When is the Right Time to Get Engaged?

Posted by b_oneill on Jun 15, 2012 6:06:34 AM

 

June is one of the most popular months for marriages, but how do you know if you're ready to pop the question? Traditionally, guys make the move, often buying the engagement ring beforehand and getting down on one knee (often after a romantic dinner) to make the marriage proposal. The key is getting the timing right: knowing when she's ready; knowing when you're ready; and hopefully, knowing what her answer will be -- this can be very tricky! Fear not, the infographic below works out many of the possible situations and scenarios confronted by today's would-be brides and grooms. Follow the dotted lines, answer the questions honestly, and you may receive some sage advice in the end.

[click the image below to enlarge]

Deconstructing High Gas Prices

Every driver has been there: you pull up to the pump, swipe your credit card and then recoil from the final cost of filling up your tank.

Our wallets are feeling the strain of increased fuel costs, but what exactly are we paying for when our cars guzzle up gallons of gas? And how does the rising price of gas spill over into the costs of other products?

The Basics

Ken Cohen at Exxon Mobile's Perspectives blog breaks down exactly what we're paying for in a gallon of gasoline, beginning with the cost of raw materials. As you might expect, the cost of crude oil is the biggest single expense in a gallon of gas. That Perspectives post breaks down the component costs of a gallon of gas that costs $3.27. (According to AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge, as of this writing, the current average is up to $3.83). Of that amount, a hefty $2.55 goes toward crude oil, which then needs to be refined.

That's why in the long term, the biggest hope for mitigating gas costs is innovations in fuel-efficient vehicles. Of course, you could just sit at home all day doing nothing and save big. But for those who need to head out onto the open road, fuel efficient vehicles are the best bet for your wallet.

Per that Perspectives post, the cost of covering taxes amounts to (on average) another 39 cents, while distributing and marketing the product adds 33 cents to the price tag.

The Trickle Down Effect
Rising gas costs don't just affect us at the pump. The shipping industry feels the pinch more than most, and the increased cost of fuel is often passed on to consumers. Brandon Gale of Retail Shipping Associates told the New York Times last year that the clock was ticking on how long it would be before high gas prices filtered down to customers.

UPS spokesperson Dan McMackin went a step further, directly telling the International Business Times that high gas costs were reflected in the increased prices of their services. You're paying more to get a package delivered than you were a few years ago, and that increase is mostly due to the price hikes at your local gas station. Moreover, stores that now need to pay more to get their products shipped - everything from groceries to electronics - raise prices in turn to recoup those costs.

It's not all bad news: a recent Forbes report claims we’re in better shape to withstand rising gas prices this year, citing a strengthening economy and a recovering job market to help soften the blow. Still, those eBay bargains you're eyeing will be pricey to ship.

Take a Look Around
To get an idea of how much you're paying for gas relative to other products, it's worth using this comparison tool provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Here, the average consumer price for a number of products is provided, including a gallon of gas, a loaf of bread, a dozen eggs, and even a whole chicken.

According to that data, a gallon of milk cost an average of $3.499 in March 2012, compared to $3.868 for a gallon of regular unleaded in the same month. Unfortunately you can't (yet) power your vehicle by milk.

In contrast to those figures, residents of Seattle pay less than a penny per gallon of water according to this report on the state's public utilities. Now all we have to do is wait for the first water-fueled car to come along so we can take to the highway with a lot less stress on our minds.

 

6 Steps to a Greener Car Wash at Home

 

Whether you drive a perky hybrid or a well-loved clunker, there’s a greener way to wash your own car. Of course, from a standpoint of water use, commercial car washes are the “eco-friendlier” option (they tend to recycle and reuse the water). But there are steps you can take to lower the environmental impact of a car wash at home. Here’s how to wash a car and come out ahead.

1. Get out of the driveway. Bring the car from the driveway into the yard. This will help prevent the runoff – and all the gas, oil, tar and other particulates on your vehicle - from draining into your storm sewers.  Of course, if you don't want the chemicals of conventional cleaners seeping into your yard, you’ll want to opt for natural cleaners (some options below).
        
2. Put away the paper towels. Washing with paper towels is needlessly wasteful. But there’s no need to buy shop towels or packets of ‘heavy duty’ paper towlettes. Rip up some old t-shirts, use an oversized sea sponge, or repurpose fraying washcloths from your closet. Many old fabrics can be upcycled and used again and again.
        
3. Step away from the hose. Leaving the hose on throughout the washing process can waste gallons and gallons of water. Find yourself a couple of good-sized buckets and fill them up—this is all the water you need. If your hose has an automatic shut-off trigger, you can keep it around and gently mist the car to rinse.
        
4. Consider waterless.  You can put that hose away altogether if you consider a waterless car wash product over a traditional car cleaner. Just apply and wipe off, conserving water and eliminating runoff entirely.
        
5. Try a greener cleaner. If waterless isn't your thing, there are a number of natural car wash products on the market that won't harm the earth with runoff (pure castile soap makes a great car wash soap; it cuts through grime), but if you really want to get hands on…     
        
6. Make your own car wash. A 50/50 mix of vinegar and water will give your car a lasting shine; it also works on glass and chrome (but may tarnish some aluminum alloys). A coating of vinegar and jojoba oil will protect interior vinyl and leather surfaces (though, in the case of waxed interior surfaces, you’ll want to use hot water; vinegar will strip away the wax). This is also a good time to clean car stains: car seats and carpets will benefit from a refresh. Want to take your DIY cleaners to the max?  Your 50/50 vinegar-water mix can also be used as a natural washer fluid!

We hope these tips inspire you to spend a day taking care of your car – and the earth – with a green car wash.  Spring is the perfect time for keeping clean, and green!