Saving money is great and as we approach the holiday season, we could all use a little extra cash in our pockets. If you are like most folks, a good portion of your monthly budget goes to putting gas in your car. One of the easiest ways to save gas is imply to drive less. It doesn’t mean you have to go less places, but the simple act of planning your trip can mean more errands in one trip, less stops and starts, and a more direct route to get to one place to the other. As stated on wealthinformatics.com, you don’t have to plan your every turn, you will miss the detours and “the awe of nature that is waiting in those detours but roughly know what route you are going to take. If there is a possibility of getting stuck in traffic with this route, plan an alternate route in advance.” This will help you tremendously in saving time and fuel – and money.

Several short trips taken from a cold start can use twice as much fuel as a longer multipurpose trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm. By planning your trip, you ensure that traveling is done when the engine is warmed-up and efficient, and you likely will reduce the distance you travel. When planning longer trips, check out some likely choices for cheap gas in advance with these gas cost calculators.

Just want to save money going to work? Take advantage of carpools and ride-share programs. You can cut your weekly fuel costs in half and save wear on your car if you take turns driving with other commuters. Many urban areas allow vehicles with multiple passengers to use High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes which are typically less congested, further improving your fuel economy. Saving gas money can help you put money into your car in other ways that will help you get better mileage. Preventative maintenance, tire services, and oil changes from a trusted auto repair shop are well worth spending the extra money on. After all, we need a healthy vehicle to put the gas in!