Cut loose and hit the road with our favorite summer gadgets and gear.

T-Mobile Garminfone - $199 with contract

Genuinely innovative, even in light of recent iPhone announcements and raves about Sprint's new HTC Evo 4G, the T-Mobile Garminfone is a handy summer guidance system. As a full navigation device with voice prompts (you can customize them with your own voice), weather indicators, and local gas prices, the Garminfone is also a full smartphone, powered by the Android OS.

Nike Air Rate - $90

No ordinary golf shoe, this lightweight and waterproof fairway model is new for this summer. The synthetic material is designed to give your foot 360-degrees of breathing room. Extra cushioning molds around your foot, and the shoe is wide enough to keep you stable for every tee shot.

Think Geek Marshmallow Mforcer Semi-Automatic pistol - $40

This 15-chamber pistol shoots mini-marshmallows across the room -- at a high enough velocity to warrant a screech from a surprised sibling or spouse. To prep the gun, you just pump the air chamber a few times and start firing. Works best with marshmallows that are well past their freshness date.

The North Face Spectrum 23 - Starting at $298.95

At just over four pounds total weight, the Spectrum 23 two-man tent is wind resistant up to 130 MPH, uses light aluminum poles that are color coded, and uses an overhead venting system that actually works on hot summer days. The North Face tests their tents in wind tunnels to make sure they can actually stay in place even in the least hospitable conditions.

Dyson Air Multiplier - Starting at $299.95

Available in three colors, the Dyson Air Multiplier generates a cool breeze -- enough for an entire room -- by sucking air in from the base (using a motor impeller) and pushing it through the circular frame that's just 1.3mm wide. A ramp accelerates the airflow. The fan actually multiplies air intake by 15 times and dispels 118-gallons of cool air per second. Inducement, a process of pulling air from behind the fan into the mini wind tunnel also helps push fresh cool air into the room.

Panasonic AVCCAM AG-3DA1 - $21,000

If money is no option, this Panasonic 3D camera -- designed for professional use -- will definitely liven up home movies at the summer picnic grounds. The twin-lens system records in full high-def, but the camera only weighs about six pounds and is portable enough for remote recording. The 3.2-inch side mounted LCD viewer helps you get the best angle. Records onto standard SDHC memory cards.

EasyBloom Plus - $50

Products that interact with the real world and feed data to a Web site are becoming popular. This small gardening device -- which you stick into the soil next to plants, vegetables, trees, or flowers -- reports the spoil condition, temperature, light levels, humidity, and other variables to help you determine how much to water or whether to add soil nutrients or start the weeding process.

Winnebago Via - $135,132

The luxury liner in the Winnebago fleet, this 25-foot 2010 model is packed with tech features. There are side-view video cameras and a rear-view cam to help you navigate in a campground. The holding tanks use a micro-electric field to determine water and wastewater fill levels. Constructed using a metal frame (instead of the wood used as the base for many motor homes), Winnebago uses a laser guidance system to mount the main cab to the chassis. The Via uses the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, which has a 154-hp turbodiesel engine with 6-cyclinders for hauling power, but a vacation-friendly 18MPG.

Kodak Easyshare M580 - Starting at $149.99

Sharing photos used to be a laborious process -- you snap the picts, connect the camera, and then wade through countless shots and upload them to photo sites. The Easyshare M580 actually makes sharing easier -- after you snap a photo, you can tag it for use on Facebook, YouTube, Flickr, e-mail, or the Kodak online gallery. Then, when you connect the camera to your PC, the shots are uploaded automatically. Has a true 8x zoom and shoots in 14 megapixels, or enough for a 30×40-inch poster.

2011 Ford Fiesta - $13,320

The hot car for summer, the Ford Fiesta is a trendy vacation accessory. Like a luxury car, the new Fiesta has heated leather seats, ambient interior lighting, and optional LED lamps that glow when you park the car. The really impressive feature has to do with the 4-inch LCD screen, which will initially provide all of the media options and Bluetooth phone features. This fall, Ford will introduce the AppLink service, which allows you to see and control apps like Twitter and Pandora running on your phone.

