100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #94

Build your opt-in e-mail list using an FFA (free-forall links page). People can submit links to your links page and you can send them a thank you e-mail. For example, you could say, "Thanks for placing a link on my web site. I would also like to tell you about a new product we just released…"

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #93

Make your web site worth revisiting. Give your visitors original content, free e-books, information
web site links, free useful software, etc. For example, if thousands of other web sites are promoting the same free e-book and that's what you're promoting too, people are likely to have already downloaded it and won't visit your web site.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #92

Switch your marketing plan when your market dies for your product. Be flexible and redesign your
product for a different market. For example, if your e-book is about starting an accounting business, you could rewrite it for a gardening business.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #91

Make extra revenue by selling advertising space on your web site, in your e-zine, in your free e-books, on your classified ad site, etc. For example, you could have a list of all the spaces your visitors could advertise and the price of each space.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #90

Start a free-to-join business association from your web site. Just ask all members to place your
association logo and link on their web site. For example, if you had 1000 members, that would be
1000 people indirectly promoting your web site without paying them affiliate commissions.

Cut Your Energy Bills - part 2

Thursday, September 3, 2009

provided by

4. Electricity Use

Annual Savings $300

Between lights, electronics, and appliances, electricity accounts for almost 40 percent of the average home's energy use. But there are ways to cut back in each category without sacrificing.

By changing 10 bulbs and replacing three major appliances with energy-efficient models, you can save hundreds per year. As our survey found, many American are already taking advantage of those savings. Almost two-thirds have replaced an incandescent lightbulb with a CFL. As for appliances, 34 percent of respondents told us they've upgraded to an energy-efficient model. It doesn't make sense to pitch a perfectly good appliance or electronic item, but if you're in the market for a new one, the type you choose can make a difference. For example, side-by-side refrigerators use more energy than top- or bottom-mounts, top-loading washers use more electricity and water than front-loaders, and plasma TVs use more electricity than LCD sets.

More from ConsumerReports.org: • Don't Get Bitten by Credit-Card Changes • The Fine Print on Job-Loss Protection • Would You Buy That Mattress Again?

Easy, Low-Cost Solutions

Plug electronics into power strips with built-in sensors that automatically shut off devices that aren't in use. Set your computer to hibernate. Use LED holiday string lights. Turn off lights when you leave a room.

Energy All-Stars

The EcoSmart 423-599 240EDXO-14 compact fluorescent bulb was the top performer in our tests. It replaces a 60-watt standard incandescent bulb and costs only $1.50.

The GE WCVH6800J, an $800 front-loading washer, scored excellent in both water and energy efficiencies, saving up to $125 per year over a traditional top-loader.

Good News: You're Being Audited!

More from Yahoo! Finance: • The 10 Most Expensive Cars on the Road • 13 Simple Ways to Lower Your Electric Bill • What Your Dollar-Value Meal Really Costs Visit the Family & Home Center

Unlike the IRS version, a home-energy audit can save you money. It provides a comprehensive assessment of your home's heating, cooling, and distribution systems; an insulation checkup; and a review of your energy bills. A well-trained auditor will also interview you to correct any inefficient behaviors. Audits have proven so effective at curbing energy use that Austin, Texas, requires home sellers to share their results with buyers.

Costs Vary

Certified auditors charge from $300 to $800. But you might not have to pay anything. Some local utilities offer free audits. If not, consider doing it yourself, especially if you think your home is relatively efficient. The Department of Energy's Web site, at www.energysavers.gov, has detailed information on do-it-yourself energy audits and links to finding local auditors. If the results of your DIY audit look bad, hire a professional for a more detailed assessment.

Check Credentials

Those who are certified by the Building Performance Institute (BPI) or the Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) have undergone thorough training and will probably use a calibrated blower door and an infrared camera. Those tools enable the auditor to quantify the amount of air leakage and the probable effectiveness of any air-sealing job.

Though RESNET stops with the audit, BPI also has certified contractors who are trained to make necessary fixes, plus third-party inspectors who ensure compliance with BPI standards.

Bottom Line

Not all energy-saving projects are equal. So have the auditor prioritize any suggested work by savings and payback time.

Also remember that not everyone who hangs a green shingle has the training to identify inefficiencies. There are eco-consultants, who might charge $99 for a 60-minute walk-through of your home, pointing out leaky faucets and inefficient lightbulbs. Then there are general contractors who see energy efficiency as the one bright spot in an otherwise shrinking industry. Last but not least are single-product salespeople. "Homeowners have been hearing forever that replacing their windows can save 40 percent," says Chandler von Schrader, head of the Environmental Protection Agency's Home Performance with Energy Star program. "These claims aren't justified and they create a false expectation."

Energy Tax Credits At a Glance

Uncle Sam wants you to save energy, and he's putting his money where his mouth is. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 includes tax credits for making your home more energy efficient. The credits cover 30 percent of projects finished in 2009 and 2010, up to $1,500 per year for most projects. But they don't include installation costs for insulation, sealing air leaks, windows, doors, and roofs. Solar, wind, and geothermal projects qualify for up to 30 percent of their cost, not just $1,500.

Unlike deductions, tax credits directly reduce the amount of tax you owe. If the project involves renewable energy, such as solar or wind, the cap is waived and the credit can be carried over to future years. If you're subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax, you might want to get your project done in 2009 because the tax credits will be limited by the AMT in 2010 unless Congress changes the law. To claim the credits, you'll need to file IRS Form 5695 with your taxes for the year in which the job was completed.

Be sure to keep a copy of the Manufacturer's Certification Statement and all receipts and itemized bills. Actual costs and savings will vary depending on the size, age, location, and condition of your home.

Federal energy tax credits don't cover appliances, programmable thermostats, and room air conditioners, but state governments and utility companies often offer rebates on energy-efficient models. For more information, go to the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency, at www.dsireusa.org.

finance.yahoo.com

Cut Your Energy Bills - part 1

Thursday, September 3, 2009

provided by

You can save $1,500 with these 4 strategies

Most homes, including yours, waste energy. That inefficiency is costing you plenty, but it doesn't have to.

Even if you've already switched to compact fluorescent bulbs and retired the refrigerator in the basement, there's more you can do. Some of the simplest projects, such as adding insulation and sealing cracks and ductwork, can yield the biggest savings. And thanks to new federal tax credits, it will take less time for those projects to pay for themselves.

More from ConsumerReports.org: • Don't Get Bitten by Credit-Card Changes • The Fine Print on Job-Loss Protection • Would You Buy That Mattress Again?

Yet in a recent nationally representative Consumer Reports survey of 2,014 Americans, only 12 percent had added or upgraded their home's insulation in the last three years. Just a paltry 5 percent had insulated their heating and cooling ductwork.

Conflicting and confusing claims can make it hard to know where the real savings are. So we've examined the claims across four key categories -- heating and cooling, water, recycling, and electricity -- and ordered them by potential money and energy savings based on national rates for electricity, gas, and water. We've also mined our survey data to figure out what consumers are doing and where there's room for improvement. The result is a road map for taking your home's energy efficiency to the next level.

1. Heating and Cooling

Annual Savings $550

More from Yahoo! Finance: • The 10 Most Expensive Cars on the Road • 13 Simple Ways to Lower Your Electric Bill • What Your Dollar-Value Meal Really Costs Visit the Family & Home Center

Approximately 40 percent of residential energy bills are for heating and cooling. That's also where you can reap the greatest savings. In the winter, warm air inside your home rises and escapes into the attic through holes and gaps. It's replaced by colder exterior air that's pulled in through cracks and gaps in the lower levels. That leads to drafty, uncomfortable rooms and high energy bills, even in newer homes. "There's a huge gap between what's in the building code and what's needed for optimal energy efficiency," says Frank O'Brien-Bernini, chief sustainability officer for Owens Corning, an insulation manufacturer.

Eliminate Leaks

Use a combination of caulk, foam board, expandable sealant, and weather stripping to fill gaps. Attics in particular are often full of holes from recessed lights, electrical wiring, chimney chases, and more. Look for dirty insulation, which is a sign of air leaks. In the basement, check for gaps around ductwork and plumbing pipes. And don't forget about window and door frames, as well as electrical outlets and switches. Cracked caulking and staining around those openings are indications of air leaks. One trick of the trade: Turn on all of the exhaust fans in the home and then use an incense stick or smoke pen to spot leaks. Or try that without the fans on a windy day.

Check Insulation Levels

If your attic has less than 11 inches of fiberglass or rock wool or 8 inches of cellulose, you would probably benefit by adding more. Also check for missing insulation, over the attic hatch, for example. Compressed insulation loses its effectiveness, so don't store things on top of it. You may also need to add insulation in the basement or crawl space. Go to www.energysavers.gov and search for "ZIP code insulation program" to find specific recommendations for your area.

Shades of Green

Here's a snapshot of those green measures that have been embraced and those that still have a ways to go.

Correct Ductwork

It's the last step, and the one that's the most overlooked. Spending $500 to seal leaky or poorly insulated ducts that run through crawl spaces, attics, or other unconditioned areas can save you about $400 per year, according to the Energy Efficient Rehab Advisor, an online calculator available at www.rehabadvisor.pathnet.org. Remediation is dirty work that requires the right materials. Leave it to a qualified heating and cooling pro.

A buttoned-up house won't leak energy, but you should still have your heating and cooling equipment inspected annually, and change furnace and A/C filters monthly. A programmable thermostat is also worth every penny. By automatically lowering your heating-system thermostat 5 to 10 degrees at night and during the day if no one is home, the device will shave up to 20 percent off of your heating costs. It can also save on cooling costs. In our survey, roughly six in ten respondents with a programmable model have seen savings. But you need to stick to those settings to save.

