This is a guest post by Mr Credit Card from www.askmrcreditcard.com. Today, he is going to write about how to make sure you have the best credit score possible before you take a loan for your next car purchase. If you want to apply for a credit card, he has got a best credit card deals and offers section which has some excellent recommendations.

If you are looking to buy a car and have to finance it, then the first thing that you should do is to make sure that you have the highest possible credit score available. You should begin the process about 6 months before you anticipate your car purchase. This is what specifically you should do.

1. Check your credit report - Every year, each individual is entitled to a copy of each of your credit report from the three major credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. The place to get your free credit report is from the site www.annualcreditreport.com. The thing that you have to watch out for any errors (especially negative ones) on your report. It could be as innocent as an incorrect address. Or it could be a late payment that never actually happened. You should have them changed right away by writing to the credit bureaus.

One thing to be aware of is that there are many sites that offer you a “free credit report” (which you are entitled to anyway) and will bill you a monthly fee in return for “monitoring your credit reports”. Avoid these deals. The other thing to be aware of is that you can get your free credit report from www.annualcreditreport.com, but you will not be able to see your scores. To see your credit scores, you’ve got to buy them from the major credit bureaus. They is though one way to get a free score from TransUnion, and is to join this site called www.creditkarma.com. It is an ad supported site so you will just see more ads there. Then just buy the other two reports.

Improving your credit score - Once you know your credit scores and you have removed any incorrect but negative items from your credit report, the next step is to improve your credit score. To improve your credit score, you have to understand that certain things you do will impact your credit score.

Paying your bills on time - Paying your bills on time is very important. If you never had that problem, then make sure that you continue to pay your bills on time.

Debt Utilization Ratio - This is the ratio of how much debt you have versus how much credit lines are available to you. If you have $10,000 worth of credit lines and you are utilizing $9000, that would not look so good. But if you are only utilizing $3,000, then that is much better. As a rough guide, 30% is a reasonable debt utilization ratio.

Length of credit history - The length of your credit history is also very important. The longer your history of your credit card for example, the better it is than one you just got. So do not cancel your old credit cards.

Improving Your Debt Utilization Ratio - If your credit score needs improvement before you make that purchase, then one of the key things you have to focus on is to reduce your debt.

That could mean a few things. You might want to consider paying off more than your minimum credit card payment, or try to pay down some principal. Other things you may want to consider is asking your lender to reduce the interest rate on your loans. It could be on your credit card debt etc. If you are successful in that, you can use the savings you have to pay down debt. If you have credit card debt, one way to save on interest cost is to look for 0% balance transfer deals. There are lots of balance transfer credit cards with 0% APR offerings. That way, you can pay 0% interest for a certain period and use the savings to pay down principal.

What if you have no credit history? - What if you have no credit history? What if you are a new immigrant? Not to worry. A little bit of advance planning will help. The first thing you have to do is to build a credit history! One way to do it is to get a credit card. Though credit card issuers also look at one’s “history”, there are lots of credit cards for people with no credit history. If you are a student, most credit card issuers offer student credit cards with no annual fees even if you have no credit history.

What if I have just got out of bankruptcy? - Believe it or not, you could still get an auto loan after you have just emerged from a chapter 7 or 13. Certain dealers and brands will do that. You just have to ask and do your legwork and research. However, if you are not in a hurry, you can always rebuild your credit. One of the easiest ways to rebuild your credit is actually (yes, you’ve guessed it) to get a credit card. But most issuers will stay far away from you. What you want to get is a secured credit card.

Now up to this point, I’ve only mentioned getting credit cards to build a credit history. There are other means of doing this - like taking a personal loan. However, based on other people’s experiences, it is easier to get a line of credit with a credit card than a personal loan.

Conclusion - Buying a car is a major financial decision. If you intend to finance the car, then making sure your credit report and credit score is in tip top condition is crucial to getting the best rate for car loan. You should start working on your credit report about six month in advance of your purchase. In fact, try to do that a year in advance. That way, you will have time to improve your score if it is necessary.

