As the price of gasoline and insurance skyrocket, everyone needs to cut driving expenses to stay competitive and liquid. Four major options can cut the driving expense budget and start you saving money quickly.

Gasoline
* Buy gasoline early in the morning or two hours after dark. The cold of the ground makes the gasoline more dense, meaning more gasoline per dollar.

* Driving courteously. Quick starts and hard braking burn more gasoline than letting off one pedal and touching your foot to the floor before applying pressure to another pedal. The speed limit, or just a bit below, will produce better gas mileage.

* Empty your trunk and backseat. The least amount of excess weight in your car will require the least amount of gas to transport.

* Keep your tank full. This produces the least amount of gasoline evaporation breakdown in your tank, which causes poor fuel economy and reduced performance.

* Use cruise control every time possible. Although not recommended for mountainous regions, cruise control can save more than 7% of the gas used when driving manually.

* Use the correct grade of gasoline for your vehicle. Ensuring the proper burn of gasoline will produce the proper fuel economy.

Plan ahead
* Plan excursions to include at least three stops. By combining trips for errands, you will burn less gasoline and time.

* Research rates for insurance before your policy expires. Getting a quote from another company will ping your credit report, but getting a better renewal quote from your current carrier will reduce your rates. Take advantage of longevity discounts by staying with the same company.

* Plan your maintenance. Proper maintenance of air filters, oil changes, fuel filters, spark plugs and your gas tank will keep your automobile running at peak efficiency, reducing gasoline consumption and high ticket maintenance.

* Leave on time. By scheduling properly, you will not be in a hurry driving to or from any place. This will burn less gasoline.

* Go against the flow. Driving in stop and go traffic (in other words: rush hours) costs much more than highway driving with no stopping.

Driving alternatives
* When possible, walk or bicycle to your destination. Not only is this cheaper, it is very good for your heart.

* Carpool. Sharing a ride cuts expenses and is good for the environment.

* Public transportation. Weigh the cost of driving to and from work in your own car (including gasoline, insurance and maintenance) against taking a little more time to get there.

* Stay home. For the first time, you have the green light to procrastinate. Rather than go to the grocery for one ingredient, cook something else. Tomorrow, go to the grocery when you pick up your prescription.

Assessing what you can afford
* If your car payment is taxing, consider refinancing your vehicle to lower your interest rate.

* When the combination of car payment, gasoline, insurance and maintenance are too high, consider trading your vehicle in on one that is more fuel efficient, lower priced and less expensive to insure.

* Consider your commute. Relocation may well be an investment in future savings. Cutting the cost of your commute can pay for relocation quickly and begin to net savings.

Employing as few as three of these expense cutting tips can help you start saving money. Driving does not have to break the bank!

Learn more about this author, Ann Marie Dwyer.
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