You have to drive a small car to get good fuel economy.

Manual transmissions always get better fuel economy than automatics.

It takes more fuel to start a vehicle than it does to let it idle.

Vehicles need to warm up before they can be driven.

As a vehicle ages, its fuel economy decreases significantly.

Replacing your air filter will help your car run more efficiently.

Aftermarket additives and devices can dramatically improve your fuel economy.

Using premium fuel improves fuel economy.

The EPA fuel economy estimates are a government guarantee on what fuel economy each vehicle will deliver.

All vehicles are tested for fuel economy.

These misconceptions are based on user feedback to www.fueleconomy.gov and are listed in no particular order.

The Consumer Federation of America's (CFA) most recent survey says that if we had a 50-mile-per-gallon car fleet today, we'd save more oil than the entire proven reserves in the entire Gulf of Mexico. And people care about that.

According to Jack Gillis, author of The Car Book and a CFA spokesman, 87 percent of respondents said it is "important that the country reduce its consumption of oil," and 54 percent said it is "very important."

An amazing 65 percent of Americans surveyed support a mandated transition to a 50-mpg fuel economy standard by 2025. That's a tough standard, some 15 mpg better than the ambitious goal set by the Obama Administration (35 mpg by 2016).

"The expectations of American consumers are reasonable and achievable," Gillis said in a conference call." CFA says that Asian carmakers, compared to the U.S. competition, are offering twice as many vehicles with 30 mpg or better. "It's shocking that so few of today's cars get more than 30 mpg," he said.

Mark Cooper, CFA's research director, noted that in five years of the group's polling, the public's views have stayed remarkably consistent: Americans want less dependence on Middle Eastern oil and higher fuel-economy standards.

People care about fuel economy, but they're misinformed about how to actually achieve it. The federal government's fueleconomy.gov site (very useful to check cars' mpg) just published the "Top 10 Misconceptions About Fuel Economy."

Here are a few big myths:

• It takes more fuel to start a vehicle than it does to let it idle.
  People are really confused about this one and will leave a car idling for half an hour rather than turn it off and restart. Some kids I know started an anti-idling campaign in the suburbs and are shaming parents into shutting down their cars.
  
  Idling uses a quarter- to a half-gallon of fuel in an hour (costing you one to two cents a minute). Unless you're stalled in traffic, turn off the car when stopped for more a few minutes.

• Vehicles need to be warmed up before they're driven.
  Pshaw. That is a long-outdated notion. Today's cars are fine being driven off seconds after they're started.

• As a vehicle ages, its fuel economy decreases significantly.
  Not true. As long as it's maintained, a 10- or 15-year-old car should have like-new mileage. The key thing is maintenance -- an out-of-tune car will definitely start to decline mileage-wise.

• Replacing your air filter helps your car run efficiently.
  Another outdated claim, going back to the pre-1976 carburetor days. Modern fuel-injection engines don't get economy benefits from a clean air filter.

• After-market additives and devices can dramatically improve your fuel economy.
  There's not much evidence that these "miracle products" do much more than drain your wallet. Both the Federal Trade Commission and Consumer Reports have weighed in on this. There are no top-secret 100-mpg add-ons out there.

• Using premium fuel improves fuel economy.
  You might as well write a check to BP if you believe this. Only use premium if your car specifies it.

Sideways Smiley Face died on March 14, 2010, surrounded by his loved ones. The cause of death was over-use. Born on a Computer Science on-line bulletin board at Carnegie Mellon University, Mr. Face devoted his life to pointing out that the previous sentence was meant to be funny. He also gained worldwide recognition for his tireless efforts as a glib substitute for the words "I'm amused." His other interests included frowning and winking. He is survived by his children, Sideways Surprised Face, Sideways Glasses Face, Sideways Abraham Lincoln Face, Sideways Santa Claus Face, Sideways Pope Face, and, of course, his beloved wife, XOXO. In lieu of flowers, Mr. Face's family has requested that people use actual words to express their feelings.

