Boosting Metabolism

Boosting Metabolism: 10 Tips That Work

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by Susan Woodward for MSN Health & Fitness


Metabolism. Simply put, it’s the process by which the body makes and uses energy (calories) for everything from the cellular absorption of nutrients to running a marathon.

Sounds like pretty boring science on paper. Except that knowing how to efficiently metabolize calories could translate into a healthier body.

Whether you’re trying to lose extra pounds or preparing for the inevitable metabolic slowing that comes with age, here are some surefire ways to boost your metabolism to keep your energy pulsating and your body in shape.

1. Build lean body mass. As mentioned above, metabolism slows as we age – by as much as two percent a year! But there is something you can do to counterbalance nature. “Muscle is the single most important predictor or how well you metabolize your food, how well you burn calories and burn body fat,” insists Shari Lieberman, author of Dare to Lose. Strength training with dumbbells or resistance bands at least twice a week is essential to boosting your metabolism. Repeat – essential. And here’s the really good news: Your metabolism stays pumped for many hours after you finish your workout.

2. Get moving. You know the drill, but here’s a reminder. At least 30 to 60 minutes of walking, jogging, cycling, swimming or some other form of aerobic exercise a minimum of three times a week is the other half of the exercise equation. “People don’t like to hear it but you have got to exercise,” says Lieberman.

3. Eat. It may sound crazy to those trying to lose weight by severely restricting their daily caloric intake, but the problem with this old school of thought, explains Michigan dietician Julie Beyer, is that it actually slows metabolism. “Every cell of the body is like a flashlight bulb,” she explains. “When our bodies don’t get enough food, or fuel, every cell burns less brightly.” Recent studies show that eating smaller meals every three to four hours aids metabolism and weight loss.

4. Ditch the sugar. Of course, you still have to make good choices about what you eat. “When you eat sugar you throw your metabolic switch into fat storage mode,” says Lieberman, who suggests a predominately low glycemic index diet, meaning foods that, unlike sugars, are broken down gradually to help maintain an even blood-sugar level.

5. Don’t skip breakfast. It’s a fact that people who eat a healthy breakfast are skinnier than people who don’t. And try to think outside the box. A breakfast bowl of vegetables and brown rice is a great way to kick-start your metabolism for the day.

6. Include hot foods. If Mexican and Thai are favorites, you’re in luck. “Spicy food that has hot peppers in it appears to boost metabolism,” Lieberman says.

7. Drink green tea. “There are unhealthy things that can boost your metabolism, like a really strong cup of coffee, or nicotine, but I would never say go have a cigarette!” says Michelle Streif, a personal trainer in Nebraska. Nor overdo it on caffeine, which also has undesirable side effects. Instead, go for green tea, says Lieberman, which is known to stimulate metabolism longer and more effectively than coffee.

8. Don’t forget H2O. Staying well hydrated is essential to flushing the body of toxic byproducts that are released when fat is burned. Cold water may also give your metabolism at least a small boost because energy is required to heat the body.

9. Avoid stress. At all costs. “Stress can actually cause weight gain, particularly around the tummy,” says Lieberman. Why? Because physical and emotional stress activates the release of cortisol, a steroid that slows metabolism.

10. Sleep. Research shows that people who don’t sleep for seven to eight hours a night are more prone to weight gain. Additionally, we now know that lean muscle is regenerated in the final couple of hours of sleep each night, says Beyer. Which takes you right back to tip number one!

Present for today

Treasure every moment they you have...
and remember "Time wait for no one"
Yesterday is history...
Tomorrow is a mystery.
Today is a gift.
That's why it's called a present

Seize the day

Test the product before selling

When I sell something, don't forget to test the product as a customer's view. Please be a customer and test my product as I'm really a customer. So that I will know where is my weak point.

I can make huge differences.

My strong suit is I just be quiet when something wrong.
My aunt kick a basket to my mom when I was young. I said to myself that I's a little kid who can not help anybody. From this context, I also think that nobody can help me.

Change this context to I'm somebody who can make a huge difference to others then I can get others acknowledge.

:)

Something from "Devil ware Prada"

If I do sth good, everybody just ignore it, not even thank you. But if I do sth bad or wrong, I'm gonna turn to be the worst ppl.
So... do my best, stop being a couch potato and start working.
I love my work. :)

Living Passionately

Don't be excited when I get sth new and then change to the duty when the time pass.

Don't think that I'm helping, think that I'm responsible to it.

Landmark Fever

I'm so sick of the Landmark. Today, I have an agreement to assist at midday but I just can't go. While I was driving from Rangsit to Bangkadee, I only think about that so I drive to the Landmark instead of Bangkadee Herrrr....
Be present
("-_-)

Never hungry, never enough

Think about the guy who live day by day, they're very happy eatting while I eat just to get full and never enough.
Will I hungry for the knowledge??? I read just to pass the exam. Will I hungry reading?? Not just read for something. Read by my heart. I'm really hunger for knowledge.

