Saving Money

How to Save Money on Ironing Clothes

September 10, 2019 By Kathryn Vercillo 1 Comment

I don’t own a clothes iron. My lifestyle simply doesn’t require me to have ironed clothes. So, if someone were to ask me how to save money ironing clothes then my best advice would be: just don’t iron. However, I know that other people do iron their clothing. Whether it’s required for their professional lives or simply a preference, many people engage in this practice weekly, if not daily. Is it possible to save money on ironing clothes?

Buy the Right Iron and the Right Clothing

Most of the time, the key to really saving money on anything is to shop smart. If you buy the wrong materials to begin with, you waste more money over time. For example, you might find that paying a little bit more for clothes that iron easily saves you money in the long run. It can also be more efficient, saving you time. Likewise, spending money on the right iron (one that will last a long time) can help you avoid having to waste money replacing the item in the near future.

Buy the right iron.

You don’t want to buy the cheapest iron on the market. You also don’t need to buy the most expensive one. Shop around. Get the features that you need but no other frills. Find an iron with good reviews that emphasize long-lasting durability and good performance. Look for energy-saving models.

Buy clothing that doesn’t need to be ironed.

When looking for professional clothing, you can often find a “no iron” mention in the product description. You can also learn about different materials that generally stay wrinkle-free without ironing. Wool and other knits, denim, and rayon are just a few examples of fabrics that don’t typically need to be ironed.

Proper Preparation: Before You Iron

It’s important to have a routine for everything you do regularly in your life. Setting up the right routine can help save time. Done correctly, it can also help you save money. There are certain things that you can do to prepare your clothing for ironing. Here are those tips:

Remove clothing from the dryer immediately.

Hang clothing neatly as soon as you remove it from the dryer. Therefore, you minimize wrinkles. Even if you need to iron the item, you won’t have to spend nearly so much time doing it as you would if you had left the clothes in the dryer for days and allowed wrinkles to set in.

If you are the type of person who irons your linens, then the trick here is to fold them rather than hang them. Remove them from the dryer promptly. Fold them on top of the warm dryer, smoothing them down so that they are crisp. This typically eliminates the need to iron. At the very least, you won’t have to iron for long.

Don’t do your laundry and then let it sit. Don’t let it sit in the dryer. Make sure you don’t just move it from the dryer to a basket. If you want to have wrinkle-free clothing, make time in your routine to hang or fold everything as it comes out of the just-finished drying cycle.

Steam out wrinkles while you shower.

You just woke up. Your work clothes have wrinkles in them. Take them into the bathroom with you while you shower. Hang them up and shower as usual. The steam from your shower will help remove some of the wrinkles. You may find that you don’t even need to iron after all. If you do, the clothes are ready for very quick ironing.

Get your items ready to iron.

Generally speaking, you shouldn’t actually just iron one set of clothing at a time like in the above example. Instead, you should iron as much as possible at once. Just like it’s a waste to put one item in the dryer, it’s a waste to turn your iron on just to iron one thing. Therefore, you should set aside ironing time and do sets of items all at once.

Before you even turn on the iron, you should sort your items into piles. At the very least, sort into lightweight items and dense, heavy items. You should iron all of the lightweight items first, warming up the iron. Then you should move on to the batch of heavier items.

How to Avoid Energy Waste When Ironing

As you can see, a lot of the money that you can save on ironing happens before you even begin the ironing process. Once you start ironing, the most important thing is to avoid wasting energy. The longer an iron is on, the more energy you use; therefore, the more money you spend to use it. Here are some tips to avoid energy waste with your iron:

Clean the iron.

If your iron is dirty then you cause yourself unnecessary hassle. It also takes longer to iron your clothes. Therefore, make sure that you begin with a clean iron. Wipe the face of it down before you begin ironing.

If it’s a steam iron, check for mineral deposits before you start to iron. If they’re on there, they can get steamed into the clothes, which can ruin your clothing. Then you’ll have to buy more clothing, which is a waste of money.

Use the right heat setting.

