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Simple tricks drivers are using to pay less per gallon

• Use gas apps to find cheaper fuel. Apps like GasBuddy, Upside, and Waze help drivers locate the lowest prices and earn cash back.

• Earn grocery store fuel rewards. Programs from Kroger and Safeway let shoppers turn grocery spending into money off at the gas pump.

• Pay with a gas rewards credit card. Cards like the Citi Custom Cash Card and Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi offer 35% cash back on fuel purchases.

For many Americans, fuel is one of the most unavoidable expenses. Commutes, errands, school drop-offs, and road trips mean most drivers have no choice but to keep filling the tank.

The good news for consumers is that gasoline is also one of the most hackable everyday expenses if you know where to look.

Savvy drivers routinely stack rewards programs, time their fill-ups, and use a few overlooked tricks to shave off 20 to 50 cents per gallonsometimes even more.

Here are some of the most effective ways to start paying less at the pump immediately.

1. Use gas apps to find the cheapest station nearby

Gas prices can vary dramatically even within a few miles.

Make it a habit to check gas prices before leaving work or heading out on errands. Prices often spike at high-traffic stations near highways and busy intersections.

Here are a few apps that can quickly help you find the cheapest gas in your town or when on a road trip.

• Upside:Upside is one of the more popular cashback apps for gas.You simply claim a deal in the app, fill up at the station, and get cash back (often up to 25 per gallon). You can then cash out through PayPal, bank transfer, or gift cards.

Why its great: The app works at thousands of stations and stacks with other credit card rewards.

• GasBuddy:GasBuddy shows you the cheapest gas prices near you using crowd-sourced data. Also, they have a GasBuddy+ Mastercard that you can apply for and save $0.03/gallon guaranteed when you use it to buy gas. Some stations will give you up to $0.33/gallon savings when you use the card.

Why its great: Since the app is widely used, and users are constantly updating prices, it tends to have the most accurate gas pricing that you can find.

• Checkout 51:The Checkout 51 app just recently started offering cash back on gas. Specifically, you can earn up to 25 per gallon back at stations including Shell, BP, Exxon, and Mobil. You simply snap a picture of your receipt after you fill up, via the app, and claim the cash back.

Why its great: Works at most national gas stations and also gives you cash back, via grocery rebates, on popular brands like Kelloggs, Nestle, Johnson & Johnson, Bayer, Loreal, and Unilever.

• Waze:While known mainly as a navigation app, Waze also shows gas prices along your route and nearby stations.

Why its great: The app is perfect for road trips when you want the cheapest station along your drive.

• Shell Fuel Rewards (brand loyalty app):Gives 310 per gallon discounts depending on your reward status. Right now, new members can also earn $0.30/gallon on their thirdfill-up. In addition, you can earn additional reward savings through their partner grocery stores and restaurants.

Why its great: The Shell app is a simple automatic discount every time you fill up.

Pro tip: Use two of the above apps together to maximize your savings. For example:

• Find the cheapest station with GasBuddy.
• Claim a cash-back offer in Upside.
• Pay with a gas rewards credit card.

Stacking like that can cut 3060 per gallon in many cases.

2. Stack grocery store fuel rewards

One of the easiest ways to save big on gasoline is through grocery store loyalty programs.

Chains like Kroger and Safeway offer fuel rewards that accumulate as you shop.

A common structure looks like this:

• Spend $100 on groceries.
• Earn 10 cents off per gallon.

Those rewards can often stack up to $1 per gallon off if you build them over the month.

Some programs even offer bonus fuel points on gift cards, namely Kroger, which savvy shoppers use to multiply their gas discounts.

For example: Buying a $100 restaurant gift card during a 4X fuel-points promo could generate 40 cents per gallon in fuel savings.

Pro tip: If you regularly shop at grocery stores with fuel programs, consider buying gift cards for places you regularly do business with. (Think Amazon, restaurants, and streaming services.) By doing it this way, youll earn extra fuel points without spending anything additional.

3. Pay with the right credit card

Some credit cards offer excellent gas rewards, making them worth considering, especially if you have a long commute every day.

Here are three popular cards that fit the bill.

• Citi Custom Cash Card:
  • Rewards:5% cash back on your top spending category each billing cycle (gas qualifies).
  • Cap:Up to $500 per month in that category.
  • Annual fee: $0.
  • Why its great: If you use the card mostly for gas, it automatically earns 5% back at the pump, making it one of the highest gas reward rates available.
• Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi:
  • Rewards:Youll get 5% cash back at Costco gas stations and 4% at other gas stations (up to $7,000 per year).
  • Annual fee: $0 (with a Costco membership).
  • Why its great: For Costco members, this card is one of the strongest fuel rewards options and can generate up to $350 per year in gas rewards before hitting the cap.
• Wells Fargo Autograph Card:
  • Rewards:3% back on gas, plus travel, dining, transit, and streaming.
  • Annual fee: $0.
  • Why its great: Its a simple no-annual-fee card with uncapped 3% rewards, making it a strong everyday option if you want gas rewards without having to track your category spending like some cards make you do.

