Green Planet and Me

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Living Green Doesn’t Have to Be Hard

 
Living green doesn’t have to be hard. While it may feel like you need a major lifestyle change to get eco-friendly, the truth is with a few simple changes, you can live green with no inconvenience—and even save some money while doing so. The trick is to start small. Don’t reinvent the wheel; just make a few simple changes in your routine and go from there. Then, before you know it, you’ll be living green.

 
Water
A simple first step is to start turning off the tap when you’re brushing your teeth. When you bathe, resist the urge to fill the tub to brimming. While a long, hot soak is a nice treat, is it really necessary to have all of that water if you’re getting in and out in a hurry? If you shower, consider buying a water-efficient shower head. Make sure the dishwasher is full before you run it, or better yet, wash those few dishes by hand.

 
Energy
Little things that cost nothing and save loads include lowering your water heater to 120 degrees F, washing your clothes in cold water, lowering the thermostat during winter, and in warmer weather giving your dryer a rest and line-drying your clothes. Low-cost ideas include: insulating your water heater, attic, and HVAC ducts; installing a programmable thermostat; and ensuring your home is properly sealed against large air leaks.

 
Travel and Commuting
Depending upon where you live, commuting “green” may seem one of the more difficult things for you to embrace. But there are alternatives you can at least consider. Check out your local public transportation and see if there is a feasible option to driving to work every day. Taking the bus may seem unpleasant at first, but you may find time a commute spent reading, listening to music, or just watching the scenery puts you at work more relaxed than if you had driven.

 
Consider car-pooling. It might not be an option for work, but think about getting together with neighbours for shopping trips or play dates to the park. Think about walking instead of driving; taking your bike; or selecting vacation spots a bit closer to home.

 
When it comes time to buy a car, consider fuel-efficient models. But, don’t just replace the car you have in order to “be greener”. The energy used in new car production may outweigh the benefits of replacing the one you have.

Recycle
Probably one of the easiest ways to live green is to become aware of waste. How much of what you throw away can be recycled or reused? With most neighbourhoods offering recycling programs, there is really little excuse to not participate. Donate unwanted items to charity; find out what stores participate in e-waste recycling programs and get rid of old electronics that way; return iPods and cell phones to the manufacturer for use as parts. There are some companies, such as Gazelle, that buy used electronic devices and recycle them.

 
These are just a few of the many simple ways you can live a greener life with no hassle. Think about it. If it’s this easy to be green, then what excuse can you have not to be?

If you’re looking for more ideas, check out this eBook (no trees were harmed during its making ) Going Green In Your Home, as well as our Green Lifestyle section.

Posted under Articles

 

 
Relevant Details on the Obama Administration’s Stimulus Package Tax Credit For Hybrid Vehicles

 
President Obama’s stimulus bill, which is also referred to as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, enables us to claim certain benefits for hybrid vehicles. More specifically, Hybrid vehicles are offered a tax credit as per the stimulus package. All vehicles purchased from the year 2006 are eligible for the hybrid vehicle tax credit. The following includes some of the details of of the stimulus package.

 
Note that the best person to guide you effectively in this aspect is your tax consultant. Choose a good consultant and check out all possible details before filing your returns. You can also go online and read reviews, analysis and reports on the stimulus tax credit for hybrid vehicles to find more details.

 
The credit amount depends on multiple factors:

 
First, you must be the owner of extended range electric vehicles or plug in hybrids. Your hybrid model has drive trains which are powered by both rechargeable batteries and internal combustion engine.

 
Second, your eligibility depends on the vehicle model and the state where it was purchased. This scheme is also known as the Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit and all vehicles purchased after 1st January 2006 are eligible for this.

 
Third, if your hybrid vehicle was on road in the year 2008 and you are a taxpayer, then you can certainly claim credit. However, according to the stimulus package, credit will be given only to those who are the actual owners of the hybrid vehicles and not for those who have purchased the vehicle on a resale in the year 2008.

 
Fourth, the vehicle size and battery pack also plays a role in determining your eligibility for tax credit in the plug-in hybrid range. If you own a Chevy Volt, you should get a credit somewhere around $7,500 if you qualify. If you own a plug-in truck you may even be eligible for credit that can be as high as $15,000.