You do not have to use the highest heat setting every time that you iron your clothing. In fact, each type of clothing does best with a specific level of heat. If you use too much heat, you might even burn your clothing and have to replace it. More than that, though, you’re just wasting your iron’s energy if you’re ironing with more heat than it requires. Figure out the best heat setting for each of your clothing items. Write it down so you remember it for next time.

Additional Tips to Save Money on Ironing Clothes

Finally, here are some additional tips to keep in mind to save money on ironing clothes:

Don’t iron if you don’t have to. It’s truly not always necessary. Relax a little about it when you can.
Iron when you have time to iron. If the iron is just sitting there while you do other things then you’re wasting energy. Focus on the task at hand. Turn the iron on, do all of your ironing, and then turn the iron off.
Try using spray starch. Some people find that they enjoy the crisp feeling of spray starch. Plus, it cuts down on ironing time. Of course, you do pay to buy the starch, so this might be a financial wash. It’s a personal preference.
Turn the iron off as soon as you finish ironing. Make sure that you immediately unplug it. Don’t allow vampire energy to run up your electric bill.

Read More:

20 Money Saving Duct Tape Uses

January 26, 2019 By Alexa Mason 5 Comments

Wikipedia defines duct tape as a: “cloth- or scrim-backed pressure-sensitive tape – often coated with polyethylene.”

Any way you define it, duct tape is a pretty amazing invention. In fact, duct tape is so amazing that its used on nearly every NASA mission. However, you don’t have to be a NASA rocket scientist to know that having something handy like duct tape around the house can help you save money. Here are twenty money saving duct tape uses.

1. Hide Secret Car Keys

Just tape a copy of your car key to the underside of your car with duct tape. As long as you get a good seal with the tape, you’ll never get locked out of your car again. No need for a key magnet box. Total savings $4-6.

2. Make Flypaper

No need to spring for flypaper, just go ahead and attach a few foot long strips of duct tape to the rafters or ceiling of where you are staying. The stickyness on the tape will act like flypaper and you’ll be rid of the bugs in no time flat. You can also just roll up the tape and toss it in trash when you are done. No need to for messy clean up. Total savings: $5 – $8.

3. Replace Shower Curtain Grommets

Cheap shower curtains are prone to ripping, especially at the eyelet where shower curtain hooks attach to the curtain. Instead of getting a new curtain or dealing with expensive repair kids, just make repairs with your duct tape. Once the curtain is dry, cut a rectangular piece of duct tape and fold it front to back over the torn hole. Cut a hole in the tape with a razor blade or scissors and push the ring back in place. Your curtain should work just fine. Don’t buy shower curtain saver – total savings: $6 – $7.

4. Repair A Vacuum Hose

Hoses on vacuum cleaners can be prone to fatigue and cracking. If the hose has developed a leak the suction in the cleaner can be less effective. Wrap a bit of tape around the rip or crack. Your hose should last until the rest of the vacuum hardware gives out. Don’t get a new hose. Total savings: $25.

5. Remove Clothing Lint & Pet Hair

If you’re getting prepped to go to a meeting or out for the evening and you see pet hairs or lint on your clothing, just cut a bit of tape and wrap it around your hand sticky side out. Roll the tap against your clothing with the rocking motion until you’ve got all the hair or lint. Don’t wipe your clothing, that could impact the fabric. No need for a lint roller. Total savings: $5.

6. Make Children’s Toys

There are a number of children’s toys that you can make using duct tape. One favorite is a toy sword for those junior pirates you’ve got around the house. Just sketch a kid sized sword on a piece of cardboard. Use two pieces if you don’t have one that’s thick enough. Be sure the sword size is small enough so that your child’s hand can fit comfortable around it once it jhas been increased in thickness by several layers of tape. Then cut out the sword and wrap up the blade area a layer or two of silver duct tape. Wrap the handle in black tape.

You can also make armor, helmets or other fun costumes this way. Along these lines a favorite is a tin man costume made out of cardboard & duct tape for Halloween.

Don’t buy expensive kids play swords or costumes. Total savings: $5 – $50.