Bring the love of "Singing"

Read like I love it sooo much the same as I love singing.

Never hungry, never enough

Think about the guy who live day by day, they're very happy eatting while I eat just to get full and never enough.
Will I hungry for the knowledge??? I read just to pass the exam. Will I hungry reading?? Not just read for something. Read by my heart. I'm really hunger for knowledge.

Bring the love of "Singing"

Read like I love it sooo much the same as I love singing.

Never hungry, never enough

Think about the guy who live day by day, they're very happy eatting while I eat just to get full and never enough.
Will I hungry for the knowledge??? I read just to pass the exam. Will I hungry reading?? Not just read for something. Read by my heart. I'm really hunger for knowledge.

Landmark Trap

Don't forget that the time before I join the Landmark and after it.
Don't think that I know a lot, I'm here before you, I'm greater that you.
Don't be soooo high because it's easy to drop but if I'm down below, nobody can make me go down more than this.
Most important, Landmark is not my life, don't feel good or energitic only when I'm in Landmark.

Come and update this again!!!

Exploring Google's Hidden Features

Source

Google Is a Calculator

When you can’t be troubled to reach over and pick up the handheld
calculator sitting on your desk, you can use Google as a high-tech web-based
calculator. All you have to do is enter your equation or formula into the
standard Google search box, and then click the Google Search button. The result
of the calculation is displayed on the search results page; it’s that
simple.

You can use the standard algebraic operators to construct your
calculations—+, -, x, and / for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and
division, accordingly. For example, to add 2 plus 3, enter 2 +
3 and press Enter. To divide 10 by 2, enter 10 / 2,
and so on.

And Google’s calculator isn’t limited to basic addition and
multiplication. It can also handle more advanced calculations, trigonometric
functions, inverse trigonometric functions, hyperbolic functions, and
logarithmic functions. Just enter the proper formula into the search box, and
wait for Google to display the answer.

Google Knows Mathematical Constants

In addition to performing calculations, Google also knows a variety of
mathematical and scientific constants, such as pi, Avogadro’s Number, and
Planck’s Constant. It also knows the radius of the Earth, the mass of the
sun, the speed of light, the gravitational constant, and a lot more.

For example, if you’re not sure what the value of pi is, just enter
pi into the Search box and press Enter; Google returns
3.14159265, as it should. How about the speed of light? Enter speed of
light, and Google returns 299,792,458 m/s. It’s amazing what
Google knows.

Google Converts Units of Measure

Another surprise is that Google’s calculator also handles conversions.
It knows miles and meters, furlongs and light years, seconds and fortnights, and
even angstroms and Smoots—and can convert from one unit of measurement to
another.

The key to using the Google calculator as a converter is to express your
query using the proper syntax. In essence, you want to start with the first
measure, followed by the word "in," followed by the second unit of
measure. A general query looks like this: x firstunits in
secondunits.

For example, to find out how many feet equal a meter, enter the query
1 meter in feet. Not sure how many teaspoons are in a cup?
Enter 1 cup in teaspoons. Want to convert 100 U.S. dollars into
Euros? Then enter 100 usd in euros. And so on and so forth.

Google Is a Dictionary

Want to look up the definition of a particular word, but don’t want to
bother pulling out the old hardcover dictionary? Not sure of a specific
spelling? Then use Google as an online dictionary to look up any word you can
think of. It’s easy—and there are two ways to do it.

The first approach to looking up definitions is to use a ´All you have
to do is enter the keywords what is in your query, followed by
the word in question. (No question mark is necessary.) For example, to look up
the definition of the word "defenestrate," enter what is
defenestrate.

When you use a "what is" search, Google returns a standard search
results page (typically with several useful definition links in the list), as
well as a definition section at the top of the page. This section includes a
short definition of the word and two useful links. The first link, disguised as
the result title, is actually a link to other definitions of the word on the
web. The second link, Definition in Context, displays an example of the word
used in a sentence.

Google Is a Glossary

Even more definitions are available when you use the Google Glossary feature.
Google Glossary is what Google calls it, anyway; really, it’s just another
advanced search operator that produces some very specific results.

The operator in question is define:. Use this operator
before the word you want defined, with no spaces between. So, for example, if
you want to define the word "defenestrate," enter the query
define:defenestrate.

When your query includes the define: operator, Google
displays a special definitions page. This page includes all the definitions for
the word that Google found on the web; click a link to view the full definition.

And here’s something else to know. If you want to define a phrase, use
the define: operator but put the phrase in quotation marks. For
example, to define the phrase "peer to peer", enter the query
define:"peer to peer".

