Anysoldclunker, there comes a time when we all need to sell our well-loved automobiles. When the rubber hits the road, most of us would like to sell sooner rather than later, and at minimal cost. Besides, keeping lots of cash tied up in a clunker isn’t exactly a fun ride for anyone’s wallet.

To help you get your motor running and your car off the lot, I’ve put together this little 5-Step Guide to help you sell your car sooner and still score some cash from the deal. (For buyers, see How To Buy a Used Car.) Here’s how to sell your used auto using free online car classifieds:

1. Get Your Facts Right

I’ve bought a few used cars in my lifetime, and what turns me off faster than a dead battery is when the owner doesn’t know squat about the car they’re selling.

What’s the mileage? How often was the oil changed? Did your kid ever pee in the back seat?

This is all important stuff to know. And you’d better get your facts straight and your battery recharged before inviting prospective buyers over to take your ride for a spin. Knowing your vehicle inside and out is a sure-fire way to instill confidence in a buyer and entice them to drive away with your deal.

Here’s a list of features to know:

• year, make, model, trim level
• mileage on vehicle
• average gas mileage (see Gas Mileage Calculator for help)
• maintenance records
• mechanic’s contact number
• accident history
• power features (windows, locks, mirrors)
• tire wear, winter tires, rims
• air conditioning, heating features
• transmission (auto, manual)
• fuel type (gas, diesel)
• air bags
• stereo system features
• sunroof, moon roof
• interior/exterior condition
• VIN number (buyers may want to run a CARFAX)

Tip: If you’re not sure about your car’s features, then take a look at the owner’s manual. Chances are all the marketable features are listed in the index. Big love to all technical writers.

Check out the Gas Efficient Car Calculator to see if your current used car measures up to a newer model or cut your fuel consumption using these 10 Ways to Save Money on Gas.

Also, think about your ideal buyer — who is most likely to buy such a car? A new driver, a family, a single person, or a senior? Get your facts right to market your ride to the ideal buyer and watch them drive away with a smile.

2. Price Your Car Right

Yes, you probably love your car and have had some good times driving it around town. Butt (with two t’s) sentimental value doesn’t translate into a sale. Cars are not priced based on your emotional attachment, they are priced based on value to the buyer.

So how do you set the price right to get your car to move? Easy. Grab your used car feature list and surf on over to a bevy of beautiful internet web sites. Online classified sites like Kelley Blue Book, Craigslist, Kijiji, and even Ebay can give you some serious insight into the going rates on comparable vehicles.

Doing your homework by researching both the online and local newspaper classifieds is the way to roll before pricing your ride. When you’ve found the right price range for your car’s make, model, and year, be sure to factor these features into your selling price:

• Mileage: less distance equals more dollars.
• Condition: is the interior clean or stained and is the roof rusted?
• Special features: dog fur is not a special feature, but heated seats are a win for winter climates.

Other important factors that determine your car’s selling price are: gas mileage (how much does it cost to fill the tank and how far can you go?), vehicle location (a winter-driven car may not last as long), and who the driver was. Lady driven vehicles seem to market well, but it could also mean that the clutch is kaput. Yep, I’m a lady driver and I’ve killed a clutch. Expensive lesson learned.

Before settling on your selling price, make note of any mechanical or cosmetic upgrades and raise your price realistically. Is your vehicle still under warranty, does it come with upgraded rims, a rebuilt engine, a new transmission, a snazzy paint job, custom heated seats, or is the interior freshly detailed? Always keep this paperwork handy with all receipts and show all prospective buyers the goods.

Lastly, once you’ve found a fair price, go ahead and boost it by a hundred or two. Giving your buyers some negotiating room makes everyone feel good.

3. Write a Killer Online Classified

A well written advertisement has the power to sell your car, fast. Zoom! Plus, crafting a great classified the first time will help you target prospective buyers, saving you time by dealing with only relevant callers and emailers. A poorly written online classified won’t compete well with similarly listed vehicles.

5 Used Car Classifieds Do’s:

Write your classified ad right to sell your used auto fast.

1. Get the title right. Put your car’s make, model, year, price, and mileage in the title. Get qualified interest from the start.
2. List the selling features. Remember that list of features from earlier? Include these selling points in your classified ad.
3. Put your buyer in the driver’s seat. Describe who the perfect driver is for your used car. For example: A real gas miser of a car, perfect for a budget conscious driver or a student. Four wheel drive keeps you going in the cold, snowy winter months.
4. Set negotiating terms. If the price is firm, then say so. Used car classifieds often use these terms to describe pricing: firm, obo (or best offer), negotiable, and must sell.
5. Post a pretty photo. Classified ads with photos help buyers connect to the car. Take clear shots of the exterior and interior to show the goods. And only post clear shots. Photos snapped on a cloudy day have less glare.

5 Used Car Classifieds Don’ts:

Watch out for these big mistakes when writing auto classifieds.