Easy, Low-Cost Solutions

Lock double-hung windows to prevent air from escaping. Open curtains on south-facing windows on cold days to let in the sun.

Energy All-Stars

The Lux Smart Temp Touch Screen TX9000TS programmable thermostat, $80, was especially easy to operate and maintains steady temperatures. The screen on the $55 Hunter Set & Save 44360 was easier to read than most. Some tested thermostats were so difficult to use that you might end up using more energy.

2. Water Consumption

Dollar Savings $400

If you're not already aware of your household's water use, you will be soon. Almost four in five states anticipate water shortages by 2013, which could lead to steeper rates and penalties for excessive use. When it comes to showering and washing dishes and clothes, you're also paying to heat the water.

Stop Drips

It's the fastest way to conserve, saving the average household about $70 a year. Next, upgrade to water-efficient fixtures. Low-flow showerheads can save as much as $265 per year on water bills. "A $30 showerhead can save more money than $3,000 worth of solar panels," says Charlie Szoradi, of Green and Save, a company based in Devon, Pa., that analyzes the payback of energy-efficiency projects. Switching to a low-flow toilet, which uses 1.28 gallons per flush compared with the 3.5 to 5 gallons of a 15-year-old or older model, can save $90. Also check for utility rebates.

Watch the Water Heater

Lower the temperature to 120° F and insulate your hot-water pipes. If your unit is more than a decade old, do your research now. That way you'll get a new unit that has a long warranty and is sized appropriately, not whatever's on the truck of the only plumber who calls you back when your old heater breaks.

Easy, Low-Cost Solutions

Insulate your water heater. Don't prerinse dishes before loading them into the dishwasher. Add an aerator to faucets.

Energy All-Stars

Kohler's Cimarron K-3609 toilet, $300, excelled in our solid and liquid tests and used 1.28 gallons per flush.

Our testers described the watersaving American Standard FlowWise Dual Function 1660.717 showerhead, $50, as refreshing and stimulating. The Moen Inspire 21777, also $50, used slightly more water but has more settings.

3. Recycling

Dollar Savings $250

Though recycling saves the least money, it generated some of the highest results in our survey. Two-thirds of people said they recycle paper and plastic, and over half recycle metal and glass -- proof that being green isn't just about saving green.

Rewards and Penalties Initiated

RecycleBank, which is now used by a million people across 20 states, lets you put all of your recyclables in one container instead of separating them by type. Then it weighs the container and issues rewards or points redeemable at local retailers. The average household gets $250 worth. "Pay As You Throw" programs, in 7,100 communities nationwide according to Skumatz Economic Research Associates of Superior, Colo., treat trash like a utility: Homeowners are charged for the garbage they throw out. And if you're not redeeming bottle deposits, you're not alone. Millions of dollars are unclaimed every year.

Nontraditional Recycling Is Low

Our survey revealed less widespread recycling rates for items such as batteries (32 percent), printer cartridges (30 percent), small electronics (17 percent), CFLs (16 percent), and large electronics (12 percent). Some of the most common reasons for throwing items away instead of recycling them were that people didn't think the item could be recycled or they didn't have enough information to do so. But just about everything that comes into the home can be recycled. The Web site Earth911.com lists more than 100,000 recycling locations, which can be searched by material and ZIP code. If you come up empty there, contact your department of solid-waste management.

A large percentage of respondents told us they donated or otherwise gave away certain household items, including furniture (29 percent), small appliances (28 percent), and major appliances (21 percent). If you go that route, first check with the Better Business Bureau (www.give.org) or Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org) to make sure you're giving to a worthy cause.

Easy, Low-Cost Solutions

Start a compost bin for organic food scraps or ask whether the local farmers market will take them. Trade household items on sites such as freecycle.org. Invest in a reusable water container to cut down on your household's use of plastic water bottles. Take spent CFLs to a Home Depot for recycling.

Energy All-Stars

Whole Foods Recycled Foldable Tote, $4, was especially good at containing leaks and isn't as bulky as most bags. Its $1 cousin, A Better Bag, held the most and can be returned if it rips. But it absorbed leaks, so spills are a bit harder to clean.

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100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #89

Make your web site “sticky” by building a large directory of web sites your visitors would enjoy.
It saves them precious time searching for them. For example, if your target audience is interested
in online greeting cards, create a web site directory full of links to similar sites.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #88

Visit chat rooms where your potential customers would gather. You can lurk and do market research or mention your product to people. For example, you may read many of the same posts about wanting to learn more about e-book marketing. So, right there would be a good product idea.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #87

Set up a joint venture with your competition if you can't beat them. You could agree to work
together to beat the other competition then share the profits. For example, you could create a
product together that you both could promote or you both could share advertising costs to promote
your businesses together.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #86

Make your potential customers forget about the competition. Just tell them to forget with a factual
and believable reason why they should. For example, you could say, "You should just forget about doing business with our competition, they don't offer free shipping like we do."

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #85

Design web sites for other businesses for free. Just require them to publish your banner or text ad
somewhere on their home page. For example, you could create web page templates and graphics for them. Other people will see your work and want to visit your main web site for more information.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #84

Give out free web space on your server. Many of your visitors may want to publish their own web
site. Just require that they publish your banner ad. For example, if you gave away 100 free web pages and got only 1 hit a week off each one, that would be an extra 5200 visitors a year!

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #83

Encourage your customers or visitors to e-mail you questions about your product or web site. Just
include your sig file with your reply. For example, here is a sig file:

Larry Dotson
Co-author Of The E-book "Hypnotic Selling Tools"
Visit http://www.hypnoticsellingtools.com

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #82

Give free e-mail consultations to your customers. When you e-mail them back your advice, include a small ad for a back-end product you're selling. For example, "If you would like to learn more detailed information about publishing an e-zine, I highly recommend visiting http://www.(your web or affiliate site).com".

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #81

Team up with eight to ten other sites to promote the same web site. Just include everyone's products on the web site you are all promoting. You can also do this with free e-books too. Get others to promote the free e-book in exchange for an ad in it.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #80

Most people need or want new information to absorb. Give your customers a free e-book or tip
sheet when they purchase your product. For example, you could say, "When you buy 2 or more products at the regular price, I’ll send you an e-book with 1000 recipes for apples."

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #79

Most people want to eat good food. Give your customers free coupons to a nice restaurant when
they purchase your product. You could contact a highly recommended restaurant and ask them if they would like their ad on your web site in exchange for providing you with coupons to their restaurant.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #78

Most people want a clean environment. Tell your prospects that you'll donate a percentage of your
profits to help clean up the environment. For example, you could say, "I will donate $1 from every
product I sell to help clean up the environment."

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #77

Most people want to associate with others who have the same interests. Give your prospects a free
membership to a private chat room just for them. For example, you could also attract traffic to your web site by providing a free message board or chat room.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #76

Most people want to win over others. Tell your prospects how their family or friends will admire
them if they buy your product. For example, you could say, "Imagine how much your girlfriend will
love you when you buy her this stunning diamond engagement ring!"

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #75

Most people want to get over obstacles so that they can achieve their goals. Tell your prospects
which goals they'll achieve by ordering your product. For example, you could say, "Just imagine getting back into your prom dress or going out in public without being stared at."

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #74

Most people want to make the people around them happy. Tell your prospects how happy their
friends or family will be if they buy your product. For example, you could say, "Order before June 23, 2002, and get a second one for a friend. Just imagine how happy your friend will be when you give them this incredible product."

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #73

Most people want to solve their problems. Tell your prospects what problems they have and how
your product can solve them. For example, you could say, "Aren't you tired of being in debt? Aren't
you tried of struggling pay check to pay check? Well now you don't have too. Our product will end your debt problems forever…"

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #72

Most people want the latest and newest things in life. Use words and phrases in your ad copy like
"New", "Just Released", etc. For example, you could say, "Just Released: A New Healthy System
For Losing 10 Pounds In 1 Week!" Another example, "Breaking News! Scientists Have Discovered
A Revolutionary Way To Eliminate Stress!"

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #71

Publish your web site in e-book format. Put the e-book on a disk or CD-ROM then include it
with your direct mail packages. This can increase the number of people who buy your product or
service. For example, would people open up your direct mail envelopes right away if they feel a disk or CD-ROM in them?

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #70

Most people want to invest in their future. Tell your prospects to "invest in your product" instead
of "buy our product". For example, you could say "It will be the smartest investment you've ever made!" Another example, "This will be your most profitable investment of 2002!"

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #69

Most people are curious about things that could affect their current lifestyle. You could use words
like "Secret" or "Confidential" in your ad. For example, you could say "If you order before June 24,
2002, you will also get a Secret Mystery Gift valued at $200!"

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #68

Most people want to receive compliments for their achievements. Give your prospects plenty of
compliments for considering your product. For example, "You are a very intelligent person for
waiting to learn more about e-book marketing."

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #67

Most people want to feel secure and safe. Tell your prospects that you have secure ordering and a
privacy policy. For example, you could say, "We want you to feel safe and secure. That's why we
offer you the most secure online ordering system."

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #66

List any related books that you've written in your ad. When you list a book or books you've written, it gives you credibility because it shows you're an expert. For example, you could say, " I've written over ten books and e-books on marketing and copywriting including the best seller..."

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #65

Most people want life to be easier. Give your prospects easy ordering instructions, easy product
instructions, etc. For example, you could say, "Our product comes with step-by-step, easy ordering
instructions!" Another example, "Our web site offers 5 easy ways to order!"

