Bounce Energy Savings

Cheap Mother’s Day Breakfast In Bed Recipes

Stephanie — Fri, 11 May 2012 15:00:07 +0000

Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 13th, 2012. Have you found a gift for your Mom yet? This year, why not make Mom a decadent breakfast in bed to show her how much you love her? It doesn’t take too much work to create these rich breakfast or brunch dishes for your mom, and it’s way cheaper than going out for all the crowded Mother’s Day Brunch specials around town. So roll up your sleeves, prepare some mimosas, and get ready to make an unforgettable breakfast for Mom.

Crepes are a simple dish that can be easily made sweet or savory, depending on what you use for the filling. For a savory filling like ham, cheese, spinach, or peppers, cook them in a skillet to get the vegetables soft and the cheese melted. For sweet fillings, try jam mixed with cream cheese, hazelnut spread, peanut butter, and sliced fruit such as bananas or strawberries. Top the savory crepes with chopped chives and the dust the sweet crepes with powered sugar for an elegant finished dish. Here’s a basic crepe recipe to help you get started.

Crepes (Recipe courtesy of AllRecipes.com)

Ingredients

2 eggs
1 cup milk
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 pinch salt
1 1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil

Directions

In a blender, combine eggs, milk, flour, salt and oil. Process until smooth. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour.
Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and brush with oil. Pour 1/4 cup of crepe batter into pan, tilting to completely coat the surface of the pan. Cook 2 to 5 minutes, turning once, until golden. Repeat with remaining batter.

These bacon, egg, and toast cups are a fun breakfast that your mom will love. It combines all the favorite breakfast foods in one convenient dish. You can serve these with a side of oven-roasted tomatoes to brighten up the dish.

Bacon, Egg, and Toast Cups (Recipe courtesy of Martha Stewart)

Ingredients

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
8 slices white or whole-wheat sandwich bread
6 slices bacon
6 large eggs
Coarse salt and ground pepper

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Lightly butter 6 standard muffin cups. With a rolling pin, flatten bread slices slightly and, with a 4 1/4-inch cookie cutter, cut into 8 rounds. Cut each round in half, then press 2 halves into each muffin cup, overlapping slightly and making sure bread comes up to edge of cup. Use extra bread to patch any gaps. Brush bread with remaining butter.
In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium, until almost crisp, 4 minutes, flipping once. (It will continue to cook in the oven.) Lay 1 bacon slice in each bread cup and crack an egg over each. Season with salt and pepper. Bake until egg whites are just set, 20 to 25 minutes. Run a small knife around cups to loosen toasts. Serve immediately.

Surprise your mom with this tasty dish of potato, bok choy, and shallot hash. Served in a cast iron skillet with a perfectly cooked egg on top, this dish shows off your cooking skills, and your mom will love how hearty this dish is. Serve with a small side of fruit to help cool down and provide some diversity for the palate.

Spicy Potato, Bok Choy, and Shallot Hash (Recipe courtesy of Serious Eats)

Ingredients

1/2 pound (about 2 medium) russet potatoes, peeled, split into quarter lengthwise, and cut into 1/4-inch slices
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon vegetable oil, divided
1 large shallot, thinly sliced (about 1/2 cup)
1/2 pound baby bok choy, rinsed, dried, trimmed, and roughly chopped into 1/2-inch pieces(see note above)
1 finely sliced serrano or Thai bird chili
1 teaspoon hot sauce (such as Frank’s RedHot), or more to taste
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 eggs
Hot sauce, Sambal Oelek, or hot pepper relish for serving.

Directions

Place potatoes in as thin a layer as possible on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with paper towel and microwave on high power until heated through but still slightly undercooked, about 2 1/2 minutes.
Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 10-inch cast iron or non-stick skillet over high heat until lightly smoking. Add potatoes and cook, stirring and tossing occasionally, until well browned on about half of all surfaces, about 4 minutes. Reduce heat if smoking heavily.
Add shallot and bok choy. Continue to cook, tossing and stirring occasionally, until vegetables are all well browned and charred in spots, about 4 minutes longer. Add sliced chili and hot sauce. Cook, stirring constantly for 30 seconds. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer hash to a warm serving platter and keep warm
Wipe out skillet and add remaining teaspoon oil. Heat over medium heat until shimmering. Add eggs and cook until desired level of “doneness” is reached. Season with salt and pepper. Place eggs on top of has and serve immediately with hot sauce, Sambal Oelek, or hot pepper relish.

