Last chance to get a hybrid vehicle tax credit

If you are looking to buy a hybrid vehicle, you might have heard about the federal income tax credit for purchasers of those cars and trucks.

The credit, however, begins to phase down and then expire after any given manufacturer has sold 60,000 of its hybrid vehicles.

It also only applies to new, purchased vehicles. If you lease the car, the car dealer/lease company gets the credit.

If a new hybrid purchase is on the horizon, full or partial credits are still available for these 2008 models:
– Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
– Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid
– Ford Escape Hybrid
– GMC Yukon Hybrid
– Mazda Tribute Hybrid
– Mercury Mariner Hybrid
– Nissan Altima Hybrid
– Saturn Aura Hybrid
– Saturn Vue Green Line

Toyota and Lexus vehicles are out.

If you buy a Honda Civic Hybrid 2008 model before Dec. 31, you can claim a $525 tax credit.

Looking to buy next year’s model? Only the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner will qualify for a tax credit.

Get the complete scoop at the Feds’ site here.

Six things to save today

I’m still catching up on posts, but here is a quick list of six things you can save today to make life a little bit easier. Add your own tips if you’ve found a great one!

1. Save time (and your arteries). Because getting angry can give you heart disease, and what is more infuriating than trying to reach customer service and waiting, and waiting, and waiting, only to wind up at a computerized dead end? Visit GetHuman to find a shortcut for reaching a live person at your chosen company.
2. Save 411 charges. If you are out and about and need a number, try texting Google at 46645. Send a quick message — like a business name and city or ZIP code, and in a minute you’ll get a message back with a suggestion. Much easier than Web surfing on the phone.
3. Save your lungs (and vacuum waste). I’ve been seeing a TV ad warning about the dire consequences of dumping your vacuum dust bin in a trash can (the dust will fly into the air). Don’t give up and use vacuum bags again … just dump the dust in your compost pile outside. Hold your breath and then walk away.
4. Save a burned-on pan with one of these tips: Boil super-salty water for a few minutes then scrub, or clean off gunk with a potato or a denture-cleaning tablet.
5. Save money with and on magazines. Buy them at your local thrift store, and donate them there, too. Instead of simply recycling magazines, either pass them on to a friend or give them to a thrift store — especially recent issues. Donating 20 magazines could save you $2.50 on your taxes.
6. Save on your taxes by signing up at ItsDeductible.com. For free, you can enter your tax-deductible contributions (whether money, goods, stock or mileage) and get estimated values. If you use TurboTax software, you’ll be able to transfer the information directly when tax time rolls around — saving lots of time and headaches.