Tips on how to save on home insurance

Homeowners insurance provides coverage in the event of damage to your property, as well as liability for injuries and damage you cause to other people. We've uncovered some ways to save on home insurance from Smartmoney.com. Here are a few tips:

Keep Up Your Credit Score
A poor score can cause your premiums to raise and does more than deter your chances of being granted a loan. However, a healthy score proves to insurers you are not a risk. This can result in a loan with lower premiums.

Pay On Time
Sign up for automatic payments that are debited from your checking account each month. This can land you a discount. Or, pay your bill all at once. That way you won't have to worry about late fees and monthly convenience fees.

Watch Your Neighborhood
Neighborhood natural disaster dangers and crime are in constant flux, so keep a watch out for changes. Keep your insurer updated about changes in your neighborhood that can give you a better rating. For example, more fire hydrants, or storm drains.

Make Your Home Disaster-Free
You may get a 5% discount with most insurers for simple improvements. Fix your fire alarm, and buy new fire extinguishers. Install a home security system for a 10% discount. Consumer United, offers 10% off your home insurance when you have a home security device.

Increase Your Deductible
By raising your deductible from $250 to $500, you could save up to 15% on your monthly premiums.

Learn more here.

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Inside Consumer United :: Dan Marzinotto

Daniel Marzinotto joined Consumer United working full time as a Consumer United advocate showing the everyday consumer how to save on basic services. Marzinotto has developed great friendships and really appreciates what the company is doing for consumers.

When Marzinotto began, there were only seven employees. Now there are over 25. He quickly understood the concept of a start-up company and how vital each and every person's role is in the grand scheme. As a saver himself, Marzinotto believes Consumer United will help consumers band together online and recognize the importance of saving on necessities.

How does Marzinotto save money? By eating out less and buying weekly groceries and cooking at home. "I don't think people understand how much money they can save monthly by buying groceries," he says. Marzinotto sets a weekly budget. Setting a budget is key. "I categorize by necessities, personal spending and saving and investing. Save weekly or monthy and consider the money you save or invest lost. It's not called saving if you want to take from it consistently."

Marzinotto is an artist and focuses on oil painting. His style is realistic. He went to art school and learned an important lesson. Art, technology and Marzinotto do not mix. He is a fine artist, and that's that. He also likes to stay fit and maintains a weekly workout routine. Marzinotto runs 3 times a week, along with lifting, sit-ups and push-ups.

Daylight savings time up for debate

The time has come to turn the clocks back this weekend. Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday, November 2 at 2 a.m. This year, for the first time DST ran four additional weeks. But why?

According to The Bismarck Tribune, some people insist on having an early daylight savings time, because it pushes us out of our homes in order to enjoy that extra hour of sun. We've gone to the park, to the golf course, or to the shopping mall. Sales boost as the time change co-exists with warm weather.

Scott Herman, owner of the Raging Burrito in Decatur, GA., says of 2007's DST "The time change, boosted sales. Nighttime sales at the restaurant and bar, which has a 150-seat garden patio, were up 30% in the three weeks after March 11 compared with the past four years' average for the same period. It's one of the greatest moves the government's ever done."

Maybe it is. How do we get to all of these wonderful places? We drive.

The average gasoline demand for the three week time period after 2007's DST rose 2.8% from the same time a year prior. According to the U.S. Energy Dept, this was the highest gasoline demand ever for the time period. However, with high demand comes high prices.

It is understandable that DST can boost sales when combined with warm weather, and increase gasoline demand. However, the million dollar question remains: Why, in 2008, has DST been extended an additional four weeks?

Click below for more information on DST:

End daylight-saving time

History of DST

Early DST backfires

Fuel-saving jet engines set for trial

While making their holiday travel plans for the upcoming season, many consumers have felt the impact of the airline industry’s ever-growing list of hidden fees and their push to scale back the number of flights offered.

The good news is that NASA has teamed up with commercial developers to advance the design of a more fuel-efficient engine known as an open rotor.

The technology for this type of engine first appeared in the 1980s, but the cost of development and testing caused the project to be abandoned. As fuel prices threatened to cross the $150 per barrel mark this summer, however, researchers looked for ways to improve on the original design.

Unlike the layout of a traditional jet engine, an open rotor engine has propeller blades that spin outside of the engine’s exterior casing. While this multiple blade design allows for much more fuel efficiency -- possibly up to 30 percent more -- it also makes a lot more noise.

