Gas stations promise one-stop convenience, but some products on sale need to be more questionable. While grabbing essentials on the go can be handy, some items come with hidden costs and lower quality. To make more intelligent choices and save your hard-earned cash, consider avoiding these 21 items at the gas station:
Pre-Made Sandwiches & Salads
Gas station salads and sandwiches often contain processed meats, cheeses, dressings, and fillers packed with sodium, preservatives, and unhealthy fats. These offer little nutritional value and can contribute to health problems like heart disease and obesity. In addition, the pre-made nature of these items raises questions about their freshness and handling. You might need to find out how long they’ve been sitting out, increasing the risk of foodborne illness.
Sugary Drinks & Bottled Water
Sugary sodas and juices spike your sugar intake with little benefit, while bottled water can drain your wallet. If you are thirsty, opt for a reusable water bottle filled with water or unsweetened tea to stay hydrated without breaking the bank.
Candy & Snacks
Many gas station candies and snacks are loaded with added sugars, unhealthy fats, and refined carbohydrates, offering little nutritional value and contributing to weight gain and increased blood sugar levels. Ensure your Carboot has a snack box with nuts, seeds, and healthier snack bars to reduce the urge to buy unhealthy snacks at the gas station.
Hot Dogs & Roller Grill Items
Often, the quality and origin of the meat used in gas station hot dogs and roller grill items could be more precise. They might contain fillers, additives, and processed ingredients with questionable nutritional value. Also, the length of time these items have been sitting on the roller grill or in warming trays is still being determined, raising concerns about freshness and food safety.
Batteries
Gas stations charge significantly more for batteries than grocery stores, wholesale clubs, or online stores. The convenience comes at a premium price, so stock up on batteries if you regularly buy batteries from gas stations.
Phone Chargers
Gas station chargers are often cheaply made with low-quality materials and components, increasing the risk of malfunctions, overheating, and even damage to your phone. These poorly manufactured chargers pose a fire hazard due to faulty wiring or overheating, potentially risking your car and belongings.
Sunglasses & Car Accessories
The selection at gas stations typically focuses on basic designs with limited features or functionality compared to what you’d find at dedicated stores. These inadequate sunglasses might not offer adequate UV protection, potentially harming your eyes.
Paper Towels & Toilet Paper
You’ll often find single rolls or small packs at gas stations, offering less value and forcing you to repurchase them more frequently, driving up the overall cost. GeneralGas station options are usually basic single-ply rolls, offering less absorption and comfort compared to higher-quality multi-ply options from other retailers.
Lottery Tickets
Many people are tempted to buy a lottery ticket on a whim as they run in to pay for their glass. While you may feel lucky, the odds are heavily stacked against you. Instead, invest your money in a savings account or registered financial scheme for a better return on your money.
Low-Quality Oil & Fluids
Cheap gas station oils and fluids often use inferior base oils and additives, impacting their lubrication properties, viscosity, and resistance to heat and friction. This can lead to increased wear and tear on your engine, decreased fuel efficiency, and potential breakdowns.
Windshield Washer Fluid
The cheaper fluids (often with inflated prices) sold in gas stations often have lower freezing points, meaning they can freeze in colder temperatures, rendering them useless and potentially damaging the washer system.
Tire Pressure Gauges & Jump Starters
Gas station gauges are frequently used and exposed to harsh elements, potentially compromising their accuracy over time. Inaccurate readings can lead to under-inflated or over-inflated tires, damaging your tires, impacting fuel efficiency, and even creating safety hazards.
Air Fresheners & Car Scents
Many gas station air fresheners contain synthetic fragrances, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other chemicals that can irritate eyes, airways, and skin, especially for those with allergies or sensitivities.
Over-the-Counter Medications
Gas stations typically stock a limited range of OTC medications, offering fewer options to find the specific product you need based on your symptoms or preferences. You might not find detailed information about ingredients, dosage, or potential side effects readily available, making informed choices more challenging.
Sunscreen
Gas station sunscreens often come from lesser-known brands with little information about their ingredients, manufacturing practices, or testing standards. The accuracy of SPF claims on these products can be uncertain, potentially leaving you unprotected from harmful UV rays.
Toiletries & Personal Care Items
Gas stations charge significantly more for toiletries and personal care items than drugstores, grocery stores, or even convenience stores. The convenience comes at a premium price.
Gift Cards
You’ll find gift cards for gas station chains, convenience stores, or fast food restaurants, limiting your options and potentially not fulfilling your desired gifting needs. They often come with hidden fees and restrictions, so you should consider giving cash or experiences instead.
ATM Withdrawals
Gas station ATMs often charge higher fees per withdrawal than ATMs at banks, grocery stores, or even convenience stores. These fees can quickly add up, especially for larger withdrawals.
Lottery Scratch-Offs
The odds of winning the jackpot or even smaller scratch-off prizes are incredibly low, often ranging from 1 in hundreds of thousands to 1 in millions. The colorful designs and enticing themes are meant to attract players, but the odds are heavily stacked against winning, making it more like a gamble than an investment.
Prepaid Phone Cards
Gas stations often stock cards for a few carriers, potentially excluding the one you prefer or need. Additionally, you might need help finding various plans with different minutes, data, or text allowances, limiting your ability to choose one that best suits your usage needs.
Items You Don’t Need
More than anything, avoiding buying food and accessories you don’t need is a great way to save money and look after your health. If you are guilty of impulse buying, you should write a shopping list before heading to the gas station and only take enough money to pay for your goods.
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