Cars

Can't Afford A Home Alarm System? You Probably Already Have One.

Posted June 30, 2009 - 08:50 by Paul Michael

Personal Finance, Frugal Living, Life Hacks, General Tips, Real Estate and Housing, Consumer Affairs, Cars and Transportation

Broken Door

Home alarm systems can be expensive. A basic alarm system can be hundreds of dollars. Move up to the home-monitoring systems of ADT and Brink's, and you're talking big money. Installation can cost over $1000, and the monthly monitoring fee can be upwards of $40 a month. But, chances are, you already own a pretty good alternative.

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"Cash for clunkers" bill passed by Congress - what does it mean for consumers?

Posted June 18, 2009 - 23:09 by Xin Lu

Frugal Living, Taxes, Cars and Transportation

A few months ago I wrote about several car buying incentives that were floating around. This was before the bankruptcy of Chrysler and GM and there was a rumor going around that the government would push consumers into buying new cars with a trade in program. Now it is official that a "cash for clunkers" bill has passed by both the Senate and the House. This $1 billion program was attached to the $106 billion war spending bill and offers vouchers to consumers who trade in their gas guzzlers. Here are some details on the program.

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Conspicuous Spending: Fading to Black

Posted April 29, 2009 - 22:07 by Jabulani Leffall

Personal Finance, Consumer Affairs

In the black community and many other communities there is a sense that material possession and flair denotes character, accomplishment and power. It's a poor dad mentality and a “flash-now-but-time-will reveal” consumer ethos. What does a person's ethnic background, if anything say about spending and budgeting habits? And how does one correct this course?

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Tata Nano - Is the world's cheapest car a blessing or a curse?

Posted March 23, 2009 - 16:35 by Xin Lu

Cars and Transportation

Today Tata Motors announced that the Tata Nano will be released in India in July, 2009. With a price tag of around $2,000, the Tata Nano is the cheapest car in the entire world. Will this innovation change the world for the better or the worse?

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The Art of Wearing Things Out, and Then Some

Posted September 10, 2008 - 12:16 by Jason White

Frugal Living

1958 Cadillac Sedan

I've grown up hearing the phrase, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." It never occurred to me that this saying could apply to a frugal lifestyle. How often do you really wear something out before replacing it? I mean, really wear it out--to the point where it is barely recognizable. There are pros and cons to fully using up the useful life (and then some) of our household possessions, and deciding when to replace something can pose a significant threat to your financial picture.

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To change the bulb, just remove the bumper. Wait, what? - UPDATED.

Posted September 8, 2008 - 08:50 by Paul Michael

Budgeting, Cars and Transportation

VW headlight out

I was warned. I had been a loyal Honda owner for my entire driving life. But, after realizing that my Honda Civic Coupe was just too awkward for my growing family, I started looking around. I saw the VW Passat, I loved it; but a friend told me “hey, just so you know, she’s nice but she’s ‘high maintenance.’" Boy, was he right.

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Are your new tires really 6-year old ticking time-bombs?

Posted July 30, 2008 - 15:25 by Paul Michael

Consumer Affairs, Cars and Transportation

Old tires sold as new damage

Check the tires on your car. How do they look? Plenty of tread, no bald spots, no wear and tear? If that’s the case, you’ve probably got a great set of tires with years of life left on them, right? Well, maybe not. Those tires could actually be ready to break apart at any moment.

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It Bears Repeating - Driving Slower Saves Money

Posted July 8, 2008 - 23:40 by Andrea Dickson

Cars and Transportation

We've talked about it until we're blue in the face, but it's worth repeating - driving slower saves gas and money!

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Save More Gas by Safely Following Trucks

Posted April 14, 2008 - 12:19 by Xin Lu

Personal Finance, Frugal Living, Cars and Transportation

I have been trying to drive at 55 miles per hour to save gas, and I am doing it by driving behind big trucks in the slow lane so that I do not get honked at or pulled over by the highway patrol.  Apparently driving behind big trucks also saves you gas due to something called drafting, and you can safely take advantage of this to save an additional 5 to 10% of your gas.

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How to get your car stolen

Posted March 11, 2008 - 20:32 by Paul Michael

Consumer Affairs, Cars and Transportation

auto theft

Every 26.4 seconds, a vehicle is stolen in the U.S.* If you want yours to be one of those vehicles, just follow these simple guidelines and the thief will be driving away in your nice set of wheels before you can say “follow that car.”

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