Google Lists All the Facts

When you’re looking for hard facts, Google might be able to help. Yes,
Google always returns a list of sites that match your specific query, but if you
phrase your query correctly—and are searching for a fact that Google has
pre-identified—you can get the precise information you need at the top of
the search results page.

What types of information are we talking about? Fact-based information, such
as birthdates, birthplaces, population, and so on. All you have to do is enter a
query that states the fact you want to know. For example:

• To find the population of San Francisco, enter population san
  Francisco.


• To find where Mark Twain was born, enter birthplace mark
  twain.


• To find when President Bill Clinton was born, enter birthday bill
  clinton.


• To find when Raymond Chandler died, enter die raymond
  chandler.


• To find who is the president of Germany, enter president
  germany.

The answers to these questions are displayed at the top of your search
results page. You get the precise answer to your question, according to the
referenced website. Click the associated link to learn more from this
source.

Google Displays Weather Reports

Did you know that Google can be used to find and display current weather
conditions and forecasts? It’s a pretty easy search; all you have to do is
enter the keyword weather, followed by the location. You can
enter the location as a city name, city plus state, or Zip code. For example, to
view the weather forecast for Minneapolis, enter weather
minneapolis.

Google displays current weather conditions and a four-day forecast at the top
of the search results page. And, while this is a good summary report, you may
want to click through to the more detailed forecasts offered in the standard
search results listings below the four-day forecast.

Google Knows Current Airport Conditions

Weather information is important to travelers, as is information about flight
and airport delays. Fortunately, you can use the main Google search page to
search for this information, just as you did with weather forecasts.

To search for weather conditions and delays at a particular airport, all you
have to do is enter the airport’s three-letter code, followed by the word
airport. For example, to view conditions at the Minneapolis-St.
Paul International Airport (with the code MSP), enter msp
airport. This displays a link to conditions at the chosen airport;
click this link for detailed information.

Google Tracks Flight Status

Google also lets you track the status of any U.S. flight and many
international flights. All you have to do is enter the flight number into the
Google search box. For example, to find out the status of United Airlines flight
116, enter ua116.

Google now displays links to three sites that let you track the flight
status—Travelocity, Expedia, and fboweb. Click one of these links to view
real-time flight status—including maps of where the plane is in its
route.

Google Tracks Packages

Airline flights aren’t the only things you can track with Google.
Google also lets you track the status of package deliveries, from the U.S.
Postal Service, FedEx, and UPS. All you have to do is enter the package’s
tracking number into the Google search box, and Google will display a link to
the service’s tracking page for that package.

Google Is a Giant Phone Directory

As part of its massive database of information, Google now includes listings
for millions of U.S. households in what it calls the Google PhoneBook. You
search the PhoneBook listings from the main Google search box, using specific
query parameters.

All you have to do is enter some combination of the following parameters:
first name (or initial), last name, city, state, or Zip code. For example, to
search for John Smith in Minneapolis, enter john smith minneapolis
mn. As you might suspect, the more details you provide, the more
targeted your results will be.

When you enter your query using one of these methods, Google returns a search
result page with a PhoneBook Results item at the top of the results list. The
two or three names listed here aren’t the only matches in the Google
PhoneBook, however. To see the other matching names, click the PhoneBook Results
link; this displays a full page of PhoneBook listings.

And here’s something even more cool—Google lets you perform
reverse phone number lookups. Just enter the full phone number, including area
code, into the standard Google search box. You can enter all 10 numbers in a
row, without hyphens (like this: 1234567890), or use the
standard hyphenated form (like this: 123-456-7890); Google
accepts either method. When you click the search button, Google displays a
single matching PhoneBook result.

Google Knows Area Codes

It goes without saying that if Google knows phone numbers, it also knows area
codes. If you have an area code and want to know which city it serves, just
enter the area code; Google will return the city in which that area code
resides.

Google Has Movie Information

Numbers aren’t the only types of information available via a Google
lookup. You can also use the standard Google search box to look up movie reviews
and showtimes. All you have to do is enter the word movies
followed by the name of the movie. For example, to find out when Casino
Royale is showing in your neighborhood, enter movies casino
royale.

Google now displays a movie information section at the top of the search
results page. From here you can click to view movie reviews, showtimes for a
theater near you, and so on.

And if you can’t remember the name of a given movie, you can use Google
to figure it out for you. Just enter the movie: operator,
followed by whatever information you do know—an actor’s name, the
movie’s director, a plot detail, or whatever. Google returns a list of
movies that match your search criteria, along with reviews for each movie
listed. Click the movie title to view more reviews for that movie.

Google Loves Music

Google not only lets you search for movie information, it also is a great
search engine for music. Google knows the names of tens of thousands of popular
performers; all you have to do is enter the performer’s name in the search
box, and Google returns specific information about that performer.