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #64

Most people like surprises because it's a change of pace from their routine. Tell your prospects
that they'll get a surprise free bonus for ordering. It will be a mystery for them. Some will order just to find out what the surprise bonus is. It makes them really curious.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #63

Create an extra income from your web site by charging for consulting. The consulting should be
related to your web site's theme. For example, you could give free 15-minute consultations as a sample. You could do them by phone or in a chat room. If people like it they will pay your hourly fee for more advice.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #62

Use a redirect page to boost your sales. People think the long affiliate URLs look unprofessional in
e-mails, so you could redirect them to a web link. For example, if you sign up to an affiliate program and it has a really long URL, you could use a redirect page to shorten it in your ad. It would take your customer to the redirect page and then send them to the target web site.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #61

Make residual income from your customers by selling back-end products. If you don't have any,
you could sign up to related affiliate programs. For example, you could say "Thanks for ordering our product. If you would like to learn more about web marketing, I highly recommend (affiliate product)!"

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #60

Create credibility and trust with your visitors by telling them something they already know. They'll
know for sure you're not lying to them. For example, you could say, “I know you’re really looking for a good bargain.” Another example, “I know you don't want to pay a lot for Internet access.”

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #59

Test your ads by using autoresponders. You can have people e-mail your autoresponders to get more information and you just check your traffic reports. For example, you could publish your advertising copy and tell them your product will be released on a certain date. You then could have them e-mail an autoresponder to be reminded when it's released.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #58

You could tell them the freebie is only available for a limited time. For example, "Download our free
e-book, this free offer will only be available until May 30, 2000." Another example, "Subscribe to our free e-zine before midnight tonight and get free access to our Members Only web site."

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #57

You could add other freebies to your freebie that will increase the value. For example, "Subscribe to my free e-zine and get free access to our "Subscribers Only" private web site!" Another example, "Download our free business e-book and get a free report valued at $47!"

13 Simple Ways to Lower Your Electric Bill

Kelli B. Grant and Sarah Morgan, SmartMoney.com
Friday, July 31, 2009

Forgoing the family road trip for a homebound vacation may not save you the money you'd hoped if it means running the AC full blast all summer.

Even with oil and other commodity prices dropping because of the recession, average residential electricity prices are expected to rise 4.7% this year compared to last year, and another 3.3% next year, according to the Energy Information Administration's Short-Term Energy Outlook. Reducing your home electricity use can save you money and shrink your carbon footprint. The typical home releases about twice the carbon dioxide every year that the typical car does, according to the Alliance to Save Energy.

Here's how to prevent your electricity bills from escalating even as prices climb.

Fine-Tune Your Equipment

Arrange an HVAC inspection. Hire a certified technician to check that your heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system is operating at peak efficiency. Leaking ducts, for example, could reduce the unit's energy efficiency by as much as 20%, says Ronnie Kweller, a spokeswoman for the Alliance to Save Energy. An inspection will usually set you back $50 to $100, but that could be offset by the energy savings you'll reap over time. Plus, if you schedule your appointment before contractors are swamped with repair requests, you could snag a 10% early bird discount.

Shop for size. If you're in the market for a new room air conditioner, use Energy Star guidelines to assess how powerful a unit you need. A too-powerful unit not only wastes energy, it is actually less effective at removing humidity.

Keep it clean. Whether you have central air or an individual window or wall unit, be sure to clean the air filters every month. Dirt and dust hinder air flow, reducing efficiency.

Program your thermostat. Programming your thermostat to give your air conditioner a break for the eight hours you're at work could save you about $180 a year, according to EnergyStar.gov guidelines.

Seek out incentives on appliances. Energy Star-certified products are not only guaranteed to be more efficient than their conventional counterparts, but they also can cost less. And this year's economic stimulus bill included increased tax credits for energy-efficient home improvements. Qualifying central air conditioners are eligible for a tax credit of 30% of the cost, including installation, up to a total of $1,500 for all improvements combined. Many states offer additional incentives, so check the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency to find out about local initiatives. Some utilities offer rebates on energy-efficient purchases. Austin Energy in Texas, for example, offers rebates of up to 20% with a maximum of $1,575 on certain energy-efficient improvements, including air conditioners.

Hunt Down Heat Sources

Seal up your home. Pricey cooled air can leak through cracks along window and door frames. Invest in some caulk and weather-stripping to plug up these drafts as you notice them. Stopping those leaks and making sure your home is properly insulated could save you up to 20%, Kweller says. Insulation materials are also eligible for the 30% energy efficiency federal tax credit, up to $1,500 for all improvements combined.

Change your light bulbs. If you haven't swapped your incandescent bulbs for compact fluorescents yet, get to it, Kweller says. Switching four 75-watt incandescent for 19-watt CFLs can save almost $30 a year -- and not only do CFLs use less energy than conventional bulbs, but they also generate less heat.

Close your blinds. It's a simple concept: Rooms get hotter without shades or curtains to block the sunlight. You can put this idea to work more effectively by getting insulated window treatments.

Use fans. A breeze makes the room feel a few degrees cooler. Just be sure to turn it off when you leave. "Fans cool people, not rooms," Kweller says.

Unplug. Gadgets like your cellphone charger and microwave suck energy -- and generate heat -- as long as they're attached to a power source. Standby power for appliances not in use is typically 5% to 10% of residential electricity use, according to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Plug those devices into a power strip that can be turned off when not in use.

Assess Utility Suppliers

Check alternate suppliers. If you live in a state where the electric industry is deregulated, shop around for a different energy provider, says Steve Rosenstock, manager of energy solutions for the Edison Electric Institute, an industry group. Depending on where you live, you could save 5% to 15% a month, and many of these companies use renewable energy so they are much less dependent on the whims of oil, coal and natural gas prices. Most will also fix billing rates for a year or more -- a bonus if energy prices creep back up. Visit your state's public service commission to determine your options. Just be aware that most providers require you to commit to at least a year and charge a hefty fee if you duck out early, Rosenstock says.

Consider time-of-use plans. A growing number of electric companies are offering so-called time-of-use plans, which offer lower rates for energy consumption during off-peak hours (usually from midevening to early morning). The catch? You'll often pay more for peak-hours use, so consider your schedule before signing up. Arizona-based SRP, for example, regularly charges 10.73 cents per kilowatt hour during the summer. On the time-of-use plan, it charges 20.03 cents for on-peak hours (1 p.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays) and 6.30 cents during the rest of the day.

Fix your bill. Ask your utility about fixed-bill plans, which charge the same amount every month for a set period, regardless of your electricity use. You'll pay a premium rate per kilowatt hour to hedge against price increases and seasonal spikes, so make sure to crunch the numbers to see if you'll really save, Kweller says. Also, keep in mind that these plans periodically reconcile, which can leave you with a big bill if you've used more than the supplier anticipated. Check with your utility to see if you'll be alerted if you're using more power than anticipated and whether you can pay extra as you go.

Correction: A previous version of this story cited a spokeswoman for the Alliance to Save Energy as having said proper insulation could save a homeowner more than 20% on heating and cooling costs. The spokeswoman said proper insulation could save a homeowner up to 20%.

finance.yahoo.com

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #56

You could tell them what the freebie is worth with a dollar amount. For example, "Subscribe to my free e-zine! A $199 value!" Another example, "You'll get $1245.95 of bonuses!" You could also remind them that the value of the bonuses make up the cost of the product they're buying.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #55

Offer a free e-book that contains a couple of sample chapters. If they like it, give them the option
of ordering the full version. It would work just like a software demo or shareware. For example, how many times have you had a sample of something you enjoy and later on ended up buying it?

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #54

You can get ad copy ideas by studying similar products’ advertising material. Collect their sales
letters, classified ads, web ads, e-mail ads, etc. For example, if you have seen a good idea for a guarantee, you could add some of your own ideas to it and adapt it to your ad. But don't just copy it, of course.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #53

Give away the e-book to people who join your affiliate program. This will increase the number of
people that sign up. You could also create an e-book for them to use that will help them promote
your product or service. For example, you could customize it so that each affiliate can have their
affiliate link inside the e-book.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #52

Increase your e-zine subscribers by giving away your e-book to people who subscribe to
your e-zine. This will give people an incentive to subscribe. Allow your e-zine subscribers to also
give it away to multiply your subscribers. For example, "Get Our Free Marketing E-book When
You Subscribe Now!"

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #51

Make money cross-promoting your e-book with other people's products or services. This
technique will double your marketing effort without spending more time and money on your part.
For example, you could package your business e-book with a search engine submission service.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #50

You will gain valuable referrals from people telling others about your e-book. Word-of-mouth
advertising can be very effective. For example, how many times have you bought something
because one of your friends or family members recommended that you buy it?

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #49

Hold a contest on your web site so people can win your e-book. You'll get free advertising
by submitting your contest ad to free contest or sweepstake directories. You could also offer
the reprint or master reprint rights as a price so your e-book spreads all over the Internet with your ad in it.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #48

Make money by selling the reprint rights to those who would like to sell the e-book. You could
also make even more money by selling the master reprint rights. This would allow other people to sell the reprint rights. You could also include your ads in the e-books. Every time someone reads it or sells one, you'll get exposure.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #47

Get free advertising by submitting your e-book to freebie and freeware/shareware web sites. This
will increase the number of people who will download your e-book and see your ad. Those web sites
already attract a lot of people that are on the look-out for quality free items.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #46

Give away the e-book as a gift to your current customers as a way of letting them know you
appreciate their business. Place an ad in the e-book for a new back-end product you're offering. For
example, you could say, "We Are Giving You This E-book As A Way To Say Thanks For Being One
Of Our Most Loyal Customers."

