All you need in order to keep track of fuel used, cost, etc. is to keep a small notebook in your car and log your fuel purchases. I've been doing that for at least 20 years now. My log has 4 columns (date, miles, gallons and cost). If your car has a trip meter, tracking miles is easy -- just reset it to zero at each fillup.

As for tracking fuel costs on a monthly basis, that's easy to do in Quicken or MS Money whether you use credit card(s), cash or both. Just use the "automobile --gasoline" category (or whatever your program calls it). Money '03 will even let you see monthly bar charts for comparison.

 

Page 2 of this MSNBC Story(breakdown of the price of US gas) states each gallon of gas is charged five cents by the credit card companies.

 

Read it again, UP TO five cents.

 

Don't forget... mortgage companies insist on inspections!

"Yes, but before we approve your loan, Mr. Smith, our mechanic will have to check out your vehicle. BTW, there's a $200 inspection fee that you'll need to pay up front."

 

I just got a Hess gas card. You get 10% rebate for the first 90 days on all Hess gas purchases. (I'll get one in my wife's name when I max out the rebate) I had been using first the 5% Back Discover gas card until my purchases ran past the maximum & they lowered it to 3%. Then I got one in my wife's name until the same thing.. Then to a 5% back Citicard, which also gives 5% at supermarkets. I pay them off each month, so no interest. This gives me close to an extra $7-800 at the end of this year (I travel 38k miles a year...approx)

 

I use my credit card as cash....and pay it off each month.

I figure if they have already worked in the extra 3% they pay for the credit card charges into the price of a gallon, I might as well take advantage of it. No need to give them extra cash and pay to get my cash from the ATM.

I haven't paid cash for gas (other than a buck or two for the lawn mower) in about 8 years.

 

I always use mine because it lets me delay payment for a month with no added charge and I get a 1% rebate on everything I buy... not much but better than nothing.

 

I can't remember ever using cash. I get 5% back on my credit card (a deduction from my balance every month!) and I always pay it in full. Why go through the trouble of waiting in line at the cashier twice (I always fill up) just to pay more?? Why even worry about the exact dollar amount on the pump so you don't get pennies, nickels, etc. in your change?

 

Just found a local article stating that Dallas-area drivers have increased credit card use this year from 54% to 80% - more that the national average.