| I get a big discount on gasoline every time I | | | | gas is falling, look for a station that has |
| fill up and you can too. I've found I save as | | | | the latest and lowest price. When gas prices |
| much as 18 cents a gallon. How is this | | | | are rising, look for a business that is still |
| possible? The cost of gas varies a lot just | | | | selling at the older price.When you travel, |
| about everywhere in the USA. This is often | | | | be aware that the cost of gas can be a lot |
| caused by an oil company pricing system | | | | more or less at your destination and along |
| called "zone pricing." For example, busy | | | | the way. Call friends in those areas or |
| intersections with competition will generally | | | | people you know who drive that route and ask |
| have lower prices yet stations near an | | | | about prices. |
| interstate highway will often have much | | | | |
| higher prices. But if you keep your eyes | | | | As long as I have been paying attention to |
| open, you can use this difference to your | | | | zone pricing, I am still surprised. For |
| advantage.Take this example. The other day | | | | example, in Greenville, North Carolina, I |
| when I drove a straight five mile stretch of | | | | noticed two gas stations selling the same |
| road from one end of town to the other, I saw | | | | brand and that were almost within sight of |
| clearly posted signs for gas at $2.86 a | | | | each other. The price difference was 10 |
| gallon to $2.68 or a difference of 18 cents. | | | | cents. Why? The more expensive gas was on a |
| This kind of price fluctuation happens in | | | | bypass, the less expensive was tucked away |
| every town, city and rural area all over the | | | | two blocks into town.Depending on the mileage |
| country. With the following simple tips you | | | | your car gets and the amount of driving you |
| can always find the lowest price without | | | | do, you could save as much as $200 a year. |
| going to any trouble. | | | | Calculating a rough average, I would |
| | | | guesstimate that most people would save about |
| Everyday when you drive your normal route, | | | | $100 per car per year. This means that a |
| notice all posted gas station prices. Do not | | | | family with three cars, might save $300. Not |
| go out of your way, since that will just burn | | | | too shabby!Richard Doble, M.A. is editor of |
| up more gas and take time! However, pay | | | | Savvy-Discounts.com, a ten year old frugal |
| attention from one end of your route to | | | | living web site. Information from his |
| another. If you can clearly see a sign down a | | | | Internet site has appeared in Reader's |
| block, keep an eye on it as well.With gas | | | | Digest, Woman's Day (6 times) and ABC-TV's |
| prices changing so often these days, don't | | | | TheView. He was interviewed on the MSNBC |
| assume a station that normally has the lowest | | | | cable channel. His simple, down-to-earth |
| price will always be rock bottom. In addition | | | | strategies can save thousands of dollars |
| prices are often seasonal. For example, where | | | | every year. His tips cover finding discounts |
| I live one gas station usually has the lowest | | | | for groceries, telephone costs, clothing, |
| price in the winter, but is more expensive in | | | | automobile expenses, utilities and travel. He |
| the summer.Prices often change when the | | | | is author of the book, Savvy Discounts, |
| delivery truck arrives, so stations that have | | | | published by a division of Penguin Books. |
| not gotten their delivery may still have the | | | | Read his article about 18 more ways to save |
| old price and ones that just got a delivery | | | | on gas. |
| may have the newest price. When the cost of | | | | |