I am being much more thoughtful about grouping errands together to save gas. I don't just hop in the car every time I need something now instead I wait and take care of several tasks in one outing.

I avoid Little River Turnpike between John Marr Drive and Medford Drive as often as I can.

I keep the items in the trunk to a minimum. Check the tire pressure and stay the speed limit in hopes of getting better gas mileage.

I retired early thanks to the Obama regime. Now I'm using a third less gas.

With 3 kids in various activities, I try to lump as many errands together as possible and pick the most efficient route. We also shop at Unique for many of our clothes and other household items to save money. This has also taught our children to both save money and recycle.

Read the gas station billboard signs for prices......I saved 20 cents a gallon by going to a station a few yards down Little River Turnpike - just by reading the price sign posted at the station(s).

Great a credit card that gives cash back when I fill up.

Thrift stores in Annandale often have brand new items for less money than the regular stores, as do yard sales and estate sales.

I try and shop and run errands to and from work instead of making additional trips.

When I need something I check the thrift & consignment stores first. I also read DIY blogs for ideas on re-purposing items that I might not think of on my own. Grouping errands is a must too! Enter all addresses and let my GPS make the most logical route.

I avoid jackrabbit starts and try to coast to red lights rather than stepping on the brakes too much. I also keep my tires inflated to the recommended PSI levels.

We had to cancel a trip to Alabama because the price of gas was just too much. I am also combining errands to save gas.

I plan out my errands (and route) and make as few stops as possible and once I am home, I do my best not to leave again.

My friends and I try to carpool anytime we can - errands, book club, meetings. It helps!

Rather than driving to places close by like the bank, Starbucks, library, park, etc., we walk. Save money on gas, get some exercise in, and gets my daughter (and sometimes dog) out too! When we have to drive, we use our more gas efficient vehicle and let the gas guzzler sit in the driveway.

I use the grocery store rewards program and typically save $4-$14 per fill-up depending upon how much I've spent on groceries that week. I also use an app on my iPhone called Gas Buddy that shows me all the local gas prices at once.

I've been bringing lunch to work instead of eating out. It's not only cheaper, but I'm eating healthier, too!

Thanks for the tips, everyone! I also use the gas rewards program (from Giant) and try to do things on the way to/from work meetings and my son's daycare. We'll choose a random winner from your comments next week. (You can comment more than once, too, and increase your chances of winning!)

Beth Lawton
Regional Editor

I'm using the computer more and more to check prices and taking advantage of free shipping. It's also amazing to me how much free stuff is on Craigslist.org

I plan food shopping and errands around the children's activities, utilize GasBuddy on my phone - it breaks down the lowest gas stations around your location and keep up on my car maintenance to get my full MPG

Here's some ways I save on gas usage: I try to combine as many errands as possible in one big trip. I don't venture out quite a far now for activities--I read my Annandale Patch events and see what's going on in my own neighborhood! But the biggest saver in gas costs has been to take advantage of Giant Food's promotion with Shell Oil Company. I try to fill up at Shell stations and have saved as much as 30 cents a gallon. My husband, who is the main grocery shopper in our family, saves even more. He once saved 70 cents per gallon! That's a lot when you fill your car up.

Change driving ways including using a fuel additives, using coupons whenever I can and using reward points for gas or merchandise. Growing your own vegetables and fruits is great too!

Coupons to make up the difference

I just checked that my tires are properly inflated

I use an app on my iPhone that shows me where the least expensive gas in the area is.

I drive less, and if I have to, I plan ahead and combine all errands, places to go, people I visit, etc all in one trip

Drive less, avoid congested areas, coast when I can and use highways instead of back roads.

I try to fill up in the middle of the week (gas is cheaper than on the weekends), I leave earlier or get home later to run errands that are convenient to work or home to avoid taking extra trips and I use the Gas Buddy app for my iPhone when I want to search for cheaper gas.

I carpool with friends and use the slug line to commute into DC whenever I can. I've gone to clothing swap meets to save money on clothes and visit thrift shops when I can as well. I also try to do several errands in one car trip to save gas.

I commute via VRE amnd walk the rest of the way to my office.