If your mom has a major sweet tooth and just wants something sugary to go with the coffee you made her this morning, try making her these caramel sticky buns. Though they take a little while longer to make than the previous dishes, due to homemade dough, your mom will cherish every moment you spent proofing that dough and hand rolling out each bun. As a plus, it’ll fill your home with a delicious cinnamon flavor that will get everyone out of bed in the morning.

Serious Eats’ Caramel Sticky Buns (Recipe courtesy of Serious Eats)

Ingredients

For the dough:

6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter
1/2 cup full-fat yogurt, room temperature
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 packet (1/4 ounce) fast-rise yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons Kosher salt
3 tablespoons (1 1/4 ounces) granulated sugar
3 cups (15 ounces) all-purpose flour, plus more for working

For the filling:

1/2 cup (about 4 ounces) brown sugar, packed
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Kosher salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

For the caramel sauce:

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1 cup (about 8 ounces) brown sugar, packed
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 tablespoon rum (optional)
1 cup (about 4 ounces) chopped toasted pecans (optional)

Directions

For the dough: In a large bowl, heat the butter in the microwave at medium power until it is just melted. Add the yogurt, eggs, yeast, kosher salt, and sugar and whisk until the ingredients are well combined. Add the flour and stir with a wooden spoon until the dough forms a ball. Transfer to the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment and knead on low speed for 10 minutes, adding flour as necessary until the dough just barely pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Transfer to a large greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and allow the dough to rise until doubled in volume, about 2 hours.
For the filling: Once the dough has risen, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Roll the dough into an even 12 × 8-inch rectangle, with the long side facing you. Brush melted butter evenly over the surface, leaving a narrow border along the top long edge. Spread the cinnamon sugar evenly over the buttered area, using your hands to gently work it to the edges.
Starting at the bottom edge, roll the rectangle away from you into a tight cylinder 12 inches wide. Rest the cylinder seam side down and carefully even out the shape and square off the edges. Using a sharp knife, cut the cylinder into three even pieces. Cut each piece into three more pieces to create nine buns total. Arrange the cut buns in a well-buttered 8 × 8-inch baking dish. Cover the dish tightly with plastic. (The dough can be refrigerated overnight at this point.) Allow the buns to rise at warm room temperature until they are puffy and pressed tightly against each other, about 2 hours.
While the buns are rising, adjust the oven rack to the lower middle position and preheat the oven to 350°F. Remove the plastic wrap from the dish and bake the buns until they are golden brown and puffy, about 30 minutes. Transfer the baking dish to a wire rack and let the buns cool for at least 10 minutes, while you make the sauce.
For the caramel sauce: Heat the butter and the brown sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the mixture is bubbling and puffy, about 3 minutes. Whisk in the condensed milk. Simmer until the mixture is reduced to a thick saucelike consistency (the mixture should coat the back of a spoon easily). Whisk in the rum and pecans (if using).
Using a thin metal spatula, loosen the buns from the sides and turn them out of the dish (but do not separate them yet). Transfer them to a serving platter and spoon half of the caramel sauce evenly over them. Allow the sauce to soak in for about 10 minutes, then serve, pulling the buns apart with your fingers and serving extra caramel sauce on the side.

Note: The buns can be assembled the night before and placed in the refrigerator after arranging in their baking dish and wrapping with plastic. To bake the next day, allow the buns to rise at warm room temperature for 2 hours before baking as directed.

How To Save Money While Moving

efuller — Tue, 08 May 2012 15:00:24 +0000

Moving can be an expensive and a time-consuming undertaking. If you dread moving, join the crowd. Most people would rather swim with sharks than pack up all their stuff and move (even across the street). Yet everyone must face the music and move at least once during adulthood. Why not make the process a bit easier by saving as much money as possible. This strategy takes some of the sting out of the dreaded chore and helps you pay for moving supplies, fuel, or necessary household items.

1. Find affordable and sturdy moving boxes. Many grocery stores, beverage distributors, and home or garden stores provide free (or inexpensive) boxes and moving crates. You can also check on Craigslist for boxes or ask new neighbors if you can use their unwanted boxes. Don’t forget to utilize suitcases, trunks, roasting pans, and drawers to hold your stuff.

