Shining Some Light on Solar Energy

by: Jim Fritz

Without a doubt, solar energy is the way of the future. Solar energy production is an extremely simple process to understand. A solar, or photovoltaic, cell collects energy from the Sun. A solar cell is a semiconductor device that is constructed using photovoltaic materials. It contains no liquids or chemicals, and no moving parts. Solar cells convert sunlight into electricity.

A solar panel generally consists of a series of individual cells, which are supported by a module that allows the cells to work in unison. The energy that is captured by the panel is stored in a battery. Solar panels generate direct current (DC) energy. Many solar energy systems have inverters in them which allow direct current (DC) electricity to be converted to alternating current (AC). Most consumer products such as appliances and electronics operate on AC current.

Unless you have a vast expanse of land to house an array of solar panels, it is unlikely that you will be able to power your entire home with solar energy. However, it is possible to power a single room in your house with a small array of panels fixed to the roof of your house. Multiply the wattage of each individual electrical device by the number of hours you expect to use them each day. That combined number will be your benchmark, or the bare minimum your system must be able to generate.

There are a number of options available to consumers that are considering converting to solar energy. A basic system that can be used to power a computer and a few other small items can be purchased for approximately $1000.00. Naturally, the price will increase with the production capacity of your system. In most regions, the price of an installed system will cost somewhere in the area of $10.00-$12.00 per watt.

Solar energy is one of a few truly renewable resources that can be used in energy and power generation. Every hour of every day, the Sun blankets our planet with enough energy to sustain our global energy needs for a year. As the technology behind photovoltaic energy advances, consumers will be unable to resist the urge to convert.

A lot of resources are being put into the development of solar energy technology. Most of the major oil and energy companies have entire divisions committed to solar energy. Researchers and engineers are spending countless hours trying to develop the technology today that will vastly improve conditions in the world tomorrow. It is no secret that we cannot continue down the path we are on. Fossil fuels are no longer a feasible option for energy production. The future is solar. The future is now.

About The Author

Jim Fritz has been a devout environmentalist for most of his adult life. He has been researching the benefits of solar energy for many years, and he is a contributing writer to http://www.thesolarguide.com – a brilliant online resource for information about Solar Energy, Solar Panels, Solar Consumer Goods and more.

Gas Pump Money Saving Tips

by: Leroy Chan

Gas prices are zooming sky high with no ceiling in sight. Do you remember when a gallon of unleaded cost $1.25? These days, it’s more important than ever to stretch your dollars at the gas pump. Here are ten gasoline buying tips to help you do that.

1. Shop Around
Prices vary among stations that sell the same brand. Find a station that sells your favorite brand cheaper. Prices between brands can vary. You can save money by switching brands.

2. Use a Gasoline Credit Card
Some give a 5 to 10 percent rebate on purchases.

3. Buy Gasoline in the Morning
Gasoline is denser during the morning when temperatures are colder. Gas pumps measure and charge by volume, not density. You’ll be getting more solid fuel rather than vapors for your money.

4. Buy Gas from a Busy Station
Busy gas stations refill their underground tanks often. Slower stations don’t. Therefore, their tanks may have stale contaminated gas. Older fuel is poorer on fuel economy and performance.

5. Turn the Nozzle
Twist the gas pump nozzle 180 degrees when done. This can add up to an extra four ounces to your tank.

6. Stop Using High-Octane Gas
High-octane gas costs more than regular. If you car isn’t pinging, use regular unleaded. You’ll save up to 20 cents per gallon.

7. Avoid Topping-Off
The pump needs time to draw out the full amount. It doesn’t get it when you Top-off. You pay extra for these short- burst of fuel. Wait until your tank is at least half-full before you fill it up.

8. Avoid Stations That Just Refilled Their Tanks
The refilling of underground tanks stirs up particles that lay at the bottom. If these particles get in to your gas tank, they can cut the fuel efficiency of your car.

9. Pump Your Own Gas
Use the self-serve rather than the full-serve pump. Full- serve gasoline costs more. You save money pumping gas yourself.

10. Tighten the Gas Cap
Twist the cap until you hear it click. This prevents gasoline from evaporating and escaping.
Final Thought

These ten tips are easy to apply. Remember to use them each time at the gas pump. You’ll be stretching your gas dollars.

About The Author

Leroy Chan makes available a special report that exposes the tricks drivers must learn to avoid paying too much for a tank of gas. Information on this and more can be found on his site: http://www.GasPumpMoneySavingTips.com

Eleven Money-Saving Auto Insurance Tips for Senior Drivers

by: Matt McWilliams

Like all drivers, senior citizens (or as I like to call them “seasoned citizens”) want to get the best rates on their auto insurance policies. What they may not be aware of is that older drivers may present a higher risk than other drivers, usually leading to higher auto insurance rates.