1. Don’t list multiple ads with different prices. Want to weaken the sale, undermine trust, and confuse the heck out of shoppers? Then list multiple ads across many used car classified sites and ask for different prices.
2. Don’t photograph a messy car. Mess happens, but don’t post a photo if your car is dirty, filled with crap, or covered in dog hair. Get your car detailed or clean the car yourself.
3. Don’t lie. Don’t waste buyer’s time by trying to hide minor accidents, mechanical failures, or baby barf. If buyer’s take a whiff of a stinky CARFAX report, your deal is done. Misrepresenting the truth hurts your credibility.
4. Don’t overprice or change the price frequently. Buyers watch online classifieds for competing deals — so don’t go switching your price every few days to gauge interest. You won’t look legitimate.
5. Don’t ignore phone calls or emails. If you don’t have time to answer calls or reply to emails, then don’t list your car in multiple classified ads. A prompt reply shows buyers you value their interest.

Here’s the online classified for my little used car.

How could I have improved it? Easy. Posting a few photos of the clean interior would have enticed more interest, but since the car was priced right it sold in three days.

4. Advertise Your Car

I sold my 18-year-old Subaru Justy using free online classifieds. Here are the most popular options:

• Online auto classifieds: There are a number of online classified sites that allow car owners to sell their used car for free. Your country, state, province, or region may have a specific site tailored for your market — so ask your friends or query Facebook for the classified site nearest you. The most popular free online auto classified sites are: Craigslist, Autotrader, Kijiji, and Facebook Marketplace.
• Local newspaper classifieds: A printed ad will cost you a few bucks, so be sure to target your car correctly by getting the listing under the right make, model, and year.
• Tweet on Twitter: If you’re into tweeting on Twitter, then go ahead and broadcast the sale to your followers. If your ad has a bit of humor, you may just get retweeted. See 5 Ways Twitter Can Make You Rich for some helpful tweeting tips or follow @Squawkfox.
• Add a For Sale sign: If you’re still driving your well-loved auto, then post a FOR SALE sign on the rear window. Be sure to write your contact information clearly.

These are just a few ideas. Do you have a favorite online classified site to share?

5. Close the Deal

Know how you would like to receive payment before showing your used car to online buyers. Knowing your payment terms in advance can help defray any uncomfortable moments during the sale. Payment options include: personal check, cash, PayPal, or even via credit card.

This is also the time to stand firm on your price. If you’ve left yourself some wiggle room on your asking price, then go ahead and let your buyer knock you down a few bucks. During my car sale the buyer wanted to go lower than $1,600, but I didn’t budge on my price. I had a number of interested parties and I knew that my asking price was priced below other similarly listed vehicles in my area. So I stood my ground citing that the car was already priced for a fast sale.

If your buyer makes a reasonable offer, be prepared to say yes. Should a buyer offer a ridiculous amount, then don’t be afraid to decline the offer. Thank them for their time and move along to you next appointment, but be sure to leave them with your contact information in case they change their mind. It happens all the time after a “cooling off” period.

Lastly, be aware of your region’s paperwork requirements. Get copies of title transfer documents and environmental certifications to help close the deal on the spot.

Squawkback: Got any tips for selling a used car?

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

To help you count the days before you’re a mega millionaire, I’ve put together the Savings Calculator to get you reaching your money goals sooner. Depending how how much you’ve got saved today, it may be a matter of months or several years before you’ve got enough dough saved to buy a car, buy a home, or even retire! The Savings Calculator is a fun tool that shows you how every dollar saved gets you closer to money saving nirvana.

If you need some ideas to help you get even closer to your savings goals, check out 50 Ways To Save $1,000 a Year. There’s nothing like FIFTY money saving tips that help you to painlessly stash some extra cash without losing a limb or getting a second job.

How to use the Savings Calculator:

Step 1: Open the Savings Calculator.

Step 2: How Much You Have: Enter the amount of money you have saved today.

Step 3: Annual Interest Rate: Enter the average interest rate for growth of your savings. This number is compounded monthly.

Step 4: Savings Goal: Enter your saving goal amount. Go ahead and enter a million bucks! Dream big!

Step 5: Time: Enter the number of years or months you have to save. Play around with this number to find a monthly savings rate that is sane for your lifestyle.

Step 6: Click Calculate. The Savings Report displays below and shows your Needed Monthly Contribution to meet your money savings goal.

Also, find out how many years it will take you to become a millionaire! Just be sure to send me your best when you’re sunbathing in Bora Bora!

Do you have what it takes to become a millionaire? Got any tips to help others stick to their long-term savings goals?

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

Hate to be a downer, but even healthy people can get blindsided with sudden illness or life emergencies. I’ve been unable to keep full time hours since developing my own ailment, a “knee thing”. A “knee thing” is a highly technical (and mostly Latin) way of saying, “Ouchus Maximus! This thing requires surgery, expensive medications, and time away from work”.

My “knee thing” might have brought me to my financial knees if not for my knee-knocking emergency fund. In no uncertain terms, during this time, my emergency fund has saved my a$$.

What is an emergency fund?

An emergency fund is a stash of cash kept in an accessible account, usually a high interest savings account of sorts. This cash is saved for times of emergency need. Emergency needs vary from person to situation, but usually entail an unforeseen event where you must have a sum of money to get over the tough time. An emergency fund is not for buying a new pair of Jimmy Choo shoes, even if they are on sale.

Why should you start an emergency fund?

