ecoXplorer Year in Review: Top Stories of 2019

The stats are in, and here are the most popular ecoXplorer posts of 2019.

You are a smart group of followers who want to avoid being ripped-off, since most of the top posts are our “scam alert” advisories.

And you are an eclectic bunch, since other top posts ranged from endangered animals to a kitschy stretch limousine.

Drum roll please.

Here are the top posts on ecoXplorer for the year, as chosen by you, to read if you missed them, or reread.

jimmy John big game hunter — Jimmy John, Big White Hunter

#1 Reasons to Avoid Jimmy John’s

The trophy hunting of endangered animals was in the headlines numerous times in 2019, including trophy hunting escapades by President Trump’s two eldest sons, Don Jr. and Eric.

I don’t approve of killing endangered animals for sport, and neither do you.

As I wrote, the photos of Jimmy John’s founder with a dead elephant and a dead leopard have nothing to do with the quality of the food his franchises serve, but they do say a great deal about the quality of the man.

This post also was #1 in 2018

#2 Scam Alert: Mideast Peace Charities

This most-viewed post also generated more comments than any other post of the year, so thanks to followers for the lively discussion.

I always recommend that you thoroughly investigate the rating a charity or non-profit group before donating your hard-earned money, and that you should avoid donating your money to groups which mis-use or misrepresent your donations.

lamborghini for rent — Lamborghini Stretch Limo

#3 Lamborghini Stretch Limousine

The popularity of this post surprised me, since it dates from 2013, but it tells us Lambos are always interesting to read about and dream about, and this is one of the few you can actually rent.

Car subscription services are alternative to buying or renting

#4 How to Avoid Flying a Boeing 737 Max 8

Two deadly crashes prompted airlines around the world to ground the plane, which since has been grounded permanently.

This article also includes a list or airline websites and other apps to inform you about everything from where you seat is to tips about travel insurance.

Also –

After the Sultan of Brunei ordered the death by stoning to anybody who engages in LGBTQ gay sex or adultery, we wrote a story about the hotels and restaurants in the USA and around the world owned by this absolute monarch and vicious racist – just in case you want to avoid them.

The list includes the Beverly Hills Hotel and the Bel-Air Hotel in Los Angeles and restaurants by world-famous chefs Alain Ducasse and Wolfgang Puck.

Read the article here

#5 Scam Alert: Bahamas Free Cruise

The free cruise scam used to come in the mail. Now it arrives by phone and email. The technology may have changed, but not the scam.

We’ve said it often, and we’ll say it again:

Any offer that sounds too good to be true, probably is.

#6 Chipotle Credit Card Breach

Scam Alert: kars4kids

# 7 Scam Alert: Kars4Kids

The endless radio and TV commercials with the endless jingle drives us all nuts.

And you are nuts if you donate your car to a charity that’s been accused and sued multiple times for misleading advertising and misuse of donated money.

Once again, before you donate your money, car, or even your boat or real estate to any charity on the planet, check them out with one of the charity rating services first to find out whether they get a passing grade. This one doesn’t.

best affordable electric cars — 2019 Kona Ultimate

#8 Best 2019 Cars Under $20,000: Hyundai Kona

It’s a Wheel Deal: Yes, there still are new vehicle models you can buy for less than $20,000, and one of the best buys is the 2019 Hyundai Kona.

It’s a versatile sub-compact SUV packed with safety features not usually available at this price, including lane keep assist, driver attention warning and forward collision-avoidance assist, which uses radar to help detect another vehicle and warn you of a potential collision. If the driver does not react to avoid the impact, the system may apply emergency braking.

#9 Vintage Mode T Fords Race Coast to Coast

The annual Ocean-to-Ocean Rerun team is a cross-country road trip adventure, covering 4,000 miles in 11 states, in vintage Ford Model T vehicles which are 100 years old, or more.

The road trip begins in Tarrytown, NY, and ends 30 days later in Seattle. 35 vintage vehicles start the race but they don’t all make it to the finish line.

The oldest Model T in the 2019 event was a 1909 model, the year the coast-to-coast road trip was held as America’s first transcontinental automobile race and endurance contest.

#10 Foreign Cars Made in America

Trump Administration tariffs on steel and proposed tariffs on imported cars overlook an important part of the automotive industry.

Which is the all the foreign automakers who have invested hundreds of billions of dollars to produce millions of vehicles here in the USA, and employ hundreds of thousands of American workers to build them.