The Busy Buzz

Please pass these money and gas saving tips along to anyone who could use the savings!!

This tip came from my Dave Ramsey counselor, Brenda Williams

“I thought this was a neat tool and am passing it along to help you get the best deal on gas in your area.  I know it’s a concern for me as we approach $4.00 a gallon!” And now go over!!

http://autos.msn.com/everyday/gasstations.aspx

4920 Plainfield Ave. NE
Suite #8
Grand Rapids, MI 49525

(If anyone needs help financially, I highly reccommend seeing a financial counselor and getting on a budget!!  And PS  Brenda is awesome!!) 

More gas info…

Analysis on companies that purchase or do not purchase their oil from Saudia Arabia, Iraq and other OPEC countries
www.boycott-middle-east-oil.com

Preferred stations – these stations buy less oil from Saudi Arabia, Iraq and other fascist Islamic countries. Click on the link to check if one of its brands is available in your area:

Citgo
Conoco
Phillips 66
Sunoco
Coastal/El Paso
FyingJ
Sinclair Oil
Vitol
ConocoPhillips (Union 76)
Tesoro Petroleum
Hess
Wal-Mart

Borderline gas stations:

BP
Amoco

Planning your vacation?     http://www.fuelcostcalculator.com/   See approx how much fuel will cost you using your vehicle information and the nearest major city!!  Pretty Cool!

YOUR MONEY
Smart consumer tips and strategies from Eyewitness News Online
Gas Saving Tips

Jim Kliesch from the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) says one way is to keep your speeding down: “Today’s cars and trucks are really designed to operate at about 55 miles per hour, most efficiently. Above that speed, fuel economy drops off rather quickly.”

So, if you’re driving 65-miles an hour, instead of 55, your fuel economy will be cut by ten percent.

Steady Speed

Another tip, plan a route that lets you travel at a constant speed. Speed fluctuations and stop-and-go driving generally will burn more fuel, says the ACEEE.

Roll up Windows

If you’re on the highway, consider keeping your windows closed. Open windows can cause drag.

Empty Trunk

Start unloading your trunk now. According to the ACEEE, the heavier the vehicle is, the harder the engine is going to have to work. So, having additional weight in your trunk acts as a penalty.

Maintain Your Car

Keeping your car in good shape is also a gas saver. Get regular tune-ups and car maintenance checks. This will help your car’s performance as well as its gas mileage. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a poorly tuned engine can increase fuel consumption by as much as 20%. Check your owner’s manual for recommended maintenance schedules. By following the suggestions, you should avoid fuel waste caused by worn spark plugs, dragging brakes and low transmission fluid.

Also, Make sure to pay attention to your tires. “Every 3 pounds per square inch lower than your recommended tire pressure your fuel economy will drop,” says Kliesch.

Time of Day

Believe it or not, WHEN you buy your gas can make a difference. Experts say it’s best to buy your gas first thing in the morning. That’s when gas is densest, so you’ll get more for your money.

Avoid unnecessary idling

http://www.wvah.com/newsroom/money/030408.shtml

Cheapest Day & Time of the Week to Buy Everything From Groceries to Gas
Thanks to online coupons, price-comparison search engines and reward memberships, savvy shoppers can pay less than full price on any day that ends in “y.” But depending on what you’re planning to buy, some days of the week may yield better bargains than others. We talked to the experts, and narrowed down the best days of the week to buy certain items. If you want to buy a car shop on a Monday, if you need gas get it Thursday’s before 10am, the best deals on clothing are Thursday evenings, and the best time to eat out is Tuesday’s.
The Cheapest Days to Buy Certain Items – SmartMoney.com

Gas

When to Buy: Thursday, before 10 a.m.
Why: The price of oil isn’t the only factor influencing costs at your local pump. Consumer usage plays a role, too — and weekend demand is high, says Jason Toews, co-founder of GasBuddy.com, a price-monitoring site. Prices usually swing upward on Thursdays as travelers fuel up to head out the following day. By hitting the pump before 10 a.m. (when many station owners change their prices), you’ll beat the rush and the price jump.

Hypermiling : Ways to decrease your fuel consumption

First (and most important) step: Start recording your gas mileage. Easiest way? Use your trip odometer. Method to check your MPG

Second step: Do you drive agressively and not know it?

>> The third step: How long are you sitting still at red lights?

>> The fourth step: Keeping moving in traffic congestion

>> The fifth step: Slowly accelerate after stops

>> The sixth step: Your cruise control saves gas (but not by using it they way you might think)

http://www.hypermiling.com/car-mpg.html

This CNN.com Article gives a fantastic explanation of some of the basic concepts behind hypermiling.

 Let me know what you think!