Heating Your Home Efficiently

Regardless of what the weather brings this winter, heating your home efficiently is probably something on your mind. Keeping your home a comfortable temperature when the weather turns bad doesn't have to be a financial drain. Here are some places to start:

Stopping Air Leaks

The first step to making your home more heat efficient is to identify air leaks. Common air leak sources such as recessed lights, attic entrances, doorframes, window frames, ducts (which we'll cover next) and electrical outlets can be a big drain of heat and money. You can check for air leaks yourself by walking through your home with a lit incense stick (horizontal smoke indicates a leak), or you can hire a technician for a more thorough inspection. Simple fixes like sealing around outlets and switches, caulking gaps in the framing, and plugging gaps surrounding pipes will typically result in noticeable savings.

Duct Problems

One of the most important systems in your home may be quietly wasting your energy dollars. Often overlooked, typical duct systems lose 25-40% of the heating or cooling energy put out by the central furnace, heat pump, or air conditioner. Common duct system problems include:

• Leaky joints or visible holes in the duct surface
• Disconnected ducts that have fallen away from each other
• Inadequate or poorly finished duct work
• Un-insulated or poorly insulated ducts in attics and crawlspaces

Most duct repairs should be made by or with the help of a trained professional, especially those that will take place in unconditioned spaces. A qualified pro can also help you more accurately assess the duct problems that you have. If you decide to make minor duct repairs on your own, keep in mind that duct tape is usually only intended as a temporary fix. Silicone caulking or cement with mastic are better sealing options. Improving your duct system efficiency can cut your annual utility bills by as much as $300, and will improve the overall air quality in your home.

Keep your Home Insulated

Properly insulating your home is one of the most cost-effective ways to cut down on your energy loss. Improving the insulation in your home can cut your heating and cooling costs by as much as 30%, and will create a more uniform, comfortable temperature in your home. Better insulation will also help decrease outdoor noise. Check the insulation in your attic, ceilings, exterior and basement walls, floors, and crawl spaces to see if they meet recommended standards for your area. Insulation is measured in R-values: the higher the R-value, the less transfer of heat through the material. Typically the easiest and most cost-effective way to improve your home's insulation is to add insulation to your attic.

Fireplace Issues

Despite their undeniable aesthetic appeal, fireplaces are not desirable in terms of energy efficiency. Only about ten percent of the wood's energy is transferred to the room as heat, the rest escapes up the chimney. When in use, the fireplace also pulls cold air into your home through cracks and leaks, and when not in use the brick and stone mass of most fireplaces readily conducts heat from your home to the outside. To minimize energy waste from the fireplace in your home, make sure the damper or flue is shut tightly when the fireplace is not in use. Consider the benefits of things like tempered glass doors, fireplace inserts that seal dormant openings, and heat exchangers that recover some of the energy that would otherwise be lost.

Thermostat Solutions

That little box on the wall can be a tool for big energy savings. You can save up to 3 percent for every one degree that you lower the temperature in your home over a 24-hour period in winter. You can also save up to 10% annually in your heating and cooling bills by adjusting your thermostat down 10% to 15% for an 8-hour period each day. Turning the heat down while you sleep or while you're away at work is a simple and logical energy efficiency solution. If the prospect of waking up to a chilly house doesn't excite you, buy a programmable thermostat. They are inexpensive and adjust the temperature in your home based on the schedules you determine.

Ceiling Fans

While most people think if ceiling fans as a cooling solution, they can also help maintain a warm temperature in your home during winter. Running a ceiling fan in reverse circulates rising warm air back down to living areas. Consider ceiling fans for your home, particularly if you have rooms with high ceilings that seem to stay colder. Ceiling fans vary in price depending on things like material and size, but many are inexpensive and easy to operate.

Nothing in the NFL is final. What looks like a done deal today is out the window tomorrow.

Considering the Cowboys have trimmed the roster to 52 players, leaving one spot available, it's certain the team will make at least one more move this weekend.

