Many households across Ireland are in the midst of a cost of living crisis, with prices soaring across the board.
The cost of almost everything is on the rise - from fuel, to energy, to food.
Motorists in particular are feeling the pinch with petrol and diesel prices at record levels in Ireland.
According to AA Ireland, the cost of running a typical family car has increased by a massive €900 over the past two years and could go up even more due to the impacts of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
With this in mind, experts have been sharing their top tips to keep motoring costs down.
Automotive business Peter Vardy told our Mirror sister site about seven quick changes that could keep bills down - including a sneaky petrol station hack.
Use supermarket garages
Peter Vardy says using supermarket garages are cheaper and it has been calculated that overall, people could save up to £74.10 (€89.50) a year. Avoid using branded petrol stations if you can to save a little extra cash.
Avoid premium fuel
The automotive business claims that for some cars, it just isn't worth paying for premium fuel. Some people tend to do this as the theory goes that it is more efficient in the long run - but they said: "Retailers often claim that premium fuel offers performance and economy advantages and can even protect your engine.
"In reality, unless you’re driving a performance vehicle, you’re unlikely to see many improvements – but you will pay an average of 10p (12 cent) more per litre. By sticking to standard unleaded, drivers can save themselves £138.32 (€167.12) per year."
Don't make unnecessary trips
Short trips are both unnecessary for the environment and may just waste your fuel for no reason. If the shop or location you need to get to is nearby, then consider walking. It helps your fitness, is better for the environment and saves you some extra cents.
Of course, some people might not be able to travel very far due to health conditions, so it may be useful to travel with a friend or neighbour and split the costs with them.
Pay road tax annually
Paying your road tax annually could save you £29 (€35) a year, according to Peter Vardy. They said: "While it may be easier to spread the cost of road tax, it ends up costing more in the long run. Saving up to pay it in one lump sum can save you £29 (€35) per year."
Shed weight
Ever heard of the phrase 'shedding a spare tyre'? Well, don't do that as you might need it one day. However, you can reduce unnecessary weight from your car as the heavier it is the more fuel is used.
Any items in your car you absolutely do not need can probably go and it will help. Compare the Market said: "Removing any roof rack or roof box will also reduce wind resistance, and hence fuel consumption, too."
Do you own car maintenance
It might seem overly simple but making sure your car stays in good nick saves you money. Carry out regular checks on your car and nip any problem in the bud before it gets worse. As a general rule of thumb, the bigger the repair, the larger the bill.
Vardy said: "By performing your own regular car maintenance checks, spotting standard wear and tear and fixing it before it becomes a problem, you can avoid paying the average annual repair cost of £574 (€693)."
Keep car insurance bills down
The golden rule, according to Money Saving Expert, is to never auto-renew your car insurance. This is because a better deal may be out there and you should be as thorough as possible in haggling for new insurance.
It is better to get quotes directly from insurance and you can haggle each one so that they are cheaper than the ones found on price comparison sites. You should then see if cashback sites can beat the quotes you were given.
