Where can you go to hike among 11 different trails which range from short and easy to 6.2 mile Ridgeline trails?  If you’re up to the challenge you can hike up to 1625 feet with steep walls and cliffs that drop up to 150 feet for the daring and adventurous rock climbers.  You’ll find this and more at Crowders Mountain State Park in Gaston County. The mountain was named after a German merchant and farmer named Ulrich Crowder who in 1789 purchased the mountain and surrounding land before moving west. In the early 1970′s plans were made to develop and excavate the mountain for natural resources; this led the city council of Gastonia, North Carolina and other concerned citizens to purchase the mountain from developers and give it to the state government. In 1974 the State of North Carolina created Crowders Mountain State Park.

Along the trail you can see gorgeous Carolina Blue skies and hundreds of species of birds and there are a variety of other animals to encounter such as: turtles, salamanders, rabbits, moles, foxes, deer and coyote.  Bring your camera to get great shots of dogwoods and wildflowers during the spring and at higher up elevations you’ll find rhododendrons blooming and pine trees.   And come prepared to spend the day walking/hiking  a variety of 13-mile ridges with parkland extending down to the South Carolina state line and  connecting with Kings mountain State Park and Kings Mountain Military Park.  Crowder’s Mountain is one of two main peaks within Crowder’s Mountain State Park, the other peak being King’s Pinnacle.

From the top catch the panoramic scene while viewing King Mountain. And while you are there spend some time on the lake trail that has a 9 acre pond where you can rent a canoe to cruise the pond for $5 an hour.  Two of Crowders Mountain State Park trails will lead you to its summit which offers a view of uptown Charlotte on the eastern horizon.

To get a lay of the land you can print the trail map online which maps out the trails of the state park so you can choose the trail that suits your hiking challenge. 

There is no cost for your outdoor hike in Crowders State Park and the drive to Crowders Mountain is the perfect short day trip …only 40 minutes away from Charlotte, NC since its located in southwest Gaston County.   Your hike in the mountain can start as early as 8am – 6pm and later in Mar – April close at 8pm and close at 9pm during May – August season.

How to get there:

Take Interstate 85 South , west of Gastonia, NC, take exit 13, turn left and follow Edgewood Road south to Kings Mountain Highway  (US 74/24). Turn right on Sparrow Springs Road follow the signs to the state park.

 Tell us about your hike in the Carolina mountains. Which mountain have you hiked?

Carolina Panther Stadium

Hotels located in downtown Charlotte, NC  near the Carolina Panthers Stadium and the Convention Center (501 South College St. Charlotte, NC   http://www.charlotteconventionctr.com/ ) will most likely fill up fast since these hotels are well-known by frequent visitors.  Downtown hotels choices are:  Aloft Charlotte in Epicentre,  The Westin, Ritz Carlton, The Dunhill, Marriott, Holiday Inn and DoubleTree Hotel Gateway.  The good news is there are so many more hotel choices if you don’t mine staying at a hotel location that is further away from downtown that may offer more variety of things to do and enjoy while you’re in town for the DNC.  I don’t know about you but when I travel I often choose a hotel that is near shopping, near a bookstore or popular restaurants or even a Starbucks.

To help you find more hotel choices we’ve arranged a list of hotels near the Most Popular shopping and dining attractions.  And we’ve included website links for more details and hotel contacts.  Take your pick and enjoy your stay:

North Charlotte….(18 miles from downtown Charlotte)

http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/CLTHUHF-Hilton-Charlotte-University-Place-North-Carolina/index.do

Concord, NC Great Wolf Lodge

2.  Great Wolf Lodge ..the indoor water park resort in Concord, NC which is less than 10 minutes from Charlotte, NC.  Kids and families love this resort …in case you don’t want to get wet during the winter time at the water park…then there is the spa for kids and the Teen lounge for more fun and the nearest mall is Concord Mills Mall about 10 minutes away.  Contact:   866.925.9653

http://www.greatwolf.com/concord/waterpark/overview

South  Charlotte…(18 miles)

