Actually, there are a number of good reasons why we should slow way down on our consumption of fuel. Our personal money supply is just one. It is a good one, but we can see a number of other reasons affecting our family, our nation, and our way of life.

One can say that the oil companies are just trying to gouge us for all we’re worth. While you can argue that point, it doesn’t change this fact: This country was built, not on abundant petroleum, but on cheap and abundant petroleum. And here’s the next, equally important fact: Those days are over. Period. They are over and done. Never to return.

Others will say that we need to go through this "shock" period of economic dislocation so that we can get petroleum out of our national system and get to the point where we are forced to develop and adopt alternative lifestyles along with the alternative energies. Whether we want to or not, like it or not. It just has to be done. I understand their point; it’s just that I don’t also hear them saying how the kids will get to school (assuming there is a school) or how we will get groceries and other products (assuming there are groceries and other products).

There are a number of you out there who could wake up tomorrow morning with your solar panels and your wind turbines and be just fine. This is based on two assumptions, one being that you will have enough products produced locally, since shipping will not be available to keep you fat and sassy. Shipping will happen very rarely. The second assumption being that the American people, being jobless and without product, will decide to ignore your plenty with your air conditioning and mobility and just leave you be, much less idolize you.

This all worked just fine back in the 1930′s Great Depression. I just don’t see that happening again.

That being said, the rest of us should still conserve in order to make our lives (not to mention our children’s), last as long as possible.

We can conserve for the existence of our nation. Does our dependence on foreign oil make us vulnerable to foreign despots who dislike us even as they loot us as thoroughly and as efficiently as possible? Do you think those people really believe that it is important that the American nation survives?

Before you answer that, examine the growing demand from China and India specifically, and the industrializing world in general, then tell me why you think any country not next to us cares if we as a nation exist in ten years or so.

Some would point out that the Chinese and Indian economies need America to prosper and would suffer great economic and thereby social dislocation, were our markets to simply disappear. Sure. The only problem here is that the people in China who make the decisions and the people who would suffer the economic dislocations are entirely separated. And the people who make the decisions would see themselves as being on the top of the world when the dislocations are over. When it is ALL over.

Most of the petroleum products we use today come from foreign sources. Sources that do not wish us well. A governmental website now lists the amount at 60%. It’s probably higher. And that dependence percentage is going to go up rapidly as we deplete our domestic sources. We passed peak American production many years ago.

Some would look forward to Alaskan oil. Forget it. Even if our oil industry jumped right in with both feet tomorrow (and they’re not going to), that petroleum would be about ten years getting into your car.

According to an official United States governmental website, imported petroleum products cost us $5.2 billion dollars a week. That’s not petroleum products. That’s IMPORTED petroleum products. A week. That’s $5.2 billion a week and $270.4 billion dollars a year that is leaving our economy. Money that could be used to fuel our own economy. That means jobs and lifestyles that will not happen. At least not here.

I’m sure you have noticed that petroleum is what’s called a non-renewable resource. That means it will run out. Not decades from now, either. There is a lot of debate on how long it will take to start to dribble. Some will tell you shale oil in Wyoming or coal in Appalachia will keep everything on an even keel. Great. Tell me how sure you are that you will be able to fill your fuel tank (or the school district fill its buses fuel tanks) and take the kids to school next March on shale oil or coal. And to the doctor and the grocery store. How about the following December?

As oil gets in really short supply, tell me how much the government is going to keep for its own military and bureaucratic use and how much it will allow to the civilian market, and how much of that market will you get to use to take the kids to school and the grocery store. Are you a powerhouse of economic influence? If not, forget it.

But this is about reasons to conserve. Right here and now. Until alternatives are developed and spread to the struggling working classes, it just makes sense to conserve and try to make it last as long as possible.

Another good reason to conserve is our environment. Count all the cars and trucks on the roads around you that use petroleum. It’s really hard to find any that do not. They are there, but not enough of them to matter in a significant way. No one disputes the fact that all that carbon being slung all over the land and water is not good for it.

It really does makes sense to use our petroleum reserves more efficiently. But just remember all we are doing is just buying time till those new and better energy sources are developed and begin popular usage.

The authorities will tell you that the transition to alternative resources will be smooth and efficient. If you believe that, you better wake up and smell the petroleum. It’s not a good smell. But we’ll wish to hell we had it.