In a nutshell, s$it happens and bad things can happen to good people. Here are some tangible reasons to start an emergency fund:

• Illness: keeps you from working and earning money.
• Job Loss: high unemployment in your region, or cannot find work.
• Natural Disaster: house blown away in a storm.
• Death: loss of a loved one.
• Busted Hot Water Heater: home swimming in water.
• Fire: apartment burns to the ground.
• Busted Car Brakes: stopping the car is a good idea.

These are but a few “s$it happens” scenarios which could require a quick stash of cash to get you over the financial emergency hump. These scenarios vary in hardship, but all could use some extra emergency money to help.

How do you start building an emergency fund?

It’s neither rocket science nor “knee thing” painful to start an emergency fund. I started my first emergency fund by socking away $25 a pay, or $50 a month. As I built a budget, paid off debts, and cut variable spending, it became easier to save $100-$250 a month. My thought is it’s better to save a little than to save nothing at all.

A simple system to boost savings is to automatically move your money to an accessible (but not too accessible) high interest savings account earmarked specially for emergencies. You will earn a little interest as your fund grows.

How much stashed cash do you need?

This is a hard question to answer. A “financial advisor” once suggested I keep 3K, while a savvy financial friend believed 3-6 months worth of living expenses would keep me safe. The answer really is it depends on your living costs, financial situation, and level of comfort in knowing you have some financial stores for just-in-case situations.

If you’re blown away by these numbers, then start small with a little cash and slowly build. From my experience, it’s very settling to know there is a little moolah set aside for a rainy day, or a bum knee.

• To help you get started, here are 50 Ways to Save $1000 a Year

So what’s up with Fox?

The Foxy Squawker is scheduled for “knee thing” surgery this week. I may get a little behind in my email, moderating your wonderful comments, and general bloggy happy stuff. I do have some guest posts lined up for your reading pleasure, so there’s still lots here to squawk about over the next few days. I’m hoping to get the “good meds” so who knows where my writing will wander in the next while.

I’m very excited about getting better soon. You might even say, my surgery is the bee’s knees.

Dear Emergency Fund: You saved my butt so my knee could get better. Love Fox!

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

Some of these tips will score you instant dough, while other money saving suggestions require year round strategies to amass the moolah. Not every tip will be applicable to your situation, so pick and choose which money saving tips and strategies are optimal to boost your savings by $1,000 bucks.

Here are 50 ways to save an extra $1,000 a year:

