FitSugar

As Gas Prices Rise, Waistlines Drop - Yay?

FitSugar — Tue, 13 May 2008 11:00:00 PDT

I try find the silver lining of all seemingly bad things, even high gas prices.

When I get stressed out about how much I am paying at the pump I try and remember that research has found that an increase of an additional $1 per gallon in gasoline prices will reduce US obesity by 15 percent after five years by forcing us to walk, bike, or take public transportation (more walking) instead of using our cars. Furthermore, it may even lead us to eat at home instead of out in restaurants and drive-thru.

Clearly I have always been a proponent of walking, biking (it is Bike to Work Week), and taking public transportation for more reasons than just the high gas prices (more exercise during the day, better for the environment, etc.), but there is nothing wrong with trying to look on the brighter side of things. I, for one, just paid $4.23 per gallon [gasp] to fill up my car and definitely use the opportunity to walk whenever it's possible. What about you?

Source

Think Gas Prices Are Too High? Just Be Glad You Don't Live in These Countries!

Emily Co — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 14:24:51 PDT

We often grumble about the gas prices that keep on rising because of Middle East unrest, but $4 a gallon is actually looking pretty good if you compare the prices to other countries. Business Insider cited some statistics from a study that listed the countries with the priciest gas. The main reason why gas costs so much in other countries is because of more expensive fuel taxes. Here are the top five countries with the most costly gas:

Eritrea: $9.61
Turkey: $9.54
Netherlands: $8.06
Norway: $8.02
Greece: $7.76

The Cost of Driving: Save Gas, Time, and Money

LearnVest — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 00:15:46 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart Learnvest story here on Savvy!

There’s no lure like finding the best deal in town. And gas prices are no exception.

The scene: You’re on the prowl, and end up driving an extra 10 miles before you find that holy grail of gas prices. Say you get a deal for $3.12 per gallon, saving five cents a gallon. If your car gets 22 miles per gallon, you’ll have saved 80 cents . . . but spent over $1.40 in gas driving to get that deal on gas. (It’s an ironic son-of-a-bitch.) This isn’t to mention the time wasted and the increase in your carbon footprint.

Gas prices are higher now than they have been in about three years, and some predict that they’ll only keep increasing. The current national average is about $3.17 per gallon, up from $2.64 last year. That means a 5 cent savings is going to be less impactful as prices go up, and you’ll be spending more to find it. In other words, don’t drive around aimlessly trying to find the best gas price.

If you’re not sure of your car’s fuel efficiency, estimate it here.

This is how we calculated what you’re paying for each mile of gas: 1/fuel efficiency x cost of gas.

So, if your car gets 22 mpg and gas costs $3.12 per gallon, you’re actually paying about 14 cents per mile. Drive 40 miles round-trip to work, and you’ll spending about $5.60 a day. New motivation to carpool, maybe?

Find out how to find the cheapest gas prices and more after the break.

5 Reasons Being a Single Man is Kind of Overrated

The Good Men Project — Fri, 11 May 2012 04:00:47 PDT

We're happy to present this story from one of our favorite sites, The Good Men Project. Today, Damon Young names five reasons being a single man is overrated.

While most will probably remember 2012 as the "Year Of The YOLO" (and by "most" I mean "like seven people"), it holds special significance for me because it’ll likely be the first year since 2002 where I spent the entire year single. I haven’t completed a full calendar year yet - May will make it seven months since the former Lady Champ and I decided to go our separate ways - but because I seem to enjoy doing random anthropological experiments on myself for absolutely no reason (and because I’m an INTJ and INTJs apparently suck at relationships), I’m confident that I’ll make it to 2013 without having to change my Facebook relationship status again.

Three Little-Known Stressors That Are Killing Men

Anyway, if I could sum up my seven months of singledom in one word, it would most likely be "interesting." I’ve met some "interesting" people, done some "interesting" things, made some "interesting" decisions, and, most importantly, thought some "interesting" thoughts. The most "interesting" of these "interesting" thoughts? Being a single man is kind of overrated.

Now, as I stated on the day where I wrote about orgasms, "overrated" doesn’t mean "bad." In fact, as the careers of Tupac and Derrick Rose continue to prove, something can be very, very good - even great - and still be overrated. I’ve enjoyed being single, and will likely continue to enjoy it. But, while it seems like many assume that being a single man (a single Black man, at that) is nothing but an utopic stream of easy popsicles and cold pancakes, there are a few downsides.

It can be very lonely. As a person who wanted to be single, is a natural introvert, and generally enjoys doing things by himself, I’m surprised by how, for lack of a better term, "noticeable" the solitude and loneliness of singledom can be. Even when seeing multiple people and/or having tons of friends, being single means that you are . . . single, by yourself, and there may be times when you want to have someone around but there will be no one that you want to be around readily available to be around.

Then, to add insult to injury, if you’re an angsty motherf*cker like me, you’ll start thinking things like "Wait. I’m a single man. A single Black man. My dad named me after Dolemite. Shaka Zulu is my second cousin. People who’ve never even met me call me "Champ" for chrissakes. Why the f*ck do I feel lonely right now?" which’ll make it even worse.

You have to wear condoms. And, wearing condoms sucks. If you’re one of the 137 people left on Earth who always has protected sex - even if in a long-term, monogamous relationship - just skip this section and move on to #3. Also, I’ve left a plate of gotdamn sugar cookies at the end of this post as a reward for your duty. Please eat them with a gotdamn smile.

If you’re not one of these people, you should be able to relate to how frustrating it’s been to go from condom-less sex to having to worry about having gotdamn condoms all the damn time. And, even if you’re not actively having sex, "Do I have condoms?" and "Since I don’t have condoms, is there somewhere close where I can buy them?" always has to be on your mind.

Also, from a logistical perspective, they’re a hassle to put on, they smell like a pack of slutty balloons, and "sex with condoms" will always be the Mike Conley of coitus. There is always the alternative - just don’t wear condoms while single, either - but I think one Cromartie per generation is enough.

(Btw, is it just me, or has the price of condoms spiked dramatically in the past four years? I was last single in 2008, and I don’t remember a box of condoms costing as much as it does to fill a gas tank. Does this qualify as a "first world problem?" If a Black blogger bitches about condoms in the woods, would Kanye’s missing draws make a sound?) As much as condoms suck, they don’t suck as much as . . .

Having to participate in the dating game. In a paradox so annoying that I almost didn’t mention it today because I plan on spending an entire day on this sole topic soon, I love meeting new, interesting women but I hate the process that usually goes along with meeting new, interesting women. I understand (and appreciate) the purpose of the process, but knowing why it’s necessary doesn’t mean that you have to enjoy it.

The superficial romantic connections synonymous with singledom gets old. Ironically, the best thing about being a single man - possessing the ability to have myriad short, commitment-free relationships AT THE SAME DAMN TIME!!! - ends up being one of the worst after enough time has passed. This actually hasn’t happened to me yet. I guess I’m still in the single honeymoon phrase. But, I’m certain it will, and the thought of this happening is already depressing me. Actually, this entire list is getting depressing. ***Making note to self to make sure tomorrow’s post is about the playoffs or strippers or something***

You start to realize some, um, "unpositive" things about yourself. I’ve been in three long-term - "long term" = "monogamous relationship lasting at least a year" - relationships as an adult. Each of these relationships failed, and my wanting to be single was the main catalyst behind each of these failures. Now, because I’ve always been a guy who did all the "right on paper" relationship things - I’ve never cheated, never physically or verbally abused any girlfriends, always followed the chivalry handbooks, etc - I’ve always assumed that I’m good at being a partner. But, these last few months have made me realize that I have some real deficiencies in the relationship department - personality quirks that have subtly sabotaged each relationship I’ve been in.

I wouldn’t quite call myself a trojan horse - the sabotage isn’t intentional (at least it’s not consciously intentional) - but I’m just not very good at this relationship thing right now, and I intend to spend the rest of 2012 trying to figure out why.
That’s it for me today. Fellas - single or coupled up - how do you feel about the concept of singledom? Is it all the beer commercials make it out to be, or do you agree that it may be slightly overrated? Also, ladies, are the "single man problems" expressed today at all similar to any "single woman problems?"

What's the Difference Between Gas and Electric Ovens?

Lizzie Fuhr — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 05:15:23 PDT

The debate over whether a gas or electric oven is better may not be a new controversy, but this burning question always manages to get people going. Interested in which is more eco-friendly or chef-worthy? Keep reading for a little more information about the difference between gas and electric ovens.

8 Frugal Summer Vacation Ideas

Wise Bread — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:15:37 PDT

If you're thinking of forgoing your usual Summer travel plans due to high prices, you should consider these frugal trip ideas from Wise Bread.

The sky is brighter, the air is warming up, and the layers of clothes are getting peeled off. That can only mean one thing - summer is near.

One of the things that I love most about going on vacation is the chance to break out of my everyday routine, eat crappy foods guilt-free, and stay up blissfully late watching as much trashy reality TV as I please. Setting aside daily responsibilities, trying new things, being in a different space, and having carefree fun is refreshing. But while it’d be nice to go to Fiji or another distant tropical paradise, that just isn't reality for a lot of us.

So what do you do when money is tight, you don’t want to get further into debt, and you really need a vacation? You still take a vacation, but just a frugal one. One that your budget will love. Here are eight frugal summer vacation ideas to get you going.

1. The All-American, Almighty Road-Trip Vacation

About 10 years ago, my husband was able to travel through 30 different states in the span of a month and a half with a friend in a $400 1982 Chevy Sprint. It’s an experience he’ll never forget, and while gas prices do get high in the summer, the road trip is still one of the cheapest options for frugal vacations. Grab a map, pack a large cooler, stop at grocery stores along the way, sing cheesy songs, tell stories you’ve never told before, watch the sun rise and set, and make yourself some memories. (This can be combined with the “I Had No Idea There Were Over 400 National Parks” vacation below, if you’re feeling adventurous.)

2. The Infamous Staycation Vacation

Set a time frame. If you can only get two to three days off from work (or less), that’s OK! This is how you do it - turn off the phones, put an auto reply on your email, turn off the computer (and really keep it off), don’t check your usual social media feeds, and really allow yourself a break from everyday life and the technology that comes along with it. Then go to the grocery store and get sundae supplies: ice cream, candy toppings, hot fudge, caramel, and whipped cream, and why not throw in some cherries too? You are on vacation after all! Rent those guilty-pleasure movies you’ve been wanting to see, and settle in for a movie marathon. Those books and magazines that have been stacking up? This is the time to read them! Those museum exhibits you’ve been dying to see but just don’t have the time for? Go check ‘em out! Hanging with friends on a patio on a random Tuesday night? Go for it! The point is to have fun, indulge in some pleasures you normally don’t get to, and get out of your normal routine.

Read on for more ideas.

6 Summer Travel Tips That Will Save You a Bundle

Emily Co — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 13:05:30 PDT

If you're planning a trip this Summer, be aware that prices are estimated to skyrocket this season because of high gas prices and less flights due to airline mergers. Hotels will also be slightly more expensive since a higher demand is expected. This means that you may have to think twice about your travel destination - flexibility is key when it comes to affordable trips. We've given you some suggestions for cheap flights in the next few months, but the Wall Street Journal has a couple more great tips:

Get vacation package deals in the US: Get a vacation package when you're traveling in the US because hotels and resorts are trying to make up for the higher prices by adding in extra freebies. When you're traveling in the US, make sure to check out the budget airlines as they are adding more routes.
Take a trip to Central and South America: The best deals await you in Central and South America, partly thanks to new hotels and cheap package deals.
Check out Japan: If you're thinking of traveling to Asia, Japan is a destination you should consider. Summer airfare is down 13 percent compared to the previous year, says the WSJ.
Fly to less-crowded airports in Europe: Airports in Europe are especially pricey to fly into this Summer because of the Olympics. One solution is to fly into airports with less crowds, like Dublin or Copenhagen, then take a budget airline to fly to your ideal destination.
Consider Eastern Europe: It's cheaper to fly to Eastern European cities like Prague, Budapest, and Croatia. Hotel rooms also average below $100 a night.
Cruise the Mediterranean: Cruising prices in the region are at an all-time low in three years because of wariness from the Italian cruise ship accident. Cruise liners are offering good deals, such as discounted or free airfares and cabin upgrades.

Source: Flickr User Wha'ppen

VW Rolls Out New All-Electric Golf at Geneva Auto Show

Kristy Korcz — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 11:21:17 PDT

I'm all for the idea of more electric cars on the road, and the upcoming Volkswagen EV Golf Blue-E-Motion could be the sporty car city dwellers dream of. The size of the VW Golf is one that allows for easy parking in small spaces, but the interior is roomy enough to comfortably fit four for longer road trips. The new ride is scheduled to hit stateside in "late 2013," and while we can likely look forward to a higher price tag, with the cost savings on gas and diesel, the Blue-E-Motion might be worth the investment. Start pinching your pennies now.

Save Money on Gas With These Apps, Sites, and Tips

Kristy Korcz — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 13:57:30 PST

I got a bit of sticker shock recently as I drove into my local gas station to find that prices have risen above $4 a gallon. Thankfully I don't drive often (public transportation FTW!), but at those prices, it's enough to make a girl want to throw down for an expensive (but cost-saving) electric-hybrid car. You may not have the bankroll to change up your ride now, but in the meantime, check out these websites, apps, and tips to help you save at the pump.

6 Ways to Stay Organized When Grocery Shopping

Emily Co — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:31:05 PST

Browsing the supermarket aisle is always fun, but doing it week after week can get old, especially if you have other errands to take care of. It's important to be more efficient when shopping for groceries to avoid wasting time and potentially forgetting some grocery essentials. Here are a couple of tips that will help you be more organized:

Keep a list. Lists are always crucial to organization, and just to make sure you don't forget anything or buy unnecessary items, document your weekly grocery needs. There are plenty of ways to do so - you can keep your own Google Doc, a text document, or a simple notepad. There are even free printable grocery lists online that let you check off which groceries you need. A good one to check out is the very detailed Ultimatest grocery list (they even have a vegetarian version).
Use apps. Experiment with grocery shopping apps and consider keeping a running list of groceries on an app like Ziplist, which lets you sync up with lists of other people on your phone for convenience. You can even use discount-seeking apps like Grocery Pal, which shows you what items are on sale, and coupon locator apps like Coupon Sherpa or Yowza!!. The coupon apps will display bar codes, which the cashier can scan to give you the discount.
Time it well. Pick the right time to go grocery shopping. You want to avoid going when there are crowds, because shopping and waiting in line for the cashier may take longer than usual. It's also good to go before the supermarket rush because most items will be in stock; this will prevent you from having to go back if a certain item was not available. The best dates to shop may differ depending on the grocery store, so be sure to observe your supermarket and pick up the crowd patterns. Lifehacker suggests Wednesday night as an ideal time because "many grocery stores release their new sale advertisements that day but also honor the sales items from the previous week." Personally, I like going on Saturday nights to avoid the crowds.

Read after the jump for more grocery organization tips.