But among the notable cuts include wide receiver Isaiah Stanback and rookie defensive backs Mike Mickens and DeAngelo Smith.

On this day, the waiver wire is filled with names - some of them noteworthy, but most of them are the less-heralded players. But expect that the Cowboys, like all teams, are keeping a close eye on the wire, trying to determine if anyone else's expendables are better than what they've got.

The deadline to claim players is 11 a.m. (CDT) Sunday, so it's likely the Cowboys will make a move, if not two or three.

That's the way it works in the NFL. But for now, this is what we've got. You've got your list of the guys that were released. Here's how the roster stacks up for now. Once again, always subject to change.

Quarterback (3)
Tony Romo
Jon Kitna
Stephen McGee
Summary: After three straight seasons of keeping just two quarterbacks on the roster to open the season, the Cowboys are going with three, thanks to the addition of rookie Stephen McGee. However, the fourth-round pick from Texas A&M might not be available for a few weeks because of a sprained MCL. Because of that, the Cowboys might have to keep Rudy Carpenter, who played about three quarters against Minnesota, on the practice squad to run the scout team for a few weeks, if not longer. Overall, the Cowboys feel more confident in their backup for Romo. While Kitna is an experienced veteran, he figures to give the Cowboys a more competitive chance than Brad Johnson did a year ago, should he be called upon.

Running Back (4)
Marion Barber
Felix Jones
Tashard Choice
Deon Anderson
Summary: No surprises here, and no changes from last year. The difference is experience and expectations. Entering their second seasons, Jones and Choice both had success in limited opportunities last year. Jones' rookie season started off electric but ended with injury. So far, he looks as dynamic as we all remember. But don't forget about Barber, the true workhorse of the offense. If all three backs stay healthy, it could be a formidable backfield trio. Anderson has missed a month after undergoing knee surgery back in camp. He hasn't returned to practice yet but obviously the Cowboys felt comfortable with his progress to let go of Crosslin, who had to play the entire second half as the tailback because of an injury to Keon Lattimore. The Cowboys would probably like to get Crosslin back to the practice squad if possible.

Wide Receiver (5)
Roy Williams
Patrick Crayton
Sam Hurd
Miles Austin
Kevin Ogletree
Summary: The surprise of the group - only if you haven't been watching training camp or the preseason - is Ogletree, the only undrafted rookie to make the roster. Regardless of the receiver numbers or his competition, Ogletree simply made too many plays not to keep him. In fact, Jerry Jones said Friday night that Ogletree is the type of young player the Cowboys could even build around. The only other surprise is that the Cowboys decided to end their experiment with Stanback, who had trouble staying healthy and, consequently, making the transition from college quarterback to NFL receiver.

Tight End (3)
Jason Witten
Martellus Bennett
John Phillips
Summary: This position played out as expected. Witten looks ready for another All-Pro season, while Bennett has emerged as a potential star. The Cowboys will use a lot of two-tight end sets, but look for Phillips to have a role as well. He has surprised the Cowboys with his athleticism, but he's a solid blocker as well. What a situation for Phillips, who has two different but talented tight ends from whom to learn.

Offensive Line (10)
Flozell Adams
Kyle Kosier
Andre Gurode
Leonard Davis
Marc Colombo
Cory Procter
Pat McQuistan
Doug Free
Montrae Holland
Duke Preston
Summary: All of the uncertainties seem to surround the backup positions. That's not exactly a comforting situation, but at least the starters are back. And that includes Kyle Kosier at left guard, who hasn't shown any lingering effects from the foot injury that kept him out of 13 games last year. The Cowboys kept 10 lineman, including backups Cory Procter, Montrae Holland and newly-acquired lineman Duke Preston. This position may not stand like this when the season starts, but for now, the Cowboys are going with 10.