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In the tumbling economy, cash back and gas reward credit cards are becoming more popular than ever. The reason? Both give you money back in your pocket on important everyday purchases, although there is a difference between the two. The best gas credit cards usually earn very high rebates–5% plus–on gasoline purchases, and may earn 1% on other purchases. Standard cash back credit cards, on the other hand, earn between 1% and 5% cash back and higher rebates on purchases like groceries, hotel stays, travel and more. To get the most money back, take a good look at your spending habits to decide which credit card is right for you.

Should you get a gas rewards credit card?

Gas credit cards can be a great way to save money, especially for people with long commutes or those that drive vehicles that drink fuel like it’s water. People that benefit most from gas cards are those that drive large personal vehicles, use pick-up trucks or vans during business, individuals that are required to drive as a living and anyone that finds themselves spending $100 plus monthly on fuel. If you typically put your fuel purchases on credit, switching to a gas card may be just the thing you need to start maximizing your savings.

One of the first considerations if you’re thinking about a gas card is this: do you tend to stick with one gasoline brand or do you shop at whichever station has lower prices? For most people, non station-specific cards will serve them better and have better terms and rewards. One of the most popular choices is the Discover Open Road card, which earns 5% cash back on the first $100 in gas purchases each month, along with 1% back on everything else after spending exceeds $3,000. The TrueEarnings credit card from Costco and American Express, on the other hand, earns a solid 3% cash back on all gasoline purchases up to $3,000 annually (afterward you’ll earn 1%). In addition, you earn 3% back at restaurants, 2% on travel and 1% back everywhere else.

If you want to stick to one station, a good pick is the BP Visa card. This card earns a whopping 10% cash back on BP fuel purchases, 4% back on eligible travel and dining and 2% everywhere else for the first two months. Afterward, all rebates are cut in half, still leaving you with 5% back on gasoline.

To earn the most in rebates from gas cards, look for a card that has no annual fee. Make sure you put every single gas purchase on your credit card and pay the balance immediately. Some people find it’s convenient to use online banking to schedule an automatic payment each week or even each day to ensure all purchases are paid for. Whatever method you use, make sure you avoid any interest accruing on your account. It’s also a great idea to look for cards that offer you sign-up bonuses, such as an automatic $50 credit when you first use your card or an introductory period during which all rebates are doubled. You can also maximize your savings by using a website that searches for the best gas prices in your area.

Why traditional cash back cards may be the way to go

If, however, you don’t drive a car that requires much fuel or don’t do a lot of driving, a gas credit card may not be for you. To save more money on purchases like groceries, hotel stays, and everything else, look for a cash back card that earns the most rewards on purchases other than fuel.

Most cash back credit cards work by offering you the biggest rebates on “everyday purchases.” These usually include grocery store purchases, fuel, department store purchases and restaurants. What’s great about cash back cards is they can work for anyone that has the responsibility to pay their balance in full each month. Here are just some of the things you can earn rebates on with a cash back card: grocery shopping for your family, buying new furniture for your home, remodeling your bathroom, purchasing a new television, and going on vacation (you can save on the gas, travel and expenses!).

The Discover More card is one of the best all-around cash back credit cards because it allows you to earn up to 5% on everyday expenses, including purchases at the supermarket and department stores. Along with these high everyday purchase rebates you can expect to earn at least 1% back on all of your purchases. What’s more, you can also use Discover’s ShopDiscover store online to earn rebates of up to 20%!

So which is better for you?

Gas cards and cash back cards are really very similar. What’s best for you depends on how you spend your money and what’s going to be more convenient for you. Are you comfortable with putting everything you buy on your credit card and paying it immediately in full? Do you spend often on everyday purchases? If so, a regular cash back card may be perfect for you. Do you drive often and wish you could save more money on gasoline? If that sounds more like you, try applying for a gas card.

