Surprisingly simple changes can significantly impact your overall fuel bill. To trim your fuel costs, we want to show you some practices.
There are many approaches to saving money on gas, including being smart about where you buy gas, making good decisions about your driving route, using discounts when you buy gas and making fuel-efficient choices behind the wheel and at the dealership.
So these 4 tips below will give you excellent examples of how to do it:
Use cash instead of a card
Some gas stations charge a lower price per gallon if you pay with cash rather than a credit card. It’s their way of avoiding card processing fees. While some stations will let you pay the cash price if you use a debit card, others won’t. Check with the gas station before you swipe your card, or simply use cash when it’s time to fill up.
Fill up early in the week
According to a 2019 GasBuddy gas price analysis, gas prices tend to be the lowest on Mondays and Tuesdays. If you’re looking to buy cheap gas, avoid filling your tank on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays when gas prices tend to be the most expensive.
Skip the Premium option
Higher-octane gas isn’t necessary or beneficial in most cars, so you’re just spending more money when you buy premium. Premium gas can cost about 20 to 40 cents per gallon more than regular-grade fuel. Use regular-grade gasoline unless your car’s manufacturer specifically requires premium.
Use apps to find the cheapest gas
You don’t want to buy gas at one place and then come across a station with cheaper fuel just down the street. Several websites and apps tell you the price of gasoline at the stations in your area. GasBuddy and Waze are two popular options.
Look for the cheapest gas stations along any of the routes you normally drive for work or shopping. Don’t wait until your tank is near empty and be forced to buy gas wherever is closest.