2. Pack as compactly as possible. Consider digitizing your movie, music, and book collections to limit bulk and save money. Without suffocating your possessions, fill each box as full as possible. Fewer boxes take up less space in the moving van and cost less to move. Pack each item securely in order to avoid breaking items that are expensive to replace. Use rolled up newspaper or linens and cleaning clothes as cushioning in boxes or as a protective between furniture in the moving truck. Wrap fragile items in linens, towels, or blankets instead of buying packing peanuts or wasting boxes solely to store linens.

3. Do as much packing and moving prep beforehand as possible. Start by packing rarely used items like holiday décor, fine china, and seasonal sports equipment. Disassemble the beds (tape the hardware to the bed frame so you don’t lose it) and empty the closets in order to save money and time on moving day.

4. Reduce the amount of stuff you need to move. As you start packing, separate the items you no longer need, want, use, or love. Consider parting with mismatched furniture, outdated fixtures, bulky area rugs, outgrown toys, and extra gadgets. Sell these items on Craigslist, eBay, or at a yard sale. With the money you make, buy something you really need for your new home.

5. Rent or borrow an adequately sized moving truck. Instead of overspending on a cavernous truck or making numerous small trips, pack everything into one load. Additionally, try to move when traffic is light, and avoid rush hour or weekend moves if possible. This tip allows you to limit fuel expenses and rental costs while speeding up the moving process.

6. Ask friends to help. Make sure they are reliable helpers who will show up on time and can carry heavy items. From these friends, you can borrow a furniture dolly, straps, ties, and other moving necessities like a vehicle or vehicle trailer, instead of paying for a moving company’s assistance.

7. Prevent expensive physical injuries. Evenly distribute the weight in each box for less strain. Use proper lifting techniques by bending your knees, not your back. Wear non-slip shoes. Know your limits. Moving day is not the time to show off muscles you haven’t used in 10 years. Drink plenty of water and eat a balanced breakfast for all-day energy. Injuries cost you more than time on moving day. They could also force you to miss work, so do your best to stay healthy on moving day.

8. If you must hire a moving company, look for a reputable business. Save money by packing your possessions before moving day. Clearly label each box to make unloading easier and more organized for you. For additional money savings, don’t sign a blank contract, move small stuff yourself, have them only heavy items or furniture, and make sure to pay by check or credit card (and not cash) for security reasons in case something happens during the move.

9. Moving into a new home is the perfect time to shed that unfriendly and expensive electricity plan you have. You should consider Bounce for your Texas electricity needs, as we provide competitive rates, excellent customer service, and superior rewards. And while you’re at it, check out our Move Center for even more tips on moving.

With these tips, you can save money when you move. Moving is stressful, and you eliminate some of the stress by simplifying the process, limiting excessive boxes, asking friends to help, and making the process as efficient and affordable as possible.

Get Your Home Ready for Summer and Save On Your Electricity Bill

brooke — Wed, 02 May 2012 15:00:53 +0000

Whether we are ready or not, summer is quickly approaching. Judging by the massive amounts of people squeezed together on restaurant and bar patios and in parks, people are trying to enjoy every moment of this awesome weather before the hot, humid summer inevitably sets in. In the south, not only does the intense summer heat force people to stay inside, but it also forces your energy bill to increase too. So this year, don’t get the summer blues over your energy bill — take some energy saving steps to get your home more energy efficient for these upcoming hot months.

Programmable thermostat. How many times have you left for the day and forget to turn your thermostat up? Keeping the house cool when no one is there just wastes energy and money. The beauty to using a programmable thermostat is that you can set the temperature you want for various times throughout the day so you never have to think about it again. Note: For the summertime, set the thermostat at 78 degrees or higher for a period of 8 hours or more to see true cost savings.

Keep your air conditioner in check. Heating and cooling your home makes up approximately 54% of your utility bill. So it’s important to keep your system maintained to keep it running efficiently. If not, your A/C unit will start declining in performance, which will then require even more energy to keep it running. Also, replace or clean out your air filters throughout the year. If a filter becomes dirty and clogged, your unit will have to work that much harder, thus requiring more energy, to push air through any dirty filters. When cleaning out filters, also clean out any debris in outside units. Same with the filters, if an outside unit becomes clogged, it causes a greater strain on the unit to function which uses additional energy.

