Ok, that title is a bit extreme, but that’s exactly how I felt this morning after filling up my car at a Shell gas station
Let me take a moment to apologize for not posting my regular Interior Design tips this Tuesday, but I felt the need to address this craziness that happens at the gas pump, because I know I am not alone.
This Result of Filling up at a Shell Gas Station Today
This my friends, is a weekly…..sometimes twice weekly occurrence for me. My job as an Interior Designer requires a lot of traveling to and from clients’ homes (sometimes a few in one day), driving to and from Design Centers to source items for my clients, driving to and from my workrooms and contractors to check on the progress of custom work, driving to and from networking and business building events and of course driving to and from kids activities. As you can see, I drive a lot and therefore spend a lot of money at the gas station.
My Very Functional GMC Yukon aka Big Bertha.
Of course it doesn’t help any that my vehicle of choice is a huge gas guzzling SUV. But before you suggest that I get rid of her, Big Bertha actually saves me money……yes she has a name. How does Big Bertha save me money? Well, I pack her up to the rafters almost daily with items I need to deliver to my clients (sometimes 12′ drapery rods), and that saves me from the ridiculous delivery charges that I sometimes get. I just paid $200.00 to have a $95 mirror delivered to a client. Yes, it’s that crazy.
Of course moving out to the country last summer hasn’t helped my cause in any way. All the places that I shop at are at least 5-6 miles away. Ironically the only thing that is close to me is a gas station about two miles from my home.
So what have I been doing to help save on gas?
- I plan my trips and get as much done as possible in one trip. Basically I limit my driving - I no longer have the luxury of running out for a smoothie or something that isn’t necessary. My 17 year old is now driving and she thinks she can just hop into the car all willy nilly without any thought given to gasoline usage
- I try to keep Big Bertha properly maintained. I read somewhere that the air pressure in your tires affects how your car burns gas, also changing spark plugs often. I don’t know too much about cars but I figure if it is maintained properly it will run smoothly and that can only be a good thing for gas consumption
- I have become better at qualifying clients when they call for a consultation. When I first started out as a Designer, my philosophy was to help any and everyone who called me and needed my help with making their home beautiful. That used to mean driving to sometimes very far places, not charging a consultation fee or even a trip charge, get my brain picked, give away a bunch of design ideas and never hear from the prospect again. I still have that philosophy except now I charge for my consultation and a trip charge if they are very far away. That weeds out the “tire-kickers” for the most part and helps me cover these hefty charges at the gas pump.
- I try very hard to keep a log of mileage and gas for work. I am sure there are some tax deductions you can get (Check with your tax preparer on this and don’t take my word for it)
- Carpooling. I often don’t get the opportunity to carpool, but I do whenever possible
- I now pay attention to prices at the pump and plan where I go to fill up. I honestly used to stop at the first gas station I would come across to fill up, but what I didn’t realize is how drastically different prices can be from one gas station to the next. I recall being in Uptown Houston not long ago and I was completely empty, pulled into a gas station and was shocked at how much more the prices were compared to the prices in Katy where I live. I never made that mistake again
- I try not to top off my tank between fills. I wait for a quarter tank or so. Doing this extends gas mileage because my car is hauling a lighter fuel load. It also gives me the opportunity to buy more gas if I run across a bargain, plus I am not making unnecessary trips to the gas station
- I try really hard not to “idle”. That is sitting in the car with the engine running. Although that theory is tested constantly with a teenage daughter
- I have been told that keeping the car at a constant speed while driving helps with gas mileage. I find that difficult to do, but I try
- Yes the A/C does affect the gasoline usage on your car. Using the A/C at lower speeds actually reduces fuel efficiency so it is best to use A/C when you are on the highway. This is harder in the summer months but I try to be very conscious of this
- I try to park in the shade as much as possible. gasoline does evaporate regardless of where you park, but a lot faster if you are in direct sun.
These are some of the conscious efforts I make to help keep my cost at the pump down. They are not major lifestyle changes, but every little bit helps.
What are some things that you do to save on gasoline? Please share in the comments below!
Thanks for taking the time to read my post today. I promise I will return to our regular programming soon 
Hope you all have a terrific Tuesday!
Be Inspired!
Veronica Solomon, Casa Vilora Interiors
VeronicaSolomon.com
Nice tips… I love Big Bertha!
haha! thanks Loretta. She is my big baby
Ouch! And more than once a week – yikes? I know gas prices are ridiculous, but can you write some of it off on your taxes maybe? I bet you can.
Those are some awesome tips. We have had to cut our running to once and week if we forget something we do without until next week.
Gas is crazy expensive! I think you have a great list of ways to cut down on how many times you have to fill up. I think it is a list we all could use!
