I created this post about how to save money on gas as part of a sponsored series with Socialstars and Shell; all opinions are my own. #ShellCrowd
As a busy mother of teens and tweens, I spend a good bit of my day driving them places. To school. Back home from school. To sports practices. Scouts. Music rehearsals. Doctors appointments. The mall. Get togethers with friends. And I work at home, so I don’t even have a commute time to add into the equation.
I had no idea when my kids were little that “having teenagers” meant spending my life in the car.
And since I drive a minivan (out of necessity – there are seven of us!), I end up using a lot of gasoline. It adds up fast!
Since I just recently discovered (and am so excited about) Shell’s Fuel Rewards® program, I figured that this would be a good time to take a look at our driving and gas-consuming habits and where our family might be able to improve. We’re always looking for ways to save money on gas, food, and other expenses. Who isn’t?
Here are some tried and trusted ways to spend less at the gas pump. Since we really are trying to save money and reduce spending any way we can, this was a good exercise to remind me where we can do a little better.
How to Save Money on Gas: Pay LESS at the Pump
Don’t let your gas tank run dry – we’ve all been there. The tank is running on fumes and we’re desperate to find the closest gas station, but the closest, most convenient gas station is often the most expensive. Schedule your fill ups when you are already out running errands (don’t make a trip to the gas station, especially if it’s out of the way) JUST to get gas.
Choose the right time and day to fill up – did you know that Monday and Tuesday tend to be the best days to fill up your car? During the warmer months, it also helps to fill your gas tank in the mornings or in the evenings, as the gas is cooler and more dense and you actually get more of it in your tank.
Watch how you drive – do you ride the brakes a lot? Do you love driving with the windows down? Do a lot of stopping and starting or do you drive in traffic frequently? All of those habits use up more of your precious gas. Slow down to a steady pace and leave plenty of room between you and the car ahead (everyone will benefit from this little trick, not just your gas tank!).
Turn it off – when you’re parked and waiting for your child to be done with piano lessons, turn the engine off. Don’t use gas unnecessarily – especially when you aren’t going anywhere.
Maintain your car – change your oil, check and rotate your tires regularly, change the oil regularly, maintain your filters and make sure everything is running as it should. A well-running car is more fuel efficient.
Sign up for Shell’s Fuel Rewards® program – THIS is the tip that I am most excited about. When you use Shell’s Fuel Rewards® program when you fill your tank with gas, you’ll save 3 cents per gallon EVERY time…but it gets even better! If you link a Mastercard, VISA, or American Express credit card to your Rewards account, you can EARN 5 cents/gallon or MORE for every $50 you spend (not just on gas…on anything!).
You can even COMBINE savings – earn 10 cents/gallon when you use your linked card to dine out, 15 cents/gallon when you shop online at participating retailers, 20 cents/gallon when you book a flight through the Rewards program. You can STACK those savings and pay 45 cents/gallon LESS at the pump (this is just an example).
Here’s a quick video to show how easy it is to save money at the gas pump with Shell’s Fuel Rewards® program:
I LOVE watching the savings add up – I downloaded the free Fuel Rewards® App for my iPhone (it’s also available on Google Play) and I can check my rewards balance anytime as well as see where the closest Shell station is (and what the prices are today), or search for special offers and ways that I can earn even MORE money off gas.
Ready to sign up and save money on gas? Open your free account now and get a New Member 25 cents/gallon Sign Up Bonus! What are you waiting for?
Follow Shell on Twitter and Instagram and on their Website #ShellCrowd #fuelrewards
© 2016, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.
Leave a Reply