Defensive Line (6)
Marcus Spears
Jay Ratliff
Igor Olshansky
Jason Hatcher
Stephen Bowen
Junior Siavii
Summary: Unless the Cowboys make a change over the weekend, which is always possible, it appears the club is prepared to give Siavii his first chance to play since 2006. He is expected to back up Pro Bowler Jay Ratliff in the middle. Other than that, the Cowboys have some experienced depth at end with Bowen and Hatcher providing a deep rotation. Olshansky has looked to be a solid replacement for the departed Chris Canty. The Cowboys obviously had high hopes for Marcus Dixon, whose groin injury two weeks ago stunted his chances of making the team. Getting him back on the practice squad seems to be a high priority.

Linebacker (9)
DeMarcus Ware
Bradie James
Keith Brooking
Anthony Spencer
Bobby Carpenter
Steve Octavien
Victor Butler
Jason Williams
Curtis Johnson
Summary: The bad part about this position is the injuries that occurred over the course of camp. The good thing is that most of it was towards the end of the depth chart. The Cowboys' four starters have been set and Carpenter is expected to be the nickel linebacker. After that it's been shaky, thanks to rookies Brandon Williams and Stephen Hodge both going to IR, and Jason Williams out another 3-5 weeks with a high ankle sprain. It gave Octavien a chance and forced the Cowboys to claim Curtis Johnson (waived by the Colts) last week.

Cornerback (4)
Terence Newman
Mike Jenkins
Orlando Scandrick
Alan Ball
Summary: The big news here centers on the recent decision to rotate both Jenkins and Scandrick as starters at right cornerback. This should be the first time in three years that Newman will enter the regular season healthy. He's looked sharp in the preseason, especially as a spot-duty punt returner. Ball missed the last game after having a concussion in the third preseason game, but should be ready for Tampa. Jerry Jones mentioned Ball's versatility to play safety as a key attribute to his value. The Cowboys took a strong look at Mike Mickens, but opted to part ways at this time.

Safety (4)
Ken Hamlin
Gerald Sensabaugh
Pat Watkins
Mike Hamlin
Summary: Watkins had likely already earned a roster spot before the Minnesota game, but he erased any other doubts with a stellar performance in the preseason finale. He'll be the third safety behind starters Ken Hamlin and Sensabaugh. Mike Hamlin is out probably another month with a broken wrist and although the Cowboys like the versatility of DeAngelo Smith, who also played cornerback in college, he didn't survive Saturday's cuts.

Specialists (4)
K Nick Folk
K David Buehler
P Mat McBriar
LS L.P. Ladouceur
Summary: The only change is the addition of Buehler, who figures to be the kickoff specialist. While the Cowboys are hoping he helps provide better field position, there may be some weeks the Cowboys can't afford to keep two kickers active for the game. Since he only attempted one field goal, it's likely the Cowboys would go with Folk to handle both duties if keeping them both active on the 45-man game day roster isn't an option. McBriar looks healthy again after last year's broken foot and Ladouceur has been rock-solid for about five years now.

Here is a complete list of the Cowboys' roster moves to reach the 53-man limit:

1. Focus on energy efficiency
You save money when you use the right bulbs and only turn them on when necessary. Most events don't have a media room full of dozens of televisions and computer monitors, and most venues don't, like the U.S. Open, consume 2,000 megawatt hours of electricity (the capacity of the Indian Point nuclear power plant a few miles north of New York City, incidentally) ... but all venues can benefit from energy conservation.

2. Stop using pesticides
The U.S. Open doesn't have natural grass courts, so this isn't an issue, but millions of acres of sports fields and school playgrounds are treated with pesticides every year. A great first step toward greening your sports event is to stop spraying potentially harmful chemicals, Powers said.

3. Boost recycling rates
The U.S. Tennis Association learned that for every garbage can, you must have one recycling bin, or else your audience is unlikely to recycle. They also learned that it can be quite complicated to deliver the sorted recyclables to the right location to ensure they are indeed recycled.

Be sure to check far ahead of time with your janitorial staff, local waste hauler or city sanitation agency to make sure that the careful work you're doing to separate waste doesn't ... well, go to waste. If your local waste handler isn't ready, get them ready before the event.