7. Repair Plastic Trash Cans

Plastic trash cans often split or crack along joints. Instead of tossing out the can with the rest of the trash, repair the crack with duct tape. Typically duct tape is strong enough to withstand the abuse that plastic trash cans can take. If you apply it carefully, the tape should also have no problems adhering to curved or ridged surfaces. Put tape over both the inside and the outside of the can. Don’t buy a new trash can, instead repair the old one! Total savings: $5 – $200.

8. Protect Floors From Scuffing

To keep the legs of your furniture from scratching the flooring, put some tape on the bottom of each legs. This will help your floors from getting marred. This is especially important if you have soft hardwood floors and heavy metal furniture, such as a cafe table. Don’t buy special scratch pads. Total savings: $2 – $14.

9. Protect Gas Hoses

Of all the duct tape uses out there, avid grillers know that sometimes mice and other animals can chew on rubber. One target of those pesky creatures is the rubber hose which connects the gas grill to the propane tank. You can protect this hose by wrapping it in duct tape. Prevent yourself from needing to buy a new connecting hose. Total savings: $13 – $56.

10. Fix Loose Battery Compartment Covers

Doesn’t it just drive you up a wall when you have a remote control where the back panel covering the battery compartment seems to keep coming off? Just put a little strip of duct tape on there to keep it from coming off and you’re set. No need to buy a new remote. Total savings: $3 – $50.

11. Create Gift Tags

Instead of heading out to the store to purchase tags for your gifts, just grab a bit of duct tape and make the tags yourself. Duct tape is great at holding ink, so just use a sharpie to mark who the gift is for and who it is from. Total savings: $3 – $20.

12. Make A Bookmark

This idea is for you readers/collectors out there. If you are reading a favorite book and don’t want to bother with getting a fancy bookmark, just grab a piece of duct tape, and fold it in half sticky side in. Viola, you’ve got a handy book mark. Don’t bother with fancy monogrammed paper or jazzy plastic clips. Total savings: $3 – $34.

13. Repair Seams of Ski Gloves

This is a pretty commonly discussed use for duct tape. When your ski gloves wear out, and they typically do at seams, put some tape over the tear so that it doesn’t get worse. This should prolong the life of the gloves. You can also use colored tape to match the color of the glove so the repair doesn’t look low rent. Don’t buy new gloves. Total savings: $13 – $110.

14. Use Tape To Seal Cracks In Duct Work

If you own a home, check your ducts and tape off any open seams. A lot of heat ends up wasted in basements or crawl spaces where it is not needed. Don’t pay for the waste. Instead, be sure your ducts are sealed tightly. Total savings: 2-5% off your monthly energy bills.

15. Repair Tail or Headlights

Car parts retail at an extremely high mark up over manufacturer’s cost. If have a situation where the glass in a headlight or tail light becomes separate from the light assembly, simply run some tape around the top edge of the assembly with most of it under the hood edge, it should fix the problem just fine. Don’t get a new light. Total savings: $128.

16. Repair Bicycle Tires

Some riders, such as competitive mountain bikers can be extremely hard on their bike tires. Inner tubes are likely to give out or tires can get ripped or torn. Don’t get a tire repair kit. Instead, repair the damage using some duct tape. Total savings: $6 – $7.

17. Temporarily Hem Your Pants

You’ve found a terrific pair of jeans, but the length isn’t right. You expect a little shrinkage anyway, so why drop 20 dollars to have a tailor hem your pants? Besides, thick denim jeans are difficult to sew through. Consider taking up the hem with duct tape. The new hem will work in a pinch and should hold through a couple of washings. Total savings: $20.

18. Temporarily Insulate Cracks In Windows

In older houses, windows don’t always close well, especially at the bottom of the frame. If you don’t have any weather stripping handy, consider using duct tape to create filler to block up any cracks. This will keep insects or other vermin from getting in your home and will block out any drafty wind. Total savings $3-18 plus utility bill savings.

