Happy 4th of July to everyone! Many of us will be traveling over this holiday weekend and here are some gas-saving tips from NAPSI:

"Gas prices are through the roof and are only expected to rise in the future, so it's more important than ever to learn how to conserve your gas dollars. While we're all aware of the obvious ways to reduce gas expenditures--such as biking to work, taking public transportation or buying a more fuel-efficient car--these may not always be practical options for you and your family. When driving is a must, there are a few simple gas-saving tips that will help reduce your transportation costs and put your hard-earned money back into your bank account.

Maintain your car. Improve your fuel economy by doing a few small checkups on your car, such as changing the oil regularly and having the engine tuned. Maintain the proper tire pressure in your tires. When it's time for new ones, switch out old wheels for some low-rolling resistance tires, which are designed to improve the fuel efficiency of a car by minimizing the heat energy expended as tires roll down the road. Also, spring for a better air filter. According to the Federal Trade Commission, replacing a clogged air filter can increase gas mileage up to 10 percent.

Avoid aggressive driving. Excessive braking, speeding and sudden speed changes all waste gas. Whoever coined the phrase "put the pedal to the metal" probably didn't realize that driving like a maniac will cost you big money. While on the freeway, keep your cruise control on and avoid following other cars too closely, which may lead to unnecessary braking.

Be smart at the pump. It always pays to shop around for the cheapest gas in your neighborhood. In addition, check your car's owner's manual for the lowest recommended octane gas for your specific car model and fill up on that. Not only is lower-octane gas cheaper, but most modern cars are engineered to run most efficiently on lower-octane fuel.

Be safe!

Meg Morgan Norris

Publisher