Posted by ross |

Have you ever wondered what cars were really in the Mel Gibson movie Mad Max?  No?  Okay, maybe I'm the only one.  Well, me and this guy, who took the time to catalogue and research the automobiles that were used in the movie.  I hope you enjoy your foray into the post apocalyptic wastelands!  Remember, Master Blaster run Bartertown! 

Posted on: 6/18/2009 at 4:27 AM
Categories: Sci Fi Cars
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Posted by ross |

Keep your blood pressure down, save gas, and be kind to the environment, all by watching this overly obvious video on How to Avoid Traffic Jams. 

Posted on: 6/18/2009 at 4:19 AM
Categories: Environment | Misc
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Posted by Laurie Kight |

With the barrage of crummy news coming from the auto industry, lawmakers and the Obama administration are hungry to provide something positive to the American people. Enter the “cash for clunkers” bill, proposed legislation designed to provide an incentive for consumers to buy more fuel-efficient automobiles.

The idea, patterned after European programs, is that the government will provide vouchers for up to $4,500 toward the purchase price of a vehicle that gets at least four MPG better than the car a consumer is trading in. Qualifying consumers in the market for a new vehicle can use the voucher as part of a down payment if they want financing (RoadLoans would accept the voucher as cash down, for example), or to reduce the overall purchase price of the vehicle.

Like most government programs, there is a list of requirements that must be met – both from the consumer and with the vehicles in mind (and there are different rules for cars and trucks), but the concept is certainly interesting. As proposed, there are many positives – a customer with an inefficient, less reliable car gets a new ride, the environment gets a break, and the dealer makes a sale. USA Today has put together an FAQ page about the program that covers consumers’ hot topics concerning the issue.

Of course all this depends on the legislation passing. If the bill is part of proposed law that requires a lot of debate, it could take a while. If it’s “fast-tracked” it could be sooner – possibly by the end of the summer. Either way, if it passes, the program will only be good for one year. When and if it passes, RoadLoans will support the program by accepting the vouchers as part or all of a down payment toward the purchase of a vehicle.

Posted on: 6/8/2009 at 2:51 AM
Categories: The Smart Consumer
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Posted by ross |

Road trips have an allure about them, at least in my possibly distorted view of things, that put me in the same frame of mind as the snow day.  Snow days and road trips, while existing in this dimension, seem to exist far enough outside of the reality that is my day to day schedule that not only is a break from the norm a fair possibility, but is downright expected!  This is particularly the case with food.  On a snow day (I live in Texas, so they happen twice a year: once when it actually ices over, and another when everyone thinks its going to ice over but because no one wants to work, they shut down the entire state), all bets are off when it comes to any scheduled meals.  We simply fire up the dvd player and eat popcorn, poptarts, and sugar pops all day long.  Road trips are no different.  The temptation for us is to stop every 2-3 hours and let the kids out of the cage to run around, which inevitably includes a small "snack," while at meal times engaging in the favorite American pastime of gorging on fast food.  This is not good.  Of course its a wee bit convenient, but the drawbacks bury any positives deep into the shady truckstop/fast food restaurant trashcan.  Sure the road trip needs to be fun, but that doesn't have to mean being unhealthy the entire way.  Here are two articles with suggestions for eating healthy when on the road.  We actually implemented some of these last summer when we drove cross-country, and not only did we eat better, but we saved some dough in the process.  And when we did plan on stopping at a fast food joint, we were able to treat it like a big event, which went a long way in keeping the kids in line.  Now if we can only work on being healthy on the snow days...

Here are the articles: article 1, article 2

Posted on: 6/4/2009 at 6:38 PM
Categories: Family | Road Trips
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