1. Dine in. Eating out costs big bucks. Fatten your wallet by eating home cooked meals and you may just slim your waistline while you’re at it. Try these Cheap, Easy, and Healthy, Family Dinners for $5 to kick start your savings.
2. Brown Bag It. Stop spending mega moolah muddling your midday meal munching on take out lunches. Bringing a brown bag lunch to school or work every day will save your thousands this year. Try these Five Frugal Lunches for some ideas.
3. Latte Factor. Like a daily latte or coffee? These seemingly small drips of dollars can really add up! Forget the daily coffee break and make your own hot beverages to save lots of loot.
4. Raise Deductibles. Get out your policy and raise the deductibles on your car and home insurance. You’re not likely to claim the small stuff so choose a $5000 over a $500 deductible to cut your insurance costs by about 40 percent.
5. Buy a Cheaper Car. Pimping in a flashy vehicle? A smaller or less expensive model can save you big bucks and still get you from point A to point B in style.
6. Lose the Extra Car. Get creative and optimize the usage of a single family car to save huge money on insurance, gas, and car payments. You may be surprised how much money can be saved by reducing the number of cars parked in your driveway.
7. Ditch the Car. Buy a Bike. Ride the Bus. Carpool. I did this years ago and lived to tell the tale. I guesstimate I’ve saved at least 5K a year by riding my bike to school and work. I tend to carpool or ride the bus on rainy days. Since I’ve been car-free for 12 years, that’s 60K saved! Ka-ching!
8. Expunge Extended Warranties. Don’t buy extended warranties on inexpensive products like cameras and kitchen appliances. The only time a warranty makes sense is if a repair will devastate your budget.
9. Avoid Unnecessary Insurance. Skip mortgage and accidental death insurance as it only covers you in specific cases. Get life insurance to cover you no matter the cause of death.
10. Avoid Whole Life Insurance. Whole life policies are expensive for the policy owner and lucrative for the policy seller. Term policies, which cover you for a set period, are FAR less expensive. Here’s How to Buy Life Insurance Without Getting Screwed.
11. Don’t Insure Your Kids. I love kids, but insurance for children makes no financial sense. Buy life insurance to replace the income of the family breadwinner(s), those you are dependent on. Not your dependents. Here’s why your kids don’t need life insurance.
12. Get a High Interest Savings Account. Switch your savings account to a high interest account, like those offered through ING Direct. You can make 3-4 percent MORE on your savings a year, rather than the pittance most checking accounts offer.
13. Pay off Your Credit Card. Stop paying the bare minimum on your credit cards. Paying just the minimum (usually 2-3 percent) only prolongs the agony and increases the amount of interest paid to the bank. Save yourself over 20 percent in interest charges by fully paying off your credit card debt. Depending on your debt, you may add thousands to your wallet.
14. Get a Better Credit Card. Not all credit cards are created equal. Choose a credit card with no annual fee, understand your credit card’s benefits and risks, know how your issuer calculates interest charges, and learn how to benefit from introductory rates. Reading the small print will help you to make the most of your credit card and keep fees and charges to a minimum, saving bundles of bucks every year. Try these Four Steps to Choosing a Credit Card for help.
15. Watch Investment Fees. There are costs to investing your hard earned dollars. Learning how to minimize these costs can save you thousands in management expense ratio fees (MERs), trailer fees, and broker fees. Always read your investment fund prospectus to better understand how these hideous fees can eat up your fund portfolio returns year after year. If you’re investing in high fee mutual funds, consider a portfolio in index funds or exchange traded funds (ETFs) to better increase your returns and minimize your costs.
16. Look at Laundry Costs. Washing clothes is a repetitive task which can cost big bucks over the span of a year. When I stop to calculate the cost of laundry detergent, the power usage of clothing dryers, and the water consumption of washing machines I shudder at the total cost of cleaning filth. Learn How to Save Money on Laundry to minimize the expensive impact of filth.
17. Banish Bank Account Fees. Minimum balances, withdrawal fees, checking fees, paying bills fees, fees, and more fees. Why are you paying so much for banking? I dare you to add up all those tiny little dings you don’t want to look at and see how much you pay for banking. Compare your banking fees to other bank accounts and switch banks. I’ve been using a no fee checking account with President’s Choice Financial for years, and love it. Find a no fee checking account in your state, province, or country and live bank fee free already.
18. Axe ATM Fees. Getting dinged $1 here and there for withdrawing your cash can add up! Planning your cash withdrawals ahead of time can save you lots of dollar dings over the span of a year. Axe your ATM fees by sticking to your bank’s machine, only withdrawing cash a few times a month, and check your bank plan to see if there is a better fee structure for your banking needs.
19. Eat Less Meat. Where’s the beef? To save thousands in groceries try eating less meat in your family meals. You don’t have to go vegetarian, just try some meatless dishes a few times a week. Switching from animal protein to bean protein is a wonderfully frugal way to add some dollars to you bank account. Try soaking dried beans to become the ultimate money saving bean counter.
20. Pay Down Student Debt. New graduate? Finished your degree decades ago? Paying off your student loan is a sure fire way to reduce interest payments, saving you thousands. Try these 5 Tips for Paying Off Student Loans.
21. Manage Extra Mortgage Payments. For most of us, the mortgage represents our biggest debt. If you can manage, try making an extra payment to help end the loan sooner. Use the Loan Amortization Calculator to see the impact of how much loan interest can be reduced by paying down your mortgage sooner.
22. Cut the Cable. Television is expensive. Especially if you have special packages, customer loyalty bundles, and fee hungry features. Cancel the unneeded extras to save, or just cut the cable completely to maximize savings. Television may seem like a nominal monthly bill, but try adding up this expense over 12 months.
23. Cancel the Cell Phone. Roaming fees, text messages, minute overages. Cell phones can cost you big bucks over a year. Reevaluate your cell phone plan to save, or cancel your cell package to maximize savings. Should you cancel your cell phone?
24. Rent Less Apartment. Downsizing your rented apartment could save you money over time. Try renting a unit on a lower floor without a view, move to a building with fewer perks, or rent a basement suite. Renting a smaller place can also save you on energy costs.
25. Get a Roommate. Got a multiple room apartment or house? Rent out a room to a student or a young professional to jump start some savings. Sharing space saves on energy costs too.
