ALT-11 Ways to Save Money on Gas
With so much of our fun $$ now being pumped into our gas tanks, how can we reclaim our previous lifestyles, but still ARRIVE IN STYLE?
$3 BUCKS A GALLON? It costs more to fill up your tank than to take your main squeeze out to dinner So much for the "He's Really Not Into You" theory he's broke from filling up to go to work! No more "Baby meet me after work", no more "Let's get away for the weekend", or "Mommy-take me to McDonalds No honey, I just put my last $20 bill in the gas tank"
Since the average Atlanta commute is 450 miles/week, this "Necessary LUXURY" (gas)is not only blowing up our credit card balances, and killing our debt/income ratio, but also depriving us of little luxuries we previously enjoyed like shoes and dinner! Now we just don't have enough funds to sustain our comfort levels of life, while maintaining families and households and full tanksSo do we get second jobs (yuck!) or do we learn to conserve for real? Here's how to regain your lifestyle:
AIR CONDITIONING: I know, you gotta have it! But, at speeds less than 60mph, your air is EXPENSIVE: 30% of your gas consumption. Around town, keep it off, and the windows down July/August at $3.00/gallon it's a big problem, but a little discomfort goes a long way for beefing up your closet. Speeds over 60mph? Roll up those windows, and become a human popsicle the "drag" of the windows being down at that rate of speed is hungrier on fuel than the AC.
RAGE ACCELERATION: I know the temptation is to "Kick it HARD" especially when you have had to sit at a stop light for longer than it takes to mow your yard. Or, to finally get a chance to get around the guy that is the "BANE" of your current existence but, resist all temptation to floor your vehicle you burn a lot of gas on the start save it for Nascar, it's his gas, not yours, and it's a lot more exciting that way. If that doesn't do it for you, drink less coffee, and get outside more consider yoga
MASSIVE VEHICLES: If you've moved to Atlanta from Saskatchewan, or Boise, or Denver maybe the 4x4 you had isn't necessary or maybe you don't need to haul around soccer balls anymore go buy something that will make more sense for you at this moment have you always wanted a convertible, but needed a mini-van? Evaluate your current position in life, and buy what works for you and if you can downsize GREAT! Less car means less drag, which means less gas but keep it realif you've got 7 kids and 3 dogs, check out the new Hybrid vehicles on the market.They combine different sources of energy to fuel the vehicle. Or, convert the one you've gotfor as little as $250 see Dealer for details.
LINE SITTING: Idling is one of the worst! We've all heard that it takes more gas to start up a vehicle, than to stop the engine well, another Urban Legend (or myth) kind of like the kidney loss on a wicked bad blind date gone wrong If the line is a long one at Chik-Fil-A park and walk in. They get to "love" on you in person, unlike that blind date, and you get some added exercise. Need I say more?
EXCESS BAGGAGE:, AND, I DON'T MEAN YOUR RELATIONSHIPS! The more weight you have in your car, the more gas you burn. If you need do bring 300 lb. Uncle Fred to the Doctor, that's a different story, but the 200 pounds of STUFF in the trunk that you haven't touched in a year IT'S GOT TO GO!" It's like cleaning out your closet, but this will save you money, and that will only add to your "wardrobe", it clears some space for A SHOPPING TRIP! you can now afford, because you're so SMART saving on gas.GAUGE YOUR TIRE INFLATION: RIGHT NOW, THIS INSTANT! Believe it or not, the amount of air in your tires can cause drag, imagine moving a full balloon over a slick surface, vs. pushing a spaghetti noodle through a door lock which takes more energy? You can check you owner's manual for the correct pressure amounts, or you can look inside your door jamb it's on a little sticker. Pick the higher number, and keep it there every couple of weeks. And- This just in Nitrogen (NOS) is better to fill your tires with than oxygen if you don't believe me, call NASA. The inert gas leaks less than plain old air, and the cost is over-ridden by savings on fuel. This is not to mention saving tread wear and tear on your tires, how about thisIF YOUR TIRES ARE LOW You can pay the "Man" now, or pay him later. PERIOD.
The bottom line is: Drive a little less SAVE a LOT!
