I was going to regale y’all with a photo of the luscious cupcake I indulged in to mark my final day before the Weight Watchers points counting begins in earnest and I record my first weigh in. Unfortunately my two attempts in two days to make my inaugural visit to the new cupcake store were both met with a closed store. Maybe someone will buy me a cupcake for my birthday (hint, hint: 12 days).
Instead, I’ll regale you with a tale a tale of a trip to the gas pump. I’ve mentioned this before, but I’ve been turning over a new leaf by trying to drive more slowly, more calmly in an effort to preserve gas. This is a big commitment for a reformed speeder: I was a speed-a-holic for quite some time until back-to-back tickets within the span of two months prompted a letter from the state safety department that said “repent and reform or we rescind your driving privileges.” I opted for the repenting and reforming.
I began my drive-more-slowly commitment a few weeks ago with the idea that the savings would be negligible. Sure, I knew I’d be helping the environment, but I didn’t figure it would show up that clearly in my MPG (even though several people who had already tried this assured me it would).
Guess what? It is noticeable!
I am so obsessive compulsive that as soon as I get in my car after filling up the tank, I do the MPG math on my cell phone calculator. Usually I average about 27 in the city, 30 on the highway. Most weeks are a mix of both city and highway and average at about 28.7 MPG.
This afternoon’s fill up: 30.4 MPG on a mix of mostly city and a little bit of highway driving.
So there you have it. My cupcake in the form of an extra 24 gallons per tank of gas.
UPDATE: Mental360’s comment reminded me of one other point: My driving-slower initiative has also greatly reduced my road rage problems. Who knew?
Gas Pump cupcakes just won’t do it for me right now… sorry! But your findings are remarkable. Yay for you with the repent and reform thing… those state offices just have no sense of humor do they?
I need to take heed and try this out too. I have a lil road rage and a led foot from time to time. No good for gas consumption 🙁
That’s awesome!
Missy: Oh, I’m still craving the real cupcake.
Mental360: Try it, you’ll be surprised how addicting it might be (seriously).
Allie: I know! Little changes!
Isn’t it great? But then it’s like an addiction, and now if I get road rage if I get less than 32 mpg.
I’ll buy you a cupcake!
I should really try this as well. The only thing is that in Memphis traffic is if you aren’t speeding you get run over. I will have to see what I can do.
I hear you on this. I drive about 34 miles to and from work and preschool to get my daughter. I go to work early in the morning (before 7) so I avoid most stop and go traffic, but in the afternoon, all bets are off. Since I am a technical writer I was able to negotiate working from home one day, which has really helped out. I also have started obeying the speed limit and not doing the rapid acceleration/barking routine. I drive an SUV (with a bad back and having had back surgery and a little toddler to lift in and out of the car, this worked best for my health) so I am super-aware of the gas cost. Lately these measures have really helped me to go longer between fill ups.
Talk about results. I am definitely going to take my foot away from the metal for a bit.
Noelle: Uh oh, the road rage was something I was trying to combat. Addictive, yes.
Jenn: Thanks!
Dustin: Memphis traffic might actually be perfect for it. Just roll between the lights.
Jacqueline: That’s very encouraging.
K: The savings might pay for a few takeout meals.
I do the math on my phone too, then save it and email it to myself to log into a spreadsheet once I’m home. In one car we average about 26-27 MPG in the other car we average 35-36 MPG. Unfortunately the first car is so fun to drive we almost always take that one! (Proof? the second car is 18 months old and still doesn’t have 5000 miles on it yet! I know, we’re bad!)