Gasoline

I remember when there used to be gas station attendants at the pumps. They'd have a change making device at their waist, and people usually paid cash. Full service was an option my Grandpa J would utilize for the extra ten cents a gallon. The driveway bell would make the "ding-ding," and there'd be the attendant.

Full service still exists in Ohio, but everywhere seems to have "pay at the pump" mean sliding a credit card at the pump.

Usually, you swipe your card, and the pump knows that you are paying at the pump and prompts you to remove the nozzle, while other make you pick "pay inside" or "pay at the pump" before processing. 

Pilot was the first station I ever encountered having to type my ZIP CODE before processing to the nozzle, but our local BP (Giant Oil) asks as well.

Sneaky gas stations prompt you if you want buy a car wash first before asking for you to select where to pay for your gas.

Some stations like Speedway have loyalty cards that have a prompt that you easily by-pass, while Sam's Club requires that you be a member to be able to purchase their gas.

Kroger, the food market chain that no longer doubles coupons, has opened several gas stations around us. One isn't too far from B's school, so I have taken the taxi there a couple times. Gas Buddy says they are the best price around us a lot of time, so I tried them. I didn't care for the initial experience. The prompts aren't "traditional" while neither are the buttons, so I mucked my way through the process. Fortunately, no one was really around to see me, let alone wait on my novice ways.

Today, Gas Buddy had gas prices going up to $3.759, while the local Kroger had it for $3.369. Some pumps were 5 cars deep, but I saw one with only a Prius at it. Tiny cars have tiny tanks, thus fill quickly. Unfortunately, this Prius driver was less adept at the pump than I had been my first time, so I had to wait a few minutes until his payment was accepted. Though I was annoyed, I saved $3.13 for 5 minutes of inconvenience.