3. The Ballantyne Hotel is located in south Charlotte, NC. (10000 Ballantyne Commons Parkway · Charlotte, NC) .close enough to walk across to Panera Bread and the new Mellow Mushroom..which is the newest Pizzeria addition to Charlotte.  The Ballantyne Hotel is a luxury hotel that offers golfing and a heavenly SPA treatment that is worth the money!.  I would go here just for the SPA treatment alone.  This hotel location is close to Rea Rd where you’ll find a lot of familiar retail stores such as Target with Starbucks, Old Navy, Victory Secret and  more unique dining choices ..at Blakeney Shopping Center and Stonegate Shopping center.

Contact: (704)248-4000

http://exclusives.lc.com/Ballantyne-Charlotte-1558/so.htm?PS=PS_aa_South_Google_Ballantyne_Hotel_Charlotte_Exact_61010_NAD_FM

4. SpringHill Suites is located at 12325 Johnston Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277..This hotel is located  across the street from one of my favorite restaurants, Sticky Fingers.  This  area offers retail store shopping as well a variety of restaurants.  The nearest mall is Carolina Place Mall in Pineville, SC which sounds far away but it is a short 10 minutes from the south Charlotte (Ballantyne and Johnston rd)  area.    Contact: 1-888-236-2427

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g49022-d1382115-Reviews-SpringHill_Suites_Charlotte_Ballantyne-Charlotte_North_Carolina.html

East  Charlotte…(15 miles)

5.  Holiday Inn Express (Newly built…located at 9420 East Independence Blvd Matthews, NC 28105) conveniently located next to Cracker Barrel restaurant within walking distance and near Kohl’s shopping center and Outback Steak restaurant and more..  Movies 10 movie theater is across the street next to Krispy Kreme doughnuts.  Here you can go to the movies for $1 and stop in for fresh HOT krispy kreme doughnuts and coffee after the movie….all near the hotel. And there’s more hotel choices near the Matthews area..check out Priceline for a full  a list of hotels to fit your budget.

http://travela.priceline.com/hotel/hotelOverviewGuide.do?key=gx59ig8q&propID=17897604&jsk=4663010a711510ac20120107232550403021596951&plf=PCLN&static=Y

Two years ago we dressed our family pet in his Red sweater and boots while wearing a pair of sunglasses.  It took us 30 minutes to get the perfect snapshot because he kept shaking his head to drop the sunglasses.  He is still the coolest –K9 that gets all the attention.  We sent his K9 photo in a red candy stripe border postcard.

#1 Huntersville, NC  – (Cycle in the Park) – March

This course takes you thru beautiful neighborhoods and green landscapes and long curves and steep hills.  It’s a 30 mile ride for individual cyclist and also a 5k ride for families including children.  What I remember the most on this ride are the long steep hills that reminded me  of the the streets of San Francisco..where you walk at an angle..here I tried to ride the hills straight up and I found myself zig,zagging and riders passing me and encouraging me to stay the course even though my legs said call for help.  Somehow I managed to finish after about 3 hours..not bad for starters!  To best part is having a crowd waiting patiently to cheer you on for finishing the course. 

#2 Belmont, NC – (Belmont Bicycles) – June

This course began downtown Belmont at the Belmont Bicycle store.  This one I road the 40 mile ride thru several rolling hills.  This ride benefits the local Belmont Lions Club.  I embraced the scenic ride of the rural countryside…fresh air and relaxed living.

In cycling there are two types of group rides. There are what I call the “speed demon” where you must keep up or get left behind. Then there is the “No drop” ride where the pack will regroup to ensure no one is left behind. I finally found where I fit.  I always  try to do the “no drop” rides. On this 40 mile ride I encountered the “Speed demon” who flew right by me.

#3 Charlotte, NC  - (Try Sports) – July

During this ride I found myself far behind the pack riding in neighborhoods on the southside of town.  Being the competitive person that I am, I cranked up the gears and tried my best to keep up only to find myself falling further and further behind.  As I made a turn on the 20 mile course I noticed one of the riders had peeled back and was waiting on me.  I immediately told him that I was a slow rider and that he could go on without me.   And here is what happened next…. He said to me:  “Hi, my name is Conrad”.  “I am a professional triathlon and I train other triathlons”.  “I am here to help”.  

 For the remainder of the ride I had the benefit of a personal coach helping me understand many things about cycling.  He taught me how to breathe, how to pedal and what gear to use and when to rest.  With his coaching and support, I was able to catch up with the pack.  Even though I still finished dead last I had so many positive takeaways:

1. Having a support system made the ride easy even though it was hard….(encourage others to join the club)
2. Knowing how to breathe, pedal and rest is important….(tell someone how you did it)
3. Being the person who encourages others is sometimes more important than leading the pack……(help others achieve what is easy for you)
4. Finishing what you started is more important than finishing last…(Just do it!)
5. Riding with a group is more fun than riding alone …..(Join the fitness club)
6. If I continue pedaling I can finish the course….(don’t ever quit)
7. What’s hard now can one day be easy….(you have to start somewhere)

 Must-haves for long distance bike riders  (30 miles +) :

1. Butt Butter (Shema cream)
2. Advil or ibuprofen (pain reliever for your bottom)
3. Biker Gloves, helmet and water bottle
4. Plastic seat covering and poncho (in case of rain)
5. Digital speedometer (track your mileage and time)
6. Biker shorts
7. Gunk – Quick replenishing Energy Food for leg cramps (it really works)

#4 Pageland, SC   to  Sunset Beach, NC  (150 miles) – MS Bike Ride to the Beach – Charity Ride – September

This was my biggest challenge of all!  On Saturday morning at 8:00 am when we arrived in Pageland, SC  for the 2 day ride to Sunset Beach, NC. It was s a foggy, misty fall morning where more than 1500 riders across the Carolinas gathered to ride for a Good cause.  Most riders have trained all year to endure the ultimate 2 day ride of 150 miles.   This ride is the ride towards the goal of a world free of  Multiple Sclerosis.  Cycling with a road bike isn’t just for MEN but women too of all ages.  Women enjoy the ride just as much as men.  And having a good quality road bike makes a HUGE difference.  

On this trip I saw lots of tobacco fields, old historical buildings  and lots of road kill since this ride was mostly highway.    The experienced doctors and dentist that I met at the 4th rest stop encouraged me to take an Advil and use the soothing butt butter..aah now that was a welcome relief after 3 hous of riding!!  I only wish someone had told me to take Advil the night before to help ease the pain.  Next year I’ll be better prepared to do it again!

  The best thing to love about cycling are:

• Passing all the slow people
• More miles ..more challenge and adrenaline
• Wearing tight shorts w/ cushion seating for softer saddle (comfort)
• Feeling young again
• Wind on my back while coasting downhill
• The reward to transform your legs to shapeful muscular biker legs
• Clear your mind and forget about everything for 5 hours or more
• Life-saving healthy body benefits

What do you do for fun that just happens to be healthy?

From High school to College Bucket List

You don’t have to be over 60 to have a bucket list of things you must do.  After attending a local college planning seminar I was overwhelmed with so much information I learned that I started taken notes.  Did you know that only 25% of college students graduate within 4 years?  Such a low number made alarms go off in my head thinking ok so why is that..and what has happened since I graduated to negatively impact the 4-year college graduation rate and that means it would cost you more to go to college if you are there beyond 4 years.  The main reason for this is the student’s strength was not matched to the college.  The lesson here was to choose your college based upon the students strength.  If the student is strong in English then he/she would have better success enrolled in a college that offers English or journalism as a major.   Here’s the high school bucket list for college success:

#1.  Know the College enrollment requirements before applying

While students are in high school you can start calling colleges to ask questions, talking to the high school guidance counselors and reading college handbooks to  look for the college enrollment requirements before applying to see what High School courses are required and what SAT or ACT score is required to enroll.  This will help you to know if your student meet the requirements before waisting your money to apply.

