May 3rd, 2010
Watching the oil spill in the gulf, I can only believe that gas prices at the pump will increase. Even if you get gasoline at the lowest possible price (because you read this blog regularly), you can save serious money if you eliminate all the “Junk in your Trunk”!
100 pounds of “stuff” or personal belongings in your trunk can add 2% to your gas mileage. Don’t be fooled by the low percentages. Here is how you do it:
Empty the trunk. COMPLETELY. Look at all the “stuff” that was in there. (This is a great time to vacuum that sucker out, too).
Some things you may need to keep; spare tire, jack, some rags, small box with spare oil, and possibly some antifreeze. Of course, this can go if you depend on triple A for road service. There is not that much you can do on modern cars besides checking the dipstick and adding some fluid.
Old clothes (which may now be rags), handbags, 4 sets of windshield wipers that you are saving “just in case”, things you can’t identify, things which don’t need to be in the trunk (“I was wondering where that was”) should be handed off to Goodwill or unceremoniously trashed. Feel free to be ruthless. Make a pile and don’t’ go back – toss it out. Flashlights with leaky batteries, old books, newspapers, etc., all have to go!
An empty trunk is thing of marvelous potential. It can be used to transport new purchases from garage sales, actually hold luggage, and provide safe haven for those items that your significant other does not yet need to see (like unplanned purchases or birthday presents).
So make some time. Spring cleaning works at home and on the road. Save money at the pump, and go green by hauling less Junk in your trunk!
Tags: cars and driving, cheap fuel, discount gas, fuel economy, fuel saving, junk in the trunk, money at the gas pump, Oil Prices
Posted in fuel economy, gasoline discounts at the pump | 2 Comments »
January 15th, 2010
On my last drive from New York to Washington, DC, I was amazed to find long lines at the gas pumps on the NJ turnpike. The turnpike has state-mandated gas at a low price; and their state taxes on fuel are also very low. In addition, the price at the pump changes early Friday morning, which means that savvy drivers can get a discount at the pump by being aware of the price fluctuations.
Being able to get $2.51 gas, when everywhere else it is almost $3, is a big savings. On a 14 gallon fill-up, that is almost $7 BACK IN YOUR POCKET – Money you don’t have to spend, if you can plan to fill up the tank on the NJ Turnpike! If your car has a DTE (distance to empty) readout, use it and be aware of it – you will benefit from knowing this and using it to your advantage! Also keep in mind how far your car will travel on a full tank (“cruising range”), so you know when you should need to fill up. Plan for it, rather than blindly pull in to any gas station where you may be subject to a higher price for that convenience.
Oil has been steadily rising in price, due to international demand, and this is being reflected at the pump with gas pushing the $3 a gallon mark. Many stations are pinned at $2.99, although Hi-Test is going for as much as $3.45.
Since getting to the Turnpike is not always an option, You have to rely on your local smarts, newspapers, and internet searches (TIP: Google cheapest gas in zip code <put your zip here>).
So, wherever you travel, keep an eye out for discounted gas at the pump, don’t be afraid to just put in $20 worth if you are low, and top up with the best price you can find! Luck favors the prepared mind, and I want you, my dear reader, to be as lucky as you can be!
Tags: $20, automobile, cars and driving, cheap gas, discount gasoline, fill-up, fuel saving, gas pump, High Test, Luck, Lucky, Money Back, NJ Turnpike, Oil Prices, Savvy Drivers, travel
Posted in Distance to empty, Driving, Gas lines, Hope, Luck, Uncategorized, fuel economy, gasoline discounts at the pump, low taxes on fuel | Comments Off
June 23rd, 2009
There are times when you have to be introspective about your relationship with your ride, especially when you want to save money at the pump. Louise usually uses her car as a 4 wheel valise, to the point where you could determine the year by looking at the “stratification” of the piles in her trunk. This means that the oldest stuff was on the bottom, and the newest on top. This Reminds me of the geology of the Grand Canyon, with the notable exception that the Grand Canyon holds more stuff. Despite the need to have many of your important possessions in the car at all times, “JUST IN CASE”, the reality is that every 100 pounds of “stuff” decreases gas mileage by 2%.
