If I lived in MI I would be looking for cheaper gas too. Every time we go to Holland to see our DD we can't believe the price of gas. It is higher there than anywhere else.

I use gas buddy to compare prices, but no way in heck I would let it link to an account.

I've used gas buddy and find it helpful, esp when traveling. We have a similar debit card for cumberland farms and we save 10 c / gal

That's a debit card, not a credit card.

No thanks to this for me. I use Gas Buddy occasionally, not to find the cheapest price locations but to avoid the most expensive ones. Some areas have wide price ranges, I don't need the lowest cost but similarly I don't want to pay too much more than necessary.

Costco's Visa card gives a 3% rebate on gas purchases which can be about double this 5 cents a gallon. We use it when it's convenient, not when it's not.

Elmer is there a reason you wouldn't buy the cheapest gas? Just curious.

What chi said. Exactly.

In a large metro area, Gas Buddy's information is too extensive to be useful. I won't and don't need to waste time to save an inconsequential amount of money.

Wrong side of the road, waiting lines when I pass by, not along my route, not a brand I like (ie, not Top Tier gas), any number of reasons may make a location undesirable for me. Our monthly expenditure for gas varies more by local market price swings that I have no control over than by specific gas station pricing and isn't enough for me to be concerned about.

My largest car has maybe a 17 gallon capacity and so never needs even as much as 15 gallons. Saving 20-30-40 cents a gallon on 15 gallons isn't enough of a sum to get me to change my day, waste time or be inconvenienced.

Waiting for gas at Costco is loony. It's Top Tier gas but really not otherwise worth it. I refuse to waste time doing that but many, many do.

When I asked my friend why she waits at Costco and pointed out she burns a lot of gas idling for half an hour waiting, she said she understands it but it's a philosophical/mentality thing. She wants to pay the lowest price. Different strokes.

I'll have to pay more attention to gas prices. I honestly don't even really look at them as I assumed the general area would be within the same range due to competition. My first priority is convenience.

Yeah, as I said, loony.

I buy according to price I have seen... sometimes, when I think of it, I use Gas Buddy. But I also often buy gas at SAMS... they are usually cheaper than other places, but not always.

I've never had to wait in line at Costco for gas. That's crazy!

I just got gas tonight at Costco...at around 7:15 and there were hardly any cars there. Going at 10 a.m on a Saturday or a Friday before a holiday weekend, it can be crazy, but I try to plan ahead and avoid costco on weekends and before holidays. No way I'd wait in line for more than 5 minutes.

DH goes to Costco. It is 20 minutes away on the highway because he often goes down to the city and so jumps off at that exit. it is always the cheapest.

We also use Stop and Shop gas rewards. They are accrued and each shop only lasts 30 days. I wait until I have at least 40 cents off because Shell, where you can redeem, is always higher priced.

I use a Gulf station that is on my way to and fro.

I use Gas Buddy a lot when we travel. But we don't use any debit cards, or carry them. Strictly credit cards.

Often, the closer a gas station is to a highway exit, the higher its price. So when traveling in unfamiliar places, I sometimes look at Gas Buddy to see if there's a significantly cheaper station nearby. But like a lot of ya'll, I consider my time & effort worth more than a few pennies per gallon.

I live nearby two tribal reservations and I buy my gas there. Since they are exempt from our state tax structure, anything that is heavily taxed - gas, liquor, cigarettes - are significantly less expensive. Gas is typically at least 20 cents a gallon less than nontribal outlets, sometimes more.

I also earn gas discounts from shopping at Safeway and use those when I have accumulated a few as Safeway and the rez are priced about the same. Costco is a 30 minute drive away and I never bother with that.

Yes, I wasn't thrilled about the debit part of Gas Buddy. I too do not drive far or inconvenience myself to get gas.

Yesterday gas here was $2.59 at 2 gas stations and $2.30 at the other 2. I didn't need gas. Today gas is $2.59 at 2 stations and $2.55 at the other 2. DH said they would be going up, he was right (hate it when he is right)!

We always check Gas Buddy when it's time to get gas. We have a number of gas stations in our neighbourhood and there can be a 10c/liter difference.

