The price of energy is going up all the time, and you're probably looking for ways to save on your house bills. As it turns out, your least favorite room may be one of your biggest energy hogs. I'm talking about the laundry room.
Now, you can save all sorts of money if you're willing to stop washing your clothes, but I'm guessing you're not looking to go that route (and all the folks you work with appreciate that). Let's take a look at some more practical ways you can save money in the laundry room.
1. Avoid washers and dryers with lots of fancy features.
If you're shopping for a new washer and dryer, stick to the basics. More expensive machines may have extra cycles, electronic control panels, and other fancy features, but they don't wash clothes any better than basic units. Those perks usually just add to the operating cost of the machine. (Not to mention, more doohickeys means more doohickeys that can break, requiring the hiring of a repairman...)
2. Use cold water.
A hot water load uses four times as much energy as a cold water load. You may want to do your whites in hot, but towels and linens are fine in cold. Actually, the majority of your clothes are fine done in cold water, unless they're very dirty (just make sure to use liquid detergent, as some powders only dissolve in very hot water).
3. Don't use "warm-rinse" cycles.
Many of the washers on the market today feature warm-rinse cycles. According to experts (yes, there really are laundry experts), you never need warm water to rinse your clothes, and you can waste $50+ a year on this feature.
4. Nice day? Dry your clothes outside.
Hanging a clothesline between two trees won't cost you anything beyond the initial investment of a package of clothespins from the dollar store.
5. Clean the lint trap.
Assuming suggestion #4 didn't fly for you, and you're sticking to your dryer, at least make sure you clean out the lint trap after every load. The dryer actually has to work harder, thus using more energy, when the trap is full.
6. Don't use the maximum dryer setting.
Unless you're doing a load of towels or other hard-to-dry items, don't use the dryer's maximum setting. A middle setting (between minimum and maximum) works fine for most clothes. In addition, it saves you pennies a load, which adds up to hundreds of dollars over the life of your dryer.
Showing posts with label save money. Show all posts
Showing posts with label save money. Show all posts
Monday, January 23, 2012
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Saving Energy in the Kitchen
The kitchen, with all its appliances, gadgets and heat, is a real hotspot for potential energy saving. As the oven uses the most energy and creates a vast amount of heat while cooking foods, it is a good place to start.
For instance, when baking cookies use two trays. While one is in the oven baking, the other one is prepped with raw cookies – ready to replace the tray in the oven with no wasted heat and some time saved. When we bake bread we also fill the oven with foil wrapped potatoes. The potatoes can be stored in the fridge without the foil and used throughout the week in a myriad of recipes, or as a side dish. This method can be applied to a menu plan in that if you are baking one dish, try to include a side dish that is baked as well.
By turning off the oven a minute or two before the dish is done, the residual heat will finish the cooking. When done with the oven, open the door to allow any leftover heat to warm the home.
Pasta cooking water can be left out until it has completely cooled – so that the heat and moisture are released back into the air. Before pulling the plug, consider leaving hot dishwater (and bath water) until it cools. Why pay to heat up your sewer pipes? When cooking vegetables, consider steaming instead of boiling. When steamed, more nutrients are retained in the food, and because it requires less water to heat - there is less energy used.
In summer, consider cooking on the barbecue to help keep the house cool. Most barbecues now include side burners that make outdoor cooking all that much easier.
All these methods are relatively easy to adopt and when added up, the savings in energy and time really do make a difference.
For instance, when baking cookies use two trays. While one is in the oven baking, the other one is prepped with raw cookies – ready to replace the tray in the oven with no wasted heat and some time saved. When we bake bread we also fill the oven with foil wrapped potatoes. The potatoes can be stored in the fridge without the foil and used throughout the week in a myriad of recipes, or as a side dish. This method can be applied to a menu plan in that if you are baking one dish, try to include a side dish that is baked as well.
By turning off the oven a minute or two before the dish is done, the residual heat will finish the cooking. When done with the oven, open the door to allow any leftover heat to warm the home.
