Save Cash: On Your Daily Commute to Work
August 22, 2011, By Craig J. Heimbuch 0 comments
Going to work costs a lot of money these days. It was nice when I worked in the suburbs. I could be to work in 15 minutes and never, ever think about getting on the interstate. But I've been working downtown for a couple of years now and that's meant a soul-crushing, twice-daily slog up and down a congested highway, watching money waft out of my tailpipe like steam on a cold morning. With gas prices hovering at just about twice that of a cup of coffee, I decided I needed to get better at commuting in order to make coming to work every day financially viable.
I made a few calls and took to the web and came up with these best practices and tips for commuters to help save some money and make the whole process easier.
1. Play the Clock
If I leave home at eight, I'll get to work at nine. But if I leave home at 7:15, I'll be there by 7:50. Fifteen minutes is fifteen minutes. The same goes for the evening commute. You may think leaving work early is the answer, but I've found the opposite is true. If I leave work at five, I might be home by 6:15. But if I leave at six, I can usually be home by 6:40. Peak traffic times vary from place to place, but there are relatively small adjustments that can make a big difference. If it works out with work, consider shifting your work day to make your commute shorter and, thus, more efficient.
2. Check Your Tire Pressure
Jacklyn Tobin, a spokesperson for AAA, says that tire pressure can make a huge difference in fuel efficiency. According to AAA, a single pound of pressure below the recommended level can result in a 2% loss in fuel efficiency. If your tires are 10 pounds below the recommended inflation level, you can be losing 20% of your fuel efficiency. But don't just take Tobin's word for it; Supermiler.com, a blog devoted to hypermiling, makes the same recommendation. Regular scheduled maintenance can also make a big difference in fuel efficiency. Engines work better when they are clean and lubed up.
3. Slow Down
According to Tobin, the US Department of Energy has found that drivers spend an extra $.25 per gallon for gas for every five miles an hour they travel over 60. That adds up big time. Also, drive less. Combining trips means fewer times you have to cover the ground between, say, your house and the grocery store plaza. Be smart about driving, and you'll do less of it.
4. Consider Shared Options
Public transit systems offer commuters a means to get to work without fighting through traffic. But if you're like me, you need your car during the day. Consider a ride-share carpool. Sites like eRideShare and CarpoolConnect allow drivers and riders to find each other. If you work a fairly regular schedule, sharing a car (and thus gas costs) with someone else can mean a huge savings and, presumably, better conversation than commuting alone.
NEXT: Play the Pumps
