ECONOMICAL LIVING: Getting Stuff (Delivered) Free!

Living through Covid restrictions was bad enough. Now, inflation has made everything very expensive which can create big difficulties if you live in poverty or a fixed income. 

Time to start coming up with strategies to save and conserve our money.

Today, let's save some of that precious gas money by getting our shopping delivered to us for free (think about the items you can get delivered, reading below, and then think how much you'd pay to go to the store to get them at today's gas prices).

You probably know about Amazon Prime, where you pay a fee (currently $139 annually or $14.99 per month) to get free two-day shipping on your purchases...which comes with other perks like Prime Video (a streaming service similar to Netflix), photo storage, and more...you can also get free shipping without prime if your order totals $25 or more on qualified items (check the shipping costs in your cart before buying). It won't always be two-day shipping but free is free.

Some items also can be bought by subscription...we use this for supplements, air conditioning filters, water filters for the refrigerator...which nets you a small discount on the price and gets you free shipping. If you're going to need something regularly, consider this option.

You can also get a discounted Prime membership if you're a student, are on Medicaid, qualify for EBT, or other government assitance programs. See if you qualify for a discounted Prime Membership here.

Amazon's biggest competitor is probably Walmart. The discount giant has tons of stuff available at their site at the same low prices you'd see inside the store. If your total is over $35, you also get it delivered free. In our neighborhood, that also means it comes via Federal Express.

We use this for things like toiletries we can't find cheaper anywhere else like mouthwash, shaving gel, etc.

Then we come to Costco. I admit that a trip to Costco for us is also like a nice day out but sometimes we just don't have the time or the inclination to drive 30 miles or more to our nearest location.

You have a couple of options here, both of which require you to be a member (starting at $60 per year). First, items on their site that qualify for 2-Day Shipping can be delivered free if your order is $75 or more (click on the link to see what qualifies).

We use this for things like laundry detergent, toilet paper, paper towels, vitamins, and other non-perishable items.

The second option is Same Day Delivery. This is just like Instacart, Doordash, or other grocery delivery services. It's not available everywhere but I was surprised that it's offered in our area (click the link and enter your address to see if it is).

You go through the items, just like you're in the store, and put in the basket. You can get pretty much anything including perishables like meat and produce...you can even get one of their delicious and cheap rotisserie chickens.

Once you're done, a personal shopper will put your order together and drive it to your house.

There is no charge for this service although a tip for the driver will be included in your total (which can be deducted, making it optional). I do urge you to leave it in to help your driver with gas costs, though, but technically it's free delivery saving you the time and gas money of driving to Costco.

There are more options out there, these are just the three that we use regularly to help keep our fuel costs down. Consider and look for the free option online whenever you need to buy something to help save money.

Darryl Musick
Copyright 2022 - All Rights Reserved

ACCESSIBLE LIFE: Buying a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle

During our recent pandemic state of emergency in California, our governor...Gavin Newsom...declared that only electric vehicles would be allowed to be sold (as new) in our state starting in 2035. President Biden declared a similar strategy with a plan that all 50% is all new vehicles sold starting in 2030 will have "zero emissions."

The question is, where does that leave wheelchair users?

Electric vehicles that are wheelchair accessible basically don't exist yet and it's not on Elon Musk's radar...or any other vehicle maker...at this time. So let's look at what is available.

 Minivans...the most popular type of vehicle for conversion. Chrysler, Toyota, and Honda minivans are the most popular in the U.S. adaptive vehicle market. While you may be able to find a new Chrysler van for under $60k, the Toyotas and Hondas can go for a breathtaking $75k+.

The appeal to a minivan is having more room that a regular car while getting better mileage than a full-size van. There are also numerous options to have a hybrid power plant where you can plug it in to operate in electric mode while the gas engine would kick in when the electric power dwindles. This would add $10-20k to the price.

You can get not too old used vans for about half that price but you really don't know what you're getting until you drive it. Making sure you have a warranty and a right of refusal on delivery if you dont' like it can help with peace of mind on a used purchase.

The next option is for a full size van. The pros are that you have a lot of room, the cons are that you won't get the mileage you do with a minivan. That is getting better, though. 

While a 2014 Ford E-150 van (the last year that Ford made that model) got 12 miles to the gallon in the city and 17 on the highway, the replacement Transit now gets over 15 miles per gallon. That's about the same as a Chrysler Pacifica minivan.

Still, the price for a new Transit van (or Ram or Mercedes, which are very similar) can go for almost $100,000.