The noise is a major drawback of the design because many cities already have strict regulations regarding the noise that aircraft can make. The benefits of increased fuel efficiency and reduced emissions by these engines, however, may outweigh the noise.

In what is perhaps a testament to the bright future of the open rotor engine, NASA has plans to begin wind tunnel testing at their lab in Cleveland early in 2009.

Click here for the lowdown.

--Bridget O'Sullivan

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Protect yourself from 'energy vampires'

Are the monstrous energy bills still haunting you even though you haven't been keeping all those lights on in the house?

Halloween's drawing near and those spooky "energy vampires" may be lurking in the corners of your homes and offices. Any kind of electronic appliances such as adapters or chargers for your gadgets can suck the electricity, even if they're plugged in but not in use. So if you don't need 'em, slay 'em as they could raise your energy bill to quite a significant amount.

Every year, any American household spends roughly $100 annually due to the energy consumption from their power devices that are plugged in but not being used, reports the United States Environmental Protection Agency, which sums up the national energy cost to a spine chilling $10 billion per year.

"EPA encourages everyone to look for vampires in their home and get rid of this energy waste,” says the EPA's Office of Atmospheric Protection's director, Brian McLean, “Using less energy means less greenhouse gas emissions.”

Want to save those extra hundreds and scare away those energy ghouls? EPA has come up with some easy steps for you to follow:

1. Unplug those power adapters and chargers when the electric appliance is on standby or fully charged.
   
2. Using a power strip can be very useful as you can switch off the main power supply when the electronics are not in use.


3. Look for the Energy Star label when purchasing electronic appliances or gadgets.

Get more spooky energy saving details by clicking here.

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Housing market improves. Really?

There seems to be some good news coming from the housing market. After weeks of a sub-prime crises opera, the month of September has shown some increase in the sale of new homes. The US commerce department reports that new home sales were up 2.7% in September 2008.

But, before you pop open the champagne, consider the fact that August 2008 saw a 35% decline in new home sales as compared to August 2007. So any slight increase is sure to reflect positively. The LA Times, report that Western US saw the biggest spike in the housing market, with a 23% increase as compared to August 2008.

People who delayed buying their 'dream home' are making a killing with the prices of houses in many states at an all-time-low. But despite this, builders are jittery and have decided to 'go slow' when it comes to current projects. In some markets there seems to be an inventory of homes for the next 10 months. If the demand for the housing market continues, then it would mean good news for builders, else they would be forced to discount their inventory further.

With threat of a recession, job losses and general distrust of the stock market creating a perfect financial storm, it looks like the housing market is not likely to see the rainbow anytime soon.

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Drink Dunkin' Donuts coffee for free

Dunkin' Donuts is at it again.

After selling 17-cent donuts today to celebrate the Celtics 17 championship banners, Dunkin' Donuts offers a free sample of Dunkin' Donuts dark blend coffee (also known as Dunkin' Dark) here.

Their tagline: Now everyone's favorite pick-me-up is also a take-me-home. You bet.

Dunkin Donuts' killer selection of take-home coffees includes Cinnamon Spice, French Vanilla, Original Blend and the new Dunkin' Dark.

Click here for the lowdown. Offer valid while supplies last.

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Alan Greenspan gives somber testimony

The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held a long meeting on Thursday in Washington to discuss the current financial crisis with figures like former Chairman of the Federal Reserve Alan Greenspan and former Secretary of the Treasury, John Snow.

At the meeting, Greenspan acknowledges that he may have misjudged the regulatory abilities of the free market.

In response to comments by Representative Henry Waxman, the chairman of the House Committee on Oversight, Greenspan referenced the error.

“I made a mistake in presuming that the self-interests of organizations, specifically banks and others, were such as that they were best capable of protecting their own shareholders and their equity in the firms,” he says.

Video of his testimony is available through CNBC in conjunction with the New York Times here.

Greenspan testified before the Committee on Oversight so that the committee would better be able to identify how the regulations already in place did not prevent the current financial situation. During his service from 1987 until 2006, Greenspan was a strong proponent of deregulation. His position on derivatives, which are playing a role in the current crisis, has been criticized by some as too lenient.

By the end of his term, the use of derivatives by financial institutions had become widespread and complex which resulted in widespread exposure to risk.

