How to Save Money on Gas

Long time, no type.  Loyal readers may recall that I did the same thing last January. There becomes less to post about as I shift back to money saving from money spending.  So let's talk about some money saving ideas.

This morning, I have gasoline on my mind.  Ours is pushing $3.00 a gallon.  It hasn't yet broken past that magical mark, but I know it's a matter of time.  Gone are the days when you can scrape up your quarters, throw $5 in your tank, and cruise all night.  Now the $15 Visa card I got from Free Ride didn't get my car to half a tank, and it was gone in a few days of running everywhere.

So, how can we save money on gas?

Consume Less

There are the obvious answers--drive less, combine your trips, keep your tires properly inflated.  We also limit our out of town activities.  I try not to go "to town" unless I also have to work.   Some other hints:

• Slow down.  In most cases, you use more fuel the faster you go, and you also will find yourself having to brake more often.
• Smooth out your driving.  This goes along with slowing down, just drive a nice steady speed and avoid jack rabbit starts.  This is hard on your fuel economy AND your vehicle. 
• Along with keeping your tires properly inflated, make sure you keep your vehicle properly serviced.  A car in need of a tune-up or oil change will not run as efficiently as one in proper running order. 
• With winter, avoid the temptation to start your vehicle really early.  A minute or two go the engine to warm while you scrape your windshield is adequate to warm up the engine.  Idling for 10 minutes or more is wasteful.

Grocery Store Discounts

This is in my area, but I know there are similar programs throughout the state, and similar programs with different stores outside of the area.

• We are able to get a 3 cent per gallon discount at Kum & Go printed on the receipts at Fareway.  
• The Ames area HyVee stores have added some fuel pumps, and I've seen the same in other towns.  Here, you will receive a discount on gas if you present your grocery store receipt.  The discount seems to vary, but I've heard from people that they've gotten up to 10 cents off per gallon.
• Sams Club also offers gas discounts to their members, as do many other club stores.

Random Tips

• You can go to sites like GasBuddy or any number of price tracking web sites.  Many of these will even send texts to your mobile phone with updates.  In larger cities, there are many more choices for gas stations, so maybe this works well.  In my town, I'd have to drive to the other side of town in order to get cheaper gas, thus negating any savings.
• Buy your gas on Thursday mornings.  Gas is best purchased in the coolest part of the day, and the best day to buy is Thursday, before the prices go up for the weekend.
• Kum and Go has printable coupons, though it's rare that they have one for gas.
• Casey's also has printable coupons, though theirs are mostly for food items.
• My personal money saving tip is to avoid going in to pay for the gas (except Sunday, see below), because it keeps me from picking up a drink or snack. 
• I also purchase gas from Kum & Go on Sundays, because they give a free paper when you purchase gas.  That's a savings of $1.50 off the price of the paper, not to mention all the coupons to help me save on my grocery bills.

What have my readers got?  Do you know a great gas saving tip, or where to buy cheap gas, or how to get the best discounts?   Add your hints in comments, and I'll add them into the post.  Have another request for a money saving post?  I'm always taking requests.