I?ll bet you?re wondering why a naturopath is talking about gas prices instead of health. Believe it or not, there is a connection. The high cost of gas (and other things) increases stress levels and that impacts our health. I?m sure it?s no surprise that concerns about money consistently top the list of major life stressors.

So I thought I?d share some insights Dave Ramsey (financial guru) wrote about how to save money on gas. Hopefully, it?ll help you save a little money and more importantly, lower your stress levels by giving you options.

Here’s what Dave has to say:

11 Ways to Save Money on Gas

1. Shop around for the best gas prices.

Sure, sometimes you?re riding on empty, and you?ve got to get gas as quick as possible. But if you plan ahead you can really save money on gas. One way is to use an app like GasBuddy that searches your local area to find the cheapest gas prices around. Or you can pay attention on your way to and from work or the kids? school to see what places offer the best price.

2. Combine your errands.

Don?t make a special trip to get milk when you can just pick it up on the way home from work. You can cut back on trips to the grocery store in general by?meal planning and keeping a list of all the household essentials you need. The fewer trips out, the less you pay in gas.

3. Use that cruise control.

Stumped on how to save gas while driving on the open road? If you?re spending lots of time on the interstate, here?s a simple tip: Turn on your cruise control and save on gasoline?and?leg cramps.

4. Keep your tires inflated.

There?s a savings myth out there that overinflating your tires can save you money on gas. The reality is this is a bit of a Goldilocks situation. Overinflating doesn?t help anything, and underinflating can actually hurt your gas mileage. But nailing the recommended tire pressure for your car is like that perfect bowl of porridge?just right. And those just-right savings will add up over time.

5. Ditch the extra weight.

Take everything off your roof rack and unpack the trunk or cargo space. Turns out, the more your car is weighed down, the harder your engine has to work to lug all your junk around. And a harder-working engine is a gas-guzzling engine. So, clean out your car, and enjoy less clutter and fewer trips to the gas station. Who knew figuring out how to save on gas was as simple as getting all the junk out of your car?

6. Join gas rewards programs.

Hear us loud and clear: We?aren?t?talking about credit card ?reward? points here. (Ew.) We mean that your grocery store may offer gas rewards?discounts on gasoline for buying stuff you have to buy anyway. You might have to sign up for a rewards card, but these are often 100% free and 100% worth it. Cheaper gas from the place you already go to stock up on snacks? Yes, please.

7. Join a warehouse membership.

Here?s how to save on gas with money you?re probably already spending at those?bulk-buy stores (BJs, Costco). Some warehouse stores offer lower gas prices to members. Now, that membership will cost you something, but if you?re already a member, you might as well take advantage of that extra savings. And if you?re not a member, before you commit to anything, be sure the annual fee is worth it to save money on gas?and?other things (like all that bulk cereal shopping).

8. Stop buying premium.

Unless you have a fancy car with a manual that says it needs premium gas, the regular unleaded gas option works just fine. Switching to regular gas is probably the easiest way to save 20? to 60 cents per gallon, and most drivers don?t even notice the difference. Just be sure you double-check that premium gas isn?t a deal-breaker for your car??or else things could get ugly.

9. Pay with cash.

Cash is king?even at the pump! Some gas stations charge a lower price per gallon if you pay with cash?. It?s their way of skipping the processing fees. Sure, you?ll have to actually walk some extra steps to pay the cashier, but it?s worth it if you can save a few bucks every time you fill-up.

10. Fill up earlier in the week (and never on weekends).

Monday is typically the cheapest day of the week to fill up your tank.10 If you can?t make it on Monday, try for Tuesday or Wednesday. And whatever you do, avoid the gas station on Friday??, Saturday, and Sunday if you want to save money on gas.

11. Turn your car off while waiting.

Here?s a simple way to save money on gas?turn the car?off when you?re not actually driving it.?Think about it. You?re sitting in your car for 5, 10, maybe even 15 minutes waiting on someone else to get in?and probably jamming out to your favorite song. We?ve all been there. But next time, turn the car off. Keeping your car running wastes gas? even if you?re not driving anywhere!

I hope that?s helpful and will you a little stress relief to know you have options.

Happy trails,