'Try It’: Woman Says She Saves Money On Gas. Then She Reveals It’s By Only Filling At Sam’s Club—And Only 'On The Half'

Saving money on gas is something most people want to do, no matter the price at the pump. But with gas prices steadily rising, it is something more and more drivers will be keen to do. 

Even buying gas from wholesalers like Sam’s Club, Costco, and BJ’s can feel like a wallop to the wallet—especially when you go to fill up an empty tank and the price of gasoline has recently gone up 14%, per the New York Times. 

But one South Carolina woman, Shirelle4 (@shirelle444), says she’s got a gas hack that’ll save you pain at the pump. In a video that’s been watched 6,021 times, she notes, "Everybody talking about gas prices. Gas prices this, and gas prices that." 

She then explains this purported money-saving trick. 

"I fill up on the half," she says, alleging that it saves her money. Meaning that once her gas gauge shows she’s got half a tank left, she refuels. In the video, she checks the gas price. Her local Sam’s Club has 87 priced at  $3.05. 

Her tank, now full, expands her driving range from 187 miles to 342 miles, with the addition of 5.7 gallons of gas. So in her thinking, she’s got an additional 155 miles of range, for just about $17 dollars in fuel. 

But the question remains: is this actual savings, or a trick of perception that makes her feel like she’s saving? 

It’s All In Your Head 

The comments section is always quick to do the math, and this time is no different: "With this logic, just run up your credit cards and only pay the minimum," says Drunkm0nkey483. 

Others lay it out clearly. Jocelyn (@joctherealcheesemouse) says, "This isn’t saving money if you’re going twice as much [laugh-crying emoji] you're spending the same amount of money sweetheart, just going more frequently [and] no matter how often you get gas, you’re going to be spending about the same amount per month/per gallon or however you want to add it up!"

Yet Shirelle4 stands by her math: "I’m still saving because filling up on half is cheaper than filling up. My fill up is about $40 to $43 and when I’m on half I only pay $15 or $17. Try it."  

Motor1 reached out to Shirelle4 via TikTok direct message and with a comment on her video. We will update this if she responds.