Some things to beware

Basically, cash back cards and gas rewards cards are just different versions of the same principle. There are some things that apply to both cards. First, never get either type of rewards card if you ever carry a balance on your credit card! The APR on cash back and gas rebate cards are much higher than on traditional cards. Getting even 5% cash back is nothing if you’re paying 20% interest to carry the balance. Secondly, always look for a cash back or gas card with no annual fee. There are plenty of great cash back cards out there that don’t charge you annually so why get one that does? It’ll just eat up your rebate savings. Lastly, don’t take what you read in credit card advertisements at face value. Always read the fine print to understand what you’ll be earning. For example, a credit card that advertises “up to 5% cash back” may have a tiered system that starts at 0.25%. You may not earn 5% cash back until you’ve spent nearly $15,000!

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I’ve heard of Planet Green quite a bit over the last year or so since it launched in June 2008. The idea behind Planet Green was to create the first eco-friendly living channel to go along with the whole green movement. However thanks to my old cable provider I wasn’t able to check it out since it wasn’t included in my programming package.

Around a month ago I switched to Dish Network and realized I now get Planet Green (channel #194) so I thought I would check it out to see what all the fuss was about. Overall the channel feels like a “Green” version of the Discovery channel which makes sense considering its owned by Discovery, however most of the programming is original and just as entertaining.

Current Shows on Planet Green Include:

• Alter Eco
• Battleground Earth
• Emeril Green
• G Word
• Go for the Green
• Greenovate
• Greensburg
• Hollywood Green
• Living With Ed
• Mean Green Machines
• Off the Grid
• Renovation Nation
• Stuff Happens
• Total Wrecklamation
• Wa$ted!
• Whale Wars
• Worlds Greenest Homes

So far I’ve been able to catch a bit of Renovation Nation and Whale Wars (which is also on the Discovery Channel). I expected both programs to have a fairly low production value considering they are for a fairly niche channel, however I was presently surprised with both shows and will definitely tune in again.

If you don’t get Planet Green and are an eco freak like me then you defiantly want to find out if your cable of satellite company currently offers it, you may even already have it but have just overlooked it. I know for a fact that Dish Network currently offers it in standard definition as well as a Planet Green HD channel. If you know of any other cable or Satellite TV providers that carry it be sure to leave a comment below.

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Gas is one expense that seems to fluctuate at any given time and people donít usually think about ways to save money on gas until it hits almost $4.00 a gallon. Here are simple ways to save money on gas regardless of the gas price.

1. Gas Guzzlers
Last summer, people were dumping their SUVs, pickup trucks and Vans for smaller, more efficient vehicles with better gas mileage. Sometimes it made the difference between 14 miles to the gallon with an SUV and almost 30 for a smaller sedan. If you donít really need the bigger vehicle, trading it in for a smaller one will save you a lot of money in gas mileage.

2. Regular Maintenance
Keeping up with regular maintenance of your vehicle may seem like a headache but it will not only keep your car in good condition longer, it will save money on gas. A properly tuned vehicle can consume up to 25% less gas than one that is not.

3. Don’t be a Gas Station Snob
This just means to get your gas wherever you get the best deal. All of the gas stations basically get their fuel from the same place so stopping at your favorite gas station just because itís your favorite, can end up costing you more money. This does not mean drive 30 miles farther than you need to just because the gas is 2 cents cheaper either.

4. Change your Driving Habits
It seems obvious to walk when itís possible or to carpool but driving around a parking lot for half an hour for a great parking spot at Target is also a waste of gas. Take the first parking spot or whatever is reasonable. Combining trips is another gas saver, plan ahead and take care of all of your stops at one time.

5. Use ìRegularî Gas
Low octane gas or the ìregularî gas is sufficient for your vehicle unless you happen to have one that requires premium gas. Check the manufacturer if youíre not sure or if you are experiencing ìknockingî or ìpingingî in the engine. Paying more for high octane gas is a waste of money if you donít need it.

6. Gas Cards and Rewards Cards
Apply for a gas credit card or a cash back credit card so you can receive something in return for the gas youíre paying for. The better cards normally pay anywhere from 3% to 5% cash rebates for gasoline purchases charged to the card.

7. Check the Internet for Deals
There are a number of websites that can tell you where the cheapest gas is in your area. Try Mapquest.com, Gasbuddy.com and Gaspricewatch.com to check the price of gas in the area youíll be in. Of course, keep #4 in mind. No driving far away just for cheap gas. Unless of course itís close to free and then you should probably be suspicious.

