Decisions, Decisions

On the way home from work last night I needed gas and passed up a station with regular at $2.09 a gallon in favor of one closer to home that was at $2.25 for the same gallon of regular. Aside from being closer to home, the $2.25 gas station also has credit-card-friendly pumps, whereas the other station doesn't.

That said, choosing to fill up at a station with gas that is 16 cents a gallon more than another, fairly convenient station is not an inconsequential decision over the course of the year. I have to remedy my tendency to do this.

In this new year I aim to fill up more regularly, keep a log (mental or otherwise) of local stations and their prices, and fill up whenever I'm in an area with prices I can't get close to home.

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In front of me right now I have two trial passes to local bulk-shopping stores. One, for BJ's , requires no surcharge; the other, for Sam's Club, does. Suffice it to say that I won't be hitting Sam's Club.

After going to BJ's, I hope to assess if a membership would have value.

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I got an oil change this morning with a coupon at $14.95. I had my tires checked and I'm good to go. While I haven't yet accomplished my earlier goal of attempting an oil change myself, I did make good on the desire to make it more cost-effective.

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While at the repair shop, I picked up a Sports Illustrated in the waiting area and ripped out a coupon for a free Coke and Coke Zero. I'm now not sure if this is acceptable and, if not, how to set the situation straight.