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #45

Make money selling advertising space in your e-book. You could charge for full page color ads,
classified ads or banners ads. You could also trade advertising space in your e-book for other
forms of advertising. For example, you could say, "Promote Your Business In Our Free E-book For
Only ($). It's been downloaded over 5000 times!"

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #44

Gain new leads by having people sign up and give you their contact information before they can
download your e-book. This is a very effective way to conduct market research. For example,
you could get their first and last name, e-mail address, web site address, mailing address, etc.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #43

Allow other people to give away your free e-book. This will increase the number of people
who will see your ad in the e-book. You could also include a mini catalog of all your products or
services that you offer in the e-book. You could include your own products or associate program’s
products in the e-book.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #42

Create a directory of web sites in e-book form. List people’s web sites in the directory that will
agree to advertise the e-book on their web site or e-zine. This will give them an incentive to give
away or advertise your e-book. For example, you could say, "Get A Free Ad In Our Free E-book In
Exchange For Linking to Our Web Site!"

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #41

Allow people to download your e-book for free if they give the e-mail addresses of 3 to 5
friends or associates who would be interested in your e-book. This will quickly build your e-mail
list. For example, you could say, "Download Our E-book At No Cost If, In Exchange, You Refer
3 Of Your Friends To Our Web Site By E-mail."

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #40

Offer your e-book as a free bonus for buying one of your main products or services. People
will buy the product or service more often when you offer a free bonus. For example, you could
say, "Get a free e-book when you order our (product) before (the date)!"

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #39

Allow people to download software at no charge from your web site, if they link to your web site. The software could be freeware, shareware or demos. You could set up joint venture deals with software creators. You could also allow other people to give the software away with your ad in it.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #38

Exchange content with other web sites. You could trade articles, top ten lists, etc. Both parties could include a resource box at the end of the content. You could also trade content with other e-zine publishers, autoresponder publishers, e-book publishers, report publishers, etc.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #37

Create a directory of web sites on a specific topic. Give people the option of adding the directory to their web site by linking to it. Put your business ad at the top of the directory's home page. For example, you could say, "Add This Directory To Your Own Web Site!"

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #36

When you purchase a product and it exceeds your expectations, e-mail a testimonial to the company. Make sure your statement is detailed. Give them permission to publish it on their web site if they link to your site. For example, under your testimonial you could sign it "(your name) Author of (your book) Visit (your site)."

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #35

Are you an expert on a particular subject? Offer people free consulting via e-mail if, in exchange, they link to your site. People will consider this to be of huge value because consulting fees can be very expensive. For example, you could say, "Get A FREE 30-Minute Consultation For Linking To Our Web Site For One Month!"

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #34

Create your own award site for other web sites. Give the winners a graphic or text link to place on their web site when they win. This will link your web site to theirs and draw more traffic to your web site. You could give out awards every day. Each award you give out is a link back to your web site.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #33

Offer your visitors a free sign up to your affiliate program. Pay them commission to sell your products or services. Just give them an affiliate link to track their sales. People will link to your web site to make extra money. You could offer monthly contests and bonuses for your affiliates too.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #32

Start a Members Only web site. Tell visitors what's in your Members Only site and what it costs to gain access. Offer them a free membership if, in exchange, they link to your web site. This will be a real bargain for them instead of paying to get access to your Members Only web site.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #31

Allow other web sites to use your discussion board for their web site visitors. Just have them link directly to the discussion board. Include your web site’s ad or banner ad at the top of the discussion board. You could also post to it regularly to get increased exposure.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #30

Give your visitors an instant article directory. Tell your visitors they can instantly add a free article
directory to their web site by linking to yours. Just place your ad or banner ad on top of the article
directory for your main web site. You could also have your own article in a prime position for republishing.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #29

Market your web site as a free web book. Design your web site with a title page, table of contents,
chapters, etc. Just allow other people to give away the web book by linking to your web site. You will be getting traffic and people will be giving away a free web book to their visitors.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #28

Allow other people to publish your e-zine on their web site. Include your web site's ad and link in each issue you publish. This may also help you increase the number of people who subscribe to your e-zine. You could also allow people to use your full issue for their own e-zine as long as they include your links.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #27

When you visit a web site you've enjoyed a lot, write a review for the site. Write about the benefits
you gained from it. Tell them they can publish it on their web site if they link to yours. If you can, try to capture people's e-mail addresses by offering a free e-zine or autoresponder course below the review.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #26

Offer other web sites free content to post on their web site. Include your link on all of your content.
The content should related to your web site because it will be in front of your target audience. You could include your link in your resource box or subtly mention it in your article.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #25

Make your web site ready for the public. Have an "About Us" page and clear descriptions of what
actions you want your visitors to take. For example, you could say "My name is (your name). I started this candy business back in 1975 with my brother Jim. In 1999 we brought our business to the web and now we ship our candies to 50 countries around the world."

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #24

Keep your web site consistent. You don't want things on your web site that are unrelated to your
theme. For example, if you went to a web site and one page was blue and the next page was pink, then the next page was green, wouldn't you think very hard before purchasing their product? It would look very unprofessional to you.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #23

Allow visitors to submit a free classified ad on your web site. Require them to give a valid
e-mail address in order to post an ad. You could also require them to give you a reciprocal classified
in return on their web site, in their e-zine, on their autoresponders, etc.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #22

Increase your profits by concentrating on small details. Improving small things like text size, color,
or graphics can really make a positive difference. For example, if people can't read small text how are they are going to buy your product? Another example, why would somebody spend time at your web site if your colors are all bright ones and hurt their eyes?

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #21

Ask visitors to sign your guest book. Tell them you will give a free gift in return. When people sign
your guest book, they will usually leave helpful advice on how to improve your web site and product. They will sometimes leave compliments which will brighten your day.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #20

Offer a free online service from your web site. Have visitors fill out their contact information to
sign up for the free service. For example, if your visitors are webmasters, you could offer a free web site design critique service. Another example would be to offer an online graphic creation service.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #19

Create your own ad copy; don't copy the basic run-of-the-mill ad copy. Don't be afraid of trying
something different to increase your sales. For example, get people’s attention by using a wacky
or funny picture of yourself. Another example would be to spell your headline backwards.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #18

Try not to get caught up in loading your site up with technological gizmos and gadgets. Concentrate on your words, they will do the actual selling. For example, some of those high tech things make your web page load slower and some people won't want to wait around when there are thousands of web sites similar to yours.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #17

Focus your site on your visitors’ desires, not on yourself. They want to know what's in it for them,
not that you won an award for your business. For example, don't make your ad mostly about what
you have done, make it about what benefits the reader will get for buying.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #16

Spend money on targeted advertising instead of mass media advertising. You don't want to waste
your ad dollars on people who aren't interested. For example, you don't want to buy a business
opportunity ad in a football magazine unless it is related to sports. If you are sending your ad to a
general audience, make sure they have a section for your particular sub-set of that audience.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #15

Interview famous people who your visitors want to know more about. Publish the interview in article or audio format on your web site. For example, if your target audience is business owners, you could interview other business owners, business experts, opportunity seekers, web marketers, affiliate program owners, business authors, etc.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #14

Create a free e-zine. Use your e-zine to advertise the affiliate programs you've joined. Submit your
e-zine to online e-zine directories and promote it on your web site. Trade e-zine ads with other publishers. Announce your e-zine to e-zine announce lists.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #13

Visit business discussion boards regularly. You could discover helpful advice, online resources, and
take the opportunity to give your own two cents worth. Plus you can get free advertising. On most boards you can include a text link to your web site. It doesn't matter if you ask questions, give answers or inform people.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #12

Advertise the product you're reselling in your signature file. Use an attention-getting headline and
a good reason for them to visit your affiliate site. Make sure your sig file doesn't go over 5 lines. Also include your name, occupation, business name and e-mail address.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #11

Have some mugs imprinted with your web site address and other business information. Use them
when you have company or give them away to friends and family as gifts. You could donate some
to the local coffee shops and increase your web site exposure.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #10

Have some pens imprinted with your web site address and other business information. When you
have finished filling out your check or signing receipts, leave it for the next person to use or keep. You could also give a number of them to your employees and friends.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #9

Have some duffel bags made with your web site address and other business information. Give them to family and friends as gifts or use them when you travel. You could also donate some to exercise gyms, school kids, sports teams, etc. This would give you a wide variety of people who would see your ad.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #8

Create a net audio with your advertisement and link of your affiliate web site. The subject of the free audio should draw your target audience to download it. Also submit it to some audio directories. The more exposure your free audio gets, the more your ad will be seen.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #7

Tell your prospects that you stand behind all your products. People want to know that you back-up
any claims you make about your product. For example, "I personally guarantee my product will
work or your money back." Another example, "(title) Research Inc. has documented, proven studies our product will…"

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #6

Have a magnetic sign made with your web site address and other business information. Place it on
your car door or roof when you are traveling. You could also perhaps pay a local cab or truck shipping company to place them on their vehicles to get extra exposure.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #5

Give your visitors a free net video. You could also include your own ad on the video and allow
other people to give it away. If you don't want to take the time to create one, you could ask other
people permission to use their video. They will just want you to advertise their product too.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #4

Have some ball caps made with your web site address and other business information. Wear them
to keep the sun out of your eyes and promote your business at the same time. You could also order a large number of them and donate them to a local sports team. People in the stands at each game
would see your web site address.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #3

Clone your advertisements all over the Internet by allowing your visitors to give your online freebies away. Just include your ad somewhere inside them. You could also start an affiliate program and pay people commissions to run your ads. You could also give your affiliates viral marketing tools to use like e-books or articles.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #2

Have a bumper sticker printed up with your web site address and other business information. Place it on the bumper of your car. People will see it when you're driving. For example, if I was having money problems and I suddenly saw a bumper sticker about getting out of debt, I might go home and visit that web site.

