The price of gasoline is rising, as all us drivers know, so if you just have to have a car, then here's how you can cut down on the amount of gas you use.

Obviously, one of the biggest gas-money savers is to only use your car when you absolutely have to. It's very easy to just hop in your car and drive to the local store, but if it's only a short distance away, walk instead. In terms of miles per gallon (MPG) short trips use more gas per mile than long trips. Driving more slowly will also consume less gas as will using cruise control if you're driving on the highway.

If you do need to use your car for errands, make sure you do them all at once. For instance, if you need to go to the bank, the store and the dry-cleaners, don't do two in the morning and one in the afternoon; do them all at once and try to make sure all your needs are catered to as close to home as possible.

Next is to avoid using the in-car air conditioning. Your car's engine needs more fuel when you drive with the A/C on, so either don't put it on at all, or have it on the minimum setting. If you do put it on, keep all your windows closed. In fact, try to drive with your windows closed anyway because having them open increases the wind-drag on the car so the engine has to work harder to maintain your speed if there's a wind-drag factor.

You can also attempt to improve the all-round aerodynamics of your car by removing things like luggage holders and ski-racks. Again, the wind-drag any extraneous item attached to your car causes will make the engine work harder and therefore eat more fuel. The same goes for anything in the trunk that you don't need to have with you. Many of us store all kinds of junk in our cars and any weight you don't need should be removed. Again, it adds to the work your engine has to do which burns more gas.

If you're driving somewhere you're unfamiliar with, use a GPS system or make sure you plot your route before you go. Driving around trying to find a street if you get lost uses gas unnecessarily.

Finally, make sure your car is properly maintained. An engine that's not tuned correctly will eat gas. Likewise, having your tires properly inflated can save you up to 3% of your annual fuel bill.