Well, the new phonebooks are here.
The mini-documentary on my life that was filmed by Faircompanies.com several years ago now has a sequel.
In this one I talk about my truck mods and driving style that lets me get almost double the mileage my truck initially got, saving me a couple grand in fuel charges each year.
My last video with them is up to almost a quarter million views, but the company has gotten a lot more subscribers since then, so there is potential for this one to be even more popular.
If you have already seen it, this post answers the most common questions, comments, and criticisms I have gotten so far:
http://biodieselhauling.blogspot.com/2012/03/mad-max-hypermiler-questions-and.html
, I next went to the computer and electronics recycling center, then the Berkley Recycling Center, and finally the Berkeley Transfer Station which recycles refrigerators.
I try to avoid making a trip just for one stop.
Kirsten, who shot and edited the video, said she may end up making another one with some of the rest of the footage. I talked a lot about saving money and the freedom and time it buys you, how not buying into consumerism is good for both the environment and your own finances, and other random things on various topics. Like last time, I didn't prepare a script, I just sort of free-styled messages I'd like to share with the world.
So, anyway, this is just the latest in a series of eco themed internet media I have been a part of.
It is all spread out in various random places, and in many of them I used different pseudonyms.
Here are some others:
Global Warming vs. Fascism; or, why NASA wouldn’t have stopped Apophis
This was the blog post that originally caught the attention of Kirsten of Faircompanies, which led to her asking me to blog for their site, and eventually to the video interviews. Out of 6 years of blogging, its one of my favorites still. I will eventually get around to moving it to this blogger server, and updating it (I have had the opportunity to have an in person discussion with several actual climate scientists since then!)
My green/environmental blog, on Faircompanies.com:
http://faircompanies.com/blogs/BioDieselHauling/
The original 3-part interviews with faircompanies:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkFXgg2XnI8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJc8973GURk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF8msBy6bMM
Step-by-step instructions on how I did the truck mods:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Vehicle-efficiency-upgrades/
(this one won runner-up in the website's energy efficiency contest)
DIY small-scale independent (non-grid-istertie) solar system:
http://www.instructables.com/id/NON-grid-intertie-independant-solar-photovoltic-/
Saving energy without spending money upfront:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Not-your-average-save-energy-advice-use-less-en/
Rain-water fed self-watering garden box:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Large-Self-Watering-Planter-made-from-recycled-mat/
A bicycle is the most energy efficient mode of transport ever invented. But producing one takes resources. Buying one used is both cheaper and more eco-friendly. But if you aren't already knowledgeable about bikes, how do you pick the right one? Read my guide, thats how!
http://biodieselhauling.blogspot.com/2012/01/buying-bikes-from-craigslist.html
This is where the ideas for all of my truck mods came from:
I try to avoid making a trip just for one stop.
Kirsten, who shot and edited the video, said she may end up making another one with some of the rest of the footage. I talked a lot about saving money and the freedom and time it buys you, how not buying into consumerism is good for both the environment and your own finances, and other random things on various topics. Like last time, I didn't prepare a script, I just sort of free-styled messages I'd like to share with the world.
So, anyway, this is just the latest in a series of eco themed internet media I have been a part of.
It is all spread out in various random places, and in many of them I used different pseudonyms.
Here are some others:
Global Warming vs. Fascism; or, why NASA wouldn’t have stopped Apophis
This was the blog post that originally caught the attention of Kirsten of Faircompanies, which led to her asking me to blog for their site, and eventually to the video interviews. Out of 6 years of blogging, its one of my favorites still. I will eventually get around to moving it to this blogger server, and updating it (I have had the opportunity to have an in person discussion with several actual climate scientists since then!)
My green/environmental blog, on Faircompanies.com:
http://faircompanies.com/blogs/BioDieselHauling/
The original 3-part interviews with faircompanies:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkFXgg2XnI8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJc8973GURk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF8msBy6bMM
Step-by-step instructions on how I did the truck mods:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Vehicle-efficiency-upgrades/
(this one won runner-up in the website's energy efficiency contest)
DIY small-scale independent (non-grid-istertie) solar system:
http://www.instructables.com/id/NON-grid-intertie-independant-solar-photovoltic-/
Saving energy without spending money upfront:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Not-your-average-save-energy-advice-use-less-en/
Rain-water fed self-watering garden box:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Large-Self-Watering-Planter-made-from-recycled-mat/
A bicycle is the most energy efficient mode of transport ever invented. But producing one takes resources. Buying one used is both cheaper and more eco-friendly. But if you aren't already knowledgeable about bikes, how do you pick the right one? Read my guide, thats how!
http://biodieselhauling.blogspot.com/2012/01/buying-bikes-from-craigslist.html
This is where the ideas for all of my truck mods came from:
http://ecomodder.com/forum/
It isn't my project, but I am a member. I haven't been active for about a year, but I do have a lot of old posts there. I highly recommend it for anyone who owns a car.