4. Keep your tires properly inflated

One of the simplest ways to improve fuel efficiency costs nothing.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, under-inflated tires can lower gas mileage by 0.2% for every 1 PSI drop in pressure.

That may sound small, but it definitely adds up over time.

Keeping your tires properly inflated can improve fuel efficiency by up to 3%, saving you significant fuel over the life of your car.

5. Combine errands into one trip

Short trips with a cold engine burn significantly more fuel.

Planning errands strategically by hitting the grocery store, pharmacy, and bank in one outing, can reduce extra miles driven and fuel consumption.

Drivers who plan routes efficiently can cut several gallons of fuel per month simply by eliminating unnecessary trips.

Pro tip: Navigation apps like Google Maps and Waze allow you to add multiple stops, which will automatically optimize the route for most fuel efficiency.

6. Lighten your vehicle

Extra weight reduces fuel efficiency.

According to the Department of Energy, every 100 pounds of extra weight in a vehicle can reduce fuel economy by about 1%.

That means hauling unnecessary gear, sports equipment, or tools around the trunk may be quietly increasing fuel costs.

Removing heavy items you dont regularly use can improve mileage slightly.

7. Fill up earlier in the week

Historically, gas prices often begin rising on Thursdays as demand increases ahead of weekend travel. This is especially true during the summer months.

Make Monday or Tuesday your fill-up day as those days often bring the lowest prices of the week in many markets.

While this pattern isnt guaranteed everywhere, drivers who track local price trends often learn when their area tends to spike and gas-up accordingly. In other words, start paying attention to the price trends in your town and use that information to your advantage.

Pro tip: Try to visit warehouse club gas stations early in the morning or late evening to avoid the long lines that often form during peak hours.

Experts reveal how a regulatory loophole may allow ingredients into everyday products without FDA safety review

• A new analysis found 111 food chemicals used in U.S. products that were never reviewed by the FDA.

• Companies can bypass oversight by declaring substances generally recognized as safe, or GRAS, without notifying regulators.

• Experts say the finding highlights transparency gaps in the food system and raises questions about how additives are monitored.

A new analysis is raising concerns about what might be quietly making its way into the foods Americans eat every day. Researchers found more than 100 chemicals added to U.S. foods that were never reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before entering the market.

The findings come from a report by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), which identified 111 substances that manufacturers introduced into the food supply without submitting them to the FDA for review.

These ingredients may appear in thousands of products ranging from packaged snacks to beverages. While that doesnt necessarily mean theyre harmful, researchers say the lack of government evaluation raises important questions about safety and transparency in the food system.

The issue stems from a long-standing regulatory pathway known as generally recognized as safe, or GRAS, which allows certain food ingredients to bypass formal FDA approval under specific circumstances.

This is a wake-up call for every American who assumes the FDA is reviewing the safety of chemicals in their food, Melanie Benesh, EWGs vice president for government affairs, said in a news release.

Instead, food and chemical companies are exploiting a loophole to keep both the government and the public in the dark.

The loophole behind the findings

The GRAS rule dates back to 1958, when Congress created an exemption for common ingredients like salt, vinegar, and baking powder that were already widely understood to be safe.

But critics say the system has evolved in ways lawmakers never intended. Today, companies can determine on their own that a chemical qualifies as GRAS and begin using it in food products without mandatory FDA notification.

According to the EWG analysis, some of the unreviewed substances include plant extracts and alternative proteins. Examples cited in the report include aloe vera extract, mushroom extracts, and green tea extracts, which have been linked in some research to potential health concerns depending on the formulation and dosage.

Researchers say the bigger issue isnt necessarily any single ingredient its that regulators and consumers may not know these substances are being used at all. Without required disclosure or review, data on safety, exposure levels, and possible risks may never reach regulators or the public.

What consumers should know

Experts say the findings shouldnt cause panic, but they do highlight why paying attention to ingredients matters.

For consumers, a few practical steps can help reduce potential exposure to questionable additives:

• Limit ultra-processed foods. Many additives are most common in heavily processed products.

• Check ingredient lists. Unfamiliar extracts or chemical names can signal added processing.

• Choose simpler foods when possible. Fresh or minimally processed options typically contain fewer additives.

Advocates are also pushing for regulatory changes that would require companies to notify the FDA when they introduce new food chemicals and make safety data publicly available.

The FDAs failure to act for more than 60 years has made state leadership essential, said Benesh. Congress must close the GRAS loophole to restore trust in our food system.

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New Sesame partnership promises easier access to care and dramatically cheaper IVF medications

• Costco has partnered with Sesame and fertility network IVI RMA to offer members coordinated fertility care and discounted medications.

• The program could reduce fertility drug costs by up to 80%, potentially saving thousands per treatment cycle.

• Members can start with online consultations through Sesame and be referred to specialists if treatments like IVF are needed.

Costco is known for bargain rotisserie chickens and bulk paper towels but now its adding something more serious to the list: fertility care.

The warehouse giant has announced a new partnership with health care platform Sesame and fertility network IVI RMA North America aimed at making fertility treatment easier and more affordable for Costco members. The initiative gives members access to coordinated fertility care and deep discounts on medications often used during treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF).