Seal your doors and windows. According to the Energy Savers, air sealing is one of the most significant energy efficient improvements you can make to a home. So, check around your home for any potential air leaks, especially around doors and windows, and fill them with caulk and/or weatherstripping. Click here for information on how to apply each material.

Add insulation. Unless your home was built for energy efficiency, adding insulation to your attic will usually reduce energy waste and your energy bills. This is particularly true for older homes. Insulation protects your home from outside hot or cold temperatures, decreases energy lost through air leaks, and controls moisture. To get an idea of how much it will cost you, check out the Zip Code Insulation Calculator by Energy Savers. It will calculate your insulation cost estimates and a rate of return on your insulation investment. Note: Before adding insulation, it’s important to assess your home to inspect and evaluate your insulation. Go to energysavers.gov for information on how to inspect your current insulation.

Inexpensive Cinco De Mayo Recipes

brooke — Tue, 01 May 2012 16:04:17 +0000

Cinco de Mayo is a time for celebration! Many people celebrate this day with their favorite Mexican cuisine and a few margaritas. While the festivities are certainly fun, celebrating Cinco de Mayo at a Mexican restaurant can get expensive (and crowded), so an inexpensive alternative is to celebrate with your friends and family at home. Not only is it cheaper, but it could probably be a little healthier as well. So, we’re happy to offer up some inexpensive Cinco de Mayo recipes for you to enjoy.

Quick Guacamole
(Recipe courtesy of EatingWell)
Not only are avocados inexpensive this time of year (peak season is summertime), but they are good for you too. High in fiber, potassium, vitamins C,K, folate, B6, and heart-healthy unsaturated fat, this a perfect inexpensive side dish to any Tex-Mex feast you have planned.

Ingredients

3 avocados, diced (about 3 cups)
1 cup *Fresh Tomato Salsa (recipe below) or prepared salsa
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

Using a potato masher, mash diced avocados in a medium bowl, leaving them a little chunky.
Add salsa, lemon juice and salt; stir to combine.

*Fresh Tomato Salsa recipe
Ingredients

4 cups diced tomatoes (5-6 medium)
3/4 cup finely diced red onion (about 1 small)
1/4 cup red-wine vinegar
1-2 jalapenos, seeded and minced
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 teaspoon salt
Pinch of cayenne pepper or more to taste

Directions

Combine tomatoes, onion, vinegar, jalapeno, cilantro, salt, and cayenne in a medium bowl.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Chile Con Queso
(Recipe courtesy of EatingWell)
Nothing says Cinco de Mayo like a tasty pot of chile con queso! Plus with this healthy queso recipe, you can enjoy this inexpensive, delicious dip without the guilt! Even more so, most of the ingredients cost less than a dollar each, or may already be found in your pantry.

Ingredients

2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup pale ale, or other light-colored beer
1 1/2 cups low-fat milk, divided
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 3/4 cups shredded sharp Cheddar, preferably orange
1 10-ounce can diced tomatoes with green chiles, drained, or 1 1/4 cups drained petite-diced tomatoes
2 tablespoons lime juice
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon chili powder
Cayenne pepper, to taste (optional)
1/4 cup sliced scallions
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Directions

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring, until soft and beginning to brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Add beer and cook until reduced slightly, about 1 minute. Add 1 cup milk and bring to a simmer.
Meanwhile, whisk the remaining 1/2 cup milk and cornstarch in a small bowl. Add to the pan and cook, stirring vigorously, until bubbling and thickened, 1 to 2 minutes. Reduce heat to low, add cheese and cook, stirring, until melted. Stir in drained tomatoes, lime juice, salt, chili powder and cayenne (if using). Serve warm, garnished with scallions and cilantro.

Easy Fiesta Beans
Add a plate of simple refried beans for a tastier side to your Cinco de Mayo Tex-Mex meal with this easy and inexpensive recipe. Beans are super cheap to buy, plus they are packed with protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, all of which are essential for your body.
(Recipe courtesy of EatingWell)

Ingredients

1 16-ounce can nonfat refried beans, preferably spicy
1 15-ounce can no-salt-added pinto beans, rinsed
1/2 cup prepared salsa
2/3 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, divided
4 scallions, sliced

Directions

Position rack in upper third of oven; preheat broiler.
Combine refried beans, pinto beans, salsa and 1/3 cup cheese in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until the mixture is hot and the cheese is melted, 6 to 8 minutes. Spoon the bean mixture into a 2-quart baking dish and sprinkle with the remaining 1/3 cup cheese and scallions.
Broil until the cheese is lightly browned, about 2 minutes.