4. Provide public transportation
Whenever possible, encourage the use of public transportation and do whatever is possible to make it easy for those using public transportation to enjoy the event without extra hassles.

In the case of the U.S. Open, the transportation challenge is compounded by the nature of the event, with hundreds of tennis players arriving from all over the world (kind of like dozens of kids arriving with their parents in their own cars). What did the organizers do? Contracted with Lexus to provide half of the car transportation via hybrid SUVs ... a start.

At a local venue, it might mean making space for a local bus to make a stop, or arranging for that bus to leave the parking lot before the mass exodus of cars clogs the road home.

5. Encourage audience participation
Sports fans are as competitive as those on the field. A little messaging goes a long way when it comes to encouraging people to do the right thing. At the offices of the U.S. Tennis Association, for instance, the drive to go green has become a competition for individuals to one-up their colleagues in the next cubicle. Whatever goal you have set, be sure to communicate it to the crowd, and enlist their help.

6. Focus on concessions
If you're selling anything -- whether it's food or memorabilia -- do your part to source it responsibly. Look for paper products that are made with recycled content or that are Forest Stewardship Council-certified. Try to serve sustainable food. Offer a discount to those who bring their own cup. Pay attention to the packaging you're providing. If you're selling T-shirts or other memorabilia, talk to the people in charge of sourcing it, so that you can provide keepsakes made from organic and other sustainable fibers.

And, or course ... enjoy the game.

The United States is currently the largest single consumer of energy. That's Right! The result is that the average homeowner now spends about $1,900 per year on energy. Continuous heating and air conditioning consumption account for half of home energy costs. With this consumption comes a tremendous amount of wasted energy. Our wasteful use of energy contributes to air pollution problems such as low-level ozone, smog, and global warming. The average family's carbon footprint is over 11,200 pounds of pollutants, which go directly into the atmosphere each year.

The most direct and inexpensive route for home owners to reduce wasted energy in their homes is to have an Energy Audit. The primary purpose of a home energy audit is to evaluate the homes energy consumption and make recommendations to eliminate wasted energy and lower monthly energy costs. The following diagram show areas in the home that an energy audit evaluates:

Increasingly in the last year, energy audits have exploded as the demand to lower increasingly expensive energy costs and move towards a sustainable future have made energy audits greatly important. In addition, there is now a very large number of tax credits from cities and the federal government which are enabling homeowners to affordably update their homes and reduce their monthly energy costs.

In an effort to help home owners reduce areas in their homes that are wasting energy, Go Green Home Efficiency created a "General Home Energy Audit" which focuses on lighting changes, thermostat modification, and water usage as these are the easiest areas for homeowners to upgrade and provide the fastest return on their energy efficiency spending. GGHE's Home Energy audits include a written report that estimates energy savings the homeowner may realize when simple changes to electricity, water, and natural gas are completed. The accuracy of the energy estimates are greatly improved when the homeowner's billing history is available showing the quantities of energy resources used each month.

Home Owners Need Help To Reduce Wasted Energy

The majority of people are interested in increasing their home, condo, townhouse, or apartment's energy efficiency, but lack understanding of how energy works and aren't entirely clear on which home improvement projects yield the largest energy-saving benefits. Here is some of the critical energy efficiency information you will be able to help them discover:

The average home owner's energy usage is from attempting to heat leaking homes. Their combined unused electronics left plugged in account for $4 Billion a year in wasted energy. Here is a closer look at where the average residence is using energy every month

What Energy Audits Help Homeowners Do To Reduce Wasted Energy

When a home owner gets an energy audit in their residence, they are immediately aware of areas in their home that are wasting energy. They are also educated on how to reduce, modify, or replace trouble areas. Here is a short list of how an energy audit helps homeowners.

» How To Read Energy Bills - You can finally show home owners how to understand what they are being charged for and educate them on how to see their cost savings in action every month as they start living more energy efficiently.

» Indoor & Outdoor Lighting - They understand bulb wattage and finally understand the costs and benefits associated with changing out their old light bulbs for the new "curly" CFL light bulbs.

