The more you hear about our economy, the more you realize there isn’t going to be a quick fix or quick recovery. Since the start of the Farmers’ Almanac (1818) there have been at least 13 recessions and 2 depressions. Each time we have survived and come out of it stronger. Because of the complexity of world markets, this current financial melt down has  long term implications. So what do you and I do to “survive”. It is a complicated situation but I am convinced that we all have to learn to do more with less and help one another. The same qualities that have always made America great will - long term - get us through this crisis.

Within my company, there is a small group of associates who meet every other week and exchange cost saving ideas with one another. They are  called “thrifty thinkers”. Some are practical advice and others are ways to save energy and reduce household expenses. I am sharing the most recent series of ideas. They have not all been “tested” as I do before material makes it into the Farmers’ Almanac but I am sharing with you in the hopes that it helps you..

At the same time, if you have cost saving suggestions,. I’d love to hear from you. What are you doing to conserve energy. How do you stretch a dollar, reuse materials and how can you and I help others in meaningful ways. America (the world) will get through the current crisis but it is going to require a great deal of sacrifice and  and our willingness to do things differently and help each other. Here are just a few ideas dealing with fuel efficiencies and one about apples:

Save on Gas

·        Fill up at the coolest part of the day

·        Pump gas at a slower rate to reduce the vapors

·        Tighten that cap. Gas will evaporate from your car’s gas tank if it has an escape. Loose, missing, or damaged gas caps cause millions of gallons of gas to evaporate each year.

·        Wait until you’re near empty.  Don’t fill up until your tank is near empty; this will extend your gas because you are hauling a lighter load as the tank nears empty.

·        No rough stuff. Riding on dirt or gravel will rob you of up to 30% of your gas mileage.

·        Use alternate roads when safer, shorter, and straighter. Compare traveling distance differences–remember that corners, curves and lane jumping requires extra gas. The shortest distance between two points is always straight as the crow flies.

·        Avoid heavy traffic and lots of traffic lights.  The shortest route is not always the most fuel efficient if you have to stop a lot.

·        Loose the racks.  Remove ski, bicycle, or luggage racks from your roof if you don’t need it. They also cause air drag.

·         Drop the rest of the dead weight.  Get rid of all extra tires, back seats, unnecessary heavy parts. Extra weight reduces mileage, especially when driving up inclines.

·        Turn the key and get moving.  Modern vehicles do not need to be warmed up, even on cold mornings - 30 seconds is plenty of time.

·        Drive steadily. Slowing down or speeding up wastes fuel. Maintain a steady pace–the ideal trip is one where you never stop except for signs and lights.

• Don’t accelerate up a hill. When approaching it, build up speed before the incline, maintain on the way up, then coast down.
• Eliminate jack-rabbit starts. Always accelerate slowly when starting from a dead stop. A good rule of thumb is to not push the pedal down more than 1/4 of the total foot travel.
• Time the lights.  Stoplights are sometimes timed for your motoring advantage; moving steadily at the speed limit will boost your chances of having the “green light” all the way.
• Open up windows . In stop-and-go traffic, shutting off the air conditioning and opening the windows can lighten your fuel use. Air conditioning can lower your fuel economy by 10 percent to 20 percent.
• Turn it off. You can save gas if you turn off you car while waiting at long traffic light sequences, railroad crossings or while your better half pulls money from the ATM. If you are not moving for more then 30 seconds, you should turn off the engine. For every hour you’re sitting at idle, you’re probably burning a gallon of gasoline.
• Overdrive.  Use the overdrive gears, as this will generally keep your RPM down and your wallet happy(er).
• Kill the AC.  Using the air conditioning drinks gas - consider turning it off 5 minutes before you reach your destination. You will still stay cool for the duration of your trip, but will save gas from not having it blasting until the last second.
• No revs. Avoid “revving” the engine as you switch the engine off.
• Forward only.  Park your car so that you can later begin to travel in forward gear; avoiding reverse gear maneuvers will save gas.
• Go for the shade.  The hot summer sun makes the inside of your car feel like a sauna; when you get moving you will want to cool it down, either through rolling down the windows or using the AC. Parking your vehicle in the shade will help keep it cool when you start up again.
• Use the garage.  Clear it out and make room for your car. Parking in your garage will help your car stay warm in winter and cool in summer, and you won’t have to depend as much on your gas-guzzling air-conditioning or defroster when you drive.
• Window prep.  In the summer, roll down the windows just a tiny bit so the air can circulate through your car while you are parked. This will help keep it cool when you start up again.
• Park and walk.  If you wander all over the parking lot looking for that really close parking space, you’ll use more gas. Don’t be afraid to walk a ways–it might do you good. With gas prices on the rise, make the system work for you.

If you have ideas about saving or stretching a dollar, feel free to share with me. 

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