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Gasoline to power our cars has become a significant expense for many individuals around the world.  From the United States to the United Kingdom to China, the cost of a gallon of gasoline has risen by an outrageous rate over the last year.  Now, average individuals are feeling the pain in their pocketbooks and are looking for ways that they can use to save money at the pump.

Saving money on gas is not difficult if you know the tips and tricks that can save you money and cause your gas to go further.  Although each tip may only save you pennies on the gallon, over time, the savings will add up and the methods will become routine.  Saving all of the money that you can on gasoline purchases will leave you with more money for other purchases.  

1. Shop around for the best price on gas.
The price of gas can vary by 5 cents per gallon or more from gas station to gas station and being able to find the station with the lowest price on gasoline in your area could save you a significant amount of money each year.  There are a number of different tools available to help consumers find the lowest priced gas in their area, including websites that display current prices for the gas stations in the area and text message alerts sent to your cell phone.

2. Stay away from gas stations near the freeway.
Gas stations that are located near to or just off of exit and entrance ramps to the freeway will generally have the highest gas prices because here is where many travelers get gas when they are running low and do not want to go far from the freeway.  Gas stations that are more than one mile away from a freeway exit ramp will have lower prices, causing you to save 5 cents per gallon or more by choosing that gas station instead.

3. Fill up in less affluent neighborhoods.
Individuals in affluent neighborhoods are less apt to complain about higher gasoline prices so many of the gas stations in those neighborhoods will advertise higher gasoline prices than their competitors in less affluent neighborhoods, where the pain is greater at the pump.  Branded gas stations will have the same quality of gas at both locations so purchasing your gas in less affluent neighborhoods will do your car no harm.

4. Use those grocery store gas rewards.
Many grocery store chains have expanded into gasoline sales at some of their stores and will give loyal shoppers a discount on the chain’s gasoline depending on how much the customer has spent at the stores within a certain time frame.  Individuals with a family that they must purchase groceries for will find that they can save as much as $0.50 per gallon per fill-up at the store’s gas station.

5. Use discount coupons.
Some gasoline retailers are offering discount coupons for gasoline and other related items at their stores.  If you are lucky enough to come across one of these coupons, do not be afraid to use them at your local gas station to receive a discount on the items that you by.  Remember, every cent saved is a cent that you can put towards another purpose.