25. Why Are We Here?-1,220,000 Global Searches per Month 24. Prom Dress - 4,090,000 Global Searches per Month 23. What is Acne? - 9,140,000 Global Searches per Month 22. Trolls (Internet) - 2,740,000 Global Searches per Month 21. What is Religion? - 11,100,000 Global Searches per Month 20. Life Insurance- 4,090,000 Global Searches per Month 19. Baby Names- 6,120,000 Global Searches per Month 18. Pregnancy- 30,400,000 Global Searches per Month 17. Wedding Photography- 2,740,000 Global Searches per Month 16. Kamasutra- 6,120,000 Global Searches per Month 15. X-Box- 55,600,00 Global Searches per Month 14. How to Cheat- 68,000,000 Global Searches per Month 13. End of the World- 5,000,000 Global Searches per Month 12. Star Wars Legos- 2,740,000 Global Searches per Month 11. Death Penalty- 1,830,000 Global Searches per Month 10. L.A. Weight Loss- 11,100,000 Global Searches per Month 9. The Beatles- 7,480,000 Global Searches per Month 8. How Can I Get Rich?- 20,400,000 Global Searches per Month 7. Dating Site- 2,740,000 Global Searches per Month 6. Lady Gaga- 20,400,000 Global Searches per Month 5. Ways to Make Money- 1,500,000,000 Global Searches per Month 4. Who is God?- 55,600,000 Global Searches per Month 3. What is Philosophy? - 5,000,000 Global Searches per Month 2. College Football- 2,740,000 Global Searches per Month 1. Soccer- 45,500,000 Global Searches per Month Last month, I put out this list of over 250 of the most expensive keywords in Google Adwords. It quickly became one of the most popular pages on this blog. But it was missing something. And that something was trend data. So after five hours of crunching the numbers, I've updated the list – and that includes trending data for each and every keyword phrase. I did find some interesting tidbits: just two of the keywords out of the entire list had no price change. One of those keywords was for the phrase "Natasha Richardson death." That's interesting because who in the world would want to bid on that term anyway… and paying an average of $43.07 per click? (I wonder if it's some sort of mistake… a glitch.) Whenever a keyword phrase trends higher in search volume and trends higher for its average bid click, I take notice. I call these the Movers & Shakers of this list. And this month there are 8: - email blast software - tax debt help - engineering degree online - pink slip loans - mobile application development - auto title loan - VA loan - emergency roof repair With winter on the horizon once again, the familiar retreat indoors is in full swing. With the colder weather comes less time spent outside, and more time spent on the couch. Advertisement Bin Laden 'Shooter' On His Own; No Pension, No Health Care... GOOD LORD! Gas prices hit new historic high... 'Stupid f***ing media'... Grammys Crasher Jailed for On-Stage Adele Stunt... BIDEN: We're counting on 'legitimate media' for successful gun control effort... 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While it's difficult for those who live in areas with particularly harsh winters to do much of anything outdoors once the temperatures begin their annual descent, it's not that difficult for cold-climate dwellers to continue emphasizing their health during such months. However, the colder climes coupled with the holidays make it easy to ignore healthier habits during the winter. As a result, many people pack on extra pounds throughout the winter months, taking advantage of all those holiday goodies while also using the bitter weather as an excuse to avoid daily exercise or healthy habits. Just because the weather outside is frightful doesn't mean the attitude inside should be an unhealthy one. In fact, there are many ways for those stuck inside to stay healthy this winter, no matter how many feet of snow have piled up outside. • Brown bag it. Instead of visiting the office cafeteria or the nearby food truck for lunch, pack your own lunch instead. Doing so gives individuals complete control over their own diets, enabling them to eat healthy foods instead of the often processed foods available at cafeterias or other locales that cater to the office lunch crowd. When packing lunch, choose foods that won't be energy drainers for the afternoon. It's often difficult enough to maintain energy after lunch when the weather is cold and leaving the office isn't an option. Choose foods that will boost energy, such as fruits and vegetables. • Avoid missing meals. Perhaps due to the often hectic holiday season, many people find themselves eating whenever they can and not necessarily when they should once winter arrives. Thought it can be difficult to make time during the holidays, it's imperative to stay on a meal schedule. Skipping meals often leads to overeating, as it's human nature to overcompensate for a missed meal by eating more when the chance presents itself. The side effects of overeating are well known and, if coupled with the more sedentary lifestyle many people live during the winter, can result in serious physical problems before the season is over. • Change eating habits. Competitive bodybuilders call it "grazing," eating several smaller, healthier meals throughout the day instead of sitting down to the more widely accepted three meals per day. Such a schedule might seem radical, but it's highly effective if done correctly. Grazing effectively helps keep blood sugar levels stable throughout the day, so people won't get the hunger pangs they otherwise might. However, when grazing, it's important to limit calorie consumption. It's very easy for beginning "grazers" to overdo it with each meal, as they're used to eating meals with lots of calories. But eating six meals per day with too many calories will likely prove disastrous. Instead, limit meals to between 200 to 300 calories and stick to the schedule of eating every 2 to 3 hours. While it will likely prove a difficult adjustment at first, the results will begin to show and energy levels could rise as well. • Say so long to sugar-laden drinks. Most people