Archives

July 2008

Affordable "green" upgrades

This article by Chris Kaucnik, marketing director for Home Warranty of America, Inc. will give us all some good ideas for 'greening' up the house on a budget.

Offering something unique and timely can always help sell a home more quickly and possibly closer to the listing price. Aside from the usual home-staging techniques, implementing some easy, but key energy and water-saving options, too, might just do the trick. Savvy buyers will ask what utility costs are or to see actual bills-especially in older homes-and be impressed at measures taken to reduce those costs.

Here are some easy, smaller projects that can increase a home’s appeal in a time of high energy costs with an extraordinary focus on being green. And, of course, make sure you market the home with these positive, new features:

-Replace regular light bulbs in permanent fixtures with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs use about one-fifth as much energy as regular bulbs, and last about 12 times longer).
-Install low-flow showerheads, which will save on water heating and use.
-Install an Energy Star-qualified, programmable thermostat.
-Close the damper on the fireplace. It sounds simple, but is often forgotten from season to season and causes drafts and high energy loss.
-Add insulation to an attic.
-Seal basement rim joists. This is along the top of the basement wall where the cement or block comes in contact with the wood frame. This is a common area of air leakage.
-Insulate water heater tanks for energy savings.
-Repair water leaks in tubs, showers and sinks. Not only are they big water wasters, but a leak really shows the home is not cared for anymore.
-Perform duct sealing or hire a contractor. Twenty percent of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes and poorly connected ducts.

Another visible change that may attract a buyer is using renewable sources in any flooring you might replace prior to listing, such as recycled carpeting, bamboo, cork or other flooring from fast-growing wood sources.

You can also recommend a home energy audit to help your clients identify other easy, but important fixes and demonstrate to potential buyers that sellers are serious about home maintenance and improvement. It will give buyers a fun jumpstart, too, on accomplishing more efficiency improvements in their new home.

Being willing to partner with buyers creates an air of security that the home is still cared about. It sends the message that all parties want the buyers to have as great an experience in the home as the previous family did.

You can see that encouraging these smaller, but important, green ideas with your clients can be very beneficial to a quicker home sale.

12:49 PM - Jul. 31, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

A Colorado water primer - part 2

As we emerge from the wettest spring in some time with a relatively large snow pack, it's easy for the droughts of past years to become a distant memory, but perhaps it is wise to remember how tenuous is our water supply. And sometimes it is useful to obtain a perspective from other than real estate interests. The following was excerpted from articles by Nathan Fey of Salida on the website of American Whitewater, "a national non-profit organization with a mission "to conserve and restore America's whitewater resources and to enhance opportunities to enjoy them safely." For more go to http://www. americanwhitewater.org
 

In 2005 the Colorado Legislature created the Interbasin Compact Committee (IBCC) and nine roundtables across the state to further evaluate statewide water supply and demand at the basin level. The IBCC organizes to negotiate diverting water between basins. These Basin Roundtables are charged with refining the SWSI 1 report by quantifying consumptive and non-consumptive water needs and identifying water projects scoped to meet projected future demands. In Colorado consumptive water use includes all withdrawals from surface or ground water supplies to be put to beneficial use, including agricultural, municipal, and industrial needs. Non- consumptive uses include recreational and environmental needs, including Instream flow rights, Recreational In-channel Diversions, and needs for threatened or endangered fish and riparian life.

The Basin Roundtables and the IBCC present any proposed water project in the state to the Colorado Water Conservation Board. Each basin roundtable screens for projects or programs that benefit multiple users, and balance competing needs of a shared water source.

The 2003 Big Straw Referendum A would have given the Colorado legislature $2 billion to build dams and divert more water to the Front Range. After it lost handily, the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) created SWSI. SWSI Phase I determined that Colorado will have 20% less water than the amount needed (the 20% Gap) based on projected population growth.

"SWSI's findings so far have bolstered Western Slope concerns about possible new attempts at water grabs by the Front Range. It is projecting that Colorado's cities and industrial users will need an additional 708,000 acre-feet of water by 2030, as the state population grows from 4.3 million in 2000 to an estimated 7.1 million people." Aspen Times, August 27, 2004

SWSI Phase II created four technical roundtables that now meet regularly:

1) Water Efficiency (Agricultural, Municipal, & Industrial (M&I),
2) Alternative Agricultural Transfers to Permanent Dry-up
3) Prioritize and Quantify Recreation and Environment Needs
4) Addressing the 20% M & I Gap.

