5 Ways To Save Money On Your Daily Commute

You've recently landed a new job.  Your salary and coworkers are great.  Your future looks bright.  However, the commute is longer than you would like.  Filling up at the pump along with paying for more car repairs can quickly make a dent in your paycheck.  Luckily, there are ways to save money on your daily commute.

Save on Fuel Costs

$3,000: That's how much the average American family spends every year on gasoline.  With 10.8 million Americans making a two-hour round trip daily commute, you can see where a lot of that money is being spent.  Luckily, there are smartphone applications that will help you track your driving habits and tell you to slow down in order to reduce the amount of fuel you use.

Hop on a Bus

Did you know taking public transportation is good for your health?  By walking to and from stops, public transportation users get three times as much physical activity than those who don't.  Of course, public transportation is also healthy for your wallet.  In fact, taking a bus can save a household over $6,000 a year.

Check into Commuter Benefits

Your employer may offer a commuter benefits program that can help you save money on transit, vanpool, and parking expenses.  As an employee, you can set up a pretax payroll deduction that reduces your taxable income.  This can save you up to 40% on your transit costs.  

Join a Vanpool

If you have a neighbor or friend going to the same area, you might want to carpool to work.  Not only will you save on gas, you'll also be able to take the carpool lane and save time.  If you can't find a buddy to drive with, you can sign up for a vanpool.  You simply join a vanpool site, enter your commuting needs, and hook up with five to 15 other commuters who are going the same route as you.  

Share a Taxi

Sharing rides via a car or taxi service can easily cut your transportation costs in half.  By using a ride sharing app, you can also reduce the amount of time you spend hailing a cab.  Remember to follow car or taxi-sharing etiquette tips.  For instance, don't get on your cellphone and have a loud conversation.  Also, you should never trim your nails.  In addition, make sure to pay your fair share of the fare and don't forget to leave a tip.  You'll want to tip 15 to 20 percent of the fare.  

By reducing your transportation costs, you can keep more of your money in the bank.