19. Secure Diapers to Baby

Some children or toddlers prefer to take off their diapers when they should not. This typically leads to more time spent cleaning up baby messes and higher costs for diapers, wipes and cleaning supplies. One way around this is to wrap a strip of duct tape around the child’s diaper to hold it firmly in place. The tape is tough enough so that your child can’t tear the diaper off when you aren’t around. Total savings: lots of headaches.

20. Make a Roach Trap

Want to catch roaches, but don’t want to spray your home with noxious chemicals? Just get a 4 inch strip of duct tape, fold the edges over by about a half inch on both rip ends. Pinch the ends so the tape is slightly creased. Get some peanut butter and put it in center. Don’t use too much. Then flip it over so that the sticky part is facing down. Smaller German cockroaches will go for the peanut butter and their backs will get stuck to the tape. If you want to catch the bigger ones, just lay out a trap with the sticky side up. Don’t buy roach traps or hire an exterminator. Total savings: $12 – $150.

Bonus: three questions about duct tape.

Can duct tape be used for removing warts? According to the manufacturer, 3M corporation, as of 2005 duct tape has not been scientifically tested for removing warts.
Can duct tape be used to secure the duct from an household dryer to outdoors? No, dryer temperatures may exceed 200F, which is beyond the maximum temperature the duct tape can withstand.
Is duct tape waterproof? The backing of the tape is waterproof, however the adhesive is not. Duct tape will hold up in water for a while, however the adhesive will eventually give out so it is not a good fix when long term water immersion is involved (source: Readers’ Digest).

Finally, if you are going to buy duct tape, consider buying in bulk. Rolls of 3M utility duct tape get progressively cheaper as you buy more. For example on amazon.com the two pack retails for $20.29 or $10.15 a roll. The three pack retails for $28.49 or $9.50 a roll. If you are going to shop from Amazon, try getting used. Used rolls tend to be a couple of bucks cheaper because the packaging has been damaged.

If you like this posting, please don’t hesitate to rate it or share it on social media.

26 Week Money Challenge: Build Your Savings Faster

January 11, 2019 By James Hendrickson Leave a Comment

A few years ago when I first heard about money challenges, I thought they might just be another opportunity for people to humblebrag about their money. However, since then, I’ve tried money challenges myself and now believe they’re actually effective in reaching savings goals.

Whether it be a fitness challenge or a money challenge, internet challenges help millions of people reach their goals. This is why I created the 26 week money challenge, which helps you build up to saving a quarter of your income.

How Money Challenges Work

Before learning about the 26 week money challenge, you should be aware of how money challenges work. Money challenges are typically online challenges which help people save more money. Many people start with the 365 Day Money Challenge or the 52 Week Money Challenge. These money challenges usually have you save a certain amount of money each day or week and slowly increase it over time. S0metimes the process doesn’t work for everyone, so, like me, others have decided to design personalized money challenges.

The 26 Week Money Challenge

When you hear the words “26 Week Money Challenge” you might think of the bi-weekly money challenge. However, this version of the 26 Week Money Challenge simply takes place over half a year (or 26 weeks). Like other money challenges, you can start at any time of the year and simply follow the week-by-week organizational chart below. (I’ve filled it out with my first 26 Week Money Challenge, based on a $1,000 per week salary).

Unlike many other money challenges, the 26 Week Money Challenge helps you increase the amount you save week-by-week through percentages instead of dollar amounts. Week one you’ll save 1% of your week’s salary, 2% week two, 3% week three and so on. After the end of the 26 Week Money Challenge, you’ll be saving approximately a quarter of your salary (which is a commonly recommended gauge on how much you should be saving). After the challenge is over, you can simply continue saving at the level you end up with at the end of the challenge.

Click here for a blank, downloadable version of the 26 Week Money Challenge.

Other Money Challenges to Try

If the 26 Week Money Challenge above doesn’t seem like it’s for you, don’t worry. No one’s financial needs are the same. There are plenty of other money challenges out there for you to try. Over the years, internet users have adjusted the original money challenges to better suit their saving needs. Here are just a few money challenges you might want to try:

It seems like there’s a money challenge out there for everybody. No matter which way you do it, deciding to save money is one of the most important decisions you’ll make… even if it’s just a couple dollars a day.