In addition to these technical roundtables, the Interbasin Compact Committee (IBCC) was created. The IBCC organizes nine additional roundtables to meet and negotiate diverting water between basins. Critical decisions will be made within these roundtables that will determine whether many rivers and streams in Colorado have sufficient flows for paddling and other river recreation, fish, wildlife, local economic benefits, and municipal needs.

In response to the ever-increasing demand for water in Colorado, water managers are moving forward with projects aimed at developing new water supplies for Denver and the Front Range. Several of the proposed projects involve billion-dollar schemes to move water across the continental divide, from the Upper Colorado River Basin to the S. Platte basin. While these larger proposals are several years from realization, smaller water projects are moving closer to implementation.

One such project, the Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP), will provide 16 Front Range cities with 40,000 acre-feet of new water to meet increased demand over the next 50 years. NISP, coordinated by Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, must undergo an environmental review by the US Army Corps of Engineers as required by the National Environmental Policy Act.

After review, the US Army Corps of Engineers identified three potential alternatives to no-action. Of the three, the 16 NISP participants preferred the Glade Reservoir and the South Platte Water Conservation Project. The preferred alternative includes building a new reservoir to store water underutilized in the Poudre River, a larger tributary to the South Platte River basin.

When Instream supplies are legally available, NISP will divert water from the Poudre River near the mouth of Poudre Canyon, into Glade Reservoir inundating the valley one mile north of highways 287 and 14. NISP's conditional water right for Glade Reservoir will be in priority usually in periods of peak spring run off or large rain events, and will divert a maximum of 1000 cubic-feet per second. Water stored in Glade reservoir will be delivered to the 16 participants via new pipelines or water exchanges.

In addition to Glade Reservoir, NISP will create Galeton Reservoir Northeast of the City of Greeley. For NISP to take full advantage of Northern's year-round water rights and meet consumptive needs, both reservoirs are necessary.

Growth in Colorado is clearly challenging our water supply, but fortunately the challenges are being addressed. Twice in recent years, the University of Denver has convened Strategic Issues Panels to address the Colorado water supply. As can be seen at htt p://www.du.edu/issues/reports/index.html the highlights of numerous recommendations include conservation and cooperation between urban and agricultural water consumers. Recreational water uses like rafting and kayaking are fun and consume almost no water, but their danger requires conscientious attention to safety. Similarly, consumptive water use for agricultural, industrial and domestic uses, fundamental to the quality of life in Colorado, requires aggressive management by both the public and private sectors.
 

12:46 PM - Jul. 29, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

A Colorado water primer - Part 1

As we emerge from the wettest spring in some time with a relatively large snow pack, it's easy for the droughts of past years to become a distant memory, but perhaps it is wise to remember how tenuous is our water supply. And sometimes it is useful to obtain a perspective from other than real estate interests. The following was excerpted from articles by Nathan Fey of Salida on the website of American Whitewater, "a national non-profit organization with a mission "to conserve and restore America's whitewater resources and to enhance opportunities to enjoy them safely." For more go to http://www. americanwhitewater.org

Colorado generates roughly 95 million-acre feet (MAF) of water on average annually from precipitation. While most of this water is absorbed into the states millions of acres of forest and rangelands, some 16 MAF finds its way into Colorado's creeks and rivers.

6 million-acre feet of water is put to use meeting the needs of Colorado's 4.6 million people. On average, 80% of water used in the state is diverted directly out of our rivers. The remaining 20% is pulled from groundwater and aquifers. Of the water Coloradoans use, 86% is used to meet agricultural needs. Less than 7% is used to meet municipal demands, 2% for industrial needs, 2% to recharge groundwater and aquifers, and 3% for environmental and recreational needs.

As a headwaters state, two-thirds of the surface water generated on average in Colorado is legally obligated to downstream users. 8.8 MAF of water flows to states west of the Continental Divide, including Utah, Nevada, California, New Mexico, Arizona, and Mexico. Colorado supplies another 1.4 MAF of water to states on the Atlantic side of the Divide, including Nebraska, Kansas, and Wyoming.

