Why are people so against being a little more environmentally friendly?

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Q. I'm not a hippy, or a full on Environmentalist but I do understand that at our rate we're going to drain this Earth dry. Yeah Oil may last another 100 - 200 years, but that alone is well into our Kid's generation or our grand kids and the fact we're just wasting and polluting this Earth like there are no consequences.

Then when you even mention that people should be a little kinder to this Earth they all automatically go into what I call redneck mode and start screaming about "Find something that works and I'll do it, but until then I'll stick with my 4x4 Chevy with a 383 stroker super charged" and getting mad when cars like Tesla Model S reach car of the year. I believe their new supercharger (Charging station) is solar powered. and that car has gotten 430+ miles on a charge and cost 79,000 dollars. That is not bad for an Electric car that good and as they go on they'll get cheaper and cheaper. That IS a good alternative.

Don't get me wrong, I am NOT one of those people that preach going green. But I do see that in the long run we're going to end up f**king ourselves big time so I am wondering, why are people so against just being a little more conscious about this Earth?
It's funny you say that.

I actually live in the home of Rednecks, where rednecks flourish.

I live a Country life style. Non like you. and sorry, but around here we hate Rednecks that come in and ruin the place.

Answer
redneck mode huh? you pretty much take yourself out any possibility of being taken seriously.... so any dissent to your point of view makes anyone else a redneck? yeah..you are a cliched wannabe hippy liberal.

when you mention how people "should" be doing anything....you are imposing your views.

are you willing to never turn on the ac again? do you really need a pc, ipod, ipad, cellphone etc. how about you stop using toilet paper? do we have to keep killing trees because youre to good to wash and reuse cloth rags?

on and on it goes... why does your particular level of comfort become what other people "should" do?

What's the best way to guard an expensive electric bike against theft when parking it near public buildings?

joe friday

My older car was recently totaled, and I'm considering it an opportune time to go ahead and make the switch to a more eco-friendly mode of transportation. I'm planning to purchase an electric bike that is fairly expensive, and something that I'm sure would be just attractive to would-be-thieves as it is to me. I've never had a bike like this before, or any bike since I was a kid. What would be the best way to ensure my bike can't be easily taken when I have to park it? Are there new types of locks or other security devices available these days?

Answer
It may sound too simple, but works:
You could invest in a long chain which you could pull through the spokes and the frame, and lock it with a big padlock.
When you park, wrap the chain around a lamp post.
Everything is woven through everywhere so thoroughly that nobody would have any chance of stealing it, unless they bring one hell of a bolt cutter.

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How to look for a car with good gas mileage?

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Mei

I'm browsing for a car that has good gas mileage for the the first time. In any summary of a car, where will it say? Also, how does city/hwy range mpg work? I'm still a little confused by it. Thanks in advance!

Answer
The best way to pretty much know the actual mileage any vehicle will get, is to read the test reviews in magazines like Consumer Reports ( Auto edition ), or Car & Driver fuel economy test reports. The local library would be a great place to find magazines from the past couple of years, depending on the model year you are looking to buy. The difference between City driving and highway driving is that in the city, there is likely lots of stop and go driving, stopping at one store and shutting the car off, then restarting the car and going to another store. This type of city driving ruins fuel mileage because you're starting from a dead stop, traveling a short distance, then stopping again. when you're driving on the highway, you start out, and then you may drive 8 or 10 miles before you even need to slow down or stop. When you can keep your momentum with any vehicle, you don't have to expend extra energy ( fuel ), to pick up speed again. Today's vehicles with their 5 and 6 speed automatic transmissions, will have less of a difference in fuel mileage between city/highway driving than there was even 5 years ago. Today it seems to be advertised at about 5 to 8 MPG difference ( more ), on the highway. Of course the new hybrids that are gas and electric would be better around the city because the gas engine shouldn't really run at all. The fuel mileage "Estimate" you'll see on the window stickers on the lot, are just that...and estimate. Everyone drives differently, and equips their car differently. The manufacturers don't even test their cars on the roads either city or highway testing. They put the cars on a dynamometer which is a machine that's indoors. It's two rollers that the drive wheels set on and they just set the car at a speed for testing and check the mileage when it runs out of fuel. No driver, no passengers, no stop and go, no wind and no hills. So their fuel mileage estimate isn't very reliable. Arm yourself with knowledge about the vehicles ( especially the dealer's price he pays for the car ), before you hit the car lots. Don't be afraid to ask questions ( even some you know the answer to ) so you can determine how reliable the dealer is. Hope this helps a bit! Enjoy shopping for a car! :)

Does anyone have a list of current car models by length?

Hopeki

I live in a neighborhood with small lots, and I have a short driveway. On-street parking is limited, due to nearby apartments and a hospital. I am trying to figure out what car (new or used) to buy, and the shorter the better. I know the Smart car is short, but I have heard it only takes premium gas. Which cars should I look at?

Answer
Hereâs some lengths for smaller cars. The specs are for 2012 models, so if you are buying used you might want to check to see if there were changes to the length over time. The measurements are in inches and rounded up or down, because, well, to me, a tenth of an inch here or there is meaningless when you are talking about a car (except of course to the engineers).


Smart fortwo hatchback: 106
Scion iQ: 120 (One review says it âperforms like a downsized Toyota Corollaâ.)
Fiat 500: 139
Mini Cooper: 147
Scion xD: 154
Toyota Yaris: 154
Chevy Sonic hatchback: 159
Ford Fiesta hatchback: 160
Honda Fit: 162
VW GTI: 166
VW Beetle: 168
Ford Focus (electric or hatchback): 172
Kia Rio: 172

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She's pregnant. What are some of the costs associated with pregnancy and child rearing?

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Joe Schmoe

Neither of us have ever had kids. What will be the biggest challenge? How much does day care cost? Diapers? Etc.? Will I be able to finish college? I need to hear about other peoples' experiences.

Answer
My husband is an accountant and figured this out as much as he could. Please be aware that we live in a high cost area so we are paying more than say, the Midwest.

1. Medical care - Maternity care and the doctor's fee for delivery is usually a flat rate. This includes all your prenatal visits and a basic vaginal delivery fee for the delivering physician. This does not cover blood work, ultrasounds, urology testing, vaginal cultures, etc. These are billed at whatever rate you have with your insurer. The actual stay at the hospital will be a room, bed, nursing plus materials cost. I would call your local hospital and insurer to figure out approximately what this will come to.

2. Day care. Completely depends on who, how and where. Count on at least $800/month on the low side for home-run daycare with much more for a franchise facility. We are fortunate in our area because we can get qualified nannies who are recent immigrants who will cook, clean and watch the children for $1000/month.

3. Diapers. Cloth diapers are more work, but less expensive. Cloth diapers now are entirely different from what they used to be. http://www.fuzzibunz.com/ http://www.happyheinys.com/ If you go with disposables, buy them from Sam's Club or Costco or equivalent. I would buy wipes in bulk from them as well. If we buy them from a local store, they run about $18-20/pack. The packs get smaller as the sizes get bigger. They start at around 40 diapers and go down from there. Babies go through about a dozen diapers a day to start and then taper down some. You will spend a ton of money here.

4. Feeding. Breastfeeding saves well over $1000/year. You will need a breast pump which runs up to $350. (Buy a good one such as a Medela dual electric.) You will also need smaller items such as nursing bras, nursing pads, etc. You will want to have some bottles and maybe a bottle warmer on hand so that she can express her milk with the pump, and others can feed the baby when she is not with him. I can't speak to formula feeding. We aren't planning on going that route.

