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