May Challenge—Get More Errands Per Gallon

by Susan Tiffany, CCUFC

The price of gasoline has many consumers rethinking their driving habits. This month's consumer idea for controlling costs comes from Charla, in Oklahoma:

I save a lot of money by setting aside one day a week to run all my errands instead of running a few every day. I group errands geographically and map out a course to make a loop or a circle around town and backtrack as little as possible. With my list of groceries and other errands made ahead of time, placed in order so I will not drive back and forth across town, and having planned to make an evening of it, I save gas, money, time, and energy.

Charla says, in her community, she's found that Monday evening is the least busy time of the week—traffic is the lightest and fewer people are in the stores. So she doesn't have to contend with traffic on the roads or in the stores.

Bonus benefits

Charla says she is seeing more than just the obvious benefits to this new practice. She finds that it:

• Saves money,
• Saves gas,
• Reduces carbon emissions,
• Saves wear and tear on her car—extending its life,
• Saves time,
• Saves her personal energy,
• Reduces her overall stress,
• Increases quality time with her family,
• Reduces the number of meals eaten out, and
• Gives her the opportunity and incentive to eat healthier food at home.

Sometimes just changing one habit can have unexpected, positive spillover effects in other parts of your life.

2008 Financial Fitness Challenge

For her timely and practical idea, Charla wins a $50 Visa card and becomes eligible to win $1,000 at the end of the year for the grand prize. Complete prize rules are here. We'll share another prize-winning idea next month.

In the meantime, if the struggling economy is causing financial stress at your household, check out our Tough Times Series by entering that phrase in the search box. It will collect articles on a range of topics that can help you weather these uncertain times.

And we recommend another source of help—the people at your credit union.

ST
Susan Tiffany, CCUFC
askem@cuna.coop

Published May 1, 2008