Back in 2021, the average U.S. consumer spent about $2,150 a year on gas. As gas prices continually rise this number stands to increase substantially in the coming years. Because of this large expense, it’s TOTALLY worth it to try and find the cheapest gas whenever possible. Here are 8 highly clever ways I always find cheap gas near me and save a bunch of money at the pump.

Consider these apps before you fill up your tank next time.

Gas Buddy App

When it comes to finding cheap gas, the GasBuddy app is the “best of the best” as far as I’m concerned.

The app is simple to use and helps you quickly locate the cheapest gas no matter where you’re located or where you’re headed.

As long as you don’t run out of gas trying to save a few bucks, this free app is a beauty and a must-have for all iPhone or Android users.

Here’s how the GasBuddy app works:

1. Download It to your iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, or Android device. Does anyone actually use an iPad for apps like this? The iPad always gets mentioned but I just can’t picture using it in the car unless I am sitting in the backseat with it and have a driver named Alfred. Oh, and a mini-fridge full of Grey Poupon.
2. Update It. Loyal users then update the app with gas prices around town. There’s a small reward system and a weekly giveaway of FREE gas when you submit local gas prices into the app.
3. Current Location. The app lets you quickly use your current location and find the nearest gas stations with the best prices.
4. Includes All Stations. I like how the app also includes Ma & Pa stores and mini-marts and not just the Shells and Chevrons of the world.
5. Easy Search. You can search for cheap gas by city, state, or zip code. Side-note: I had Taco Bell last night and have had cheap gas all day long. I wonder if Taco Bell comes up on the list of gas stations, if not, it should.
6. Get Smart. Once you have a list of nearby stations, the Gas Buddy app lets you toggle between distance and price which allows you to make a smart decision about how far out of the way you want to drive to save money on gas.

How the GasBuddy app could be better:

1. It could rate the cleanliness of the bathrooms at each gas station. When I’m on a family road trip with my wife and 3 kids, I would drive exactly 338 miles out of the way to find a clean crapper.
2. BONUS TIP: Never use a gas station bathroom close to a Taco Bell location. (See #5 above)

Download the app and give it a try:

~ Download GasBuddy for your iPhone

~ Download GasBuddy for your Android device

Waze Navigation

Most people know the Waze app as a clever way to get driving directions and traffic reports on your smartphone.

But did you know it also offers the ability to navigate you to the lowest priced gas station in your current area?

While lacking many of the same features, it works similarly to GasBuddy and counts on users reporting current gas prices.

The biggest drawback of the app is that prices are not updated as frequently as many of the other apps on this list.

But if you love Waze, and it’s your map app of choice, you’ll want to give their gas feature a look.

Download Waze and give it a try:

~ Download for iPhone

~ Download for Android

See Also: Costco Gas Hours: Fill Up Your Tank Starting at 6 am

Gas Guru

For me, the Gas Guru app comes in 2nd place behind Gas Buddy.

I love the functionality of the app and the large, easy-to-read numbers it uses for the gas prices.

Comes with excellent turn-by-turn directions as well as a list of amenities at each gas stations.

For the amenities piece it shows things like ATM, store, eatery, and even if the station offers a cash discount.

The app is definitely worth a look and you might even find that you like it better than Gas Buddy.

Download Gas Guru and give it a try:

~ Download for iPhone

~ Download for Android

Gas Prices by MapQuest

Similar to Waze, the MapQuest app combines local gas prices with their navigation software.

It’s a handy feature that’s a bit hidden within the app. To find it, tap Find Places and a menu pops up with Gas as one of the options.

Tap Gas and the app will show you all of the gas stations in your vicinity along with the current price for all the grades of gas and diesel that they sell.

Unfortunately the app doesn’t allow you to sort the gas stations by price per gallon.

Download MapQuest and give it a try:

~ Download for iPhone

~ Download for Android

AAA TripTik

The cool thing about the AAA TripTik app is you don’t have to be a AAA member to use all of its functionality.

