Commute times for Americans now average more than 100 hours a year, (U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey) which adds up to more than two weeks of vacation time spent sitting in a vehicle instead of an exotic beach. Gas prices are the highest they’ve been in two years (Energy Information Administration). Most family budgets are being squeezed in every direction. And winter has blown in a slew of ugly weather and road conditions.

No matter how you do the math, the result is a lot of tension and frayed nerves on the roads these days. It’s enough to make a person wish they could quit their job or buy a luxury vehicle. But for those of us living in the real world, there are still things we can do to make our commutes a little more pleasant.
1. Treat your car as it were a luxury ride. There is nothing like a detailed car to lift and renew the spirits, especially in the cold and muddy winter. But you don’t have to spend a fortune or drive a Mercedes to keep your vehicle in prime condition. A little here and there goes a long way: Get in the habit of removing trash every time you leave the vehicle. Pull up to a vacuum every other time you get gas. Take advantage of car wash discounts at gas stations, especially during the winter months when the car is covered in salt and grime. Keep an air freshener replenished every month—vent sticks are a classy and inexpensive option. More self-detailing ideas are available at Refresh Your Car.
2. Spend less on gas. There’s not much we little guys can do about the world’s economy. But there are several tactics that can help us spend less at the tank: Cruise control reduces the slowing and acceleration that uses extra gas. Going as slow as the speed limit will allow also improves gas efficiency. Gas Buddy will help track the prices at gas stations in your area, allowing you to fill up at the station offering the best prices along your route.
3. Avoid costly and inconvenient repairs. It’s hard to imagine anything more stressful than being broken down at the side of the road. Every driver should know some simple methods to keep their car running smoothly. The habit of checking the oil every time you fill up with fuel can save thousands in repairs. Antifreeze protects against the coolant freezing when cold and boiling over when hot, so should be checked with each changing season. Tire pressure should be checked every other time you fill up. Uneven tire tread; steering that pulls to the right or left; and squealing brakes are all warning signs that can result in huge repair costs if ignored. More car maintenance tips are available at Auto Keep.
4. Consider alternate forms of transportation. Most of us equate losing access to our cars as a loss of freedom. If that sounds like you, consider trying public transportation or ride-sharing just one day a week. There are advantages besides money; such as the ability to sit back and relax, or maybe catch up on some work. And a change of one or two days a week can give a refreshing boost to your routine.
5. Keep entertainment organized, handy, and fresh. Some form of entertainment is essential to most drivers; whether they have an old car radio or the latest in surround-sound stereo systems. Spend some time before hitting the road to consider how you can organize what you do have, and maybe change it up for variety. A radio talk show junky might appreciate music stations for a while to learn the latest trends, and vice versa. Books on tape are widely available at public libraries. There’s no end to the options that can come from a little thought and just a few bucks.
6. It’s all in the tires, babe. Perhaps nothing is more important to winter driving than tires. Whether it’s chains, all-season tires, or snow tires; if you live in an area prone to harsh climates, make sure you’re prepared before the next big storm hits. That preparation should include brushing up on safe-driving tips for freezing weather, like knowing not to slam on your brakes when you hit black ice. OSHA has a website dedicated to safe winter driving.
7. Take an accessory inventory. Cold steering wheel? Try a sheep-skin steering wheel cover. Car still too cold? A heat shield is an inexpensive method of keeping warm air from escaping the vehicle. Have trouble finding your favorite cd? Try making your own customized visor cd holder. A multitude of problems can be solved with a dashboard sticky pad, which keeps coins, pens, and sunglasses from flying around the vehicle, or even keeps navigational systems and mp3 devices in a secure and upright position. Whatever the problem, odds are good there’s a solution that will fit into even the tightest of budgets.

While walking the streets in Washington D.C. we walked past this candy store that just pulled me in like I had magnets on my shoes and their floor was paved with metal. The name of the store is The Container Store, which because I’m a professional organizer is a candy store to my eyes and hands.

I am interested in clutter control when it comes to closets, rooms, garages, and even cars. I bought this gadget called Sticky Pad for the car. It says it magically holds your phone on the dash. It also holds glasses, I Pods, and cassette tapes.

This little pad sits on the dashboard. It is non adhesive, non magnetic, easy to move and washable. It is great for hands free and Bluetooth devices.

My daughter used it in her car and the edges started to curl. She called the phone number on the packaging and they immediately, no questions asked and no hassle sent her a new one. She told me this is a company I needed go blog on because their customer service is OUTSTANDING. You can find their products at handstands.com.

I recommend this product for two reasons: clutter control in the car is made easy and it keeps things visible that are frequently used in a car.

Repost approved by Marilyn Bohn. Click here to see the original post.