Following a few simple tips and taking these measures will ensure that you are getting the lowest rates possible on your auto insurance policy.

1. Avoid more Accidents, Pay Close Attention at Intersections. Auto accidents involving seniors often occur at intersections. Make sure to look ahead if you plan to quickly change lanes after an intersection. Pay attention to protected left turn lanes with their own arrows, and always keep your tires pointed straight ahead when stopped, so that a rear-end accident doesn't push you into oncoming traffic.

2. Follow the flow of traffic, Drive at the at or near the speed limit. Driving too slowly can be just as dangerous as speeding, especially when entering or exiting interstates or freeways. It can also trigger dangerous "road rage" in less patient drivers. You don’t have to be Mario Andretti, but keeping to the right and following the flow of traffic is the safest bet.

3. Many violations include failure to yield right-of-way, improper turning or incorrect lane changes, so keep current on the traffic laws relating to new traffic designs.

4. Sit high enough in your seat so that you can see at least 10 feet in front of your car, advises the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. If your car seat does not adjust to allow this, add a cushion. This will make it easier to see pedestrians and bike riders, and reduce problems from oncoming headlight glare at night.

5. Do not wear sunglasses or tinted glasses when driving at night. For many older drivers, night vision is reduced, so safety dictates not driving at twilight or after dark.

6. Make sure you learn how to operate a New Car. Things like Anti-lock brakes, for example operate differently in slippery situations. If you have never driven a car with anti-lock brakes, sure to get training on proper use.

7. Senior drivers can refresh their skills and knowledge -- and get a discount on auto insurance in many states -- by taking a refresher driving course, such as the eight-hour "55 Alive" course offered by AARP. More than two-thirds of states mandate auto insurance policy discounts for such courses, and many insurance companies offer the discounts voluntarily.

8. Look for cars with rear-view mirrors that automatically dim and filter out headlight glare.

9. Air bag technology has become more advanced, with sensors that deploy air bags based on the weight of the occupant, reducing air-bag-related injuries. Some new cars also have side air bags in the seats or door frame that offer better protection.

10. Consider fit and comfort in your new car. Seat belts that comfortably fit over your shoulder and low on your lap will keep you safer. Automatic transmission, power steering and power brakes require less physical effort.

11. Last but definitely not least, Check to see which companies offer specific ‘Senior Discounts’ While shopping around for the best auto insurance rates is important, which insurance company you choose might depend on how they treat senior drivers. You'll get their best rates if you're healthy and drive a safe, modern vehicle.

Reprints of this article are allowed (and encouraged) for your site or newsletter with proper credit to the author and a simple link to http://www.hometownquotes.com.

Family Vacation Money Saving Tips

by: Art McCarty

Being a Orlando travel insider, we are revealing our secrets, and rounded up the best ways to cut costs on your next family vacation to Orlando. It all adds up....

1. Put a lid on gas prices. Your best Orlando, FL travel friend on the road should be www.gasbuddy.com, a website that surveys prices at gas stations across the country. You can find a gas station closest to you--wherever you are-- with the cheapest rates. Dont go more than a few blocks out of your way to get the lower price or you will burn in gas what you saved in cash.

2. Get an eticket. When you book your flights, ask for an email confirmation, even if it needs to be send to a neighbors computer. Some airlines charge $25 if you request a paper ticket.

3. Dont change your mind. Since the travel downturn after September 11, most airlines have added a penalty fee of about $100 per ticket for flight changers on nonrefundable tickets, so have a firm plan before you book your reservation to Orlando, FL.

4. Check the discount airlines. Big online travel agencies (such as Orbitz, Travelocity, and Expedia) are great for finding low fares, but some of the discount airlines--including Southwest Airlines (www.southwest.com) and Jetblue (www.jetblue.com)--aren't included in their price comparisons. Go to the airlines' sites to find out whether they offer better deals. Others to try: Spirit Airlines (www.spiritair.com), Song (www.flysong.com), Airtran Airways (www.airtran.com) and Frontier Airlines (www.frontierairlines.com)

5. Brown Bag it. Many discount airlines are able to offer lower rates because they dont serve snacks or meals on board. Avoid the inflated prices of airport food by packing your own.

6. Get a free breakfast. You dont have to stay at a bread-and-breakfast to get a free morning meal for your family. All-suites hotels, such as Holiday Inn offer FREE breakfast that can save you about $10 per person. No breakfast? Ask the hotel for a refrigerator in your room, and buy the things you need for one or more meals per day so you dont have to eat in the pricey hotel restaurant or go ahead an rent a spacious Orlando Villa.