Oh my gosh… i went from a mini van (ick) to a car similar to yours and I just filled up last monday and it cost 69.70! UGH… I’m not happy but w summer approaching… I get those months off so I should save $.
You have a lot of great tips on saving gas money here. Gas prices are definitely an issue for many of us so these tips will certainly come in handy! Thanks for sharing!
Yeah, that summer fuel mix coming into season is a real bummer! We make sure to keep our car maintained and the least loaded up we can.
fuel costs always rise in the summer. I love to travel but we have to be more conscience about where we go
I feel your pain, you and I drive the same big SUV. I need a big SUV, because you can’t fit a concert harp or a PA in a smaller car. It sounds crazy, but it does save us money, also. This past winter it saved our butt, too. We had a nasty blizzard, a country club was having a large party and they hired our chorus. The kids could not drive themselves, because it was too dangerous…so we loaded up our car and drove everyone there!
Wow, these are great tips that I need to try. I just spent $50 at the pump. We bought a more economical car this time, but that still only lasts a week for me. Even though Bertha is a gas guzzler, she makes up for it with all that room for carpooling and to transfer items.
The cost of gas is so bad! And with the warmer weather the kids want road trips and ice cream. It may bot be so cheap after all. Thanks for the tips
I had to start working from home because of the ridiculous gas prices. These are great tips, and reminders of how we can easily save on mileage and gas.
Gas prices are so crazy right now! I make sure that if I’m in town, I run all my errands and not have to make a special trip.
Drove by a station in Chicago this weekend that was over $4.50/gallon! Thank goodness for cheaper gas here in Iowa!
Gas is getting more and more expensive, lately it’s pretty insane.
These are great tips. We try to get gas at Costco, where it is cheaper. Combining trips is big for me. I will only head out to the mall if I have several things to do, not just to get one item.
I’m so sick of these gas prices going up. I have a small SUV and it cost me $50 to fill it up. Only good thing is I don’t have to do a lot of driving for work. Thanks for sharing your gas saving tips!
I also drive an SUV and I love it. I can get my kids in easily and I feel they are safer than in smaller cars. However, the trips to the gas pump are startling. I agree with your tips except one. I live in an area with really hot summers. I am running my AC non-stop.
I feel your pain. Every time I fill up I just cringe, and I don’t have a big car. It costs me about $50-55 a week.
I love the gas saving tips. However my hubby works for QT- so I can only 90% like this post!
I always have my AC cranked. Good to know that I can help preserve gas by turning it to a lower setting!
What a great post. It’s a great idea to plan out your trips and not go to customers that won’t benefit you or your business.
Yikes! I think it’s time to invest in a smart car or a bike lol 80$ a week is scary! I wish I had a car because it’s really practical but where I live everything is walking distance. Not to forget we have public transportation.
Try driving a 12 passenger van. We drive our kids to and from school, to activities, and other stuff. Admittedly, we get awesome gas mileage on road trips (over 300 miles on a tank of gas), but around town it is a pain in the arse! I shop at Winn-Dixie so I’m always using fuel perks to cut the cost as much as possible. I’ve paid as little as 38 cents for 20 gallons of gas using my fuel perks.
We have a suburban (big family requires a big vehicle), and filling with gas always makes me ill. The prices are insane, and we only fill up at Costco because they’re cheaper than any other place close to us. You have some good tips, however, so I’ll try them. Thanks!
Good tips. We have a big SUV too. I hate that Gas is so expensive. But we really need to SUV for our family.
Well if this isn’t the truth! You gave some really great tips. I used to run to clients all the time now, but now I try and schedule other appointments and even grocery shopping around events.
These are great tips! As a P.I. I travel around 1500 miles a week and fill up sometimes 2-3 times in one day. Another tip I highly recommend is adding a fuel additive to clean your fuel system at least once a month. Never put off an oil change. As your oil gets gunked up more and more, it reduces your mileage significantly. If you can switch to synthetic, you can get better gas mileage as well and you can go longer between oil changes without increasing gas mileage. (Synthetic gives you approx 7-10K miles between oil changes or more depending on the brand of oil you spring for.)
Thanks so much. Those are some amazing tips!
Big Bertha is big. I have a Durango and I understand what you are saying. That car has saved us so much money in delivery fees over the last 10 years. I have owned it outright for many years and it only has 60,000 miles on it so it doesn’t pay me to get rid of it. And I do love the car, too.
Lol. I try to walk as much as I can to gut back on gas.
I have a SUV too and I’m loving these tips! I didnt know about the parking in shade to save gas!
Wow, that is a gas guzzler. But I understand how it can save you money hauling stuff. Shipping prices are through the roof these days.
