1. Walk - You actually thought I was going to start this off with a good tip? Who in the world wants to walk? Well that’s exactly the attitude we all (including myself) need to lose. Try getting some exercise; walk or ride a bike to run errands that are only a few blocks away.

2. Compare Prices - Using GasBuddy, you can compare prices from over 100,000 stations. You can even use them to receive the latest prices via text message.

3. Use Your Credit Card - Many credit card companies, offer cards that provide cash rebates for gas purchases.

4. Don’t Use Your Credit Card - Yes, I know I’m contradicting myself. Some gas stations are starting to charge extra for using credit cards, to cover merchant fees.

5. Thank A Grocery Store Clerk - Fill out the form and sign up for their loyalty program. Some grocery stores offer gas savings for being a member.

6. Use the Right Octane - Using a higher octane gas than recommended in the owner’s manual, offers no benefit. Again, no benefit.

7. Clean Out Your Car - According to the Federal Trade Commission, “an extra 100 pounds in the trunk can reduce fuel economy by up to 2%.” Be sure to take out the bowling ball in your back seat. A clean car, and a thicker wallet. Who can argue with that one?

8. Public Transportation - Bus, train, or subway.

9. Carpool - Not only do you save gas money, but you may also qualify to drive in the HOV (high-occupancy vehicle) lane. Wave goodbye to the suckers stuck in traffic!

10. Combine Errands - Instead of going to the grocery store, going back home, and then picking up your friend later on in the day, only to drive by the grocery store again on the way back; why not tell your buddy he’s going to work for his ride…by helping you carry groceries.

11. Check Your Tires - Make sure they are propery aligned and inflated.

12. Don’t Idle - Many seem to believe that turning off your car and restarting it uses more gas. Unless you’re driving a 1967 Oldsmobile, that’s not the case. Modern fuel injection proves this to be a myth. Of course, starters will eventually need to be replaced as well. So don’t turn the key at every red light you stop at. However, if you plan on being idle for 5 minutes, shut your engine off.

13. Checkups - Get regular tune-ups according to the manual.

14. Change Oil - Unless you drive in “ideal” conditions (most of us don’t), have the oil changed every 3,000 miles or every 3 months (whichever comes first). If you are driving in ideal conditions (you’re only kidding yourself), then you may be able to go longer between oil changes, but why risk it? Save money on gas, and more importantly, keep your car alive longer.

15. Don’t Over-Do-It - Don’t top off your tank, or it may overflow.

16. Don’t Drip - When taking the pump out of the tank, shake it a little, so that you don’t lose gas from dripping.

17. Double Check - Make sure the cap is on tight to prevent gas from evaporating

18. Remove Snow Tires - If it’s 100 degrees outside on a hot summer day, why are you using big tires with deep tread?

19. Roll Up Your Windows - Decrease air resistance, which in turn, will increase the amount of miles per gallon of gasoline that your car gets.

20. Light On The Air - Use air conditioner sparingly. Obviously there are times when combining #16 and #17 just isn’t practical. But hey, who ever said saving gas was easy. Now get back in that hot car and sweat your ass off.

21. Replace Air Filters - Don’t let clogged filters spend your money.

22. Don’t Speed - It will cost you at the pump, and earn you a visit with the city judge (trust me, if anyone knows about speeding tickets, I do). Once you start going over 60 mph, your gas mileage decreases rapidly.

23. Use Overdrive Gears - Engine speed, and engine wear is reduced.

24. Cruise Control - If you’re on the highway and there’s not much traffic, using cruise control can help to maintain a constant speed.

25. Remove Racks - Again, more weight on your car will decrease your gas mileage. If you’re headed to work, there’s probably no reason to have a bike rack on your car, from last weekend’s camping trip.

26. Acceleration - Seeing how fast you can get from 0 to 60 will cost you.

27. Braking - Don’t put yourself in a position that you’ll need to brake aggressively. Braking means slowing down, which in turn means having to accelerate again.

28. Fuel Treatments - Using a treatment can sometimes help to clean and protect your engine. However, they aren’t always necessary, and can sometimes even be harmful. Read your owner’s manual, and talk to a mechanic that you trust.

29. Car Shopping - We would all love to have a new Corvette ZR1, but the fact is, they get terrible gas mileage. A Honda Civic will get you a lot further on a tank of gas. You may also want to check out some of the new hybrids available. Even many SUVs are becoming available in a hybrid version.

