Ways to Save on Gas

Nearly everything is getting significantly more expensive. To top off this hellacious year of inflation, my favorite store, Dollar Tree, threatens to morph into its ugly sister, Family Dollar. I won’t even go into Family Dollar in a pinch; it’s full of trashy and overpriced items. If Dollar Tree becomes like Family Dollar, it might soon be banned as well. In this overpriced environment, we have to be creative and find inventive ways to save.

Just because everything costs 50% more than two years ago doesn’t mean we are getting paid 50% more. There’s no way 2-3% cost-of-living wage increases can keep up, especially in 2021. And it’s not the employer’s fault. It’s overinflated real estate and employee and goods shortages, and so many other factors driving this inflation.

And readers, Dollar Tree, as we know it, will soon be a thing of the past. We will have to be more inventive when looking for inexpensive groceries. Even cheaper stores like LIDL and Aldi are getting more expensive – I spend about twice on a similar grocery trip as I did a couple of years ago. More on that later, but today I’m going to focus on gas.

Gas is getting so expensive! My car uses premium gas, which makes it even more pricey. Here are some ways to save a bit on gas:

1. Have you tried the app, GetUpside? It’s an app for finding cheaper gas. Here is an invite code: SHELLIE2324 – When you sign up using that code, you will get a bonus of $7 the first time you buy gas, and so will I. You can also save at certain grocery stores and convenience stores using the app.

2. Many gas stations have loyalty programs. I receive loyalty discounts for Exxon, BP, and Sheetz. I love Sheetz, and their app is pretty fantastic. Sheetz offers discounted food items every month, a yearly birthday gas discount, and occasional free items. As a loyalty member, every time you buy gas, you will save $0.03 a gallon! It’s enough to keep me coming back.

If you are an Exxon loyalty member, you will occasionally get free gas. The last time I went to Exxon, I received $1.75 in free gas! You have to go there a few times, though, and wait for your discounts to appear.

3. Credit cards will often give you cash back for buying gas. Chase Freedom has a different 5% cashback category each quarter. Sometimes, the discount category is gas. Five percent is a significant discount, especially when combined with GetUpside and gas station loyalty programs.

If you know of any other ways to save on gas, please share in the comments area.