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6 Ways To Save On Car Costs (while Saving The Planet And Improving Your Health!)

April 8, 2019 Remember when the money you spent on filling your gas tank would pay for a pretty nice evening out? That reality whipped us all into shape when it came to how and when we used our cars. Then fuel prices dropped and you slipped back into old spending habits. Now that prices are on the rise again, does your spending need a check up? You don't have to waste hard-earned money that you could be saving for something important or fun. Tell car-related costs to hit the road with these six easy tips. Tip #1: Improve your car’s efficiency. There are many cheap, easy ways to get the job done. For instance, according to , speeding and rapid acceleration can lower your gas mileage by 33%! Who knew? Tip #2: Car pool. Yes, it is easier and more convenient to drive your own car whenever you need to get somewhere. But what if you arranged to share rides at least some of the time? You’d save gas and cut your transportation costs. Plus, you’ll get to know your co-workers or what’s really going on with your kids (the chauffeur is invisible—try it and see!). Don’t know anyone who shares your driving route? Check out the Wisconsin program or the Waze Carpool community.  Tip #3: Check out other modes of transportation.  Sure, not everyone can take advantage of the bus or biking/walking, but can you? Taking the bus eliminates parking costs and hassles; and walking or biking gives you great exercise and fresh air and cuts emissions (hey, you’re going green!). Tip #4: Double up your driving. Find yourself running out for an errand and later making almost the same trip for something else? Challenge yourself to be more mindful about where you’re driving and when. Tip #5: Investigate telecommuting. This won’t work for every job or company, but maybe it could work for you. Telecommuting even one day a week could make a dent in your car-related costs and maybe even benefit your company and your career (here are some thoughts from to help you evaluate whether it’s a fit).   Tip #6: Be smart about your next car purchase. Today’s low gas prices might mean you don’t think as much about fuel efficiency as you used to. So, even if gas is cheap today, keep in mind that it probably won’t be the entire time you own your car. Ready to buy? Check out the . We’ve got online tools and on-staff experts to help you at every stage of the research and buying process. Rev up your transportation-related savings today with a little help from Summit! You might also be interested in Financial success isn’t how much money you have — it’s feeling good about what you’re doing with the money you have. Here are some tips on how to prioritize your debts and bills, negotiate with creditors and get your late payments back on solid ground. Even in these challenging times, there's  whole lot of good happening! At Summit, we've always believed financial success happens together and that's been truer than ever this past month. Here's what "together" has meant for our community. Navigating finances after college is hard, but you can take it one lesson at a time. Get tips for managing money and paying off student debt after graduation. Navigating finances after college is hard, but you can take it one lesson at a time. Get tips for managing money and paying off student debt after graduation. If you’re not sure if something is a scam, it’s ALWAYS better to act like it could be! Fraudsters are always coming up with creative new ways to steal from you and quick to take advantage of a crisis. Here are some of the most popular recent scams to watch for. With a little planning, you may be able to actually save a little money during the holidays. Check out these tips to keep costs down without missing out on the holiday fun. Some scams go right for your money; others try to get you to part with personal information – like account numbers, Social Security numbers, passwords, and personal identification numbers (PINs). Find out what you should look for and how to protect yourself. The holidays can be stressful & that’s why it’s important to prioritize your self-care. Use these tips to reduce stress without draining your bank account. Your home is your castle, your refuge and—let’s face it—a place where it can be very easy to sink a big chunk of money. Which is why you’re always on the lookout for “sweet spots”:  those home improvements that add comfort, safety or a little zing of style while you’re living in your house and will boost the asking price when it’s time to sell. And if you can find a way to save money on those improvements or cut home expenses at the same time, well that sweet spot just got a little sweeter! 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