Southwestern Chicken Tacos
(Recipe courtesy of wallowa.com)
As the main course for your Cinco de Mayo Tex-Mex meal, this entrée is not only festive, but easy and inexpensive to make. Plus it is packed with protein, which helps build muscle, and fiber, lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels, and help control blood sugar levels.

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 (16 ounce) jar salsa
1 1/2 cups frozen corn, thawed
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
3 Roma tomatoes, diced
3 cups iceberg lettuce, shredded or thinly sliced
1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
12 – 14 flour tortillas

Directions

To prepare chicken:

Place chicken breasts in crockpot. Add entire jar of salsa. Cook on high for 4-5 hours or on low 6-8 hours. When chicken is done cooking, use two forks and shred into pieces.

To form tacos:

Heat corn and black beans in a medium size sauce pan over medium heat until warm. Warm tortillas in microwave for 10 seconds. Top each tortilla with prepared chicken and remaining toppings.

And while you’re celebrating the Mexican Army’s victory over French forces at the Battle Of Puebla in 1862, you can also use these recipes to celebrate Bounce Energy’s 4th Birthday!

Save More & Spend Less This Mother’s Day

efuller — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 19:10:11 +0000

She spends weeks every year picking and planning for your birthday, so why not return the favor this Mother’s Day with a thoughtful, planned gift? Fortunately for you, you don’t have to spend a bundle (of time or money) this year searching for the perfect gift. We’ve paired up with Groupon.com to offer you the best deals around. From flowers and chocolates to photo puzzles, aprons and jewelry, there’s a deal for you. Just click here to start looking through the awesome local and national deals. Check the deals often and shop early to make sure you get your mom a great Mother’s Day gift!

Bounce Energy Savings’ Most Popular Posts So Far This Year!

Stephanie — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 15:00:41 +0000

Bounce Energy decided to take a look at our traffic statistics to see which posts in 2012 have been the most popular with our readers. Here’s a roundup of our posts that have received the most attention so far:

It seems that everyone wanted to start the year off right, because Eliminate Credit Card Debt in 2012 is the most popular post of all time on the Bounce Energy Savings blog! We give you a few tips that give you a running start on conquering your debt, like sitting down and making a realistic plan by looking at your current finances and where you would like to be in the near future.

People also needed some Student Loan Tips for Lowering Debt. Your top resolution this year must have been to save money and reduce your debt! We went over one of the biggest confusions over student loans – private loans versus federal loans. This is also one of the most important distinctions to make, so if you’re still confused check out that post again. It may save you some money in the end!

In February, you guys were feeling frugally romantic because Budget Friendly Dates for Valentine’s Day was a top performing post! We showed you that you didn’t have to spend a ton of money at a fancy restaurant to show your Valentine how much you appreciated them. Who knew eating pizza off of your fancy china could inspire such a romantic evening?

February was also American Heart Month,and it looks like you guys wanted to reward the hardest working muscle in your body with some Cheap Delicious Recipes for Heart Healthy Meals! We gave you two delicious healthy dinner recipes that your taste buds and heart could appreciate, and we also did a follow-up post with More Heart Healthy Meals On a Budget with even more delicious recipes.

People have also decided to be a little crafty, because you liked the idea to Upcycle Your Old Furniture to Give It a New Look. Who knew that old dresser still had some life in it, especially whe painted in a bold and unexpected color! Along with the tips we give you, you should check out Pinterest for more posts of upcycle inspiration to keep your house stylish and save money doing so.

Were you guys thinking about ditching cable this year to save some money? Our post discussing Inexpensive Alternatives to Cable Television showed you that there are plenty of other options available if you still need your sitcom fix on the cheap.

Wow! Thanks so much for visiting Bounce Energy Savings so often. We will continue to provide our readers with posts filled with plenty of helpful tips and suggestions to help you save money all year long.

Save Money Eating Out at Restaurants!

brooke — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 15:00:17 +0000

Eating out at restaurants can be a tasty and fun thing to do. Whether you are with family, friends, or by yourself, it can be an entertaining time away from the house (plus no dishes to clean!). The downside, however, to dining at a restaurant is that it can be expensive compared to eating food prepared at home. So, with that in mind, here are some helpful tips on how to dine at restaurants and save money doing so.