For example, you can scroll down on the app’s homepage and quickly find the Gas Nearby section.

It’ll show you the 3 closest gas stations to you along with their price for a gallon of regular.

Then tap More and you’ll get an interactive map with all of the stations in your vicinity.

The app would be more useful if it sorted gas stations by price, but if you’re a AAA member and use the app regularly, the Gas Nearby section is a handy feature to have at your fingertips.

Download AAA and give it a try:

~ Download for iPhone

~ Download for Android

Geico Mobile

Similar to the AAA app, you DON’T need a policy with Geico to use their cheap gas finder within their mobile app.

When you first open the Geico app it’ll ask you “What brings you here today?” – tap the Find Gas icon.

You’ll then go to an interactive map which automatically displays the town you’re located in (or near).

For me it said Redding,CA (without the space after the comma) which brought back ZERO results.

I had to manually add the space after the comma to bring back all the gas stations near me. This is a bug within the app that they’ll hopefully fix soon.

Once you get to the list of gas stations, the app is HIGHLY usable.

Pretty much all of the station’s gas prices are updated within the last 24 hours and many are updated within the last 30 minutes.

You can also filter your results by fuel grade, proximity to the station, and of course price per gallon.

Download Geico and give it a try:

~ Download for iPhone

~ Download for Android

Costco, BJ’s & Sam’s Club

Turns our wholesale clubs are great for more than just steep discounts on 2 gallon jugs of mayo.

Many Costco, Sam’s, and BJ’s locations have gas stations attached to them and the savings they provide is significant.

Yes, you’ll have to be a paying member to get the discounted gas, but if you’re going their anyways to shop you might as will fill up your tank and save some money.

See Also: Costco Gas: Insider Tips To Save BIG at the Pump

Dash

The last mobile app that I want to talk about is called Dash.

The app is pretty slick and actually connects to your car giving it a voice and unlocking a bunch of cool diagnostic and maintenance features.

It also helps you save money on gas by pointing you to the stations that offer the best price.

Dash is completely free and is a must-add for those looking to save money on auto expenses.

Download Dash and give it a try:

~ Download for iPhone

Ask the Reader: I figure if I can save $4-5 on my weekly fill up, that equates to over $200 a year in gas savings. Totally worth effort in my opinion.

What say you? How do you find the cheapest gas when you’re driving around town or on a road trip away from home?

By Kyle James

Photo credit to Mike Mozart.

Starbucks coffee is expensive. But thanks to the Starbucks Rewards program you have some options when it comes to saving money and even getting some cool freebies. Brew from home? No worries as these hacks will also help you score some free Starbucks from time to time. Let’s break it down…

First Off, How Do I Sign-up?

Joining the Starbucks Rewards program is simple.

Just follow this LINK and get signed up for free.

To make it happen all you need is a Starbucks gift card which you’ll then use on all your purchases moving forward.

You’ll earn 1 stars for every dollar spent OR 2 stars per $1 when using a Starbucks Card within their app.

When you reach gold status (300 Stars in 12 months) and earn 200 stars, you’ll get your first free Handcrafted drink.

1. Maximize Those Free “Reward Drinks”

Speaking of free drinks at Starbucks, did you know you can order ANY beverage as your “reward drink”?

It baffles me when I see someone use their free reward on a tall cup of drip coffee.

Instead, you’d be wise to order a Venti or Trenta size of one of their specialty drinks that you enjoy.

Those easily top out in the $6 dollar range making them a great way to enjoy a drink you might not otherwise order.

Word of warning, you probably can’t order one of these ridiculously expensive drinks.

2. Only Visit “Stand Alone” Starbucks Locations

When trying to build up your stars balance, try to visit stand alone locations.

Typically, Starbucks locations located within stores like Barnes & Noble, Target, and Safeway DON’T hand out reward stars when you buy a cup of joe.