would admit they eat too much sugar during the holidays. But even when the holidays have come and gone, chances are there's plenty of ways for health-conscious men and women to reduce their sugar intakes. Perhaps no way to do that is more effective than to say so long to sugary beverages, including sodas and seasonal beverages like hot chocolate. Even everyday drinks like coffee and tea can be enjoyed without sugar. It's easy to find non- or reduced-sugar hot chocolate, and those who like sugar in their coffee can either enjoy it without sugar or simply reduce how much sugar they put in their morning cup o' Joe. Oftentimes, what we drink is far more sugar laden than what we eat, so be on the lookout for beverages that are high in sugar. How to Stay Active The winter months mark the end of the outdoor training season for many active people, and the colder, shorter days can make it challenging to stay motivated and active. In fact, Gallup surveys find that exercise levels and healthy eating habits amongst Americans significantly decline during fall and winter months. “When the temperatures drop and the sun sets earlier, many people struggle to find the time, energy or motivation to stay focused on their fitness goals,” said USA Cycling and Triathlon Coach Gale Bernhardt. “The best way to stay on top of your personal health and maximize cold weather workouts is to create an offseason game plan.” These easy-to-follow tips will help you run your day, your way and stay active this offseason, no matter how cold it is outside. Some Is Better Than None: If you don’t have time to go to the gym or fit an hour workout into your busy day, still try to fit in what you can. Try a steady walk for 20 to 30 minutes, climb a flight of stairs a couple of times, or simply walk around the block. Embrace the Cold: Don’t let the chilly temperatures scare you. Use the cold as an opportunity to find unique ways to get in some good cardio or strength work by raking leaves, shoveling the driveway, building a snowman or going on a winter weather hike. Break Outside of the Gym: Winter workouts don’t need to be relegated to the gym. Find an at-home fitness DVD (Pilates, yoga, cardio, etc.) or an on-demand television workout, and do your own in-house boot camp once a week to mix things up. Mix Up Your Fitness: Use the winter season to learn a new skill. Try something new like indoor rock climbing, a dance class, fitness boxing, or cross-country skiing. Check out your local fitness center for ideas. Stay Fueled in the Cold: If you find yourself in need of an energy boost prior to your endurance workout, you can grab a convenient fuel source such as a MARATHON® Bar. For workouts that are mostly aerobic, the MARATHON® Bar with more protein can help keep you satisfied and fueled through the workout and beyond. www.marathonbars.com Winter Workout Buddy: For added motivation, invite friends to work out with you. Buddies give you incentive, provide mutual commitment and ultimately help keep workouts fun. Join a Team: Winter is a great time for team sports like volleyball or basketball. Recreation leagues like these can provide a great aerobic workout and speed skills, too. Don’t let the colder winter months slow you down. Whether the goal is to maintain endurance in between race seasons, effectively provide rest and recovery to a fatigued body, or simply to stay healthy and active during the long winter months, try the tips above to help develop simple strategies for training and nutrition that works best for you to stay fit and active during the offseason. Getting ready for Tax Season A new year not only brings a host of new opportunities, but it also brings a host of familiar obligations. One such obligation is paying taxes, which doesn't have to be done until mid-April. But waiting until the last minute with respect to taxes can make the process even more difficult, and putting it off certainly won't help those people who vowed to stop procrastinating in the new year. Getting a headstart on tax season can be beneficial in numerous ways, not the least of which is avoiding the last-minute rush to file your return come the filing deadline. Even if you have yet to receive your W-2 (which you should have in hand by January 31), there are steps you can take to get ready for the coming tax season. • Gather your documents. Your W-2 is likely not the only document you will need to prepare your tax return. Statements regarding your investments, student loan payments, mortgage and a host of other documents might be necessary for you to fill out your return. You should start receiving these documents in January, so gather them as they come in and keep them in a convenient place. This will ensure you don't get frustrated when filling out your return while increasing the chances you earn all of the credits and deductions you deserve. • Examine past returns. Many people have questions when filling out their tax returns, but those who wait until the waning days of tax season to prepare their returns ignore those questions in an effort to make the filing deadline. When you start preparing for tax season early, examine past returns and see if there are any questions you wanted to ask in the past that you didn't have time for. Write these questions down as you comb through your past returns and bring the questions to your tax preparer when the time comes. If you don't plan on hiring a professional to prepare your taxes, you can contact the IRS with your questions, and the earlier you do so, the more quickly you are likely to have your questions answered. • Take your time. When you decide to get an early start on your taxes, you allow yourself to take your time preparing your return. This reduces the likelihood of getting stressed when filing your return. Many people get a bit nervous when filing a tax return, but that stress can be even greater if you leave everything until the last minute. If you're starting early, take your time when working on your return and don't succumb