Sunday, August 21, 2011

Seven Ways to Save Money on High gas Prices

Gas prices are soaring. Seems every time oil prices go up, the next day people see prices at the pump climb at a seriously fast rate. While the prices may climb five to ten cents at one time, they seem to slowly decline. What can you do about  seriously high gas prices? Besides, complaining and whining, and feeling like you are being hijacked at gunpoint by unscrupulous, amoral oil barons, you can save money at the pump.  Here are seven ways to save money on the high prices of gas:

1.Don't use your car.
Sounds strange doesn't it? You probably can't just stop using your car, because you have to get to work, go shopping for groceries and other items, but you can use your car less often. Get creative.
Stay home more often. Invite friends and relatives to your home for a barbecue, or a movie night, instead of going out.

2. Combine trips. When you are out running errands, coming home from work, combine necessary trips. Plan your trips for when you will driving in a certain direction, such as picking the kids up from school, and going grocery shopping directly after.

3.Carpool with friends, relatives, or co-workers. Instead of driving your car to work everyday, arrange to carpool with friends, or co-workers. You don't have to go out of your way either; pick up a worker you have prearranged to meet at a designated area. You can also park and ride. Many cities across America have designated park and ride areas. You drive to a parking lot, park your car, and hop on a bus,trolley or train riding for a certain fee close to your place of work.

4. Work from home/telecommuting. Arrange with your boss to work from home several days a week.Appeal to your boss selling your stay at home/telecommuting arrangement as a means for the company to save money. Your boss can save money on electricity, and or gas, while you work from home. It's a win-win situation; you save money on gas, and parking fees, while your employer saves money on electricity, gas, computers, etc.

5.Sell an extra car. Your family can save on major car expenses by selling an extra car. Just think of the possibilities; lower insurance payments, making money from the sale of a car, lower gas costs,and less money spent on car payments, and car maintenance.

6. Ride a bike instead of driving your car.  Ride a bike for as many miles as you can handle, in mild weather. Avoid riding your bike on bad weather days, like during a snowstorm. Ride your bike with a basket attached to the corner store, and to shorter distances such as the local library, meetings, etc. Just think----now you can save money on a gym membership as well!

7.Take the bus instead of driving the car to work, or school. Buy a bus pass, instead of plunking change into the meter everyday. While riding on the bus or train,get work accomplished by sending text messages, or take a short nap. You will save money on gas, car maintenance, parking fees, etc.

These are just seven ways to fight high gas prices. Maybe you have already come up some ideas of your own.  Copyright 2010, (c), written by professional author, Kate Johns.

No comments: