The Failure of Cash for Clunkers

Cash for Clunkers – or CARS, the Car Allowance Rebate System – was, on its face, a good idea. It was meant to revitalize the auto industry, get people into newer, safer, and more fuel efficient vehicles, and get many of those exhaust belching clunkers off the road. Naturally, the program was hailed as a success by DC despite being a failure and an administrative and financial fiasco.

The program was expensive, costing three billion dollars. In the midst of an economic downturn, the government didn’t just have that kind of money on hand. They had to borrow it, increasing the nation’s debt. Individuals taking part in the program were likely giving up a paid-for car and getting a car that will take years to pay off. So, not only did CARS increase the national debt, but also the individual debt of many participants.

The program failed to stimulate the auto industry. Instead of increasing car sales, it simply concentrated sales that would have taken place later to the short time that the program lasted. This created a void in auto sales later in the year. Also, many Americans used the rebate to purchase Japanese and Korean cars, further decreasing any potential gain for American auto makers.

CARS took in over 100,000 used cars and scrapped them. This decreased the used car inventory in the country. Simple economics: decreased supply equals higher prices. People shopping for a used car post-CARS are forced to pay more for a vehicle that would have cost less pre-CARS.

Many auto dealers received no government reimbursement or were wildly under-reimbursed for the rebates they had to front to program participants. And in some cases, dealers simply gave up on seeking reimbursement due to the complex and difficult nature of the reimbursement process.

CARS just created more debt and didn’t stimulate the auto industry. It was an expensive waste of taxpayer money and an utter failure.

Filed Under: Modes of Transportation Tagged With: , ,

The Conscientious Person’s Guide to Selling a Used Car

The car that you’ve been driving for years may seem like junk to you, but it might be someone else’s perfect solution for a small budget and urgent transportation needs. If you are a conscientious person, you will very likely be concerned with how you go about selling your car. You don’t want to sell someone a vehicle that might get them into an accident or cause expenses for which they’re unprepared. Several strategies will help you to create a win-win outcome.

Sharing All of Your Knowledge About the Car

First, share everything you know about the car with the potential buyer. If you were the first owner of the car and have kept all of the maintenance paperwork and receipts, show them to the prospective buyer. If the buyer has done his homework, he probably has a car report that tells him about any prior accidents or if the car has been driven in a flood zone. In the event of a prior accident, do share all of the details you can think of so that the buyer can make a decision that feels right for him. Additionally, any strange sounds or characteristics of the car should be explained. This will help the new owner to determine which issues should be addressed by a mechanic and which problems are a result of ordinary wear and tear.

Encourage the Potential Buyer to Do His Homework

Your main responsibility is to share as much as you know about the car and its history. Beyond that, you cannot predict what will happen when the buyer drives off with the car. To assist the buyer in his decision-making, you can encourage him to take the car to a mechanic he trusts for a full evaluation. Once the buyer makes up his mind to purchase the car from you, be sure to write out a bill of sale that indicates the terms of the sale. In it, you’ll want to include that the car is being sold “as-is” to avail you of any responsibilities should an unexpected break-down occur immediately after purchase.

Filed Under: Cars, Modes of Transportation Tagged With: , ,

What to do When Frustrated With Your Daily Commute

If you have a long daily commute, you might be feeling that you’re spending a large chunk of your life in your car. The reality is that you truly are. Even if you’re driving only an hour each way to work, that is two hours a day and ten hours a week. Across a month’s time, that is a full 40 hours or more spent in the car. If you feel frustrated with your daily commute, the problem can become unbearable. Short of finding a job closer to home, here are some strategies for removing the frustration from your daily commute.

Make the Most of the Time Spent in Your Car

In some cases, finding a job closer to home is impossible. If this is your circumstance, consider making the most of the time you do spend in your car. Play your favorite music in the car to increase your enjoyment and relaxation. Find a radio station that discusses topics of interest so that your mind is engaged and less focused on traffic hassles. If you want to learn about a particular topic, listen to educational recordings delivered by experts. These strategies will help to enrich your commute time.

Carpooling to Decrease Your Frustration

If your frustration with your commute is strictly related to your intolerance for driving so much on a daily basis, look for alternatives. Explore the potential of carpooling with someone from your workplace. You can switch off with the driving so that you can each get a break from driving. This strategy also gives you someone to talk to and reduces your focus on the commute itself.

Finding Alternate Modes of Transportation

Another possibility is finding other modes of transportation. It may be that taking the bus to work will make for a longer commute. However, if you can avoid driving and spend the time reading, sleeping or listening to music, you might find the commute to be more tolerable.

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: , ,

Purchasing a Used Car for a Long Distance Trip

Many reasons exist for purchasing a used car before a long distance trip. A high school graduate who is just starting college hundreds of miles away may want to buy a used car to drive to college. In other cases, a car may break down right before a planned vacation and needs to be replaced.  Whatever the case may be, here are some factors to consider carefully when purchasing a used car before a long distance trip.

