Sticker Shock At The Pump? Here Are Some Tips And Deals That Might Save Mainers Money On Gas

Getting a touch of sticker shock at the pump these days? You are not alone.

According to AAA (the Automobile Club Of America) the average price at the pump for fuel nationally is sitting at about $4.53 per gallon. They have Maine's average at just a penny under that, $4.52 a gallon.

Of course when gas gets up that high, everything we depend on that's transported by a method that uses fuel, becomes more expensive so that those companies that haul the goods can afford to put gas in the tanks of their vehicles.

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So what can you do to catch a break? Here are some tips and deals you may want to consider when choosing where to fill up, so you can get the most bang for your buck.

Make Use of Apps and Websites

App/Geddy Images[/caption]Almost everyone's got a smart phone in their pocked these days. A quick check of sites like Gas Buddy Maine, or apps like Gas Guru, which allow you to locate, in real-time, where the cheapest gas prices are in any city or town across the U.S.

(For those of you also keeping an eye on that heating oil tank, there's a similar site called Gas Guru America, which takes a look at gas predictions for the near future, so you can decide whether to fill that tank or hold off, too. )

The Waze app is a navigation app (think a more modern version of Mapquest) that does have a feature built in to that allows you to search for gas stations along your route, and shows you the prices of gas at each one, so you can choose where to go. (Mapquest also still does this, if you were curious.) There's also an app called iExit, that along with helping you plan your pit-stops, so to speak, also tells you the gas prices near you. This can be particularly helpful for those traveling along the interstate.

"The app focuses specifically on highway travel, making it particularly useful for long road trips where fuel stops need to be carefully planned. By displaying gas prices at upcoming exits, iExit helps drivers avoid paying higher prices by stopping at the most affordable stations along their route."

There are also apps like Upside, (you've probably hear the commercials for that one at least a hundred times) and Fetch that claim to reward you with cash back or points to redeem gift cards, every time you fill up your tank, or scan your gas receipt.

When you combine the use of some of these apps, so you can find the cheapest gas with one, and then get rewards back from another, that can help a little in the long run, too.

Loyalty & Rewards Programs

Many gas stations and even some of the bigger chain stores like Sam's Club and Costco offer members a discount on gas, that's often a nice chunk of change cheaper than the normal gas prices.

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Some businesses, like Circle K, even run promotions where you can get discounts on fuel on during specific days or time periods.

There's one coming up this week, in fact:

On Thursday, May 7, Circle K is hosting Circle K Inner Circle Fuel Day at select locations across the United States! This means all Inner Circle members will get 40 cents off every gallon from 12am to 3pm, simply by entering the phone number linked to their account directly at the pump."

So folks who are fully registered members can take advantage of savings at the pump.

Use Credit Cards With Fuel Reward Benefits

There are a number of credit cards out there today that offer cash back for purchase of fuel. This could mean a reward of typically between 2 and 5% for each fill-up.

Drive Like Every Drop Of Gas Counts--because it does!

Another trick to saving money at the pump is to make sure your vehicle is running as efficiently as possible. Getting a tune up or having a trusted mechanic give you car a once over to make sure you don't have a fuel leak, or any kind of issue that might cause you to waste case may save you money in the long run.

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According to the experts at AAA, there are things you can keep in mind, while you're actually on the road, that can help you conserve the gas in your car.
"To save gas, drive smoothly by avoiding rapid acceleration and hard braking, which can improve fuel economy by 5–33%. Maintain a steady speed, use cruise control on highways, keep speeds under 60 mph, avoid excessive idling, and ensure tires are properly inflated. Smooth, consistent driving reduces unnecessary fuel consumption."

We're all feeling the squeeze in the wallet as we squeeze that nozzle to just be able to get around town. Hopefully the suggestions above help, even if just a little.

If you have other tips and tricks, by all means, please feel free to share.