30. Avoid Excessive Warming - On a cold winter morning, letting your engine warm for a minute is plenty.

31. Go Manual - Manual transmissions get better fuel economy.

32. Park In The Shade - To prevent gas evaporation and reduce the amount of air conditioner needed once you get back to your car.

33. Use The Landscape - If you’re coming up on a hill, ease up on the gas pedal, so that once you reach the downhill point, you can let your car glide down, without using gas to accelerate.

34. The Grade - Make sure you’re using the correct grade of motor oil for your car. This will ensure that there isn’t any unnecessary engine friction.

35. Feed Your Car The Good Stuff - You could even take it a step further, and start using synthetic motor oil, keeping friction to a minimum. However, the higher cost of synthetic oil will offset the savings on gas. Then again, synthetic oil will also keep your engine in better shape.

36. Late Night/Early Morning - Fill up during the coolest hours of the day, when the density of gasoline is maximized. When charging you, stations measure the volume of gasoline, not density.

37. Remove All Ice - Instead of just freeing your windshield after a cold winter night, clear the ice from your entire car. Ice can add a good deal of weight and wind resistance, which again, will decrease your gas mileage.

38. Change Locations - If you’re driving 20 miles to go work out at a gym, or to shop at your favorite grocery store, you may want to consider going somewhere closer. Driving distances should also be a factor, when purchasing a home, or finding a new job. Nobody wants to drive an hour to and from work everyday, and that’s a surefire way to spend more money on gas. On the other hand, if it means you’re living in your dream home, or you’re getting paid double your previous salary, then you might have something to think about

39. Test Different Routes - Make sure you’re using the best route to get to work, school, or any other activity that requires driving on a regular basis. Are you taking the long way, or maybe taking the road that is always backed up with traffic? See if there are any other options.

40. Avoid Gadgets - Rarely do the “gas-saving” gadgets ever work. You’re wasting your money trying to save money. Turn off that next infomercial that claims to increase your gas mileage by 20%. Research the product first if you really want to give it a shot.

41. Wait For The Quarter Mark - Don’t fill up your tank if it’s already half full. Remember, weight can cause your gas mileage to decrease. In other words, you’d be getting more mpg with a quarter tank of gas than you would with a full tank.

42. Leave Early, Stay Late - Sometimes, it may be beneficial to avoid rush hour. The stop and go driving in heavy traffic will significantly reduce your gas mileage, and also cause more wear and tear on your car.

I don’t live my life according to this tip sheet, and I’m not really suggesting that you do either. Driving on a hot summer day in Texas with your air conditioner turned off may not be practical, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take at least a few things from this list to save yourself gas money. If you take just one thing from this article, it’s “be smart.” If you’re driving a Hummer on 22’s like a bat out of hell, well then, don’t ask “why” when gas hits $5 a gallon. How many people do you see complaining about gas prices, and not taking ANY of these steps to do anything about it?

Post from: Trend Spike

42 Gas Saving Tips

First off, make sure you have the necessary tools. Most men just slap on shaving cream with their hands. That works, but once you use a shaving brush, you’ll never go back. Many swear by badger hair as being the best brush a man can get. The Vulfix Pure Badger Shaving Brush is a high quality brush at a relatively low price. The brush will produce a rich lather far superior to just using your hands. Now, you’ll need a shaving cream that complements the brush. Gillette Fusion Hydra Gel is a good shaving cream, although probably not the best. MSNBC had a story about the perfect shave a few years back. The contributor, Corey Greenberg recommended Trumper’s Violet Soft Shaving Cream along with Trumper’s Limes Skin Food after-shave. I haven’t tried these creams yet myself, but I assure you, I will. I planned on asking for these as gifts for Christmas. Wouldn’t you guess, the first time a man knows what he wants for Christmas, is the moment everyone decides that it will be the first year they don’t ask you what you want!

