MONEY AND PERSONAL FINANCE

Moneywise

Energy bill summary

For the first time since they were put in place 32 years ago, fuel economy standards are going to rise. President George W. Bush has signed an energy bill into law that boosts the standards to 35 mph by 2020.

The bill specifies a 70 percent increase in efficiency standards for light bulbs, which means the traditional light bulb will be on its way out. All light bulbs must use 25 percent to 30 percent less energy by 2012. Compact fluorescent bulbs already meet the standard.

The bill mandates a sixfold increase in the use of ethanol as a motor fuel by 2022, with 21 billion gallons of fuel to be made from feedstock such as prairie grass and wood chips.

Lottery prizes unclaimed

About $570 million in lottery prizes went unclaimed in 2006, according to a 2007 USA Today study. That mounts of about 2 percent of the $33 billion in prizes awarded.

Many small prizes aren't claimed, but thousands of tickets worth $1,000 or more aren't claimed either.

In 2007, the Illinois Lottery had an $11.7 million Lotto ticket sold in July at an Amoco station that was unclaimed. The state has three $250,000 Mega Millions tickets that are about to expire. Depending on the state, tickets expire after 90 days, 180 days, or one year.

The biggest loss was a $51.7 million Powerball ticket sold in Indiana in 2002. In 2007, a $31 million Mega Millions ticket from New York was unclaimed.

A cheaper vacation

Renting a time-share may cost much less than a hotel.

Many are located on resort property and may have two or three bedrooms, pool access and other extras. Reserve 45 days in advance. To find one, visit tugbbs.com/forums. Scroll down to "Rentals Offered."

Other parts of the site are for members only.

How about the tachometer?

New fuel-efficiency gauges will appear in more cars

The big-brand car companies want to save you some money. Until they can squeeze more miles out of a gallon of gasoline, automakers are doing something else. They are turning to gauges that show motorists when they are driving efficiently. The information should discourage wasteful habits like jackrabbit starts.

Fuel economy gauges already appear in gas-electric vehicles. They are gradually moving to non-hybrids.

Ford Motor has fuel-efficiency meters in Mustang, Edge, and Fusion. It has a bar chart like the one telling signal strength on cellphones.

Chrysler vehicles show the message "fuel saver mode" on the instrument panel.

General Motors displays show when cylinders are deactivated in the gas-saving systems of certain V-8 and V-6 engines.

The Toyota Prius hybrid has a video display showing when the car is running on its electric motor or gas engine.

Nissan has a fuel-efficiency meter in the instrument cluster of various Infinti, and Nissan cars, pickups, and SUVs.

Honda has a dashboard light in some models that illuminates when gas mileage is optimal.

Auto owners who have a tachometer can judge fuel economy by the tach reading. If it points to 3,500 rpm or more, they are starting too fast.

Check payroll deduction for U.S. savings bonds

The Treasury Department's Bureau of the Public Debt has set a new, lower limit on the amount of savings bonds that an individual can purchase.

If you currently have money taken out of your paycheck to buy savings bonds and if it exceeds this new limit, you will have to change your withdrawal.

In 2008, individuals are able to buy only $5,000 a year in Series EE bonds and $5,000 per year in Series I savings bonds.

Paper EE bonds are purchased for 50 percent of their face value. Electronically purchased EE bonds are sold at their full face value. The interest rate is the same for both.

The new limits, however, apply separately to Series EE and Series I savings bonds. That means you could buy $5,000 worth both on paper and electronically. That would come to $10,000 for each type or a total limit of $20,000 for the two.

In 2007, the limit was an investment of $30,000 for Series EE and Series I, both in paper and electronic form. That came to $60,000 for each series, or a total of $120,000 for the two.

The Treasury wants to refocus the savings program on its original purpose of making bonds available to people with relatively small sums to invest.

The $10,000 Series I bond is no longer available. Many people like the Series I bonds because they offer inflation protection.

Buying long term care insurance

There are advantages to buying long term care insurance at age 50 or 55. The rates are lower than they would be ten years later, and you are more likely to be accepted. If you wait to age 65, a health problem could develop that makes insurers reject you.

You'll need a larger policy 10 years from now to cover the increase in costs. The American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance notes that future policy designs may cost more.

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