This site hosts my fuel mileage log from when I first began trying to optimize efficiency:
http://ecomodder.com/forum/em-fuel-log.php?vehicleid=2486
This isn't my project either, its another forum I am a (currently active) member of, and I highly recommend it to anyone who ever earns or spends money on anything, ever:
http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/forum/index.php
It is basically about how any middle class American can become financially independent simply by opting out of the consumer culture and making some small lifestyle changes - and investing all the leftover cash that results. A significant side-effect is having a much smaller negative impact on the world.
It isn't my project, but I am a member. I haven't been active for about a year, but I do have a lot of old posts there. I highly recommend it for anyone who owns a car.
This site hosts my fuel mileage log from when I first began trying to optimize efficiency:
http://ecomodder.com/forum/em-fuel-log.php?vehicleid=2486
This isn't my project either, its another forum I am a (currently active) member of, and I highly recommend it to anyone who ever earns or spends money on anything, ever:
http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/forum/index.php
It is basically about how any middle class American can become financially independent simply by opting out of the consumer culture and making some small lifestyle changes - and investing all the leftover cash that results. A significant side-effect is having a much smaller negative impact on the world.
I realized my various internet persona were diluting my potential to be a simple/green living spokesman when a couple people on the MMM (Mr Money Mustache) forums mentioned they had read my 12v solar project on Instructables, but hadn't realized it was the same person.
I am Jacob Aziza on Instructables, David Craig Hiser in the comments of YouTube, Bakari on MMM (and ERE) - as well as in real life. Occasionally stuff I've written online is credited to Lenard Simp or Robert Paulson as well. All me
Maybe its getting time to start branding myself with my real name consistently :P
Because, its only with an audience that my message can have any impact...
10 comments:
Hello Bakari, I have enjoyed your comments on the mrmoneymustache.com blog. I won't make the mods or drive like you do, but real world I have increased my average fuel economy on my 2003 Honda Accord EX 4 cyl automatic from 30 to 32 mpg. I've done this by observing the speed limits, accelerating slowly (trying to keep RPM below 2500, 2000 if possible) and anticipating slowing/stopping traffic far ahead and lifting my foot off the throttle. Keep posting, I love real world frugal guys such as yourself, you are an inspiration! frugalman
Hey Frugalman.
Thanks for the encouragement.
"increased my average fuel economy on my 2003 Honda Accord EX 4 cyl automatic from 30 to 32 mpg."
From 30? EPA MPG estimates for your car are 21/31 - 25 combined. So, unless you somehow do 100% highway driving, you are getting 32 instead of 25 - an increase of over 25%!!
That qualifies you as an official hypermiler. Congratulations!
At $4 per gallon, and 7000 miles per year, you save $245 a year and half a metric ton of CO2 emissions.
Thanks, Bakari. I found the site Fuelly.com, and my 2003 Accord will be named Grandpa's Honda. I'm at 320 miles on this tankful and I will probably fill it up and log it this weekend (no logs there yet). That fuelly is a really cool site. I think I will use my phone camera to take pictures of my odometer and the final gas pump reading each time, then transfer the info to fuelly logs. $245 invested at 5 percent a year average will pay me $12.25 a year, FOREVER. That's the way Mister Money Mustache thinks and I agree with him! My only problem so far is that even driving the speed limit, in the right lane, people start camping out right on my bumper, very irritating.
I find that turning on the hazards helps encourage people to go around.
When people are really aggressive about it, and don't take the hint, I just slow down further. I never "brake check", just gradually slow - both safer and less obnoxious.
Green living is not only good for our planet; it can be good for our wallets as well! By following a few Eco-friendly green living tips, you can keep a little green for yourself.
mylilgreendress
I remember my dad telling me that the way you drive defines the money you need to produce for your car. he says it has something to do with how you drive.
Still can't learn that though.
Your post was great. it makes sense to me.
kris
Sport Exhausts
“Drive Slower: Save Lives, Save Gas, Save $$.”—This tagline on your truck got me really well, Bakari! Well, it’s good to hear that you are able to help everyone by simply posting your insights about conserving the energy. Those great posts of yours can be a good reminder of everyone’s duty to be environmentally responsible.
Sabrina Garza
Bakari..looks like you're coming out of the closet, so to speak. Just like your writings on health/nutrition/exercise, you may have another book here. As I was looking over your list of blogs and the brief descriptions, I was reminded of your "rural" equivalent, Joel Salatin, who has become quite famous in the eco-farming, sustainable living world. Jessica knows about him. He has a web site for his business I think: www.Polyfacefarm.com. He lives nearby and writes a column for Flavor Magazine - a farm-to-table/sustainable food system supporter. We are small investors in their 4 year old endeavor. Go to www.flavormags.com. Continued good luck. Ralph Bates
I know all about Salatin, from having read Fast Food Nation and Omnivore's Dilemma (both Jessica's books) and seeing the movie of the same name (which she rented)
These are some great green living projects. For more ideas and guides, feel free to check out HouseLogic.com. Cheers!
-Jon
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