Simple Tips to Save Money on Gas

As the price of a gallon of gas continues to increase, it is important to utilize all the tips and tricks you can to save money on gas. Whether you are filling up your tank for a road trip or for your everyday commute to work, we found apps to help keep more money in your pocket. Below are some top-picked apps that can increase your savings at the pump, along with some of our favorite tips and tricks.

Gas Buddy

GasBuddy is a smartphone app that helps you find the best price on fuel in your area. Depending on the gas station, fuel prices can vary drastically from one side of town to another. GasBuddy streamlines the process of finding out which station has the lowest prices at the time. This app allows users to self- report the prices at the gas stations they are visiting so that the app is as up to date as possible. The more people that report, the more accurate the app is. GasBuddy boasts that they help users save 27 ways. Along with comparing prices, GasBuddy can help you find parking, monitor your spending, and more. You can also join Pay with GasBuddy which unlocks exclusive deals of up to $0.25/gallon off by using their free forever gas card. Referring friends, winning daily drawings, and completing challenges are all additional ways to save more when using the app. You can download GasBuddy for Android or iPhone.

GetUpside

This free, easy-to-use app provides cashback on purchases at not only gas stations, but grocery stores and restaurants too. You can shop as you normally would around town and look for offers from the stores you’re visiting. Once you claim your offer, you have twenty minutes to make your purchase. GetUpside then requires you to submit a picture of your full receipt so that you can receive your cash back. This will show up in your app, and you can cash out your earnings whenever you would like. You can receive your earnings through PayPal, e-gift card, or directly into your bank account. On average, GetUpside helps you save up to $0.25/gallon of gas, 35% at restaurants, and 15% at grocery stores. Get Upside lets you stack other discounts, coupons, and rewards programs which leads you to even more savings! Download GetUpside from the Google Play Store for Android or from the App Store for iPhone.

Google Maps

Google Maps is an app that you probably already have and use. However, there is a new feature that came out at the end of last year that can help you save gas. To create a more sustainable choice, Google launched eco-friendly driving directions in October. This tool providers users with the most fuel-efficient route which will help you save gas and reduce your carbon emissions. Things like distance, time, elevation, speed and being able to stay at a consistent speed are all factors that go into choosing the most fuel-efficient routes.

To turn this feature on, you need to open Google Maps. Then, type in your destination or find it on the map and select directions at the bottom left of the screen. At the top right, click on more which are the three dots and click on route options. From there, you will be able to select prefer fuel-efficient routes and set this as the default option. When the app offers you multiple routes to reach your destination, the eco-friendly route will have a leaf icon next to it. Also, when you have these settings in place, Google Maps will start defaulting to the route with the lowest carbon footprint when it has roughly the same ETA as the fastest route. To get Google Maps for Android, click here. To get Google Maps for iPhone, click here.

Other Tips

Maintaining your vehicle is also a great way to increase your gas savings. For example, driving on tires that are only slightly deflated can affect your vehicle’s fuel economy greatly. The tire light will not come on if your tires are only slightly deflated, so it is helpful to check your tires every so often. When filling up your tires, it is best to put in as much air that’s allowed according to the car’s specifications.

If you’re car has an eco-mode, turning this on will also help you save gas. Eco driving modes are designed specifically to increase fuel economy by making your engine run on less fuel. Choosing when to drive is also important. Avoiding times of heavy traffic will help increase your fuel economy. When you are sitting in traffic, the engine must rev up and down which uses up a lot of fuel. If you’re running out for a quick errand or a bite to eat, you can try to avoid rush hour, backed up school zones, and heavy traffic areas.

Extra Savings

Making sure that you are taking advantage of the perks that you already have is also good practice to save money on gas. Many credit cards offer cashback on gas purchases. So, instead of using a debit card at the pump, you may just want to reach for that credit card instead. By using your credit card and one of the apps mentioned, this is an effective way to stack your savings.

If you already have a membership at a wholesale store, such as Costco or Sam’s Club, you can save money on gas by filling up at those stores to get discounted fuel prices. If you don’t already have a membership, now might be the time to join. The savings alone would more than offset the cost of a basic warehouse membership. Saving on average 20 cents a gallon every time you fill up can save you hundreds throughout the year.

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Gas saving apps and cashback rewards are nothing new when it comes to filling up your car to save money on gas. However, as prices continue to rise, it is important to know your options so you can stack your savings effectively. These apps and tips can eliminate the research for you and can help you get the best savings every time.

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