Colorado's water supply is limited by fluctuating precipitation levels. Drought cycles are a common characteristic of our semi-arid climate. In the drought of 2002, Colorado generated roughly 4 MAF of surface water. Municipal water providers across the state were forced to implement restrictions on water use, and there was concern about Colorado's ability to supply downstream states with their water requirements. To meet demand, an additional 6maf of water was withdrawn from reservoirs and storage systems, which have yet to fully recover. Agriculture, recreation, municipalities, and the environment suffered serious hardship during one of the most serious droughts in Colorado's history. Colorado's obligations to provide water to downstream users via interstate compacts, international treaties, and court ordered apportionment, continues regardless of drought conditions or increasing demands in the headwaters.

Colorado expects another 2.8 million people in the state by 2030, placing more demand on water supplies, more demand than can be met today. The Colorado Water Conservation Board reported in the State Water Supply Initiative (SWSI) that Colorado needs an additional 630,000 AF of water supplies to meet these new municipal demands. Conservation will play a critical role in stretching existing supplies, but cannot meet all the requirements alone. To meet the increase in demand, Colorado is planning for new reservoirs and dams, expanding existing storage projects, and proposing inter-basin transfers and agricultural withdrawals.

12:44 PM - Jul. 27, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

New home builder incentives

This article is by Joshua Ferris who specializes in Orange County New York real estate including new home communities and townhouses.

After the real estate market hit a steady decline in mid 2006, home builders turned to incentives as a way to attract home buyers to their communities and to help differentiate themselves from the competition. When you start looking for a new home be sure to compare builder incentives as much as the communities themselves.

To help you choose, I have created a list of the top 7 new home buying incentives you should look out for:

Military or Civil Service Incentive - As a thank you to the individuals who serve in the military or are veterans of the military in addition to firefighters, police officers, EMTs and hospital staff, national home builder K. Hovnanian is offering $5,000 off the asking price of their homes, for a limited time, to people in these fields. Other large builders also offer similar incentives to teachers and civil service positions.

Lower Asking Price on "Spec Homes" - Depending on your moving situation, this is the golden egg of builder incentives. Most new home builders will construct a set number of homes in their community as "spec" homes or homes built on speculation that people will purchase the homes and move in quickly.

Once these homes are finished the builder won't want to sit on a large inventory of homes so they will offer spec homes with predetermined upgrades included at a lower asking price than if you were to build the home from scratch and add those upgrades.

Incentives Tied to Builder's Mortgage Company - Builders and on-site sales representatives enjoy working with their established banking relationships because they feel it will make the mortgage process easier and less stressful for everyone than if you were to use an outside lender. In this scenario I've seen builders offer to pay closing costs and up to one year of Homeowner's Association fees for buyers who purchase using their mortgage company.

Lot Premium Reductions - Like a rare platinum ring, highly desirable lots tend to come with a premium attached. Builders often place premiums ranging from a few thousand to nearly $100,000 on the most desirable lots in the community. Lot premiums are not set in stone and under the right circumstances can be negotiated much like everything else.

Reduced Option Prices - With the average new home buyer spending about 10% of their purchase price on upgrades you should look to get the most bang for your buck with the limited budget you have set for options. When evaluating the standard features list for a community, check into the cost for all of the options you would want in the home and see if the builder is providing special pricing on select options.

Standard Features... and then some! - To make homes more appealing than the standard features list will allow, builders are now including previously optional home upgrades like granite countertops, expanded suites, swimming pools and sun rooms as an incentive to buy in their community.

"Free Gifts" with Home Purchase -  Sometimes it takes more than granite countertops and hardwood floors to make a home stand out. Some builders are going the extra mile and including in-home luxuries like plasma screen tvs and offering car leases to draw in prospective buyers. For soon to be commuters, a two year lease on a new car might be the perfect way to help ease into life in the suburbs

12:40 PM - Jul. 25, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

Summer hiking

This summer venture outdoors and take in all of Colorado’s scenic beauty. Here are some suggestions for day hikes regardless of your hiking skill level.

Difficult
The hikes below are for experienced hikers seeking technical trails while getting an extreme workout.

Hermits Rest Trail Gunnison
Zigzag your way through this forest filled trail to the Morrow Point Reservoir. Campsites along the water are plentiful and definitely worthy of a picnic or a night’s stay. This is a 6 mile roundtrip strenuous hike. Visit www.gunnisoncrestedbutte.com/page.php?pname=activities/summer/hiking/chart#curecanti for details on trailheads and more activities in the Gunnison area.