We downsized our car from a mini-van that just ate up gas to a smaller SUV that is great on mileage. It really hurts sometimes at the gas station!
I just started a job that is 25 miles one way from my house. My previous job was 3.5 miles away. It’s a huge difference, but I drive mostly highway now and it saves so much on gas.
Now that I don’t have an hour commute, my gas bill is SO much better.
I try to plan my rides out really carefully so I do them all at once and in circular route. I hate buying gas!
Those are really good points.
I love your way in wording, Great style
Gas is crazy right now! I remember when $25 would fill up my tank and last me for over a week. Now my car takes nearly $40 and I can’t stand filling her up!
Those are fantastic tips and great to post about before summer travel season is upon us. I agree that you were wise to keep your current vehicle to save on delivery costs. Wise move!
Thank you guys for all your great comments
I have said for years that they need to provide kleenex at the pumps because most of us are in tears by the time we are done. I am actually to the point I actually only get gas twice a month and no I am not in a hybrid. All of our stores are close enough to go by bike and I prefer the exercise. We also have these great big paved paths for bikes/runners to make it safe – not those stupid little strips on the side of the road but an actual safe path.
Big Bertha looks great. I named my truck Krystal and I have the same problem because gas prices are out of control here in New York too.
Wow, I learned some new gas tips today. Thanks for some easy ways to save gas money!
It is crazy how much gas can vary from one place to the next. In our area, we’re right off Interstate 80. Gas is higher. Go 5 miles up the road away from the interstate a bit and it’s up to 20 cents per gallon cheaper. I don’t get it.
This is are my major problems sometimes.. and even summer. fuel costs is just getting higher ever year.
One of the many reasons why I drive a small car that gets good gas mileage!
Thanks for the tips. We could use them. We have two SUV’s and we live in L.A. – cha ching!
These are great tips. But be glad you don’t live in the Chicago area – we’re averaging over $4.10 per gallon – and I’m in the ‘burbs!
Gas has been crazy expensive lately!!! You should read my article about gas buddy where you can find the cheapest station in your local area.:)
I have a Jeep and have no intentions of trading it in. Yes, it is bigger than some cars, but it is so helpful and you can do so much with it, that the gas is worth it.
Wow, awesome tips! Didn’t really care bout this since I don’t really drive that much. Gas can be really expensive most times but your tips are helpful!
Great money saving advice and tips for drivers
You have me laughing over here at the pic of Big Bertha the gas guzzler!
Great tips for saving on gas! I drive an explorer and I feel you on the gas. 14 miles to the gallon stinks! I am thinking of getting a car that I can drive most of the time and my big old SUV only when I need to.
Word!! The gas prices are getting crazier by the minute. Does it make me old if I say I remember when gas was under a dollar??
Good tips. I didn’t know about parking in the shade. I DID know the price of gas is outrageous (I’m in an SUV and the weekly fill up price is ridiculous enough that I know I’ll downgrade next time I am shopping for a car).
I remember those painful moments at the pump! I had a Ford Expedition until it died this past fall.
Great tips! I almost always get gas at the same place because they’re less expensive and more convenient then everyone else.
I love these tips you’ve laid out! I currently drive a 4 door car but we’ve talked about getting an SUV as our family is getting bigger. I’m not ready for the large gas bill though.
I drive a 12 year old van and have been thinking of going to a smaller car for the gas savings. Yikes!
It give me a headache everytime I have to fill my truck. I will definitely put some of these tips to use.
I’ve always wanted a huge car, but I know gas can be so pricey. Thanks for being so candid and sharing how much it costs to fill up! I paid almost $40 today in FL for a 4 door crossover (mini suv! haha) car.
I feel that way every time I fill up LOL. Those are great tips for saving on gas.
Oye! That makes me grateful for my small size crossover. I’m sick of getting gouged at the pump.
I’d love me a Big Bertha if gas wasn’t so expensive. I die a little inside everytime I have to fill up!
Now this is just a good and helpful list you have here, thanks!
It’s great that Big Bertha saves you so much money on delivery costs! But ouch – that price at the pump certainly does sting, doesn’t it?
Gas prices have gotten outrageous these days. We have an Impala and it takes about $40 to fill it up.
Bertha is beautiful. A trip to the gas station generally sets me back $65 for my mini-van. It’s our primary vehicle. Fortunately, my husbands car requires little fuel and he doesn’t fill the tank often.
These are great tips! We also have a gas guzzler and have to be really careful.
Wow. This is one of the reasons I like commuting. Less payments on gas!
Gas is seriously crazy! Gas savings was a big consideration when we decided for me to stay home.
These tips are great. My husband actually named the family car Darla. One thing my husband does to save fuel is he drives the speed limit. He parks in the shade like you do as well.