One of the most feared letters of the English alphabet in today’s society is the letter “E”. Why, you ask? No, not because we are all failing our eye exams, but because “E” indicates that our gas tank is empty and we need to fill up. This is becoming increasingly difficult as gas prices continue to rise. However, there are ways that you can save money when it comes to your gas expenditures.

First, there are the obvious ways to conserve gas. Walk or take your bike to any place that is in close proximity. Not only is this good for your wallet, it’s a great way to get out and exercise, and help the environment as well. Another way would be to try to find more things to do around campus. Have a movie or game night, or play a sport on the lawn. You may be surprised as to the number of activities you can find to do without leaving campus. If you need to do a bank transaction, use the ATM on campus. Try to do as many errands as possible via internet or over the phone. If you must go out, either for fun or for errands, try to do them all at once, rather than making several trips during the week. Also, when you run errands, try to park in one spot that is near to all the places you need to go. Then, rather than trying to find that “perfect parking spot”, for each stop, just walk from place to place. Or, when you go out, carpool with others that are going to some of the same places. Finally, you could take the Seamore Shuttle on the weekends to your destinations. This is a free service to LSSU students. It is available Friday through Sunday in front of the Cisler Center.  It runs on Fridays and Saturdays from 6:00 P.M.-10:30 P.M., and Sundays from 1:00 P.M. -4:00 P.M.

Other ways to save on gas are reliant on car maintenance and maneuver. Keep your tires properly inflated, check your spark plugs regularly, and maintain its overall internal parts. A properly running car will not have to work as hard as one that is in need of repairs, meaning better milage. As far as maneuvering, by driving slower (around the speed limit, and not 10-15 mph faster, which we all tend to do), accelerating gradually, and braking gently, you will be conserving gas as well. In addition, try to have the lightest load as possible when you drive. The less weight in your car, the less it has to work, so rather than carrying things in your car, keep them in your room. These are all great ways to save on gas that really require minimal change on your part. Just by leaving a little earlier so that you do not have to speed to get to an appointment on time or by keep your car in check, you’ll notice a difference in how often you need to fill up at the pump.

Finally, you have a few money-saving options when it comes to credit cards. By applying for a Shell Station Mastercard, you can save a percentage of money each time you fill up. You will receive a rebate for each gas purchase made on the card. NationalCity Bank also offers a similar benefit if you qualify for their VISA card. Other cards, banks, and gas stations offer similar programs. To obtain more information, visit NationalCity.com, Shell.com, or stop in at either of those places in person.

Hopefully, after reading this, you are feeling somewhat more optimistic about the costs of gasoline. Simple changes can make a big difference, and you will be surprised how much you can save. So get out and have fun!

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