For millions of vehicle owners, the recent price hikes at the gas pump have made driving a costly endeavor. Buying less gas and diesel at the pump saves money and leads to a cleaner environment. Here are the most effective tactics for cutting down on vehicle use.
Combine Trips
The simplest way to reduce gas and diesel consumption is to combine personal trips. Instead of making four or five separate jaunts each day, map out a route that gets everything taken care of in a single outing. Use a mapping app to find the most efficient path. The average driver can cut weekly mileage by as much as 50% just by planning each day’s driving routine.
Get an Online Degree
Studying online instead of taking college courses in person is a huge game-changer when it comes to environmental sustainability. Students who earn degrees online and pay for some or all the bills with scholarships avoid thousands of miles of driving over the course of a four-year degree program. If you are headed to college, remember that most of today’s institutions offer distance degrees for people who wish to study from the comfort of their computer chair at home, at work or the local coffee shop. The point is to eliminate the lengthy and frequent commutes to class by earning a degree online. To find available scholarships, use an all-in-one platform to identify and apply for any number of awards, all from a single website.
Get a Smaller Car
Consider downsizing your ride. Don’t just look for a smaller vehicle; find one that gets better mileage, costs the same or less, and has positive consumer ratings for durability. Avoid buying a car that has high miles on the odometer because the fuel efficiency could drop off soon after your purchase it.
Take Public Transportation
There are several choices for people who wish to ride public transit. Most medium-sized and larger cities have bus or light-rail systems or both. While train coverage can be limited, bus routes tend to cover vast geographic regions. That makes it easy for anyone to hop on a local bus and get to their destination. Every mile you ride on a bus or train is one less mile in a car, which translates directly into lower fuel bills.
From a consumer’s perspective, public transportation is an effective way to save money. However, increased usage of common transit is good for the environment too. If you’ve never ridden on a bus or light-rail train, check out the local transit authority’s website for basic information on fares, routes, and logistics of how to board and pay. Most municipalities post helpful videos that explain every step of the process.