green living, smart spending
With gas prices approaching $4 a gallon in many states, interest and demand is increasing for fuel-efficient diesel vehicles, including certified pre-owned models from diesel leaders Mercedes-Benz, Audi, BMW and Volkswagen. The 2011 Mercedes E350 Bluetec has the highest demand among diesel vehicles on LeaseTrader.com, with search demand up 6.4 percent compared with January 2011.
Read more
California B&Bs have gone green with a variety of innovative and eco-friendly practices, including using solar power and geothermal energy systems to reduce electric costs, and providing electric car charging stations for guests arriving in plug-in hybrid and pure electric vehicles such as the Chevrolet Volt, Nissan Leaf and Mini E. In Santa Cruz, The
Read more
How appropriate that at the same time the Ford Motor Company is making headlines for producing green, energy efficient vehicles such as the Focus and Fiesta, a hotel named for company founder Henry Ford has earned a top rating from Green Lodging Michigan and the Michigan Dept. of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth. The hotel
Read more
Spring skiing and snowboarding is the best time of the season to enjoy the slopes, especially this year, when the Rockies, Sierras and Canadian Rockies have been pounded with snow from a La Nina weather year. Spring skiing means sunshine until the lifts close, fewer layers to wear, and the biggest discount deals of the
Read more
Fuel efficient, fun to drive, starting price of just $15,800. No wonder nearly half of all Mazda models sold in North America are the Mazda3, which has been racking up awards — the latest of which is as a “top safety pick” by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), for achieving the highest crash
Read more
Whatever you like to do on land, you’ll probably find a theme cruise to match. Elvis Theme Cruise — Start polishing your Blue Suede Shoes for the annual Elvis Cruise, just announced for January 12-16, 2012 from Jacksonville, Florida, to Nassau, Bahamas. This popular cruise usually sells out fast, and several dozen top “Elvis Tribute
Read more
The all-new 2011 Kia Optima has been collecting notable awards that would be impressive even for a sedan that costs a good bit more than this class-leading, family friendly, fuel efficient sedan with a starting price of $18,995. Most important for my money is that the 2011 Kia Optima is the first Korean-built vehicle to
Read more
Instead of beating up airlines for making us crazy by finding new ways to charge us more money for things like pillows, checked baggage and seats with leg room, it’s time to recognize how airlines step forward when there is a crisis and turn into good guys. Delta is pledging $1 million in cash and
Read more
Celebrate spring with these budget travel discounts and bargains to the Caribbean. Some of these travel deals can be booked now for travel later this year, others are for spring only. Barbados –Get one night free on a five-night stay, or two nights free on a seven-night stay, with the Take Me to Barbados promotion
Read more
The photos and video from Japan of the devastating earthquake and tsunamis, and their aftermath, are both riveting and heart-stopping. The massive humanitarian aid campaign already is underway, and you can help. Use your phone to text in a$10 donation to a legitimate, experienced charity. Most service providers do not charge for texting donations to
Read more