5. Setup costs. Buying used can save you a ton of money, but you will need to do research to ensure that the items meet safety standards. I would suggest www.craigslist.com. Do NOT buy a used crib mattress. Buy this new for sanitary and safety reasons. I would also suggest that you buy a new infant car seat and base. If the car is ever in an accident of any kind, the infant seat and base must be replaced, even if they look perfectly undamaged. I wouldn't risk someone's selling you a seat that may have been in an accident. We had to buy new since in our area, the cost weirdly ends up being the same between the 'normal stuff' that we would buy and the used 'ultra-luxury' stuff that people sell. We budgeted $2000 and came in just below that, but that included everything - car seat, base, stroller, crib, mattress, changing table, all possible accessories, breast pump with all other breastfeeding items, bottles and nipples, bottle warmer, toys, glider rocker with ottoman, clothes, 500 wipes, 2 -3 weeks worth of diapers, etc. For this amount, we completely and fully outfitted an entire nursery by shopping sales, generous baby showers, and spending a lot of time online looking for quality, but less expensive baby furniture. We did buy a changing table that is really a dresser with a change table on top so that we didn't have to buy him a dresser when he is a toddler or to use for both children if we have a second (dresser for the first and changing table top for the second).

Our pregnancy was a complete and total surprise. (We were told that I probably couldn't have children.) We immediately began to save and make financial arrangements. We also reduced our expenses by cutting down on simple things such as my husband's morning stop for coffee, dinners out on Fridays, visiting movie theatres, etc. We instead starting doing free activities or lower costs things such as renting movies, going for walks in the free botantical gardens, eating out at cheap restaurants, and being more careful to buy grocery items that are on sale.

The baby was the first grandchild on both sides and the first baby in the family for several years so people went 'nutz-so' on gift giving which was very generous and a tremendous help. I would not be shy about registering for whatever you need. People love to buy for babies and are truly happy to give you gifts. Even co-workers surprised me with a homemade knit baby blanket and other presents.

My father (who is around a genius IQ) had a wife, two children and full-time, nightshift menial job sweeping coal dust in a power plant after being discharged from the Army. It took him nine years part-time, but he graduated from college and went on to have a good career. He started when I (the oldest child) was seven years told so I was 16 when he graduated. It was inspirational to us children and a constant reminder of the importance of diligence and hard work. When I went to college and got discouraged, I would think "Well, if Dad could do it, what I am getting so worked up about?" To this day, when someone mentions the word 'character', I think 'Dad'. Dad defines character. Staying in school may be hard, but I would strongly encourage you to do it.

Growing up, we didn't have all that much, but I had a very happy childhood which I look back on with nothing but fondness. I remembered being shocked when I grew older and realized that I had been a 'poor kid'. All I knew was that I was dearly loved, content and came from a stable, loving, happy home with parents who cared for me dearly.

Does a Habitat for Humanity home come furnished in any way, appliances, etc?

Force

We're going to apply for a home at the next meeting, but I wanted to know ahead of time what all comes in the home.
We lost everything to a fire & have been in a small rv for months until just recently getting in a small mobile home, (only 2 bd when we need 4-5), so a home would be great.
We work & pay bills & qualify $ wise & the sweat equity would be no problem, so I'm not concerned with the application process or stuff like that. We even own the burned home, land & all, so there wouldn't be any land payment added to the mortgage.

I just wondered what all actually comes in the house.
* Is it completely finished inside?
* Do they include appliances, heat & cooling units, etc.?
* Do they offer pkgs that actually furnish the home, like with beds etc.?
* Do they only build certain blueprints or can you decide anything on the home, like if you want the bedrooms clumped together or seperated etc?
* What about colors?
* How basic are the designs, such as do they only have bedrooms, kitchen, bathroom, & living room or do they have utility rooms, pantries, & dining rooms too?
* Do they do anything to the yard, like fences etc? (ours burned with the house)
* Can you determine your energy source for the house, like can you decide if you want natural gas or electric for your stove, etc?
* Do they do "green homes"?
* What about under the houses, the pipes & stuff in the ground, (ours are very old clay & would have to be upgraded per city code for us to rebuild or repair), do they add the cost of digging up all the old utility stuff onto the cost of your house? (I know they have to run new lines & foundations on all of them, but what about that old stuff being removed?)
* Do they do basements or attics or garages?

And I guess the most important question is, the sweat equity that you accrue, how is it calculated? * Do they count each hour at a specific rate, like at minimum wage or something, then take it off your mortgage like real $, instead of a wage kinda thing?
(I don't understand that part except that there's a minimum of 300 hours at our local chapter.)

* What about if we have 10 friends that all put in 100 hours each, does that count as 1000 hrs off our mortgage or are they just counted as volunteers & only our hours count?
* How old do you have to be for your hours to count, like if our 9, 11, 15, & 16 yr old help does that count?

* And what about AFTER our house is built & we're in it, can we still do the sweat equity thing to pay toward our home or is that only before the house is built?

Just, if anyone knows things like this, I'd appreciate the information.
I can find questions of the app process & what it's like to volunteer but I really need someone that knows these kinda details too.
Thank you
Thank you for all the info in the 1st answer, do you know if they tear down & get rid of the old house or if the property must be cleared by us before they're willing to build?
I was asking about the possibility of furniture because we were told they may work with Salvation etc to help replace some since we won't have enough basics. We're on craigslist couches at the moment.
And I was asking about the garage & fence & basement because it's in a "historic district" so there are a lot of older but larger homes & they all have those so I didn't know if the code required it, if it would still be approved. The code does require a fence.
And I wasn't worried about colors, just a basic house would be a Godsend, I was just curious how involved the new home owner got to be in planning or design or anything like that.
It would need to be atleast a 4 bd, but as we were wanting to become foster parents before the fire, if we get a home we'd want to continue

Answer
A Habitat for Humanity home is "simple, decent housing".
It's finished inside
It often includes appliances. It definitely includes a heating unit. Depending on the area, it may include cooling.
They do NOT offer packages that furnish the home with furniture.
They only build from certain blueprints, and if it's a four-bedroom home that is needed, there will probably be only one style available.
The house is generally painted a basic white inside. You want colors, you paint it yourself.
No pantries. Generally a dining area, not a dining room. Possibly a utility area somewhere in the house.
No fences for the yard.
No, you don't get a choice of energy source.
They sometimes do green homes.
They do all the prep work for the foundation, etc, and if that includes removing old pipes, that's included.
They generally do not do garages unless the local zoning requires it - it's "we build houses for people, not for cars"! Basements depend on the area as well; up here in the Northeast, everyone has them, so the houses do as well. Down South, the houses are generally built on a concrete slab.

The sweat equity is simply calculated in hours. No, it's not taken off of your mortgage; your mortgage is already lower than market value because of all the volunteer hours put into the home. And generally, it's only the hours the people living in the house put in that will count toward your total. You can't work on a Habitat site till you're 16, so your younger kids won't be able to help. You have to do a portion of your sweat equity before your house is even started, working on the houses of other people, and all of your sweat equity must be done before you get to move into the house. It's part of your "down payment".

There's quite a cost involved in tearing down and getting rid of an old house. You'd have to talk to them about that.
I've never heard of a Habitat affiliate "working with" the Salvation Army to get furniture for a house. That's not to say it isn't done - or that you couldn't work with the SA to make it happen.
As for the requirements of code in an historic district, they may be onerous enough that your Habitat affiliate would not be willing to work with them. To put it bluntly, the extra money they might have to spend to do that could be spent helping another deserving family.

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Is Hybrid Car and Electric Cars are really going to be Future as Success Story?

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Electric cars and hybrid cars are need by us, but can they compete today's cars like in Speed, Power, Comfort, Looks?

Answer
That's the whole point of hybrids and electrics. It's easy to make an electric vehicles fast and powerful, just difficult for it to have range. The first cars to reach 60mph were electric cars. You could easily put in a thousand horsepower electric motor into a car but the batteries would be depleted very quickly. We've been able to make gas cars with 50mpg plus back in 1982 which is still better than what the modern hybrids get but they lacked speed and power, the addition of an electric motor making the efficient cars hybrids is what gives the power and performance that the consumer wants.

We really don't need hybrids and electric cars. We don't even need so many cars. If we were willing to accept the lackluster performance of the 1982 econoboxes then why enhance the performance with an electric motor? If we want the flexibility to change the fuel source from fossil to something clean like solar by using electric vehicles then why don't we just synthesize gasoline from CO2 and H2O with solar power? Synthesized fuels could even be carbon negative whilst an electric vehicle with solar generated electricity is at best carbon neutral

Ultimately, Hybrid and electric will be seen for what they are, marketing to create an additional market niche for new cars just like model years, tail fins, station wagons, minivans, SUV's and Flex Fuel cars. Measures that would actually make a difference such as changing how we make the gasoline just doesn't make the auto manufacturers any money.