Francis Marion University- Florence, SC

  #2. Visit Colleges

Notice I said visit colleges meaning as many as you can.  College is a business so don’t be fooled by the luscious landscape and brick and mortar.  Hang out on campus and watch college life in action as students change classes during the day. Check out the door rooms and classrooms size and teaching style.  Know if your students learning style..do they learn better with 100 of students in 1 large classroom who drop in a number when entering for attendance..while the instructor instructs from  his overhead notes and then  at the end of class says read the next 3 chapters and be ready for a Quiz. Some  students learn better in a smaller classroom setting where you can ask the instructor a question or meet with the instructor after class for more in-depth one-on-one explaining of concepts and guidance.  Check out campus safety and inquire about the campus safety guidelines.  Check out the cafeteria ..which today maybe called the canteen or more like a food court or restaurant court on campus.  

#3. Teach Money Management for Teens

Most campus will have a financial company on campus for students to apply for a student checking account and/or Debit card and Credit card.  During high school you can open a student checking account at your local bank and obtain a debit card and free online banking to start early to deposit money in the student checking account and show the student how to go online and check their balance of their account from their smart phone and take them shopping and give them a real world experience making a purchase in a store by swiping their Debit Card and entering their pin number or signing so they’ll understand they can only spend the money in their bank account .  So while you are miles away and they are at college you can transfer money to their account and the student can purchase their books or other needs with ease.

#4. Calculate your EFC

Before you apply for financial aid you can find out how much you will need to pay to go to college by calculating your EFC which stands for Expected Family Contribution.  The government service FAFSA will use the EFC to determine your need for college so you should know your EFC.   When filling out the FAFSA form you’ll need to enter the college code you can find the college code here.  You can calculate your EFC for free by using Sallie Mae’s online calculator you can enter your personal data as the pages prompt you. Check out the link below:

http://www.collegeanswer.com/paying/est_efc/efc_index.jsp

#5. High School Timeline Calendar (printable)

Junior Year

Senior Year

Do you know someone that can use this bucket list for college success? Let us know your comments on our bucket list.  Add your comments.

#8. Outdoor Cabin adventure at Cane Creek Park

This is one of the most unique 1050 acre parks that has cabins onsite where you can stay and spend more time exploring a variety of outdoor activities onsite.  This park is surrounded by a 350 acre trophy bass lake which makes fishing a popular activity here.  This park is a fishing site for largemouth bass fishing as well as bluegill, crappie, and catfish.  There is a small fee per vehicle that enters the park ($4 last time I went)  ..the fee schedule is on their website. You can call ahead to make reservations and inquire about the trail conditions before your arrival.

You can enjoy year-round activities such as:  fishing, boating, hiking, picnic areas, mountain bike and horse trails, horseshoe, canoe, rowboat rentals, ball fields and playgrounds. There are several covered picnic areas and grills to grill out.   You can rent boats ..row boats, paddle boats and canoes or  go on the trails that hikers, runners or horseback riders use.   Motorized watercraft  are allowed.  And there’s a beach onsite to enjoy during the summer time.  For more details:  http://co.union.nc.us/QualityofLife/ParksRecreation/CaneCreekPark.aspx

Location: 5213 Harkey Road Waxhaw, NC 28173. Phone: (704) 843-3919.

From Charlotte, NC you would take Providence road (Hwy. 16) south, where you will take a left in downtown Waxhaw.  The road will fork and you will want to stay right. Then follow the Cane Creek sign on the right.

#7. Museum of the Waxhaws
  The town of  Waxhaw is the landmark home of 7th President of the United States, Andrew Jackson. Get your fill of history from the huts where the Waxhaw Indians once settled, tour the Heritage Garden which preserves the original crops that were grown back in the 1700’s and learn of the 7th President’s birthplace to a live Civil War reenactment. Discover where and how the town’s name originated. You’ll wonder no more about where the name “Waxhaw” comes from as you learn of the town’s rich and exciting history!

