Milking the mileage

[Lori]

My husband and I have been working on increasing our miles to the gallon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_economy-maximizing_behaviors).

We've got the average from 14.7 to 16.9 in the past couple weeks. That's about an $8 savings at the pump right there.

It's been fun!

[Dawn~AturService]

Wow Lori, good for you!
I need to work on the acceleration and deceleration aspect :rolleyes: .
Let's just say, everyone I know hates my driving. I'm not a big speeder, I just have a heavy foot when it comes to stop & go. :oops:

[Audrey]

Lori,

Wow...that is huge :)

[smbwallace]

Good ideas. The main thing we've done is cut out trips that are not absolutely necessary. We already planned trips (even just around town) according to what errands needed to be run/bills to be paid, etc.

[suezeeque]

My husband and I are in the process of building a hydrogen converter for our van. An acquaintance of ours swears he is getting 40-50% better gas mileage after he built his.
I'll let you know how it works out. Right now, we are still sourcing components!

[eapoosmama]

You Go Lori! :)

I just lost my contract for my 15 year job. Doing a lot of staying home this summer -- after my $730.15 AMEX gas bill in June -- not missing the pump one bit.

I barely go anywhere, park, grocery store, post office a couple times a week, church -- everything is very convenient in my area. Lately I feel like I hit the lotto with only about $100.00 for a month in gas.

[MaryAnn]

You bring up a good point: with the price of commuting and day care, a family would probably save money with one parent staying at home!

I have been combining trips. I do not have a fuel efficient car :( but I live in a small town so I can go to town and pretty much do all my errands at once: post office, bank, hair cut, church, dollar store, etc.

I have completely cut out Dunkin Donuts - which I missed at first but then I realized how much money I was saving :eek:

There's probably two or three days a week that I don't drive anywhere at all.

[eapoosmama]

You bring up a good point: with the price of commuting and day care, a family would probably save money with one parent staying at home!

I have been combining trips. I do not have a fuel efficient car :( but I live in a small town so I can go to town and pretty much do all my errands at once: post office, bank, hair cut, church, dollar store, etc.

I have completely cut out Dunkin Donuts - which I missed at first but then I realized how much money I was saving :eek:

There's probably two or three days a week that I don't drive anywhere at all.

I am on a Compact group for about a year and a half now. There was a very nice article about a mom who is now cutting back. The article noted that they are now saving by hanging laundry yada, yada, yada, and cutting down on something like 250. or 350. a month in dry cleaning and Starbuck. I just about fell over. That IS my grocery bill for our family a month.
http://shop.equalexchange.com/ --- you could order a year of FAIR TRADE Organic or flavored coffees with free shipping and save a ton in GAS alone going out and still have premium brew every morning. :)
Who says you have to be deprived? :)

[MaryAnn]

Mary Beth - what is a Compact group?

[eapoosmama]

Mary Beth - what is a Compact group?


http://groups.yahoo.com/group/thecompact/

:)

[MaryAnn]

Wow - and you've not bought anything new the entire year? <very impressed and wondering how in the world you can do that!!!!>

[BigMoneyJoe]

Here's one tip I learned I recently put into action :

Fill your tires up to the recommended air pressure.

It's simple, but I've been noticing extra mileage on my car.