SavvySugar

3 Gas Myths That Won't Save You Money

SavvySugar — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 13:30:57 -0800

While there are many tested tips for saving on gas and preserving on fuel, there are also a whole lot of misconceptions and wives' tales about when and where you should be filling your tank. Consumer Reports took to the streets and squashed some of the myths that have probably been cemented into your "fill 'er up!" schedule.

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5 Simple Ways to Save on Gas

SavvySugar — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 06:00:17 -0800

Despite a dip in gas prices at the end of the year, most SavvySugar readers estimate they spent between $1,000 to $2,000 on gas over the course of 2008, which certainly isn't chump change. Every mechanic, car nut, or know-it-all has a pocket full of suggestions for minimizing gas usage, but the penny savers at Consumer Reports have put together some tested tips for saving on fuel I found incredibly informative. Check them out and start saving today.

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How Much You Spent on Gas in 2008

SavvySugar — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 07:00:45 -0800

Gas won the crown of the most overpriced expense in 2008, and if you drove at all there's no way you couldn't notice its impact on your bank account. Most of you estimate that you've spent between $1,000 to $2,000 on gas over the course of 2008.

Now that prices have come way down, I encourage you to save the money you're no longer spending on gas. You were able to get by when you were paying almost $5 a gallon, and since gas prices are now about half of what they were at their peak, you should notice that you have a little more disposable income on your hands. Estimate how much you've saved in gas this month compared to what you were spending at the height of gas prices, and apply at least part of the difference to the amount you transfer each month into your savings account.

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The Most Overpriced Expense in 2008

SavvySugar — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 07:15:16 -0800

Gas may be relatively cheap at the moment, but this Summer we were shelling out more than $4 a gallon at the pump. When prices inched toward $5, many of us wondered how we would afford to keep driving. Forty-eight percent of you voted gasoline as the most overpriced expense in 2008, and I agree with the majority on this one.

You said the second most overpriced expense is higher education, and with college tuition becoming increasingly unaffordable I can see why you'd rank this one toward the top of the list. For those who have them, student loans are a constant reminder that education is expensive, and for those of us who are thinking about having children, the thought of the future price tag on college is downright scary.

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How Much Did You Spend on Gas in 2008?

SavvySugar — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 07:15:47 -0800

Exorbitant gas prices practically defined how we spent our money this year and dominated many cocktail party conversations. Those who rely on their cars for commuting were hit the hardest, while regular public transportation riders watched as their buses became overstuffed with passengers. Because many of us will remember 2008 as the year gas prices compromised our lunch money, I'm wondering how much you approximately spent at the pump this year.

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Most Shocking Headline: Gas Hits $4 For First Time Ever

SavvySugar — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 04:30:53 -0800

Gasoline hit a record high when it crossed the $4 mark this Summer. The pump had everyone guessing and we feared that a gallon of gas would soon cost $5, but prices began to fall just in the nick of time. We were forced to rearrange our budgets to afford $70 tanks of gas, and some employers even began to make concessions so their commuting employees didn't go into the red because they had to drive to work.

We reacted to crazy gas prices by doing what we could to cope: Some of us only filled the tank half-way because we couldn't bring ourselves to pay so much for a full one; some employees had their cars wrapped in their company's advertisement in exchange for free gas; and we all started paying attention to little tips that would make our tanks last just a little bit longer.

Stay tuned for more big headlines from this past year - it's all part of our Best of 2008 coverage, that helps us all appreciate what a year it has been.

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What's the Most Overpriced Expense in 2008?

SavvySugar — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 13:30:31 -0800

You probably didn't enjoy any of the escalated prices this year, but we can't determine the Best of 2008 without mentioning them.

Thank goodness we had each other this year to vent about the expensive cost-of-living. Expenses have been through a loopy roller coaster, taking us all for a ride - gas was more than $4 and now it's around $2; home prices are dropping but more in some places than others; the average wedding costs more than $29,000; college gets more pricey every year; and our grocery bills have gone through the roof. Which do you think takes the cake as the most overpriced expense?

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Money Tip: Set Aside What You're Saving on Gas

SavvySugar — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:45:18 -0800

Gas is now going for about half of what we paid at the pump through the Summer, and the reduced cost is a welcome retreat from the strain that filling up had been causing consumers. We can hope the days of gas price-induced desperation (remember the new dad who named his baby boy after a radio show for a $100 gas card?!) are behind us, and before we go forgetting the damage gas prices did to our budgets, let's take the opportunity to do something with the extra money we're saving.

We managed to make it when our money was going into the tank instead of staying in our bank accounts, which means we might not miss at least some of that disposable income if it was out of our reach. Figure out how much you've saved in gas this month compared to what you had been spending at the height of gas prices, and apply at least part of the difference to the amount you transfer each month into your savings account. It will feel good to watch your savings grow, rather than burning your cash on the cost of fuel.

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I'm Asking: What Are Gas Prices in Your Area?

SavvySugar — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:00:28 -0700

My mom was driving and talking on the phone to me when she interrupted to gasp at a sign for $2.93 gas. Not quite the $0.99 per gallon days that we all mourn, but it's definitely an improvement from the $4 or more gas we'd almost gotten used to. What's gas going for in your area these days?

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I'm Asking: How Much Does It Cost to Fill Up Your Gas Tank?

SavvySugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:00:59 -0700

Sitting in traffic this weekend, I stared at the cars surrounding me thinking about how much money it takes to simply get from here to there. Maintenance costs can be highly expensive but those are occasional expenses - it's filling up the tank that can cause frustration on a more regular basis. Approximately how much does it cost you to fill up your gas tank?

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