Reducing My Utilities Bills

Prius more expensive then a Camry Hybrid

While I was waiting at the dealer for my XM Radio I was talking to a couple of the sales folks before the sales folks were really starting for the day.

I learned that the Prius are in such high demand that are getting $3000 abover MSRP plus since the Prius is doe not have as many standard features as the Camry Hybrid and the Camry hybrid can be bought at $2500 or more less then MSRP.

Just something to consider when doing the math.

Aaron

Recycled some CFLs yesterday

Yes, the do burn out after a while. But, they have saved thier cost many times over.

So, I dropped them of to the the local recycling place. No, fuss and no cost.

Aaron

2 Gas Tank - Free and 37.2 MPG

The free was becuase I had to go to the dealer for my satelite radio chip and antenna to be installed. When I bought the car I negociated for this to be included in the price but, it was a Sunday and they was no one who could install it...

So, to compensate me for my time I asked them to fill me tank up and they did (about 16 gallons worth).

Good MPG and $65 in free gas.

Now I am getting better at keeping the car it 60+ MPG when commuting. The hills and the holiday weekend kids stuff tends to push the MPG down some. I am still learning to keep the car in EV mode (or 60 MPG) but, have a hard time or hills or at traffic lights.

I was talking to another camry hybris owner who said his MPG improved up to 45 MPG after 6 months and 10000 miles. So, he said was the car breaking in and the rest he said was learning from the car.

Aaron

2 Gas Tank - Free and 37.2 MPG

The free was becuase I had to go to the dealer for my satelite radio chip and antenna to be installed. When I bought the car I negociated for this to be included in the price but, it was a Sunday and they was no one who could install it...

So, to compensate me for my time I asked them to fill me tank up and they did (about 16 gallons worth).

Good MPG and $65 in free gas.

Now I am getting better at keeping the car it 60+ MPG when commuting. The hills and the holiday weekend kids stuff tends to push the MPG down some. I am still learning to keep the car in EV mode (or 60 MPG) but, have a hard time or hills or at traffic lights.

I was talking to another camry hybris owner who said his MPG improved up to 45 MPG after 6 months and 10000 miles. So, he said was the car breaking in and the rest he said was learning from the car.

Aaron

Eyeing the next hybrid for wife

My wifes SUV only gets 12.1 MPG

So, we are eyeing swapping gas savings for a new car payments. So far the leader is the Mazda Tribute hybrid or the Ford Escape hybrid.

Her 4 year old GMC envoy was not my choice but, now she is driving the SUV becoming more efficient.

Aaron

Finally Replaced my Car with a Hybrid

After about 4 weeks of seriousness I replace my Outback with a Toyota Camry Hybrid. A fully loaded with all the standard stuff plus more. I decided in the end the Toyota was a better match for me long term.

An yes I was able to by it solidly below MSRP. I bought a really nice car with loads of features and great gas milage. Too soon to report on that (only 60 miles on the car half only 35 was mine)

I hope to save more then $200 a month in gas. I will report on the details a time goes on.

Aaron

Happy Earth Day

After 13 months and approximately $300 per month of saving. I am happy being green and saving green.

I am been working on minor projects and am planning on doing more one step at a time. I am still looking for projects which have relatively quick payback.

Recently I replaced most of my faucets and showheads which have already paid or themselves.

Please give me more ideas. Also, if you know of any companies looking to test next generation solar systems in southern California point them in my direction. I would love to be able to lose the electric bill entirely.

Also, I would like to go right to a plug in hybrid. Regretfully they are still not available right from the dealer yet. So,  will try to hold off replacing my car for a bit longer.

Aaron

Car choices

I am right now balancing the financial impacts of buying a new car versus maintaining my Subaru.

Over the holiday I test drove the Camary and the Altima Hybrids. I liked the Altima more, it is a family sized car with a bit a spunkiness and nearly 40 MPG (personal preference).

What is the enviromental impacts of getting rid of the car possibly sooner then needed versus saving gas and fuel?

Aaron

The blog has gone through a face lift

I have cleaned things up a bit and added the ability to click on any word and get info also any URL will show you an image of where you are going.

In addition I have hooked to have switched from Adsense to Auctionads which will hopefully give a more useful products to help you save energy and help the environment.  If you like them go via my sight to help underwrite the cost of the site and help me do more work at my home for the environment and my family.

Aaron

Minor setback but, I am keeping the faith

Yesterday evening (very early this morning) Google informed me that I have had an unusual number of invalid clicks and therefore they are disabling my blogs from running Google ads. This is a disappointment, since it is probably some of you checking out the advertisers on the blog as a way of supporting what I am doing.

Your support is always welcome and appreciated.

The Google ads were initial ran to help cover the cost and time of the blogs. I still believe in what I am doing as a good thing for my family, the country and the planet so I am continuing this blog and my other blogs and websites.

If you know of a some advertisers who what to place ads on the site to help sponsor the blog let me know. I want to take any money I get an reinvest it into more home energy and money saving projects.

If Google changes thier minds the ads will reappear.

Thanks,

Aaron