Moneywise
Use that saved gas money
to improve your finances
Remember when gasoline was priced at about $4 per gallon?
Now it's closer to $2 a gallon, which means if you fill your tank with 15 gallons, you save $30. Depending on how much you have to drive, it adds up nicely in a month's time.
If you spend that cash on fancy dinners or clothes you don't really need, you're missing some opportunities. Here are some better suggestions.
Pay down credit card debt. Bankrate.com says the average interest rate on cards is 12 percent, so paying down balances makes sense.
Increase your rainy-day fund. Emergencies happen, so increase your emergency fund so you'll be prepared.
Invest in your future. Increase savings for college or retirement. Give your personal finances a tune-up.