What are the the issues with alternative fuels?

Sridhar

Nuclear energy sounds good, but can it be made safe enough to convince everybody?
Can Wind or Solar provide enough energy to fulfill our needs?

What needs to be done to make solar more cost-effective?
What's the fate of electric/hybrid cars?

Answer
Nuclear Energy is NOT good. it may not emit CO2 but it uses radioactive Uranium which you can't really get rid of safely. it gets stored somewhere and then it pollutes that area.

Alternative Energies are mostly too expensive, as not as efficient as normal fuels. but if you take the whole production of alternatives like solar energy into a desert, and build a massive plant, you will be able to push the price of its electricity down. but as the lobbyists dont want that energey to be produced on large scale, it wont be in the near future that we will get pure green energy.


If you're interested in that, pay a visit to www.desertec.org it is very interesting :)

Also, there isnt just Solar and Wind power... Think of Geothermal, Wave, Bio-mass Energy :)

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what were those race track toys with the electric cars?

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Bee.

its a older kids toy and they were different electric cars, i use to have them but cannot remember what the hell they were called.

Answer
slot cars

How does the electric race track toy work?

TenMan

You know, you probably got one when you were a kid or your child asked for one (depending on our age). So its a hard plastic race track that you plug into the wall, with normally two grooves in it to place the cars that have little needles coming out the bottom. I have no clue where to place this question, if you have a better idea let me know.

Answer
The cars have little electric motors. The power for the motors comes from the track. On either side of the guide slot in the track are metal strips that carry the electric current. The car has a pin that goes in the slot, but that is just to guide the car. There are a pair of metal tabs or brushes on either side of the pin. These tabs come in contact with the metal strip in the track and pull the power from the track to run the motor. The amount of power going to the track is controlled by a hand-held throttle control. The more power the faster the car will go. If the car loses contact with the metal strips in the track, the motor stops.

All of this power is low voltage DC current so is harmless if you touch the metal track strips.

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Whats better to start with for a RC car?

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Adolfo Flo

Me and my dad ( i am 14) where looking on craigslist for a rc car, I want an electric but he wants
a nitro were are both rookies, so we went to a rc shop today (5/15/13) the electric we around 200-250( brushless too) and nitro were around 200-390 I told him we should start out with a electric, because of maintenance, gas, and all that, then he said "Man the generation of the 90's are so lazy" and he took away my money. So I can prove to him which is better to start out with
Please need help Electric Or Nitro to start of.
Don't mind the money part it don't matter for this reason.
Don't mind the money part it don't matter for this reason.

Answer
Go for nitro no doubt it has better life,speed and handling. Man your dad is so Cool dont worry about wear and tear let him take care of this. My preffered brand Kyosho and thunder tiger

Electrics suck buy buggy or truck not sports car.

What RC truck or car should I get my husband?

Gabrielle

I want to get my husband a radio controlled car or truck for his birthday. I want to get one that is good quality and wont break easily. I would prefer one made in the USA but I know it will probably be hard to find one, so that really isn't necessary. What do you suggest? I am willing to spend up to $150 on it

Answer
You are a good wife! My wife hates my RC obsession! LOL! Honestly, if you want to get him a good one it will cost a little bit more than $150. You want to be able to get replacement parts for it when it breaks, and it will break. There is no stopping that. Some of the top RC brands on the market today are Traxxas (my personal favorite), HPI, Assocaited, Losi, Tamiya and Kyosho. A great place to purchase one online is www.towerhobbies.com. There are coupon codes on the home page you can enter at checkout to get an extra $30 off the price too. If this is his first RC, I would suggest this one: http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXZDB3RR&P=ML This Slash is a perfect beginner RC and VERY popular right now. If you are willing to spend a little more, I would get him this one: http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXYNB0**&P=ML. This is basically the same thing as the first one, just that it's 4x4 and the first one is 2 wheel drive.
If you notice, you will see a yellow and black icon near the top of the picture that says Easy Pay. This allows you to make 3 monthly payments so you are not putting one large amount on your credit card at once. Makes it nice to be able to pay it off in 3 months, and it still ships the day/next day you order it.
There are a lot of things to consider when buying a RC. Both I suggested are electric. There are nitro RCs as well and those tend to be a little more expensive. It all depends on what he would like. There are on road cars, monster trucks, etc. I suggested the first one because it's probably the cheapest and high quality RC you are going to find. These things can run up to $1000 or more. But worth every penny! Either way, I'm sure he will enjoy it! Hope this helps!

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can i replace a lead acid motorcycle battery with a gel one?

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Lightnin Q

both batteries are 6 volts but i want the battery to lay on its side, so could i just fit a gel battery, or would i have to alter any of the electrics? the original battery is a Turbo 6N6-3B and the gel battery is from a 6 volt kids' electric car.

Answer
Yes you can, but be aware of a few things.

Gel batteries are more fragile. Because there is no ventilation (completely sealed) they can be damaged easier by being overcharged. Imagine if you build up pressure, where does it go? Gel batteries should not be charged with a voltage higher than 7.1 volts. Most alternators and staters will charge at 7.3 - 7.4 volts. This may seem like a minor difference, but high voltage (normal for other types) can damage a gel.

An AGM (Absorbed Glass Matte) Sealed Lead Acid Battery might be a good alternative. These are also sealed, so installing on the side wouldn't be an issue. They are confused for gels very often and they are also called 'dry cells'. The three main battery types can be compared as such: flooded is like a glass of water. Gel is like a glass full of stiff jello. AGM is like a glass water with a sponge in it, to absorb the water. Only the flooded is spill-able. The AGM does have small ventilation slits on the case, for pressure release, so they can charge just fine from any charger.

I hope this helps.

Where should someone that lives in Hollywood Florida Evacuate to?

Bellasilve

Worried about Hurricane IKE. Have room in Orlando but is it going to be safe there? Very worried!

Answer
If you have a room in Orlando, I recommend going there. I am worried, too, but am trying not to panic yet, just trying to get things together to evacuate. I live near Hollywood, but in a mobile home, so I probably won't have a home by Wednesday. Just trying to figure out what to take to a friends home so I'll still have clothes, and stuff.

Yes, plan more for after the storm. The hurricane only lasts a few hours (maybe 4 to 6) but afterward, the power will most likely be out for days at the least. Make sure you have some cash, the ATM's won't work. Have food and water that doesn't need to be cold, and something to cook on. Batteries for the radio and a regular CORDED phone. Most of the time, the phones will still work, but the cordless won't because no electric. Get one that has the cord plugged in. A car charger for the mobile phone, food for any pets. Some wet wipes for simple hand cleaning. I've been through a lot of hurricanes since a kid growing up in Miami and it never gets easier. This one is very strong and looks like it's our turn, again. Plan to go to Orlando on sunday or early early Monday morning.

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How much better are electric cars?

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Cody

How much better are electric cars For the environment? What advantages do they do for it?

Answer
If the entire US fleet of vehicles were electric they would require at most 30% of the electricity we presently use. However about 86% of those vehicles could be charged at night (off peak) with no additional generating equipment because we have at least that much excess capacity at night.

At the same time we would be saving about 6 kWh to 8kWh of energy (electricity and some other fuel sources) used to refine oil into each gallon of gasoline. The average electric car can go further on this much energy than the average petrol vehicle can go using the refined product.

We could easily run US vehicles on existing energy sources without the pollution of Oil.

And it is not just air pollution. Many will recall the months that it took to cap the BP oil well in the Gulf. Slightly more than 200 million gallons spilled in the worst ever ecological disaster? No Every year more than 200 million gallons of lubricating oil is drained from cars and improperly disposed of in the environment. Every Year. Petrol cars pollute more than just the air. Electric cars don't use lubricating fluids that need to be drained. http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/materials/usedoil/oil.htm

Are you worried about US economic health? The trade deficit attributed to imported oil was 327 billion dollars in 2011. This is approximately equal to the trade deficit with China. To balance the books we need to stop importing oil. Electricity is primarily a domestic product.