Maroon Peak Aspen
Albeit a strenuous hike, you will be happy you made the trek up to one of the most photographed peaks in the world. The view from Maroon Lake is the most famous in all of Colorado. Even though both the South and North Maroon Peaks are picturesque they can be dangerous because unlike other 14ers in Colorado they are made out of mudstone not granite or limestone. Rockslides are common, so take caution when hiking in the area. For more information and photos of this Colorado landmark visit www.localhikes.com/HikeData.asp?DispType=0&ActiveHike=22&GetHikesStateID=1&ID=6109

4:10 PM - Jul. 23, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

Is it really time for a change?

The rising cost of crude oil has everyone talking about gas prices at the pump… but what about the actual oil in your engine? Are you spending too much on oil by changing it too often?

Most of us probably think a car’s oil needs to be changed every 3,000 miles. But that’s an old mechanics tale these days. Did you know that many car manuals now actually recommend changing the oil every 5,000, 7,500 or even 10,000 miles? That means you may be changing your oil twice or even three times as often as you need to! In fact, a recent study in California indicated that 73 percent of Californians change their oil more frequently than recommended by the manufacturers.

So how often should you change your oil?

The fact is, oil changes should be determined by what, how, and where you drive. If you have a newer car with little or no engine wear, you can probably go 7,500 miles between oil changes. And even if you have a slightly older car, but drive under ideal conditions such as predominantly highway, you can go a similar distance before changing.

Of course, many of us actually don’t drive under “ideal” conditions…if you make many short trips, endure lots of stop-and-go traffic, drive on gravel or dusty roads – then you might need to change your oil more frequently. So how do you know – and take advantage of saving money by only changing oil when it’s really needed?

Technology to the rescue

There are a few ways you can actually eliminate the guesswork. If you have a newer car, it may have a built-in sensor that estimates oil life based on engine running time, miles driven, outside temperature, coolant temperature and other operating conditions. When the indicator light comes on, it’s time to change the oil. It’s that simple.

Another idea is to purchase an oil monitoring sensor, such as the IntelliStick. These sensors are used in place of your car’s original dipstick and provide you with real-time, accurate information about the true condition of your oil. Better still, these sensors often have a transponder built into them so you can quickly and easily check the condition of your oil at any time using a cell phone, PDA or computer with Bluetooth connectivity…now that’s really going high tech.

Bottom line – dollars spent on oil changes add up fast. Especially with the increasing price of oil, it pays to be smart, check the manufacturer’s recommendations…and not let too-frequent oil changes cost you!

10:02 AM - Jul. 21, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

Summer food safety tips

Summer-time is one of the best times of year to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables, especially those that aren't available year-round. But recent salmonella outbreaks like those in last year's spinach crops or this year's tomato crops are an important reminder about handling food properly.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) notes that there is no way for consumers to detect salmonella since it can't be smelled, tasted, or seen. Here's what they recommend to reduce the risk of exposure during this latest outbreak:

Check the Type

Since April 16, more than 220 people from twenty-three states have contracted salmonella poisoning from tainted tomatoes. As a result, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising people to eat only cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, tomatoes sold with the vine still attached, and tomatoes grown at home since these tomatoes are not associated with the outbreak.

If you have raw red plum, Roma, or round red tomatoes, which are the tomatoes associated with the outbreak according to preliminary data compiled by the FDA, the best thing to do is either throw them away or return them to the store where you purchased them.

Wash, Wash, Wash

One of the best ways to protect yourself is to wash all produce, including organic produce, with cold running water. You should scrub your produce gently with a vegetable brush, or you can use your hands if you don't have a brush. Make sure you remove outer layers of cabbage and lettuce. And make sure you wash fruit, too, even if you don't eat the peel.

In addition, wash your hands with soap and water before handling food and also wash cutting boards, counters, and utensils to avoid cross-contamination. When you are preparing fresh vegetables, make sure you avoid any kind of contact with raw meat. And don't forget to refrigerate sliced up fruits and vegetables.