For example, when you search for norah jones, Google
displays a Norah Jones section at the top of the search results page.
This section includes a brief listing of the artist’s most recent (or most
well-known) albums and songs.

And there’s more. Click the performer’s name and you see a visual
listing of the artist’s albums. Click any album art or title and you see a
listing of album tracks, a link to album reviews, and links to download tracks
from the album from a variety of online music stores. Back on the main artist
page, there are also links to websites devoted to the artist, news about the
artist, photos of the artist, and mentions of the artists in Google Groups
discussion forums.

Google Knows the Answer to the Ultimate Question

Let’s return to Google’s calculator for one final hidden feature.
As you recall, the Google calculator has been hardwired to include the answers
to some fairly complex—and fairly fanciful—calculations. For a bit
of fun, try entering the query what is the answer to life the universe
and everything. Google’s answer should delight long-time fans of
Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
(It’s "42", in case you were wondering.)

Wake Up W/O an Alarm

How to Wake Up Without an Alarm Clock
Source

Fingernails screeching down a blackboard, the shrill tones of the Emergency Alert System, Carrot Top: few things are as obnoxious as an alarm clock. Human beings have survived for most of our history without these confounded noisemakers—-why would you need one now? The answer, of course, is that everyone else has one, and it would look bad if you were the only one wandering into the office two hours late. But like momma said, just because everyone else is doing it doesn’t mean you should. Waking up naturally is much easier on you, as your body will slowly adjust from deep sleep to a calm awakening. Here’s how to separate yourself from the alarm clock without quitting your job or dropping out of school.

Steps

Get Into a Rhythm

1. Determine what time you need to wake up on most days. Make this your sleep goal.
   
2. Use your alarm clock to wake up at approximately that same time each morning. Our bodies’ physiological processes are governed by the circadian rhythm, a cycle that in humans is closely adapted to the 24-hour day. You will get use to waking up. By training yourself to wake up at the same time each day, you “set” your circadian rhythm.
   
3. Figure out how much sleep you really need. Depending on your age, you probably need 7-10 hours of sleep each night. Individual sleep needs vary, however. Getting adequate rest is the most obvious way to help you wake up when you want.
   
4. Go to bed at approximately the same time every night. Once you know when you need to get up and how much sleep you need, you can determine what time you need to go to sleep. While you may initially find it difficult to go to bed at the same time each night, if you make an effort to do so it will become easier over time.
   
5. Wean yourself off the alarm clock. After as little as a week of using a regular bed time and wake-up time, you should be able to wake up at about the correct time without your alarm. The more consistent your schedule is, the better, but even if you occasionally go to bed later or earlier than your usual time, your body should still feel ready to get up at your set time.
   

Use Your Senses

1. View your sleeping environment and decide what you can control. Awakening can be triggered by external cues such as light and sound; hence the effectiveness of the alarm clock. These triggers can override the circadian rhythm.
   
   
   • Light: Your mind will respond to light and bring you out of sleep. Leave your curtains or blinds open to wake up with the sunrise. Close them if you need to sleep later. Adjust the positioning of your bed to catch the light at the right time—you may need to move your bed occasionally since the sun will strike your room at a slightly different angle as the seasons progress. If you are camping, locate your tent so that the sun will hit it unobstructed (make sure there are no trees, hills, etc. that will prevent the sun from hitting your tent early in the morning). Remember that the sun rises in the east; in the northern hemisphere a south-facing orientation will receive more sunlight, and in the southern hemisphere a north-facing orientation will get more, but unless you are trying to wake up when the sun is high in the sky, you will still want to face to the east to catch the sun when it rises. As stated earlier, the position of your bed will depend heavily on the time of the year, and the time you want to wake up. If you need to get up before the sun rises, putting the lights in your room on a timer can also help, as this may not seem as disruptive as an alarm clock.
   • Sound: Noises (such as that pesky alarm) also bring you out of sleep. Identify what sounds regularly occur around where you sleep—and when they occur. Trains, automobiles, animals, and other people going about regular tasks can serve as waking cues. You can take advantage of this by noting what wakes you up and when. Consider leaving your window open to capture more sounds.
   • Temperature: Your sleeping body is very sensitive to temperature. If you turn your heat down at night and have a timer on your thermostat, you can set the heat to come back on about an hour before you want to wake up. Assuming you were at a comfortable sleeping temperature all night, this should prompt you to awaken. You can also use temperature in conjunction with light, since sunlight hitting your bed directly will warm you up. You may even be able to choose what blankets you use so that you will be comfortable throughout the night (your body temperature drops after midnight), but begin to get too hot as your body temperature naturally rises (regardless of external temperature), toward the end of your sleep cycle. If you want to take a brief nap outside on a hot day (when you are camping or backpacking, for instance), you can choose someplace to sleep where you will be in a shadow initially, but where you will eventually be in the sun.
   • Smell: If you drink coffee regularly, the easiest way to use smell as a trigger to awake is to put your coffee maker in your bedroom and set its timer for just before when you want to wake up. The brewing coffee may coax you out of sleep, and if you’re tired when you wake up, you don’t have far to go for a cup of joe.
   • Feeling: Drink a tall glass of water before going to bed. You will find that you wake up very promptly.
   
