Surviving the Recession, Episode 3: Comparison Shop (4)

By Steven Tarlow, your Surviving the Recession news source

If you can’t walk, drive right

If you’ve missed PART ONE, TWO or THREE, go there. The automobile budget tips conclude here, courtesy of your payday loan source.

That's the spirit... don't drive!

Turn your car off at lights – If your commute take you through lots of long city traffic lights, it makes sense to shut down for a while and save gas
Limit city driving if possible – Your miles per gallon will be much better on the open road. It’s what overdrive was invented for. Stop-start driving on city streets takes your car’s mechanics, your patience and your gas budget. Plus, your insurance will generally be higher if you live and work in the city
Don’t be a lead foot – Sure, it can be fun to feel the power of your engine, but a steady foot on the pedal means more optimal fuel use. Remember, NASCAR isn’t the real world
Use a discount card – Numerous grocery and department stores offer gasoline discounts if you have their membership card. Such memberships are typically free, so what do you have to lose? Quite often you’ll receive discount coupons that are good at the store in question anyway, which makes it all a no-brainer
Fill your tank early – A little science here, nothing too difficult. When the air is cool, gasoline is more dense. If you fuel up under these conditions, you’ll be paying for more gas and less air. I’m sure you can generate enough wind on your own; why pay for it?
Shop around for insurance – Rates will vary tremendously, so it makes sense to shop around. The World Wide Web is a fantastic tool for this kind of comparison shopping. Considering the current economic climate – recession – insurers should be willing to compete for your business. This is exactly what you want
Comparison shop for lowest gas prices – Use Web sites like GasBuddy.com to find the lowest price on gas