So is your clunker worth any cash?

The ads are beginning to run on T.V. The cash for clunkers program has begun, and you may be wondering how it works and how it can benefit you.

First you need to find out if you have a clunker at all. I looked out the window at my 1991 Buick and was pretty sure I did, but when I went to http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm I was shocked to learn that I didn't!

You see my buick had a combined MPG of 19 when it was new, and passenger cars must have a combined MPG of NO MORE THAN 18... So I was out of luck.

If your clunker was rated at less than 18MPG when it was new, and your car is less than 25 years old, is driveable and you have owned and insured it for at least a year you may be eligible to trade it in on a new car and get up to a $4500 credit!

A couple of things to watch out for though... your clunker may be worth more than $4500 so be sure to check http://www.kbb.com/ before you make the deal. Also, know that your car will not be resold. In order to participate in the program your clunker has to be destroyed.

Also, there are some limits on the new car you can purchase. It has to have a sticker price of $45,000 or less and it has to have a fuel economy rating of at least 22MPG. If you improve your fuel economy by 4 miles per gallon (clunker got 18, new car gets 22) you get a credit of $3,500. To qualify for the full $4,500 you need to improve your mileage by 10MPG.

Now some trucks, SUV's and Minivans have slightly different rules. The new vehicle has to get at least 18 MPG and can offer as little as a 2 MPG improvement over the old one to qualify for $3,500. With a minimum 5 MPG improvement, you can qualify for $4,500.

So, check it out. If you have been hoping to get a new car or truck that extra credit toward your purchase could come in handy, but don't wait too long. When the money is gone the program ends.

A Warrant for my arrest?

yep - I am going to be participating in the March of Dimes jail and bail later this month, and so I need your help.

I am asking you to consider contributing $5 (that's a roll of dimes you know) to the March of Dimes. My goal is to raise $1000 before August 21st. I know if you will help me I can do it.

Check out my Jail and Bail website here. You can make a donation in any amount, every little bit helps.

I really appreciate your help. I am pretty sure I dont like jail :)

Busking

We learned a new word at our house this weekend.

Busker

busk·er
Pronunciation: \ˈbəs-kər\
Function: noun
Etymology: busk, probably from Italian buscare to procure, gain, from Spanish buscar to look for Date: 1857 chiefly British : a person who entertains in a public place for donations
— busk \ˈbəsk\ intransitive verb

Saturday was the big garage sale, and while we didnt have a ton of loot to sell, I did tell John that he could have all the proceeds from the sale for his new instrument this fall. He has worked very hard to save and earn the cash necessary to trade in his old viola.

Sooooo... when Saturday morning rolled around I encouraged him to come and do his practice in the garage, so that he could get it out of the way. I also figured it would help draw attention to our little garage and our meager offerings.

John set up his music stand near the garage door, and as usual left his case open and lying around. He was not halfway into his first piece when some change was dropped into the open case. Well that brought out the enthusiasm for sure! So through the day John played for money and I sold junk to kids... together we managed to make $130 toward the new viola.

So now my son has discovered the art of busking. He has already decided that this will help him to backpack through Europe after he graduates from college, and he is trying to figure out if there is somewhere in Liberty Lake where he can busk on a regular basis (I dont think there is).

Anyway, to all of you who dropped a quarter - or one of the two fives - thanks so much.