If you drive to work alone you really aren’t alone. In 2004, the U.S. census estimated that out of the nation’s 128.6 million workers, 77 percent of workers drove alone to work, 10 percent carpooled, two percent walked, and five percent used public transportation The following savings are approximate, based on an average of $30 per week in gas — or ten gallons of gas per week at $3 per gallon — excluding payments for car maintenance, insurance, taxes, tag, etc.
- Bike or walk to work. The only gas you’ll use with this option is oxygen. Savings: $1,560 per year.
- Telecommute. Learn about this quiet revolution [PDF link] in the workplace. Telecommuting twice a week can save you 40 percent of your gas costs according to the Telework Coalition. Savings: $624 per year.
- Carpool. If you must use your car, share your ride. Find a ride in your local paper or try craigslist. Savings: $780 per year if shared with one other person.
- Keep your car tuned. A well-tuned car uses approximately nine percent less gas than a poorly tuned car, and you can lose about two percent in fuel economy for every pound of pressure your tire is under the recommended level. Savings: $150 per year.
- Learn to drive. Rapid acceleration and braking can lower your gas mileage by five percent around town and 33 percent on the highway, or an average of $0.55 per gallon. And, you get less mileage for your money (23 percent less or $0.67 per gallon) if you drive over 60mph. Savings: $1.22 per gallon, or $634 per year.
- Decrease your drag. If you aren’t using that overhead luggage rack, take it off (do you really need to carry that much luggage in the first place?). Also, it may help to turn off the AC and open up your windows to conserve gas, but not when you’re cruising down the highway at 60mph. Open windows at that speed increases drag and is less conservative than using the AC.
- Lose the car. Consider all the money you’ll save on gas, maintenance, and taxes. You can donate that car for a tax deduction as well (see below).
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