"Our partnership with Sesame and IVI RMA reflects our commitment to transparent and affordable solutions that reduce barriers, are more accessible, and more affordable for our members," Richard Stephens, Senior Vice President of Pharmacy at Costco, said in a news release.

"By combining transparent pricing with coordinated care, we're removing the barriers that have historically kept quality fertility treatment out of reach for too many families."

How the program works

The partnership brings together three pieces of the fertility care puzzle.

Patients start through Sesame, a direct-to-consumer health care platform that connects patients with clinicians online. Costco members can access fertility consultations, diagnostic testing, and care coordination through Sesames clinicians.

If more advanced treatment is needed such as IVF, intrauterine insemination (IUI), or egg freezing patients are referred to fertility specialists within the IVI RMA North America network. Sesame clinicians remain involved during treatment to help coordinate care, explain medical terminology, and guide patients through the process.

One of the biggest financial benefits comes from the pharmacy side. Fertility medications are filled through Costco with exclusive member pricing, offering savings of up to 80% on certain drugs commonly used in fertility treatment.

For example, medications used in an IVF cycle could cost roughly $1,640 to $2,296, compared with typical self-pay prices of $3,000 to $6,000 per cycle.

"This partnership empowers people to take control of their reproductive health without barriers, stigma, or waiting," David Goldhill, CEO & Founder of Sesame, said in the news release.

"By connecting patients directly with care coordinators and world-class specialists, we're making family planning accessible and delivering measurably better outcomes through coordinated, continuous care."

What consumers should know

For people exploring fertility treatment, the partnership may offer a more affordable entry point especially for those paying out of pocket.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Youll start online. The program begins with a consultation and diagnostic workup through Sesame before any referrals to fertility clinics.

• Medication savings could be significant. Fertility drugs often represent one of the biggest out-of-pocket costs during treatment, so pharmacy discounts may make a noticeable difference.

• Insurance isnt required. Because Sesame operates as a direct-pay health care platform, the program is designed to work for both insured and uninsured patients.

"In partnership with Costco and Sesame, leaders of the highest caliber, we are expanding access to quality fertility care and reducing barriers so more people across the country can build the families they desire, Lynn Mason, CEO, IVI RMA North America, said in the news release.

Every partnership we form and program we launch is grounded in expanding access to the most advanced care for individuals and families who deserve expertise and support throughout their fertility journey.

But allergy specialists say theres no reason for sneezin

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Tree pollen is already emerging in warmer parts of the U.S., marking the start of spring allergy season for many people.

• Allergy specialists say starting medication about a month before symptoms usually appear can help prevent severe reactions.

• Climate change and milder winters may be causing allergy seasons to start earlier in some regions.

Warmer temperatures across much of the nation after a frigid winter are a hopeful sign. But the arrival of spring also brings allergies out of hibernation. Allergy specialists are warning that tree pollen one of the earliest triggers of seasonal allergies is already appearing in parts of the United States.

But a high pollen count doesnt necessarily mean everyone will suffer symptoms.

Its important to remember that high pollen counts dont always translate to symptoms for every person, said Dr. Cherie Zachary, president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). Your symptoms depend on which specific pollens youre allergic to.

For example, people sensitive to tree pollen may already be experiencing symptoms, while those allergic only to grasses may not notice problems until later in the season.

Early preparation is important

For those with tree pollen allergies, specialists say early preparation is key. Allergy medications are most effective when started before symptoms begin.

People with tree pollen allergies should start taking their allergy medications at least a month before their symptoms typically appear, Dr. Zachary said. Starting early helps prevent the immune system from mounting a full-blown response once pollen levels rise.

In recent years, environmental changes have also influenced the timing of allergy seasons. Milder winters and earlier warm spells linked to climate change can prompt trees to release pollen sooner, meaning allergy symptoms may appear earlier as well.

Common symptoms

Spring allergies can cause a wide range of symptoms including sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy eyes, coughing, wheezing, and fatigue. Many people manage symptoms with over-the-counter antihistamines or nasal sprays, but those treatments dont always provide enough relief.

If over-the-counter medications arent adequately controlling your symptoms, its time to see an allergist, Dr. Zachary said.

Board-certified allergists can develop personalized treatment plans based on a patients specific allergy triggers. Options may include prescription medications, strategies to reduce exposure to allergens, or longer-term treatments.

One such treatment is allergen immunotherapy, available in the form of allergy shots or tablets. The therapy works by gradually training the immune system to tolerate allergens, reducing the severity of symptoms over time and potentially decreasing reliance on medications.

Limit pollen exposure

Allergy specialists also recommend simple steps to limit pollen exposure during peak season. Keeping windows closed in homes and cars, using air conditioning and high-efficiency air filters, and showering or changing clothes after spending time outdoors can all help reduce the amount of pollen brought indoors.

With spring approaching, experts say planning ahead can make the season far more manageable.

With the right strategy, people with allergies dont have to dread spring, Dr. Zachary said. Early treatment, environmental precautions, and guidance from an allergist can help keep symptoms under control so you can enjoy the season.