See Also: Smart Starbucks Menu Secrets That’ll Help You Save

3. Beware…Stars Do Expire

Don’t hoard those stars for too long as they do indeed expire.

Specifically, they expire six months after they are earned on the first day of the month.

The Starbucks app is a great way to track your stars so you know when to use them up.

4. Use Starbucks Rewards to Score Spotify Deal

If you’re a Starbucks Rewards member you can score Spotify Premium for only $0.99 for 3-months PLUS get 125 free stars.

This is only available for new Spotify Premium members. I’m not sure how long this offer will last so jump on it.

Update: As of 2022, Spotify and Starbucks no longer have this agreement.

5. Look For Specially Marked Starbucks Bags

Update: As of 2022, bags of Starbuck coffee no longer have a “free stars” peel off sticker on them.

When shopping at the grocery store for Starbucks ground or whole bean coffee, keep an eye out for bags that offer free reward stars.

Many have peel off stickers with codes attached that you can enter into the Starbucks app.

Many items are worth a single free star but some are worth up to 10.

Collect enough and you can get a free drink on Starbucks.

See Also: Starbucks Gold Card: What Is It, How to Get It, and Is It Worth It?

6. Visit on “Double Up” Star Days

Keep an eye out for Monthly Double Days at Starbucks where you’ll get double reward stars.

A $5 order will net you 10 stars instead of the normal 5.

They happen once a month and make for a great time to build up a ton of stars.

Keep in the know by signing up for Starbucks email alerts. More on that later.

7. Maximize the Birthday Treat

Perhaps the biggest no-brainer for joining their rewards program is the free drink you get on your birthday.

All rewards members score this cool freebie and it’s redeemable for almost anything on the Starbucks menu.

So be sure to order the 24 oz. Venti for hot drinks and the 31 oz. Trenta for cold drinks.

I like to use the Starbucks app as it’ll notify me 2 days before my birthday that I have a free treat waiting for me.

You can also opt for a free food item, but does any caffeine junky ever actually do that? Guessing not.

8. Don’t Ignore the Email Offers

When signing up for their rewards program be sure to opt into their emails.

Starbucks will regularly email you ways to collect free stars so your balance can grow quickly.

I understand that most folks hate getting promotional emails but the ones Starbucks sends are actually worth the time.

You’ll also know about double star days this way as well.

9. Grab a Free Refill

Lastly, don’t forget about those free coffee refills before you leave.

Make your purchase with the Starbucks app or gift card and the barista will hook you up with a free refill before you exit.

Starbucks is banking on you forgetting to take them up on this, so don’t FORGET your free refill.

Only works with hot and iced brewed coffee or tea.

Ask the Reader: How do you hack the Starbucks Rewards program to earn free coffee and treats?

By Kyle James

Photo credit to Starbucks and Mike Mozart.

The Sam’s Club return policy is pretty darn solid. But is it as good as Costco’s? Not only will we explore that question, but we’ll answer all your other concerns about Sam’s policy. Here’s everything you need to know so you can shop smart and carry on.

How Many Return Days Do I Have?

Unlimited.

Similar to the Costco return policy, Sam’s allows you to return items ANY TIME after your purchase on most items.

See Also: 7 Ways to Shop at Sam’s Club Without a Membership

Any Exceptions to the Unlimited Return Days?

Yes, there are quite a few note-worthy exceptions.

– Tires and Batteries: Depends on the manufacturer’s warranty. Check it out first.

– Cell Phones: 14 days from date of purchase.

– Televisions: 90 days.

– Computers and Tablets: 90 days.

– Contact Lenses: 30 days.

– Electronics: 90 days. Before you return an item you might want to call 1-877-758-4346 for free technical support from tech experts.

– Games and Software: 90 days.

– Movies and Music: 90 days. If you open it, they’ll only take it back if the CD or DVD is defective.