26. Reconsider the Landline. If you have a cell phone, do you still need your landline? Many cell phone users work on the road or away from the home. Perhaps it’s time to ditch the landline to save on utility costs.
27. Maintain Your Car. Routine maintenance can save you a bundle by preventing major automobile repair costs. Follow your car’s user manual to keep up-to-date with oil changes, new air filters, and regular tune ups.
28. Save Money on Gas. Gassed by the high prices at the pump? Try these 10 Ways to Save Money on Gas to cut your fuel consumption.
29. Buy a More Fuel Efficient Car. Perhaps it’s time to trade in the gas guzzling clunker for a more fuel efficient automobile. Try the Should You Buy a More Gas Efficient Car Calculator to determine the break even point of a new car based on gas consumption.
30. Pass on Pets. I love my dog. But our fine furry friends can cost us a small fortune in food and veterinarian bills. If you need the extra stash of cash, it may be best to pass on pets. Learn about Annual Pet Costs before bringing fluffy home.
31. Use Condoms. When it’s time for sexy time, consider condoms. Health costs and babies are expensive. Preventing sexually transmitted infections is key to keeping yourself healthy, wealthy, and wise.
32. Negotiate Your Mortgage. Never settle for the bank or mortgage lender’s first offer. Always ask mortgage brokers for the best fees, terms and mortgage rate. Save thousands in interest costs. Try the Loan Amortization Calculator to see your savings.
33. Negotiate Your Salary. Getting a job offer is fun and thrilling. But settling for your first offer may be a mistake. Companies exist by keeping their costs down, hence paying employees as little as possible. When you get an offer, try negotiating for a little bit more. Try these 10 Tips for Salary Negotiation.
34. Plan a Staycation. Stay at home for your next family vacation and save on lodging, dining out, and traveling costs. Staycations involve visiting local attractions like museums, parks, festivals, and play grounds. Get to know your area and neighbors better by vacationing near home.
35. Switch to Exchange Traded Funds. When investing in your retirement, consider switching your mutual funds to Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs). ETFs have lower management fees than mutual funds. The less money you spend in management fees the more you keep in your portfolio. Try the Portfolio MER Calculator to calculate your total investment costs. You many just be surprised how much these fees eat into your returns!
36. Grow a Garden. Cut some cash from your grocery bill by growing your own food. Planting some common veggies can help save a bundle. Want some hard numbers? Follow J.D. Roth at Get Rich Slowly in his series: How Much Does a Garden Really Save? Don’t have space for soil? Here are 12 Vegetables You Can Grow in a Pot.
37. Switch to Cloth Diapers. The number of diapers a baby and toddler uses until potty trained is staggering. Calculate the cash spent on your baby’s poopy disposable diapers and you may just s$it yourself. Consider switching to cloth diapers to save some bucks. The biggest money savings can be found if you plan to have multiple children or can buy used cloth diapers. Trent at The Simple Dollar discusses his cloth diapering thoughts.
38. Buy Used. Need some furniture, books, or car? Why not buy used to save! Buying used goods not only saves on taxes, but saves you from spending top dollar on retail. Most of my furniture and nearly all of my books were bought used. It’s astounding the quality available if you’re willing to wait and buy used. Try these tips for shopping second hand.
39. Quit the Gym. Go for a Walk. What’s up with fitness club initiation fees, contracts, locker fees, and monthly rates? Joining a gym can be an expensive relationship, especially if your membership or contract is hard to break or goes on for years. Know your rights before joining a gym, be aware of the pitfalls, and do the math. Before paying a gym, consider these 10 Free Ways to Get into Fitness to save a bundle.
40. Love the Library. I love reading books. I love not paying for books even more. Save yourself on Amazon bills by going to your local library and signing out your books for free. Besides, the library offers more than just free books! Get access to videos, CDs, and audio books. Be sure to watch out for due dates and fines.
41. Get a New Job. Changing careers or finding a new job can pay dividends in the size of your paycheck. Boost your earnings to save more bucks.
42. Make a Shopping List. Curb impulse grocery spending by downloading the Printable Grocery Shopping List. A shopping list can help you stay on the frugal track and avoid expensively packaged foods, save time at the store, and helps you remember what healthy foods to buy. Easy.
43. Switch Home Heating. Is heating your home burning a hole in your wallet? If you heat with oil, perhaps it’s time to switch to electric? Your state or province may offer rebates and incentives for switching to more energy efficient forms of heating.
44. Sell Your Stuff. Are endless racks of CDs, videos, books, sports equipment, and stuff cluttering up your space? Consider selling some of your stuff to raise some funds and clear some space. Try selling through garage sales, local swap meets, and online through craigslist, Kijiji, and eBay.
45. Stop Buying Crap. Do you really need the latest gizmo or gadget? Resist the marketing muckity muck when advertisers launch crap, unveil crap, and convince you to upgrade crap. Crap is expensive. Learn to Just Say “No” to Crap before your wallet gets whacked by needless crap.
46. Leave the Liquor. Spirits can be fun. But lots of liquor can leave your pocketbook dry. Try drinking less alcohol to help boost your savings.
47. Shop Out of Season. Save some serious dollars by buying goods out of season. Buy winter boots in the spring, get wrapping paper after Christmas, and buy a bike in the fall. Buying goods out of season means finding end of season sales, reductions, and clear outs.
48. Shop In Season. Buying broccoli in January is crazy expensive. Buying fruits and vegetables in season keeps grocery costs down. Try shopping at local farmer’s markets and freezing perishables for the winter. Besides, food just takes better when it’s in season (source).
49. Use Your Benefits. Does your employer’s compensation package include medical, dental, chiropractor, massage, and other physical therapies? Since you’re probably paying a fee for this health care you’d be silly to squander the benefit. Be sure to visit the dentist and fix all your ailments by using your benefits. A healthy smile is priceless.
50. Claim Your Tax Credits. When doing your yearly taxes, don’t forget to claim your health expenses, child credits, and education amounts. Missing an exemption could cost you thousands. Collect all your receipts during the year so you’re not scrambling to prove your costs come tax season. I store my receipts in simple envelopes to help tame the clutter and confusion throughout the year.
51. Your Turn! What are your ways to save big bucks every year? Share your thoughts!

