I was driving back to campus after my spring break, and it’s a 500 mile drive. I needed to fill up, so I began scanning for cheap gas prices and what I saw blew me away! For ONE gallon of gas, most gas stations were (are) charging $4! I was completely flabbergasted! And outraged! Now, I understand that there is stuff going on in the middle east, but from what I can tell by scanning reports and news blurbs, that isn’t directly responsible for our crazy gas prices. What is? I don’t know, but my friends and I hatched a plan that helps keep our wallets from crying when we have to fill up–even if you use the app, Gas Buddy.
We decided that if anyone has to go anywhere, we text or call each other asking who needs to go to town. It can be for anything–groceries, pharmacy, shopping. The trick is so pitch in. If you travel in a car pool, it’s common courtesy to help pay for the drivers gas–or at least the amount of gas it takes to travel for your part of the carpool. That way, you get to pay a cheaper amount than if you had to drive and fill up on your own because depending on how many people go with you, the less you have to pay (more if fewer people go with you.)
Another thing that we decided is that if we can help it, we refrain from having to drive anywhere we don’t need to. Instead of going to the movies (albeit, I went to see The Hunger Games movie), we set up movie nights where we all bring a different movie and we pick which one we want to watch. That way, we get to spend time with each other, and we save money for not driving anywhere.
One more thing that many of you may groan at is to be sure your car is fuel efficient. I know now-a-days, big name car manufacturers are designing more fuel efficient vehicles. They may seem absurdly expensive at first, but you can always hunt around for great deals on used cars or hit up the specials that the dealerships offer every now and then. If you decide to buy a fuel efficient car, don’t worry. The money you save by not having to fill up as often covers the additional cost in your monthly payment and eventually, you will be saving enough money to where that won’t even phase you anymore (okay, it may phase you, but you will be saving SO MUCH more compared to your old vehicle.) If you aren’t interesting in buying a new car (or used car), you can always buy fuel efficient tires. I know Michelin makes them, and in this economy, I’d jump at every chance to save my money.
One final thing that will help keep you from having to fill up more than normal is going the speed limit. Not only will you drive safer, but by keeping form speeding up and then slowing down dramatically when a police officer appears (you know you do it), stay the speed limit and you will save valuable gallons of gas that you won’t be paying for later–literally.
This is just a list of what my friends and I have all decided to do. I hope it helps you during these expensive times. Thanks for reading!
~Love Lindi
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