Pasta cooking water can be left out until it has completely cooled – so that the heat and moisture are released back into the air. Before pulling the plug, consider leaving hot dishwater (and bath water) until it cools. Why pay to heat up your sewer pipes? When cooking vegetables, consider steaming instead of boiling. When steamed, more nutrients are retained in the food, and because it requires less water to heat - there is less energy used.
In summer, consider cooking on the barbecue to help keep the house cool. Most barbecues now include side burners that make outdoor cooking all that much easier.
All these methods are relatively easy to adopt and when added up, the savings in energy and time really do make a difference.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Can you really save 40% on your electricity bills by plugging a small box into your AC socket?
Copyright 2006 Martin Pavion
In the past six month a number of products have been advertised on TV and online which seem too good to be true. I’d like to explain the reality of these exciting claims and give you a layman’s understanding of how Power Savers work.
A Power Saver is a device which you plug in to your power socket. Apparently just by keeping the device connected it will immediately reduce your power consumption. Typical claims are savings between 25% and 40%.
The technology behind Power Saver units comes from German research coupled with Asian manufacturing and it is based on sound scientific principles.
Electricity is not stable. When electricity flows the voltage can rise and fall all the time. The rises in voltage are known as ‘spikes’ and they cannot be used by your appliances at all. All these spikes do is waste your electricity. These power spikes also convert electrical energy into heat energy which leaks power from your circuit. Not only that but the heat will also do long-term danage to your wiring and to your appliances.
There are a few Power Saver models on the market but they all work along the same principle. They store the electricity inside of it using a system of capacitors and they release it in a smoother way to normal without the spikes. The systems also automatically remove carbon from the circuit which also encourages a smoother electrical flow. This means that you will have less power spikes. More of the electricity flowing around your circuit can be used to power your appliances than before.
There are many factors which do affect the efficiency of your Power Saver. The device works immediately after plugging it in although it can take as long as 8 days before it has adjusted itself for peak performance. The rate of savings will depend on what kind of appliances you have connected. All appliances are different but expect savings of up to 25% on lights, 30% on air-conditioning units and up to 35% on other appliances.
The highest savings will be in areas where voltage supply is less stable. Locations close to shops, restaurants and light industries tend to gain additional savings from Power Saver devices.
So how can you be sure that your Power Saver is working correctly?
Most often Power Savers come fitted with a light to indicate that it is working. If you have access to an electricity meter then you should see it immediately slowing down. Assuming that the light is on and that you leave the device unattended you can expect savings immediately. Be aware that often electricity companies will not take meter readings each month. Often bills are calculated on monthly averages which self-correct over time so please be aware of that in using your bill as a guide.
Finally, it is highly recommended to order your Power Savers from companies offering 100% guarantees for longer than 30 days. Remember that 30 days may not be sufficient time to truly know if the device is working as effectively as you expect. Try to work with companies that extend their guarantee dates to at least 60 day which gives you a much longer period to assess the benefits.
In the past six month a number of products have been advertised on TV and online which seem too good to be true. I’d like to explain the reality of these exciting claims and give you a layman’s understanding of how Power Savers work.
A Power Saver is a device which you plug in to your power socket. Apparently just by keeping the device connected it will immediately reduce your power consumption. Typical claims are savings between 25% and 40%.
The technology behind Power Saver units comes from German research coupled with Asian manufacturing and it is based on sound scientific principles.
Electricity is not stable. When electricity flows the voltage can rise and fall all the time. The rises in voltage are known as ‘spikes’ and they cannot be used by your appliances at all. All these spikes do is waste your electricity. These power spikes also convert electrical energy into heat energy which leaks power from your circuit. Not only that but the heat will also do long-term danage to your wiring and to your appliances.
There are a few Power Saver models on the market but they all work along the same principle. They store the electricity inside of it using a system of capacitors and they release it in a smoother way to normal without the spikes. The systems also automatically remove carbon from the circuit which also encourages a smoother electrical flow. This means that you will have less power spikes. More of the electricity flowing around your circuit can be used to power your appliances than before.
There are many factors which do affect the efficiency of your Power Saver. The device works immediately after plugging it in although it can take as long as 8 days before it has adjusted itself for peak performance. The rate of savings will depend on what kind of appliances you have connected. All appliances are different but expect savings of up to 25% on lights, 30% on air-conditioning units and up to 35% on other appliances.