The lesson here is that increased weight will decrease your gas mileage, and over time increase the amount you spend at the pump. The goal here is to use less gas, and there is a need for all of us to hold Spring Cleaning every few months for our trunks, backseats, and glove boxes. It’s a good idea –anyway- to keep a reasonably clean car. Not just for the weight savings and subsequent gas savings, but to karmically purge your life of the non essential and transitory items that will clog your ride and even become dangerous if it becomes airborne due to a panic stop or collision. In extreme cases, finding the driver in the rubble of fast food containers, shopping bags, luggage and clothing may be a daunting task for the first responder.
It is interesting to note that Hamilton Jordan, who served on President Carter’s staff, was known to have lived in his car for several years, and used the laundry to press his pants on the back seat. It seems the pants (on the bottom) were always pressed flat. Don’t worry, the President convinced him to get an apartment more suited to his position in government, as opposed to a larger car. Unless you get an RV, don’t live in your car!
Now that you have read my brief dissertation, you can choose to do nothing, or reap the multiple benefits of having a clean car, purged of non-essential and heavy items that you may not need!
Keep up the gas savings! –Alan
Tags: cars and driving, cheap fuel, discount gasoline, fuel economy, money at the gas pump, travel
Posted in Driving, fuel economy, gasoline discounts at the pump | 4 Comments »
May 6th, 2009
Here is how I do it – as I ride around, I note which Gasoline stations have the best prices on the pump. I also note which charge more for credit cards; sometimes I don’t have cash on me, and paying more is against my grain. Gasoline is gasoline, and to pay more - just for the convenience of using a credit card - will add up over time, and rob you of value. After all, we want to save money here – and savings accumulate! $2 a week in savings =a found $100 at the end of a year. I don’t know about you, but $100 bucks is a lot better in my pocket than invested in gasoline company profits!
So take the time to join the movement – scout the best prices at the pump, and put the savings back in your pocket! I note with annoyance that gas prices are slowly spiraling upwards – get into the gas-saving habit now, if we have a spike in price (like 2008) your savings will be huge, and will offset the pressure on your wallet and disposable income.
Happy driving and Keep saving! –Alan
Tags: cars and driving, cheap fuel, discount gasoline, fuel economy, fuel saving, money at the gas pump, travel
Posted in fuel economy, gasoline discounts at the pump | 52 Comments »
April 29th, 2009
In my travels around the country, I note there are ways to get gasoline discounts at the pump, without a lot of extra effort, just common sense and an understanding of how the system works.
Whenever possible, look for cash discounts. Some stations charge 3-4% more for processing credit card transactions. This is not always true; Discover, Hess, and other gas cards DISCOUNT gas prices for their cardholders, to reward their loyalty.
Familiarize yourself with the local gas stations. Some will routinely be less expensive, and easier on your wallet. Gas Discounts are easy to spot, once you get the geography sorted out; For example, you will find the gas stations the pump closest to a major highway charge more for gasoline. In most cases, all you have to do is drive a ways off the highway until you find the second or third gas station out (be careful in rural areas, sometimes they mean it when they say “last gas for 75 miles!”).
Know your car. Most cars have a one-tank cruising range of 300 miles, depending on the make & model. If you have a small tank, keep this in mind, and note the lower priced prices on the pump. If you have (as an example) dual tanks or extended range gas tanks, pricing is critical – your savings at the pump can mean $10 or more. Even $2 per fill-up savings can mean $100 per year! If you fill up only once per week.
Look for coupons and savings like Costco or BJ’s wholesale clubs, if the local clubs have gas pumps. you can save 2-3% per gallon, although you must know your local prices. sometimes the local gas stations get very competitive! And mind your time – a busy wholesale club gas station can have you online for 25 minutes – how much is your time worth?
To recap; keep an eye on prices (even if you just filled up); know your car; look for discounts and loyalty programs; and be smart like me to find the best gasoline discounts at the pump!
Safe travels!
Tags: cars and driving, cheap fuel, discount gas, discount gasoline, discounts, fuel economy, fuel saving, gas pump, gasoline, money at the gas pump, pump, travel
Posted in Driving, Uncategorized, fuel economy, gasoline discounts at the pump | Comments Off