Can Items Be Opened or Used?

Yes, items can be opened and used and still be returned.

What If I Lost My Receipt?

They prefer that you hold on to your receipt to make your return a breeze.

But…if you don’t have your receipt, they’ll do their best to locate it within their computer system.

Apparently it is not a given that they’ll be able to locate your purchase history.

In any case, be prepared to show your driver’s license so they can track your return history.

This is NOT as a good as Costco as they’ll always be able to look up your purchase when sans receipt.

UPDATE: Thanks to Dirk for letting me know that you can login to your Sam’s account online and access all your old receipts.

You can simply view and print copies of them and make your return at Sam’s a piece of cake. 

Can I Return Items Bought Online to a Sam’s Warehouse?

You can return 99.5% of items bought online to any Sam’s location.

A few of the notable exceptions include golf carts, vending machines, and auction purchases.

I have NO idea what a Sam’s Club “auction purchase” is. If you know, let me know in the comments, thanks.

See Also: Cabela’s Return Policy: Can You Return Firearms and Ammo?

Are Any Items Non-Returnable?

Yes, glad you asked.

You’ll have a hard time trying to bring back any of these items…

– Alcohol: This one varies by state, ask at your local Sam’s if you’re not sure about your state law.

– Cigarettes and Tobacco: This is not 100% true. Some Sam’s locations do allow you to return cancer sticks.

– Personalized Items: Think about items like a personalized birthday cake.

– Contact Lenses: This is only true if you open the box they came in.

– Eyeglasses: 14 days from date of purchase.

– Gift Cards: BTW, Sam’s is a great place to buy discounted gift cards for local restaurants and retailers.

– Hearing Aids: Make sure they work before you leave Sam’s.

– Ticket Sales.

– Prescriptions: There are some exceptions, ask the pharmacist about it when you get your free consult.

– Car Tires and Batteries: This one depends on the manufacturer’s warranty.

What’s the Return Policy on Mattresses?

I started a live chat session with Sam’s Club as I couldn’t find their return policy on mattresses anywhere.

At first they told me they need to contact the vendor as they give them return instructions.

I then said, “It’s a Serta, will you take it back? It’s very uncomfortable and hurts my back.”

They immediately said, “Yes, definitely we can take it back.”

If you bought it in-store, take it back to Sam’s.

If you bought it online, call them at 1 (888) 746-7726 for specific instructions.

Who Pays Return Shipping Charges for Online Returns?

If you decide you simply don’t want the item then you’ll have to pay return shipping charges.

If the reason for the return is an error by Sam’s, or a defective product, then they’ll pay the return shipping fees.

Can Items Bought in a Club Be Returned Online?

Nope, bummer.

You’ll have to return them via their online return system.

Can I Return Items to a Different Club?

Yes, you can with these 3 important exceptions:

– Alcohol: If you live in a state that allows you to return alcohol you have to bring it back to the Sam’s Club that you bought it from.

– Cigarettes and Tobacco Products: Same as above.

– Contact Lenses: Unopened contacts must be returned within 30 days to the Sam’s where you bought them.

Can Their Return Policy be Abused?

Because their return policy is quite generous, Sam’s inevitably gets shoppers bringing back some pretty crazy items.

Many of which border on “policy abuse”.

Keep in mind that like any generous return policy, it will eventually go away if abused.

Can I Be Banned From Returning Items?

Yes, you’ll be banned if you regularly return items like brown bananas or an invisible watermelon.

Return smart and carry on.

Which Return Policy is Better: Costco or Sam’s Club?

Tough question, but I’d go with Costco for ONE reason.

Costco is better in terms of tracking your purchases so you don’t need a receipt.

If you lose your receipt with Sam’s, it appears to be a 50/50 chance that you can make the return.

Ask the Reader: What has been your experience with the Sam’s Club return policy?

By Kyle James

Photo credit to JJBers.