   

Set Your Mental Alarm Clock

1. Recognize that scientists have been unable to prove that the "mental alarm clock" can or should work effectively. That said, many folks swear by it. Others report that it makes them tensely look at their watch every 30 minutes to make sure they don't oversleep. If you want to experiment, follow the steps below:
   
2. Determine what time you need to wake up. Unlike the method above, this method does not require that you wake up at the same time each morning. Scientists have discovered that about an hour before a person expects to wake up, the body begins releasing a relatively high concentration of the hormone adrenocorticotropin into the blood. They believe that this may prepare the person to wake up. If this is true, you need only prompt the release of this hormone at the right time.
   
3. Note the time when you go to bed.
   
4. Calculate the number of hours before your intended wake-up time. If possible, try to sleep for a multiple of about 90 minutes; your sleep cycle repeats in approximately 90 minute intervals (this will differ from person to person). You can use this to your advantage, as it's easier to awaken from the lighter part of your sleep cycle.
   
5. Envision your wake-up time. As you lie in bed, think about the time at which you want to wake. Visualize a clock with that time on it, and visualize yourself getting up at that time. You may even find it helpful to tell yourself out loud, “I will wake up at (the desired time).” While this may sound silly, controlled experiments have revealed that many people can use these techniques to successfully and regularly awaken at the correct time without using an alarm or other external trigger. How the brain manages to keep track of the hours is unknown.
   
6. Use your alarm clock as a backup. If you have an alarm clock available, and you absolutely must wake up at a certain time, it is best to set it just in case this method doesn’t work. Many people are apparently unable to use this method effectively. Additionally, using an alarm clock may also help you to wake up before the alarm goes off because you will truly expect to awake at that time. This strong expectation should prompt the release of adrenocorticotropin. While adding this step doesn’t really free you from the alarm clock, you may still be able to enjoy awakening without the harsh jolt of the alarm.
   

Tips

• Using your circadian rhythm and regularly getting the same (adequate) number of hours of sleep during the same time period is the most effective way to wake up for most people. You can combine all three methods above for extra effectiveness. If you must deviate from your established sleep pattern, it would be wise to use an alarm.
  
• Since core body temperature is naturally higher during morning and normal waking hours, if you need to sleep in the morning or day it may help to allow your body a slightly cooler sleeping environment. This may enable you to fall asleep more quickly, rest better, and thereby be able to wake up at the desired time.
  
• Children are also a very effective replacement to an alarm clock. In most cases they even wake you up earlier so that you gain additional time in the morning.
  
• As you're lying in bed, look at the time, (say, 9:30) and decide what time you want to wake up (say, 6:30). For about 20 seconds say this in a whisper, while thinking intently about it: "It's 9:30, and I need to wake up at 6:30, it's 9:30, and I need to wake up at 6:30..." Don't stay up too long reciting this, though...you could oversleep.
  

Warnings

• Be aware that time changes for daylight-savings can interfere with your body's alarm clock.
  
• Drinking alcohol to help with falling asleep can lead to poor sleep later—as well as long-term difficulties with snoring and sleep apnea. If you use it, do so sparingly.
  
• Caffeine can help cover feelings of sleepiness, but may also interfere with your ability to sleep later—when you really want to be sleeping—and thereby confuse your sleep clock. Use it sparingly and avoid caffeine completely in the hours prior to your desired bedtime.
  
• Be careful of taking naps. Napping can mess up the circadium rythms set by a regular sleep schedule. They can make it harder to fall asleep at the planned time. If you do need to nap, try to keep it under 30 minutes. If you are napping every day, then make this part of your regular schedule and take the same length nap at the same time each day.
  
• Stress hormones keep your body alert and interfere with sleep. This can be used to your benefit if you're worried about waking up and therefore sleep lightly, but regular sleep patterns are difficult to establish when your body is stressed. Find ways to relax so you can sleep better and wake up when you want.
  
• None of these methods are 100% effective, and what works for one person may not work for another. Try them out when you don’t have something vitally important to do at a certain time, or use your alarm clock as a backup.
  
• If you work "nonstandard" hours, your sleep–wake cycle is likely somewhat confused already. You can use these techniques to help settle your body into a better sleep rhythm, but this may take significant time. If you frequently have to work different shifts, these techniques will be especially difficult to use.
  