The highest savings will be in areas where voltage supply is less stable. Locations close to shops, restaurants and light industries tend to gain additional savings from Power Saver devices.
So how can you be sure that your Power Saver is working correctly?
Most often Power Savers come fitted with a light to indicate that it is working. If you have access to an electricity meter then you should see it immediately slowing down. Assuming that the light is on and that you leave the device unattended you can expect savings immediately. Be aware that often electricity companies will not take meter readings each month. Often bills are calculated on monthly averages which self-correct over time so please be aware of that in using your bill as a guide.
Finally, it is highly recommended to order your Power Savers from companies offering 100% guarantees for longer than 30 days. Remember that 30 days may not be sufficient time to truly know if the device is working as effectively as you expect. Try to work with companies that extend their guarantee dates to at least 60 day which gives you a much longer period to assess the benefits.
Friday, October 22, 2010
How can you save money on your grocery bill?
Title:
How can you save money on your grocery bill?
Word Count:
421
Summary:
An article showing you how to save 30% - 40% on your grocery bill.
Keywords:
working at home, health, products, wealth, networking marketing, save money, earn money, alternative, environment
Article Body:
I work part-time at a widely known drugstore. I wanted to do an experiment and I asked my manager for his help.
We picked a week randomly from his log. We added up the sales from the cosmetic counter and the first register. That way we could get varied items including personal care, cleaning items and food. We took the totals from items that were only cleaning and personal care products. The average order turned out to be 25.00 for that week.
Now I would like to address an issue I have heard from others that requested information about switching stores for better safer products but said they couldn’t spend $50-$60 a month.
I know for a fact, ( I see the same people on the days I work) that these customers come in every week spending an average of $25 dollars a visit. Now if you changed your store and purchased similar items for 30%-40% off, you would be saving money.
So let’s get the money facts.
Say you spend 20.00 a week on average for personal care, cleaning products of all kinds and some nutritious snacks. This is being very frugal. 20.00 times 4 weeks is 80.00.
Take that 80.00, put it aside and switch stores. Purchase only the items you need and you will have an extra $20-$25 at the end of the month. Now times that $20-$25 by 12 (a year) and you will be saving $240.00 - $300.00 a year. Wow that’s a good amount of money.
Now wonder if you got paid to refer others like a restaurant or book. Say you refer 8 friends and family and you do this in a month. Now you are earning almost $500.00 for that month and saving an average of $270.00 a year. Add those two figures and you now have an extra $770.00.
Let’s look at a bigger picture. Say you help 8 every month for a year. It’s 6,000.00 for helping others, then 13,200.00 in bonuses and 7600.00 in residual income equaling 26,800.00. That is not including others helping others. That could add another 26,800.00 making the total 53,600.00 in part-time work, not to mention a $400.00 car payment every month.
So now you can see the advantage of residual income and the idea of saving money and helping others. It is very simple and easy. Email me and I can show you how you can start today.
That's just the money side. I can show you how our everyday household products can help clean your home environment. I can show you how they can help you and your family have healthier lives. Email me for more information.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
8 Tips to Save Money on Groceries
The average family’s grocery bill is usually one of the higher numbers on the family budget. There can be an enormous difference in what each family spends on their groceries, depending on many factors, such as whether they buy name brand, more meat, etc.
The good news is that this allows for a large amount of savings if we decide to be frugal with our shopping. Following a few simple tips will have you well on your way to saving a few bucks.
1.) Make a meal plan. You’ll know exactly what you need from the store before you go.
2.) Watch for specials and coupons in store newsletters, and plan your meals around them.
3.) Make a list and stick to it. If it’s not on the list, don’t buy it.
4.) Don’t shop when you’re hungry. That way you won’t be tempted to buy things that you don’t need.
5.) Shop alone. Count on your bill being higher when you bring your spouse or children.
6.) Only buy things you know you’ll use. For example, if your family doesn’t like broccoli, don’t buy broccoli in the hopes that they’ll eat healthier this week.
7.) Keep your eyes on the items on the bottom shelf where the prices are lower.
