In an effort to help promote alternative energy and energy conservation, the federal government is offering some tax credits to people who buy certain products like insulated windows, energy-efficient heat pumps and hybrid cars.In August of 2005 the federal government passed the Energy Policy Act, and the resulting tax credits went into effect January 1 of 2006. Not only are energy-efficient products rewarded, but certain building techniques and materials are too.So you save money on energy bills and pay less to Uncle Sam too. Sounds like a win-win.“By reducing overall …

We’re a nation of car users - although not always by choice. Expensive and unreliable public transport systems have forced many of us onto the roads, but having a car certainly isn’t a cheap alternative. The cost of owning a car, even if you don’t use it much, is very expensive. There’s vehicle licence duty, insurance, MOT and the depreciation in value, all of which add up. Combined with the costs of actually driving the car, from petrol and oil to tyres and servicing, it can really burn a hole …