Us too! So, we have asked out new intern Jon to share some of his tips to keep your pockets fat and your tank full!
Has anyone else noticed how gas prices have been even less predictable than usual this year? Well I have and so has TIME magazine see here.
Hi my name is Jon and I am new to Academy Ford and I am a huge gas shopper. Even when I have a full tank I constantly find myself looking out the window at gas prices as I drive by them. As the week drags on and my needle gets closer to E, I take even more drastic measures to ensure that I pay the cheapest gas price in town.
I know a lot of people have smart phones and use a great app, GasBuddy, which allows you to search for the cheapest gas prices in your area for free. The app works as a community driven board where users report gas prices that others can view. As you report more gas prices you are awarded points that go toward prizes that GasBuddy gives away. This is a great tool and can save you a bundle. More info here.
However, GasBuddy is not always up to date. I recently used the app and noticed that I had seen a station that was 7 cents lower than what the app had suggested. So how do you guarantee that you will get the cheapest price? Follow the below 4 steps and you will be good to go.
STEP 1: Constantly keep an eye on gas prices.
Maybe keep a list in your vehicle or make a mental note of where you noticed the cheapest gas price during the week. Since I live and work in the Laurel area, I can vouch for the Freestate located down the street having the cheapest gas price most often. Now I know what you are all thinking. Freestate!? Don’t you have to pay cash?
STEP 2: Have Cash in hand.
Yes, you do have to pay in cash at Free State. However, if you’re saving a few cents per gallon and your tank is empty we are talking about a few dollars of savings over all. If you’re doing this every week the savings can really add up and over time. It is definitely worth it to stop by the bank before you hit up the gas station to grab some cash out of the ATM. Actually, in order to get most of the cheaper prices on gas you will have to pay in cash at most stations. So, if a bargain is something you’re looking for it’s a good idea to come up with a way to get cash on your fill up day.
STEP 3: Get their Digits.
I have found that once I have located some of the usual cheaper gas stations in the area that it helps to have their phone numbers. Go ahead and save them into your mobile phone, calling the gas station and asking what their current gas price will allow you to know instantly what their price is and will give you a great base price to compare with other gas prices.
STEP 4: Fill Up.
My last tip is once you find a great price buy and buy a lot. Fill up your car, your parent’s car, your friend’s car, relatives and maybe even storage containers.
