Now here are some even more powerful tips, again showing your
five-year savings:
Four Great Ways to Save on Gas
| | 1. Find lower gas prices. |
Save $100 to $200.
Some stations sell gas for about 5¢ less per gallon,
including Safeway and small discounters such as CitGo. The
giant wholesaler CostCo often sells gas at a 10¢ discount.
|
| 2. Use "rewards" credit cards. |
Save $1,250 or more.
Some cards will save 5% on gas costs, while others will pay you
rebates of 3-6% on all your purchases at gas stations, drug
stores and supermarkets. If you purchase $5,000 worth of
groceries and supplies at a supermarket this year, a 6% rebate
will earn $300 in free gas for you. The Consumer Card Report
site maintains a list of the best rewards cards.
|
| 3. Buy a more fuel-efficient car. |
Save $5,000 or more.
If you drive a low-cost and fuel-efficient used car you'll pay
less up front and get better mileage. What actually saves
the most money is that its resale value will drop more
slowly. For example a new $20,000 car will resell for about
$10,000 in five years, while a used $10,000 car will resell for
perhaps $5,000 five years from now. If you do buy a new
car, keep in mind that driving a hybrid cuts your gas expenses
about 25%. An Edmunds.com page covers
your fuel-economy options nicely. You might also think
about using a car-sharing company like FlexCar or ZipCar.
|
| 4. Drive 2,500 to 10,000 fewer miles per year. |
Save $3,750 to $30,000.
It costs about $0.30 to $0.60 per mile to drive a car including
fuel, buying the car, insurance & maintenance. You can
drive less by using one or more of these strategies: car
pooling, van pooling, telecommuting to work one or more days per
week, moving closer to work (or working closer to home), using
mass transit, combining errands, and making fewer unnecessary
trips. The Consumer Energy Center does a good job of
explaining all your transportation choices.
|
|
Example: Let's say a consumer drives 5,000 fewer
miles per year. At 40¢ per mile, over five years the
savings amount to (5,000 x $0.40 x 5 years) = $10,000.
|
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Why not print out this tipsheet right now as your quick &
easy guide to energy savings? Keeping a printout handy
will go a long way towards reminding you to use these
tips.
|
So now you know how to find a fistful of dollars on your
doorstep. Most Americans won't find this
daily manna, but now you can walk out the door
every day with a smile -- because you
will! |
(Next Gem: How To Do A "Home Energy Audit")
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Life
