Like I mentioned last time, this is a mess. Stocks and bonds are down, the cost of living is going up, and for some, wages are staying the same. Inflation has taken a serious toll on many of us. It’s all some of us can talk about these days. And I’m guilty of it, too. As a matter of fact, gas prices alone are a frequent topic of conversation at home. Based on the average cost for a gallon of gas in each state, nowhere is under $4.15 right now. Two years ago, after the pandemic shut down practically everything, I remember gas being a dollar and some change. I just checked prices on AAA, and at about $4.28/gallon, Georgia is the only spot you may find gas for less than $4.30. But that’s just Regular gas. A couple weeks ago, I mentioned that gas in California was approaching $6… Well, the Golden State has $6 beat now. Average prices are $6.32. Again… Regular gas. So, what should you do? …Because, even though it might not seem like it, many people would tell you there are several ways to save on gas. My husband and I have found one way to save… Driving less or not driving at all (if that’s an option for you) is one way, yes. But that’s not what we’re doing. “There’s an App for That” Have you heard the saying lately, “There’s an app for that”? Well, it stands true today, because that’s been our way to save. And it’s called GasBuddy. I don’t quite remember when I came across GasBuddy, but I do remember using a gas app probably as far back as four or five years ago. My mom and I were using Exxon Mobil Rewards+. Basically, every time you visited an Exxon or Mobil station, you’d earn points based on how much you spent on filling up the car. And with time, the points would add up. The rewards could go toward a car wash, store purchases, or even filling up the tank. And that’s pretty much what GasBuddy is, too. Last year, I made the switch to GasBuddy because I liked the perks of using it as a way to pay for gas with more security, find the cheapest station nearby, and of course, save some money. “I just paid 20¢ less per gallon at the gas station,” is what my husband, Nate, called me and told me the first time he used GasBuddy. And he didn’t have to swipe his personal card to do it, either. The way the app works is, you sign up, choose how you want to pay (debit/credit card or bank account), and then you get a GasBuddy card in the mail. Download the app and activate your card, and the next time you need to buy gas, the app has a map and list where you can search for stations all around. In the app, you’ll find where the cheapest station is, what the prices are for Regular, Midgrade, Premium, Diesel, as well as the “eco” grades, and deals GasBuddy offers. And the “deal” is how much you’d save per gallon at the station. All that’s left after you choose the station you want to go to is click “activate the deal” in the app and fill up at the station. It’s that easy. The last time we used GasBuddy, I think we spent about $1 less than someone who was buying gas the traditional way. It may not sound like a lot. But every little bit counts, especially factoring in time and frequency. Think about how often you usually fill up your tank each month. It could do you a world of good to use an app like this. Exxon Mobil Rewards+ and GasBuddy aren’t the only gas apps out there, either. If you’re someone who likes to frequent the same station (such as Exxon), others have their own app, too. BPme Rewards and Shell Fuel Rewards are two others, as well. Go online in your free time and see which app could be best for you. Then, start saving. Remember, a penny saved… is a penny earned.
With gratitude,
Melody C. Stampley, MS
Writer, Editor, Financial Coach
