Gas Is Getting Expensive. Do This To Pay Less.

As if it wasn’t hard enough to pay your monthly bills, gas has now gone up. This leaves less wiggle room in your budget. It also makes you think: How can I cut my fuel costs?

While we could give you tips like driving less and riding your bike more to cut fuel costs, that may not be feasible for your lifestyle. Instead, here are some tips to keep using your car as usual while paying as little for gasoline as possible.

How To Save on Gas

Get GasBuddy or Waze

If you’re not using apps to save cash, now’s the time to start, especially when it comes to gas.
Apps like GasBuddy and Waze can help you find which gas stations have the cheapest fuel, versus having to drive around town and do your own research.

While being able to pinpoint the cheapest gas stations is great, GasBuddy even allows you to earn “GasBack” with each purchase.

Pay With Cash

Those huge signs outside of gas stations show how much you can save by paying with cash versus a card. This is one of the easiest ways to pay less for fuel, even though it may be a bit inconvenient if you’re in a hurry.

While many gas stations have one set of prices for cash purchases versus cards, some may let you get that cash discount with a debit card. Ask for clarification before paying to see those instant savings.

Pay With a Rewards Credit Card

If paying with cash isn’t your thing and you need to use a card, make it one that gives you rewards points or cash back. To avoid interest charges, pay off your balance each month.

On a similar note, you may want to look into joining a fuel rewards program if you go to the same gas station every time. These programs offer savings to build customer loyalty, and you can end up laying a lot less per gallon.

Use the Right Fuel

Do some cars require premium gasoline? Absolutely, and if yours is one of them, fill up with premium to avoid any mechanical problems. But if your car manufacturer says that regular gas is okay, fill up with that. There’s no need to pay 40 cents more per gallon for gas that won’t do much for your car.

Buy at the Beginning of the Week

You can save money per gallon according to when you buy gas. The best days to buy are Mondays and Tuesdays, while the most expensive ones are Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute

When your gas tank is empty, you can’t really shop around, as you’ll need to buy from the nearest gas station to avoid being stranded on the side of the road. By planning ahead, you can use apps to find the cheapest gas on your route. This will save you on your regular commutes, as well as on trips.