By Sarah Fertsch
Staff Writer
Although COVID-19 cases are reducing, another important number is rising dramatically. You’ve seen it everywhere. You happily commute to softball games, community concerts, dates with your lover and grocery runs. When the needle moves a little too close to E, you head over to the nearest Wawa. And then, a horror-movie, roller coaster drop shriek slips between your lips. You look like the subject of the “Scream” painting. Gas climbed to almost $5 per gallon!
When you’re spending almost $100 to fill up your tank, it’s time to limit driving and maximize your hard-earned money and the gas guzzling inside your car. It’s time to make some important changes. Here are five ways you can save money at gas stations and still get where you need to go:
Hit as Many Stops As You Can on One Trip
If you’re like me, you’ll typically drive to work, then change into comfy-clothes and rest at home for an hour, then drive to Target or the local bar to meet friends. You expend more gas per trip than if you simply drive straight to secondary locations. Ask your buddies to meet you at the gym right after work, and you’ll save fractions of a gallon of fuel. And you don’t have to worry about looking nice at the gym! Select one chunk of time to run errands, and try to get as much done as you can (hit up the post office, pick up veggies at the fresh produce outlet, drop off documents at church, and grab a coffee from a local cafe). You’ll be impressed with your productivity and your gas savings!
Invest in Other Forms of Transportation
You’ve probably heard the decades-old advice to bike instead of drive. While that’s true and good for the environment, our community (especially if you live on the mainland) isn’t super walkable. Consider other methods beyond walking or biking. My dad loves his OneWheel, a brand of electric skateboard. Electric bikes have become popular and allow riders to pedal less and travel further. And of course, if you have the funds to purchase an electric car, doing so will save you money and help out the planet.
Look Into Rewards Programs
Many credit cards offer ways for gas-buyers to receive cash back, and of course, apps like Wawa give out freebies for active users. Other apps like GasBuddy or GetUpside provide rebates for downloaders through gift cards to marketplaces like Amazon. Waze (similar to Google Maps) suggests routes that will limit your gas expenditure. Technology can be so helpful!
Change Your Driving Behavior
Studies show that certain practices reduce how much gasoline you burn on one trip. Accelerating slowly and coasting to slow down uses less gas than constantly speeding up and braking hard. Make sure your tires are properly inflated so they can spin at appropriate speeds and you’re not wasting gas on spinning a flat tire. Driving below the speed limit also helps you preserve fuel. And if you can choose whether you can work from home or from the office, opt for working from home. Those daily commutes to your cubicle really add up.
Apply Some Widely-Known Advice
If you wanna buy less gas, try using public transportation if it’s available. If you work at a casino, use the jitney. Find a route to the bowling alley or boardwalk that has less stoplights and less traffic. Fill up your tank when you notice cheaper prices instead of when you run low. Limit air conditioning and keep your car windows up (the car will expend more gas because windows-down means less aerodynamic performance, hence more gas use). Follow your car’s maintenance instructions and use a higher-grade oil for your next oil change. All of these modifications will help you save tens of dollars at the pump.
Sarah Fertsch is a writer and artist who has recently moved back to South Jersey. She loves satire, a good cup of coffee, and exploring new places.