Perhaps in an effort to emphasize the potential for future problems, Greenspan says he “cannot see how we will avoid a significant rise in layoffs and unemployment.”

Click here for the video.

--Bridget O'Sullivan

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Demystifying the real estate and mortgage market

In these uncertain times, the folks at Consumer United thought it would be a good idea to conduct a free information session on various topics related to real estate and mortgage for our members.

So, if you're looking for answers when it comes to buying or selling a home, facing a foreclosure or refinancing your property, the seminar will be well worth your time.

The panel in Stoughton features professionals with years of experience in real estate and mortgage and will be accessible to answer any questions.

When: 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008

Where: Re/Max Landmark, 630 Park Street (Rt. 27), Stoughton, MA 02072

This info session is sponsored by Consumer United in association with Re/Max Landmark. Light refreshments will be served. RSVP preferred at kevin.pelissier@consumerunited.com or call Kevin Pelissier at 617-440-5937.

Grocery bills high due to sticky prices

The price of oil has dropped. Why is your grocery bill so high?

The economic recession we're facing has caused oil prices to drop dramatically. However, basic necessities such as cereal, or even a tube of toothpaste are priced at an all time high.

What's to blame? So called "sticky prices." "Sticky prices" is the term used by analysts to describe companies that keep prices high, even after the rationale for the high price has vanished.

The extra fee you are charged to check a bag at the airport? A perfect example of "sticky prices."

Newsweek reports that the falling cost of oil helps companies to cushion their profit margins. Companies will be paying less on production and transportation costs. However, this doesn't mean a thing to the consumer, as consumer prices will stay high.

It just takes longer for consumer prices to change. Chris Lafakis, an economist with Moody's Economy.com says, "Consumer prices don't change near as fast, because they are set by companies. Commodity prices are set every day on an open market."

Companies are focusing on what their competitors are charging. Lars Perner, assistant professor of marketing at the University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business states, "As soon as the first (company) in a category reduces prices, the others will follow suit. But they're all hoping the other one doesn't" cut prices.

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Baby boomers' golden years turn into golden fears

With more people than ever depending on 401k and other retirement accounts to see them through their golden years, the recent decline in the stock market has been a major cause for concern. Over the course of the past year alone, the Dow Jones Industrial Average has lost nearly 40 percent of its value.

While the economy will most certainly recover from the slump eventually, older Americans, particularly those who are already retired, don't have as much time to wait for things to improve. Many retirees must draw from their assets on a regular basis and are now forced to work with the lower values of their assets.

Compounding the problem is the fact that home prices have also dropped significantly in conjunction with the drop in the stock market. A larger proportion of older people own their homes outright compared to the general population, so a house or other property could serve as a source of income.

Given current conditions, however, homes are more difficult to sell and sale prices are trending downward. Home equity lines of credit, which until recently were a popular way to generate cash, have also become less attractive options to many homeowners because of falling property values.

Even some investments that were once considered very conservative, such as US Treasury bonds, have also begun to yield increasingly low interest rates. Once the economy begins to improve, however, the growth will have the most positive impact upon those with the most invested in the market.

Click here to read more.

--Bridget O'Sullivan

Inside Consumer United :: George Lazar

George Lazar joined Consumer United in September as a part-time member of our online creative team. Lazar attends Emerson College as a graduate student of integrated marketing. As a Consumer United advocate, Lazar wants to help the average consumer get the best deals on basic services.

Lazar joined the team with a strong creative background. He was a copywriter and eventually entered ad film production where he worked as an assistant director. He interned at Arnold Worldwide on the Volvo and RadioShack brands. Lazar received his MBA from Loyola Institute of Business Administration, in Chennai, India. When asked what he likes about Consumer United, Lazar remarks: "I enjoy the informal work environment and the speed at which things are executed. This is a lean-mean outfit without the red tape."

How does Lazar save money? By taking public transportation, and renting a car for long trips. He ventures online to find coupons. "Looking for store specific coupons in my mail box during promos is also a good way," Lazar says. He buys goods toward the end of the month, and at the end of a quarter (financial year). At this time, most stores have added pressure to sell, so they offer great deals. Another sure fire way Lazar saves money is to shop at Haymarket, located in downtown Boston for his fruits and veggies.

Lazar's advice to combat the current financial crisis? "Buy shares when the market is down, as you can make a killing when shares go up. In the case of a well managed company, the shares usually do (go up)."