Alternatively, used adapted Transit vans in good condition can range in the $40-50k and above neighborhood.

More conventional full size vans...think Ford Econoline, Dodge Ram Vans, Chevey 1500s...can also be found used, already adapted, for more reasonable prices. 

Other options include SUV's that have been adapted such as Ford Explorer, Honda Element and Pilot, Scion xB, and Ford Transit connect. Prices are about the same as for minivans and can be a good option for better mileage if you can fit comfortably...for us, we've tried these and Tim's chair just doesn't quite fit.

There are several mobility dealers in the U.S. that can help you find and finance an adapted vehicle for you...

Mobilityworks is a large chain of vehicle dealers

AMS Vans has locations in Georgia and Arizona and ships nationwide (this is where we bought our current van)

Sunset Vans in Southern California has some decent prices

Plus many more that you can Google.

BLVD.com is an online-classified newspaper dealing in adapted vehicles where you can find some of the cheapest prices, mostly from private sellers.

So what did we end up with? We've gone through a range of accessible vehicles, mostly Chrysler minivans, a Dodge full size van, and Ford full size vans. 

For us, the best combination of room needed, dependability, and cost of ownership are the Ford E-Series vans but the problem is Ford stopped making these vans after the 2014 model year and replaced them with the Transit line, which doesn't quite do the job for us like the E-Series does.

We were lucky to find a low-mileage (under 14k) Ford E-150, already adapted, for $30,000 just before the pandemic. Last time I checked, an almost identical van with more than double the mileage was for sell at the same dealer for almot $50k.

Our plan is to maintain it as well as we can to make it last as long as we can.

Darryl Musick
Copyrigh 2022 - All Rights Reserved

Economical Living: Using Alternative Fuel

Inflation and world unrest have really done a number on gas prices this year. While the economy and governmental policies are pushing us towards an electric vehicle future, it's not here yet for most people and for special needs people that need an adapted vehicle in particular (check this article out to get depressed about the state of accessibiltiy adapted electic vehicles).

Along with the gas prices, the cost of an adapted vehicle is through the roof. Used vans less that five years old are going for over $40k. New ones can push the price upwards between $75-100k.

If you already have a vehicle, the only choices are to look for cheaper fuel or drive less. 

One thing you may be able to do is use an alternative fuel. In our case, our van is a Flex Fuel enabled vehicle. That means we can use a blend of up to 85% ethanol (15% gasoline) in our car in place of gasoline.

You can tell if your car is flex fuel enabled by looking at the fuel fill point...if it is yellow or has a yellow cap, that indicates that your car can use flex fuel. Most flex fuel vehicles also have a badge on the bodywork.

It is also possible, but expensive, to convert an older car to run E-85, click on the link for information.

With all that in mind, I decided to check it out. Our nearest gas station that sells E-85 (the name for 85% ethanol) is in Placerville, California. The day we went, the price for regular gasoline was $5.85 per gallon. The E-85 was $3.99 per gallon (the same day, a gallon of regular at the nearest Costco 15 miles away was $5.29 per gallon), a savings of $1.86 per gallon. Our van can hold 35 gallons so a tank of E-85 would cost $45 - $65 less than gas at the cost of fuel as I type this.

That is a very significant amount of money but how does it perform compared to gasoline?

Our van is a 2014 Ford E-150 van with a 5.4 liter V8 engine. Using gasoline, we get about 12 miles per gallon driving around our neighborhood and about 15 miles per gallon on the highway. The E-85 comes in at a mile per gallon less...11 around our neighborhood.

At that MPG, the fuel cost is 45-48 cents per mile for gas and 33 cents per mile for E-85, enough that there's still a substantial savings per tank using E-85 over gasoline.

The pros of using E-85 in our van also include increased performance from our engine. E-85 has an equivalent of over 100 octane. It's a renewable fuel, for the most part, made from corn, sugar cane, and other plant products which also help with carbon capture while growing. 

Some of the cons of using E-85 include availability. In our area, it is not widespread. The closest three stations that do sell it are over 25 miles away. I need to make sure I have a reason to be there to make it worthwhile.

Other concerns are that the ethanol content may vary. E-85 only needs 51% ethanol to be able to be labeled "E-85," so you may not be getting quite what you think you are and there is still some CO2 being released although it is quite a bit less than gasolines emissions. Older vehicles may also have parts, like rubber seals, that can be negatively affected by ethanol.

So, it it worth it? For us, at current fuel prices, it is certainly worth it if we're in need of fuel and near a station that sells it. With the information above, as they say, your mileage may vary.

