Here are 5 quick, easy ways to save money at the pump

HOUSTON – There is a lot of pain at the gas pump these days with the Ukraine-Russia conflict ongoing.

KPRC 2 traffic expert Anavid Reyes shared these tips and we thought they could be really helpful now as you’re looking for “ways 2 save” when filling up your tank.

Right of the bat, don’t use premium gas if your car doesn’t require it. You can spend up to $.20 to $.40 more on premium gas compared to a gallon of regular unleaded fuel. Experts at AAA say most cars don’t need the higher octane gas, it’s not going to boost your car’s fuel economy.

RELATED: Gas prices at the pump: This is what fuel is costing people in Houston area, across the US as Russia invades Ukraine

Have you heard of the app called “GetUpside?” This app is designed to help save you money, even helping you earn up to $.25 per gallon! Reyes tested it out and pumped gas using the app twice saved more than $4 in just those instances.

Here’s how it works:

1. Download the app.
2. GetUpside reveals all of the gas stations near you that will give you cash back for every gallon of gas you buy.
3. Choose the station where you want to fill up and “claim” the cash back offer.
4. Drive to the station, check-in through the app and fill up your tank.

It’s worth noting if for some reason the app doesn’t recognize you’re at the selected gas station, you may need to physically take a picture of your receipt and upload it to the app. It’ll take about 48 hours, for your earnings to show up in your GetUpside account.

You can use your rewards for gift cards to Target or Starbucks. You can also choose to have a check mailed to you.

People can also think about using public transportation for longer commutes to save money on gas.

There’s an app called Ride Pingo. It’s new in town and has partnered with Houston to work alongside METRO. They offer short-distance, on-demand services to the downtown and midtown areas.

All you have to do is request a ride through their app and they come pick you up from your location, no need to walk anywhere to access a bus stop. For just $2, you can take a ride to your favorite coffee shop from the office without using your car. A frequent Pingo rider, Jaz Daigle, who spoke to us and said, she’s saved more than $100 a month compared to using Uber and Lyft, so it’s worth trying out.

Don’t forget, many gas station chains and grocery stores offer fuel rewards programs to try to turn you into a loyal customer, so it’s worth looking into those options too.