Saving an extra $1000 a year is not impossible. It just takes some strategies, creativity, and patience to amass the moolah over time.

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

Here’s the information you will need:

• Distance driven (Miles or km).
• Amount of fuel used (Gallons or Litres).
• Price paid for fuel.
• Want more information? Read the help.

Watch the Gas Mileage Calculator Video

Do you like?

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

To help go the distance and answer this gassing question, I’ve created the Gas Mileage Calculator to help determine the gas consumption of your vehicle.

My hope is you will save money on gas by knowing your car’s gas mileage and consequently working towards becoming more efficient.

Use the Gas Mileage Calculator to determine:

• Gas mileage in Miles per Gallon (USA).
• Gas consumption in Litres per 100km (Canadian).
• Cost per distance.

To use the Gas Mileage Calculator:

1. Open the Gas Mileage Calculator.
2. Under Distance Driven, enter how far you drove on a tank of gas. From the drop-down list, select distance in Miles or km.
3. Under Gas Used, enter the quantity of fuel consumed. From the drop-down list, select Gallons or Litres as your preferred unit of measure.
4. Under Price of Gas, enter the price you paid for gas. From the drop-down list, select $ per Gallon or $ per Litre.
5. Click Calculate. The Results display the Gas Mileage and Cost per Distance in both USA and Canadian measures.

Example Data:

Do the results surprise you? Do let me know what you think!

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

Since I don’t think cheap gas can be had anytime soon, I’ve decided to fill up on a few tactics to help counter the price at the pump. There are many simple ways to save money on gas by improving gas mileage that don’t require you to shell out for a hybrid or more fuel efficient car (although ideal for the environment).

In my quest to burn less fossil fuel I’ve also discovered some minor lifestyle adjustments you can make to help cut down on gasoline expenses.

Here’s how to counter high gas prices, improve gas mileage, and save money on gas:

1. Track Your Gas.

There’s no sense in complaining about high gas prices or looking to improve gas mileage if you don’t know how much gas you use. Besides, it’s impossible to tell if your attempts to save on gas are actually successful without tracking and measuring your fuel consumption and gas mileage. I have two methods for tracking gas mileage, the Pen and Paper Method and the ScanGauge Method.

Tracking Gas Mileage: Pen and Paper Method

I like simple. Tracking fuel efficiency is pretty simple with just a notebook and a pen.

1. Fuel up. Each time you fill your tank write down the distance you drove on this tank, the amount of fuel purchased, and the price per litre or gallon.
2. Clear trip odometer. Reset your car’s trip odometer to start measuring the distance before the next fueling.
3. Calculate. When you get home calculate the fuel efficiently for that tank. The miles per gallon (MPG) is the total miles for the tank divided by the gallons of gas used. I created a Gas Mileage Calculator to help you with the mathy math.
4. Record. Write and record these values in a notebook or logbook. My “better half” keeps this logbook in his car to better help keep track. You will soon see if your attempts to improve mileage are paying off.

Tracking Gas Mileage: ScanGauge Method

My “better half” is a bit of a gadget guy and went and got a gas mileage measuring device called a ScanGauge II. At first I was skeptical with this computer thinger. But since seeing it in action I’m kind of amazed by the very detailed information to be gleaned by gadgets like these. Basically, my “better half” hooked this computer into his Subaru (without any tools) and now measures fuel consumption, cost-per-mile (or kilometer), and much more in real time. It’s kinda cool.

If you are looking to save money, then the Pen and Paper gas mileage tracking method works just fine.

2. Drive Less.

The most fuel efficient vehicle is the one that is not running. A Hummer parked in the driveway consumes less fuel than a Prius driving on the road. It’s simple math. By staying home Saturday nights, walking to the gym instead of driving, reading a book over driving to the video store, and commuting to work or school on a bike you can save a lot of moolah on gas. You’ll probably save money on doing more frugal activities at home as well.

3. Take the Bus. Ride a Bike. Take a Hike.

I hate to call taking the bus, riding a bike, and walking alternate forms of transportation. Many cities and organizations refer to bus riders and bike peddlers as alternate transportation types. But to me, these forms of transportation are essential methods to keeping my wallet fat and my butt lean.

• Take the bus. Compared to driving a car, the amount of fuel used per person on a light-rail train or on a bus is astoundingly small. Commuting to work using public transit will save you a significant amount of fuel and wear-and-tear on your vehicle. It may not be super glamorous, but it is affordable. Plus, you can arrive at work somewhat relaxed, not having battled through morning traffic.

• Ride a bike. For shorter distances, consider riding a bike. Biking is very fuel efficient as bicycles require no gasoline to function. Plus, you’ll get to fuel up on more calories burned!

• Take a hike. If your final destination is close-by, then get on your walking shoes and hoof it! You’ll not only save on gas but you’ll save on parking costs as well.

I’ve been a wealthy and wise bike commuter for over 10 years now. I have a size 26 waist and buns of steel. Sure, getting into walking or biking mode takes a little planning, but the benefits of getting physically fit and saving big bucks are huge. Unfortunately, many cities in North America have done very little to support good public transit or have built little infrastructure to be bike-friendly. As the price of fuel continues to climb, my hope is this will change for the better.

4. Combine Trips.

Stop diving millions of miles doing millions of errands everyday. All this extra mileage adds up! Rather than spin your wheels and consume lots of gas, try taking a few minutes in the morning and plan your daily activities. Here’s how:

1. Start by listing all your fixed appointments.
2. Schedule all other non-fixed activities around your fixed appointments.
3. Get your car in gear and get everything done on one single trip.

You may just find you’ll end up saving both gas and time!

Tip: Plan your trip so the longest drive is done first. This tactic lets your car warm up properly and can increase overall fuel efficiency, more-so than making several cold starts.

5. Carpool.

Ready for some simple and frugal math? One vehicle traveling with four people consumes about one quarter of the gas as four vehicles seating one person each. Carpooling is an awesome method for increasing the number of butts sitting in your car while decreasing both the number of vehicles on the road and the gasoline consumed.

