GREAT TIPS ON PUMPING GAS
This article was sent to me via email from a friend. Not sure where she got it from, so cannot give credit where credit is due. But I thought the information was important enough to share with everyone who reads my blog.
TIPS ON PUMPING GAS--GOOD INFO!
>
>I don't know what you guys are paying for gasoline....Here in
>California we are also paying higher, up to $3.50 per gallon. But my
>line of work is in petroleum for about 31 years now, so here are
>some tricks to get more of your money's worth for every gallon.
>
>Here at the Kinder Morgan Pipeline where I work in San Jose, CA we
>deliver about 4 million gallons in a 24-hour period thru the
>pipeline. One day is diesel the next day is jet fuel, and gasoline,
>regular and premium grades. We have 34-storage tanks here with a total
>capacity of 16,800,000 gallons.
>
>Only buy or fill up your car or truck in the early morning when the
>ground temperature is still cold. Remember that all service stations
>have their storage tanks buried below ground. The colder the ground
>the more dense the gasoline, when it gets warmer gasoline expands, so
>buying in the afternoon or in the evening....your gallon is not
>exactly a gallon.
>
>In the petroleum business, the specific gravity and the temperature
>of the gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, ethanol and other petroleum
>products plays an important role. A 1-degree rise in temperature is
>a big deal for this business. But the service stations do not have
>temperature compensation at the pumps.
>
>When you're filling up do not squeeze the trigger of the nozzle to a
>fast mode. If you look you will see that the trigger has three (3)
>stages: low, middle, and high. In slow mode you should be pumping
>on low speed, thereby minimizing the vapors that are created
>while you are pumping.
>
>All hoses at the pump have a vapor return. If you are pumping on the
>fast rate, some of the liquid that goes to your tank becomes vapor.
>Those vapors are being sucked up and back into the underground
>storage tank so you're getting less worth for your money.
>
>One of the most important tips is to fill up when your gas tank is
>HALF FULL or HALF EMPTY. The reason for this is, the more gas you
>have in your tank the less air occupying its empty space. Gasoline
>evaporates faster than you can imagine. Gasoline storage tanks have
>an internal floating roof.
>This roof serves as zero clearance between the gas and the
>atmosphere, so it minimizes the evaporation. Unlike service stations,
>here where I work, every truck that we load is temperature compensated
>so that every gallon is actually the exact amount.
>
>Another reminder. If there is a gasoline truck pumping into the
>storage tanks when you stop to buy gas, DO NOT fill up--most likely
>the gasoline is being stirred up as the gas is being delivered, and
>you might pick up some of the dirt that normally settles on the
>bottom.
Labels: gas, pumping gas, savings on gas
TREASURE COAST HOUSING MARKET UPDATE
Recently I attended a seminar where a local economist presented facts about what is going on in the housing market on the Treasure Coast of Florida. The facts were interesting and somewhat sobering. We all know that the "boom" and craziness of housing prices is a thing of the past (at least for the foreseeable future). We have priced ourselves out of the affordability market. A majority of the people who live here and work here cannot afford the houses once the taxes and insurance are added on to the payment. You all know of course that our state legislators are working on those issues. Cheap money (aka subprime lending) along with the investors and speculators (flippers) really helped drive up the prices of homes.
The tri-county area (Indian River, St Lucie and Martin Counties) has seen a decrease of 43% in building in the past year. The inventory of vacant homes has increased 390% since the second quarter of 2005. You know that is evident just by driving down any street. Also, in our tri-county area there is a 44.7 month supply of vacant developed lots, which is expected to remain excessive for the next 24 months.
Indian River County currently has a 13.6 month supply of homes under construction and homes currently on the market for sale. The bulk of the homes being built there are in the $300,000-$500,000 range. However, the number of units under construction has fallen to 2003 levels and so total inventory has declined over the past three quarters.
In St Lucie County, as of the 2nd quarter of 2007, there was an inventory of 1,368 vacant homes - that is a 9.5 month supply. Add to that the homes currently under construction and there is a 15.3 month supply of NEW homes for sale. Now add to that all the houses, condos and townhouses for sale (new and not new) and you have a 20.8 month supply of housing inventory in St Lucie County. Per the economist, we should reach equilibrium some time in late 2008 - meaning that the number of properties for sale will come much closer to the number of buyers out there looking to purchase. In 2007 40% of homes for sale are priced between $300,000-$400,000 - which is out of range for 60% of the local market of buyers. In 2005 St Lucie County was one of the fastest growing counties in the United States - and now, we have one of the largest inventory hangovers.
Martin County which seems to have a more "controlled growth" mentality has a smaller amount of inventory available. Building starts are down. It is surmised that Martin County will possibly reach equilibrium late in 2007.
In the tri-county area there is a 35.1 month supply of vacant lots for sale. Two of the newer subdivisions in St Lucie County have many vacant lots, for example, in Tradition there are 717 lots available to build on. In Tesoro there are 468.
Foreclosures are on the rise, as are "short sales". Foreclosures are expected to even go higher by mid-2008 as adjustable rate mortgages reset (their rates). So what will it take to get back to "normal" (whatever normal is)? The rising home prices far outpaced the increases in income which affected the affordability of the homes. Prices in most markets will have to decline - some even significantly in order to restart the market. It is painful, won't be pleasant and won't be pretty, but this correction must occur to get the housing market back on track.
The economist who provided much of the facts in this article is Mr. william Pittenger, Senior Vice President, Chief Real Estate Economist and Risk Advisor for Seacoast Nation Bank. He said something that I thought was right on and which I would like to quote for you now: "Value is not an inherent quality. It is directly linked to the supply and demand relationship in the marketplace. As a result, land value (or houses(my words)), like the value of other commodities, can be subject to wild price swings." The housing market will improve, will come back, but it will take time.
