SavvySugar

Save Money on Gas With These Apps, Sites, and Tips

Kristy Korcz — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:57:30 PST

I got a bit of sticker shock recently as I drove into my local gas station to find that prices have risen above $4 a gallon. Thankfully I don't drive often (public transportation FTW!), but at those prices, it's enough to make a girl want to throw down for an expensive (but cost-saving) electric-hybrid car. You may not have the bankroll to change up your ride now, but in the meantime, check out these websites, apps, and tips to help you save at the pump.

Gas Prices Are Up! What You Can Do to Save

Emily Co — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:20:33 PST

Unrest in the Middle East and the closing of American refineries have gas prices going up, up, and away for US consumers. Analysts are predicting that the prices may continue to rise.

But don't worry, there are a number of methods to save on refueling your car. Here are some tips:

Spend to Save: Look for deals around you that will help you save on your gas. For example, you can choose to frequent wholesale stores like Costco, which will give you a little bit of cash back on Costco gas. If you're a real gas guzzler, check out this full list of gas rebate cards on CreditCards.com.
Don't Top It Off: Topping off your gas may result in a higher gas bill, because you might be paying for gas that goes back into the station's tanks after your gas tank is full, says the Environmental Protection Agency. You can also ruin your car's vapor recovery system if there is no room for the gas to expand in your tank.
Smooth Trip: Starting and stopping excessively can shorten the life of your engine, transmission, brakes, and tires. Go easy on your braking and accelerating. Remember to also turn off your engine if you know you'll be waiting for a long while. Staying put without moving means you're getting 0 miles per gallon.

For more gas-saving tips, read on.

How Much Does It Cost You to Fill Up?

Emily Co — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 14:15:58 PDT

I bet a lot of people can relate to Lo Bosworth's tweet this morning, which bemoaned the price of gas. She tweets: "100 dollars even at the gas station. I'm crying." A lot of people are feeling the pain of the rising gas prices, which are expected to keep increasing because of unrest in the Middle East. Read these tips on how to save money on gas if you're starting to feel the pinch in your wallet and if you're "crying" along with Lo.

How much does it cost for you to fill your tank up?

Half a Million People Protest Rising Gas Prices on Facebook

Emily Co — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 13:20:13 PST

As a solution for the rising gas prices, people are taking to social media outlets to stage their protest, says The Consumerist. In fact, they are encouraging people to not fill their tanks today. We've been lamenting over the increasing cost of gas and came up tips to slash your bill and techie tools to find cheap gas, but it appears some people are being more proactive and are trying to make themselves heard by organizing a boycott on Facebook.

Their efforts seem to be pretty successful, the Gas Strike Facebook event, has more than half a million users who RSVP-ed. But it might not make a difference. The one-day gas strike will more likely hurt local gas station owners, rather than lower the price of a barrel of oil, says Economist Robert Salvino at Coastal Carolina University.

Will you be joining in the protest?

Do You Skip Yoga Class If You're Gassy?

FitSugar — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 03:47:46 PDT

How's this for TMI? A friend sent me a text last week saying she was skipping out on our regular yoga date. She was a little embarrassed but admitted that she was feeling, "well, uh, gassy." For those of you who practice yoga, it's easy to understand why she felt like staying home. Passing gas during yoga class is not the most comfortable subject to talk about - or experience firsthand! Fitted yoga clothes, a quiet room, and poses that twist around your digestive area? It can be the perfect recipe for passing along an unwelcome gift to the people around you. I mean, yoga is all about letting go, right? But what do you do in this sort of situation: accept that your innards might get a workout too or stay home and avoid possible embarrassment?

Make These Hard-to-Digest Foods Easy on the Tummy

FitSugar — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 07:30:57 PDT

It's not a stomach of steel you're after. You don't need to be able to devour a bowl of spicy chili without even a single burp. You'd be happy with a stomach that could handle a simple apple. Unfortunately every body is different, and some of us are born with sensitive stomachs, but you don't have to take it lying down (or in the bathroom). Some foods are harder to digest than others, but here are some ways to make those hard-to-digest foods easier on your belly.

Green peppers: These veggies are actually unripe, so eating them raw in a salad makes them tough to digest for many people. Instead, enjoy your green peppers grilled, roasted, or sauteed. if it's raw peppers you crave, choose red, orange, or yellow.