Location: 8215 Waxhaw Hwy., Waxhaw, North Carolina The Museum of the Waxhaws is located on Highway 75 1/2 mile east of Historic Downtown Waxhaw. Museum Hours are: Friday and Saturday, 10am – 5 pm and Sunday, 2-5pm. The Museum is closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Holidays.

#6. Waxhaw Furniture Factory
 The furniture factory stores over 3000 square feet of furniture from living room, dining room, bedroom and home accessories such as lamps, end tables, office furniture and paintings. The store now also designs custom cabinetry. This is a wholesale furniture warehouse full of unique furniture at 50% off retail price. This place constantly refresh their furniture stock about every 2 weeks they are receiving new shipments, you’ll find something new each time you visit. You can also call to see if they have the type of furniture you are seeking.  This is what the town is most well-known for the large discount furniture outlet store.

Location: 8315 Lancaster Hwy, Waxhaw, NC 28173 (704) 843-2128

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 We love feedback so let us know your comments on which of these Waxhaw attractions surprised you?

Small businesses are also joining in to offer their customers the option to send a text to take a survey to provide valuable feedback to let the business owner know immediately his service rating or how he can provide the personal service customers want.  The small business owner of Carolina Green Lawn Care can provide his customers the option to send a keyword to his 5 digit mobile code to interact with his customer by sending out 3 short questions (140 characters or less)  to the customers cell phone to allow the customers to provide a text reply with a response to the question. 

Questions such as:  

1.  What 3 lawn care products  have you purchased for your home in the past 12 month?   

2. What online sites do you frequently use to purchase home improvement or lawn care items? 

3. What lawn care projects do you have on your to-do list?

By texting and receiving instant feedback to a few short questions a business owner can find out exactly where customers need help the most and how he or she can reposition their business to help meet more customers needs.  The business owner might find that his customers also need help with controlling weeds, beetles and planting large trees.

More businesses are using tools such as Textingly to save money and time spent on paper mailings to customers and instead they are communicating with their customers instantly to send appointment reminders, survey questions and more.  I recently checked out Textingly myself and I found that it is as easy as creating  an online account so you can track your outgoing text message sent to a cell phone user and feedback or responses received.  You can send your text to an unlimited number of customers from a small population of 40 customers to a large population of customers all at once. 

 Here’s how to establish your mobile business text strategy:

1. Go to www.Textingly.com and create your account  (it’s free to try it)
2. Enter your keyword that you want customers to send to you ( a short code will be automatically assigned)
3. Enter the text greeting message you want your customers to receive when they send  you a text
4. Enter your contacts..name and cell phone number 
5. Create a text message you want  and press send  to send out the message to your list of contacts

And that’s all it is to it.  Now you have a 2 way mobile text connection established with your customers.  So whenever you want to announce a new promotion a sale or discount you can instantly send a text message to alert your customers and receive their response.  And when your customers want to text you they can also send you a message or question back..so make sure you check your Textingly account often to review if you have received recent feedback from customers so you can respond quickly.  To continue to grow your business you can add the keyword and short code to your business cards that you had out to potential new customers.

#1. Wet n Wild Emerald Pointe

So where can you go to experience a 40 ft. drop while spinning around in the dark?  It’s known as the “Tunnel of Terror” at Wet n Wild.  And that’s just 1 of 36  thrill-seeking water ride, slides and water rapids.  This is truly the wildest of all water parks that offers a unique fun experience for anyone who dares to give it a try.  I like this park the most because it includes everything you need at one location.  The variety of food stations is a hit..so you can refuel and keep going to spend the day!

Located just south of Greensboro, N.C. off  Business 85 at Holden Road – Exit 34.  Emerald Pointe is open daily in June from 10am -6pm EST, July-Aug 21  10 – 7pm, Sept 5 10am – 5pm. Check their daily calendar for specific time changes for holidays etc..