Labels: economy, foreclosure, housing market, short sale
FIVE IMPORTANT CELL PHONE USES
I received an email from a friend a few days ago that I thought was important enough to pass along to all who read my blog. I am not sure what source my friend received the information from, so cannot give the credit where credit is due, but I still want to share this information. This is the article:
There are a few things that can be done in times of grave emergencies. Your mobile phone can actually be a life saver or an emergency tool for survival. Check out the things that you can do with it and pass it along to family and friends. It may save a life!
1) Emergency - The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile network and there is an emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly this number 112 can be dialed even if the keypad is locked.
2) Locked keys in the car:
Have you ever locked your keys in the car? Does your car have a remote keyless entry? This may come in handy someday. Good reason to own a cell phone: If you lock your keys in the car and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on their cell number from your cell phone. Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Your car will unlock. Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no object. You could be hundres of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other "remote" for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk).
3) Hidden battery power:
Imagine your cell battery is very low. To activate, press the keys *3370#
Your cell will restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when you charge your cell next time.
4) How to Disable a STOLEN mobile phone:
To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following digits on your phone: *#06#. A 15 digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe. If your phone gets stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless. You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can't use or sell it either. If everybody does this, there would be no point in people stealing mobile phones.
5) Free Directory Service for Cell Phones
Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 to $1.75 or more for 411 information calls when they don't have to. Most of us do not carry a telephone directory in our vehicle, which makes this situation even more of a problem. When you need to use the 411 information option, simply dial 800-FREE 411, or 800-373-3411 without incurring any charge at all. Program this into your cell phone now.
Hope you never have to use any of these options, but if you do, you now have the information you need. Thanks!
Location: Lake CharlesIf you prefer to spend you time with family, friends, having fun or just relaxing, you will want to see this lovely two story townhome. Your outside building maintenance and landscaping is done for you. This gated community is well manicured, has sidewalks and streetlights, is close to shopping, fine dining, entertainment venues, major thoroughfares. It contains two master suites - one upstairs and one downstairs. 3rd bedroom is also downstairs, currently used as a den. Soaring ceilings and many windows make this place very light and bright and pretty! The kitchen has tons of storage space with all the cabinets, countertop, an island with storage, a single pantry, a closet under the stairwell AND a double pantry in the adjacent laundry room. There is more than 2100 sq ft of living space here. All the windows and even the patio have hurricane shutters - which are still under warranty too! Oh yes, I almost forgot, there is a flowing waterway to enjoy while relaxing on your scr porch - waterfront living without the waterfront price!
Information
Pricing
Asking Price: $249,900
Additional Pricing Information: Quarterly fee is $793.00 Maintenance fee includes common area maint, lawn maint, building maint, insurance on bldg, recreational facilities, manager, security, cable, pool service, real estate taxes on common areas.
Features
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 3
Parking: yes
Year Built: 1996
Subdivision: Lake Charles
Attached on: 1 Side
Garage Size: 2
Square Footage: 2667
Agent Name: Mary Gibbins
Broker: Dr Eugene Gibbins
MLS #: R2817874
Attributes
Appliances
Range/Oven
Full Refrigerator
Washer/Dryer
Dishwasher
Sink Disposal
Microwave
Interior Amenities
Security System
Kitchen Island
Vaulted Ceilings
Labels: Townhouse
Interesting Facts About Body Parts
Every once in a while I receive an email from someone with some interesting details about different subjects, different objects. Recently I received an email about the human body and how it is a machine of wonder with a definite Creator. Here are some of the facts I found interesting:
- Scientists say the higher your I.Q. the more you dream
- The largest cell in the human body is the femaile egg and the smallest is the male sperm
- You use 200 muscles to take one step
- Your big toes have two bones each while the rest have three
- A pair of human feet contain 250,000 sweat glands
- The acid in your stomach is strong enough to dissolve razor blades
- It takes 7 seconds for food to get from your mouth to your stomach
- The average human dream last 2-3 seconds
- Men without hair on their chests are more likely to get cirrhosis of the liver than men with hair
- There is about one trillion bacteria on each of your feet
- Your body gives off enough heat in 30 minutes to bring half a gallon of water to a boil
- Blondes have more hair than dark-haired people
- Your thumb is the same length of your nose
(I bet you already checked that out didn't you?)
Now that you are so smart you can go out and impress your friends and family!! Enjoy!
Labels: I
MORE BANG FOR YOUR BUCK
What can you do to improve the value of your home without costing you an arm and a leg (so to speak). What improvements return the best value?The best way to come to that conclusion would be to do a little research about the homes in your neighborhood. What is the average age of the homes? What is the new hot button in the neighborhood for home improvements? Is it new windows? Is it kitchen remodels? Is it bathroom remodels? Is it additions to the home, e.g. decks, 2nd story, family rooms? By knowing your neighborhood you can get a better sense of which projects will bring you the highest return for the dollar spent on any home improvements.According to the Cost vs Value Report, replacing vinyl siding is the least expensive way to add value and increase the selling price for your home - that of course depends on what part of the country in which you reside. That type of "improvement" would not add value to a home in an area that does not use vinyl siding on homes. As always, remodels for kitchen and baths have high value. The newest thing to really add value to a home is the "green" value - meaning those things in a home which improve on energy efficiency, products that are environmentally friendly, and things that can be recycled.By knowing your neighborhood and your region of the country you can make better decisions on what you might need to do to add value to your homes value and appeal!
