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Jan 26, 2010
Looking at the earlier post about getting rid of your five year old gas guzzler you might conclude that you are stuck, and chained to the $183 per month in gas costs cited in the example. Maybe you are just now gettng fed up with the mid-east oil barrons, or had a bad dream that Al Gore was giving the benediction at your funeral, either way, lets say you want to get rid of the gas guzzler without going into debt? Can it be done? Yes, you can ditch the guzzler! Looking on cars.com at several guzzler prices I see, for example, that a 2004 Ford Explorer is worth between $7,000 and $9,000 on the open market. Lets say you can get $8,000 for yours. Looking further I see that a 2005 Prius is worth between $8,000 and $10,000. Hmmm, if your good at negotiating you could probably sell your guzzler and then turnaround and buy the used car you want for about even. After taxes you and fees you could be out $1000. Assuming the 2005 Prius hybrid gets 45 mpg, you will reduce your monthly gas bill from $183 to $61. Worst case you will be ahead of the game financially in eight months. Consider that the Explorer will depreciate much faster than the Prius and I would say you’ve made a smart move.
Photo Credit: Lars Plougmann
Jan 26, 2010
As a hybrid owner I have listened to many a person explain to me why buyng a hybrid is a bad deal. They explain that a similar car in the same class would cost less. And that the amount of time and miles I would have to drive the car to recoup the cost difference is too great . Yes, I could have saved $5,000 and bought a car I did not want. Instead I got what I wanted. It turns out the Prius is the best car I have ever owned. I like the way the engine shuts down when the car is stopped. Suprising the extra torque from the small electric motor and shift free transmition provides a solid feeling of accelleration and driveablity. The car is comfortable, roomy and fun to drive. Hybrid owners don’t have to justify thier choice in car technology anymore than anyone someone choosing four wheel drive, ugpgraded heated seats, super state of the art stereo systems, fuel injected hemi’s or other features that they want. It isn’t about getting the lowest cost car in that class of cars, it’s about getting what you want. In the case of hybrid cars the buyers want to use less fuel per mile driven for reasons that transend the current price per gallon. It’s ok if you don’t get it, but please understand that the ”hybrids don’t make economic sense” argument is flawed.
Jan 20, 2010
All of us have experienced what seems to be one of the most brutal winters in recent history. You can make your home feel warmer without turning up the heat. One way to achieve that is most homes in Florida, where I live, have ceiling fans. By turning the ceiling fan in reverse in the winter time, air pooled near the ceiling is circulated back into the living space. This easy step can save up to 10% of your heating bill. You can also turn down your thermostat when you leave the house for the day. Another very easy step that will reduce your bill. Why heat the home when you’re not there? A great tip year-round is to change the filter in your furnace. A clogged filter makes your furnace work harder, therefore increasing your energy costs. And lastly, you can caulk and use weatherstripping around doors and windows. Why let that heat that you paid for escape? These are just a few ideas of how to keep the heat in and the cold out without breaking the bank.
Jan 05, 2010
Did you know that you can save money every time you shop at Target by bringing your own recyclable/reusable bag? Target will subtract five cents off your total bill for bringing in your own reusable bag, no matter the item limit. I have four reusable bags in my car that I use for every day shopping. They fold nicely and hold quite a bit of stuff. Instead of lugging ten grocery bags to the car, I have one reusable bag that holds everything.
You can buy a reusable bag from Target for $.99 or you can use your own bag, whichever you prefer.
Not only do you help the environment with your reusable bag, but you are saving money too. Five cents may not seem like a lot but it sure does add up!
Dec 30, 2009
Gas prices are always jumping higher and higher! This isn’t helping anyone’s wallets, especially with current state of the economy. Here are five simple tips to help you save money on gas!
Dec 22, 2009
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When you leave your laptop plugged in 24/7 it will continue to draw power even if the battery is full. That is a waste of energy and money. It also affects the capacity level of the battery potentially costing a new battery. The solution is to take the battery out while the laptop is plugged into an outlet. It will save a few bucks a month on your electric bill, and potentially $100 for a new battery.
Dec 15, 2009
Toyota unveiled their Prius PHV plug in hybrid. This car can be charged up and drive 14 miles on only that charge before using it’s engine. That would make short commutes truly 0 emmission. Imagine going to the grocery store using 0 fuel in an affordable, practical vehicle. I know for me most of my trips are less then 5 miles round trip. What’s next from Toyota, or other car manufacturers?
Dec 08, 2009
You don’t have to live in Florida to benefit from one of the best websites that can help you cut your energy bills way down. the Florida Solar Energy Center provides information about all kinds of energy savings, not just Solar. Check out the site at www.fsec.ucf.edu. If your thinking about solar hot water heating they have a free calculator that will help you run the numbers on potential cost and savings of installing a solar hot water system.
Go to http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/consumer/solar_hot_water/homes/calculator/index.htm.
If you are interested in energy and money saving techniques for your home or business, contact our Energy Professional now. They will help with offsetting your energy consumption and save thousands on your utility bills.
http://www.mymoneypower.com/ppm.html
Dec 01, 2009
Typically, energy usage peaks during the winter. Rather than running the heater full blast, tackle Jack Frost head on. Here are 20 tips to help reduce your energy usage during these frigid months.
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