Most importantly, find a good razor that fits your needs. If you’re still using a Gillette Sensor, it’s really time to move on. I recommend the Gillette Fusion Power if you’re going to be using a multi-blade razor. It will make a world of difference. For a similar shave at a lower cost, try the Gillette Mach 3. However, if you’re interested in experimenting, and finding a long lost secret of man (so they say), try the Merkur Futur Adjustable Double Edge Safety Razor. Then let me know how it went . Shaving gurus insist that if you take the time to learn how to shave with this razor, you’ll have the smoothest, cleanest, least-irritating shave that you’ve ever experienced. There’s a reason for the learning curve. If you’re use to the multi-blade razors of today, you’re probably use to quick strokes that glide with the curves of your face. The ease-of-use of these razors has led men to push the blade against the skin, hoping for the closest shave. DE razors on the other hand, require technique. You’ll need to learn how to gently swivel the blade across your face, and break the habit of pushing the blade against your skin. This should come naturally after a dozen or so shaves with the razor. DE safety razors are especially good for men that can’t seem to get rid of shaving bumps. Although the Merkur razor is more expensive than a Gillette Fusion, the blades are actually cheaper. Since a Merkur is one that will last a life-time, eventually it pays for itself. After you’ve found what products work best for you, there’s still the actual technique of shaving:

Shower & Cleanse: Cleaning your hands and face will help to prevent infections. Steam from a hot shower will open your pores, causing whiskers to rise. Try shaving while in the shower. If you shave after your shower, be sure to keep your face wet at all times.

Apply a Quality Cream With a Quality Brush: Aim for a nice even lather. Using a brush will provide a whole new experience in the world of shaving. Shaving cream is just as important. Don’t use too much though. An excessive amount of foam will actually cause more irritation. The blade glides easier on a thin layer of cream. A good brush and cream will help to control the lather.

Shave Smart:

1. Minimize strokes; try not to shave repeatedly with short strokes in the same area.

2. Shave with the grain; even though shaving against the grain can sometimes give you a closer shave, it can also cause razor burn, and ingrown hairs. If you choose to shave against the grain, shave a second time, after you’ve removed most of the hair going with the grain. In certain areas on your face, especially the curves, you may need to pull, and tighten the skin carefully, to get a closer shave.

3. Rinse the razor after each stroke to prevent clogging.

4. If you missed a spot, re-apply cream before going back over it with the razor.

Rinse: Use cold water to close pores and soothe the skin.

Dry Face: Pat (don’t rub) your face dry with a soft towel.

Apply After-Shave: Use a toner without alcohol and/or a moisturizer.

Post from: Trend Spike

Put the Barber Out of Work

ECTOMORPH

* Referred to as the “Banana”

* Fragile Body

* Flat Chest

* Lean

* Lightly Muscled

* Narrow Shoulders

* Takes Longer to Gain Muscle

MESOMORPH

* Referred to as an “Hourglass” (Female) or “Rectangle” (Male)

* Hard Body

* Athletic

* Muscular

* Gains Muscle Easily

* Wide Shoulders

* Gains Fat Easier Than Ectomorphs

ENDOMORPH

* Referred to as the “Apple”

* Soft Body

* Wide Waist

* Underdeveloped Muscles

* Round Physique

* Weight Loss is Difficult

* Gains Muscle Easily

As you might have guessed, there are typical stereotypes associated with each body type. Endomorphs are usually viewed as sloppy and lazy. Mesomorphs are seen as strong, and popular. Ectomorphs are thought to be intelligent, but weak. Once you identify which body type you are, you can use that information to your advantage, when creating a diet or workout plan.

If you’re an ectomorph, you want to start off slow and increase intensity gradually. Keep your workouts under an hour, and use proper form. Otherwise there’s a good chance that you’ll over-train and/or injure yourself. Be sure to eat a lot and keep your calorie intake up. Chances are, you have a high metabolism and you don’t have to worry much about keeping the fat off. Focus more on lifting weights, and less on cardio.

Since endomorphs have trouble losing fat, it’s a good idea to stick to a strict diet. Include a lot of cardio in your routine. Depending on your goals, you could choose to lose the fat first, and then put on some muscle, or you could try to do both right from the start. In general, you shouldn’t have too much trouble building muscle mass.

You could say mesomorphs are lucky. They gain muscle easily, and don’t have much trouble losing fat. People with this body type can handle high intensity and high frequency workouts. Their goal should be to try to balance their diet and workout. Continue to build or maintain their muscle mass while losing excess fat (if any).