to any potential stressors. • Consider hiring a professional. Starting early also gives you an opportunity to determine if preparing your own return is too tall a task. If that's the case, consider hiring a professional to prepare your return. If you decide to hire a professional, do so early so that person has more time to devote to your return. If you wait too long, chances are the tax preparer will be buried with many other customers' returns and won't be able to devote as much time to preparing your return as you would like. Trade-in Versus Private Sale Cars don't last forever, and vehicle owners know they will someday need to replace their current automobiles. When the time comes to upgrade your vehicle, you will face the choice of trading in your current vehicle or selling it on your own. Some people are interested in getting the highest resale price for their current vehicle, while others just want to make the process of getting rid of their current vehicle as easy as possible. There are advantages and disadvantages to selling privately and trading in, and the choice often comes down to personal preference. Private sale A person interested in getting the best price possible for his or her vehicle might benefit from selling it privately. However, it is important to note that this will take more time and effort than simply trading in the car at a dealership. To get started on a private sale, you must first establish a value for your car. This can be done by using a reputable used car pricing guide. You also can scan the automotive section of the newspaper to see what similar vehicles are selling for and price accordingly. The goal is to entice buyers with a realistic price. Once you have established a price, it is important to keep the vehicle clean and running smoothly. This way anyone who contacts you about the vehicle will form a good first impression. Therefore, routinely wash and detail the car and make sure to stay current on oil changes and tune-ups. In terms of advertising the sale, there are many different options available to sellers. Buyers regularly check the classified section of the newspaper (both print and on their Web site), so that is a start and perhaps the most effective way to reach local shoppers. Some people like to post a message on social media or online classifieds. There also are automotive sales sites where you can advertise your car for a cost. Because researching, advertising and maintaining the vehicle can cost a substantial amount of money, selling it privately may negate the profit you earn in lieu of trading it in. This is the chance you will take if you go this route. Trade-In Trading in your vehicle is the other option that you have if you are looking to recuperate some of the cost of your vehicle. The dealership where you are buying your new car will make you an offer for your older car and then put that amount toward the down payment on the new one. Oftentimes people find that trading-in is the sensible and easy way to go when replacing an older vehicle, particularly because the dealership does most of the work for you. They then will clean and fix the vehicle for resale on their lot or send it elsewhere. The dealer who accepts your trade must be able to add in a margin for profit; therefore, you are not likely to get the full book value for your car. Rather, you will probably receive what has been dubbed "wholesale value" for the vehicle. This may be a few thousand dollars under what you could sell the car or truck for in a private sale. Therefore, you are paying for the convenience of having the dealer do the work when trade in. However, you will not be responsible for the condition of the car and anything that should happen to it once it is sold. Donation Donation is another option for motorists looking to unload a vehicle. Individuals who have a vehicle that is so old it may not be worth much in a trade-in or through a private sale should consider donating it to charity. While you will not make a profit on this or have money to put toward the down payment on a new car, you will typically receive a receipt that can be used for a tax deduction. So it can be financially advantageous in that respect. Choosing whether to trade in a car or sell it privately depends on personal preference and how much time sellers want to devote to unloading their vehicle. Tax Preparation Checklist Before you begin to prepare your income tax return, go through the following checklist. Not every category will apply to you, so just pick those that do, and make sure you have that information available. When you're ready to prepare your tax return using TurboTax software, you'll be surprised at how much time you'll save by organizing your information beforehand. Before you start tax preparation: Print this article. Check things off as you collect them. Scratch things off that don't apply. Enter information next to the item including amounts that are not already on other documents such as a form W-2. If you use a program such as Quicken® to keep track of your finances, print a report of your transactions for the tax year (e.g. 2012). This will make your tax preparation much easier, and helps you clearly see where your money goes each year. Having this information in a report is much easier than going through your checks and bank statements for the entire year. As you review the report, highlight information you will need to prepare your tax return or make notes to remind yourself of something later. If you need more information on a certain item, the report makes it easier to find the item on the computer when you need the detail. For example, if you know you paid check number 1077 to the IRS but don't know if it was for last year's balance due, an estimated payment for this year, or an extension payment, you can do a search for check number 1077 and get more details. Now you're ready to start gathering the rest of you tax information. This income tax preparation checklist is designed to help you