The EPA has this to say about a petrol powered car: "Only about 14%â26% of the energy from the fuel you put in your tank gets used to move your car down the road." http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/atv.shtml Tesla measured their roadster at approximately 92% efficiency from battery to wheels. http://www.efficient-mileage.com/tesla-roadster.html

When we look at a petrol vehicle we necessarily must look at the vehicle plus pollution from transporting the fuel and refining it (although few do) because where else are you going to get gasoline. It doesn't fall from the sky. Those who attribute power plant pollution to electric vehicles assume that there are no other options than the electric grid to power the vehicle. They assume it is not possible to get electricity from your roof, or the wind. The electric car will never be as closely tied to a specific source of its fuel like the petrol vehicle.

Over time electric vehicles will change. Someday power may be transmitted to them leaving no battery pack to charge. At that time the vehicles will have unlimited range with no recharging times: http://spectrum.ieee.org/green-tech/advanced-cars/the-allelectric-car-you-never-plug-in

How environmentally friendly is an electric car?

Dazed and

We are constantly told that the mass produced electric car will soon be with us and many people argue that this means zero pollution.
Clearly these people overlook the fact that as most of our electricity comes from burning fossil fuel we are merely moving the pollution from the actual vehicle to the power station.
Has anybody actually carried out any research into how environmentally friendly electric cars are when all factors are taken into consideration? I do not know the answer but my instant gut reaction is that electric cars are probably worse polluters that petrol or diesel cars; it must be less efficient to convert oil into electricity and send it round the country to charge batteries for cars than simply burning it within the vehicle.

Answer
The answer really only depends on the GGE mileage of a given electric vehicle. On average electric plants emit 1.341 lbm CO2/kWh. Since the GGE is 36.3kWh, a GGE of electricity would emit 40.66 lbm CO2. This is in comparison to 19.6 lbm CO2/gal for gasoline. Divide this by the average mileage of the gasoline cars (20.8) and you get 0.94 lbm CO2/mile. Now to do better than this an electric car would need to go more than 43.4 miles on a GGE. Some quick research turned up that most vehicles did do better than this, except the Ford Ranger EV at 39 MPGGE.

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What is your vision for the future of America?

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Lleh

I don't mean what do you think is reasonably possible given the present circimstances. I don't mean the names of the leaders who can make it happen. I just want to know what you really want America to be like in the best of all possible (or impossible) futures. What will your kids and grandkids and great great grandkids experience in the best America you can envision?

Answer
What I would want the nation to be and what it is most likely to become are two entirely different things.

It would have been nice if Americans discovered to concentrate their living into compact but livable cities, rather than the sometimes insane urban sprawl. I myself live outside the nearby city, but in a housing development that is surrounded by meadows. Unfortunately, that scene will soon change when the nearby airport expands.

We spread out so much, not to farm or do ranching or such then-localized economic activity. But it is to live apart from where we work. If this country did as a hundred years ago, in this aspect alone, there would be people living near where they work. There also were trams and trolleys in network through some rural areas, so not everyone had to have a horse or car in order to live their lives. But today, mass transit solutions are impossible (or impossibly expensive) because we are not conveniently concentrated.

I would like to see the use of solar cells on every roof, storing up energy (probably in basements or garage batteries or fuel cells) during the day and keeping the home conveniently comfortable at night when we return from work or whatever. While some, though not all, manufacturing processes are terrible polluters, perhaps the alternative, mechanical processes would work (their efficiencies are greater, but need more maintenance considerations) such as mirrors that heat fluids into gases. I would think that telecommuting would be a bigger thing, more people comfortably working from the comfort of home, but with technology keeping them sufficiently connected to keep them from loneliness (or loafing). With robots and automation, a home with a basement or a workshop in the backyard could even be a mini-assembly stage of industry.

Closed-cycle processes need to be employed, not so much as the "green thing to do" but because they are less polluting and more manageable. Electric cars (charged up by my home's own electricity, generated by the sunlight that naturally falls on my roof, currently merely heating my attic and the air around it) could help me get around.

Another thing is the old concept of staged transportation. Air travel is only for long distances where the travel must necessarily be swift (family emergency in a distant city, an engineer needed to fix a unique problem) or for very long distances. Trains were for regional transport of people. Buses were for local transport. Of course, as suggested before, places like work, church, and the grocery should be close enough to walk there.

Finally, I suspect that some common services might need something akin, but not directly, to socialization of medicine and transport. I like capitalism and the freedom it allows. But until we discover on our own the ways to nicely live together we are missing the convenient opportunities to do such common things as provide an inexpensive and unburdening transportation or medical system. We largely do that with education.

Unfortunately, politics and historical baggage make my 'vision' impossible, impractical, or undesireable, even to me. Getting the needed agreement simply won't happen. The ideas have been around a long time, good ideas, but unworkable unless forced upon us -- undesireable if they are forced.

What Is The Best Item You Ever Found At A Thrift Store Or Yard Sale?

elvisgurly

What is the best item you ever found at a thrift store or yard sale?

Do you think thrift stores charge reasonable prices or charge way too much?

Answer
My wife found one of those kid's electric cars for $5...and the guy threw in a toddler bike with training wheels for 50 cents.


But the killer of all garage sale items was the lady trucker who bought what she thought was just some old painting of flowers...turned out to be an $18M Van Gogh. Lucky lady!!!

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what baby stuff is the best? worst? (brands/styles of strollers, carriers, car seats, etc)?

kids electric cars ebay image

Ember Halo

i'm trying to figure out what i would need to get my baby when it's born. i need things that are inexpensive, but good quality and easy to use.
in your opinion, what baby products are best?
are there any you found to be annoying?
thanks!!
oh, and breast pumps, too!
that one's really important to be quick & easy.

Answer
When it comes to breast pumps, i learned the hard way an electric Medela is the only way to go to make sure you're successful at breastfeeding. Those weenie little handpumps by Evenflo, and Avent and such, just don't do the job well enough to help up your milk supply in the early days. You can actually rent a hospital grade pump for a couple months to help establish your milk supply, that's what I would do. Or buy a pump in style, especially if you intend to do your baby the great benefit of breastfeeding for a long time, it will make things much easier.

Car seats - Britax is one of the best ways to go. Sounds expensive up front, but b/c the seats have high weight limits and tall harness slots, they last twice as long as other car seats so you save money in the long run. Another great contender is the brand new Evenflo Triumph Advance (NOT the Triumph, the Triumph Advance is different.) At $150 or under, its an awesome seat that will rear face to 35lbs and forward face to 50lbs, and has 17" tall top harness straps, should last most kids till they are 5 years old!! A sling is also a worthwhile investment, I love the Mei Tei carrier someone gave me, you can nurse in it, carry baby in the front, back, cradle style, or hip, and works with a newborn and still works with my 39lbs almost 3 year old. Ring slings are great too. Babies love being held close, and slings allow you to do that and still have your hands free. Much better than sticking baby in one of thoe car seat carriers all the time.

MY all time favorite baby product is one that can actually be rather hard to find, b/c they don't make them anymore, its called a 'soother'. Playskool (hasbro) made this vibrating clip. Takes batteries, you can clip it on the crib (clip to the spring thing underneath the mattress, not the railing), car seat, swing, playyard. My son loved it. I took it everywhere and clipped it all over the place. Check kids consignment places and eBay. I couldn't find a pic to include, but do periodic searches on eBay for "Playskool soother" and one pops up now and then. Its not the same as the vibrating thing that hooks to the crib rail - these don't do much except make noise. It looks like a giant white chip clip. :)

Bought faulty car off eBay. Do I have rights?

