Transportation is necessary; everyone has to go somewhere. But transportation is expensive. If you’re a car owner, a car, gas, maintenance, insurance, and more add up to a hefty price tag. If you do not own a car, you still have to get around by way of public transportation or rideshare. Transportation costs money, so how do you lessen the financial burden? Cutting costs can be difficult, and it can take some time and dedication to research.
Most transportation costs come from the commute to and from work everyday. If you drive yourself to work, there are a few ways you can cut costs. Gas is a huge expense, so shop around. Different gas stations have different prices, so using apps like GasBuddy can help you find the best deal. Even saving three cents on every gallon will really add up over time. Gas station rewards programs are a great way to save money on something you have to buy frequently, so sign up for them and use them. There are places that sell discounted gift cards for gas stations. You can purchase the discounted gift card and use them at the gas station, so you save some money. Cars are a huge expense to buy and fuel up. Next time you are looking at buying a car, turn your eyes to the hybrids or smaller cars. SUVs are great, but they are not fuel efficient. Hybrids and smaller cars have better gas mileage and use less fuel, which is good for your wallet and the planet!
We don’t always travel smart, so start thinking ahead a little bit. There are shorter ways to get places, so the less miles and time put on the car means less money on fuel and maintenance. If you are leaving the house to do something, try and pack several things into that trip so you don’t have to back track or go out multiple times when once would have sufficed.
Toll roads are pain. If there is not a significant difference in time spent in the car, take the free option instead of the toll road. You can end up saving a significant amount of money by just going around the toll roads. You can even choose an “avoid tolls” option on both Apple and Google Maps.
Carpooling is one of the best ways to save on transportation. If you have friends or coworkers who live close by and you’re going to the same destination, ride together. Everyone saves money, and the roads are less congested. This is a win-win for everyone. Carpooling is not always feasible, but when it is take advantage. Public transportation, bicycles, scooters, walking, and more are great low-cost transportation options, but they are not always feasible for people. Cut costs where you can by doing a little research and being as efficient as possible.
If taking a taxi or rideshare vehicle such as Uber or Lyft is your only option try using a fare comparison site like RideGuru to find the cheapest ride for your journey!