Ask Your Waiter

If you eat out, ask your waiter what the restaurant has done in response to the outbreak. Several restaurants...including chains McDonalds, Burger King, and Taco Bell, among others...have stopped serving tomatoes, but it's always wise to double check. Keep in mind that ketchup and cooked sauces are not affected since cooking tomatoes at 145 degrees kills salmonella. Don't hesitate to ask your waiter to leave tomatoes off a sandwich or salad if the restaurant hasn't removed tomatoes from its menu. Note that if you remove the tomatoes once your order comes, the food could still be contaminated.

Make the Call

Salmonella poisoning typically resembles the flu, and symptoms usually appear 12 to 72 hours after infection and include abdominal cramps, headache, fever, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. If you suspect that you've contracted a case of salmonella poisoning, call your local health department. Reported cases help the CDC and FDA track the source of salmonella.

For the latest information on the tomato salmonella outbreak, visit:
FDA: Link to FDA Information
CDC: Link to CDC Information

11:44 AM - Jul. 19, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

Saving fuel and food

It seems like not a day goes by that we don't hear about the rising price of either groceries or gasoline. This might not be such a difficult pill to swallow if we were talking about luxury items, but food and fuel are hardly that. They are everyday necessities that we cannot live without. In the spirit of making your life easier, the following are our tips for saving at the checkout stand and at the pump.

SAVING AT THE CHECKOUT STAND
Saving money on groceries comes down to the diligent practice of two virtues, self-control and organization. Let's start with self-control.

It is very important to understand that grocery stores are designed to entice the consumer into buying products. Everything from displays to promotions is geared to increase sales. If you're looking to save money on your weekly groceries, it is imperative that you combat these temptations. The following are some great tips that are sure to help.

Don't shop on an empty stomach
Your pocketbook will benefit if you eat before you go grocery shopping. Stores are filled with beautiful displays and enticing aromas. Subjecting yourself to these on an empty stomach can be pure torture. Bringing along of bottle of water is good for fighting the cravings that are may hit after you pass by any number of temptations.

Shop alone
Tag-alongs like children or friends will only increase the time you spend in the store. They can also be enablers when it comes to making purchases.

Coupons are good...to a point
There's no arguing that coupons cans save you money. But here's the problem: many of the coupons that are issued are for new products. This is a way for companies to promote their products, and to entice consumers into trying them. If you blindly buy into this, you will quickly find your grocery bill growing instead of shrinking.

We suggest going through the Sunday paper and cutting out only the coupons for items you already buy. The rest of the coupons can either go in the recycling bin or can be traded with friends who use those particular products. If that's not an option, there are countless online message boards and forums that deal solely with coupon trading. There's a good chance there are also private groups in your area who get together for the sole purpose of trading coupons. Do a Google™ search and see what you find.

Make a shopping list
It may seem that making a shopping list would fall under the category of keeping yourself organized, but it really has more to do with maintaining your self-control. Items on the list represent the things you need, or what you are budgeted to buy. By sticking to your list, you have a much better chance of not falling victim to impulse purchases. It also gets you out of the store much quicker than shopping without a list. Moving through the store quickly has been shown to limit spur-of-the-moment buying.

So now that we've addressed a few components to maintaining your self-control, let's talk organization.

Much of your organizational success depends on how well you understand your family's needs. Every family is different, so there is no way we can set forth a plan that is perfect for all. What we can do, however, is give you some really great tips to get you started.

Know your schedule
There are families who eat dinner together at the same time every night. Then there are families that never manage to eat together. Where does your family fit in? The reason we ask this question is that the answer has a lot to do with how you should shop.

If your family eats dinner together regularly, we suggest planning out meals a week in advance and then shopping accordingly. This is a great for taking advantage of sales and for utilizing ingredients in several other meals throughout the week. It also cuts down on trips to the market. Simply put, it's a great way to get a lot of bang for your buck.

However, if dinner is inconsistent in your home, then it makes no sense to buy a week's worth of fresh food. There's a good chance that a lot of it will go to waste. At this point, you are better off making more trips to the store and buying lesser amounts. The key here is to figure out your eating schedule, and create a shopping schedule to match it.

Comparison shop
Multi-stop shopping for the purposes of buying a product at the lowest price is not always great for saving money. If you consider the extra time and gasoline used, it can often be far more expensive. Generally speaking, the best deals for average-sized families will be found at a local grocery store, so do the majority of your shopping there.

