May 20, 8:43 AM
Gas prices just keep on rising. I think we are all aware of that horrendous fact. It is truly a big stinker.
Not everyone can afford to just trade their old car in for a hybrid. Although if the government could work some sort of free trade, that would be AWESOME. Not only awesome for us...but doubly awesome for the environment.
So what can we, as Apartmentite's do about it to save on gas money to use on cooler things around the apartment?
I have a few ideas!
Carpool- Make a road trip out of everyday! Whether you are driving to school or work, check with your roomy or significant other and see how close their everyday destinations are to yours. Talk to you co-workers and see if anyone lives nearby. Getting to work 15 minutes early is definitely worth splitting the cost of gas with someone else and riding in the same car. There is no shame in sharing. Didn't your mama teach you that?
Mass Transits- If you are in a major city, take the bus! And in cities that have rail systems, you have even more options! With the internet, you can check all the routes and times for each one to determine the right course of action. This is really one of the cheaper ways to go and you might make a few new friends or witness some really funny characters!
Bike It- This may not be the best option on a blisteringly hot, sweaty day, but on days where you wont sweat in your work clothes too much, riding your bike is always an awesome option. When I used to live about 2 miles from work, I did it all the time. I avoided traffic, got some exercise, and never had to pay for gas! It was awesome...except on the bad whether days....
Don't Backtrack!- Need to run errands, get groceries, pick up your dry cleaning, stop by and see mom, and return movies to Blockbuster? Don't make separate trips. Get on google maps if you have to, but map it out! Maximize your travels and your gas mileage all at once. Not only will you save money, but you'll also save time. And time is money.
Mas Home Time- There is a massively increasing number of folks that are getting degrees online and have jobs that allow them to work from a home office. Maybe you could look into these and save yourself a ton of gas mileage.
Check for Cheap Gas- Many of the local news channels and websites will report the cheaper gas stations in the city, so check into those for info on the cheapest gas! You can also go to msn.com to check for cheap gas!
Go Credit- I am never an advocate of going credit, but in this situation. There are a number of gas companies out there who offer you a discount on gas if you use their card...so...do it.
Lighten Your Load- Got too much junk in the trunk? Take it out and store it somewhere else. The more weight that you are carrying in your car, the more gas you will burn. Also, remove any bike rack or other external piece to your car that you aren't using. These things can cause drag and lower mileage.
Maintain Your Vehicle- Get your oil changes, tune ups, fuel filter changes on schedule. Also, make sure that your tires are always full of air and you change your air filter quite often. You can save a ton of money on gas this way.
Change Your Driving Habits- Quit thinking you have to accelerate off the line! This burns sooooo much gas. Accelerate and decelerate at a consistent pace. Also, keep your RPM's under the "3" as much as you can. The higher you get...the more gas you burn. Listen to your car, if it sounds like it's working harder...its burning gas like a madman!
So there you have a few ways to save a little money on gas. Hope it helps. If you can, improve your apartment with the money you save. AND START RECYCLING if you don't already!
-Eric G.
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