100 Powerful Promotion Tactics!: Tactic #1

Allow people to download software or e-books from your web site at no cost. Just ask your visitors
if they'll refer their friends to your web site in return. For example, you could require people to refer 3 people via e-mail before they actually download your free e-book.

The Five Rules of Money for Children

Teaching young people these essential concepts now can help them make smarter financial choices as they grow up

It's never too early to start teaching your kids about money. Toddlers can be introduced to the value of money using toy piggy banks and cash registers, while older kids can learn to manage cash and pretend to be real estate moguls by playing Monopoly. To get a taste of trading stocks and mutual funds, there are online games and contests, as well as investment clubs. And more importantly, high schools and colleges around the country are now offering personal finance courses, with some making the class a requirement before graduation.

More from BusinessWeek Online: • Video: Kids & Money: Teaching Kids Good Money Habits • IRAs for Kids: It's Never Too Soon • Finance Courses Get Personal

The first step for parents, say financial planners, is to start talking about money matters at home. "Having conversations about money at a young age lays a good foundation," says Phyllis Silverman, vice-president and senior trust advisor at PNC Financial Services in Pittsburgh. "That's going to create the attitudes and lay the foundation for their future actions."

One planner, Charles Massimo, president and founder of CJM Fiscal Management in Garden City, N.Y., says he has hired a psychologist to establish a proper way for his wealthy clients to communicate with their kids, because many parents worry the knowledge of their wealth will create complacency. "They worry their kids will be lazy and not motivated if they know they'll have money coming their way," he says.

This week's Five for the Money offers some golden rules about money to pass along to your children. With the right lessons and planning, your kids, as they grow older, may be able to avoid money traps like getting deep in debt from those alluring but deceptive credit card offers—and embrace sound strategies as they save for big purchases such as graduate school, car, and a home.

1. A penny saved is a penny earned.

Parents can start teaching kids about earning money as early as elementary school, Silverman says. Set a weekly or monthly allowance for chores done around the house, and offer extra for helping neighbors and performing other tasks. "Allowance should not be seen as an entitlement; it should teach responsibility," Silverman says.

Then show your kids how to split their earnings into four money jars: for saving, spending, giving, and taxes. While younger children may not necessarily owe Uncle Sam a portion of their earnings, an awareness of taxes can be useful. "As they get older and get into the workforce, they'll find that what they earn and take home are two different things," she says of the importance of setting aside tax funds.

2. Stick to the budget.

Show your kids your monthly bills such as car payments, mortgage, and utilities, says Robert Wasilewski, a financial advisor at Baltimore Washington Financial Advisors in Columbia, Md. This will not only teach them about your family's cost of living, but also get them involved in the process. "Teaching people about money is a lot like poker," he says. "No one will play until their money is in the pot."

Make a list of wants vs. needs with your kids. When it comes to spending, parents need to ask why their kid needs something—or if they just want it, Silverman says. "It's a conversation about values," Silverman explains. Granted, this list will change as teenagers start driving and working part-time, and have busier social lives. They need to learn how to budget their monthly earnings to cover expenses.

3. Learn the power of interest.

Take your child to a bank and open an account that earns interest. Let the child decide how much to put in and let him or her calculate the interest the account is earning over time, Wasilewski says.

Or, rather than hand kids cash to spend each week, parents can put a set amount in the bank account. In a survey done in January, 2007, PNC found that 63% of parents set up a banking or investment account, but only about 21% of teens put money into the account or make investments.

When it comes to investing, children should learn how owning a diverse number of stocks and funds can grow in value over a span of many years. Massimo says his wealthy clients set up investment clubs—and let their kids pick three or four friends to join—to teach them investing basics. Wasilewski thinks that some of the online stock market games teach young people that stocks are a short-term holding and tend to go up, rather than the important lesson that stocks should be owned for the long run and can easily decline.

To learn about the economy and personal finance matters, Wasilewski recommends the Federal Reserve's Web site, which also features a Kids Page.

4. Stay out of debt.

Credit card offers with your child's name arrive in the mail sometimes as early as high school. Show your kids your credit card bills and how to pay them off on time to demonstrate how the cost of an item goes up because of the interest charged. And teach children how the bad habit of paying late can put you in a deep financial hole.

At the same time, it's important to establish a good credit history, because there will likely be a time when your kids are going to need to borrow money. "The big problem is, young people don't really understand how to get interest to work for them," Wasilewski says.

5. Giving back is the best gift.

Donating to charities, including volunteering in your community, is "a really important value for children to learn," Silverman at PNC says. At a young age, your kids can donate clothes and toys that are usually collected by organizations around the holidays. According to the recent PNC survey, 40% of parents said they encourage kids to participate in community events. Many high net worth families set up foundations and let their children pick the socially responsible causes they want to get involved with, Massimo says. "They want to teach the value of giving time, but also giving money responsibly," Silverman says.

Another way to give back, Massimo says, is teaching kids how to invest in socially responsible stocks—usually companies that are environmentally friendly and don't make alcohol, tobacco, and firearms—or funds that emphasize those kinds of stocks. Whether it's getting, spending, or giving, teaching your children some sound financial principles now should help them to make smarter choices about their money as they grow older.

McCormack is senior producer for BusinessWeek.com's Investing channel.

Copyrighted, Business Week. All rights reserved.

finance.yahoo.com

A Common Sense Allowance System

How much money to pay your kids and when to start.

A recent column in the Wall Street Journal took on the subject of allowances, quoting advice from "experts" on how parents should structure an allowance system.

Now, I'm a big booster of allowances -- which I define as a fixed amount of money that children receive on a regular schedule, with the understanding that they will pay for certain agreed-upon expenses. But based on my experience with my own three kids and that of hundreds of parents I've heard from over the years, I have a different take than some of the "experts" referred to in the story.

For example, a common rule of thumb is to pay kids $1 a week for every year of their age. But many parents think that's too much for younger children; they're reluctant to give a 6-year-old $6 a week.

So I recommend that you start with a weekly base allowance equal to half a child's age. Parents feel more comfortable with the half-age figure, and you can always adjust it up or down.

According to the story, "experts say" that kids should start learning to manage money at the age of 3 or 4. I think that's too early.

I believe in keeping kids young as long as possible and not pushing them into things they're not ready for. And most pre-schoolers are too young to understand the abstract idea of money. They'll choose a nickel over a dime because it's bigger, and they have no idea how far $1 will go.

A better time to start an allowance is at age 6 or 7. Not only are children more mature, but they're also learning about money in school. So they'll know that a $1 bill equals four quarters, and that their $3 allowance will buy a small tub of popcorn, for example.

For the same reason, I disagree that children should be buying birthday gifts for their friends by age 7 and they should be getting a seasonal clothing allowance by age 9. Kids should definitely take on those responsibilities, but I'd recommend waiting until middle school for the gifts and high school for the clothing allowance.

Of course, you know your own child and each family has its own values. One of my basic rules about allowance (a subject to which I devote an entire chapter in my book Raising Money Smart Kids) is that no single system will work for every family. Whatever system you choose, keep it simple. If you can't manage it, your kids won't be able to, either.

finance.yahoo.com

Make Sure Your Kids Live Better Than You

Seven out of 10 Americans believe they are living a better life than their parents, according to a new MONEY survey, and almost all of those who are moms and dads say they want to make sure their kids do the same. It's an integral part of the American dream--the notion that each generation should enjoy a higher standard of living than the one that came before it. And if you're a mom or dad, chances are you want that for your kids too.

But while your own parents and grandparents could pretty much take this outcome for granted, today's children face a far different economic landscape--one marked by stiffer global competition, an uncertain job market, easier credit, declining retirement benefits and a host of new financial products that make managing money on a day-to-day basis increasingly complex. The result: That rising standard of living is no longer the slam dunk that previous generations of Americans enjoyed.

Scary stuff, huh? Sure, but challenging too, with the potential for greater rewards--yes, that better life--for young people who are well equipped to navigate the new terrain. Whether your kids are toddlers or have toddlers of their own, you have the power to tilt the financial odds in their favor. These strategies will help.

Strategy No. 1: Explain the New Money Rules

Unlike you and your parents before you, kids today are growing up in a world in which technology has made money largely invisible. Want to buy something? Hand a piece of plastic to a cashier and the goods are yours. Need cash? Stick a card into a bank machine and out pops the dough that probably landed in your account through direct deposit of your paycheck. Since actual dollars change hands far less often these days, children don't get to learn by observation how financial transactions work, and parents miss out on everyday opportunities to teach the basics of managing money.

So it's up to Mom and Dad to explain what kids can't see with their own eyes, starting as soon as your son throws his first candy-demanding tantrum at the grocery store or your daughter asks for a magic money card like yours. "The earlier you begin talking to your children about money, the better chance you'll have to instill the values you think are important," says Philip Heckman, director of youth programs for the Credit Union National Association.

Instead of delivering formal lectures, casually drop lessons into your daily financial routines. When your preschooler accompanies you to the ATM, let him know that you're taking out money you earned at work and put in the bank for safekeeping. Verbalize your purchase considerations at the store, comparing prices and quality out loud. If you whip out the plastic to pay, explain that either the amount is being taken out of your bank account directly (if you are paying with a debit card) or you will get a bill in the mail that you must pay later (if it's a credit card). Add layers of detail and sophistication as your child gets older, explaining, for example, the concept of interest and late fees.

