Do you often sit in rush hour traffic, engine idling, going nowhere fast? Is your commute taking longer than it used to because of all the other cars on the road? America's urban commuters now waste an entire workweek each year -- some 38 hours -- stuck in traffic, according to a traffic study released late last year by Texas A&M University's Texas Traffic Institute.

Not only is that wasted time you could have spent doing something constructive, it's a major problem for the health of our planet. Idling car engines are a significant contributor to the greenhouse emissions leading to global warming which has become, in the last 15 years or so, a major issue of international proportions. But there are steps commuters can -- and should take -- to reduce their impact on the environment. read more »

With gas prices higher than ever, everyone is looking for a way to squeeze the most miles out of every fill-up. For every common-sense solution you hear, there seems to be two wonder products that claim to produce miraculous mileage figures. We’d love to find a 100-mpg wonder-widget, too. But we haven’t seen anything yet, so while we can’t help your seven-passenger SUV achieve econobox-like mileage numbers, we can offer a few tips to help you squeeze more miles out of every expensive gallon. Give them a try and we bet you'll see a difference. As it turns out, the most amazing fuel economy enhancer ever made is probably holding the steering wheel during your morning commute! read more »

The cost of vehicles and their related repairs are expensive. Although the tips provided in this article will not eliminate such expenses, they will help you to take control of vehicle repairs and thus lower their costs.

We have all seen commercials on TV touting the "great vehicle service" provided by dealer service departments. They know your vehicle better than anyone else, they use original replacement parts, etc. etc ... But at what cost is such great service available? Well, usually at about $75-$95 per hour.

In many instances, vehicle repairs can be completed for substantially lower hourly rates. Many independent garages employ ASE certified and licensed mechanics. These garages generally charge about $40-$50 per hour. read more »

Have you ever been in the tough position of owning a vehicle that is not worth too much money but that needs an expensive repair? Maybe you have recently even dumped some pretty good change into the vehicle for items like new tires, a battery, a muffler, etc. And now it needs a major repair!

You realize that you cannot sell the vehicle for much without getting it repaired, and you know that you can't afford to trade it in on another vehicle.

Given today's soft economy, what a time to face an expensive vehicle repair. What can you do? What are some possible options?read more »