Two families will try to pare back at pump
— -- If you want to cut back on home heating bills, you can turn down the thermostat and put on a sweater. Cutting back on gasoline bills is harder.
Millions of Americans drive to work every day, spending an average of 24.4 minutes to get to their jobs.
And for most parents, that's just the beginning. They spend many more hours ferrying their kids to school, soccer practice and dance lessons.
Still, there are lots of ways families can spend less money at the pump, ranging from easing up on the accelerator to buying a more fuel-efficient car.
For this month's Frugal Family Challenge, USA TODAY and ABC's Good Morning America Weekend have challenged two families to cut their average monthly gas bills by 25%.
They'll receive help from Philip Reed, senior consumer advice editor for Edmunds.com, an automotive website. Here's a look at the families who are participating in this month's challenge:
The Rhodes family
The Rhodes family of Camas, Wash., drives more than 3,000 miles a month, at a cost of more than $600. They have four children, ages 16 through 20, all living at home, and that adds to their overall mileage.
The Rhodeses have three cars: a 2004 Subaru Forrester, a 1999 Ford Expedition and a 1991 Toyota Camry. Until recently, their fleet included a 1994 Acura Integra, but in late September, their oldest child, Ryan, was involved in an accident that totaled the vehicle. (Fortunately, no one was hurt.)
Randy Rhodes, 53, an electrical engineer, uses the regional light-rail system to commute to his job in Portland, Ore., which saves on gas and helps him avoid traffic. But to get to the train, he needs to drive 12 miles.
Ryan has the longest commute, driving 41 miles round trip to his job at UPS. The adult care home where Mary, 56, works part time is only 2 miles from home, a short drive.
Randy saves money by filling up their Expedition in nearby Oregon, which doesn't impose a sales tax on gas. In addition, the Rhodeses have tried to cut back on unnecessary driving trips.