» Vampire Power - They learn how their home electronics & major appliances are robbing them of energy and how it adds up on their bill every month.

» Water Conservation - They understand the benefits of "Low Flow" shower heads, reducing their water heater temperature and lots more.

» Heating & Cooling System Savings - They understand what changes can easily be made and how to calculate payback to determine when a major upgrade will start saving them money.




So call Go Green Home Efficiency TODAY to schedule a home energy audit and start saving money and saving the planet at the same time!  1-877-372-1199

All of these factors, of course, may vary depending on the way you use and maintain your car.

Edmunds.com, a leading automotive Web site, features an interactive tool it calls its True Cost to Own calculator, which computes an estimated total five-year cost and the cost per mile based on driving 15,000 miles per year.

Here are the 10 cars that top Edmunds' current list of the most frugal cars to own and operate:

Hyundai Accent GS:

Starting price: $10,690
5-year total cost: $25,958
Cost per mile: 35 cents

As basic transportation, the Accent GS three-door isn't so basic. Its 110-horsepower, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine delivers decent fuel economy with an EPA estimated 27 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway. The interior is relatively roomy and comes with power accessories and air conditioning.

Nissan Versa Base

Starting price: $10,710
5-year total cost: $27,196
Cost per mile: 36 cents

Nissan Versa: A sedan for the frugal, Versa's stingy fuel consumption earns it an EPA rating of 26 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. A five-speed manual transmission ushers the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine's 107 horsepower to the front wheels. Its relatively roomy back seat is a major attraction in this segment; otherwise, its cabin is devoid of frills.

Chevrolet Aveo5 LS

Starting price: $12,685
5-year total cost: $28,360
Cost per mile: 38 cents

Chevrolet Aveo5 LS: Chevy beefed up the Aveo's 1.6-liter four-cylinder for 2009 and it now produces 107 horsepower. EPA estimated fuel economy is a very respectable 25 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. Among its short list of standard features is a four-speaker audio system with an auxiliary input jack.

Suzuki SX4 Sedan

Starting price: $13,994
5-year total cost: $28,965
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Suzuki SX4 Sedan: A number of trim levels let consumers increase content in smallish dollar increments. In its base form, though, the SX4 offers full-power accessories and a tilt steering wheel. EPA fuel economy estimates are 23 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway earned by a 143-horsepower, 2-liter four-cylinder engine.

Pontiac G3

Starting price: $15,055
5-year total cost: $29,049
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Pontiac G3: Compared to the first four entries on this list, the G3 is positively loaded with standard equipment. Air conditioning, a six-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary input jack, and a tilt steering wheel are all standard. A 106-horsepower, 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine mated with a five-speed manual transmission earns it an EPA rating of 27 mpg city/34 mpg highway.

Mazda3 iSport

Starting price: $15,360
5-year total cost: $29,271
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Mazda3 iSport: Six airbags, anti-lock brakes and a four-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary audio jack are all standard in this sedan. A 148-horsepower, 2-liter four-cylinder engine collaborates with a five-speed manual transmission to earn EPA estimates of 22 mpg city and 30 mpg highway.

Honda Fit

Starting price: $15,460
5-year total cost: $29,420
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Honda Fit: Nicely appointed, even the base Fit has air conditioning, full-power accessories and a four-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary input jack. Its performance is on par with this group and is provided by a 117-horsepower, 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Its fuel economy is among the best with EPA estimates of 27 mpg city/33 mpg highway.

Pontiac Vibe

Starting price: $16,735
5-year total cost: $29,512
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Pontiac Vibe: Fraternal twin to the Toyota Matrix, the Vibe in its base form is fairly Spartan. It does come with a four-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary input jack, and a tilt/telescoping steering wheel. Power arrives via a 132-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine. Fuel economy is acceptable, with an EPA rating of 26 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.