8.) Buy store brands when the quality is the same. Most of the time, it actually is the same product in a different package.
It’s pretty easy to be frugal once you realize how much money you’re actually saving with these simple steps. Keep a log of your grocery bills, so you can see how much of a difference you are making.
The good news is that this allows for a large amount of savings if we decide to be frugal with our shopping. Following a few simple tips will have you well on your way to saving a few bucks.
1.) Make a meal plan. You’ll know exactly what you need from the store before you go.
2.) Watch for specials and coupons in store newsletters, and plan your meals around them.
3.) Make a list and stick to it. If it’s not on the list, don’t buy it.
4.) Don’t shop when you’re hungry. That way you won’t be tempted to buy things that you don’t need.
5.) Shop alone. Count on your bill being higher when you bring your spouse or children.
6.) Only buy things you know you’ll use. For example, if your family doesn’t like broccoli, don’t buy broccoli in the hopes that they’ll eat healthier this week.
7.) Keep your eyes on the items on the bottom shelf where the prices are lower.
8.) Buy store brands when the quality is the same. Most of the time, it actually is the same product in a different package.
It’s pretty easy to be frugal once you realize how much money you’re actually saving with these simple steps. Keep a log of your grocery bills, so you can see how much of a difference you are making.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Three ways to save fuel and energy with magnets.
Copyright 2006 Dr Phil Hariram
The theory behind using a powerful magnetic field to improve fuel burn in combustion engines is nothing new. Magnetic fields were use to improve the combustion of fuel as early as 1940s. The US air force used magnets on their Mustang aircraft and produced greater range and performance from poor quality fuel. In 1952, Felix Bloch and Edward Mills Purcell were jointly awarded a Nobel Prize for their work on magnetic fields on solid, liquid and gas substances.
There are three ways magnets save energy and fuel.
Attach a magnet to the fuel lead pipe of your burner. The magnet conditions the fuel allowing greater combustion. This happens immediately. You produce more heat for the same amount of fuel and harmful emission is cut. I have Calorgas (Liquid Petroleum Gas) central heating. Since attaching a magnet, my direct debit has been cut by 110%. If your boiler is old and inefficient, instead of buying a new boiler, try a magnet first.
In addition the cleaner burn means that the boiler will need less servicing and lasts longer. If your boiler is already efficient, then the benefit will be less. You cannot create energy during a chemical reaction. Magnets, however, allow as close to 100% combustion. Instead of buying an expensive new boiler, attach a magnet.
Attach a magnet to the fuel feed of your car and your save fuel, energy and reduce emission. The magnet improves combustion. This produces better miles per gallon, more power and a smoother running engine.
In 1992, The Warren Springs Laboratories, the UK Government DTI's own vehicle testing department, were commissioned to carry out extensive trials on the benefits of magnetic fuel on motor vehicles and were very surprised by the results. Their 16-page in-depth report confirmed increased power, improved fuel economy and a reduction in harmful emissions.
If your car is old with poor emission levels, the magnet will slowly clean the engine. So initially the emission will be higher than expected but eventually the level will drop significantly. A friend of mine tows a caravan with his Peugeot 2L HDi Partner Quicksilver. Since attaching a magnet his mpg has jumped up a further 10 mpg. Normally you would expect about 10% improvement.
Magnets stop and reduce lime scale. Lime scale forms because the solubility of calcium carbonate decreases with increased temperature. As calcium carbonate separates out, lime scale is formed.
Lime scale affects heat transfer. A layer of calcium carbonate 25mm. thick can decrease heat transfer by 95% and a 0.5mm layer of silica causes a decrease of 90%. In addition if lime scale collects on the heating element in your hot water tank, the element will not last long. Lime scale causes problems in washing machines.
If a magnet is attached at an angle perpendicular to the flow of water, it stops the lime scale deposits and breaks down the deposited lime scale. No one knows exactly why this happens but the magnet keeps calcium and magnesium in solution and stops them separating out and producing lime scale. It also lowers surface tension and stabilises pH. The magnetised water will protect your washing machine but will not stop lime scales in your kettle. This is because the magnetic effect is neutralised when the kettle is boiled.
