If you are looking to stay on top of bills and get out of debt it is important to maximise your savings on transportation, walking to all your destinations is the least expensive method. You may also use a bicycle for quick nearby errands, or buses and trains for long distance travel.

But you don’t necessarily need to ditch your car to lower your transportation costs. You can also reduce your transport costs by:

1. Move closer to your workplace

   If the cost of living closer to your workplace and walking to work makes financial sense compared to living further and driving to work, then moving may be a good idea.

2. Buying discounted gas gift cards

   Shop for discounted gas cards at various auto-gift cards websites. These sites also offer discounted gift cards for airlines, cruise companies, and automotive repair shops.

3. Gas savings

   Carrying an extra 50kgs in your car reduces fuel economy by 1 to 2 percent. A tune-up can increase gas mileage by about 4 percent. Using the right tire pressure can improve gas mileage by about 3.5 percent, while adding the recommended grade of motor oil can boost mileage by up to 2 percent.

4. Lowering car insurance

   Car insurance depends on many factors, including the cost of your ride. Consider buying a cheaper used car in good condition, and shop around for the best car insurance before buying so you can plan for the costs up front. Some auto insurance companies offer reduced rates for retirees, drivers with short commutes, or well-performing students. You can also save about 10 percent on your car insurance if you have a good credit score so cleaning up your out of control debt issues now can lower costs in the future.

5. Managing stress

   Calming your driving habits by controlling your acceleration and deceleration can save gas, reduce the workload on your transmission, and avoid aggression that may wear your tires faster. Consider setting your cruise control to 65 mph and driving calmly.

6. Car sharing

   If you want to leave your car behind, you may also consider carpooling. Carpooling and ridesharing services are great for reducing transport costs and maintain a debt free budget, especially in bigger cities. Sharing a taxi or Uber with other passengers can reduce your ride fare by 20 to 40 percent, plus you get to meet and interact with new people.

7. Avoiding toll roads

   Consider the time, distance, and cost savings when faced with a choice between a free route and a toll road. Sometimes, using a longer route to avoid toll roads may be more economical.

Final note

If you are serious about keeping your expenses low, you may also need to get rid of the second or third cars. With professional consumer credit counselling, you can create a better plan to adjust more easily to your new lifestyle.