J*M*H

Last Monday I bought a car off eBay that I thought was going to be a good deal. I got it for £850, and it came with 12 months MOT, but no Tax. It's a Fiat Stilo. This is the advertisement (copied and pasted) -
02 Plate Fiat Stilo 1242cc 16valve

One owner from new, in good condition inside and out for an 8year old car
(Dint on front passenger door & scratch on drivers side as pictured, not major)
Just had water pump and timing belt kit
12 Months MOT
No tax
Drives like new
Electric windows
Central locking on key

No PX
I am open to offers
Cash on collection only


Here's the problem, when I started to drive the car back, I noticed there was something dodgy about the clutch. As I was changing gear it started over revving, so the clutch was slipping. I also noticed that the steering wheel was making a funny 'clangging' noise when I turned the wheel.

We took the car down to the motor garage the next day, and he confirmed that the clutch is going and it definately needs replacing. I've had this confirmed by one more garage and a mechanic friend. We also found out (when giving it a service) that the reason the clutch was slipping was and knackered was because the gear shaft was coated in oil, probably because the gaskets gone and pouring oil out!

The other problem is that the back passenger door on the drivers side doesn't lock properly! If I manually push the catch down when it's open, it doesn't lock. I can literally push the catch open with my fingers. Which would explain why the door flew open when driving yesterday - whilst my kids were in the back!!!

What I want to know is -

Can I make the guy pay for the repairs to the car? Since it's not very drivable, and he stated 'Drives Like New'?!

Also, should the car have passed it's MOT with the door being like that?

The guy says it drove perfectly for him, but I can't believe that as it is noticeable!

Thanks

Answer
In the £850 market you have just learned that you need to test drive first. I bought a £950 car last week, I even put £5 of petrol in it to give it a decent test drive. Found lots of faults not mentioned in the advert, thankfully all minor and now mostly fixed for a few quid. Cars at that age an mileage all have problems, you need to find the ones where the worst problems not mentioned, though numerous are like my car, CD player, remote, interior lights, brake light, cruise and air con all broken and not mentioned in the advert. Mechanically though it really is good as new and that is what matters at that price. Sorry but it's a tricky market, learn, pass the car off to the next mug who hasn't learned and get a true bargain banger.

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How many electric cars...or hybrids...does Obama own?

electric car kids jeep image

Q.

Answer
He's forbidden from driving as commander in chief. Also, I think electric cars are great, but pointless unless you are a high mileage driver which he is not. I'm greener than your average Prius owner even though I drive a Jeep that gets 14 MPG on a good day. The reason is because I drive it about 2000 miles a year by riding a bicycle to work.

Republicans don't care about oil consumption because they are all over age 50 and thus: will all be dead when we run out and/or the price hits $15 to $20 a gallon. Pity they don't give a crap about their kids though.

Can I put a 12v car battery in a kids electric jeep?

Steam

I was recently given two electric ride on toys for kids. Both a beat up pretty bad but the motors work, batteries don't. The factory batteries are expensive sooooo.... I was wondering if a car/atv/motorcycle/ battery would work? The originals were 12v. I do know there is a safety issue as far as liquid acid from gel acid but I have a container solution for that. I'm more curious about it exploding,lighting on fire or another unforeseen issue. Any thoughts before I try it? Don't answer if you are going to say " don't ever use anything but factory approved blah blah blah.." These are junk and the " you cant do that " crowd does not interest me unless it is backed up by scientific fact. Kids will not be driving these either. Any other junk yard tinkerers out there with some sage words of advice?
12v all the way, not Power Wheels plus the batteries are clearly labeled. Gotta say I love the actual experience with the John deer. Like it was brought up do u know if he had a problem with the battery lasting over multiple charges?

Answer
Yes it will work for sure. My father inlaw has a john deere toy tractor for his nieces that runs on a car battery. That thing runs for ever too instead of the 15-20 minutes the factory battery is good for. Just every once in a while you will have to hook it up to a car battery charger. They can be expensive, hope you have one. The kids will love you for it. Lol. Good luck.

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Does Anyone know where to get a hybrid electric cars?

best electric luxury cars image

BlueEyedBa

Hey i was wondering about those electric cars they have now that run on a battery for like 12 hours. Gas prices stink!! so I'd like an alternative to gas and i hear they drive really well. thanks!

Answer
As of July 2008, plug-in hybrid passenger vehicles are not yet in production. However, Toyota,[3] General Motors,[4] Ford,[5] Chinese automaker BYD Auto,[6] California startups Fisker Automotive[7] and Aptera Motors,[8] and Volkswagen[9] have announced their intention to introduce production PHEV automobiles. The PHEV-60 BYD F6DM sedan and F3DM hatchback are expected in 2009;[10] the luxury Fisker Karma PHEV-50 sports car is slated for late 2009; and the Toyota Prius, GM's PHEV-40 Chevrolet Volt and Saturn Vue and the Volkswagen Golf PHEV50km plug-ins are expected in 2010.[11][12] Conversion kits and services are available to convert production model hybrid vehicles to plug-ins.[13][14] Most PHEVs on the road in the U.S. are conversions of 2004 or later Toyota Prius models, which have had plug-in charging added and their electric-only range extended.

you can check with your local dealers on these

you can compare the top 5 hybrids here.

http://www.edmunds.com/apps/nvc/edmunds/VehicleComparison?styleid=100920075&maxvehicles=5&op=17&tab=printable

How do the people get the showcars inside the mall?

College Ki

When I walk in the mall, I see luxury cars inside for display. And I always wondered how they get the cars inside the mall.

Answer
they probably just push it through a service door, which is big enough to accomadate any vehicle. they wouldn't drive it cause of all that exhaust, unless if it was an electric car :P

and obviously they would only set it up when the mall is closed...

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What do I need to bring to Disney World, Orlando, Florida next spring?

kids electric cars charger image

Q.

Answer
Disney Vacation
ULTIMATE PACKING LIST

Pack For Suitcase:

ï±ï Shirts ï±ï Tennis Shoes ï±ï Toothbrush ï±ï Kids Shampoo
ï±ï Shorts ï±ï Dress Shoes ï±ï Toothpaste ï±ï Kids Bath Wash
ï±ï Pants ï±ï Flip Flops ï±ï Shampoo ï±ï Kids Toothbrushes
ï±ï Underwear ï±ï Pool Shoes ï±ï Cream Rinse ï±ï Kids Combs
ï±ï Bra ï±ï Sandals ï±ï Hair Spray ï±ï Hair Bands/Clips/Bows
ï±ï Belts ï±ï Socks ï±ï Deodorant ï±ï Hair Brush
ï±ï Hats ï±ï Sweat Band ï±ï Q-Tips ï±ï Hair Gel/Mouse
ï±ï Panty Hose ï±ï Makeup ï±ï Face Wash ï±ï Face Lotion
ï±ï Pajamas ï±ï Blow Dryer ï±ï Body Spray ï±ï Body Lotion
ï±ï Suit/Evening Outfits ï±ï Shaving Cream ï±ï Make-up remover ï±ï Nail Polish
ï±ï Foot Spray ï±ï Foot Powder ï±ï Feminine Items ï±ï Cornstarch Baby Powder
ï±ï Nail Clippers ï±ï Nail File ï±ï Jewelry ï±ï Bar Soap
ï±ï Toilet Paper ï±ï Watches ï±ï Sunblock & Face Stick ï±ï Kleenex
ï±ï Perfume/Purse Spray ï±ï Razors ï±ï Tweezers ï±ï _____________________

Pack for Miscellaneous:

