Tips on How to Save on Gasoline

With gasoline prices going up and up, we need to be creative in how we save!  Check out these 8 ways to save on gas!

1.) Use a STP Gas treatment.
This much-lauded additive cleans your engine and fuel intake system while fighting fuel-line freeze, thus boosting your car’s performance and mileage. You should use it a few times to see full benefits, but you will: at least 10% improved mileage, all while protecting your engine.

2.)Inflate those tires!
Countless studies have shown that cars with properly inflated and balanced tires get better gas mileage — around 3.3%, according to government stats.

3.) Change your oil, and put the right oil in.
This is key for older cars especially, which in many cases will benefit from using 5W-30 motor oil.

4.) Buy low-octane gasoline.
Unless your car specifically requires premium, skip it and go for low-octane fuel.

5.) Use MurphyUSA's smartphone app to find the cheapest prices instead of driving around looking for the best deal.

6.) Shop at Jewel, Dominick's, or Costco, and take advantage of their savings off their gas prices for their members! Or shop at Walmart (MurphyUSA) or Sam's and use your Sam's card to get .03 off per gallon.

7.) Carpool or walk...this seems obvious! Or just stay home! :)

8.) Check GasBuddy to see where the cheapest gas is around your area.

Share with us - What are ways you are saving on gas?

Thanks Courtney!

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Black Friday Shopping Tips

Written by Shana Moland (My Memphis Mommy)

I'll admit it I am one of those crazy people who looks forward to Black Friday shopping every year. I anticipate, I enjoy it, I have a great time and get some awesome deals! Here is my top 10 tips/advice for Black Friday Shopping.

1. If you haven't already, make a list of who you want to buy for this Christmas. Who will you be giving gift cards to, who will get home-made gifts? How many "birthday party gifts" do you anticipate needing this year? Make a gift budget and STICK TO IT.

2. I make an excel sheet that I use year round of the gifts I already have, where I have stored the gift and who I give the gift to and the value of the gift and how much I paid for the gift.

3. Look at the Black Friday deals now and see which items you want the most!

4. DO NOT TAKE YOUR CHILDREN WITH YOU.

5. If you can take a friend and split up and communicate with cell phones you will be able to get more high ticket items.

6. If you are going to Walmart, print out their map in advance and decide which high ticket item you want. Please realize that for crowd control and safety they spread the items all over the store, you may find the plasma TV you want in the product department, you will definitely want to know before you are in the store where you want to go. Walmart will be price matching other stores, so if you are going to take advantage of this, please be courteous of the long line behind you and have all your competitor's ads organized and ready before you check out.

7. Keep in mind that while specialty stores like Best Buy might have a better price on the plasma TV, you will miss out on the other items such as toys etc.

8. Toys R US is starting their door buster sales at 10 p.m. on Thanksgiving evening!

9. Keep your receipts! I would suggest having an envelope and putting the receipts in the envelope. When you get home look over the products and make sure you really got a good deal, name brand is the best way to go when it comes to electronics, make sure when buying a digital camera it comes with a memory card, do your research before you get to the check out line.

10. Don't try to get all the deals, decide which ones you want most, and relax have fun, stay calm and try to help others do the same.

The day after Thanksgiving shopping can be extremely overwhelming especially at Walmart but if you go WITHOUT YOUR KIDS, arrive at least by 4:30 a.m. grab an empty cart, have your store map in hand and your shopping list too and cell phone to call your shopping partner, you can get in and out without too much stress and some good buys!

Walmart is not the only place for awesome finds, Target has some amazing deals as do many stores at the mall. Remember there are so many in the community who need new p.j.'s and clothing items and games and gifts for Christmas be sure and try to put in your shopping budget a family in need.

Any other tips, please make a comment. Any question leave those as well! And please come back and let us know what great deals you find!!

Thanks My Memphis Mommy!

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Yahoo! - 5 Tips to Build Wealth and Success

Maria saw this on Yahoo! today and thought it was right in line with what My Chicago Mommy is all about! We try to share tips, coupons, deals, freebies, events, reviews, and giveaways, all so you can enjoy your life without breaking the bank! As you see in this video and the article that accompanies it, the 5 tips to build wealth and success are:

1) Live below your means
2) Bounce back from defeat
3) Self-promote
4) Have street smarts
5) Buy cheap

Hopefully some of you will become wealthy and successful with some of the things you learn from My Chicago Mommy!

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*Check out My Chicago Mommy's Coupon Database to search for coupons!