7. Don't get hosed for making phone calls. If your staying at the Wyndam Hotel for example sign up for special program or ensure the villas in Orlando offer free local calls. Otherwise, use your cell phone for all calls or buy a prepaid calling card in advance.

8. Save on rental car insurance. Many credit cards offer automatic insurance on rental cars, so you probably won't need the package the rental company offers if you pay with your card. Just check with your credit card company before the trip. Also check with your auto insurance carrier to see if your plan includes rental cars.

9. Sign up for e-Rewards. Get $1 toward Hertz car rentals, American Airline tickets, and Hilton Hotel rooms for every e-mail you read when you sign up at www.e-rewards.com.

Be sure you do your comparison of villas, hotels, inns, resorts to ensure you find the best fit before making your trip into Orlando FL.

http://www.islandhideaway.net

4 Computer Money-saving Tips

by: Sharron Senter

Here are four tips that’ll save you money when buying your next computer.

Tip #1 -- Rebates: A rebate is not always a bargain. Computers with rebates are often close to being discontinued. You may pick up a good deal or purchase technology that's about to become yesterday’s news. What's more, stores will often package computers with a bunch of free items to make it look like you're getting more value. Chances are the extras are either poor quality or items you're unlikely to use. Also, they’re counting on you to not redeem your rebate, a very common occurrence.

Tip #2 -- Extended Service Warrantees: Buyer Beware! They're a gamble, but not always a bad idea. If you're purchasing a laptop and you plan to travel a lot, an extended warranty that covers replacement of the monitor/display can be a good gamble. Replacing a display can cost $400-$600, making the warranty worthwhile. On the other hand, if you plan on buying the warranty for routine maintenance; save your money. Oftentimes it can take weeks for the store to send your PC out for service. Also, remember the store where you purchased your computer does not always do warranty work during the first year, instead you may have to ship it directly to the manufacturer. In general, extended warranties cover electronics [things you can't see]. They don't usually cover physical damage. Most extended warranties have large gray areas, leaving the warranty provider a lot of room to reject claims.

Tip #3 -- Monitors: Don’t throw away your monitor if it's still working properly. Instead, keep it and save a chunk of money by just replacing your old CPU [computer tower]. Monitors last much longer than CPUs and the technology is usually compatible between your old monitor and the new CPU. However, if you’re dissatisfied, then monitors, keyboards and mouses are the three tools to spend extra money on, since you use them every day!

Tip #4 -- Networking: How are you connecting to the Internet? If you're using a high speed Internet connection, such as cable broadband or DSL, you'll want to make sure you have a network card built into your system. If you have a wireless network at home or at the office, save money and installation time by buying the wireless card built right into the computer.

About The Author

Sharron Senter is co-founder of http://www.VisitingGeeks.com - an on site computer repair, security and networking company serving north of Boston, Southern NH and Maine. Visiting Geeks’ technicians are crackerjacks at squashing viruses, popups and securing and making computers perform faster. Learn more about Sharron at http://www.SharronSenter.com

General Money Savings Tips

by: Adrian Kennelly

People are always trying to save money, especially with today's economy. No matter what your reason for saving, through this e-book, you will discover ways never considered.

The price of everything has gone up, requiring people to be more conscientious about money. The problem is that by the time the mortgage, car, utilities, and credit cards are paid, there is little money to put aside. Saving money is not that hard, just a matter of learning all the different options and being creative.

In addition to the obvious of putting money into a retirement fund or savings account, there are hundreds of ways to save money. Although some ways of saving may not seem like much, once you add them up at the end of the year, you will see how substantial the savings really are. Keep in mind that saving is more than a single lump sum of money put aside. Saving is something found in your everyday life by the way you live and the choices you make.

Rome was not built in a day and neither will your bank account be. Each penny saved is one more penny than before. If you have the ability to save big, that is great. However, most people are not in that position, which is why this e-book will show you how little savings can add up quickly.

Be encouraged that it is never too late to start saving, regardless of your age. Set your mind that now is the time to start building your future.

1. Holiday Gift Giving
This tip is especially helpful for large families. Although it is fun buying for and receiving from everyone, it can be very expensive. Make an agreement with your family that you will continue to buy for the children but that the adults will go with a name exchange. This way the children are not disappointed and you can spend a little more on one or two people rather than spreading your money thin. For the members that you did not pick to exchange with, bake a loaf of their favorite homemade bread or cookies.