8. Holiday Gas Prices
Avoid buying gas on holidays as this is usually when gas prices skyrocket. Try to get to the gas station at least 3 days prior to any holiday.

9. Pay Attention to your Tires
It has been claimed that low resistance tires increase gas mileage. Also keep an eye on the air pressure in the tires as well.

10. Buy a Different Form of Transportation
This goes with #1 regarding gas guzzlers, but a considerable amount of money is saved on gas with Hybrids, Diesel cars, and motorcycles and scooters.

11. Avoid Idling and Sudden Braking
Driving so fast that you have to suddenly brake wastes the gas that it took to get going that fast in the first place. Idling is another gas waster which results in 0 miles per gallon. Turning off the car and restarting uses the same amount of gas as idling for 6 seconds.

12. Clean your Car Out
Extra weight drags the car down and wastes gas. Clean out anything unnecessary that may be weighing it down and consuming more fuel.

13. Use your Cruise Control
Keeping your speed at a steady driving speed with cruise control cuts down on unnecessary acceleration and heavy use of the brake.

14. Keep the Air Filter Clean
Your car becomes less fuel efficient when it is clogged with dirt and bugs because it cause the engine to work harder. Have the air filter checked at each oil change.

15. Refrain from using the AC
It has been said that running the air conditioning excessively wastes gas. Park in the shade, buy a windshield shade and really consider if itís so hot you need to turn on the AC.

Alright, I said 15 ways, but here is another bonus (since I just thought about it).

16. Invest in or Use your GPS
If you find yourself lost easily or wandering aimlessly, you probably donít have any idea how much gas youíre wasting. A GPS system will help not only get you directly to your destination, but most can plan the trip ahead and find you the shortest and most cost efficient route to get there.

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Although we’ve been hearing about “green living” more and more over the last few years, it seems like with the recession, the whole sustainable living has been overshadowed by the current economic crisis to a degree. This however hasn’t stopped us here at the Green Motorist from publishing the latest green auto news, and apparently it hasn’t stopped the TV networks from pushing forward with TV shows focusing on green living as well.

Here are a few of our favorite green living shows.

1. Carbon Cops

Carbon Cops is a show on the Sundance channel (channel 332 on Dish Network ) that premiered in the spring to a very welcome reception. Basically the hosts of the show (Lish Fejer and Sean Fitzgerald) calculate a family’s carbon footprint and then the family has to figure out how they can cut their footprint in half using conventional and sometimes not so conventional methods. It’s sort of like a green version of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

2. Garbage Moguls

When I first heard about this show I expected it to be just another reality job show like Deadliest Catch or Ice Road Truckers but with garbage men. However I was surprised to find out the show is actually about a group of guys that create / develop useful products using everyone elses trash. That’s right, these guys take everything from candy wrappers to beer bottles and figure out how to make them into surprisingly useful inventions. You can catch Garbage Moguls on the National Geographic Channel (If you have Dish Network Satellite TV it’s channel 186.

3. Survivorman

Ok you may not think this show is exactly about “green living” but I actually disagree and would even argue that this is the best green living show out there. If you haven’t seen Survivorman yet, it’s about a guy who treks out into the wild and has to survive for a week using nothing but the few minor provisions he brings with him. What sets Survivorman apart from some of the other survival shows out there (*cough Man vs Wild *cough) is the fact that Les Stroud does all the camera work himself, which means he really is completely alone in the wilderness.

The show isn’t necessarily about just surviving but really about how to live off the land using just what you need, and I think this philosophy is in line with green living in general. You can watch Survivorman on the Discovery Channel, Dish Network Satellite TV channel 182.

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The Toyota IQ a microcar which was first unveiled at the autumn 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show in Germany is making its way to the production line. Toyota will be launching the IQ in Japan later this year and then presumably in Europe by 2010. Toyota is hoping to sell 100,000 of these urban microcars in the first year alone, and a stateside launch is at this point, a complete possibility.