So there you have it. With fuel prices going upwards at regular intervals, attach a magnet to your boiler, your water system and your car and save energy, save fuel, save money, reduce emission and prolong the life of your boiler and car.
With global warming a major current issue, it is up to all of us to do our bit. In Germany, if your boiler emission level is too high, your pay a fine. One day it will come to Britain and USA. If you have emission problem, a magnet will quickly solve it. The right magnet will keep its magnetic properties for 100 years and you take it with you when you move home or change cars. It needs no maintenance. You just simply forget about it.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Get Discounts with Discount Coupon Books
As commodities get dearer, we all look out for ways to cut on a few dollars, get some discounts, free offers, and so on. A few bucks saves here and there accumulate to some good amount at the end of the month. Discounts coupon books give an opportunity to save money on a large number of products and services.
We all want to live a luxurious life, but only some of us can afford all the conveniences and facilities on offer today. The trick to managing the budget is to cut on extravagances, save money with discounts and free offers, and put the money to good use.
The Internet provides online discount coupons offered by retail stores that can be printed out and presented to the stores for discounts. Nothing could be easier than this. Some discount coupons let you make your purchases only from select stores.
You can even order online for discount coupon books and get it easily without much trouble. You get discount coupon book on variety of businesses ranging from clothing to electronics, from jewelry to other accessories, from food to hotels.
Some magazines and publications also carry discount coupons that can be used at the stores. In fact, entire discount books are available that can save valuable money, although one needs to be cautious and understand the concept really well before buying one.
There is no better way to manage money than by saving it in small quantities wherever and whenever possible. Discounts allow us to get what we want at cheaper rates. After all, the prices of products are never fixed once and for all, and using a bit of smartness one can save some money.
Think about it, a little money saved at the grocery can buy you some essential item that you had put on hold, or even allow you to eat at a restaurant you always wanted to but were put away by a few extra bucks it charged.
For more information on discount coupons visit <a href=http://www.coupon-book.net>discount coupons</a>
We all want to live a luxurious life, but only some of us can afford all the conveniences and facilities on offer today. The trick to managing the budget is to cut on extravagances, save money with discounts and free offers, and put the money to good use.
The Internet provides online discount coupons offered by retail stores that can be printed out and presented to the stores for discounts. Nothing could be easier than this. Some discount coupons let you make your purchases only from select stores.
You can even order online for discount coupon books and get it easily without much trouble. You get discount coupon book on variety of businesses ranging from clothing to electronics, from jewelry to other accessories, from food to hotels.
Some magazines and publications also carry discount coupons that can be used at the stores. In fact, entire discount books are available that can save valuable money, although one needs to be cautious and understand the concept really well before buying one.
There is no better way to manage money than by saving it in small quantities wherever and whenever possible. Discounts allow us to get what we want at cheaper rates. After all, the prices of products are never fixed once and for all, and using a bit of smartness one can save some money.
Think about it, a little money saved at the grocery can buy you some essential item that you had put on hold, or even allow you to eat at a restaurant you always wanted to but were put away by a few extra bucks it charged.
For more information on discount coupons visit <a href=http://www.coupon-book.net>discount coupons</a>
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Fuel Economy And Personal Choices
Copyright 2006 Donovan Baldwin
I used to be an over-the-road, long haul truck driver. For a while, I even owned and drove my own truck. As an owner-operator, I became interested in fuel economy, and very aware of how personal choices can affect fuel economy and fuel costs.
I'm off the road now, although I still travel a great deal, mainly by car. Like everyone else, I have listened to, and watched, news stories, discussions, and interviews on the present and future state of energy and energy sources.
As a business man and private citizen who travels extensively by car, both for business and pleasure, I am concerned about present costs and those which might be expected in the future.
Even more, however, I am becoming concerned about what might be my future, if I live long enough, and what will almost certainly be the energy future of my grandchildren, if not my children. As a result of these concerns, I have begun to think more about the changes that I and others can make to alleviate some of the coming ecological and economic problems related to fuel.
