You can’t control gas prices. But you can manage your use.
Here are our top ten tips:
- Slow down. According to the US Department of Energy, lowering your speed by 5 to 10 mph can improve fuel economy by 7%–14%.[1]
- Maintain your vehicle. Make sure there aren’t drains on your mileage from tires that are not properly inflated, dirty air filters, and engines that haven’t had an oil change. You want your car to be as efficient as it can be.[2]
- Use cruise control on highways. Cruise Control helps with gas mileage when you need to maintain constant speeds for a level or long steady up-or down-hill travel. However, cruise control is less beneficial with rolling hills.[3]
- Combine travel. Going to the grocery store on your way home from work after a long day is a pain, but it might be more efficient than making a second trip. Plan to combine errands to lessen travel.
- Carpool. Are you going the same way? Can you pool your resources with friends, co-workers, and family?
- Stick closer to home. Can you ask to telecommute to work more often? Can you meet with a friend where you can walk or bike to the venue?
- If your car has an auto-stop/start, use it. If your vehicle doesn’t, it can put unnecessary wear on your car to constantly turn it off and on, but it might be better to turn your car off if you are in a long, stagnant line. 3
- Clean out your car. Is your car carrying around donations ready for drop off, extra odds and ends that have accumulated? The lighter the vehicle, the less power it takes to accelerate and the less gas you use.[4]
- Evaluate your side gigs. Do you have a side hustle like delivering for Door Dash or UberEATS? You are most likely an Independent Contractor, so you need to think of it as your own small business- money used vs. money in and evaluate whether you are making a profit. [5]
- Look to alternative travel methods. Can you bike? Take mass transit? Walk? Reduce your personal gas consumption to save.
Need a financial guide in uncertain times?
Scarlet Oak Financial Services can be reached at 800.871.1219 or contact us here.
Sources:
[1] https://afdc.energy.gov/conserve/behavior_techniques.html
[2] https://www.topdriver.com/education-blog/actually-need-oil-change/
[3] https://www.motortrend.com/features/does-cruise-control-save-gas/
[4] https://www.energy.gov/articles/545-mpg-and-beyond-materials-lighten-load-fuel-economy
[5] https://blog.stridehealth.com/post/doordash-1099-taxes
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