 
Finally, if your vehicle is extremely fuel efficient, you may even be eligible for credit worth $3,000.

 
In addition, there are other factors to consider:

• Credits will be given to new hybrid vehicles (those models which came out last year). The limit for a manufacturer is 60,000 vehicles. After this number of vehicles is sold, the available credit starts coming down until it is completely eliminated. Vehicle owners must wait for the manufacturer to reach the sales limit and file before the end of third month following the quarter.
• The manufacturing company is not an eligibility criterion and as of now around 500,000 vehicles are eligible for tax credits.
  It is also worth noting that there are other benefits offered in this package, including a $2 billion grant for manufacturing and development in the battery sector. A tax paying buyer who goes in for vehicle conversion will be eligible for up to 10% of the conversion price or a maximum of $4,000.

 
In conclusion, whether you own a hybrid vehicle, or if you are planning on buying a new hybrid car, you may be pleasantly surprised to find a deduction in your local sales tax and auto loans.

 
Note that the following guides can help you utilize the stimulus package to the maximum:

1. The Government is giving away free money: This guide will show you how you can take advantage of the new government stimulus programs available now: it will help you locate grants, apply and eventually receive them. Click Here!.
   
    

2. YourGrantResource: Get instant access to a “data-bank” of the best government grant and private foundation grant opportunities found. Click here!.

Posted under Products

In this section, we include several products that can teach you how to make BioDiesel at home.
Why use Bio-diesel? It reduces your fuel costs, operates in conventional engines, doesn’t require special storage, safer to use than petroleum diesel, reduces emissions significantly and finally, it improves domestic energy security.

 
Making BioDiesel using algae at home: This book explains how to make algae Biodiesel at Home. 60 Day, No Risk, Unconditional, 100% Money Back Guarantee.

 
How to Easily Build a “Down and Dirty” Bio-Diesel processors: This book explains in detail how to build 7 types of Bio-Diesel processors at home. 60 Day, No Risk, Unconditional, 100% Money Back Guarantee.

 
The “Down and Dirty” Bio-Diesel series: BioDiesel Recipes: This book teaches 13 different formulas of creating your own BioDiesel at home. Carious types of BioDiesel are easier or take longer to make. The author claims using these recipes can save you a lot of money. 60 Day, No Risk, Unconditional, 100% Money Back Guarantee.

 
The Encyclopedia of Making BioDiesel: This book is designed for Beginners and teaches how to make BioDiesel at home and how to build a 90 Liter Biodiesel processor with ease, step-by-step. 60 Day, No Risk, Unconditional, 100% Money.

 
Washing and Quality Testing BioDiesel: This book teaches how to improve the quality of the BioDiesel you make at home and concludes the Making BioDiesel series. 60 Day, No Risk, Unconditional, 100% Money.

 

 

 

Posted under Articles

Although going green is a noble goal worthy in its own right, and choosing this lifestyle generally helps people save money, these days it is even more worthwhile than before. Thanks to president Obama’s Stimulus Bill, going green can actually help you save a lot more money than before. It’s a win-win scenario: by going green and saving money on energy, you will be getting even more money though tax-cuts. All this while helping to save our environment - sounds like a pretty good deal to us!

 
Here is a summary of things you can do to qualify for getting this money:

1. Install energy-efficient doors, windows, insulation or roof and get 10% off or $500 tax credit.
   
    

2. Install skylights or eco-friendly exterior doors and get 10% or $200 back.
   
    

3. Install central air conditioner units, biomass stoves or energy efficient heaters and get 30% off or up to $1500 tax credit. (Get a free residential solar evaluation)
   
    

4. Buy a hybrid car and get up to $3400 refund, based on the amount of gas saved and weight of the car.
   
    

5. Install a solar-power system or a wind turbine to power your household appliances and get 30% off tax credit.
   
    

6. Install gas, propane or oil furnace or hot-water boiler, and get $150 tax credit.
   
    

7. Use mass transit instead of your own car, and get up to $230 pre-tax money per month.

 
Before making your new energy-saving home improvements make sure they are eligible for the tax cuts or credits. Also make sure you check your specific state’s tax break, as each state laws can be slightly different. And finally, you can always arrange an audit with a specialized consultant, many times also offered by the utilities department free of charge.