One of the best ways to save money is to shop at stores that give customers gas points for buying certain items.

Gas points are points assigned to a certain number of items that translates into free gas at the store’s gas pumps.

Calculating gas points is easy once you get the hang of it. It’s important to know your store policy though, but I’ll give you the rundown for the store I frequent the most.

The store will have a blocked in section that’ll have a list of items eligible for points and the sale amount of each item. It will also tell you the amount of gas points assigned to the items. Usually you need to purchase 5, 6, 8, or 10 items for each set of points earned. There is also a limit of 10 sets of items per household. A point system is assigned to the section. With my local store, it’ll say something like “400 points toward gas if you purchase ____ items. For every 100 points assigned, customers earn $.10 per gallon off their purchase of gas at that store. So 400 points translates into $.40 per gallon free.

Most stores allow you to mix and match the items within the blocked section, but it’s easier to just get one type of item for each set, at least when you’re first learning the ropes.

How to calculate:

EX. :

1. Item: Juice 2/$4.00
2. Must purchase 6 to equal a set
3. 400 gas points for each set
4. 400 equates to $.40/gallon of gas to be free
5. Your car holds 20 gallons of gas
6. You have a coupon worth saving $1.00 on any 2 juices

The Math:

1. $2.00 for each Juice Bottle x 6 items= $12.00
2. $.40 x 20 gallons = $8.00 saved
3. $12.00 – $8.00 = $4.00
4. You need 3 coupons = $3.00 savings
5. $4.00 – $3.00 = $1.00
6. $1.00/6 items = $.17 for each bottle of juice

That’s huge savings!

The average original price of one juice was $2.79, but you just paid $.17. That’s 94% savings.

What’s the best deal you’ve gotten with gas points. Have you ever made money back?