The Risks of Traveling with a Newly Purchased Used Car

When you drive a newly purchased used car for your long distance trip, you endure greater risks. Anytime you are not familiar with a car, you will encounter questions and potential problems. An owner who has heard a recurring noise on his car, checked it out and knows that no real risk is present can drive the car with some measure of security. When you buy a used car and do not have this history, every new sound or odd occurrence can be a cause for alarm.

Additionally, unless you know and trust the previous owner of the used car, it’s difficult to have confidence that you’ve been informed of everything there is to know about the car. Car reports do exist indicating whether the car has been in an accident. In some cases, however, accidents go unreported and you might end up with a sour deal.

Ways to Protect Yourself With a Used Car Purchase

To protect yourself with a used car purchase, do order a car report to examine if any accidents have been reported and avoid buying a car with prior accidents. Next, take the used car to a trusted mechanic for a full evaluation before purchase. If you get a good report from the mechanic, you can have greater confidence in your purchase. As an extra safety measure, be sure to drive the car locally for as long as possible, to see if any issues come up, before taking off on your long distance trip.

Filed Under: Cars, Modes of Transportation, Travel Tagged With: , ,

Ways to Help the Environment When Traveling

Traveling is a necessary part of life. It relaxes your mind and rejuvenates you. For conscientious people, travel is uplifting as long as it doesn’t come at the expense of the environment. Driving a long distance with a suitcase-filled trunk can cause fuel waste. Using disposable products on the go leads to material waste. Taking advantage of hotel services that can potentially lead to waste is yet another example of an activity that negatively impacts the environment. As someone who is concerned about the health of the environment, here are some things you can do when vacationing.

Pack Carefully for Your Trip

Paying close attention to what you pack for your trip is important. A little bit of thought and planning will help you pack a lighter suitcase. Whether you will be driving your car or taking a plane, the heavier your suitcase, the greater the impact will be on the environment. More fuel is burned when transporting heavier luggage. Research the weather report for your destination and pack only the things you will definitely need. If you will be driving a long distance, clear out the trunk of your car as much as possible. Remove heavy objects from your trunk that you will not need and bring them into the house or garage.

Limit Your Use of Disposable Items

When driving a long distance, it’s easy to stop at fast food places and use large numbers of plastic utensils, paper napkins and plastic bags. Thinking ahead can reduce waste. Pack your own utensils and dishwashing supplies to use as opportunities permit. Decline the use of plastic bags. Bring your own recyclable bags. When packing camera equipment, avoid disposable cameras. Digital cameras also reduce waste because there is no film involved.

Environmentally Friendly Hotel Practices

When you arrive at your hotel, let the management know that you will not need your sheets and towels washed daily. This will save water and energy. Also ask the hotel management if they have a central location for sharing or recycling newspapers or other materials you may have picked up along your journey.

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: , ,

Should You Buy a New or Used Car?

Most people, when given the choice, would choose a brand new car over a used one. The only exception might be a car collector who has endless funds to surround himself with his favorite car models. If you can’t decide between purchasing a new car and a used one, here are a few factors to consider.

Buying a New Car

Maybe your existing car is breaking down repeatedly and it’s time to replace it. Everyone knows that when you buy a brand new car, its value drops immediately upon driving off the dealer’s lot. If you have the money for a new car or good enough credit to buy one, this may be one consideration that prevents you from running out and making a new purchase.  The obvious advantage of a new car purchase is reliability. You can also purchase a warranty that relieves you of financial obligations and provides for maintenance and repairs. Because of the reliability, many people opt for a new car purchase.

When Does Buying a Used Car Make Sense?

If you’re low on cash or consider the purchase of a brand new car a waste of money, there may be scenarios where a used car makes good sense. For one, if you can find a reliable used car that will endure many more years of driving without breaking down, you might have a perfect situation on your hands. Do your research for the best car brands and models. Read consumer reviews. Some cars really do last longer than others, so doing your research will make a big difference.

Additionally, it may be that you have a short daily commute. In this case, a reliable used car might do the job. A person with a heavy daily commute would run a used car into the ground. In your case, it may be years before you need repairs.

Filed Under: Cars, Modes of Transportation Tagged With: , ,

Examining Alternative Options for Your Daily Commute

Driving to work day in and day out can sometimes become boring and frustrating. If you’re looking to live a less sedentary lifestyle or to change your commuting routine, here are a few options.

Take Public Transportation

In many cities and localities, public transportation is a viable alternative to driving to work. Some public transit systems may actually save you money. In addition, by taking public transportation, you are helping the environment. Anytime you decrease the number of cars on the road, you prevent unnecessary pollution and fuel consumption. Riding the bus or train can often create a more relaxing commute than struggling through heavy traffic. You can sit back and read a book or just rest your eyes.