As a big movie fan, you might find Lazar at your local Boston theater. He makes sure to catch up on all the latest blockbusters. He also enjoys going to new and undiscovered places, away from the crowd. And he cooks one mean chicken curry.

Local banker Arthur Connelly transitions to DC

Over the course of the next few months, the banking industry is likely to undergo more changes than it has seen in decades. The next chair of the American Bankers Association, a leading Washington trade group, will likely be part of many important financial policy considerations in the coming year.

Though his term officially commences in November, Arthur Connelly, chairman of South Shore Savings Bank, has already begun the transformation from small-town banker to national financial figure.

The change comes at a difficult time because some of Connelly’s responsibilities include working with groups critical of some banking industry practices. As the general public worries about the overall economic health of the nation, some of the banking industry’s past actions are facing increased scrutiny.

Connelly told the Boston Globe, however, that the median average of the holdings of an ABA member bank are just $125 million, characteristic of a community bank. For small-town banks, economic health and growth in their communities are vital, and so are positive relationships with their customers.

Representative Stephen Lynch, Democrat from South Boston, speaks highly of Connelly’s qualifications to the Globe. "He's a guy who has a good moral compass in terms of taking the industry where it needs to go and getting back to basics.” Already a familiar figure around Weymouth, Quincy, Braintree, and other towns with South Shore Savings Bank customers, Connelly is making a name for himself in Washington, as well.

Click here to read more.

--Bridget O'Sullivan

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Americans prepare to vote with worries in mind

As the economy continues its roller coaster ride, more and more Americans are worried about the direction in which the country is moving. With election day coming quickly, voters are likely to have their concerns in mind when they head to the polls.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average, often used as a bellwether for the nation’s overall economic health, has dropped considerably over the course of just the past few weeks. Voters could be looking to the presidential candidates for reassurance that the country will end up back on track.

Major economic issues that the candidates have been forced to address include unemployment and the housing crisis. The unemployment rate for the year of 2007 was 4.7 percent. In September 2008, however, it reached 6.1 percent, the highest it has been since 2003.

Many Americans worry that the slowdown already gripping the financial industry will spread to other sectors.

This compounds the worries of those struggling to pay their mortgages. The resetting of adjustable rate mortgages, in particular, can make it difficult for some households to pay on time. If a home enters foreclosure, the buyer loses all of the initial investment.

The Mortgage Bankers’ National Delinquency Survey reports that for the first quarter of 2008, the delinquency rate reached almost 6.5 percent of all outstanding loans. With an increasing number of Americans worrying about paying their bills, they could voice their concerns in the voting booths on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

--Bridget O'Sullivan

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Starbucks goes for the gold with new perks card

Starbucks is rolling out golden savings this holiday season. A Starbucks dollar menu? Not quite.

USAToday reports that Starbucks is introducing a "Starbucks Gold Card" that will be available on November 4. The card, costing $25, will offer 10% off most purchases and is aimed at Starbucks best customers. Michael Silverstein, Senior Partner at Boston Consulting Group says "It takes their best customers and makes them feel coddled and cared about."

Same store sales at Starbucks dropped 6% for its fiscal fourth quarter ending September 30. 600 stores have closed, 1000 employees have been laid off, and a first quarter loss of $6.7 million was reported for the quarter ending June 30.

Starbucks will remain a premium brand, however, this holiday season the focus is on staying in the reach of most consumers.

For the first time, the approach at Starbucks is "Costco comparable," offering five $20 gift cards for $80. Gifts are cheaper this year as well. CEO Howard Schultz adds, "We revamped holiday from soup to nuts."

CDs, for example, will be sold at $12.95 instead of $14.95, and there will be tables with gifts under $10.

Click here for the USA Today article.

Books to read your kids during financial crisis

As hard times hit, our children must deal with our stress, anxiety and anger. Over what? Money.

Now is the time to introduce books to our children that portray times that were worse. Reading about others who survived during rough conditions is a great coping device.

Erica S. Perl of Slate.com writes of when she was a child, "One of the ways I coped was by burying my nose in books and discovering kids who had it worse than I did."

For example, Laura Ingalls' father who repeatedly hitches up the wagon to bring his family to the middle of nowhere. Or Matilda, who discovers her only friend Miss Honey lives in poverty.

