I cut my gasoline use in half

**Valerie in WA** · 10-10-2005, 12:21 PM

I'm so pleased with myself & just wanted to share. Previously, I was using a (20 gallon) tank (300 miles) about every 10 days. Earlier this year, when gas stayed around $2.25/gallon, I cut back a bit so a tank lasted about 14 days. In mid-August, gas had crept up to @2.65 and then when Hurricaine Katrina hit (in late August) our gas went to $3/gallon. I realized that in order to keep my gasoline budget at $100/month, I was going to need to cut back. Drastically.

I live in an outlying suburban area. It is 3 miles to anything, so walking is not a feasible option. So I made myself a 'miles budget'. I commute 150 miles per month (I work 6 days per month - three days every other weekend). Driving my children to gymnastics uses 60 miles per month (every Monday). I decided that I would do as many errands as possible when I was going to or from gymnastics or work. I also decided to only allow myself other driving one day per week, usually mid-week.

This week for example, the children have a doctor's appointment on Thursday. On the way home, I will visit a friend. Then we will go to the library to browse. (On Mondays, I pick up holds at the library next door to gymnastics, but the children don't get to browse because they're in class.) If I notice any groceries that we need, we will get them on Thursday as well. Last week I used my driving day to round the thrift stores, looking for things on my 'needs list'.

The benefits of my 'budget' are these:
1. A half tank is now lasting me about 14 days. (We always keep our tanks half-full in case of disaster.) Since our gas prices have settled at $2.75/gallon, my monthly expenditure is now LESS than my $100 budget. This month I'm spending about $70.
2. Less wear and tear on my vehicle, which leads to reduced maintenance expenses.
3. Less mileage on my vehicle, which means my 10yr/100,000 warranty will actually last 10 years. AND when I resell, the mileage will be low, meaning I can ask a higher price.
4. Less environmental impact (emissions).
5. More time Since I combine my errands I spend less time running them. Who doesn't need more time in their day? I spend my time with my children, working on crafts or in the garden, or reading.

The key to making this work is planning. I have to anticipate our needs and keep a list, so that when I do go out I get everything that we need.

**Early Bird** · 10-10-2005, 12:37 PM

I love the way intelligent planning is working on this!

**Mom23boys** · 10-10-2005, 01:36 PM

WTG! I like how you laid out the benefits of budgeting your gas.
I think you have a great plan in place!

**psjkmom** · 10-10-2005, 01:56 PM

Good for you. If all of us did the same, imagine the benefit to our environment and our wallets!

**homesteadmamma** · 10-10-2005, 02:37 PM

Good for you. We've cut ours dramatically too just by walking everywhere in town. Doesn't it feel good?

**ecgsmama** · 10-10-2005, 02:37 PM

Since the rise in gas prices I've been carpooling. I haven't seen the big benefits of this yet, but I'm sure they'll come! Every little bit helps!

**forestdale** · 10-10-2005, 02:49 PM

I'm really impressed, Valerie. That's excellent. Your list shows great benefits simply by reorganising your shedule.

I think EVERYTHING balances out and the good side of the fuel crisis is that there are less green house gases due to the reduction in car use. It might be an inconvenience for us but the planet is getting much needed help.

**Lori Biever-Launder** · 10-10-2005, 03:12 PM

Valerie, I have beenplaying a game with myself. I am seeing just how long I can make a tank last. Since I only live about a mile from work, but must drive since I carry deposits back and forth every day. I combine other errands and have cut a bit more out by buying groceries on my big trip to the neighboring town (15 miles) to once every five weeks instead of once a month. This also save a bit of grocery money and I use up odds and ends in the pantry as well.

To tell you just how well these strategies work, may I present my car as evidence? It is a '97 Dodge intrepid 3.5L, 24 vavle with 67,000 miles on it! Yep, you read right--my baby is rapidly approaching its tenth birthday and still looks and runs like new. You have got to love those combined trips. When I DO sell it, I will have people fighting over it because of the low miles and the fact that we take such good care of our vehicles. Our last car sold in a few days to some friends and it was eleven years old at he time. It's still running thei daughter everywhere over two years later!

**Lori Biever-Launder** · 10-10-2005, 03:13 PM

I forgot to add that I have to fill up about every three weeks and two days. I am trying for four weeks!

**Dedlered** · 10-10-2005, 03:22 PM

I wish that I could cut back on gas. I don't drive during the weekend unless absolutely necessary but I have to drive to work every day and that is 36 miles

**jlxian** · 10-10-2005, 03:59 PM

Very impressive Valerie!

**Valerie in WA** · 10-10-2005, 04:52 PM

I thought of one more benefit:

By going out less often, I'm less likely to impulse spend.

**lilk** · 10-10-2005, 05:31 PM

Way to go Valerie and Lori.

We live in the country it is 4 miles to a small town, and all they have is a little ma & pa store (to expensive to grocery shop at). I also combine my errands. It takes me 20 minutes to get to work and there is a Krogers and a Save A Lot( I get most of my groceries on my work days). I can only get about 8 -10 days out of a tank of gas. I'm going keep working at it.