by Kathleen Seligman
4/29/2006  Driving seemed like such a great thing when you were 15 and waiting to get that coveted learner’s permit. Driving meant hanging out with your friends; it meant going where you wanted when you wanted. Driving was freedom.
It still is, except now it’s a costly freedom. With the latest, greatest cars costing more than your annual salary, insurance rates climbing steadily higher, and gas prices defying reason, driving is quickly becoming a necessary, but expensive habit to continue. And the price tag of driving is only going to get bigger.
Out of all the prices related to driving, those of gasoline are the most obvious and frequently incurred. Gas prices have already reached more than $3 a gallon in some states, and industry analysts claim that there’s no telling how high prices could reach over the traditionally pricey summer months. As oil prices reach an all-time high in response to recent politics and worldwide events, it will get more and more expensive to fill up your tank at the pump. Despite continuing gas price increases, NPR reports that America’s demand for gasoline has increased over the last year while its price has risen more than 50 cents per gallon on average.
But there are a few things you can do that will lessen the financial pain of driving, one of America’s most beloved activities.
Tip #1 on lowering cost of driving -- Carpool With Coworkers
Carpooling presents many benefits for those looking to spend less money on driving. First, by riding to work along with your coworkers, you will spend significantly less money on gasoline. Even if you alternate drivers and cars, commuting to work with just three other people can cut your monthly work-related gas bill by as much as 75%. Carpooling will also reduce the wear and tear on your car thus keeping your maintenance costs lower, is better for the environment, and will probably build more comfortable relationships with the people you work with.
Tip #2 on lowering cost of driving -- Work Close To Home
If an office carpool just isn’t possible, this can be the next best thing. Choosing a job that is close to your home, or choosing a place to live near your work, will cut down the driving distanse, and consequently, the amount of gas you need to get yourself to and from work everyday. With many jobs moving online, it might be worth your effort to try and work at home right from your computer. Telecommuting offers the opportunity to save on gas, car maintenance, and can increase your number of casual Fridays.
Tip #3 on lowering cost of driving -- Take Public Transportation
Whether it’s a bus, train, lightrail, or trolley car, public transportation is a relatively cheap way to get from place to place. Reducing your total transportation costs to regular fares, you’ll save on gas, car maintenance, and the stress of sitting in daily traffic by choosing public modes of travel.
Tip #4 on lowering cost of driving -- Consolidate Errands
Many people have very poor driving habits as they spread their driving tasks across the week, increasing their need for gas, as well as the miles on their cars. You can’t get out of some errands: picking your children up from school, shopping for groceries, or going to work, but you can minimize the effect these trips have on your transportation budget. So on your way home from work, or after you’ve picked up your children, take the opportunity to get other errands out of the way while you’re already in the car.
Tip #5 on lowering cost of driving -- Walk To The Store
Good for your body and your wallet, doing errands on foot will reduce your transportation costs to virtually nothing.
Tip #6 on lowering cost of driving -- Keep Your Car Maintained
It’s amazing how easy it is to let scheduled checks and regular maintenance lapse on our cars. It’s also amazing how much extra gasoline a poorly maintained car can use. Keeping your car in top condition is the best way to maximize its gas mileage as well as to avoid the bank-busting costs of major automobile repair.
Tip #7 on lowering cost of driving -- Buy Cars With Good Gas Mileage
If you do need to buy a new car, try to get the automobile with the best gas mileage that still suits your needs. Getting a car with the best mileage will reduce your visits to the pump and with it the number of times you need to worry about erratic gas prices.
Tip #8 on lowering cost of driving -- Consider Fuel Alternatives
As gas prices soar, companies are continually looking for different ways to fuel our cars. Hybrid technology has recently earned a great deal of media attention as it drastically increases the gas mileage of even larger cars. Ethanol gasoline, fuel created from corn feedstock, is another one of the fastest growing alternate energy sources in terms of both use and practicality. In the past, fuel managers have added ethanol to standard gasoline in order to create a more environmentally friendly energy source as well as to boost the amount of gasoline available to consumers. Buying a car that uses any of these alternate fuel sources could be a great way to reduce your long-term transportation costs.
Tip #9 on lowering cost of driving -- Consider Used Cars
Instead of purchasing a brand new car, with all its inherent markups, you can also consider finding a quality used car. If you’re apprehensive about searching the want ads and getting cheated, you could search for a used car in the same places you would a new one. Many dealerships currently sell used cars as well as new and guarantee that previously owned cars have been thoroughly checked and maintained. Most such companies offer additional warranties to accompany each sale.
Tip #10 on lowering cost of driving -- Shop Around For Car Insurance
If you’re a safe driver with a clean driving record, you may be able to find a better deal on car insurance. Talk to your representative about lowering your rate or search for rates from other companies. Insurance company websites that offer free quotes from multiple companies can make this search much easier.
The price of driving, especially gas, has increased considerably just in the past year, but don’t let this discourage you. Keep these suggestions in mind and keep enjoying yourself behind the wheel.
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