While organizing my grocery receipts last week, my eyes stopped at a small line printed at the bottom. It was a notice that the fuel discounts I had accumulated this month were about to expire. I had been wasting free discounts while being stingy about gas prices, so this is something I need to reflect on.

Do you remember this spring? According to AAA, regular gasoline prices in Pogo-Moorhead rose to $3.87 per gallon by early May. It jumped 57 cents in just a month, making it quite scary to watch the numbers go up at the pump.

So today, I want to talk about grocery fuel points. There's a lot of talk online about "up to $1 off per gallon," but this is true for some places and not for others.

First, let's clarify the $1 discount. This figure mainly refers to Kroger stores. Kroger typically offers 10 cents off per gallon for every 100 points earned, with a maximum discount of $1 per gallon that can be used at once.

The problem is that there's no Kroger in our area. What we realistically use in Pogo are Hy-Vee's Fuel Saver + Perks and the MORE Rewards program at Cash Wise and Hornbacher's.

Let's start with Hy-Vee. You earn discounts per gallon by purchasing items marked with the Fuel Saver label in-store. It's important to note that you don't just accumulate points by buying anything in bulk.

So the first step is to check the weekly ads or the app to see which items have fuel discounts. If there's a discount on detergent or coffee that you need, you can stock up that week.

The accumulated discounts are applied immediately when you scan your Perks card at the pump. You can use them at Hy-Vee gas stations, as well as at Casey's and participating Shell stations.

Be mindful of the expiration date. According to Hy-Vee's official terms, each discount expires 30 days after the purchase date. Any unused discounts roll over to the next fill-up, but the 30-day clock keeps ticking.

When using discounts at Shell, only one vehicle can receive discounts for up to 20 gallons per fill-up. Additionally, if you start fueling with a discount, you must fill up to the limit to avoid losing any remaining discounts, so keep that in mind.

Next is MORE Rewards. Whether you shop at Cash Wise, Hornbacher's, or Coborn's, the points accumulate under the same account. This is because Hornbacher's is a subsidiary of Coborn's.

The basic earning rate is 3 cents off per gallon for every $30 spent. You can earn additional points by purchasing specific items that are marked.

However, there's a daily cap of 9 cents on the basic earning. This means that even if you spend $300 in one day, you'll only earn 9 cents. This is why spreading out your shopping over several days is more beneficial than making one large purchase.

MORE Rewards also expire 30 days after earning, and the same 20-gallon limit applies per fill-up. If you pay at the pump, the machine will stop at 20 gallons, and if you pay inside, any amount over 20 gallons will be charged at the regular price.

You can use these rewards at partner gas stations like Holiday, Circle K, and Coborn's Express. Cash Wise Express across the river in Moorhead is also a partner location.

Now, let's do some real calculations. To earn $1 off per gallon with just the basic MORE Rewards, you'd need to spend nearly $1,000, and considering the daily cap, it's not easy to accumulate that in a month.

So, the phrase "up to $1" should be seen as a ceiling, not an average. Many people end up disappointed when they rely solely on advertising language.

However, it's still a significant amount. If you accumulate just 30 cents off per gallon and fill up 20 gallons, that's a $6 savings. It's like getting two cups of coffee for free.

Let me share a few tips I use. Always use discounts when your gas tank is nearly empty. The more you fill up to the 20-gallon limit, the more you save with the same discount.

If you have a truck or a large SUV, it's beneficial to concentrate the discounts on that vehicle. Smaller cars often can't fill up to the 20-gallon limit.

Check the expiration dates regularly in the app. 30 days can pass quicker than you think. You don't want to realize it like I did, by looking at the small print at the bottom of the receipt.

Using both programs together is also a strategy. You can usually shop at Cash Wise, but switch to Hy-Vee during weeks when their ads feature good fuel discount items.

However, buying items you wouldn't normally purchase just for the fuel discount is counterproductive. If you buy a $10 item to get 10 cents off per gallon, you'll only get $2 back on a 20-gallon fill-up, which is a loss.

If you drive a diesel vehicle, double-check the terms. Shell's terms state that non-branded diesel or alternative fuels may not be eligible for discounts.

Also, keep in mind that companies can change the terms of these programs at any time. The numbers I mentioned today are based on each company's information page, so it's a good habit to check the app again before filling up.

Personally, I like these point systems. You don't have to wait for someone else to take care of it; if you're a little diligent, you can reap the rewards. I think it's a fair exchange.

If I were you, I'd open the app this week. Check if there are any discounts about to expire, and if there are, make sure to use them during your next fill-up. This way, you might ease your worries about gas prices a bit as winter approaches.