ï±ï Address Book ï±ï Batteries ï±ï Film (400sp at Night) ï±ï Emergency/Doctor #âs from home
ï±ï E-Mail Addresses ï±ï Cameras ï±ï Cameras Batteries ï±ï Camcorder/Charger
ï±ï Stationary ï±ï High Lighter Pens ï±ï Pen Flash Lights ï±ï Camcorder Batteries/Tapes
ï±ï Stamps ï±ï Magic Marker ï±ï Note Pad/Pens ï±ï Sharpie Markers
ï±ï Address Labels ï±ï Rubber Bands ï±ï Umbrella ï±ï Plane Tickets (make copies)
ï±ï Cash/Credit Cards ï±ï Sunscreen ï±ï Drivers License/IDâs ï±ï Travelers Checks (make copies)
ï±ï Fanny Packs ï±ï Sweat Band ï±ï Sunglasses w/Strap ï±ï Kids Sunglasses w/straps
ï±ï Sewing Kit ï±ï Insect Repellent ï±ï Chap Stick ï±ï Waterproof Watch
ï±ï Safety Pins ï±ï Earplugs ï±ï First Aid Kit ï±ï Envelops for Maid Tips
ï±ï Baby Wipes ï±ï Guide Books ï±ï Travel Information ï±ï Maps/Directions
ï±ï Blanket ï±ï Anti-Bac Gel ï±ï Plug in Night Light ï±ï Room Key Necklace
ï±ï Pillows ï±ï Nail File ï±ï Beach Bag ï±ï Disposable Camera for Kids
ï±ï Bed Toys/Animals ï±ï Camera Bag ï±ï Discount Coupons ï±ï Spill Proof Kids Cups
ï±ï Credit Cards ï±ï Disney Club Card ï±ï AAA Card ï±ï Theme Park Annual Passes
ï±ï Health Ins Card ï±ï Florida Driverâs Lic ï±ï Discount Coupons ï±ï Deck of Playing Cards
ï±ï Confirmation #âs ï±ï Hotel Phone # ï±ï Water proof Carry Case ï±ï Roll Pennies/Quarters
ï±ï Cell Phones ï±ï Music/CDâs ï±ï Work out Stuff ï±ï CD/Headphones
ï±ï Car Cell Charger ï±ï Check Book ï±ï Bandannas ï±ï Kids ID Cards
ï±ï Wall Cell Charger ï±ï Laptop Computer ï±ï Hand Held Games ï±ï Labels w/Name & Cell #
ï±ï Walkie Talkies ï±ï Cribbage Board ï±ï Yatzee Game ï±ï Kids Board Games
ï±ï Frisbees ï±ï Car Window Screens ï±ï Back Pack ï±ï Disposable Bibs
ï±ï Contacts/Glasses ï±ï _________________ ï±ï ___________________ ï±ï _____________________


Pack for Kitchen:

ï±ï Seasonings ï±ï Dish Soap ï±ï Mini Waters ï±ï Premeasured Coffee
ï±ï Paper Plates ï±ï SOS Pads ï±ï Microwave Popcorn ï±ï Laundry Soap Tablets
ï±ï Juice Boxes ï±ï Stain remover ï±ï Plastic Utensils ï±ï Dryer Sheets
ï±ï Granola Bars ï±ï Chips (Pringles) ï±ï Fruit Snacks ï±ï Small Cereal Boxes
ï±ï Peanut Butter ï±ï Cheese Its ï±ï Crackers ï±ï Tea Bags
ï±ï Instant Soup Mix ï±ï Zip Lock Baggies ï±ï Trash Bags ï±ï Powder Drink Mix Crystal Light
ï±ï Tuna Pouches ï±ï Pop Tarts ï±ï Collapsible Cooler ï±ï Brita Water Filtering Pitcher
ï±ï Straws ï±ï Coffee Creamer ï±ï 4 cup Coffee Maker ï±ï Dixie Cups
ï±ï Sugar/Equal ï±ï Corkscrew ï±ï Wine Stopper ï±ï Chips in Tube Containers
ï±ï Plastic Grocery Bag ï±ï Paper Towels ï±ï Shout Stain Wipes/Stick ï±ï Pop Up Laundry Bag
ï±ï Water Sports Bottle ï±ï Scrubber Sponge ï±ï Disposable Bibs ï±ï Plastic Pool Cups w/Top & Straw
ï±ï Electric Skillet ï±ï Toaster ï±ï Non-Stick Fry Pan ï±ï Citronella Candles(For Patio/Balc) ï±ï Portable High Chair ï±ï Room Intercom ï±ï Crackers ï±ï Travel Salt & Pepper
ï±ï _______________ ï±ï _______________ ï±ï _____________________ ï±ï ______________________


Pack for Emergency:

ï±ï Moleskin ï±ï Band-Aids ï±ï Neosporin ï±ï Aloe Vera Gel
ï±ï Foot Powder ï±ï Antacids ï±ï Kids Headache Med ï±ï Dramamine
ï±ï Health Ins Cards ï±ï Tweezers ï±ï Adult Headache Med ï±ï Tylenol PM
ï±ï Doctor Phone #âs ï±ï Prescription Meds ï±ï Sinus Medicine ï±ï Back Pain Medicine
ï±ï Eye Drops ï±ï Vitamins ï±ï Cough Drops ï±ï Sea Bands (Motion Sickness)
ï±ï Midol ï±ï Anti-Itch Gel ï±ï Bengay ï±ï Pepto Bismal
ï±ï _______________ ï±ï _______________ ï±ï _____________________ ï±ï ______________________

Pack For Car Ride:

ï±ï Pillows ï±ï Blankets ï±ï Movies ï±ï Music - CDâs
ï±ï Handheld Games ï±ï Drawing Boards ï±ï Books ï±ï Maps/Directions
ï±ï Head Phones ï±ï AAA Batteries ï±ï Flash Light ï±ï Proof of Auto Insurance
ï±ï Driverâs License ï±ï Cell Phones ï±ï Cell Phone Car Charger ï±ï Playing Cards/Travel Games
ï±ï Directions to Hotel ï±ï Sunglasses ï±ï Headache Medicine ï±ï Kids Headache Medicine
ï±ï Spill Proof Kids Cups ï±ï Paper Towels ï±ï Collapsible Cooler ï±ï Plastic Grocery Bags for Trash
ï±ï Guide Books ï±ï Itinerary ï±ï Coupons for Road Meals ï±ï Baby Wipes
ï±ï Umbrella ï±ï Snacks ï±ï Drinks ï±ï Disposable Bibs
ï±ï New Surprise Toys ï±ï Breath Mints ï±ï _____________________ ï±ï ______________________

Pack for Theme Parks:

ï±ï Autograph Book ï±ï Fat Pen - Autographs ï±ï Back Pack ï±ï Waterbottle w/Strap
ï±ï Cash/Credit Cards ï±ï Waterproof Camera ï±ï Camcorder ï±ï Glow Sticks/Necklace
ï±ï Disney Club Card ï±ï AAA Card/Offers ï±ï Extra Camcorder Battery ï±ï Stroller w/Storage Basket or Rental
ï±ï Driverâs License ï±ï Cell Phones (2) ï±ï Confirmation #âs for PS ï±ï Pennies/Quarters for Pressers
ï±ï Walkie Talkies ï±ï Moleskin ï±ï Headache Medicine ï±ï Kids Headache Medicine
ï±ï Sunblock ï±ï Sweat Band/Bandana ï±ï Swim Diapers ï±ï Plastic Trash Bags for Rain Poncho
ï±ï Guide Books ï±ï Park Maps ï±ï Disposable Camera for Kids ï±ï Chips in Tube Containers
ï±ï Umbrella ï±ï Snacks ï±ï Frozen Juice Boxes ï±ï Disposable Bibs
ï±ï Water Shoes ï±ï Fanny Packs ï±ï Frozen Water Bottles ï±ï Comfortable Walk Shoes (X- Pair)
ï±ï Hats/Visors ï±ï Room Key Necklace ï±ï Face Sunblock Stick ï±ï Kids Sunglasses w/Straps
ï±ï Camera ï±ï Lots of Film (400Sp) ï±ï Sm Flashlight ï±ï Cheap Sunglasses w/Straps
ï±ï Mister Fan ï±ï Mister Fan Batteries ï±ï Chap Stick ï±ï Theme Park Passes/Tickets
ï±ï Kids ID w/Photo ï±ï Rain Pancho ï±ï Rubber Bands/Hair Type ï±ï Dixie Cups for Sharing Drinks
ï±ï Waterproof Watch ï±ï Ziplock Baggies ï±ï Pins for Trading at WDW ï±ï Insect Repellant
ï±ï Kleenex ï±ï Anti-Bac Hand Gel ï±ï Waterproof Case ï±ï Pen Flashlight
ï±ï Tag Kids w/ID Info ï± Extra Dry Clothes ï±ï Grocery Bag - Wet Clothes ï±ï Kids Clothing Report (If get Lost)
ï±ï Autograph T-Shirt ï±ï Baby Wipes ï±ï Collapsible Cooler ï±ï ______________________