There are certain aspects of your body type that you can’t change, such as your bone structure. However, you can work towards gaining muscle and losing fat so that you appear to be stronger, more athletic, and healthier. What body type are you? Are you happy with your body? Do you stereotype other body types? What do you do to change your body? I’m somewhere in between an ectomorph, and a mesomorph. If I don’t eat 4+ meals a day and workout to build muscle mass, I become very thin, and my shoulders stoop down. On the other hand, when I do have the muscle mass, people comment all the time about how athletic I look. The advantage to being slightly ectomorphic…year round abs, and an easily attained v-shaped back.

Post from: Trend Spike

A World Full of Hercules’, DJ Qualls, and Fat Bastards

1. You can eat pizza, drink beer, and play video games with your buddies.

2. Don’t have to spend a week’s worth of pay on roses, candy, and a romantic dinner. Seriously, save yourself a few hundred dollars.

3. Don’t have to write a poem, or even buy a card.

4. You don’t have to worry about where you’ll be sleeping.

5. You can eat pizza, drink beer, and play video games with your buddies.

6. Romance isn’t about any particular day.

6. Valentine’s Day is far from spontaneous.

7. You may have a better shot at hooking up with the girl you’ve been checking out lately (if she’s single of course). Many women hate being single on Valentine’s Day, because they see their friends with roses and candy. The following day, they have to listen to all of the romantic story telling. Take advantage and cheer up the woman you’d like to be with. She might feel lonely. Something simple, like a card, will set her mind on you.

8. You can eat pizza, drink beer, and play video games with your buddies.

9. You know the thing women just love to do? Nag. Ya, you won’t have to deal with any of it.

10. You don’t have to shave.

11. Heh, you don’t even have to shower (just don’t tell your co-workers/friends).

12. While other men are spending the previous day planning, and setting up shop, in hopes of pleasing their women, you’re doing the same thing you’re going to be doing on Valentine’s Day; eating pizza, drinking beer, and playing video games with your buddies!

13. After all that pizza and beer, you’re going to be passed out anyway.

14. You get to spend more time on TrendSpike.com!

What other reasons can you come up with? What are your plans for Valentine’s Day? Unfortunately, I’ll be at work all day. I’ve got something special planned for the girl in my life, this morning though. In fact, it’s now 2:30 a.m., and she’s sleeping. Going to go get everything ready! Still need to buy a card though…..and women say we men procrastinate, ha.

Post from: Trend Spike

14 Reasons Why Being Single On Valentine’s Day Shouldn’t Get You Down

Keep the Pace - What’s the mood like? Are you getting ready for a quickie, or are you romancing her? Obviously if you’re trying to show her how gentle you can be, tearing off (and breaking) the new bra she just bought probably wasn’t what she had in mind…..and it might cost you $50 too.

SSSPB - Ok, so that doesn’t actually make a word, and it probably won’t serve it’s purpose (helping to remember the order). Shoes, shirt, socks, pants, boxers/briefs. Yup, that’s the order in which you should be taking your clothes off. It may seem silly, until you think about how ridiculous you might look when undressing out of order. Would you want to be caught dead with nothing but socks on? Even worse…just a shirt. Your woman in a t-shirt and panties…sexy. You and your hairy a** legs peeking out from under a nice collared shirt…disturbing. Now that you have that nice visual, I’m sure you get the point.

Foreplay to your Advantage - If done right, taking off her clothes will already have her begging for more. Remember, she watches those chick flicks with the passionate love scenes, and she loves them. You might want to start watching them with her………just a thought.

Effective & Efficient - Learn how to unhook bras with ease. Even better if you can do it with one hand. When undressing her, be sure to focus on her body, not her clothes. Caress her legs while you slide her skirt off, and kiss on her neck while you take off her shirt.

Play the Part, Don’t Act - If you aren’t good at doing something, don’t try it in the heat of the moment. Trying to unhook her bra with one hand, and not succeeding will only work against you. If you’re not confident in taking off her bra, just continue to love on her, and eventually she’ll do it. If you prefer not taking off any of her clothes, then don’t act on it at all. If she’s feeling you, it won’t be long before she gets out of her clothes…..with or without your help.

Remain Cool - That one damn button on her shirt just won’t budge! Not a big deal. You can buy yourself more time through kissing and caressing. Just remember focus on her, not the button. If you’re not worried about the button, neither is she. If it absolutely won’t come undone, ask her for help, and lightly laugh it off.

Post from: Trend Spike

Undress to Impress!