Click this link to find fuel stations that sell E85 fuel near you.

Darryl Musick
Copyrigh 2022 - All Rights Reserved

Economical Living: Combining Errands On a Day Out

Living through Covid restrictions was bad enough. Now, inflation has made everything very expensive which can create big difficulties if you live in poverty or a fixed income. 

Time to start coming up with strategies to save and conserve our money.

Today, we're talking about getting everything done in one trip...combining errands to save on gas. Getting 4-5 stops in on one trip certainly makes better financial sense that going somewhere just for one thing.

Where we live, it's a good 25 miles to the nearest Costco, Target, Trader Joe's, Marshalls, etc...all stores we like to shop at for their prices and quality. We also need to go that far if we need a medical specialist, such as an ophthalmoligist or dermatologist, that we can't get in our neighborhood.

That just means we need to plan on our calendar for a day out to do it all.

For example, let's say my wife has an appointment with her dermatologist in Elk Grove (a city just south of Sacramento about 30 miles from home). I may need a new pair of shoes so I'll drop her off and go to the nearby Famous Footwear to pick up a pair.

After picking her back up, we'll get a cheap lunch of Asian take out, In-n-Out, or something similar. 

We'll head over to the Trader Joe's nearby where my wife and Tim will wait in the car while I run in to get coffee (our favorite is their tasty and inexpensive French roast) to stock our freezer - 8 bags of coffee will easily fit there and keep us caffeinated for a couple of months at 25 cents per pot.

We'll then head across the street to Costco and pick up another load of groceries (usually, enough for a couple of months) and make our last stop the gas station in the parking lot where we fill up on the cheapest gas around before heading home.

Yes, it takes a bit of gas to go those 30 miles each way but we'll save big in the long run if we can combine several errands while we're there...plus the gas is significanltly less "down the hill" than it is in our home up in the Sierra Foothills...so we'll come out well ahead when we're done.

Darryl Musick
Copyright 2022 - All Rights Reserved

CHEAP GETAWAYS: Budget Friendly Bakersfield

One of the things we wanted to do on this blog is to highlight budget friendly trips in this tight economy. 

We’ve been highlighting one of our favorite weekend getaways, Bakersfield, this week. We’ve also been telling you that it’s friendly on budget. So just how friendly is it?

Here is what you can expect to pay in 2018 for two nights in Bakersfield…

First, you have to get there. It’s approximately 120 miles from Los Angeles, so we’ll start from there. The two hour drive, using a car that gets 16 miles per gallon, will cost you $22.50 each way, or $45 round trip at the current $3 per gallon cost. Figure another 4 gallons for driving around while you’re there and the total comes up to $57.

Be sure to gas up in L.A. and Bakersfield, not in between where the prices can be significantly higher. Bakersfield tends to be a few cents less per gallon than L.A.

GAS - $57

Hotel – Our go-to hotel in Bakersfield is the Springhill Suites where, with a AAA discount, we can usually get a two-room suite for around $85 per night. This price includes a full breakfast. A quick search at Expedia reveals many other quality hotels starting at $50 per night, so a two night stay will be between $110 - $170.

HOTEL - $110 - $170

Food – Bakersfield is a food lover’s heaven and, apart from the hotel breakfast, one big meal usually is enough for us.  From a low of around $14 for stuffing ourselves silly at Los Tacos de Huicho, to a high of around $60 for two dinners and a bottle of wine at Uricchio’s Trattoria or one of the city’s famous Basque restaurants, you will never go hungry here. We’ll put it right in the middle, $30, for two big meals.  We’ll add another $15 for those of you who want to have a lunch between your breakfast and dinner.

FOOD - $90

Fun – There is a lot to do here for fun. Free stuff includes going to the Kern River east of town for some hiking and dipping your feet in the water (we won’t recommend swimming in this sometimes dangerous river). Many nature reserves, such as the Wind Wolves south of town, offer free wildlife viewing and hiking. You can take a drive up into the nearby mountains and search for Sequoia trees…the largest trees on the planet.

Professional baseball at Sam Lynn Park can be had for $8 per person. $5 will get you into the Crystal Palace to see the night's concert.  

FUN - $13 - $15 for two

So there are the prices for all you need for a good Bakersfield weekend, let’s total it up…a two night getaway to Bakersfield from Los Angeles, including a suite, food, gas, and entertainment, will set you back anywhere from $275 to $325 for two people.

