Frugal FineBlog

A lot of people these days are resorting to public transportation to save money but, depending on where you live, this may not be a feasible option for you.  This is either because you don’t have access to a good transit system in your area or maybe you don’t like the extra commute time that comes along with catching a bus or train.

Carpooling is another great option.  If you can’t carpool with friends or family, you may able to ask your employer to start a carpooling service.   Participants meet at a common place (a mall parking lot, for example) and catch a ride on a big van or bus to and from work.  Everyone pays a fee at the beginning of the month to cover the cost of gas.

You can also visit websites like Carpoolworld.com or eRideShare.com to connect with other commuters in your area.

Depending on your needs, certiain public transportations organizations also offer services that pick you up from your home, for an additional fee.  Check your local public transportation website for details.

One way to save money on gas is to use a credit card that offers rewards like Chase Freedom.  You can earn cash back anytime you use the card for gas purchases .  CAUTION:  Make sure to pay the balance in full every month to avoid high interest rates that are associated with reward cards. 

A good idea may be to use the card solely for gas and transportation expenses.  That way, not only can you get your cash back, you can use the statements as a tax credit if you use a lot of gas for work or business. 

If you avoid credit cards like the plague, debit card reward programs like Chase Leisure allows you to earn up to 4 points for every dollar you spend using your debit card.  You can then redeem those points for items such as BP Gas Stations gift cards.  If you use your debit card a lot, this can offer some real value or gas savings.