2. Clearance

Always head straight for the clearance rack where you can find amazing bargains. Sometimes you may have to dig a little to find the right item but the savings will be well-worth your time. Most clearance racks offer variety, current trends, and great value. For example, Bed, Bath & Beyond has a clearance section where you can find all kinds of wonderful household items for a fraction of the original cost.

3. Thrift / Surplus Stores
Unfortunately, thrift and surplus stores have been given a bad rap. Many of these stores are filled with hundreds of top quality items. Name brand merchandise is easy to find but just like clearance racks, it takes some time to find. Find a thrift or surplus store close to where you live and then plan spending some time to find those outstanding bargains. One woman in Kansas City, Missouri located such a store about 20 minutes from her home. After shopping through every isle over the period of two hours, she walked out of the store with eight huge garbage bags filled to the brim with designer clothes for her and her children, many with the original tags still attached. She even found a couple of Liz Claiborne suits for herself at $5.99 each and a Dooney & Burke purse normally valued at $225 for $19.95. Her children had an entire season of school clothes and best of all, she paid less than $200.

4. Wrapping Paper and Bows

Create your own wrapping paper, which is not only unique, but also fun. Use plain brown grocery bags and craft-like paints to make your design. After wrapping the gift, let your creative juices flow. For example, using black and yellow craft paint, create a miniature road. Then dipping toy truck tires into red paint roll them along the paper making tire tracks. You can then draw free hand a stop sign, yield sign, or stop light. Next, using a hot glue gun, glue a couple of the miniature trucks to the paper. This is perfect for a young boy. He will be just as thrilled with the wrapping as the actual gift. For a girl, you can simply create miniature bows from existing fabric or lace and glue them on brown paper then free hand draw colorful flowers. Just use your creativity and look around for items you already have on hand to use.

5. Reuse

When you shop, look for items that can be reused. Rechargeable batteries are a perfect example. Even though the initial purchase may be more than non-rechargeable batteries, there is a definite savings over a long period. Another option would be to purchase a nice artificial Christmas tree. Many of the current artificial trees look amazingly real and with the right lights and ornaments, you can change the look from year to year.

About The Author
Adrian Kennelly
This article may be redistributed and reprinted freely as long as this resource box remains intact. To read the rest of this guide, please visit http://www.101moneysavingtips.net.

Money Saving Wedding Tips

by: Yolanda Nash

One Idea to save money is to not have your wedding on the weekend. Many vendors will offer substantially lower costs because weekdays they are usually free and not booked.

When buying a wedding gown check your local newspaper for slightly used dresses. Shop in bridal outlets they usually will offer substantially lower costs than your local bridal store. Shop consignment stores you can usually find great deals and slightly used dresses. Don't buy a designer dress if you don't have to. Designer dresses will definitely cost you more money and usually you can find similar dresses at a much lower cost than you would a designer dress.

When purchasing your cake try to keep it all the same flavor and keep it simple. Use your own decorations for the cake like fresh cut flowers or pearls. Doing this is minimizing the hand made designs that the baker does which will lower your cost of the cake.

Deciding on video and pictures have a friend with a nice camera usually 4 pixels and up take your pictures. Take your pictures to your local photo lab and edit them yourself or use your computer and add your own effects. This will save you a ton of money. Your video you can do the same. Have a friend with a nice camera and a tripod the tripod is important because you want steady video and have them shoot your wedding.

Have your wedding at home or at a friends house. When you have a wedding at home you do not pay any fees that are associated with renting a hall or ball room. Also you can bring whatever food you would like and you don't have to pay for a bartender if you do not want too.

When deciding on entertainment have a friend with access to the internet download your favorite songs and burn them to a disc and play them at your reception. This will be a huge savings.

When deciding on your wedding accessories such as your flower girl basket you can usually go to a local craft store and purchase a plain basket and decorate it yourself. You can pick up some material while your there and some pillow stuffing and a little needle and thread and make your own ring pillow.

When trying to match all of your colors together go to your local paint store and get a paint card of the colors you are using and take this everywhere you go. This will help you with matching flowers and all of your decorations you are using in your wedding.

If you are having an outdoor wedding have it in the fall. The fall time is the most beautiful weather and most likely not as hot as it would be in the summer time. Also prepare yourself for rain. Have a plan to get the cake and other decorations that are sensitive to rain put up and out of the way.

Do not be afraid to ask for help. Ask groomsmen and bridesmaids to help decorate before the wedding and assign each one of them a couple of simple tasks each. This will save you on decorating and clean up before and after the wedding.

Most of all remember it's your wedding and just enjoy yourself and have a great time.

About The Author

Yolanda Nash is the owner of http://www.yolandasweddingfavors.com and wedding planner. She enjoys seeing all the different table decorations, flowers and wedding party favors on the wedding day.