It has often been said that the human mind only uses about 10% of its ability. In fact, Einstein made some interesting comments about this, and although they are pretty funny when you stop to consider it, he may actually one day be proven correct, not by percentages, but in theory. Still, I have a question as to, not the ability of the human mind, but the resources it needs to function at its highest levels.

That is to say that the human mind requires a lot of nutrients, energy, and focus to work beyond its 10% level. If of course, this hypothetical 10% is the actual figure. You see, without a good amount of rest and relaxation, proper food supply, and brain exercises, the human brain does not have the stamina or ability to work at higher levels for very long because it takes too much energy.

And if it worked at the highest levels, it would rapidly deplete all the nutrients, and then it would need to sleep. But what if the human mind could use 100% of its ability, for a long period of time, it would be rather excellent. If it is true that there is 90% of the brain which is not being used, but is accessible, then perhaps the human mind could rearrange molecules, “will” events to occur, and even assimilate objects.

Perhaps, it could think beyond time, through multiple dimensions, and do quantum physics calculations as fast as the computers that humans are now designing. But, even if we can’t get the human mind to do this, knowing that it may be possible or even the ability to imagine what I just said, means that we can create devices which interface with the human brain that can.

Therefore, I’d like you to consider the periodic table of elements, where each box would be filled with the elements they depict. Think of it if you will, as an assortment of jars with various sizes of nuts and bolts inside in your garage. The parts you need to make anything.

Now then, consider if you will a CAD CAM software program where you have just designed something new. Something that doesn’t exist, but you want it to exist. Then imagine hooking up the CAD CAM program to a device that had access to the periodic table of elements and it would take from each of those little jars the exact amount it needs of each element to assimilate the object.

This will be the future. Mark my words.

Will installing a solar power energy system in my home improve the property value for potential buyers? It is a fact, do the market research, USING SOLAR POWER RAISES THE VALUE OF ANY HOME.

The Shuffle To Make Improvements

Let’s be honest, when you are thinking about selling your home you start looking for ways to spruce it up for potential buyers.

Your looking in home improvement magazines, talking to a Realtor,(big mistake), looking for workshops at the local builders supply. All for the purpose of making substantial upgrades to make the house more appealing to buyers. This is all part of YOUR marketing strategy. Right!

Everyone wants to make a quick sale when it comes to a large item like your home. Instead of excessive painting, building a deck out back and generally doing all the projects you should have done over the years within the span of one month, STOP! Those things cost $1,000.00s of dollars. And most buyers don’t appreciate it anyway.

Selling Point Number 1

The new owners will be reducing their carbon footprint and contributing to a cleaner America.

While helping the environment does not add up to much financial gain in a real estate contract, giving the buyer this peace of mind coupled with federal and local tax credits and rebate incentives certainly would ensure them of increased equity for years to come.

Solar power places no demand on the utility companies to strip the earth of coal to burn and create steam to fire up turbines which produce electricity. And unlike nuclear power that produces tons of toxic waste, there is no poison emissions form using solar power.

Hydrogen, Geothermal, Solar from sun and wind are the only energy resources that can make this claim. As a seller you will be offering a cutting edge amenity today by installing even a small solar harnessing system in your home. What a politically correct selling point.

Most people with walking around sense don’t want to harm the delicate ecological balance between us and the environment. It would be the equivalent of sleeping on the same set of bed linens your whole life and expecting to feel refreshed every morning. We protect the environment and it protects us.

Everyone must do their part, it’s important now and into the future. An environmentally friendly attitude will inadvertently draw like minded buyers out of the woodwork.

Selling Point Number 2

You can not expect to immediately make a profit on a new installation of a solar water heater or some PV panels on the roof, but you will get back your investment plus the sale of your home which is all you wanted anyway.

This is especially true in states where extra incentives are being offered for homeowners going the solar energy route.

Try not to become too overly optimistic about the true increase in property value. A rule of thumb from existing data surfacing over using home based solar energy is that for every $1.00 spent you can reasonably see a $100.00 ROI. Not bad when you think about it. Of course like all formulas it is not exponential and would experience a leveling off at some point.

So an average increase of between 12%-16% would not be out of the question. In the current real estate market, most areas are only seeing about 3% per year instead of the usual 8% growth factor. Times sure have changed. That is why we must do things differently if we want to get better and different results.