Although the IQ appears to be tiny in size, it’s actually larger than a Smart ForTwo, 10 inches longer and almost 5 inches wider. Initially the Toyota IQ will use a gasoline engine along with an automated manual transmission, however there is speculation that Toyota will launch a hybrid electric version by 2011.

If Toyota did offer the IQ stateside it would be the first car that can give the Smart ForTwo a run for its money. I’ve never personally seen Smart becoming a mainstream success in the United States just because of its limited demographic and unbelievably small size (it’s out of the question for anyone with a family). As gas prices continue to rise however, anything can happen I guess.

It will be interesting to see the Toyota IQ and Smart ForTwo battle it out as lightweight champion. The Toyota IQ does prove one thing however, if you thought Mini Coopers were small, you ain’t seen nothing yet.

Toyota IQ Gallery

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Buying green can really pay off sometimes. Volkswagen announced today that buyers of the Jeta TDI sedan and the SportsWagen (which will be available to buy in August) can claim a $1,300 Federal Tax Credit. Owners qualify for the “Advanced Lean Burn Technology Motor Vehicle” income tax credit.

The Jetta TDI received EPA estimate of 29 mpg city and 40 mpg highway however when AMCI tested the vehicle in real world conditions it achieved far better - 38 mpg city and 44 mpg on the highway.

To use your tax credit you’ll need to fill out form 8910 which is available on the IRS website and attach it to your tax return. One thing to watch out for that we covered in a previous post is that according to the Energy Policy Act of 2005 when a car reaches 60,000 units sold the tax credit is phased out. So as long as your one of the first 60,000 buyers your eligible for the tax credit.

You can read the full Volkswagen Press Release Here

2009 Volkswagen Jetta Gallery

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There is a post today on Autoblog about the deals going on behind closed doors at GM to try and keep HUMMER dealers afloat. HUMMER is in some serious trouble as sales continue to tumble, in June alone HUMMER sales fell 59.3 percent. (HUMMER moved just 2072 units.) HUMMER sales have been in a decline since 2006.

The weak economy and record high gas prices have taken their toll on HUMMER and GM appears to be getting ready to either sell the brand off or get rid of it all together. In fact, GM has already announced that HUMMER might be sold.

Public opinion of HUMMER has done a compete 180 over the last few years as well, something that was once a status icon is now seen by the majority as wasteful and obnoxious. I think the end of HUMMER is near and it won’t be long before dealers start jumping overboard.

Is there anyone out there who sees how this brand could be saved?

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Toyota has just announced that the company is considering a price hike for the Prius and its luxury models in japan because of the soaring cost of steel and other raw materials. If Toyota decides to raise prices the new prices will likely be announced in August and take effect by years end.

Toyota is expected to raise prices by one to three percent. No word on any change in price change in North America, for the time being. Prius demand is extremely high in North America right now. Most car dealers I know can’t even get them let alone keep them on the lot so I think a minor price hike at this point would have little to no effect on overall demand.

Source - Japan Corporate News

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Yesterday we wrote about the horde of upcoming electric vehicles in 2010. Toyota appears to be ahead of the curve apparently targeting a 2009 launch date for the new Toyota Prius which many claim will be a Plug-in. Surprisingly the new plug-in version of the Prius shuns lithium-ion battery technology for the nickel-metal hydride battery packs used in the current Prius. However this may only be the case for 2009, and Toyota may decide to switch to lithium-ion once the technology has matured.

Popular Mechanics has had a chance to test drive the new plug-in Prius and had this to say:

Our drive in the prototype PHEV was brief, only four laps of a small course setup inside the test facility. But it was impressive. The hybrid system has an “EV” mode and a more conventional “hybrid” mode. In EV mode the vehicle can run on electric power longer and with a more aggressive throttle input than in the hybrid mode.

I believe Toyota will be the first one to market with a main stream Plug-in. The technology developed for the Prius has given Toyota a distinct advantage in quickly bringing a functioning plug-in to the market to meet the demand for alternative fuel vehicles. As with any new technology however, only time will tell.

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