A Savings App Can Help

Money challenges are easy ways to get your savings started. However, you can also try a savings app that automates the process for you like Digit. For instance, first, choose a money challenge, then supplement your savings with an automated approach like the digit.co app.

Digit.co is a favorite because its super easy to use. Just sign up and let the program analyze your checking account. It will then make small automated withdrawals which don’t impact your spending and sweeps them into an account you control. It is a super easy way to save money without a lot of effort. Click here to check it out.

Have you ever tried a money challenge or savings app? Did you have success? Share with us in the comments below.

Photo Credit: 401K 2012

7 in 10 Would Rather Skip Buying Christmas Gifts: Here Are Some Alternatives

November 30, 2018 By Christina Majaski 1 Comment

It’s no secret that exchanging gifts and gift-giving are a huge part of the holiday season. However, if you’ve found yourself less excited about the entire process of exchanging gifts, you should know you’re not alone. It turns out, a lot of people would prefer to give up gift giving if their families allowed it and if they had any alternatives to buying Christmas gifts.

Nearly 70% Want to Skip Buying Christmas Gifts

According to a holiday survey in an online Harris Poll on behalf of Suntrust, a surprising 7 in 10 people said they’d skip gift-giving this season if it were okay with their friends and family. And, it isn’t just the Grinchy types who hate the season. For the most part, they would rather spend the time actually doing something with their friends and family members than on buying or making gifts.

Holiday Stress and Debt Compounded

For a lot of people, the holiday season comes with stress and anxiety. When you add the obligation of gift exchanges, a large number of Americans face a tremendous amount of financial anxiety. This means not only worrying about debt and money during the season but also feeling the pressure of spending money on things they really cannot afford.

In fact, this pressure to overspend has been proven to result in a mountain of debt after Christmas is over. And, with as many as 25 percent of Americans experiencing post-holiday depression, gift-giving and the financial aftermath can be especially difficult for many families.

Alternatives to Buying Christmas Gifts

So, if you decide to forego gift-giving, can you still have a joyous holiday season? The answer, of course, is yes. It doesn’t take buying and receiving gifts to enjoy the holidays with your friends and family. Of those surveyed, 25 percent said they would rather use the money on activities and experiences instead of gifts. You might want to consider some of these alternatives to buying Christmas gifts.

Take a family trip or plan an activity. It can be as large or as simple as you all agree on, from doing an escape room together to taking a family trip skiing. In any event, it might be cheaper even if each family covers their own expenses, than buying each person a small gift. Plus, you can plan the event at any time of the year – it doesn’t necessarily have to be on Christmas day – which could save you money as well.
Have dinner and watch a movie. You don’t have to skip the entire Christmas day festivities. You could still get together for a holiday meal and then plan to watch Elf, A Christmas Story, or any other of your favorites.
Volunteer together. An activity that not only teaches children the importance of volunteering is helping out over the holidays. Sure, it might be difficult explaining that they’re helping feed people who can’t afford a Christmas dinner instead of receiving gifts, but the feeling you get from helping make someone else’s Christmas a little brighter might make up for it.
Pay down debt and save together. This might not be an alternative that sounds like fun either, but in the end, it might bring everyone more joy than exchanging gifts. Of those surveyed, 37 percent said they would rather pay down debt and 47 percent said they would save money or invest. Each person/family can use the money they’d use for gifts to either pay down debt or save for a big family trip or event later.

Don’t forget that finding alternatives to buying Christmas gifts doesn’t necessarily mean you have to completely skip out on giving toys and gifts, especially to the kids. If you only replace gift-giving among the adults, it can make a significant difference to those with large families and huge networks of friends.

This Season Find What Works for You and Your Family

It isn’t too late to reach out to your friends and family members and come up with a different plan. Remember that Christmas and the holiday season are supposed to be joyous and happy. Don’t spend it worrying about the money you feel obligated to spend on gifts.