This is a really great selling point in a down economy. Something a good Realtor should use to your advantage. And even better if you are doing the FSBO route. Because you get to keep more of the profits from the investment of using solar.

That seemingly small percentage spread can translate into a large down payment on the next home you purchase. Hopefully it will be one with current solar equipment as well.

Selling Point Number 3

The selling point that raises resell value is that the new owners will walk right in on a home that has reduced overhead cost on heating, cooling and appliances.

No doubt, the money you spend on solar power devices and equipment will return to you once the home is on the market. This will serve the purpose of labeling your home as HOT! property and push it to the top of the MLS list.

Make sure the Realtor you choose understands the value that a solar power harnessing system brings to a home and the true marketing tools you are giving them. A smart Realtor will capitalize on your decision to invest in solar energy and market this in the list of extras. If they don’t realize the selling potential of solar energy, then get a different agent.

There is no escaping the fact that the way we live our lives is having a big impact on the environment. We are the main contributors to climate change which is predicted to have huge consequences on us all in the near future.

We can all do our bit to mitigate the worst of it by adopting simple green principles in our every day lives. Here are a few ideas to help you when taking your first steps towards saving the environment.

1. Make Environmentally Friendly Purchases

When making a new purchase think about what you are buying and whether there are environmentally friendly alternatives.

Some products like energy saving light bulbs may be a little bit more expensive initially, but over the life of the product they save money on your energy bills.

Greener purchases choices include:

• Switching from incandescent light bulbs to energy saving light bulbs.
• Choosing wood over plastic. Checking of course that it comes from a renewable source.
• Buying products with biodegradable packaging. Or even better no packaging at all.
• Organic food and products.

2. Use Environmentally Friendly Paint and Preservers

There is no longer the excuse not to buy environmentally friendly paints and preserves as the range available has grown considerably. If you can not find them in your local DIY store check out your options online. Many manufacturers will send out samples to help you find your perfect colour.

An additional benefit of choosing greener types of paint is that they not only help save the environment but are also better for your health. Some studies have shown that the toxins in traditional paint slowly poisons people in their homes and almost certainly exacerbates allergies.

3. Avoid Plastics and UPVC

The damage from plastics and UPVC to the environment occur throughout their lifespan. The plastic manufacturing process causes an enormous amount of lasting damage, through the use of fossil fuels and materials. Whereas the manufacture of UPVC is alleged to produce 9 of the top 15 worst chemicals known to man.

When these products have outlived their usefulness their disposal is just as harmful.

The solution is to look for products made from natural or biodegradable material and to demand less packaging.

4. Recycle

Ways of recycling are getting more inventive – it is not just about recycling plastic, glass and paper.

Contact your local council to find out about their recycling schemes.

Check out free recycling schemes on the Internet. There are some great sites out there that allow you to advertise items you were considering throwing away to anyone who might be interested in them. A great way of saving you a trip to the tip and creating more landfill.

5. Generate Your Own Energy

The ultimate way to go green and save money over the long term is to generate your own energy. Green technology is changing rapidly, creating opportunities for everyone to generate their own power. Means of creating your own energy range from solar water heating, solar and wind powered electricity to air source heat pumps.

Installing solar power or wind turbines may seem to be a big commitment at first, but it has the potential for far greater financial and environmental rewards.

Do you think you pay a lot for the power you consume? Do you feel helpless because there is no alternative source of cheap power that works well enough? All that is going to change as the magnetic energy generator is here.

Conventional energy sources are not good for the environment. They are not efficient and they definitely are not reliable. You may not face the problem of power cuts very often but you certainly will face voltage variations that can wreak havoc on your delicate electrical and electronic devices. How will a magnetic energy generator help?

It will bring the process of generation of electricity under your control. You need not rely on power plants situated hundreds and thousands of miles away from your house for your power needs. You can simply disconnect the supply of power into your house and restart it without any hassles with just a flick of the wrist. Nothing is permanent in this world except for change and the functioning of a magnetic energy generator. The generator has been designed in such a manner that it will continue to generate electricity on a self sustaining basis.

What this means is that your generator will never stop on its own once it starts. As long as it is working, it shall generate electricity. Does this mean that the magnetic energy generator shall produce electricity for free? All you have to do is invest money in making the generator. Once it is made, it will help you save money that you would have spent on your power bills. You will recover your investment in the magnetic energy generator in just a few months. The real savings shall begin after that and continue forever.