Saving Money on Gas

If you are running low on cash, a tank of gas can really hit your wallet hard.  It can be worth it to change your driving habits to squeeze every last mile out of a thank of gas.  I often coast down hills and even cut the car off sometimes at long lights.  But, there is a group of people called hyper-milers who really take it to the limit and make dramatic improvements in fuel economy.

You can make big improvements even if you drive what could be considered a gas guzzler, consider John Teach's article on maximizing the fuel economy of his Corvette.

Dr. Hyper-Mile Or:  How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Save Fuel

Even if you don't have a Corvette, you can save gas by easing up on the gas, coasting down hills, and taking 55 mile an hour bi-ways instead of 80 mile an hour highways.

Buying a Stereo When You Are Flat Broke

Being broke doesn't have to stop the music.  You can still put together a pretty awesome stereo even on the tightest of budgets.  All you have to do is set aside fashion, expectations, and marketing hype.  Then, go out, shop super cheap, and get what you need for a kicking sound system.  I recently built a pretty decent system from thrift store stereo component.  The total price of my system was a whopping $40.  Yes, $40!  Here's how I did it:

How I Built a Component Stereo for $40

Technics SU-V76 Amplifier & Technics ST-S76 Receiver

1 of 2 Sharp Compact Stereo Speakers

While I can certainly improve on this system, it sounds pretty darned good.  Now, I have something to build on and expand on in the future.  This whole stereo started on a shoestring budget at a thrift store.

Of course, if you want to go low with all new gear, you could start with a mini stereo amplifier like this one: