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Archive for the ‘Stock Fashion 2009’ Category

Looking to buy a new car this year? You may have your heart set on a particular make or model and you might have explored the new and second hand car prices on the internet and have decided that you can afford to purchase the car of your dreams, but a question you have to ask yourself is can you afford to run it?

Previously you may have asked yourself this question in passing and not really given it any real thought, but with the changes in Vehicle Excise Duty in 2009 and spiralling fuel and maintenance costs, coupled with the Credit Crunch and the through of recession for the next few years then running costs become much more important, therefore compromising and picking a car that you not only like, but will save you money in the long run is a sensible thing to do.

What about the changes in Vehicle Excise Duty? Now cars are classed by how much Carbon Dioxide they emit, therefore more environmentally friendly cars will be charged less Vehicle Excise Duty than more polluting vehicles. At the time of writing the least polluting cars will be exempt from paying tax at all, where as the most polluting cars (class M) such as large, big engined 4×4 vehicles will have to pay £440 per year. Come 2010-11 then this cost increases further to £455 per year.

If you’re looking to purchase a brand new car, then there will be another shock for your wallet and it has been dubbed the ‘showroom tax.’ If you’re looking to drive that Class M car out of the showroom, you’ll also have to face a bill for a one off ‘showroom tax’ payment of £950.

To help you pick the right car in this current environmental and financial climate we’ve compiled a top ten list of cars and car related schemes to consider that could save you money.

1. Buy a Small Family Hatchback. Small family hatchbacks are generally more economical to run and are usually big enough to meet most people’s needs. For example the VW Polo Bluemotion 1.4 Tdi is an economical runabout which falls into the Group A tax band. Not only do you not have to pay any tax on this vehicle, you can also avoid paying the showroom tax as this diesel car is so economical it is exempt. This car also boasts around 70mpg which makes it super cheap to run.

2. Buy a Diesel. When it comes to economical cars, vehicles with diesel engines are first to spring to most people’s minds. Whilst historically this was typically true, with the cost of diesel at the pump increasingly outstripping the cost of petrol, buying a diesel may not be the best way to save money. For drivers who typically need to drive a lot of miles each year then a diesel will still be more cost effective than its petrol equivalent. However if you do not drive many miles then this may not be true. You’ll need to do the maths before you take the plunge in buying a diesel car. On the plus side, the miles to the gallon of a diesel vehicle is typically much higher than petrol cars, so you will at the very least be doing more for the environment. Diesel vehicles are also typically classed into a lower tax band saving money on Vehicle Excise Duty.

3. Bi-Fuel Cars. Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) as a method of running a car or van is becoming a popular way of running a vehicle more environmentally friendly and economically. Although you can buy a bi-fuel car from new many people pay to convert their current car to support LPG. The cost to convert a car is typically around £1500 and a real saving of around 30% on fuel costs can be made with each fill up at the pumps. Finding a petrol station that sells LPG may be one of the more difficult aspects of owning a LPG vehicle, with at least 10% of forecourts now stocking this alternate fuel type.

4. Electric Cars. – For many years electric cars have been pitched as the salvation to spiralling fuel costs and saving the environment from car pollution. Unfortunately in reality the electric vehicle hasn’t really lived up to the hype, with slow vehicles and short battery life limiting range. There are a few vehicles on the market which may be suitable depending on your circumstances. If you live in the centre of a large capital city such as London then a vehicle like the G-Wiz may be the right vehicle for you. Owning a G-Wiz in London could make perfect sense as they are exempt from paying parking charges in Westminster, do not have to pay the Central London Congestion Charge and are free from both road tax and petrol costs. However there are some catches. The G-Wiz is a tiny vehicle and feels very cramped inside. The car has a top speed of 50-60 miles per hour, which may not be the end of the world in a city where traffic barely moves faster than a snail pace. Another limiting factor is that the range of the vehicle is just 70 miles and it takes a while to recharge the batteries, which is not quite as simple as filling up at a petrol station! A less extreme version of the G-Wiz is the Toyota Prius, a hybrid electric vehicle which predominately runs off petrol, but uses electric power at low speeds and recharges the batteries at faster speeds. The Prius can do around 65 mpg making it an extremely economical car to drive.

5. Large Cars For the Family and Dog. If you’re single and want to save money on your car running costs or do your bit for the environment then you have a lot more options than families who need a larger vehicle to fit everyone in. Whilst smaller cars are more likely to be economical there are some larger vehicles out there which have been designed with both space and economy in mind. Take the Ford Focus C-Max 1.6 TDCI LX- a MPV which has been designed to give plenty of room inside. This is a five seat car which boasts a 1620 litre boot space and a top speed of 115mph. With fairly low emissions, helping to save money on Vehicle Excise Duty and decent economy with 58mpg this vehicle is a good bet for a family looking to save money.

6. Sports Performance in a ‘Green Car’. Traditionally being green means that you also have to sacrifice something. However car manufacturers being aware of this have been trying to come up with a compromise- a car with good performance, yet can also give a decent MPG return. For example the Honda Accord 2.2 I-CTDI Sport is one of these cars with 52.3 MPG and a top speed of 129 miles per hour, a great combination of efficiency and performance that can meet all your expectations.

7. Buy a Classic Car. If you’re scared that you’ll loose a lot of money on the value of your car then buying a classic car may be the best option for you. Try to avoid fashion trends such as the one for VW Beetles and Camper Vans which inflate the cost of these vehicles short term for them to only crash at a later date. Instead pick a car that pure enthusiasts hanker after, as most classic cars tend to hold their value, or indeed increase over time as long as they are looked after. Maintenance costs are likely to be much higher with a classic vehicle and they may not be the most economical on the market, but for pure return on investment if you pick the right vehicle then you will likely get your money back when you come to sell the car.

8. Car Sharing Schemes. Those looking to save money on their everyday running costs of their cars could consider car sharing schemes. Basically car sharing schemes are set up for people to take turns when they drive, saving themselves money on fuel, plus gaining the benefit that they do not have to drive all the time! There are plenty of car sharing schemes out there, such as ones set up for parents doing the school run to a scheme for members of the Met Police Force in London. Explore the options in your local area and you may find that car sharing is a great way to save money. Perhaps if you want to get even more involved you could consider setting up your very own scheme.

9. Time Share Cars. You’ve heard all about time share villas in the Costa del Sol, but you don’t necessary have to be scared of time share car schemes. These schemes can range from clubs where you get a share of a Ferrari or Bentley to drive at the weekend every so often, to pay-as-you-go car schemes where you can join a club, and simply book a run-around for as long as you want from an hour to a day. For those who tend to use public transport predominately and can’t really justify owning a car then a pay-as-you-go scheme may be the perfect way of having access to a car without having to pay expensive rental costs. Live in a city and fancy a country jaunt once a month? No problem, book a car online and pick it up, swipe your membership card on the dashboard and you’re away! Generally fuel costs (up to a point) are included and insurance is also taken car of.

10. Car Finance Packages. In the current economic climate taking out a car finance package makes perfect sense as you can split your payments over many months allowing you to fully budget for your vehicle. If you are considering buying a car in cash over a forecourt you may be concerned about the recession and redundancy. Having a nest egg in the bank can help provide comfort and piece of mind. Spending that nest egg in the current climate may not be the most sensible thing to do therefore buying a car on a car finance scheme can be the smart move. Also you will likely be able to afford a better car on finance than you might if you were to buy a car outright. The newer the car the more likely your maintenance costs will be reduced, again saving you money in the long run.

Floridian’s and most southern state inhabitants were given a break from major storms or incidents for the 2008 Hurricane season. Florida, which has always been the epicenter for these types of storms saw major activity during the 2005 season after being affected by more than a dozen major storms including Hurricanes Wilma and Katrina which knocked out power to most of South Florida and Central Florida, wreaked havoc throughout the other Gulf of Mexico bordering states and destroyed New Orleans.

Although several storms have reached the U.S and have caused major damage, displacement and discomfort for Americans; we still look at these as freak occurrences and tend to remain unprepared for future storm activity.

Throughout the beginning of March and April we are forewarned and notified of basic essentials by local news, newspapers and emails; yet we continue buying last minute supplies and complain when these become scarce and are inadequate for survival during this dangerous and deadly season.

Batteries, flashlights, candles, generators and propane are recommended for purchase and there’s even a tax break for these and other common supplies which are constantly promoted and endorsed. Yet we still go through the same outbreak of unpreparedness yearly, rushing to the nearest lumber yard or hardware store for the most common of things and are still surprised when it has all run out.

I learned the facts the hard way; if I wanted the same comforts or at least a semi regular existence during these periods of desperation, I would need an electricity producing generator. It’s smart, it’s reliable and let’s face it; it’s a modern age requirement.

Best of all with Assurance Power Systems; it’s easy.

Whether you’ve decided to provide yourself with a multi room generator or just a basic “hey at least the a/c works” type, the decision is something you will never regret. An automatic standby generator can and will save you money in the long run by making all perishables edible at a time of need. Think of how if the cable is out but the internet works you can and will get updates just by charging your pc or cell phone. How the kids won’t drive you completely crazy when you plug in their portable games and they bash away for an hour or two while you figure out if you really need to call the insurance company or find a contractor. Always remember it’s easy and necessary.

The most important thing you can do for a storm of any magnitude and yes this means tropical storms as well, plan ahead and be as safe as possible. With an Automatic standby generator you will always provide your family with the best safety feature available. Whether your needs include medical equipment or you just want comfort and peace of mind, it is the best of any pre-storm investment you will find. Keep your fridge on or run a small a/c or needed electronics, it is a great added feature which may save your life and definitely will save you money.

Always remember there is no such thing as just another storm, look no further than Hurricane Andrew. This bad boy was a nothing one minute and headed in another direction, to a Category 5 & hitting Florida the next. The essential need to have items are easy and can be found anywhere, there is no need to get them all at once & if you’re a little strapped for cash it’s usually best to hit the bargain stores and stock up a little at a time.

Didn’t need them last year?

So what, they still need replacing and for sure will come in handy once you do need them. Things like Batteries shouldn’t be pulled from a remote to place in a flashlight, you will need fresh ones to see outside in the dark. No matter what you are always going to need.

Your Medications for whatever ails you should always be checked and procured, make sure you have enough to last 2 weeks or more so in a worse case scenario you are prepared.

A crank or battery operated Storm Radio will run you about $20 to start for a decent one. & No not the ‘boom-box’ in the closet, an actual storm ready radio which is easy to use with good reception for the news and emergency updates.

Lots of Water; If you fill some gallon jugs prior to the storm and freeze them up and then keep a few others cool you should last a few days. Lots of folks think this should be first and foremost on the list since we need it the most, but fire and police departments will have emergency relief out there providing ice and water as needed for those without. If you forget to store enough, your radio will tell you where to go and the flashlight will help you even in the dark to find the place. I realize it may sound ultra dumb or ultra simple but plenty of people have gone without because they forgot.

Food/Dry Goods: No, not beer. Again you can place it at the top but who doesn’t have some food at home they can pop on a grill and cook in the worst case scenario? Pop-tarts, Spam, Tuna, beans and franks and yes even toast are doable. But in a bind you can wait for services to return in or around a Police and Fire Station, where anyone on their electrical grid will be able to sell you food for cash.

Which brings me to CASH$$: Because cash is king! Got a credit card with a special color that gives you a million dollar limit? Try going to a grocery store with no electricity and using it. Or better yet convince someone to take a check as opposed to cash for gas or charcoal. Unless you make the prior purchases well ahead of the storm you will find yourself broke and without food. Even with everything else, cash will get you a ride to someplace safe if need be. As for ATM’s; No juice, No Cash. Get as much as possible as early as possible and use the credit cards on the batteries, food and other essentials.

By the way feminine products and common toiletries are often forgotten, so make sure you have those in mind as well. Clean clothes, picking up debris prior to storms, pet food and a good first aid kit along with some cans of Sterno or propane tanks are also handy.

There are lots of lists to go by, best bet is look up your local T.V station website or get a list at the local hardware store to start from. You can always wait for the tax-exempt day when you can buy all kinds of goods for your storm list or just do it with the everyday shopping. If you really want to feel secure though, best fallback is an automatic standby generator, hands down.

Yes, there are plenty of places selling cheap versions which take gasoline and emit carbon monoxide which can and will kill you so do the homework.

Natural gas or propane is typically the best bet and a professional installation is always good regardless what type of major electronic you are installing in your home. Look at it as though you finally bought that 50 inch flat screen you always wanted; you’re not going to try and nail it to the wall yourself.

It is recommendable to have an automatic standby generator if you run lots of electronics or have medical needs, plus it is preferable to have something kick in as soon as the power is gone for more than 30 seconds as well as a dependable company such as Assurance Power providing maintenance. Instead of yanking on a rope to get it started and possibly poisoning you and your loved ones in the process or finding it broken down and unusable.

Underground models are a smart investment since they are concealed from prying eyes, don’t take up property space and can’t be stolen by wandering thieves. Once the contractor comes out he can further educate you on the type you can have installed and run in your area. Usually they are no bigger than a central a/c unit. Also you may want to inquire about a tankless water heater.

What goes around comes around, especially when referring to the fast-paced world of fashion. No matter what your preference for fashion may have been in years past, chances are, you will ultimately get to revel in the fashion choices of that decade once again as the trends come full circle. Just about every 30 years (give or take a few years), the same styles or a variation thereof come back into the mainstream of fashion. Even if they are not mainstream trends, given the cyclical nature of the fashion world, these styles will most likely show up on the runway and you can once again enjoy them.

Many individuals do not keep the same clothes in their closets for thirty years, and even if they have, it is recommended to dig out those garments which resemble those being worn in haute couture. Chances are, what’s truly “in” style today is a bit removed from what was “in” thirty years ago. There are, however, similarities in fashion this fall and winter 2009 season to what was hot back in the 1980’s.

One hot item this season that was all the rage when Madonna first entered the public eye is ripped stockings. Who can forget the Material Girl’s torn and tattered image, complete with ripped hose, bracelets upon bracelets, and black eyeliner? This look has been reminisced about and now has been revised and reinvented this season on the runway.

Many models are using tight, ripped stockings to achieve the hard rock look, with lots of glam makeup and black. On the other hand, some are leaving this look for a more progressive ‘90’s look and bringing back the ripped stockings in a grunge-type fashion, with big boots and chunkier accessories.

One thing you must make sure to not do is rip the stockings in a way that leaves others unsure if it was intentional! If you are pairing the stockings with a cute, short tweed skirt or other ‘office appropriate’ clothing, make sure to also wear jewelry and accessories that clearly let the world know you are not headed off to your cubicle later that morning! Those in the know suggest using scissors or even a cheese grater to make intentional holes in the tights or stockings so that they are big enough and oddly placed. You can get really creative with this rock-chic look!

Seen often with the ripped stockings is plaid and tartan. Plaid patterns on the tights themselves, as well as blazers and skirts or the shirts underneath them are just some of the looks that will be seen this fall and winter. 2009 sees a lot of various colors for plaid as well, not just the traditional black or grey pattern. Popular colors this season include blues, greens and yellows. Obviously, plaid needs to be worn with care; you should really only wear one plaid piece at a time to avoid looking overdone. Some celebrities that are fond of this trend are the ever-fashionable Katie Holmes and supermodel Kate Moss. Actress Mischa Barton has also been seen sporting this look.

Another accessory making a comeback is the feather. This is a throwback, obviously, to the days of hats for the ladies and bowties for the gentlemen. However, the look is not a dated one and whether you love ‘em or hate ‘em, the feather is being worn this year on many pieces in a single fashion, as well as making an appearance in feathery-type skirts and dresses. Expect to see lots of feathers around the neckline as well. This look is more popular with women than with men, although some feather ties (made by Lanvin) have actually been spotted out there!

One other look that is gaining popularity as a late season trend for women is the military look. Perhaps this is due to all of the military action in the world today, or just a deviation from the ultra-feminine look of last season, but military jackets are especially making a statement this year. Better to pair such a severe jacket, of course, with a feminine pair of pants, or even the ripped stockings which can create a rock-chic, sexy look. Don’t appear boxy by wearing this type jacket with wide-leg pants or a skirt that is too long and not pencil-thin.

Since the bohemian look is also in this year, you could also make sure to wear this outfit with a pair of fringed boots and messed up, sexy ‘just-got-out-of-bed” hair. Hair is always a key element of the fashion trends each season. This year, blonde is back as is super-long locks. Some very short cuts are still in vogue, but the middle-of-the-road length will be left aside for either very short or very long. It is all about extremes this season, and hair is no exception! 2009 is showing up to be a very exciting year for people of fashion, on the runway and off.