Don't Exchange your Propane Tank

Because it's summertime, and because there's not much better than burgers and bratwurst on a grill, I thought I'd make my first piece of Normal Advice the following:

Don't exchange your grills' propane tank.

They're easy, they're convenient, and they're everywhere.  On a street near me, you can drive 1/2 a mile and pass 5 different propane exchange locations.  Grocery stores, convenience stores, drugstores, they all seem to want to take your old propane tank, and give you a "filled"  one, for around $18-$20.

Filled is in quotes above, because you're getting 15 pounds of propane in a 20 pound tank.  It's written right on there, but it's in small writing.  Imagine going to the gas station, and only ever getting 3/4 of a tank of gas.

Another issue is that when you exchange your old tank, you don't get a "refund" for whatever propane is left in it.  In my experience, as a tank gets close to empty, with just a few pounds of propane left, the flame starts to get a little weak.  Not as hot.  Burgers take longer to cook.  Oh, the horror!

Here's the advice:  Get your tank filled at a propane dealer or RV/camping supply dealer.  Obviously, every store is different, but at the place I go (Four Seasons LP Gas, Westerville, OH), you get a full 20 pounds of propane in the tank.  Not only that, but if your tank still has propane in it, you only pay for the propane they put in.  5 pounds left?  Pay for 15 pounds.  3 pounds left?  Pay for 17.  Last time I was there, a 20lb fill is $21, which equates to $1.05 per pound.  Doing the math:

Tank with 5 pounds left, exchanged at a Propane Exchange place:  No "refund" for unused propane, and you get a tank with 15 pounds of propane.  You essentially bought 10 pounds (15 minus the 5 that was wasted in the exchange) of propane for $18-$20.  That's $1.80 to $2 per pound.  At best, a fully empty exchanged tank, is $1.20 to 1.33 per pound.  But who wants to cook on a weak flame from a low tank?

Tank with 5 pounds left, refilled at a propane dealer:  $1.05 per pound * 15 pounds.  You bought 15 pounds of propane for $15.75.  $1.05 per pound.

Thus ends the inaugural first blog entry on Normal Advice for Normal People.

Welcome!

Normal Advice for Normal People?

Yes.

Are you normal?  You are to yourself, so you qualify.

Disclaimer (or not):  I am not a trained financial counselor.  At all.  Because of that, this blog will not deal with major, large scale financial issues.  This blog is all about helping normal people, make better decisions in life.  Because so many people seem to have problems with money, I'm guessing most of them will deal with the financial aspect.  I've been compiling a list for some time, and I'm sure I'll be able to add to it.

This will not be a daily or weekly blog, but will be updated as I discover new things that have helped me.