Darryl

Copyright 2012 – Darryl Musick

All Rights Reserved

TRAVEL TIP: Making Sure You Get Your Money's Worth Out of Your "Budget" Hotel

A few years ago, my mom asked me to arrange a trip to New York for her (note: I am not a travel agent, I was just doing a favor for my mom...please don't ask me to book a trip for you).

"I want a cheap hotel," was the request she gave me.

I told her that "cheap" in New York...especially Manhattan...would be well north of $100 per night if she wanted her own bathroom.  She let me know that would be too much and to find something cheaper.

*sigh...*

An extensive search throughout the island of Manhattan revealed little. The best I could find was the Hotel Penn on sale at $109 per night.  Too much, find something cheaper came the command.

After much bickering and back-and-forth, I found a Howard Johnson's in East Orange, New Jersey for $49 per night (after a senior discount because $52 was too much).

The first night there, "How could you put me in this neighborhood? This is awful!"

She checked out and found better, more expensive, hotel that was more to her liking.

The problem here is that my mom was concerned about one thing, and one thing only - the price.  The money you spend on a hotel is one thing but you need to take in the whole picture to make sure you're getting the best value for your lodging.

What was wrong for my mom? The hotel was in a bad neighborhood and she didn't feel safe. It was cheap, but not a bargain by any stretch of the imagination.

So don't go on price alone to see if your hotel is a bargain.  Here are some things to consider...

As in my mom's case, check to see if the hotel you're interested in is in a good area. If you don't know what the good and bad areas are ahead of time, check review sites such as Tripadvisor.com and Yelp.com to help you out.

Are the rooms nice and big enough for you? The hotel website or travel sites like Expedia.com and Hotels.com can help you here. Pay attention to the description. Do you sleep on a king size bed at home? My wife and I do and a full size or double bed is just not going to cut it for us, we need at least a queen size to feel comfortable on.  Are you traveling with kids? Check to make sure there will be enough bedding for them too.  Many rooms now include sofabeds that can come in handy for kids to sleep on as well.

Will there be food included? A lot of hotels will throw a few snacks on the table in the lobby and call it breakfast...usually a "continental" breakfast. Some will include a full breakfast with cooked eggs, meat, fruit, breads, and more. In Bakersfield, I can pay $60 a night for a small room with little to no amenities at the Motel 6 or I can pay $80 a night for a suite at Springhill Suites that includes a full breakfast, among other goodies...which one is the better bargain?

Are there affordable restaurants in the area? Within walking distance? A check on Yelp.com will show you a map of the area, the restaurants nearby (with price points), and reviews.

Do you want to swim? It's pretty easy to find a pool in the United States, other countries might be a bit more of a challenge but think twice...is the weather going to be nice enough to pay a premium for it? Is it an indoor pool that might be filled with noisy kids, echoing off of the walls? Can you get a nice hotel without a pool for less? (Also note that in the U.S., at least, it is mandatory now for hotels and motels to have pool lifts for those with mobility issues)

Another consideration is how noisy a hotel is. This may be hard to ascertain before you get there but review sites can help out here. Also, pay attention to the description...exterior hallways are usually noisier than interior halls. A hotel I stayed at recently boasted about its hardwood floors which, we found out, amplified and echoed noise...carpet eats a lot of sound.

Beware of hotels that also "boost" the room to more than it is. A junior suite is usually just a room. We stayed in one that the only thing that made it a suite was a small, 3 foot tall wall between the bed and couch.' We've even had rooms listed as suites where it is just a room. Maybe a bit larger than normal, but just a room. Look for 'two room suites' in the description.

Lastly, look for extras included in the room that will make it cheaper or easier to go on vacation. A kitchenette with a stove and refrigerator will allow you to cook some of your meals, saving money on restaurants. A hair dryer means you can leave yours home...ditto with an ironing board and iron. Is parking included? Is there a resort fee? If so, what does it cover? One of the Holy Grails of hotel amenities is a washer and dryer in your room.

Hotel loyalty programs can come in handy, too, if you find a chain that you tend to stay in more than others. Hilton, a chain we're currently accumulating with, throws in a ever-expanding list of perks as you accumulate points like free premium wifi, free room upgrades, late checkout, free bottled water and snacks, extra points and free nights with extended stays as you work your way up the latter. 

Check with the hotel you're staying at and see about getting a loyalty account. They're free and can add up over time.

These are just a few things to consider when deciding what a bargain is in a hotel. Would a $60 room at the local Super 8 or TraveLodge be as good as paying $80 - 90 for a room that has some or all of the amenities listed above?

Keep that in mind when booking your next room.

-Darryl
Copyright 2012 - Darryl Musick
All Rights Reserved