Pack for Pool/Water Parks:

ï±ï Floatation Toys ï±ï Beach Towels ï±ï Back Pack ï±ï Bathing Suits
ï±ï Cash/Credit Cards ï±ï Waterproof Camera ï±ï Camcorder ï±ï Plastic Pool Cups w/Top & Straw
ï±ï Disney Club Card ï±ï AAA Card/Offers ï±ï Extra Camcorder Battery ï±ï Stroller w/Storage Basket or Rental
ï±ï Driverâs License ï±ï Cell Phones (2) ï±ï Beach Bag ï±ï Water Toys
ï±ï Walkie Talkies ï±ï Playing Cards ï±ï Headache Medicine ï±ï Kids Headache Medicine
ï±ï Sunblock ï±ï Cribbage Board ï±ï Collapsible Cooler ï±ï Anti-Bac Hand Gel
ï±ï Books/Magazines ï±ï Park Maps ï±ï Ear Plugs ï±ï Chips in Tube Containers
ï±ï Spray Water Bottle ï±ï Snacks ï±ï Frozen Juice Boxes ï±ï Disposable Bibs
ï±ï Water Shoes ï±ï Fanny Packs ï±ï Frozen Water Bottles ï±ï Tag Kidâs w/Id Info (note in pocket)
ï±ï Hats/Visors ï±ï Room Key Necklace ï±ï Face Sunblock Stick ï±ï Kids Sunglasses w/Straps
ï±ï Camera ï±ï Goggles ï±ï Chap Stick ï±ï Cheap Sunglasses w/Straps
ï±ï Film ï±ï Ziploc Baggies ï±ï Waterproof Carry Case ï±ï Theme Park Passes/Tickets
ï±ï Kids ID w/Photo ï±ï Extra Dry Clothes ï±ï Rubber Bands/Hair Type ï±ï Dixie Cups for Sharing Drinks
ï±ï Waterproof Watch ï±ï Kleenex ï±ï Grocery Bag â Wet Clothes ï±ï Kids Clothing Report (If Get Lost)
ï±ï Baby Wipes ï±ï Swim Diapers ï±ï _____________________ ï±ï ______________________


Before You Go To Do List:

ï±ï Give neighbors your travel Information:
Your Name, Address, Telephone Number
Vacation Dates
Itinerary during trip
Vacation Phone Numbers
Cell Phone Numbers
Local Emergency Call Numbers
Information About House:
Which lights will be left on
Which Cars will be left out
Names of anyone checking/entering the house while youâre away
Alarm Information (if necessary)
ï±ï Make Arrangements for Pet Care
ï±ï Check All Doors and Windows are Locked
ï±ï Reduce Heating and A/C settings
ï±ï Secure all outdoor items
ï±ï Water Plants
ï±ï Unplug Appliances:
TV
Coffee Maker
Toaster
Microwave
Washer
Dryer
Turn off Computer
ï±ï Set Light Timers
ï±ï Stop Newspaper Delivery
ï±ï Stop Mail Delivery
ï±ï Set Alarm

my cat loves to chew up wires, and he even chewed up the cord to my wii! how do i get him to stop?

Kay

he loves to chew up all the small wires in the house, i think its because hes bored....... he even almost tried chewing up a over 100$ hair straightener!!! he's chewed up the wii cord, a tablet cord, 2 times, and alot of phone chargers, APPLE chargers, but his favorite things are headphones with the tiny cords. i cant even count how many of those hes chewed up. he's a crazy little man that has a lot of energy, and I have no clue how to stop him. I need help. Everyone says that I should try to spray it with stuff, but if I do then I couldnt be able to touch it, or breath it in, and so im afraid that will harm him.How do I get him to stop? My mom recommends making him a outside cat, but I live in a urban place with a bunch of crazy cars , and im afraid he wont come back, and I really dont want to make him a outside cat:( do you think it would help to make him a outside cat? I dont i think he'd be so dirty and get even more crazy. he'd probably go out of state chasing after a bug! ( just kidding) but I really need some advice. any suggestions?

Answer
Start by getting him something he *can* chew. Bootlaces would probably work, especially rubbed with catnip. Use them to play with him so he knows they're his toys.

Not all sprays are poisonous. Some harmless products apparently smell terrible to cats, though not to us. The only one I can think of now is bitter apple, but I know there are more.

In the places he chews the most, wrap the wires in a few layers of tape. He won't like biting into something sticky.

Where you can, bundle the wires. He's less likely to chew if he can't get his mouth all the way around it.

Lastly, coil up and put away cords when you aren't using them. Wrap the electric cord around the barrel of the straightener, the plug of the charger, etc. You may even want to consider the earbuds on the retractable cords.

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How do you think we can prevent the scarcity of fossil fuels?

kids electric cars india image

For peace

The price of petrol and diesel are rising day by day and our hydrocarbon reserves are diminishing...Although researches are still going on..to find a substitute,what else can we do to prevent "lack of fuel" condition??

Any ideas?Any sugestions??
Johnnie, as you said,the earth recycles....but,it takes a huge amount of time for that...Also...the organic matter(such as plants,animals etc..) are also getting used up..

Answer
First thing we could do would be to talk about it, spread awareness, let people know that there is an issue which needs to be tackled before it turns into a crisis. You posing this question depicts that we (at least you) have got the first step right.

Let me first state that in my opinion, there is no out-of-the-box easy solution for this. The only answers are search for newer and non-traditional sources of energy like geothermal energy, tidal energy, solar energy, liquid hydrogen, garbage energy etc and exercise controlled and minimized use of non-replenishable sources of energy.

Here are a few suggestions-

1- Save oil!
Seen as a caption in many of the children's painting competitions- "Save Oil!" should be the motto of everyone around the planet. Personal automobiles should be used less. Public transport facilities should be ameliorated.

2- Go CFL!
Compact fluorescent light bulbs should replace the energy consuming electric bulbs. Likewise, age-old machines should make way for the modern energy efficient appliances.

3- Check vehicles!
What was the last time you neglected your bike/ car's poor average and mileage? Over-consumption should be kept under check by keeping your ride in good condition.

4- Search!
Search for new oil reserves might just buy us more time to think over and solve the impending crisis.

5- Fire and oil make a deadly combo...
Keep the oil refineries and reserves well protected from fire. Not only these accidental fires cause a loss of money and lives, they result in huge loss of the natural resources.

6- Encourage the solar cooker.
Don't mock the nuclear plant. It is a shy but bright kid. Kidding! Ok bad joke... I mean to say- we should slowly work towards establishing non-traditional sources of energy in our lifestyles. Nuclear energy still has a wide scope of application. Same with hydroelectric, solar, wind and other alternatives.

7- Turn off the lights, switch off the fans....
You're probably yawning reading this. This had been repeated so many times but still... you have to save energy in day-to-day affairs.

8- Spread awareness.
Yes, we need more campaigns. The chapters in our social-studies books have already told and retold us all these things but, there is a certain crowd that needs to be told about this in a more effective manner.

9- Smokeless and fuel efficient chulhas.
Here, in India, villages still rely on fuel wood and coal for their basic energy needs. The smokeless chulhas (stoves) go a long way in conserving wood from blind consumption.

10- Use Biogas.
We need more biogas plants. They, in my view, are the best and simplest alternatives in terms of energy cycling. Go biogas! So what if it doesn't smell like roses?

11- Population!
All these measures are of no or little use if the consumption still keeps growing. How about we put a check on population growth? We have been listening to this since the beginning! Do something! Take lessons from China!

12- Plant trees....
Again a well-known and over-discussed solution. We need more mass campaigns. More fuel wood trees and shrubs should be grown.