Would you give up gift exchanges if your friends and family members agreed to it? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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How Effective Are The Dave Ramsey Baby Steps?

October 9, 2018 By Amanda Blankenship 1 Comment

Dave Ramsey has been someone people looked to for financial advice for years. In fact, more than 4.5 million people have participated in his Financial Peace University. This program outlines steps to becoming financially free, but how effective are the Dave Ramsey baby steps?

What Are The Dave Ramsey Baby Steps?

Before jumping into how effective they are, you should know there are seven baby steps. Each requires you to take a good look at your finances and helps you map out your way to financial freedom. Here they are …

1. Create a $1,000 Emergency Fund

As with most financial programs, you need to establish an emergency fund before doing anything else. This will keep you from going into more debt when something unexpected happens. Because of this, it is Dave Ramsey’s first baby step.

2. Pay Off All Debt Using the Snowball Method

Depending on how much debt you have, this may seem daunting. Any extra cash you have left over at the end of the month should go towards paying off your debt. Ramsey even goes as far as to say you shouldn’t eat out, don’t do anything entertainment wise that isn’t free, until your debt is paid in full.

3. Get 3 to 6 Months of Expenses in Savings

After you’ve paid off all your debt, you’ll be surprised at how quickly you’re able to save even more cash. Then you can pad your emergency savings with a bit of extra cash. Ramsey generally recommends up to six months of expenses in a savings account. This will help in the event that you or someone in your household find themselves out of work for an extended period of time.

4. Invest 15% of Household Income Into Roth IRAs and Pre-Tax Retirement

Once your savings are up to par, it is time to invest in yourself and your retirement. As a general rule of thumb, Ramsey recommends putting 15% of your household income towards your retirement accounts.

5. Start a College Fund for Your Children

If you have kids, once you’ve started to invest in your retirement, you can begin saving for their future. There is no recommended monthly or annual amount you should put towards this. It is up to your own discretion. However, you do want to keep in mind, if you can prevent your children from holding a ton of student loan debt, you should.

6. Pay Your Home Off Early

Now that your child’s college fund has been padded, you can look to paying off your mortgage early. And, if you don’t have children, this would be the next thing to tackle. You could save yourself thousands of dollars by paying your home off early. Not to mention, it will get rid of the last bit of debt you owe.

7. Build Wealth and Give

So, now you’ve paid off all your debt, accrued savings, paid off your mortgage, and invested in yourself. What do you do now? Ramsey recommends continuing step number four and max out your contributions to retirement accounts each year. You can also look for new things to invest in and build wealth.

Lastly, Ramsey is a huge believer in donating money if you are well off. Find a good organization you’d like to donate to or give to your church. Not only are these donations tax-deductible but they will make you feel great. In fact, Ramsey says it is one of the most rewarding things about being debt free.

How Effective is the Program?

The program has proven to be extremely effective for many people. In fact, there are numerous testimonials on Dave Ramsey’s website about how many families this has helped. One family gave credit to Ramsey’s Baby Steps for helping them paying off $162,000 of debt in just seven years.

Those who have followed the program closely have seen great success, proving Dave Ramsey’s Baby Steps. So, how do you get access to the program and become financially successful like these folks?

Getting Access to the Baby Steps

As previously mentioned, these baby steps are part of Ramsey’s Financial Peace University course. The program is nine weeks long. It walks you through each baby step and how to put them to work in your own life. It generally costs about $129. Occasionally, you can find it on sale. So, if you are interested in starting the program, check Ramsey’s site regularly.

If you’re looking for a cheaper way to get access to Ramsey’s baby steps, you can also look into purchasing his best-selling book The Total Money Makeover. The book shares inspiring stories of others who have become financially free by following the Dave Ramsey Baby Steps.

Lastly, you can also sign up on Dave’s site for a seven-day email series that provides tips on how to work the Baby Steps faster. The email series is 100% free.

All in all, Dave Ramsey has been able to help millions of people climb out of debt and get back on top of their lives financially.