Even if you carpool once weekly with just one other person, you will still save ten percent of your commuting gas costs! Many larger towns also have carpool or “high occupancy vehicle” lanes which makes your commute both faster and cheaper. To arrange a carpooling group:

• Colleague connection. Talk to the people you work with and see who lives near you.

• Neighborhood watch. Talk to your neighbors and discover who drives near your destinations.

• Connect with carpooling services. Most bigger towns and cities have carpooling hot lines and websites looking to connect cars with people. Try the StumbleUpon Carpool Websites to get a handle on the information available near you.

6. Slow Down. You move too Fast.

All cars have a “sweet spot” at which they perform at optimal fuel efficiently. While this “sweet spot” will vary from vehicle to vehicle, I can guarantee it’s not at 90MPH! Whether you do most of your driving on a highway or in the city, the money to be saved on gas from slowing down is considerable.

• Highway drivers. When cruising on the highway, your car burns lots of fuel just punching a hole in the air. While breaking wind may sound like fun, it’s actually very expensive. The faster you drive, the harder your car has to work to just to move forward against wind resistance. Since your car’s work increases exponentially with the speed, slowing down just a bit can save a significant amount of gas and do wonders for fuel efficiency.

• City drivers. When driving in the city, most of the gas consumed is through acceleration. The constant speeding up and slowing down during city jaunts is the reason why city cars have inferior gas mileage to highway cruisers. To save in town, accelerate gently from a stop leaving lots of space between your car and the one in front of you.

Besides, slowing down is just safer for everyone on the road.

7. Maintain Your Vehicle.

Clogged air filters, sludgy oil, and under inflated tires are all things that will guzzle up your gas. A properly maintained vehicle can save you big bucks on gas, keep you safe, and increase the life of your ride. Some quick tips on better car maintenance:

• RTFM. Read your car’s freaking manual to schedule what maintenance needs to be done and how often.

• Get filtered. Change the air filter as scheduled, even if it looks clean. Tiny dust particles can easily reduce the air your engine needs to breathe, increasing the amount of gas it burns. It’s easy to change the air filter yourself. This involves opening a few metal snaps on your car’s engine. The car user manual should have detailed instructions.

• Get oiled. You will drive further on less fuel when your car is well lubed. The car user manual should say how often oil changes are required. Modern engines and oils can go longer distances with less changes. Just don’t neglect to change it!

• Under pressure. Check the pressure in your tires each time you get gas. Inflate your tires to at least the recommended pressure stated in your car’s manual. To increase fuel efficiency, try inflating to the higher pressure listed in the user manual. Just don’t go higher than the maximum pressure printed on the tire! Higher tire pressures will help save a bit of gas, but may result in a harsher ride on rough roads.

8. Idle Threats.

An idling car is an expensive gas guzzling vehicle. A car parked with the engine running can use anywhere from 1/4 gallon (1L) to 3/4 gallon (3L) every hour while doing absolutely no work. To help ease any idle threats to your pocketbook, here are some idling tips:

• Morning warming. When starting out in the morning, don’t let your car sit and idle to warm up. Start the car, wait a few seconds, and gently drive off. Modern cars warm up much faster and more efficiently when being driven than they do when sitting and idling.

• Stop sitting. If you’re going to be stopped for more than 30 seconds, perhaps turn the car off. If you’re idling to pick someone up or waiting to drop someone off, consider turning your car off.

Many cities in Europe have installed countdown timers at longer lights to allow people to turn off their cars instead of sitting and idling.

9. Lighten Your Load.

Harness the power of aerodynamics and lighten your load to improve fuel effiency and save. With these few simple tricks, you can get zoomy like a race car while consuming less gas.

• Lose the rack. If you have a roof rack on your car, remove it. Unless you are hauling cargo, roof racks add extra weight and increase drag on your fuel efficiency. Only mount a roof rack when it’s needed and you can save a lot on gas money.

• Got junk in your trunk? Are you packing lots of extra pounds in the trunk of your car? Remove it. Every extra bit of unnecessary weight burns extra fuel each time you drive up a hill or increase speeds. Return overdue library books, toss out the trash behind the seat, and remove the sandbags and chains from last winter. Not only will you save gas, you’ll also feel happier driving in a clean vehicle! Just keep the spare tire, just in case.

10. Telecommute.

Not everyone has a job or an employer who allows logging in from home, but if you can, try telecommuting. Working from home as little as once per week can save you 20 percent of your commuting gas. Telecommuting does require some discipline. The distractions found at home are different (and often greater) than those in the workplace.

Are you fuming over the prices at the pump? Got any suggestions for saving some bucks on gas? Got any fuel efficiency tips? What’s your gas?

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor

Laundry. It’s tricky to say something clean and refreshing about such a dingy, dirty topic. But dirty laundry is something we all have in common. We all spoil our shirts, we all stink up our socks, and we all stain our slacks. Laundry is also a repetitive task which can cost us big bucks over time. When I stop to calculate the cost of laundry detergent, the power usage of clothing dryers, and the water consumption of washing machines I shudder at the total cost of cleaning filth.

Over the long haul, it’s wise to wonder how much money could be saved by laundering differently with a few fresh techniques. Since I want to spot you some dollars and still whiten your wash, lets look at some ways to save money on cleaning laundry!