Ride a Bicycle

Riding a bicycle to work is an option if the weather permits and your work is within a reasonable distance from your home. If you can get into a regular habit of biking to work, even just one day a week, you’ll diversify your commuting routine and get great exercise in the process.

Walk to Work

Walking to your job is also an option if you live within a few miles. A nice long walk in the mornings and evenings can help to clear your mind and provide much-needed relaxation.

Organize a Carpool

If your office is too far away from your home, consider organizing a carpool. Ask your co-workers who live near you if they want to take turns driving to work. The more people you get involved, the less driving each person has to do. Carpooling is effective for saving gas and is good for the environment.

Telecommute to Work

Another alternative to a daily commute is to telecommute. Even if you work from home only one or two days a week, you’ll get the benefit of less daily driving and more time to devote to your work and family.

Filed Under: Modes of Transportation Tagged With: , ,

Car Headaches

Cars are absolutely necessary in today’s culture. They not only transport us from point to point, but allow us the freedom to travel on our own terms. Not to mention that sometimes it’s the only way to shop at the grocery store. It can be stressful when your car breaks down, especially these days when funds are tight for a lot of people. Here are a few steps and helpful hints to take into consideration.

1. Ask Friends and Family

It seems like there’s always that one friend or family member that knows a thing or two about cars. Don’t be afraid to pick their brain a bit before you decide to take you car into a shop. The problem could be very simple to fix, which will end up only costing you the price of the part and a little something extra for the family mechanic. Hey, even a plate of cookies could do the trick! If they can’t fix it or figure out what’s wrong, you’re not out much.

2. Make Friends With a Mechanic

Taking your car to a mechanic can be terrifying. You have to sit and wait while the fate of your car (and pocketbook) hangs in the balance. So first, ask friends and family who they recommend. Also, it never hurts to try and make friends with a mechanic. They really know what’s what when dealing with cars, so they are a huge asset when you are in desperate need of repairs.

3. Finding the Funds

There are some things that friends and family just can’t fix for free. So, if it comes down to it, there are steps that you can take to help yourself find the funds to pay for the much needed repairs. One great way is using a site like paydayone.com. There, you can apply for and receive funds quickly and painlessly.

Filed Under: Cars Tagged With: ,

Traveling On A Budget

You need to take a trip, or your want to take a trip. Maybe it is a business trip, maybe it is a family vacation. Either way, in this time of making every dime count, you want to find the most economical way to take your trip. If work is paying for the trip, saving them some money may get you noticed by the boss. If you are paying for the family vacation, who doesn’t want to save money on the trip, freeing up some more spending money for the vacation.  So break out your laptops and do a little research online to save valuable time and money.

The truth is, at any given time, different forms of travel may be the most economical choice. We immediately think that by taking our own car we will save the most money. Once you factor in stopping for food, stopping to sleep for the night, as well as the toll the trip will take on the car itself, driving may not be the most economical or practical way for you to go.

Obviously there are times when you must fly. That being the case, keep an eye on the airlines. See who is offering the best deal. Believe it or not, the fare can differ quite substantially from airline to airline, depending on where you are going, what day of the week you need to travel, and what time of the year you are traveling.

Taking your car is not always the best choice for the environment. Can you take that business trip with another associate, thus car pooling, saving money for both of you and doing your part to keep the environment a little safer. If you are traveling with one or two business partners, is a bus trip in order? With the amount of cars one bus trip can keep off the road, another form of environmentally sound travel. A little diligence goes a long way in preparing your trip.

Filed Under: Advancements, General Tagged With: , ,

It’s Electric!

Peapod, Electric car
Image via Wikipedia

It the heart of the economic crisis, many cities are trying to figure out a way to create more revenue for the government without raising taxes. One city in California has decided to try to create revenue through a very unique and environmentally friendly way.

Riverside, California has developed the idea of placing electric car outlets throughout the city. More and more people are starting to make the switch to electric cars because these cars are environmentally friendly and reduce the world’s dependence upon fossil fuels. However, many people are not making the switch to these types of cars because of the lack of outlets to plug the electric car into, which is why many Riverside property management companies, government agencies, and other places have come up with the idea of placing electrical car outlets all over the city.

These electrical car outlets can be found anywhere from parking garages, driveways, and even out on public streets. An electric car driver would be able to pull up to the outlet, swipe a credit or debit card in the machine, and get the electricity that their car needs to run. It is believed that the city would be able to profit from the demand for such a service. It is also believed that if the city of Riverside was more electric-car friendly, then visitors from other surrounding areas would be encouraged to make the trip to Riverside and shop at the surrounding businesses. This increase in shops and revenues would help the city and businesses owners.

As more and more people start switching to electric cars, and the demand for electrical car outlets grow, more cities will start to develop the concept of creating public electrical car outlets. It’s a great way to increase revenue for the cities and businesses while encouraging people to change to environmentally friendly ways to drive.

Filed Under: Cars, Travel
« Older Posts
Newer Posts »