Take advantage of restaurant specials. Many restaurants offer happy hour specials or similar promotions that offer a set list of drinks and food at a discounted price. Always check out the restaurant’s website (or call) to see if they have any specials running. If you’re looking for happy hour deals in Houston or Dallas areas, you can check Happy Hour in Houston and Dallas Happy Hour Specials to see if there are any good deals nearby.

Try a B.Y.O.B. restaurant. One of the most expensive items at a restaurant is the alcohol. One easy way to save money is to visit a BYOB (Bring Your Own Beverage) restaurant that allows you to bring in your own alcohol (typically just wine). Most likely you will be charged a corkage fee, but it is still typically a lot less money than ordering it at the restaurant.

Embrace gift certificates. Nowadays, there are many different websites that offer discounted gift certificates and other special daily deals to save money. For example, at Restaurant.com, you can buy a $25 gift card for only $10! Also, there are sites like Groupon and Living Social that offer discounted gift certificates as well as other deals.

Be a “loyal” customer. Many restaurants offer a loyalty program where you can sign up to receive emails with exclusive specials and sometimes freebies to save money. If you have a favorite restaurant or two, check to see if they have an email list to join.

Use restaurant rewards programs. Sites like Opentable.com and iDine.com offer a FREE rewards program to earn some money. At Opentable, you receive 100 points for every reservation you make and honor. You can then receive a $20 certificate on your next dining experience once you hit 2,000 points. It may take a while to accumulate the points, but every bit helps. As for iDine.com, just link your credit card to the site, fill out a survey about your restaurant experience, and then start earning 5%-15% back every time you dine.

Find Savings With Coupons.com

efuller — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 15:44:24 +0000

Finding, organizing and keeping track of coupons isn’t always the easiest task, but with coupon sites like coupons.com, finding great deals is fast and easy. Before you head to the store, check coupons.com and print out your coupons right there whenever you are ready — no more searching around for them on your way to the shop.

Right now, coupons.com has great deals on several everyday products including:

But, hurry! These deals only last through April 30. Check back next month for more great deals from Coupons.com.

Getting More Miles Per Gallon Out of Your Vehicle

Stephanie — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:56:55 +0000

As gas prices continue to rise across the nation, many drivers are looking for ways to get better gas mileage. The math is simple: if you can coax more miles per gallon of gasoline out of your car or truck, you can then fill your tank less often, which quickly leads to you saving money. Thus, we’ve collected a range of driving, planning, and car maintenance tips you can use to conserve gas and help your vehicle perform at its best.

1. Use overdrive gears or cruise control whenever possible.

Using overdrive gears slows the speed of your engine, thus helping you conserve how much gas you are using. Cruise control forces you to maintain a constant speed on the highway, which also helps your car’s miles per gallon (mpg).

2. Avoid idling.

If you leave your engine idling while your vehicle is parked, you will burn up to half a gallon of gasoline each hour. Vehicles with larger engines and air conditioning units may burn more. To conserve fuel, turn your engine off when your vehicle is in park.

3. Remove excess weight from your vehicle.

One hundred pounds of extra weight will decrease your fuel economy by as much as 2 percent. Remove unnecessary items from your vehicle whenever possible.

4. Do not drive faster than the speed limit.

Different types of vehicles will reach their optimum fuel economy at varying speeds. However, when you drive faster than 60 mph, your fuel economy will begin to decrease rapidly. To avoid losing fuel at higher speeds, try to drive at or below the speed limit.

5. Avoid aggressive driving tactics.

If you regularly engage your brakes, speed, or accelerate rapidly, you will waste more gasoline. In fact, employing such aggressive driving tactics will lower your mpg by as much as 5 percent in cities and 33 percent on the highway. Drive sensibly to save gasoline and stay safe.

6. Use the proper grade of motor oil.

When you follow your manufacturer’s recommendations for choosing motor oil, you can improve your fuel economy by as much as 2 percent. In addition, try to choose motor oil that contains friction-reducing additives.

7. Keep tires inflated with the right amount of pressure.

Maintaining the right amount of pressure in all of your tires will improve your mpg by as much as 3.3 percent. Furthermore, tires that are properly inflated will last longer and keep you safer. You can find your vehicle’s ideal tire pressure in the owner’s manual, on a sticker in the glove box, or on the driver’s side doorjamb.

