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Monday, April 21, 2008Other Dates

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Generation X not saving for retirement

Members of Generation X don't think they'll ever be able to stop working, according to a survey from the BetterInvesting organization. Most adults age 27-42 have saved minimally at best for their retirement. In fact, 40% have saved almost nothing at all! Here's the upside: Gen X is not in denial about the dwindling of Social Security. They know they should be saving for retirement -- they just haven't done it. Well, the first step to getting better is to admit that you're ill!

If you don't save, you'll probably have to continue working until you drop. That's so unlike the scenario that faced most baby boomers -- a generation that really lived it up in the golden years. But at the current rate, Gen X won't even have the option of retirement. It goes without saying that Clark wants Gen X to reduce debt and save along the way.

It all begins by buying only the things that you can afford on a day-to-day basis. That's means no 0% in-store financing. We're at a unique juncture in American history where we have the permission to indebt ourselves into oblivion. But that's a choice. And if you make it, you may have to work your whole lifetime and never stop.

Reversing the psychology of spending when you're blue

Have you ever felt down in the dumps and used shopping as a pick me up? Well, now a journal called Psychological Science confirms what we've long heard anecdotally. People do tend to spend more when they feel down. Are you prone to spend money when you're blue? Clark suggests trying to break the cycle by finding a new response. Go for a walk or go to the park if it's a nice day. Clark likes to exercise when he's feeling down. If you have a conditioned response that's bad for you, you've got to work to change it. This touchy feely kind of stuff is more something that Clark's friend Suze Orman would talk about. But you know what? She's 100% right about this stuff.

Enterprise renting green cars at a premium

Are you willing to pay more for a car rental just to get a "green" automobile that's fuel efficient? Enterprise Rent-A-Car -- the nation's largest car rental company -- is experimenting with 4 new offices in the Atlanta area offering fuel-efficient or hybrid vehicles at a premium price. Will people pay more for this at a time when we're experiencing record-high fuel prices?

Clark recalls that Budget mounted a similar experiment several years ago in Los Angeles when the Prius was very popular. That experiment was ultimately a failure. But gas was much cheaper at that point. Today, it could be a different story. Enterprise could potentially make a lot of green by going green. Would you pay more? Share your comments and tell us!

Tips for cutting down on summer energy costs

Clark has a few suggestions for lowering your energy bill as we begin to ramp up for the summer. He's opted for a cycler at his home. On hot days, the power company will shut off his air conditioners when they sense they're approaching peak demand. They'll also pay him a bounty for the right to do this. So far, his family hasn't revolted against him!

There are varying degrees of sophistication to these kinds of setups. PG&E has a Smart AC option for customers in California. It allows them to decide if they want to participate or not on a daily basis. Customers can also decide if they want the temperature of their home raised 4 degrees or if they want the AC to run at half power for short periods of time.

Clark is also toying around with the idea of purchasing power only at non-peak times. So far his wife is not pleased. This could force them to re-arrange their routine. For example, they may have to do laundry at 8 p.m. instead of 7 p.m. because it may be cheaper later at night. Perhaps the easiest way to cut back on household energy costs is to install a setback programmable thermostat. And during the winter, try piling on another blanket and turning the thermostat down at night.

Finally, have you thought about a home windmill if you live in a windy area? Of course, there are always aesthetic concerns to be addressed with your neighbors before installation! The New York Times reports that there's a new generation of self-installed personal windmills. They've become so simple to set up and hook up to your electrical power. Some local governments even give big rebates to encourage installation.

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