Look for ways to directly involve your child in financial activities, making a game of it if possible. When twins Jaime and Lisa Alpert were little, their mother Joni routinely armed the girls with coupons while shopping together for groceries, then sent them on scavenger hunts through the store to find the best deals. At checkout, she'd show her daughters the register tape so they could see how much they'd saved. And if Joni caught a scanner error and got a refund, she'd immediately hand the money to the kids. If you talk to a child about the importance of saving money, "it just goes in one ear and out the other," says Joni, a radio producer in Atlanta. But if you give them the money saved, she says, "it's a very powerful motivator."

These childhood shopping trips have made thriftiness so deeply ingrained for Jaime and Lisa, now 23, that they routinely and creatively search for bargains, no matter what they're buying. Case in point: When the girls graduated from different colleges on different weekends earlier this year, they didn't each buy graduation robes. Instead, they shared a single cap and gown, saving one last $30 on their college education.

Strategy No. 2: Fight the Spend Trend

Saving money, of course, has always been a virtue. But for 21st-century kids like the Alperts, who can no longer rely on company pensions and Social Security to fund their old age, it is an absolute necessity. Yet the temptation to spend, spend, spend has never been greater, with the average child viewing at least 20,000 commercials a year and credit-card issuers peddling plastic to consumers at ever-younger ages.

One way to counter today's gotta-have-it-now mentality is to make saving money a habit early on. Start with a traditional piggy bank, preferably a see-through container. A kindergartner may not be impressed by a bank balance statement, but he will intuitively understand that a large pile of coins is better than a small one and will get satisfaction from watching it grow. That's why New York City media director Vladimir Leveque, 32, gave his son Amir, 5, an empty five-gallon watercooler bottle that the boy is filling up with loose change that his dad brings home from work each night. When the bottle is full, Leveque will use the money to fund Amir's first savings account. "I'm introducing him to the ideology of saving," Leveque says.

As your child grows older, give her money of her own to manage (see "Making Allowances" at left). Then encourage her to regularly set some of it aside for long-term goals, like a coveted toy or, for a teenager, a cell phone. Help her plan how much she'll need to save, over what time period and, as extra incentive, consider matching a portion of what she socks away--an early introduction to the 401(k) concept. Open a savings account for her at the bank and suggest that she put some of her money there for safekeeping. The idea: "Make it easy to save and hard to spend," says Robert Manning, a finance professor at Rochester Institute of Technology.

Get the whole family involved in savings efforts too, as opportunities arise. For instance, when their three kids clamored for a pool in the backyard a few years ago, Sheri and John Hart of Dayton spearheaded a "pool plan" to save the necessary $3,500 for the aboveground model they wanted. Everyone agreed to make sacrifices: The family ate fewer meals out; John, 46, general counsel for the University of Dayton, moonlighted doing some extra legal work; Sheri, 43, postponed haircuts; the kids contributed some birthday money. If one of them whined to buy something on a shopping trip, "We just used the phrase 'pool plan,'" says John, "and they would remember why this was a looking trip and not a buying trip." When the pool was finally installed, "there was a sense of pride and accomplishment," says John. "The kids didn't miss what they gave up in order to achieve it." And the lesson appears to be sticking. His son Jordan, 17, recently used his own savings from afterschool and summer jobs to buy his first car.

Strategy No. 3: Hone Their Competitive Edge

The paternalistic, cradle-to-grave employer is so 20th century. Kids of the new millennium can expect to switch jobs several times in the course of a career, and perhaps industries as well, as technologies change, companies seek to keep costs down and global competition stiffens. While you can't know which jobs will be in demand a generation from now, you can count on workers with an enterprising and entrepreneurial bent to have an edge. "We've got to prepare our children to be flexible and self-sufficient to survive in an unpredictable job market and a changing economy," says Bonnie Drew, an executive at YoungBiz, which teaches business skills to young people.

Nurture your child's inner entrepreneur in the grade school years by helping him find odd jobs to do, like washing cars or raking yards. Encourage moneymaking projects such as a used-toy sale or a lemonade stand. They provide an opportunity, says Drew, to talk about various aspects of a business, including how to market it and set a price that will turn a profit.

Be sure also to make your own work visible, talking to your kids about your job, taking them with you to the office occasionally and maybe even giving them a task or two to do. Every couple of weeks or so, for example, Avon representative Poonkulali "Lee" Suresh pays her children Sathesh, 10, and Sabrina, 6, a few dollars an hour to help her set up tables, stamp her name on catalogues and sort out products. "This is the best way for them to understand that money does not come easily and you have to work for what you want," says Suresh, 38, who grew up in Sri Lanka and immigrated to the U.S. with her husband Suresh Kumaran, 42, six years ago.

Parents of teens with afterschool and summer jobs can give their kids a huge leg up by helping them to invest some of their earnings in a Roth IRA. Although it may seem ludicrously premature to think about retirement savings for a teen, the power of compounding over a half century or so makes the payoff huge: A young worker who contributes $4,000 a year from ages 14 to 18 and lets it ride at 8% for the next 50 years will amass a nest egg of more than $1.1 million, even if she never saves another dime (see "Millionaires in the Making," page 110).

Of course, you may discourage your child from ever working again if you insist that she lock away all her earnings for decades. A more practical approach, if you can afford it: Ask your child to put some of her money into the Roth, and fund the rest yourself, up to the total your child earned or the current maximum of $4,000, whichever is less.

Strategy No. 4: Reach Higher for Education

For past generations, graduating from a good college was an almost surefire means to success. With degrees increasingly commonplace, however, future generations may need to kick it up a notch to get the same higher-education advantage. According to the College Board, the median income of someone who graduates with a master's degree was $59,500 in 2003--nearly 20% more than the $49,900 earned by those with a four-year degree. A professional degree was worth $95,700, or 92% more.

And, yes, quality counts. A 2005 Cornell University study reports that students who attend better-rated colleges do indeed end up earning more than their counterparts at lesser institutions--and that the boost to income from attending higher-quality schools is big enough to compensate for their typically higher cost.

So try bumping up those contributions to your 529 plan (or get started now), and steel yourself to the idea of paying those tuition bills somewhat longer than you'd planned. The ultimate price tag, though, may be smaller than you think if you send your child to a top-rated public institution. In fact, the same study found that attending highly rated public colleges packed the same earnings punch as comparable private schools, making them the better investment, in the researcher's estimation.

Strategy No. 5: Give Big Kids a Hand, Too

Your role as a financial mentor doesn't necessarily end once your child is an adult. According to a University of Michigan study, people ages 25 to 34 who live on their own typically receive more than $14,000 in assistance from their parents. As the economic climate gets tougher, odds are your adult child could probably use a hand from you too.

Giving money to your kids can reduce the taxes your heirs may ultimately owe on your estate. (Only estates worth more than $1.5 million will be taxed this year, and that amount is due to rise over the next few years. The estate tax is scheduled to be eliminated in 2010, and then, unless the law is changed, it will be reinstated with an exemption of $1 million in 2011.) You can give as much as $11,000 to each child this year without paying a gift tax; couples can give up to $22,000.

If you're like most families, though, you're probably less concerned about estate planning than you are with simply providing the help your child needs now. To make sure a gift of money has the most impact, consider targeting it for a particular purpose--say, chipping in for the down payment on a first home or paying off the balance on a high-interest credit card. If you're attaching conditions, however, make your expectations clear. If you intend that the money be used for graduate school and you'd be unhappy if it were spent on a new car instead, say so in advance to avoid hard feelings, and give your child an opportunity to decline the gift.

Also consider that, however well intentioned your gifts may be, too much of a good thing can hurt your kids in the long run. Regular gifts may encourage a lifestyle your son can't really afford or send the message to your daughter that she can't take care of herself. "Parents should use their money to help their kids become independent," says Jon Gallo, co-author of Silver Spoon Kids: How Successful Parents Raise Responsible Children, "not to maintain their dependence."

In fact, the single best step you can take to help your kids prosper as adults won't cost you a dime: Be a good role model. After all, children learn most of what they know by observation. So if you rely on plastic to keep up with the Joneses and never manage to save a dime, don't be surprised if your children grow up to do the same, no matter how much you preach to them about living within their means. "It's like parents telling their kids not to smoke and then lighting up a pack a day," says financial planner Kevin McKinley, author of Make Your Kid a Millionaire. In the end, there's no substitute for setting the right example. If you haven't exactly been a paragon of financial virtue lately, there's no time like the present to start.

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The Top Five Financial Mistakes Parents Make

Saving for college is often a priority for parents -- as it should be. But saving for school doesn't give moms and dads license to neglect the rest of their financial goals, advisers say.

According to AllianceBernstein Investment's "College Savings Crunch," a recent report that measured college saving trends, 70% of families surveyed don't have a plan that takes into account all of their financial goals. AllianceBernstein is a global asset-management firm based in New York.

Melissa Osuch has seen first-hand proof of those findings.

"In talking to fellow moms and fellow parents, I realized they had no idea what their priorities should be and where they should start. A lot of times they do nothing," said Osuch, a Glenview-based financial planner and educator with Strategic Advisors of Illinois. When they do take action, "they focus so much on college planning that they completely ignore retirement planning."

And the immediate, everyday needs and desires of their families often get more attention than college saving. The AllianceBernstein survey found that of families intending to fund at least part of their children's education, 58% spent more on eating out or ordering take-out food than saving for college in the past year, while 49% spent more on vacations.

