Is your wallet missing a few more dollars each week? Have you visited a gas station recently? There is no doubt that everyone is feeling the “pinch at the pump” with some record-breaking high gas prices at fuel stations nationwide. For families, who are frequently on the road with errands to after school activities, current gas prices have affected daily routines and household budgets. Many parents are eliminating long road trips for vacations & family outings and utilizing more car pool for school & activities in an effort to save money and gas. With summer vacation around the corner, families are looking for ways to save at the pump and in their budget.
“Drivers across the country will feel the strain of gas prices exceeding $4.50 per gallon this summer. In some cities $5 per gallon is not out of the question,” said oil, shale and alternative energy expert, Chris Faulkner (also the CEO of Texas-based Breitling Oil & Gas Inc.)
Chris Faulkner is President and Chief Executive Officer Breitling Oil and Gas,(http://www.breitlingoilandgas.com/), a Dallas-based independent oil and gas exploration and production company. He offers the following 15 tips to make a trip to the pump less painful:
1. Fill up your tank on Wednesday or Thursday before 10 am. Gas prices rise on Thursdays in anticipation of weekend travel. 10 am is when most station owners make their price change for the day. Unless it is an emergency, do not buy gas Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
2. Don’t let your car idle, either when you warm it up or when you are at a standstill. If you’re going to be standing for more than a minute, running your engine wastes more gas than restarting the engine.
3. Buy gas when it’s cooler during the day (like the early morning or at night) to reduce gas evaporation.
4. Remove unnecessary items in your car. Every 250 extra pounds eats up an extra mile per gallon of gas.
5. Avoid the convenient gas station on the side of the highway as you drive home from work which can be up to $.15 more per gallon.
6. Save money with self-service and look for gas stations where paying cash costs the same as using a credit or debit card.
7. Double check the attendant and ensure, if you are paying by cash, that “cash” is noted on the pump. You could lose $.05 a gallon if he mistakenly presses “credit.”
8. Drive less – combine errands, carpool, and plot out the shortest route with a driving website beforehand. It may sound obvious but it is often overlooked.
9. Check for traffic and detours online or on the radio prior to beginning your drive to avoid wasteful backtracking and idling.
10. Keep your windows closed when driving on the highway. Open windows can reduce your gas mileage by as much as 10%. In stop-and-go traffic, open the windows and turn off the air conditioning to save more money.
11. Rent fuel-efficient cars when you travel and research reasonably priced places to buy gas before you leave.
12. Confirm with your mechanic what octane gasoline your car’s engine really needs. Most car engines do not require high octane though the manual will say its “recommended.”
13. Download a Gas App for your phone. If you have a Smartphone, there are plenty of free apps that help you find the cheapest gas near your destination. GasBuddy makes it easy with its free app, and MapQuest has an online finder for gas prices.
14. Buy Discount Gas Gift Cards – Did you know you don’t have to pay full price for a gift card? Sites like GiftCardGranny.com offer a diverse selection of discount gas gift cards from various card vendors.
15. Be loyal to one gas company and get rewarded with it’s cash-back credit card reward program.
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| Chris Faulkner President and Chief Executive Officer, Breitling Oil and Gas Chris Faulkner, age 34 President and Chief Executive Officer Breitling Oil and Gas, has a diverse background in oil & gas industry. Mr. Faulkner studied at the University of North Texas and Baylor University received his Doctorate Degree from Concordia College.
Mr. Faulkner has extensive past experience in all aspects of oil and gas operations including project management, oduction, facilities, drilling and business development. Mr. Faulkner has also served on key corporate and industry committees, including Breitling’s World Shale Gas Advisory Committee, R&D Committees, and the Oil and Gas Technology Advisory Committee.
Mr. Faulkner has been featured in numerous publications including American Oil and Gas Investor, Energy Today, EuroAsia Industry, D Magazine and the Dallas Morning News. He is a frequent lecturer at industry events and is a member of many industry organizations including the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers, the Dallas Petroleum Club, Independent Petroleum Association of America, Texas Alliance of Energy Producers and Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association. He is actively involved in local and national philanthropic and non-profit organizations including Dallas Performing Arts, Texas CAN-DO, American Heart Association and Big Brothers Big Sisters.
His current focus with Breitling is financial management, investor relations, short and long-term business strategy, mergers and acquisitions and vendor relationship management.
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LOL, my wallet is missing more than just a few cents and dollars! These are great tips, always good to be reminded of how to save money!