1. Laundry Detergent

When is comes to laundry detergent it seems the choices are endless. Many brands boast superior cleaning power, wacky ingredients, and sniffling smells. These brands can also be costly at the till. Try these tips to save money on your laundry detergent bill:

• Buy store brands. Name brand detergents are often more expensive than store brand equivalents, even though both do the same job. Why pay more for the marketing muckity muck and packaging associated with a brand name detergent. Stick with store brands and wash for way less.

• Get powdered. Powered laundry soaps generally cost far less than the liquid variety and also use fewer environmental resources during production. To avoid powdery residue on your clean wash, be sure to fill your washing machine with water and soap before adding your laundry. This method also helps liquefy the detergent powder more evenly into your wash.

• Go green. Here’s the quick and dirty on greener laundry detergent! A green detergent should be non-toxic and biodegradable. It must contain no petroleum based ingredients, no optical brighteners, and no dyes or fragrances (clean doesn’t have a smell). Ingredients may include corn and coconut for surfactants, soda ash and borax for water softeners, and sodium gluconate and sorbitol as a natural anti-redeposition agent.

• Add baking soda. Rescue the soda from your fridge and toss it into your wash. Baking soda is a natural deodorizer and works wonders on stinky gear and smelly shirts. Just add a quarter cup to your washing machine’s rinse cycle to use as a fabric softener and odor remover. To pretreat spots before putting clothes into the wash, try making a paste from a 50/50 mix of baking soda and water.

• Add white vinegar. Take a pass on greasy fish and chips and use your vinegar in the wash! Full strength white vinegar is an excellent cleaning tool for clobbering germs, bacteria, and molds. Along with baking soda, vinegar helps to destinkify and deodorize your smelly kit.

Tip: Add your laundry detergent and one cup of white vinegar and quarter cup of baking soda to whiten and brighten your wash. To remove leftover soap residue, try adding half a cup of white vinegar to the wash rinse cycle. Your clothing will smell clean and fresh. I promise, you won’t smell any vinegar after your clothing is dry.

2. Washing

Washing is a way of life. Unless you have kagillions of dollars, you’re unlikely to wear an outfit just once. So here are some ways to dwindle your washing bill.

• Wash only full loads. Stop doing half loads and start filling your washer to the brim! Half-full loads may use less water but they consume the same electrical power as full loads. Washing with the machine only half full is a sure fire recipe for flushing good money down the drain.

• Wash in cold water. Get out of hot water and save big bucks on your energy bill by washing cold. Save hot water washes for white towels, socks, and underwear. Some sites claim that as much as 90 percent of the energy used when washing clothes is used just for heating the water. By simply washing cold, an average family can save $70 per year on their energy bill. These dollars add up over the years! Try the Switch to Cold Water and Save calculator to figure your savings.

• Use shortest washing cycle. Choose the shorter washing cycles for lightly to moderately soiled clothing. Leave the normal to heavy wash cycles for the real dirty stuff. This approach can help to use less energy since the machine runs for less time. Over the year this adds up!

• Switch to a front-loading washer. Take a spin with a front-loading washing machine to save water, energy, and detergent. The efficiency of these machines is amazing. They require about 40 percent less water per load, consume up to 60 percent less energy, require less detergent to clean, and are more effective in removing water during the spin cycle – so less time in the dryer. These machines are more expensive to buy than top loading machines, but the savings do add up over the years. I am so saving for one.

3. Drying

Sometimes wet clothing needs a good drying. Here are some drying alternatives as well as ways to optimize your dryer.

• Hang dry. Get hung out to dry by skipping the clothes dryer. By using clothing racks in place of a clothes dryer you can save lots on energy costs. I’ve found my clothing lasts longer and fades less when hung out to dry. Alternatively, place clothing in a dryer for just 15 minutes on high heat to fluff, then pull out the still damp laundry and hang it to air dry. This leads to considerable savings. I hang and air my laundry in all seasons, not just in the summer.

• Remove lint. Keep your dryer lint free. A full lint trap doesn’t allow the moist air to escape properly, which slows down the drying cycle and uses more energy. While you’re at it, check your belly button too.

4. Ironing

Stop getting your wallet flattened by ironing costs. The irony is ironing can be done faster with less effort for less bucks by trying these simple pressing tips.

• Less dryer time. Rescue your wardrobe from the dryer sooner by removing your clothes promptly. Leaving clothes in the dryer sets terrible wrinkles, which require way more ironing time. I find removing ironables when still very slightly damp helps to lessen ironing time as well.

• Get foiled. Try inserting aluminum foil between the ironing board and the cover. This helps to conserve heat and gets the job done faster.

• Get spritzed. Get an inexpensive bottle sprayer and add some water. Spraying to moisten ironable items helps to soften wrinkles and requires less time to press.

5. Clean Conclusions

Getting dirty things clean doesn’t have to be a drag. By employing these few wonderful washing techniques, you can save big bucks over the years.

Do you have some tips for washing your wardrobe? Any tricks for saving cleaning dollars? Want to talk dirty?

	397 Ways to Save Money Spend Smarter & Live Well on Less By Kerry K. Taylor