organize your tax information. As you receive or locate an item, check it off of the list. Personal information: The IRS needs to know exactly who's filing and who is covered in your tax return. To do this, you will need Social Security numbers and dates of birth for you, your spouse, and your dependents: Information about your income: • Income from jobs: forms W-2 for you and your spouse • Investment income - various forms 1099 (-INT, -DIV, -B, etc.), K-1s, stock option information • Income from state and local income tax refunds and/or unemployment: forms 1099-G • Alimony received • Business or farming income - profit/loss statement, capital equipment information • If you use your home for business - home size, office size, home expenses, office expenses. • IRA/pension distributions - forms 1099-R, 8606 • Rental property income/expense - profit/Loss statement, rental property suspended loss information • Social Security benefits - forms SSA-1099 • Income from sales of property - original cost and cost of improvements, escrow closing statement, cancelled debt information (form 1099-C) • Prior year installment sale information - forms 6252, principal and Interest collected during the year, SSN and address of payer • Other miscellaneous income - jury duty, gambling winnings, Medical Savings Account (MSA), scholarships, etc. Adjustments to your income: The following can help reduce the amount of your income that is taxed, which can increase your tax refund or lower the amount you owe. • IRA contributions • Energy credits • Student loan interest • Medical Savings Account (MSA) contributions • Moving expenses • Self-employed health insurance payments • Keogh, SEP, SIMPLE and other self-employed pension plans • Alimony paid • Educator expenses Itemized tax deductions and credits: The government offers a number of deductions and credits to help lower the tax burden on individuals, which means more money in your pocket. You'll need the following documentation to make sure you get all the deductions and credits you deserve. • Advance Child Tax Credit payment • Child care costs - provider's name, address, tax id, and amount paid • Education costs - forms 1098-T, education expenses • Adoption costs - SSN of child, legal, medical, and transportation costs • Home mortgage interest and points you paid - Forms 1098 • Investment interest expense • Charitable donations - cash amounts and value of donated property, miles driven, and out-of-pocket expenses • Casualty and theft losses - amount of damage, insurance reimbursements • Other miscellaneous tax deductions - union dues, unreimbursed employee expenses (uniforms, supplies, seminars, continuing education, publications, travel, etc.) • Medical and dental expenses Taxes you've paid: Properly documenting the taxes you've already paid can keep you from overpaying. • State and local income taxes paid • Real estate taxes paid • Personal property taxes - vehicle license fee based on value Other information: • Estimated tax payment made during the year, prior year refund applied to current year, and any amount paid with an extension to file. • Direct deposit information - routing and account numbers • Foreign bank account information - location, name of bank, account number, peak value of account during the year How long do Federal and State Tax Returns need to be Kept? Dropping a tax check in the mail doesn't mean you can then throw out the paperwork. If the IRS or state government questions your deductions or business losses, you may need a copy of your return – not to mention W-2s and other documentation – to prove your return was accurate. However, there are limits to how far back the government can look. IRS documentation requirements The IRS recommends taxpayers keep their returns and any supporting documentation for three years after the date of filing; after that, the statute of limitations for an IRS audit expires. If you've under-reported income by 25 percent, however, the IRS can go six years back, or seven if you claim a loss for bad debt or worthless securities. If you don't file, or if you file a fraudulent return, the IRS has no statute of limitations; so it may be best to keep your records indefinitely. State documentation requirements If you're paying state income taxes, the time you need to keep records will depend on state law. Some states can look back further than the IRS. California and Arizona, for example, have a four-year statute of limitations; Montana has a five-year statute. The period for investigating if the return under-reports income or falsifies data may also be longer. Best to check with your state tax authorities to get specifics. Record-keeping on assets You might be wise to keep records on assets such as stocks, bonds or your house longer than the statute of limitations suggests. If you sell a house, for instance, you'll need a record of the purchase price and any improvements you've made to figure out the basis for your capital-gains tax. If you claim depreciation on a rental property or business computer, you'll need records for that, too. The IRS recommends hanging on to your files for assets until the statute of limitations expires for the year in which you sell them. Organizing your tax records If you have an efficient record-keeping system, it can make finding information a lot easier. The IRS has no particular standards or requirements for how you organize and file material, neither do state taxing authorities; their only concern is that when they want to see a document, you're able to deliver it promptly. IRS Publication 552 offers detailed hints and advice on which records to keep, whether they're hard copy or in electronic form. If you use a TurboTax CD or download product, your tax return will be stored on your computer. It's a good idea to also print a copy for your records and keep a backup file on an external drive or disc. If you use TurboTax Online to prepare your taxes, we'll keep a secure copy of your tax return for you to access online.