• If your work demands long periods of time without sleep or with sporadic sleep (e.g., medical resident), then it may be necessary to rely on an alarm, possibly as a backup in case these methods do not work.
  
• Don't expect this to work if you're under 25 or so, most young people have lives that involve many different kinds of hours.
  

Related wikiHows

• How to Wake up As Soon As the Alarm Goes off
  
• How to Get Better Sleep
  
• How to Sleep Easily
  
• How to Adopt a Polyphasic Sleep Schedule
  
• How to Know if You Have a Sleep Apnea
  
• How to Cope With Sleep Paralysis
  

External Links

• National Sleep Foundation
  
• Hallym University (Korea) Information about circadian rhythms
  
• FDA More on circadian rhythms
  
• Nature Of particular interest are a number of articles on the “mental alarm clock,” such as “Timing the End of Nocturnal Sleep” from January, 1999. These are not available for free, however.
  
• Google Books Limited preview of “Understanding Sleep and Dreams,” by Paula Belcher and William Moorcroft.
  

How to Save Money on Gas

Source

Gas prices keep going up, and our wallets keep getting thinner. This how-to reviews many ways to save money at the local gas station.

Steps

1. Don't drive. Don't drive when you don't have to. Carpooling, walking, taking the bus, and riding a bike not only save gas, but also are better for our environment and may be better for your health. Do you really need to drive to the store that is only a couple of blocks down the street?
   
   
2. Get a credit card. Some credit cards offer gas savings when you use the card for purchases. This works in much the same way that some credit card companies give you frequent flyer miles when you use their card for purchases. But watch for interest rate charges.
   
   
3. Get a membership card. Some gas stations offer membership benefits. There are also department and grocery stores that give discounts at the fuel pump when you use their store membership cards.
   
   
4. Give your car a tune up. While giving your car a tune up won't actually save you money at the pump, it will save you gas. Using less gas saves you money. Have the oil changed, and have a certified mechanic give your engine a look over.
   
   
5. Check the web for deals. Web sites let you find the best deals in your area. Check out the external links below to start.
   
   
6. Buy a Diesel. Diesel cars can often get better mileage than comparable hybrids and do not have batteries that need replacing. Getting a Diesel car also allows for use of Biodiesel fuel.
   
   
7. Buy a hybrid car. Not only do hybrid cars give you immediate savings at the pump, the U.S. government and your local state offer tax breaks for people who use gas-saving cars. Federal deductions for using gas-saving cars can be as high as $2,000.00, but check before buying to see if they're still in effect. If you can't afford the growing number of hybrid cars out there, consider getting a regular car with good MPG (miles per gallon), like the Honda Fit. In general, the smaller the car, the better the mileage.
   
8. Use the lowest recommended octane for your car. The lower octane gas is cheaper. Most modern cars are engineered to run efficiently on lower octane fuel. Check your owner's manual to be sure, as not all car engines should use lowest octane gas.
   
   
9. Mix octanes. Using a higher octane has no effect on fuel efficiency and doesn't really gain you anything and costs more. In some areas, the lower octane may be too low for your car and the mid-grade or higher octane may be more than what you need. To avoid overpaying and still get the correct octane for your car you can mix the gas. For example, if your car takes 87 octane and the pumps have 85 octane and 89 octane, then when filling your car, fill half the tank with 85 octane and the other half with 89 octane and this will give you an equivalent of 87 octane plus it will save you money because the lower octane gas costs less. However, if you do not have a way of thoroughly mixing the fuel as it is entering your tank, your engine may receive "bursts" of lower octane fuel, causing problems.
   
   
10. Avoid idling. While idling, your car gets exactly 0 miles per gallon. Although it is said that starting the car uses a lot of gas, it is still very little compared to idling for more than a few seconds. Idling to warm up is particularly bad, as the engine needs extra fuel to warm up. After start up, allow your car to idle 15-30 seconds, then drive conservatively until it reaches normal operating temperature. Park your car and go into the restaurant rather than idling in the drive-through. Idling with the air conditioning on also uses extra fuel. Warning: stopping and starting the engine frequently will cause extra wear. Don't stop the engine if you are going to idle for less than a minute. Note: diesel engines use much less fuel to idle than gasoline engines.
    
    
11. Combine trips. If you can do several short trips in one longer trip, you will save fuel and time. Make lists to avoid having to go back. Call ahead to avoid wasted trips.
    
    
12. Plan your trips in advance. This can prevent wasting fuel and wasting time. Plan to use alternative routes. Often back roads can prevent you from stopping at traffic lights and more importantly sitting in traffic jams.
    