Have you taken the nine-week Financial Peace University course or otherwise followed Ramsey’s Baby Steps? Did you have success with the program?

How To Get Free Gas (Legally)

September 21, 2018 By Christina Majaski Leave a Comment

There are some expenses you just can’t live without. Fortunately, there are a few different ways you can save at the pump, and essentially get free gas (without breaking any laws.) Here’s how to get free gas to get you on the road for less.

Free Gas With Fuel Rewards and Credit Cards

You might look at some of those gas coupons for a couple of pennies off when you fill up and think there’s no way it can put a dent into your fuel expenses. Sure, it isn’t entirely free if you have to make a purchase to get the fuel discount. However, when it comes to gas, pennies can add up significantly, resulting in free gas.

For instance, the following gas rewards programs offer discounts on gas, even when you buy other types of purchases.

Shell Fuel Rewards: We’ve outlined pretty much everything you need to know about the Shell Fuel Rewards Loyalty Program. Basically, you earn rewards when you use your membership card, which can result in a discount on gas of up to 10¢ per gallon.

Depending on your vehicle(s) and how much you drive, you can end up saving hundreds of dollars. There is also a Shell Fuel Rewards Credit Card which awards 1-2% in Shell Rewards when you use your card.

Other gas credit cards that can result in free gas when you use them include:

Marathon Credit Card: 5¢ per gallon up to 25¢ per gallon depending on how much you spend.
Bank of America Cash Rewards credit card: 3% cash back on gas. Plus, when you sign up for the card and spend $500 in the first 90 days, you get a bonus of $200 in cash rewards.
Costco Anywhere Visa: For many members, purchasing gas at Costco results in significant savings by itself. If you use the credit card, you earn 4% cash back on gas at Costco and other gas stations — so you aren’t limited to filling up at Costco. This is one of the highest cash back offers you’ll find for gas purchases.

(Note on credit cards: It’s important to pay the balance in full each month. Otherwise, the interest will cancel out any cash back or savings.)

How To Get Free Gas Without Spending

If you really need ways to get free gas and you don’t want to worry about special rewards programs or spending to get it, you do have options. Some of the opportunities available include:

Sign Up For Swagbucks

This site allows you to earn points for activities on the internet such as shopping, surfing the web, surveys, and testing products. You can then redeem the points you’ve earned for gift cards at gas stations. As long as you have an internet connection, you can earn free gas with just you day-to-day online activities.

Right now, you can earn a bonus of 1000 points when you sign up, which is worth $10, so you’d be well on your way to having enough for your next fill up.

Buy Discounted Gift Cards

Have you ever received a gift card from someone that you can’t use? Fortunately, there are sites online that allow you to sell your gift cards. On the other hand, this means you can buy discounted gift cards for gas. For example, on CardCash.com, you can get a $50 Shell Gift Card for $48.55. Although this might not seem like a huge savings, there are tons of other gas gift cards to choose from, and often special sales and promotions with even bigger savings.

Check other gift cards as well. Gift Card Granny currently offers BP cards at a 4 percent discount.

Stack Savings Offers

If you are taking advantage of discounted gift cards or other opportunities where you earn gas rewards, make sure you are stacking the offers whenever possible. For instance, if you bought the Shell Gift Card mentioned, you could get even more free gas by also being a member of the Fuel Rewards Program. Also, when you purchase gas gift cards, make sure you’re using a credit card that awards cash back or other rewards for that purchase.

Free Gas Organizations

If your need for free gas is an emergency, certain organizations will help you out with free gas vouchers. For instance, Free Gas USA, Inc., provides grants for those needing gas assistance. You can also check with churches in your area. Catholic Charities and United Way may also help you out with gas if you need it to get to work or medical appointments. You might also be able to get free gas cards from Salvation Army if you are in an emergency situation.

Finding free gas isn’t easy, but it is possible. At the very least, make sure you are getting a discount with either your credit card, rewards program, or gift card, the next time you are at the pump.

Do you have any other tips for getting free gas? Share with us in the comments below!

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