Kathy, do you belong to Costco? Or have a Sam’s or Costco close to you? Their gas is almost always much lower than the regular stations, even their cash prices. I paid 2.16/gallon the other day. AND with the Costco card, you get an additional 4% of your annual gas purchases (any station as well) in the form of a refund check once a year. Last year we were only six months into the program and got a 230.00 check mailed to us.

Gas in my metro area can have a $0.45/gallon or more spread, so I use gasbuddy every time I fill up, and also use either a prepaid Speedway card ($0.10/gallon discount) or Kroger rewards as well. I do keep in mind, though, with only a 12 gallon tank, it usually isn't cost effective to drive more than a few miles to a lower priced station. I also plan my stops to fill-up with stops at particular stores or other errands close to the station, or on my way from work, so I'm not driving to an area only for gas. Saving a dollar here, $2-3 there is worth it to me when I'm not spending time just on the gas errand.

I mentioned something earlier that didn't seem to be noticed so I'd like to mention it with more details.

There is a specification for gasoline that's called Top Tier. What it is is simple - it's a formula of detergents and additives that are put into gasoline (with no pollution consequences pro or con) that prevent carbon and other deposits to allow the engine to run at its peak efficiency. Gasoline without these additives causes the build up of various deposits that can lead to premature problems and lower fuel economy.

Many of the discount gas brands are NOT Top Tier gas - especially from grocery chains - and using such brands consistently can lead to problems and lower gas mileage along the way. Some, like Costco, do use the Top Tier additive package.

If you're concerned about saving money, be sure to drive a car that isn't bigger than your needs require, that gets good mileage and that you keep well maintained. And use Top Tier gas. These steps will save you far more money than worrying about whether you've gotten the lowest possible price for gas, which may result in your buying an inferior product that could cost you more in the long run.

We own three cars and all are makes that suggest using only Top Tier gas, so that's all we buy. Top Tier-selling stations are all over so it doesn't take an effort to restrict purchases to just this type of gas.

Here's a listing of gas retailers that sell Top Tier gas

Top Tier Gas retailers

Here's an article describing it:

Top Tier gas

Lukkiirish,

in a small town. The county I live in has only 1 traffic light in the whole county. Do have a Sams card, but 2 hours away. Not many choices here.

Elmer, thanks for the info. We do have a Shell and a Citgo.

I love Gas Buddy because we have a spread of up to $.75/gallon depending on the area. With 15 gallon tanks, it can be quite a bit of savings.

I wouldn't feel comfortable about linking to my account though.

Holy Moly! I didn’t realize. You must be up north...I’m in the southern part of the state.

Lukkiirish, I'm in northeast Michigan, near Lake Huron. Nearest Sams is 2 hours away in Saginaw. Going to a baby shower tomorrow in Fenton, will have to get an early start.

They built a Meijer's in Alpena, that is only about 45 minutes. Don't mind taking a ride there in nice weather.

My kids live in Ypsilanti, Mason and Grand Rapids we used to live in Brighton.

Oh, ok. We live by Great Lakes Crossing and the Palace, not too terribly far from you. Sam’s, Costco and even Meijer are all about 3 miles from us but I’d love to live more remotely. My daughter and SIL used to have property in Holly and until recently I was in both Ypsi and Brighton often for work. Never been to Mason though.

I have 2 Discover cards. One gives 2% credited to the account all the time and 3 months of the year the other give 5%. I looked at getting a Sam's Visa but they only give you a check that has to be used at Sam's and no way am I getting that. Not even a consideration. I got the offer for the Gas Buddy but I don't use debit cards unless it's an absolute emergency. Not gonna happen here.

No, I won't get the debit card either. I just feel that there is too much risk. We had an incident recently of skimmers found on several gas pumps locally, the first time in my immediate area. I am thinking of switching to using gift cards bought at the grocery now, instead of my credit card at the pump.

I never pay to much attention to price. I will get gas when I need I, but will almost always fill up if it is on the cheaper side. Otherwise I just put $25.00 in to get me by. I do not drive many miles, so can usually wait.