Cost $66.99 – 79.99,  $30.99 for youth.  Season Pass $64.99…Season parking Pass = $42.99.. Go on Wednesdays for half price.  Go online to save more on prices .. http://www.emeraldpointe.com/pages/pricing.html

#2. Hippo Inflatable Water slide

Get  set to climb 60 steps and slide down at a high speed for a thrilling splash of cool water! This will get your adrenaline going.  Located in North Myrtle Beach, SC..36 feet tall and nearly 180 feet long (open daily thru Labor day 10:30am – 4pmEST)  Purchase tickets at Ocean Park at the end of First Avenue South..Prices: Single rides #3, 4 rides $10 daily pass  $20 weekly pass $60 details call: 843-280-5684

#3. Family Kingdom Water Park

Here you can relax at the lazy river or enjoy the two intermediate slides and two kiddie areas and you can also enjoy the Family Kingdom Amusement Park.  Located at 300 South Ocean Blvd Myrtle Beach, SC.   The water park is just across from the Family Kingdom Amusement Park Open daily from 10am – 6pm ..and from Aug 13 – Sept 4  til 5pm. Ticket cost $20.95, $18.95 for children shorter than 48 inches.  Get unlimited rides at the amusement park by purchasing a wristband. Details call: 843-626-3447.

#4. Wild Water and Wheels

This water park also has rides and miniature golf.  Located at 910 U.S. 17 Business South at Surfside Beach north of Hudson’s Surfside Flea Market. Open daily  from 10am – 6pm (until 9pm on Fridays) thru Aug 13. Save $3 with online ticket purchase at www.wilw-water.com.   Cost $29.95, $18.48 for children under 48 inches and also for ages 55 and older. After 3pm are cheaper prices:   $18.40, $16.25 and $9.95 per person after 5pm.    Details call: 843- 238-3787

#5. Myrtle Waves

Myrtle Waves has 20 acres of swerves, curves, waves and chutes with 1200 ft Lazy River with single and double tubes.  If you like Nascar racing then you’ll enjoy getting wet and racing in the Speedpark.  This water park also offers a pass to the NASCAR Speedpark and Pavillion Nostalgia Park at Broadway.  You can get a combo ticket to include admissions to Myrtle Waves  and  the Nascar  Speedpark and Nostalgia Park.    Check it out at www.myrtlewaves.com.    Located at U.S. 17 Bypass at 10th Avenue North extension in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Open daily 10am – 7pm thru Aug 14 and shorter hours starting from Aug 15 – Sept 11. Cost $32.99, $29.99 for ages 55 and older and $24.99 for children less than 42 inches tall. Ages 2 and younger are admitted FREE.   It cost $2 for Parking.

Where will you splash this summer?   Share your comments!

So how long would it take to get to one of the North Carolina mountain highest elevations?  Now I know it doesn’t take as long as I thought.  We drove the Blue Ridge Parkway south near Asheville, NC on a hot, sunny  Saturday afternoon.   It took a little more than 1 hour (80 minutes)  to stop and look over the mountain at Buck Springs Gap Overlook at 4980 feet.  We passed thru a great deal of dark tunnels that plowed right thru the mountain.  We stopped about every 3 miles to take in the Awesome, Majestic Mountain view at each overlook.   Blue Ridge Parkway is one of over 390 parks in the National Park System. The National Park Service cares for the park system which was saved by the American people so all may experience the culture.  The Blue Ridge Parkway runs a total distance of 469 miles.

4 Great Places to Stay

The Blue Ridge Parkway is easily accessible from Asheville, NC  so you can stay in Asheville on a quick weekend trip with your choice of nearby hotels such as the new Hilton Asheville Hotel that’s located in a new modern shopping village near the Biltmore Estates filled with restaurants and book store, a movie theater and more.   The Grove Park Inn, The Biltmore Hotel  and the Days Inn (older hotel) are also additional choices. 