Because of my experiences past and present, I have some thoughts on the subjects of travel, the operation of vehicles, and the modern driver. I would like to make a couple of points, particularly as these subjects and fuel economy meet at the nexus of choice.
For years, I have watched drivers drive far in excess of the posted speeds or rational speeds for the conditions in which they found themselves. I have witnessed several situations in which the driver created or arrived at a dangerous situation as a result of this need for speed and I have had several opportunities to view the sad results of these choices. Many of these individuals will eventually either grow up or remove themselves from the gene pool. In the meantime, they will continue to drive in this manner, and many will drive this way into old age. I remember one long traffic jam in Utah that resulted from a driver's attempt to find out what his new Porsche "could do". In the words of another truck driver on the scene, "It could kill him. That's what it could do."
However, let's just talk about speed from the viewpoint of fuel economy. I regularly see interviews with "the consumer" on TV. Often these people are bemoaning the money they have to spend on fuel. Daily, these people, or those just like them, blow down the road at high rates of speed when driving a few miles more slowly could result in appreciable real money savings, especially at today's fuel prices. Many of these cars are hardly fuel efficient in the first place, and, when operating at such high speeds become super-gas-guzzlers! Many of these people also rush up to stop signs and stop lights, maintaining their speed or accelerating until the last minute before treading heavily on the brake. They seem to give no thought to the fact that accelerating to a place where you are going to have to stop is equivalent to throwing money out the window, not to mention simply wasting fuel and causing the next expensive brake job to arrive more quickly. For many, the simple act of looking at what is happening ahead of them and removing their foot from the accelerator before arriving at a point where they HAVE TO STOP could result in savings in fuel and money.
There are many fuel efficient cars available, including a wide and growing range of hybrid cars, such as the Toyota Prius I recently bought. But, there are a great many people who insist on purchasing gas-guzzling SUV's or so-called luxury vehicles, even when they are not needed! I recently took a trip in my very comfortable Prius and averaged approximately 56 miles per gallon. Interestingly enough, on the second day of my trip, I was passed by another Prius going about 70 miles per hour. The owner had possibly bought a hybrid vehicle in hopes of saving money by improved fuel economy, but apparently chose not to change his or her driving habits (they went by too fast for me to see if it was a man or a woman driver) to get the maximum possible fuel economy.
I am sure that many SUV owners, as well as the rest of the public, wish they could save even a few cents on fuel. Properly inflated tires can help do this as can properly maintained cars in general. Every day, I see several cars with obvious low tires, and believe I can accurately assume that many drivers do not perform regular maintenance checks on their vehicles nor do they have regular oil changes done.
In an article I wrote about a year ago, I mentioned how a service station owner had pointed out to me years ago that his number of towing calls, tire sales, and vehicle repairs had increased since the advent of self-service gas stations and convenience stores. Relatively few people then, and probably not so many today, performed the regular maintenance chores necessary for optimum vehicle life and efficiency, as well as fuel economy.
These are just a few choices each of us has almost every day. Each is an opportunity to save money, lower personal expenses, and help, at least in some small way, to extend the dwindling resources available to all of us. Accepting the responsibility to make these decisions and act on them as a mature and responsible individual is a way to reduce out-of-pocket fuel costs, as well as the depletion of a diminishing supply of petroleum for fuel and lubrication of our beloved vehicles.
Other choices we might make could include the use of synthetic lubricants, alternative fuels such as ethanol, particularly E85, or biodiesel.
Rather than simply demanding that the government should "do something", we should tell them what to do! We can demand that they choose to help expand the development of renewable energy technology, synthetic petroleum substitutes, and alternative fuels while ending the appearance of collusion between government and oil interests.
Our choices, and those of business and government, will determine the future conditions of life on this planet, as well as the current condition of our personal finances.
I used to be an over-the-road, long haul truck driver. For a while, I even owned and drove my own truck. As an owner-operator, I became interested in fuel economy, and very aware of how personal choices can affect fuel economy and fuel costs.
I'm off the road now, although I still travel a great deal, mainly by car. Like everyone else, I have listened to, and watched, news stories, discussions, and interviews on the present and future state of energy and energy sources.