Toyota Yaris

Starting price: $12,955
5-year total cost: $29,595
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Toyota Yaris: You have to step up a trim level to get an audio system, but the base Yaris three-door hatchback does have air conditioning and a tilt steering column. Its power comes from a 106-horsepower, 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine. With an EPA rating of 29 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, its outstanding fuel economy earned it a spot on our list of top 10 fuel misers.

Nissan Sentra

Starting price: $16,070
5-year total cost: $29,623
Cost per mile: 39 cents

Nissan Sentra: With the most standard equipment of any entry on this list, the Sentra sedan comes with air conditioning, a four-speaker audio system with CD player and auxiliary input jack, and power windows and locks. Its 2-liter four-cylinder engine generates 140 horsepower. Its EPA rating is 25 mpg city and 33 mpg highway.

Soon they find a home they really like in a nice neighborhood. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, den, garage, and lots more room.

The home is bigger than they need for just the two of them, but the additional space will come in handy. They plan to have two children someday.

They decide to make this their first home.

They don't need a house this big and the price is higher than what they want to spend. They can borrow the money, so they go ahead.

Both of them are working and they get regular raises. Their money may be tight for some time and it will be worth making temporary adjustments, won't it? Isn't home ownership the American dream?

Five years later with two kids and a dog Paul and Kim's somewhat tight budget is now very tight.

Their salaries have stayed the same and after 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and the war in Iraq, but almost everything costs more, especially energy. Their finances are a series of budgets and sacrifices with no end in sight.

Paul and Kim are not alone. Many people when buying a home do not think about how much a home costs to operate. Hot water, heat, and air conditioning all add up. They did not check or they might have kept looking for their dream home.

What was once an affordable three bedroom, two bathrooms home can now be very expensive to keep warm and or cool? Energy expenses can total as much as the monthly mortgage payment.

If a home is new, ask the builder if it is energy rated. An energy rating provides information about energy costs. It is a tool for the consumer.

Add a home's energy costs together with the mortgage costs. Then you will know if you can afford it.

Beware or you too will end up being "House Rich, Cash Poor".

Paul and Kim liked how the house looked in the beginning but after a while, that good-looking home turned ugly when they became a slave to high-energy costs.

Homes use approximately one third of all the energy we presently consume in the U.S. The remaining two thirds are split between transportation- one third, and industry- one third.

Over the years technological advancements made it possible for manufacturers of central heating and air conditioning equipment to produce units with energy efficiency ratings of 90+. For example, a 90+ natural gas heater burns 90% or more of the natural gas it takes in and wastes less than 10%.

Most likely the homes in the U.S.with 90+ systems installed are in homes that would not even qualify for a 50+ energy efficiency rating. 

            It is ironic those same policy makers, who for years have denied the existence of an environmental and energy crisis, are now looking to a "green" revolution as the route to recovery from the economic crisis that did not exist in the first place (in their minds).  It would be easy to say "I told you so" to those realtors and developers who just a couple of years ago were out hawking McMansions to anyone who could get a sub prime mortgage.  However tempting it is to gloat, it is better to welcome the realtors who realize that energy efficiency is a real selling tool.

            Let's hope that realtors, builders, developers and banks use this second chance they have been given responsibly.  A while back, the National Association of Realtors held its first "green" designation training program for its members.  On its website, the NAR urges its members to "harness the energy of the green designation" to "access new markets, build your customer base and be a positive force for change in your community." 

            In fact, the realtor community can be an important advocacy group for energy efficiency.  Informed realtors can teach their clients what makes a home truly energy efficient; can explain the cost benefits of energy efficiency modifications; and can show home owners the bigger picture--how home energy efficiency can reduce our country's dependency on fossil fuels and its carbon footprint.

            It will be a tough balancing act for realtors, who after all depend upon commissions for their living.  It's not easy being at the forefront of change, especially when you have your own mortgage to pay!   Realtors will need to be teachers. And like all good teachers, realtors will need to be good students first.  They will need to learn what energy IN-efficiency costs us, at both the personal and global level.  And they will need to understand the elements of an energy efficient home.