For Vicky de los Reyes, a 38-year-old who lives in the Chicago suburb of Hawthorn Woods, buying a house was the priority when her oldest daughter was young. She and her husband began saving for all their children's college expenses around the time her oldest turned 6.

Even though the couple began saving for their daughter's education later than they would have liked, they have a catch-up strategy: When their youngest child no longer needs day care, the money saved will be put into their oldest child's college fund.

To help parents prioritize their finances, Osuch has a formula: The most important component is protection and insurance, followed by establishing an emergency fund, saving for retirement and then, finally, socking away money for college.

Rick Brooks, a financial planner with Solana Beach, Calif.-based Blankinship & Foster, has a similar approach.

"The way we tend to look at financial planning is first covering the risks," he said. The young families he works with are typically successful professionals in their 30s and 40s with high educational degrees on their resumes -- yet still are often left scratching their heads when it comes to creating a family financial plan.

Below are five common financial mistakes advisers often see parents make:

1. Buying the wrong life insurance -- or none at all

It doesn't cost a bundle for parents in their 20s or 30s to purchase life insurance. But it may mean the world to that parent's bundle of joy. A working parent may have life insurance through an employer. Do the math and make sure it's enough.

According to Osuch, there are two ways someone can estimate how much life insurance to buy: Either multiply income by eight or multiply income by six and then add in one-time expenses such as paying off a mortgage or paying for college. It's also possible to estimate how much is needed by considering only expenses -- both one-time costs and living expenses for several years -- instead of income, Brooks said.

Both stress, however, that each situation is unique and it's best to consult with a professional on how much insurance is necessary.

Also give special consideration to the stay-at-home parent, Osuch said. Often a parent not earning an income figures he or she doesn't need life insurance. But large child-care expenses could appear if a stay-at-home parent dies, she said.

To figure how much a stay-at-home parent needs in life insurance, estimate the costs of replacing the work that the parent does, she said. The figure will likely vary depending on the ages of the family's children.

Having enough life insurance is especially important for young families to consider, especially since they are more likely to have a tighter cash flow, said Cicily Maton, a financial planner and partner of Chicago-based Aequus Wealth Management Resources.

At the age of 28, Osuch bought herself a 30-year, $250,000 term policy for $165 a year. Mortality tables have changed since 1998 when she bought the policy due to increased life expectancy, thus lowering the rates even more, she said.

2. Ignoring the need for disability insurance

Maybe even more important than life insurance is for parents to have disability insurance, Osuch said. "If you get into a car crash, there's more of a chance you're going to be injured than actually die from that," she said. "Life insurance isn't going to help you out there."

Luckily, that expense also can be modest; Osuch recently sold a 36-year-old a disability insurance policy for $34 a month.

When deciding how much insurance to buy, parents should aim to replace at least 60% of their income. Disability insurance most often is paid out on a monthly basis.

As an aside, don't skimp on liability insurance, Brooks said. Inadequate auto and home coverage is a common mistake across his entire client base.

3. Postponing a will

Young parents often feel healthy and don't think they need to prepare for the inevitable by drafting a will. But it's a task they probably shouldn't put off.

"Younger people don't have death on their minds," Maton said, at least not to the same extent that older clients do. But it takes only one related horror story about the consequences of a parent dying without a will to change someone's perspective, she said.

Without a will, the state decides who cares for the deceased's children and who manages their finances. When parents put their wishes in writing, they make those decisions instead.

If finding the money for attorney fees is the biggest hurdle, at least have a conversation with aunts, uncles and grandparents regarding who will take responsibly of the children in the event that a parental death occurs, Brooks said. And put those decisions in writing.

"If money is that tight, at least spend the 10, 15 bucks at the stationary store and fill in the blanks," he said, referring to premade will documents. Remember to have the document notarized, he added.

4. Forgetting to save for retirement

"When you're young and you have kids, retirement seems so out of reach," Osuch said. "It's something you can do tomorrow."

But delaying retirement saving makes it harder for a nest egg to grow. And remember college savings can be supplemented with student loans. "There are a lot of ways to finance college, but no one is going to give you a loan for retirement," she said.

Neglecting retirement savings also doesn't do any favors for grown children, who could be faced with the burden of financing their parents late in life, Maton said. At the very least, people should put as much money in their 401(k) plans as their companies will match, Osuch advises.

5. Putting off saving for college

Save for college while saving for retirement, Osuch said; starting early allows more time for the fund to grow. But dedicate fewer dollars to school than to the retirement fund.

If, for instance, someone has $100 a month to save, he or she should put $75 into some sort of retirement plan and $25 into college savings, she said. "Most people do the opposite or don't put anything into retirement at all."

But even though financial aid can supplement college savings, don't count on receiving aid that doesn't need to be paid back.

"Fifty-six percent of financial aid is in the form of loans," said Jennifer DeLong, director of college savings plans for AllianceBernstein. "People hear 'financial aid' and they think 'free money.'"

And although it's easy for proud parents to picture their prodigy as a star athlete or coveted artist, don't plan on them financing their entire education with scholarship money.

In the AllianceBernstein study, two-thirds of financial aid administrators said they believe that scholarship and grant dollars are less available for the average family today than they have been in the past; 92% said that parents overestimate the amount of scholarship and grant money their children will receive.

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What is a good amount of money to give to a 2 year old for her birthday?

Questions & Answers

Top financial questions asked and the answers given by real people on Yahoo! Answers

Q:
What is a good amount of money to give to a 2 year old for her birthday?

A:
Oh my goodness that's lot of money! lol! I have a 2 year old daughter and the most that I would ever expect anyone to spend on her would be $30 or less - anything more than that is kinda unneccessary. They are amused by inexpensive toys and stuff at that age - take full advantage of it while it lasts because pretty soon they'll be into the more expensive stuff!

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How much money are you expecting your parents and in laws to provide for your wedding?

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Top financial questions asked and the answers given by real people on Yahoo! Answers

Q:
How much money are you expecting your parents and in laws to provide for your wedding?

A:
I think if you are mature enough to marry you are mature enough to expect to pay for your own wedding. Today so many want the "everything" wedding and the costs add up quickly. Having a simple intimate wedding that is within you and your fiancee's budget is the way to go. There are ways to decrease the expenses and still have everything very very nice. So I say don't expect Mom and Dad or the inlaws to do it for you, do it yourself -- that way anything offered and given is a plus.

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What should I do for my wedding with little money and a huge family I am very close with?

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Top financial questions asked and the answers given by real people on Yahoo! Answers

Q:
What should I do for my wedding with little money and a huge family I am very close with?

A:
Cake and punch reception. Those are fine; you can serve light finger foods if you'd like, but it isn't necessary. Just make sure to say something like "Cake and punch reception to follow" on your invitations so people know not to expect a full meal. If you do not have enough food for your guests to fill up on, simply plan your wedding for a time of day that is not thought of as a mealtime. Do your research when it comes to getting married in a park pavilion. Yes, the park space is free...but only if no one who has PAID to use the pavilion is using it. I have reserved a pavilion in my park to give me dibs, just in case. Something like that should still be pretty affordable, though. (My park has pavilion rental fees of $10.00/hour for pavilions with bathrooms and $5.00/hour for those without. We're getting with.) Also make sure you don't need a permit to get married in the park. If you do get married in the park or your home/yard, think about having a judge or justice of the peace perform the ceremony. It is generally a service they perform for their constituents, so they may not charge fees and the expected tip will be smaller than that generally given to a minister. (Ministers have religious ceremonies to perform and spend much longer preparing; they also don't make nearly as much as civil servants. Judges, on the other hand, make good salaries for offering their services and spend about five or ten minutes on your wedding.) Sometimes your church will let you borrow chairs and tables to set up. And flowers...silks, silks, silks. Some people hate them, but florists cost soooo much and you can't make sure you're getting what you want. This way, you can make your bouquets/boutanniers early and to your specifications, and they will last forever. Have a friend who is handy with a digital camera take some photos and email you the shots. You can later print and organize as you are able. Here's a great website for money-saving ideas. (No, I'm not spamming it. I just like some -- but not all -- of its suggestions.) http://www.cheap-chic-weddings.com/

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Best used cars under 10,000 between 1998-2008?

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Top financial questions asked and the answers given by real people on Yahoo! Answers

Q:
Pros and cons of going on vacation with tons of family?

A:
Sorry, but the only really reliable converibles are going to be a Honda S2000, BMW Z4, or a Nissan 350Z. Unfortunately, you won't find any of them in decent shape for under $10,000. Stay away from the Sebring and the Eclipse convertibles. Their reliability is suspect, at best. Here are some I found that are sporty and reliable: '98 Honda Prelude '99 -'01 Honda Civic '00 Infiniti I30 '01 Subaru Impreza '00 Acura Integra '03 Mitsubishi Galant.

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Pros and cons of going on vacation with tons of family?

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Top financial questions asked and the answers given by real people on Yahoo! Answers

Q:
Pros and cons of going on vacation with tons of family?

A:
I love going with a bunch of family like cousins and whatever. Pros: - Parents give more freedom since you have other cousins with you - I'm not stuck being bored with my parents - My sister is littler than me and so we have like nothing in common so when we are with the big family we have other people to hang out with. - You get to share fun memories with the whole family. - Parents are usually caught up with the other adults in the family so all the cousins just get together and do whatever we find is fun. Cons: - When you get back you can only tell your friends about your amazing time since your family went with you so they know what has happened. - When getting ready and whatever each of our families take different amounts of time (i.e: my fam. we are always first because my mom likes to plan ahead, my oldest aunt her family takes FOREVER) - Everyone wants to do different things and see different things so sometimes we have to compromise and give up something we want to see. - With all of them together is gets annoying cause half of them want to go into gift shops and the other half is all annoyed and just stands outside. There you have it.... :]

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10 Things Gas Stations Won't Tell You

by Jim Rendon
Wednesday, May 27, 2009

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1. “Good luck finding the best deal.”