    
13. Buy a GPS system. Global Positioning Systems help you navigate to find the fastest and shortest distance to your destination. A good GPS can save you time and fuel. Also the cost of GPS systems has really come down and you can get a good GPS system for around $350. Also, there are some creative ways you can use GPS systems to save money on gas. For example, you could use a GPS to calculate how far away you are from the next state and if you know fuel tax is less in the next state, just put enough fuel in to get you to the next state and fill up with gas where it is cheaper.
    
    
14. Check the tire air pressures weekly. Buy an inexpensive manual air pump and an accurate tire gauge (not a pencil gauge as they are not accurate). Keep all tires inflated to the pressure as recommended for your car. Go by the sticker on the door frame or fuel filler flap and not the tire wall. Don't be afraid to experiment with higher tire pressure, as long as you don't exceed the rating marked on the tire. Generally speaking, a slightly higher pressure will improve fuel mileage.
    
    
15. Drive at a consistent speed Avoid accelerating fast or braking suddenly. Use cruise control when you can.
    
    
16. Slow down. Air resistance goes up as the square of velocity. The power consumed to overcome that air resistance goes up as the cube of the velocity. Rolling resistance is the dominant force below about 40 mph. Above that, every mph costs you mileage. Go as slow as traffic and your schedule will allow. Drive under 60-65 since air grows exponentially denser, in the aerodynamic sense, the faster we drive. To be precise, the most efficient speed is your car's minimum speed in it's highest gear, since this provides the best "speed per RPM" ratio.
    
    
17. Clean out any unnecessary items in your car. If you have heavy objects in your car that you don't need, remove them. If your car is lighter, it will use less fuel to get where you're going.
    
    
18. Remove unneeded racks. If you have a bicycle or ski rack, remove it when you're not using it. It causes drag and lowers mileage.
    
    
19. Don't fill until the last quarter tank. If you do this, it can extend your gas because you are hauling a lighter load as the tank nears empty. This also allows you to buy gas on low-cost days. However, in cold weather, you may not want to do this. Also, running a car with less than a quarter tank of fuel can shorten the fuel pump life, and letting your tank empty completely can cause fuel pump and filter problems. And you never know when you might be in an emergency and need some gasoline in your car!
    
    
20. Fill the tank full. If you need to fill up, fill up all the way. The more money you try to save by adding $10 today and then $20 tomorrow will be wasted since each time you will have to travel to the station and wait for a pump. Instead, do it all at once and $ave time and money.
    
    
21. Avoid buying gas with ethanol, if possible. The lower energy content of the fuel will almost always lower mileage. Other additives may do the same, or may increase mileage depending upon your vehicle. Experiment to find out. Also the minimal price difference is often offset by a lower price due to lower fuel taxes or subsidies. Consider using ethanol because it is a lot better for the environment. Note, however, that turbocharged cars often get better mileage with ethanol blends. This is because the higher (over 100!) octane of ethanol permits more boost, which means more efficient fuel usage.
    
    
22. Avoid having to stop. If approaching a red light, see if you can slow down enough to avoid having to actually stop (because you reach the light after it is green). Speeding up from 5 or 10 miles per hour will be easier on the gas than starting from full stop.
    
    
23. Anticipate the stop signs and lights. Look far ahead; get to know your usual routes. You can let up on the gas earlier. Coasting to a stop will save the gasoline you would otherwise use maintaining your speed longer. If it just gets you to the end of a line of cars at a red light or a stop sign a few seconds later, it won't add any time to your trip. Ditto for coasting to lose speed before a highway off-ramp: if it means you catch up with that truck halfway around the curve instead of at the beginning, you haven't lost any time. (Do not coast to slow down until you're in the exit deceleration lane, unless you have checked your mirror to make sure you won't interfere with non-exiting traffic in the right-hand travel lane.)
    
    
24. Take off slowly from a full stop. This is one adjustment that will have dramatic effects on your gas mileage; don't tear off from a stoplight! If you move out slowly, it will help save you money at the pump. Also, if you are driving a stick shift, note that 50% throttle at 1200 rpm's uses less gas than 10% throttle at 2500 rpm's. As long as the engine is not lugging or pinging, shift as soon as possible and use plenty of throttle. The engine is more efficient when it does not have to pump air past a closed throttle plate. Warning: this advice is only true for fuel-injected cars or those with constant velocity carburetors.
    
    
25. Park in the first spot you find. If you wander all over the parking lot looking for that really close parking space, you'll use more gas. Don't be afraid to walk a ways if it comes to that - the walk will do you good!
    
    
26. Use A/C only while slowing. This is sometimes enough to keep your vehicle at a reasonable temperature without using fuel and going easier on the brakes. You can also use the A/C to cool the car and then switch to the fan only. (Turning on the A/C at low rpm's may save the compressor from a "jolt" and additional wear.)
    
