Ask Emily: Gas myths debunked
By Casey Gillis on Jun. 26, 2008
Dear Emily: My friend and I got into a debate the other day about how to save gas, and he insists that driving a car with the windows down will use less gas than using the air conditioner. He didn’t believe me when I said that was ridiculous, so perhaps could you settle this?
- Sweating in the car
Dear Sweating in the car: High gas prices have certainly spawned some good cost-cutting myths, but the window vs. air conditioning argument is not one of them. According to a 2005 Consumer Reports study, running a car’s air conditioner draws power from its engine, reducing each vehicle’s fuel economy by about one mile per gallon. And let’s face it, every gallon counts right now, doesn’t it? Another interesting myth is that it is better to keep your car running, rather than turning off and starting the car’s engine, when you are only making a quick stop. But according to Consumer Reports, due to modern fuel-injection technology drivers actually save gas by turning off their engine rather than letting their car idle needlessly.
Dear Emily: I am 23-year-old, and got my 22-year-old girlfriend pregnant. We will definitely raise this baby together, but I’m not sure I want to marry her. We don’t always get along real good, and I don’t think I want to spend the rest of my life with her. How can I make her understand that we don’t have to be married to be parents together?
- Baby Blues
Dear Baby Blues: News flash for you - if you are going to raise this child together, you are going to spend the rest of your life together. Perhaps when the child grows up and moves out on his own, you will have less to do with her, but it’s unrealistic to think she will ever completely be out of your life. So you need to ask yourself some tough questions. What kind of parent do you want to be? What morals do you want to teach your child? And can you accomplish this without living with the child’s mother, as husband and wife? I can’t tell you how to convince your girlfriend that marriage is not a good idea because I happen to think it is. It is a way to create some family stability in this situation you got yourself into. So rather than trying to convince your girlfriend to do what you want, why don’t you both sit down and decide what would be best for your baby?
Dear Emily: A co-worker of mine invited everyone in the office to a birthday party she is having for her daughter (who is turning 1). She said the party was just an informal barbeque, and we don’t have to bring anything, just our families. Do you think that includes gifts? I think I should pick a small present up, but I don’t want to be the only one.
- Giving Gifts
Dear Giving gifts: It would better if you were the only one who brought a gift, rather than the only one who didn’t, right? So stick with your instincts and pick up a little something. It is never a good idea to go to a party empty handed, anyway. Getting a gift will do no harm, and your host will appreciate the gesture. Not to make matters more complicated for you, but you may also consider bringing some cookies or a food item for the barbeque. This is also usually appreciated by the host, even when you are told it is unnecessary.
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