Gasoline Expenses: More Go for the Gallon

Bike, Bus, Walk or Drive?

With gas taking up a huge portion of our family budget once again, we are looking for ideas to reducing the amount of gasoline used, and hopefully reducing the amount of cash out the door needing to be set aside for this each month.

1. If you live less than 10 miles to where you are going, consider bicycling there and back. More time, more healthy heart action and less w\expense.  Pack your clothes or bags for carrying home items you picked up on your errand/commute. 
2.  If you live close to the bus line, consider a bus pass for the day. Often this is less than the gas expense. Some bus systems will even accommodate you combining a bike/bus commute by providing bike racks on the buses and at the terminals. Again this is more time and activity than just jumping in your vehicle.  
3. Stop by the store on the way home from work or other event, have a list ready and plan shopping when someone is already driving by a location.  This is more efficient than driving exclusively to one thing or another.  Making one round trip and keeping it localized can save lots of time and gas.  
4. Fill up in the morning or cooler parts of the day to pay a few pennies less per gallon, less expansion, more volume. 
5. Shop on-line or book events on line, if it is less cost or trouble for all involved. Buy multiples and share when it makes sense. 
6. Fill up when the gas station is having a 2 for 1 sale on the ready to go items.  This turns going to the gas station for a fill up into a bonified family outing at my house.  Just this week we purchased 3 sodas, 6 chimichangas, 2 chocolate donuts, 2 BBQ burritos, 2 beef and bean burritos and 2 chicken strips for $10.47, cheap dinner, but a lot of grease...
7. Carpool, visit or help shuttle friends, family their kids, co-workers of friends to and from events and get-togethers on your way home and to work or other events or the bus line rather than using stand alone driving plans. 

What strategies has your household found for taming the gas crunch? 


GREENWISE Link:
http://livinggreenandsavingenergy.com/gas-prices-headed-higher-how-to-go-green-and-cut-expense.html