Warehouse stores can be big money savers if you use them correctly. Remember, you are buying in bulk, so unless you have a big family and a lot of cold storage, they may not be the best place to purchase groceries. However, when it comes to non-perishable items like paper goods, household cleaners and bottled water, warehouse stores cannot be beat. Word to the wise: shopping lists are even more important at warehouse stores. Get in, buy what's on the list, and get out. Otherwise, your cart can quickly be filled with many things you don't need.

Navigate your grocery store
Here are some great tips you may not have known about:

• Companies pay huge stocking fees so that their products can be stocked at an adult's eye level. These will always be the most expensive products. Look at the top shelves and the bottom shelves before you decide which product to buy.
  
• Store brands are great money savers. Many times they are produced by the same companies as the name brands and contain the exact same ingredients. The only difference is the label and the fact that they are not advertised. This savings is then passed on to the consumer.
  
• Many stores have a bargain bin for meat and produce. It may sound unappetizing but the truth is they are merely the products that need to be sold and consumed that day, or shortly thereafter. They make a great first stop for people who shop the day of for their food.

SAVING AT THE PUMP
There are two ways to save when it comes to the amount of money you spend on gas. The first way is to buy less expensive gas. Believe it or not, this does exist. The second way is to use less gas. Let's start with the former.

Gasbuddy.com
If you have never logged on to www.gasbuddy.com, you should make it a point to do so. Operating since June of 2000, Gasbuddy.com is a network of 181 local gas price websites. Its unique value is that it allows consumers to share information regarding the prices at gas stations throughout the United States and Canada.

Consumers throughout North America can log on to the site on a daily basis to report prices at their local gas stations. The website then sorts through the information and lists the stations that sell the cheapest, as well as the most expensive gas.

As you can imagine, the information provided by Gasbuddy.com is not only helpful on an everyday basis, but it can also be used to help plan out driving trips. The website will even text or email price updates to your phone, allowing you to keep current with the best deals.

So, now that we know where to purchase gas at the lowest prices, let's take a look at how we can use less of it.

Carpool
This is one of the best methods for using less fuel, reducing the amount of traffic, and helping the environment all in one shot. The easiest way to start a carpool is by talking to co-workers who also live in your neighborhood. If this situation doesn't exit, the Internet is a great resource for regional carpool sites that can set up matches. Many of these websites also have carpool calculators to help you determine the amount of money you can save.

Care for your car
It's a concept that is very easy to understand. The harder your car has to work, the more fuel it will use. Start by honoring all scheduled maintenance as recommended in your owner's manual. If your car isn't running right, don't put off a visit to your mechanic. Postponing a repair may actually be costing you money.

Don't neglect the tires
Keeping your tires properly inflated will do wonders for your vehicle's mileage per gallon. A good rule is to check your tire pressure at least once a month. The best time to do this is in the morning when the air inside the tires is cold, as it will give you the most accurate reading. Tire pressure gauges can be found at any automotive store for just a couple bucks and the recommended PSI (pounds per square inch) should be printed on the side of your tires.

Keep your mind on the pedal
What you do with your gas pedal will have a direct effect on how often you refill your tank. The first thing you should know is that it is always better to stop and restart your car than to allow it to idle for a long period of time. Think of it this way. Do you use more electricity by keeping the lights off and turning them on when necessary, or by leaving them on even when they're not in use?

The next bad habit when it comes to the gas pedal is what's known as "jackrabbit driving." If you are unfamiliar, it is the constant pressing and releasing of the gas pedal. It not only makes for an uncomfortable ride, it also wastes gas. When driving on the freeway, it is recommended to do so in cruise control. It controls your speed and saves on gas.

Easy on the A/C
Using your car's air conditioner causes the vehicle to use more gas, so our recommendation is to use it only when necessary. Keeping your car garaged, parking it in the shade, the use of window shades and slightly cracking the windows are all good methods for controlling the temperature inside your car.

Lighten your load
It's a good idea to remove anything from your vehicle that doesn't need to be there. The heavier the payload, the more gas your vehicle will burn. Simply put, get the junk out of the trunk.

Buy gas in the morning
The colder the outside air, the denser the gas. Denser gas equates to more energy for your dollar. It may be a small difference, but it will add up over time.

We hope these tips help. Remember, just because gasoline and food are necessities, it doesn't mean we have to be held hostage by high prices. Good luck being a smart consumer.

7:01 PM - Jul. 17, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

Colorado Wineries

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