashback bonus than their regular card. You might consider obtaining one.
- Some gas stations offer a lower price for paying cash. This one’s easy - shop there, pay cash, and save money.
- Shop around for the best gas prices, which aren’t always found near the Interstate. You might save a dime per gallon by driving a block or two.
- Drive near or at the speed limit. Cars get better gas mileage at 55 miles per hour than they do at 75.
- Check the internet for Websites that offer low gas prices. Knowing ahead of time where the bargains are can save you time and gas.
These simple tips will help you save money, save you some credit card debt, and make your trip more pleasant. They won’t keep you out of bankruptcy, by any means, but every little bit helps.
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