Now that gas prices have risen to record highs, more people than ever before are looking for ways to cut down on their usage and to find the best deal at the pump. If you are looking for ways to do just that, here is what you can do: • Make sure that your car is tuned up and that the tires are properly inflated. • Avoid situations that will leave you idling in traffic. Look for alternative routes, or plan your travel for earlier or later in the day to avoid traffic congestion. • Think twice before using your car for a trip that could be done at some other time. Plan your trips more carefully, combining errands and other stops in the same trip. • Shop around for the best price, and the best time to buy gas at stations in your area. You may find that you can get a better price per gallon by fueling in the middle of the week or after a long, holiday weekend. • Walk, bike, or carpool whenever you can. You might want to even set up a network of people who are willing to join carpools for work or who might be willing to share rides to church, the store, or kids sporting events. There’s no question that gas is expensive. However, you can really save some money by shopping around and rethinking how you are burning the gas that you put into the tank.