8. Maintain your engine.

Performing regular maintenance on your engine will keep your mpg at its optimum level. If your vehicle has already failed an emissions test or needs a tune-up, performing the necessary repairs can improve fuel economy by as much as 4 percent. If you fix a serious problem, your mpg may improve by as much as 40 percent.

9. Combine your trips to conserve gasoline.

If you are traveling to multiple locations during the day, try to make all of your trips at once. Starting a cold engine several times in the same day is a waste of fuel. Running all of your errands at once with a warm engine can improve your fuel economy for that day by as much as 50 percent.

10. Avoid rush hour.

Try to plan travel times so that you avoid rush hour. Sitting in rush hour traffic wastes time as well as fuel, so try to travel during non-peak hours instead. Admittedly, this is one of the more difficult of our tips to achieve on a regular basis, especially for those of us who work in a large metropolitan area, but you can always try to locate a route to-and-from work that doesn’t entail driving on the highway.

How to File Your Taxes at the Very Last Minute — or Beyond

Stephanie — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Maybe you don’t have enough time to finish filling out your forms. Maybe you have filled out the forms, but don’t have the money to pay the refund request. Or maybe the deadline passed and you completely forgot to file. Whatever the case, the clock is ticking towards midnight on the night taxes are due (this year, it’s April 17, 2012), and you’re really nervous. That’s understandable, but don’t throw in the towel and certainly don’t panic. You still have options, and we’re here to help you.

Get an extension

If it’s still before the tax deadline, and you can’t complete your forms, you can request an extension from the IRS. Getting an extension will give you an additional six months to file, which will give you a lot of breathing room. If you are living outside of the country, you may be able to receive even more time. To request an extension, you just have to fill out a simple form – Form 4868: Application for Automatic Extension of Time. If you are using tax-preparation software or filing through an online service, this form should be included. If you need a paper copy, you can download it from the IRS site.

You can file Form 4868 electronically through your tax software or tax preparer, or you can mail a paper form to the address shown on the form instructions. You must send in this form before the tax deadline.

There is a catch, though. To request an extension, you have to include a tax payment. Even though you haven’t finished filling out your forms, you still have to estimate what you owe and send in part or all of your estimated payment. You can pay by credit card, debit card, electronic transfer from a bank account, check, or money order.

Penalties for filing an extension

If you include all the money you owe with your request for an extension, then you won’t have to pay any penalties. However, you will have to pay interest for any payments made after the tax deadline. The penalty is usually 0.5 to 1 percent per month of the amount paid late, unless you can demonstrate that you had what the IRS considers a reasonable reason for not paying on time.

If you are owed a refund

If you will be getting a refund, you don’t need to file a request for an extension. You have three years, past the tax deadline date, to file for the refund.

State taxes

Don’t forget to request an extension of time from your state if you are also unable to file your state tax forms in time. You can get the information and forms from your state’s tax board website.

If you cannot pay the tax you owe

If you complete your return before the tax deadline, but you can’t pay the full amount of your taxes, don’t request an extension. Instead, file your forms before the deadline, and pay as much as you can. The IRS will send you a bill for the remainder. You can set up an installment plan by going to the main page of the IRS site, clicking on “More” under “Tools,” and clicking “Online Payment Agreement.” The instructions there will walk you through the process. The IRS says that if you are unable to make a payment, you should call them at 1-800-829-1040 to “discuss your options.” In some cases, if you cannot pay the full amount you owe, the IRS may compromise on a lesser amount.

Filing taxes late

If the tax deadline has already passed, you should file your return anyway, as soon as you can. The earlier you pay what you owe, the less the IRS will charge you in interest and penalties.

If you are unable to file the return, at least call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. If you neither contact them nor file a return, the IRS can file a “substitute return” for you, which will not be to your advantage.

Penalties

Whether you file a request for an extension or not, payments made after the tax deadline will be charged interest, as described above. In addition, if you don’t file an extension and submit your return late, there will be an additional late-filing penalty of about 5 percent of the taxes owed. If you file the return more than 60 days late, the minimum penalty will be equal to the tax that you owe or $135, whichever is less.

The best thing you can do is request an extension and pay as much as you can of the estimated tax before the tax deadline passes. If you have to file after the deadline, the sooner you do it, the better. Missing the deadline isn’t a disaster, but ignoring the IRS afterwards might be.