As a business man and private citizen who travels extensively by car, both for business and pleasure, I am concerned about present costs and those which might be expected in the future.
Even more, however, I am becoming concerned about what might be my future, if I live long enough, and what will almost certainly be the energy future of my grandchildren, if not my children. As a result of these concerns, I have begun to think more about the changes that I and others can make to alleviate some of the coming ecological and economic problems related to fuel.
Because of my experiences past and present, I have some thoughts on the subjects of travel, the operation of vehicles, and the modern driver. I would like to make a couple of points, particularly as these subjects and fuel economy meet at the nexus of choice.
For years, I have watched drivers drive far in excess of the posted speeds or rational speeds for the conditions in which they found themselves. I have witnessed several situations in which the driver created or arrived at a dangerous situation as a result of this need for speed and I have had several opportunities to view the sad results of these choices. Many of these individuals will eventually either grow up or remove themselves from the gene pool. In the meantime, they will continue to drive in this manner, and many will drive this way into old age. I remember one long traffic jam in Utah that resulted from a driver's attempt to find out what his new Porsche "could do". In the words of another truck driver on the scene, "It could kill him. That's what it could do."
However, let's just talk about speed from the viewpoint of fuel economy. I regularly see interviews with "the consumer" on TV. Often these people are bemoaning the money they have to spend on fuel. Daily, these people, or those just like them, blow down the road at high rates of speed when driving a few miles more slowly could result in appreciable real money savings, especially at today's fuel prices. Many of these cars are hardly fuel efficient in the first place, and, when operating at such high speeds become super-gas-guzzlers! Many of these people also rush up to stop signs and stop lights, maintaining their speed or accelerating until the last minute before treading heavily on the brake. They seem to give no thought to the fact that accelerating to a place where you are going to have to stop is equivalent to throwing money out the window, not to mention simply wasting fuel and causing the next expensive brake job to arrive more quickly. For many, the simple act of looking at what is happening ahead of them and removing their foot from the accelerator before arriving at a point where they HAVE TO STOP could result in savings in fuel and money.
There are many fuel efficient cars available, including a wide and growing range of hybrid cars, such as the Toyota Prius I recently bought. But, there are a great many people who insist on purchasing gas-guzzling SUV's or so-called luxury vehicles, even when they are not needed! I recently took a trip in my very comfortable Prius and averaged approximately 56 miles per gallon. Interestingly enough, on the second day of my trip, I was passed by another Prius going about 70 miles per hour. The owner had possibly bought a hybrid vehicle in hopes of saving money by improved fuel economy, but apparently chose not to change his or her driving habits (they went by too fast for me to see if it was a man or a woman driver) to get the maximum possible fuel economy.
I am sure that many SUV owners, as well as the rest of the public, wish they could save even a few cents on fuel. Properly inflated tires can help do this as can properly maintained cars in general. Every day, I see several cars with obvious low tires, and believe I can accurately assume that many drivers do not perform regular maintenance checks on their vehicles nor do they have regular oil changes done.
In an article I wrote about a year ago, I mentioned how a service station owner had pointed out to me years ago that his number of towing calls, tire sales, and vehicle repairs had increased since the advent of self-service gas stations and convenience stores. Relatively few people then, and probably not so many today, performed the regular maintenance chores necessary for optimum vehicle life and efficiency, as well as fuel economy.
These are just a few choices each of us has almost every day. Each is an opportunity to save money, lower personal expenses, and help, at least in some small way, to extend the dwindling resources available to all of us. Accepting the responsibility to make these decisions and act on them as a mature and responsible individual is a way to reduce out-of-pocket fuel costs, as well as the depletion of a diminishing supply of petroleum for fuel and lubrication of our beloved vehicles.
Other choices we might make could include the use of synthetic lubricants, alternative fuels such as ethanol, particularly E85, or biodiesel.
Rather than simply demanding that the government should "do something", we should tell them what to do! We can demand that they choose to help expand the development of renewable energy technology, synthetic petroleum substitutes, and alternative fuels while ending the appearance of collusion between government and oil interests.
Our choices, and those of business and government, will determine the future conditions of life on this planet, as well as the current condition of our personal finances.
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