Reading is a free endeavor and an incredible learning tool.

Here's a list of five books recommended for children during tough times:

Five Little Peppers and How They Grew
Little House on The Prairie
Ramona and Her Father
Tight Times
Homecoming

Or visit Slate.com for great kid's books on financial ruin.

Increase in heating oil aid in Mass.

Home heating oil aid will nearly double across the U.S.

The Bush Administration has released $5.1 billion in heating assistance to the states, helping millions of families heat their homes this winter. The heating aid was included as a stopgap budget bill that Congress passed and President Bush signed.

Massachusetts will receive $213 million in federal fuel assistance as its share of the $5.1 billion appropriated by Congress.

Release of the funds, targeted to help the state's low-income households pay for their winter heating bills, was jointly announced Friday, Oct. 17 by Sens. Edward M. Kennedy and John F. Kerry.

The Associated Press reports that the slumping economy and high energy costs are leaving millions unable to afford heat this winter. Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass. says, "The double whammy of rising costs and economic uncertainty is hitting local consumers hard. With this increase in funding, hopefully no one in Massachusetts should have to make a heat-or-eat decision this winter."

According to the National Energy Assistance Directors' Association, the heating aid will be able to help two million families more than originally expected. The funding is incredibly helpful in Mass., where the cold winters and high oil heat usage is prone to high energy costs.

Senior citizens and low income families will certainly benefit, keeping warm at an affordable cost.

Click here for more information on how you get help with your winter heating bill.

Hybrid buses to save money for MBTA

MBTA is stepping up its efforts of becoming more environment friendly. Come Q1 of 2009, 123 buses belonging to the MBTA would be retrofitted with the proprietary Mini-Hybrid Thermal System. These are being built by Engineered Machined Products, Inc. (EMP), leaders in advanced thermal management and oil management products for variety of transportation needs.

The retrofitted buses are expected to become more fuel efficient and control emissions. The piggy bank at the cash-strapped MBTA is sure to swell in the long run. The savings are in the region of 3 to 14%, fuel saved would be in the region of 300 to 1400 gallons per bus, annually. With the current fuel cost, this would easily translate to annual savings of $1,000 to $4,900 per bus.

Apart from MBTA, the two other transportation bodies who availing the services of EMP are TriMet in Portland, Oregon and MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) in Atlanta, Georgia.

MBTA is going green and saving green ($) too! Kudos to them.

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Gas prices drop faster than drivers can fill 'er up

Gas prices are falling rapidly. Can Massachusetts drivers keep up?

Mass. gas prices are falling so fast, drivers may be confused about what a "good deal" is these days. In Jamaica Plain, Hatoff's station is currently selling gas for $2.69. Whoa! That's nothing compared to July's $4.09.

Eric Esteves, a gasoline bargain hunter, tells the Boston Globe: "The last time I got gas, it was like $3.39 and that came down from $3.47." Even a bargain hunter like Esteves is unaware of the current price.

The Boston Globe reports the waning demand tied to recession fears has caused the value of crude oil to significantly decrease. Today, crude oil has dropped to a 14-month low of $69.85 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. This is due to worries about decreased demand and increased U.S. Inventory.

Click here for the complete article.

Financial meltdown hits higher education

As news about the economy continues to be bleak, even major universities are finding themselves scaling back. The ivory towers tend to be immune to small changes in economic conditions, but as incomes shrink, donations decrease and financial aid applications increase.

With the price of private school tuition barely within reach of many families even in good times, but as the economy slows, the burden seems increasingly hard to bear. Lower family incomes, rising inflation, and dips in the stock market could mean that many college funds may not go as far as parents originally planned.

Home equity lines of credit, an increasingly common way to pay tuition bills, are now no longer an option for many families. As home values fall, the cash does not exist to take out.

With the state of the economy in mind, colleges are planning to make changes to their budgets for the upcoming year. According to an Associated Press report by Justin Pope, schools such as Boston University are putting a hold on development projects.

Though private universities will have to work through the challenges of receiving fewer donations and fielding more requests for financial aid, public schools are also likely to have to reevaluate their spending decisions.

With incomes likely to be lower and aid programs more necessary, state governments will be forced to take a hard look at their budgets. Funding for state schools could be high on the list of items that get scaled back in the upcoming year.

Click here for the complete article.