For ways to stomach other difficult-to-digest foods,

Dairy: If you're full-on lactose intolerant, you can still enjoy milk, cheese, and ice cream with ease. Just pop a Lactaid pill with your first bite of dairy-containing food and you're good to go. It contains the lactase enzyme (that your body doesn't produce enough of) to break down the lactose milk sugar.
Apples and pears: These high-fiber fruits seem so innocent and healthy, but for many people, eating one leads to uncomfortable bloating and gas. Ease these into your diet by either eating a couple slices at a time, or by eating them with other foods like yogurt or cereal. It may also help to peel the skin and let your body get used to the flesh first.
Beans: Packed with protein and fiber, these little gems are known to cause an embarrassing issue once consumed. To nip this problem in the bud, it helps to gradually introduce them into your diet, and eat them with easily digestible foods like rice or bread. If you soak and boil your own dried beans, pour out the water the beans cooked in once they're done since using this bean water in recipes can make gas problems even worse.

Have any other tricks for making hard-to-digest foods easier on your belly? Share them in the comments section below.

Simple Money Saving Tips For Your Road Trip

SavvySugar — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 14:45:00 PDT

The experience of going on a road trip is often just as exciting as the final destination. Lucky for us, the long holiday weekend ahead invites the opportunity to hit the road and head someplace fun. Before you put your car into drive, check out my money saving tips for your road trip.

You Asked: Is Holding In Gas Bad?

FitSugar — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 08:00:06 PDT

Dear Fit,
I'm not embarrassed to admit that I'm an extremely gassy person. I know it's a natural bodily function, even though I seem to do it more than the average person, but now I have an embarrassing problem. I used to work from home, so it didn't matter if I let my gas pass, but I just got a new job where I work in a big office. All our desks are in one big room, so there's absolutely no privacy. I've been there for a week now, and have just been holding it so my co-workers don't know my smelly secret. It's been hurting my belly a little, and I'm wondering if this is really bad for my body not to let it out.
- Full of Hot Air

Although most wouldn't like to admit it, we can all relate to your problem of being gassy in public. I don't blame you for not wanting to let 'em go at your new job, or any job for that matter. Who wants to admit that they're the source of smelly gas? I have some suggestions on how to curb your flatulence, so

I really don't recommend holding it in; as you've already said, you end up with a bellyache. Plus your muscles are only physically able to hold it in for so long. So as soon as you relax, it's bound to come out at a surprising time, which can be more embarrassing than if you knew it was coming. To avoid other people knowing, when you feel the gas building up, head to the bathroom and do your business there.

All people pass gas, and it's impossible to stop flatulence altogether, but here are some things you can do to decrease the gas your body makes:

Chew your food slowly. Swallowing air when eating is a major cause of gas.
Avoid chewing gum because it encourages you to swallow air.
Avoid bubbly beverages as the carbonation can also cause gas.
Know which foods trigger your gas. Beans, apples, dairy products, eggs, wheat, broccoli, and onions are known to be gas-producers. If they cause you gas, eat them in small amounts, or avoid eating them while at work.
Eat lots of fiber-rich foods like veggies, fruit, and whole grains to prevent constipation, which can cause bloating and gas.

If none of this helps, it may be worth a visit to your doctor, since excessive gas can be a symptom of conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), lactose intolerance, bowel obstruction, Crohn's disease, or celiac disease. It's worth getting checked out for peace of mind.

15 Gas Facts You Should Know

SavvySugar — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:01:17 PST

Yes, we all know gas is expensive and at a record high, but did you know Americans really have cut back on their driving? In fact, we've cut back so much that we are hurting gas tax revenues, which pay for roads, bridges and mass transit projects.

I've put together a list of facts you should know about the ever increasing gas prices and how the cost affects the rest of our lives.

What You Spent on Gas in 2009

SavvySugar — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 04:00:12 PST

Filling up the tank, unfortunately, helped to empty our wallets this year. Even while we saw comparatively lower prices through the year, 28 percent of you dropped $1,000 to $2,000 at the pump. Not exactly chump change, but still better than the 22 percent who surpassed the $2,000 mark, spending up to $3,000 for the year.

Tied for third at 13 percent, respectively, we've got the thrifty commuters who managed to keep their gas costs down between $500 to $1,000 and those who spent zero at the station - no car to drive, no tank to fill. So, what's the verdict, are you still planning to drive in 2010 or finding alternative transport?