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TreasuryGuy

Champion Author
California

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Message Posted: Jan 14, 2011 7:54:18 PM

What do you think of the following fill strategy?

1. When prices are INCREASING, fill up as often as convenient. I don't go out of my way to fill up, but I fill up as often as I can (typically at 3/4 tank or above). Fill up now since tomorrow's price will be higher.

2. When prices are DECREASING, fill up only when the tank is low (typically less than 1/4 tank). Put off filling up as much as possible since tomorrow's price will be cheaper than today's price.

3. When prices are STABLE, fill up only when passing by my preferred low cost station. (Don't waste gas to go find gas.)

Does anyone else follow such a strategy?
REPLIES (newest first)
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WES03
Champion Author Maryland

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Message Posted: May 18, 2013 7:34:28 PM

The trend is up. Get 'em filled.
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que47
Veteran Author Virginia

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Message Posted: May 9, 2013 5:22:59 AM

I fill up as-needed when passing a lower-priced station, but when I go to visit my brother I always fill up there (even when I don't particularly need to) - gas in his area ranges 20-60 cents cheaper than in my area. When I know I'm visiting I try to hold off on filling up, and end up buying a few dollars' worth of expensive gas before getting on the interstate, then I fill up the rest of the way when I get there.
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geoutpb
Champion Author Midland Odessa

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Message Posted: May 5, 2013 7:58:35 PM

I fill up when I need fuel, do not worry about the price because I follow the prices on gas buddy.
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mybigtruck
Sophomore Author San Jose

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Message Posted: May 5, 2013 5:49:49 PM

I do the same to avoid the high spikes in prices, but at the end of the day, it all evens out because nobody can time the market
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MertieMan
Champion Author Lexington

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Message Posted: May 4, 2013 8:45:00 AM

I fill up when my tank gets to around half and that is about twice per week.
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FinditCheap2012
Rookie Author Delaware

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Message Posted: Apr 27, 2013 6:20:01 AM

I fill up when it gets low. I don't have a strategy other than filling up at the lowest price available.
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nimravus01
Sophomore Author Austin

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Message Posted: Apr 27, 2013 4:33:39 AM

For my situation, I just fill up when I get low on fuel.
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L98
Sophomore Author Ontario

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Message Posted: Apr 27, 2013 12:23:48 AM

fill up as required
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krazkar
Veteran Author Calgary

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Message Posted: Apr 26, 2013 10:04:04 PM

Most of the time I just fill up when I need to. If I see a large price jump, I may try to fill up at a station that has 't gone up yet.
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WES03
Champion Author Maryland

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Message Posted: Apr 26, 2013 11:24:14 AM

Oil & gas futures are trending up. Bears watching.
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hyeglenn
Champion Author Fresno

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Message Posted: Apr 16, 2013 9:33:39 AM

I try to keep mine full all the time.
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giwan
Veteran Author Michigan

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Message Posted: Apr 14, 2013 12:40:55 AM

I try and gage daily fluctuations by following some early gas stations
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WES03
Champion Author Maryland

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Message Posted: Apr 13, 2013 8:49:36 AM

Prices still falling and the commodity futures are down. Delay those fill ups as long as possible.
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WES03
Champion Author Maryland

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Message Posted: Apr 5, 2013 8:22:47 AM

Prices falling. Delay those fill ups.
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cv
Champion Author Raleigh

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Message Posted: Apr 5, 2013 6:53:09 AM

I just fill up when the notion strikes me.
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WES03
Champion Author Maryland

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Message Posted: Apr 2, 2013 7:16:02 AM

kart - The best indicator is the gas & oil futures on the commodities markets. Price trends at the pump can usually be predicted from this source.
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kartheek4u
Rookie Author Chicago

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Message Posted: Apr 1, 2013 11:52:56 AM

How do we know when the Prices are INCREASING or DECREASING or STABLE?
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canadajane
Sophomore Author Ontario

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Message Posted: Apr 1, 2013 10:50:51 AM

I don't really have a choice when to fill up. My commute is 150km a day, so I generally fill up every third day. Getting a new, more economic car soon, so hopefully I will be able to go longer between fill ups.
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cv
Champion Author Raleigh

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Message Posted: Apr 1, 2013 8:20:58 AM

It is so hard to figure out how gas prices are going to work, I just fill up when my gauge drops to 1/2 tank and arrange my errands to the cheaper stations. Checking GasBuddy first of course!
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5p33df73ak
Sophomore Author Gary

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Message Posted: Mar 31, 2013 9:57:37 PM

ummm idk
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skh150
Rookie Author Denver

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Message Posted: Mar 31, 2013 2:46:17 PM

Uuhh, yep!
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Ryan456789
Champion Author Milwaukee

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Message Posted: Mar 31, 2013 1:27:29 PM

Working 50-55 hours a week and spending another 5+ on the road for the commute I don't have much time to evaluate and monitor the few cents it would save, I just buy when I need it now.
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dvc2
All-Star Author Oakland

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Message Posted: Mar 28, 2013 1:58:02 PM

Fill up when I need to.
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gwhizz13
Veteran Author Abbotsford

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Message Posted: Mar 27, 2013 3:25:58 AM

Somewhat the same as you but I wait until it gets below half.
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WES03
Champion Author Maryland

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Message Posted: Mar 26, 2013 9:25:46 AM

Oil futures way up in the last week. Bears watching. Prices at the pump poised to rise?
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WES03
Champion Author Maryland

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Message Posted: Mar 24, 2013 8:41:04 AM

eyego - you get it.
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eyegotgas2
Champion Author British Columbia

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Message Posted: Mar 24, 2013 7:13:58 AM

I usually fill if I see the price increasing and hold off if I see the price dropping.