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BusinessWeek ranks Boston as recession resistant

BusinessWeek ranks Boston No. 6 on a list of the best cities for riding out a recession.

Heralding the Hub's variety of resilient industries--including education, health and legal jobs--the list suggests that Bostonians armed with a 42.5% share of jobs in industries considered strong are in a good position to survive the financial meltdown.

The report cites Boston's world-class universities including Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (not to mention Boston University, Northeastern and Suffolk) as an additional asset.

However, the city is at risk with its slew of finance, retail and hospitality jobs.

Click here for the BusinessWeek list.

If NSTAR is green then why so much paper?

NSTAR's green program may not be so green after all.

A customer who enrolled in NSTAR's green-energy program reports that the company is continually sending her paper and unnecessary resources in the mail.

Although she wants to help the environment, she's rethinking her choice about the green program enrollment. According to blogger Chokmah, she writes: "...This weekend I got a flag and letter thanking me for going green. Gee, I wonder how many thank you for going green mailings they sent out? Think about it..."

The NSTAR green-energy program does support the development of renewable energy resources in the region. The program helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, fossil fuel consumption and helps to increase the sustainability of the renewable industry.

But why so much wasted paper?

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Artist unveils her 'Zero Dollar Bill'

The next time you see a George Washington in your purse, check for the denomination. It could just be a "Zero Dollar Bill."

New York artist Laura Gilbert is venting her anger at Wall Street by printing limited edition $0 bills (there are about 10,000 of them). She was distributing it to Armani-clad executives in Manhattan. The Washington Post report mentions that she would like to "confront them with my art."

The lady who pulled her money from the stock market as early as August 2007, is miffed at the plight of others who have lost their lives savings. She quips, "I was trying to think of the best way to respond artistically to this mess."

Finally, art comes to the rescue.

US injects $250 billion in financial institutions

In an effort to get capital flowing from the government’s $750 billion bailout plan, Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson called together the executives of nine of the country’s largest banks for a meeting in Washington.

He announced his plan for the government to buy up a number of shares from each bank. The government is also planning to guarantee and insure more commercial debts and deposits.

Is it a $250 billion band-aid? Perhaps.

According to the plan, the more capital a bank has and the more secure it perceives certain risks to be, the more growth is facilitated. If the market for credit grinds to a halt because institutions are not lending or because they choose to hoard their resources, the more likely the economy will remain stagnant.

"I don’t think there was any banker in that room who was going to look us in the eye and say they had too much capital," Mr. Paulson says in a phone interview with The New York Times in reference to Monday’s meeting with bank executives.

Some of the institutions represent at the meeting are suffering more seriously than others from the current sub-prime mortgage situation. Executives from the less-affected banks reportedly objected to the new plan initially. Others disapproved of the new guidelines related to executive compensation packages.

Ultimately, in a matter of just a few hours, all nine banks had signed on to the agreement. The effects of the deal are unlikely to be seen immediately, however, because it will take time for the newly injected capital to translate into more accessible credit and more growth.

Click here for the complete article.

--Bridget O'Sullivan

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Home lighting could go wireless

Scientists at Boston University are working on a new, energy-efficient way to deliver your home’s wireless internet access. By transmitting information from a router through power lines straight to household lamps, LED bulbs could transmit connection information using patterns of light that people cannot see.

In the same way that remote controls also use undetectable patterns of light, LiveScience reports that LED bulbs could communicate wireless connection information. One of the challenges, however, is that LED bulbs have not completely replaced incandescent bulbs in many households. Though they last longer and are more energy efficient, the price of one LED bulb is considerably higher than a regular light bulb.

Traditional wireless connections currently use radio waves to communicate, but as more and more people use the internet constantly, the radio frequency, or bandwith, becomes crowded and slow. Communicating with light could provide a speedy alternative.

Researchers are also seeking to apply the principles of communicating with light to other fields. Using LED brake lights, it could be possible for cars to “talk” to each other. If one car hits a serious pothole and registers the jolt, it would send out a signal and the cars behind it would know to be on the lookout. In addition, LED traffic lights could inform drivers of how many seconds they have before a light turns green.

Both the computer and automotive industries are hoping to see products using LED technology on the market in the next few years.

Thomas Little, a computer engineer at Boston University, tells LiveScience that “an aggressive partner could have something out on market within a year."

Click here for the complete article.

--Bridget O'Sullivan

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