In some parts of the world, cars are a necessity. They bring us to work, school, and anywhere else we’d want to go. But cars can carry a hefty price tag. Between car payments, maintenance, and insurance, it’s hard to see how to eliminate those costs from your budget.
Fortunately, you came to the right place. Learn all about how to get reduced price or even free gas – and free up more wiggle room in your budget.
Seven Best Ways to Get Free Gas
1. Wrap your car
You’ve probably seen cars driving around that have advertisements or logos. Those aren’t always company cars. In fact, many of them are probably just normal people like you and me driving around their own car with a custom advertising decal or wrap in exchange for payment.
Services like Wrapify connect you with companies who want to advertise in your area. In exchange, you get paid between $100 – $600 per month – just for driving your car! Depending on how much you drive, you could earn enough to cover your costs for gas, insurance, and maybe even your car payment.
2. Earn Free Gas Cards with Swagbucks
Swagbucks is a company that will give you points for completing simple tasks online. You can earn points by completing surveys, watching videos, or simply browsing the Internet.
One of the ways you can redeem your Swagbucks is…you guessed it…gas cards. They also have other gift card options, but if you want to eliminate the cost of gas from your budget, this is an easy way to do it that will take up almost no time.
Earn Swagbucks points while you’re at the gym or even when you’re binge-watching your new favorite Netflix show.
3. Watch for gas card promos
Lots of grocery and retail stores now partner with gas stations to offer promotions. For example, you may get a free $5 gift card when you buy $50 of groceries.
CVS, a national drug store chain, occasionally offers gas card promotions. It varies from area to area, so you’ll want to check your grocery store’s customer service desk for more information.
Even when you’re shopping on a budget, you still need basics like food. With some smart planning, you can buy things that will help you earn free gas.
4. Cash in your Credit Card Points for Gas Cards
If you have a rewards credit card, double check your rewards program. Instead of cash back or miles, you may be able to exchange your credit card points for gas cards. As long as you’re paying your credit card off every month, this is one of the simplest and easiest ways to get free gas.
5. Drive for Lyft
Lyft is one of the most flexible side gigs out there, and it’s so easy to use that some people are even making it their full-time job!
Driving for a rideshare service like Lyft means you’ll earn money while you drive your car. Pick up a passenger along your normal routes – like on your morning commute, or on your way to meet friends across town. You’ll literally get paid to drive places you were already going.
You can drive as much or as little as you want, so it’s an easy way to make more money to put toward gas. Plus, you may get to take a tax deduction at the end of the year for your mileage. That means more money now AND later.
If you are interested in signing up to become a Lyft driver, they are currently offering a $300 signup bonus to new drivers.
6. Earn gas with travel rewards
It’s usually free to join hotel travel rewards programs. And the perks can be significant – everything from room upgrades and free nights to free gas!
Best Western has one of the best programs for free gas. Earn points by staying at Best Western hotels, and then cash those points in for gift cards to Exxon or Shell gas stations.
Other hotel loyalty programs offer gas cards as well. Check out your program’s website to find the details.
7. Sign up with GasBuddy
GasBuddy.com is a website that helps people find the cheapest gas prices in their area. But to keep their website updated, they need real-time information from drivers. That’s where you come in!
By using the website and updating gas price information on GasBuddy, you’ll earn points. Exchange those points for entries into GasBuddy’s daily $100 gas card sweepstakes. The more you earn, the better your chances of winning free gas!
Plus, by using the site regularly, you’ll be able to eliminate any overspending on gas and save more in the long run.