Tunnel of Trees

1 of many Majestic Mountain Views

The Bridge over the water

Experience the Blue Ridge drive

10 Reasons to take the Blue Ridge Drive

1. Children will find the drive thru more than 20 tunnels very interesting and dark
2.  Have a picnic at anyone of the mountain parks along the blue ridge parkway
3. Go to elevations higher than 4980 feet  to see the waterfall coming off the mountain side and feel the cool breeze coming off the cool water stream
4. Join the brave that like to hike up and down the side of the mountain.  You’ll find rock stairs at the first overlook on the south side of the Blue Ridge Parkway
5. Walk thru the tunnel of tall trees at View Tunnel Top overlook and see historical monuments.  The tunnel  trees was so cool that I snapped it onto a Greeting card to share with the world. Check it out here.
6. Visit the hotel, country store and campsite on Mount Pisgah is located on the mountain
7. Overlook the mountain from limitless views
8. Mount Pisgah is a great location for hiking and taking wow photos of a magnificent mountain view
9. Capture great photos of the seasonal colors of mountain nature from fall foliage of leaves changing colors to the warm seasons of massive trees that blossom
10. Get over your fear of driving near the edge and gain an experience you won’t forget sharing the open mountain road with motorcyclist, bicyclist and convertible sports car drivers that can handle the sharp mountain curves with ease like a pro

Have you driven the blue ridge lately?  Tell us about your experience..what did you like most about your trip in the high country?

Ideas to shrunk your gas budget are not as far-fetched as you might think.  Try our tips to keep your family trips going!

 7 Ways to Shrink your Gas Budget:

1. Reduce your trips to your local grocery store by buying in bulk.  Instead of making weekly or biweekly trips to the grocery store try going once a month to a store like BJ’s, Costco or Wal-Mart to stock up or buy in bulk.  For additional savings bring your coupons since most of these stores also accept coupons. 

 2. Grab your profits from rising stock prices. Check out the best high-performing oil & gas exploration company stock to invest wisely as these stock prices rise.  3 Top Company’s such as Northern Oil & Gas (NOG), Concho Resources (CXO) , Whiting Petroleum (WLL) just to name a few but there are more.  NOG prices has gone from 24.36 to $30 3 weeks ago.. where as CXO price was $90 in Feb 2011 and now as high as $100.. Why not profit 20% or more from investing in a profitable high-performing oil company..you stand to reap the reward if you buy at the right time when the price is low and hang on for the ride as the price goes up.  Do your research and check out www.investors.com  for their electronic stock newspaper you can purchase online or in paper form at your local bookstore. 

Bi Lo Bonus Reward Card

 4. If you live anywhere near Charlotte, NC you know gas prices are about $375 a gallon for regular and up from there.  Whereas right next door is the state of South Carolina where locals can purchase gas on average 10 to 15 cents less and that savings can add up quick.  Just 5 minutes South past the Ballayntine area on Johnston Road which crosses over into Lancaster, SC here is where you’ll find  5 gas stations to choose from at 15 cents less than North Carolina gas prices.

5.  Go online to check where to go for the lowest gas prices around town.  Just enter your zip code and you get a list of gas stations and then you can click to check lowest gas prices over the last 48 hours.

http://www.charlottegasprices.com/GasPriceSearch.aspx

6.  Buy the lowest grade (octane) of gasoline that is appropriate for your car.  Your owner’s manual will have this information. As long as your engine doesn’t knock or ping, the fuel you’re using is fine. You can save hundreds of dollars a year.

7. Start or Join a Vanpool.  Commuting to work around the Carolinas can be costly if drive more than 25 miles to work and also pay parking fees, the cost of driving range from $200 – $350 per month.  The Charlotte Area  Transit System (CATS) provides a van for workers that commute from Kannapolis to Charlotte to work.  Some commuters have saved $200 on  with a $75 monthly van service fee.  The cost will be determined by the commute in miles and how many riders  the more riders the more savings is the idea here.    Check out more details here.. http://www.charmeck.org/city/charlotte/cats/commuting/vanpool/Pages/default.aspx

Share what you’re doing to shrink your gas budget?  Join the conversation and post your comments..