    
27. Shift into neutral if you are not comfortable with downshifting. Standard transmission vehicles may save gas by shifting into neutral when going down hills steep enough to maintain speed (although engine braking is safer on steeper declines). Do not do this in a Hybrid car, they use this "regenerative engine braking" to generate electricity and charge the batteries. NOTE: This strategy will result in more wear and tear on your brakes. Neither of these strategies is recommended for normal automatic cars. Also, if you own a car with fuel injection, it is more efficient to keep the car in a high gear while going down hills. Simply take your foot off the gas.
    
    
28. Park in the shade. Gasoline actually evaporates right out of your tank, and it does so faster when you park directly in the sun - winter or summer. Parking in the shade also keeps it cooler inside, and you will need less A/C to cool off when you get back in. If there is no shade available, park so that your gas tank (the actual tank under the car, not the valve to fill it) is facing away from the direct sun.
    
    
29. Drive a small motorcycle or scooter instead of a car. They are cheaper and often get 70 MPG or better. Riding gear is available for most weather conditions. A good example is the Kawasaki EX250, which costs about $3,000, gets 60-70 MPG at highway speeds, and can go 0-60 MPH in under 6 seconds!
    
    
30. Use a synthetic oil instead of 10W30 and 10W40. This will cause your engine to run better and giving you better mileage..

Tips

• Gas prices are statistically the cheapest on Wednesdays, but this is only statistically true over a large number of days. It won't be true every week.
  
  
• Getting a fill-up three days before a holiday will help you save on the price bump.
  
  
• At every oil change, check your air filter. Clogged air filters cause engines to work overtime which requires more fuel. Reusable air filters are not recommended, as they can destroy expensive Mass Airflow Sensors if they are over-oiled. A quality paper filter does a better job of filtering.
  
  
• Use a fuel injector cleaner or complete fuel system treatment occasionally. Not only will you see a boost in gas mileage, but in your car's overall performance. Fouled injectors vaporize fuel poorly, affecting how completely the fuel is burned.
  
  
• Most car modifications do not improve mileage. Extra wings add drag. Power improvements often hurt mileage. However, if your car is turbocharged, chiptuning may result in a mileage boost. The mileage boost will be canceled out if you drive more aggressively due to power improvements.
  
  
• So-called gas saving devices don't work. Use these wikiHow tips and save yourself the cost of the snake oil.
  
  
• Many of these tips change slightly if your engine is turbocharged or diesel. For instance, diesel engines use almost no fuel while idling. Diesel trucks will often be left idling all night to provide heat or power for the trucker inside the cab, at the cost of relatively little fuel.
  
  
• Wholesale unleaded is now a traded commodity. Watch the futures price as it will forecast price at the pump, which will be about equal to the wholesale price plus taxes plus about a nickel per gallon for the station.

Warnings

• Keep in mind that low octane gas is usually slightly worse for the environment.
  
  
• Check your vehicle's Owners Manual for minimum fuel octane ratings. Some engines are designed to use higher octane fuels. Using a lower octane fuel (over extended periods of time) in these engines may result in premature engine failures.
  
  
• Nearly all gas-saving devices do not work, and some even decrease fuel mileage. Intake twisters, gas pills and fuel line magnets do not help mileage. Even if the mileage improvement claims were true, they often cost enough to negate any potential savings.
  
  
• Be very careful when shifting into neutral when going down hills. While you are likely not to need to accelerate, you can never know that types of accidents/problems other cars will create that will necessitate an immediate increase in speed.
  
  
• Getting into the habit of downshifting to slow the car instead of using the brakes will cause early wear of your clutch. It is generally known among auto mechanics that it is better to wear out your brakes than to wear out your clutch. Brake pads can be replaced for much less money than a clutch, which often requires removing the entire engine, transmission, or both.

Related wikiHows

• How to Fix Cars Air Conditioning
  
  
• How to Fill Air in a Car's Tires
  
  
• How to Calculate Your Car's Fuel Efficiency (MPG)
  
  
• How to Understand the Basics of Car Maintenance
  
  
• How to Live Without a Car
  
  
• How to Make Money As Oil Prices Rise
  
  
• How to Change the Oil in Your Car

External Links

• FuelEconomyTips.com
  
  
• MPGResearch.com
  
  
• e85 Information
  
  
• Consumer Utility Services How to save money on gas bills
  
  
• Gasbuddy.com Find the best deals in your area. Uses user-submitted data.
  
  
• AAA Triple A offers tips for saving gas. (PDF - requires Acrobat Reader.)
  
  
• Hybrid Car Advisor Resources, articles and links to assist consumers interested in the hybrid car option.
  
  
• Ridester.com A road trip marketplace where you can get free gas by offering rides to feedback-rated riders traveling your way.