What are some effective but easy ways people can save energy?

ksenia

Answer
Monitor your electricity use by buying a Kill-A-Watt or other such monitor.

http://the-gadgeteer.com/review/kill_a_watt_electric_usage_monitor_review

'An average household uses about 4300kWh of electricity each year. This results in emissions of over 2 tonnes of CO2 per household, or ¾ tonne per person - just for domestic electricity supply. In comparison, total CO2 emissions per person in the UK are around 10 tonnes, and emissions per person in India are about 1 tonne. Luckily, it is possible to cut domestic electricity use in half with simple energy efficiency measures.
'This table shows how electricity use is divided up in an average house (excluding electric heating):

Lighting 19%
Cold Appliances 18%
Wet Appliancs 15%
Cooking 15%
Consumer Electronics 19%
ICT (computers, etc) 9%
Other 5%'
(source Centre for Alternative Technology)
http://www.cat.org.uk/information/catinfo.tmpl?command=search&db=catinfo.db&eqSKUdatarq=InfoSheet_SavingElectricity

EASY WAYS to save energy

â Don't use standby on tv or computer.
â Switch off when not in use.
â Use energy efficient lightbulbs.
â Lower you thermostat.
â Install timers.
â Heat only what is needed.
â Turn down the water heater.
â Insulate your property.
â Turn air conditioning and heating down
â Sign up to a green energy supplier.
â Dress appropriately. When itâs cold put on a jumper rather than turn up the heating, when itâs warm take it off again rather than use the air con.
â Wash full loads.
â Wash at lower temperatures.
â Dry washing outside.
â Avoid dishwashers.
â Reduce draughts.

Use rechargeable batteries..
â Donât leave (re)chargers on for longer than is needed
â Only boil the water you need.
â Buy local produce.
â Reduce reuse and recycle - in that order
â Work from home. If possible work from home, it saves time and fuel travelling.
â Eat less meat and dairy products. Modern farming methods produce large quantities of greenhouse gases.
â Shower instead of bath.
â Conserve Water The less water you use the less energy is needed to pump it to your home or office and to deal with the waste at a sewerage treatment works.

â Drive a fuel efficient vehicle, if you have more than one vehicle use the most economical one more often.
â Walk or cycle to work or when taking the kids to schools, if you have to drive consider car sharing.
â Use public transport where possible
â Take a coach or train instead of using domestic flights.
â When replacing your vehicle look at diesel and liquid petroleum gas models.
â Combine multiple journeys into one and do your weekly shopping in a single trip.
â Stagger journeys where possible to avoid rush hour traffic and hold ups.
â Avoid harsh braking, accelerate gently, drive at a steady speed.
â Keep tyres properly inflated.
â Remove bike and ski and roof racks when not in use.
â Carrying unnecessary weight wastes fuel, declutter your vehicle.
â Use the correct gear, use cruise control if your vehicle has it.
â Keep your vehicle regularly serviced.
â Turn the engine off when stopped or waiting.

Source Trevor a climatologist , who used to be Top Answerer in Global Warming.

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How fast can a Prius accelurate in 134 feet?

kids electric sports cars image

mcr8tor

Just got a speeding ticket in a Prius. The officer with his speeding gun was giving a ticket to another unlucky driver when I pulled out of my kids school driveway. I got a $390 ticket... The distance between the schools driveway and the spot I was pulled over was 134 feet. I believe I was driving way slower than the officer told me about 24. Can a Prius accelurate to 41 MPH in 133 feet??

Answer
With no problem. The electric motor has a lot of torque and it's all available from zero RPM. But it's so smooth that it fools you.

The Prius' computers limit the top speed to about 105 mpg. The Prius accelerates strongly up to that point.

About acceleration: There are a few things that fool people:

1. When reviewers get 0-60 times, they rev the engine and pop the clutch (or the automatic equivalent). The Prius won't let you do this kind of juvenilia, but no one (who has to pay the bills) drives like that anyway so a few seconds to the acceleration times have to be added or subtracted depending upon which way you're doing the math.

2. Because there is no shifting in the Prius, you don't get that gear change jerk, which some people equate with engine power.

3. Because the engine RPM is not tightly coupled to vehicle speed as it is in an old fashioned car, some people use the sound of the engine RPM to tell when to back off on the accelerator. If you do this in a Prius acceleration will slow down. The Prius won't let the engine over-revv so backing off just slows acceleration. Note that many folks do this unconsciously because it's the way you accelerate in other cars.

4. The Prius actually accelerates at highway speeds, unlike many non-sports cars.

Why do some women have kids just to dump them in daycare?

They ca

Now that I have your attention, I have a legit question. Why do people have children just to dump the child off in school once they turn 5 years old? We have these people making judgements about daycare, yet isn't school the same thing? Kids are in school for about the same amount of time. Just think we they get older and are involved in sports/band/choir/etc. How terrible that these children can't spend every second of everyday with their parents.
(note the sarcasm)
Kimberly, see where Isaid note the sarcasm?//I posted this because Ise daycae-bashing question every day. MY ids aren't in daycare but I know parents who have to put their kids in daycare. I've seen people say on here "Oh, those poor childrne have to be away from mommy 8 hours out of the day." Now remind me how many hours a child is in school? Isn't it 7 or 8. Then when they start with sports and then an after school job when they turn 15 or 16, that's even less time with mommy and daddy. Why don't these same people complain about this even though not sending your kid to school is illegal?

Answer
Like Ellie said, thank goodness you were being sarcastic, cause I was very tempted to give you a tongue lashing too! :)

I don't understand why either group, (the SAHM's or the working moms), feel it necessary to insult and put down others for the choice they have made. The comment that people have made, "Why have kids if you are going to have daycares raise the?" is just really rediculous! So basically, without just outright saying it, these people are saying that unless someone is financially able to stay at home with their children and not use a daycare or a private babysitter, then they don't deserve to be a parent. That is very judgemental and just plain hateful. Not every woman has the luxery of falling in love and marrying a man who makes $35-60,000 a year. I married one who only makes about $25,000 and brings home alot less after he pays child support on his children from his ex-wife and insurance premiums on all the kids. I don't think the fact that I didn't marry someone who made alot of money, means that I dont deserve to have children.

What about a woman who is widowed? My best friend was widowed with 2 young children, and had no choice but to work to support her kids. So I guess according to some of these women, she didn't deserve to have the kids, because she ended up having to put them in daycare. Point is, no woman, even these ones that are so freely judgeing working moms, know how their life will turn out and what might happen to them.

I don't know any woman who enjoys dropping her kids off at a daycare in the mornings, I certainly don't. But my husband and I live in an older house, and have had alot of things break, like our hot water heater, pipes, leaking roof. We have not had the money to repair these things outright, so we have had to charge them on a credit card. The motor on my car blew up and it cost over $2,000 to fix it, so again that went on the credit card. I was a SAHM for 18 months, and any unexpected large expense that came up, went on that cerdit card. So, I will be trying to pay all that off for years now. But it was either do that, or go without hot water, or no water, or have no vehicle. Which would have ended up hurting my kids more than me. So I did go back to work, and I do have to take my daughter to a babysitter during the day.

I do not live an extravagant life. I don't go shopping every month, I don't have a Coach purse, we don't have 4 wheelers or motor bikes, we don't go on vacations, we don't eat out every week, I don't buy new clothes for myself on even a monthly basis. If I have an extra money, from working over time or getting a bonus at work, I spend it on my husband or kids, not on myself. I took some extra money I had about 4 years ago, and bought my husband one of those $65.00 do-it-yourself outdoor pond kits, and some cheap 25 cent goldfish to go in it, and helped him make it, for fathers day, and I have had women on here tell me that was an expensive, frivolus expense and that is probably the reason I have to work, cause I am wasting money. I never knew buying my husband a fathers day gift would be considered "wasting money"!

If a mom chooses to work, because she does not want to stay at home at her childrens expense, then I don't think that makes her selfish at all. In fact I think it makes her a loving, wonderful mom. If choosing to stay at home, means that you and your husband have to stretch and skrimp so much with his paycheck, that you find yourself telling your kids "No, you can't have that, we can't afford it." or not taking them out to eat or to the movies occasionally (cause you have to pay the electric bill), not being able to buy them new clothes or toys occasionally (and I don't mean the cheap $2.00 toys at the Dollar Store that fall apart within 3 days) or you just simply have no extra money for "extras", then I do think that the mom staying at home ends up affecting the kids in a not so good way. Sure, they have mommy a