Shop Smart, Save Gas!

A Little Pre-Shopping Strategy Can Help Consumers Save Time, Money, and Gas!

Chicago- May 22, 2006 - With gas prices averaging nearly $3 a gallon and the Memorial Day travel holiday just around the corner, ShopLocal.com wants to help empower consumers by providing a few time, money, and gas saving ideas.

In order to plan surgical shopping strikes that will help consumers maximize their dollars and minimize damage to their fuel tanks, ShopLocal.com recommends using the following tips:

• Use comparison shopping Web sites featuring buy online options and local store sales information side-by-side so you can get a complete picture of what’s available at stores near your neighborhood and where you can save money by making your purchases online.
  • Sites that feature buy online and local stores options are www.Froogle.com, www.Local.com and www.ShopLocal.com
    
• Use retailer’s Web sites to check your local circulars for current sales information.
  
• Use mapping programs available on most comparison shopping and retailer Web sites and www.Mapquest.com to plan your route before you leave the house.
  • Combine your shopping trips and errands to make the most of your time and maximize your fuel efficiency.
    
• Search gas pricing sites to find convenient affordable fuel options on your shopping route
  • Sites that feature gas prices across the nation are AAA’s “Fuel Price Finder” found at www.AAA.com, and Gas Buddy at www.Gasbuddy.com.
    
• Always call ahead to make sure the item you need is in stock or check to see if the retailer has a buy online and pick up instore option.

According to the US Department of Energy’s Web site (http://www.energy.gov/3464.htm), consumers can also take the following steps to help to help improve your fuel efficiency:

1. Slow down.

- Each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.15 per gallon for gas.
- Aggressive driving (speeding, rapid acceleration and braking) wastes gas.
- Equivalent Gasoline Savings: $.12-$.82/gallon

2. Keep your car maintained and running smoothly.

- Tune ups
- Clean air filters
- Tires properly inflated - Proper grade of oil

3. Use your engine wisely.

- Avoid excessive idling
- Use cruise control and overdrive gears

4. Be smart about driving.

- Plan errands to do them together, rather than separate trips
- Carpool
- Mass transit
- Telecommute

5. Keep your car light.

- Too often cars become long-term storage facilities

For more information on ShopLocal.com and how to conveniently find sales online or in your local stores, please contact ShopLocal.

About ShopLocal

ShopLocal, LLC is the leading Web shopping company for consumers and retailers. With ShopLocal.com and The ShopLocal Network -- made up of more than 200 affiliate media, search, and shopping sites -- consumers have access to the only place on the Web with information on products from local stores side-by-side with e-commerce options. With ShopLocal’s SmartCircular and Smart Catalog services, retailers can distribute sales and promotional content through The ShopLocal Network as well as their own Web sites.