Thats why this site works so well.
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TreasuryGuy
Champion Author California

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Message Posted: Mar 23, 2013 3:35:20 PM

blckwolf,
What is the basis for your assertion? Interesting but just interested in why you believe it. Is there some evidence?
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PDN57
All-Star Author San Bernardino

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2013 9:16:37 PM

Usually when I find a cheap place
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speedy700
Veteran Author New Jersey

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2013 9:05:09 PM

That strategy makes sense, but sometimes hard to follow.
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dasAuto
All-Star Author Regina

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Message Posted: Mar 22, 2013 3:29:48 PM

Don't really have a strategy. I just fill when I need to at certain stations. I try to keep an eye out for gas price spikes or dips and get gas at the right time. Not always successful of course.
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blckwolf
Veteran Author North Carolina

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Message Posted: Mar 21, 2013 8:17:07 PM

I learned today that you should probably fuel your vehicle "slowly", and avoid fueling at stations that are in the process of restocking their fuel tanks. Fueling fast apparently causes the pump to not be as accurate. Refueling while the tanker is unloading will cause sediment from the bottom of the tank to get stirred up and potentially allow it to get transferred into your vehicle tank. Also, refuel in the morning, when it's cooler, because gallon for gallon, the gasoline will be denser, therefore giving you the true "gallon" vs. when it's warmer and lighter and not really equal to a gallon.
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blckwolf
Veteran Author North Carolina

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Message Posted: Mar 19, 2013 8:06:43 AM

I drive 120 miles a day minimum. In my truck, I can wait for about 2 days before needing to fill up, but I try to keep it at or above 1/2 tank. My bike, burns through it's 5 gal tank in one day's riding, so I always have to fill up at least 1x/day.
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panj
Champion Author Pennsylvania

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Message Posted: Mar 17, 2013 2:45:08 PM

great strategy i have to fill up every other day so i'm looking for the best milage not price.
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Saab93turbo
Veteran Author Washington

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Message Posted: Mar 17, 2013 1:46:56 PM

I follow that strategy. It makes sense.
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burt12013
Rookie Author San Diego

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Message Posted: Mar 10, 2013 6:12:01 PM

I try to fill up only when going on a long trip. Try to keep it above 1/8 or b4 light cmz on and half a tank. You could fill up thinking its going up and it goes down the next day. Unless u need that gas for your travels, you are just carrying more weight around with u. Clean out the trunk of unneccesary stuff.
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tdhlmn
Rookie Author Denver

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Message Posted: Mar 10, 2013 1:11:40 PM

Driving 150+ miles a day in company truck really doesn't make much difference. I just look for a low priced station that I'm driving by when down around a 1/4 tank, about every other day.
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WES03
Champion Author Maryland

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Message Posted: Mar 10, 2013 8:53:36 AM

Another richie heard from.
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dvc2
All-Star Author Oakland

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Message Posted: Mar 9, 2013 1:04:24 PM

When I need gas I buy it, I don't worry about a few cents.
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dontuknowOH
Champion Author Ohio

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Message Posted: Mar 9, 2013 8:47:38 AM

I buy as much as I feel I can afford when the price drops twice or three times,hoping four times lower,to start driving again....
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metalhat73
Veteran Author Wilmington

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Message Posted: Mar 9, 2013 8:38:55 AM

RBOB Gasoline USd/gal. 320.35 +8.02 +2.57% close on Friday. Fill up quickly as big jump on gas prices soon.
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WES03
Champion Author Maryland

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Message Posted: Mar 9, 2013 7:52:09 AM

Gas futures up big yesterday (Friday), look out.
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WES03
Champion Author Maryland

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Message Posted: Mar 8, 2013 9:40:35 AM

Prices still trickling down. Gasoline on the commodities markets have stabilized. Look for a levelling off of retail prices.
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wintersucks
Champion Author Minnesota

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Message Posted: Mar 8, 2013 8:56:16 AM

None. Just fill when needed and pay the bill at the end of the month.
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TreasuryGuy
Champion Author California

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Message Posted: Mar 5, 2013 10:49:17 PM

GLM4205,
Wouldn't it make more sense to wait to fill up when you see gas prices dropping? (i.e., tomorrow's prices will be lower than today so hold off on filling up)
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GLM4205
Champion Author Toledo

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Message Posted: Mar 5, 2013 6:37:46 AM

I fill up when I see gas prices droping.
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kylejetta13tdi
Rookie Author Michigan

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Message Posted: Mar 1, 2013 11:52:12 PM

sounds good
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WES03
Champion Author Maryland

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Message Posted: Mar 1, 2013 10:33:21 AM

Wholesale prices down markedly for thre days no. Prices trickling down at the pump. Delay those fill ups as long as possible.
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quizzer
Rookie Author Fort Worth

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Message Posted: Feb 26, 2013 10:43:30 PM

Good plan
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WES03
Champion Author Maryland

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Message Posted: Feb 26, 2013 9:31:33 AM

Gasoline futures down substantially. A trickle down in prices at the pump should begin today or tomorrow barring some geopolitical event.
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WES03
Champion Author Maryland

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Message Posted: Feb 15, 2013 8:42:20 AM

Gasoline futures up huge yesterday and are up again this morning. Big jump coming at the pump. Get 'em filled.
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