When it comes to gas prices, most stations are branded—meaning the name of a major oil company hangs out front—and must buy gas from their proprietary company. They can’t shop around. With a lock on sales, the oil companies charge each station a different price depending on various factors, such as the station’s competition and its location. That means a station can pay as much as 46 cents a gallon more than one down the street, and that cost gets passed along to you.

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Faced with such instability, Gainesville, Fla., resident Steven King plans ahead: “If I know I’m going out of town, I try not to buy gas so I can fill up after I leave.” King says he can save 10 cents a gallon by purchasing gas on the road. You’d be similarly wise to shop around—with prices constantly in motion, the cheapest gas may not be at the same station every time.

2. “I hate it when gas prices go up.”

Stations earn on average between 10 and 15 cents on a gallon of gas. Ironically, they earn the least when prices are highest. When fuel climbs, gas stations must shrink their profit margin to remain competitive, meaning they earn less per gallon than usual. But another big cost during tough times is something they can’t do anything about—credit card fees, which add up to about 2.5 percent of all purchases. When gas is at, say, $2 a gallon, the station pays credit card companies 5 cents a gallon; when gas hits $3, that fee becomes 7.5 cents—more than half the station’s entire average profit. “Those credit card fees are miserable for the gas station business,” says Mohsen Arabshahi, who owns five Southern California gas stations.

How do station owners make up for lost revenue? “Prices go up like a rocket and come down like a feather,” says Richard Gilbert, a professor of economics at UC Berkeley. For several weeks after wholesale prices drop, stations can earn as much as 20 cents a gallon before retail prices are lowered to reflect the change.

3. “My gas isn’t better for your car; it’s just more expensive.”

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Oil companies spend lots of money explaining why their gas is better than the competition’s. Chevron’s gas, for example, is fortified with “Techron,” and Amoco Ultimate is supposed to save the planet along with your engine. But today more than ever, one gallon of gas is as good as the next.

True, additives help to clean your engine, but what the companies don’t tell you is that all gas has them. Since 1994 the government has required that detergents be added to all gasoline to help prevent fuel injectors from clogging. State and local regulators keep a close watch to make sure those standards are met; a 2005 study indicated that Florida inspectors checked 45,000 samples to ensure the state’s gas supply was up to snuff, and 99 percent of the time it was. “There’s little difference between brand-name gas and any other,” says AAA spokesperson Geoff Sundstrom.

What’s more, your local Chevron station may sell gas refined by Shell or Exxon Mobil. Suppliers share pipelines, so they all use the same fuel. And the difference between the most expensive brand-name gas and the lowliest gallon of no-brand fuel? Often just a quart of detergent added to an 8,000-gallon tanker truck.

4. “If you’re smart, you’ll put that debit card away . . .”

Your debit card might be a convenient way to pay for gas, but it’s a no-win proposition. When you swipe a debit card at the pump, the bank doesn’t know how much money you’ll be spending until you’ve finished pumping. So to make sure you have the funds to cover the purchase, some stations ask banks to automatically set aside some of your money: That amount can be $20 or more. That means even if you just topped off your tank for $10, you could be out $30, $50, even $100 until the station sends over its bulk transactions, which can take up to three days. If your funds are running low, you might end up bouncing a check in the meantime—even though you had the money in your account.

Unfortunately, paying inside with your debit card isn’t much of a solution either. Many banks charge their customers between 50 cents and $1 for the privilege of using their debit card in any PINbased transaction. The American Bankers Association estimates only 13 percent of consumers pay these fees, but critics say the practice is on the rise and consumers are often unaware of these charges.

5. “. . . and don’t even consider applying for our gas card.”

When it comes to gasoline credit cards, a little research goes a long way. The good deals are great, but the bad deals are really bad. Similar to store cards issued through retailers, gas cards are riddled with drawbacks, says Curtis Arnold, founder of CardRatings.com. APRs are high, starting above 20 percent; many don’t offer rebates on gas purchases; and they often lack standard protections such as fraud monitoring and zero liability for unauthorized transactions.

What about a Visa or MasterCard affiliated with a gasoline brand like Exxon or BP? They often offer lower interest rates and significant rebates, but limit your ability to shop around. In December 2005, a few months after gas hit $3 a gallon, Justin Andringa of Minneapolis considered a Shell MasterCard with a 15 percent rebate on gas purchases. But the rebate was temporary; he decided to stick with his Citi Dividend Platinum Select card, which gives him a 5 percent rebate on all gas purchases no matter where he buys it. “I’m a college student,” Andringa says. “I need to save money.” The deals on these cards are constantly changing. So visit CardRatings.com to find updated information.

6. “Looking for the cheapest gas in town? Try the Internet.”

You can’t actually buy gas online, but Web resources can help you find the cheapest fill-up in town. Among them, GasPriceWatch.com and GasWatch.info help people track pump prices. But the most comprehensive of the bunch is GasBuddy.com, which includes a network of 174 local sites, complete with maps and message boards that tally gas price by ZIP code. “People are frustrated by the variation in the price of gas,” says GasBuddy.com cofounder Jason Toews, and they’re using the Internet to take control.

It has worked wonders for Sue Foust. Every day, as she passes roughly 10 stations on her commute across Tucson, Ariz., Foust makes a mental note of their prices, then posts them on TucsonGasPrices.com, a local affiliate of GasBuddy.com. Then every four days or so, when she needs to fill up, she checks the prices others have posted in her area. It turned out the Shell station she used to frequent is one of the most expensive in the city. Now she fills up elsewhere. “I really do feel like I’m saving money,” she says.

7. “It’s a gallon when I say it’s a gallon.”

It’s hard to know if you’re getting all the gas you paid for at the pump. But in some places there’s a very good chance you’re not. The state or county weightsand- measures department usually checks pumps for accuracy, but in some areas it can be years between inspections. Arizona, for example, has only 18 staff members to check the state’s 2,300 stations.

That means stations there can expect a visit once every three to four years, according to Steve Meissner, an Arizona Department of Weights and Measures spokesperson. In 2005, 30 percent of the more than 2,000 complaints the department received were valid, and it levied $167,000 in fines. The good news is that it’s often easy to catch the most common problem: Older pumps in poor repair may begin charging you for gas before you’ve pumped it. Check the meter to make sure it registers $0.00 before you begin and doesn’t start charging you before the fuel is flowing.

8. “I might gouge you on a soda, but my coffee’s a real bargain.”

With margins on gas taking a hit—in 2006, fuel sales made up 71 percent of revenue but only 34 percent of gross margins—stations are increasingly looking to their convenience stores for income. Given that fact, you’d assume the average Kwik-E-Mart to be a terrible place to buy just about anything. But that’s only partially true.

Stock that usually sits on the shelf does tend to be vastly overpriced, so if you forgot ketchup on the way to a barbecue, you can bet you’ll pay a lot more for it at a gas station than you would at a supermarket, says David Bishop, director of convenience retailing for Willard Bishop Consulting. What about popular beverages? You’ll pay more for a 20-ounce soda at a gas station than you would for a two-liter bottle in a supermarket; water and energy drinks similarly tend to have high markups.

But there are bargains to be had: Some high-volume goods, such as cigarettes and beer, are often competitively priced at gas stations. And a cup of coffee goes for a fraction of what you’d pay at Starbucks.

9. “If you’re having car trouble, you’re in the wrong place.”

The days of the local gas station staffed with a skilled mechanic have all but come to an end. Station owners are swapping car lifts for beverage cases and car washes, anything that brings in a highvolume stream of income and traffic, says Dennis DeCota, executive director of the California Service Station and Automotive Repair Association. The more people who pull over for a soda, the greater the chance they’ll top off their tank and vice versa, the thinking goes. Few owners want the hassle of a business like car repair even if it earns the same amount of money as a convenience store.

In addition, repairing cars is increasingly expensive, and the ill will and potential liability from a fix-it job gone wrong are more of a headache than many owners are willing to risk. Today a service station can require $100,000 worth of diagnostic equipment—a significant investment. It’s a risky venture with little payoff, says Southern California station owner Arabshahi. In fact, Arabshahi removed the service station from one of his locations after he bought it. “I don’t have a service station because I am not a mechanic,” he says. “If he messes up a job, then it’s my name on there.”

10. “You don’t even need gas to run your car.”

Cars run on gasoline—but not all cars need gasoline to run. In fact, 6 million cars on the road today (mostly from U.S. manufacturers and built since 1998) are “flexible fuel” vehicles that can run on E85, a fuel that is 85 percent ethanol and only 15 percent gas. When Minneapolis resident John Schafer bought a car in late 2001, he chose a Chevy Tahoe because it’s a flexible-fuel car. Since then he’s filled up almost exclusively with E85. The big difference he’s noticed: Cars using E85 get about 15 percent fewer miles to the gallon. But it’s a drawback he’s willing to put up with. “I’m committed to the technology,” Schafer says. “With E85, it burns cleaner so it won’t pollute as much.”

While E85 generally costs less than regular gas, there is some concern that it may grow prohibitively expensive as demand outpaces supply: By 2006 ethanol was not just being used in E85—it also composed 15 percent of every gallon of gas sold. Supplies of ethanol are likely to grow thin, which could drive up the price of E85. And even die-hard Schafer says he won’t buy E85 if it starts to cost more than gasoline.

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