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Getting from point A to point B by car costs a certain amount of dough, and thanks to recent record-high gas prices it takes more of your hard-earned money than ever before. But while you can’t always control ownership costs such as fuel, repairs and insurance rates, one thing you do have power over is making your car last longer and maintaining its value. Here you have a choice: Either spend money on a new car every few years or keep your current car running great and looking sharp. If you decide to go the latter route, follow these 10 tips to help keep your ride rolling.

Breathe Easier
Even the most mechanically challenged drivers know to change a car’s oil and oil filter on a regular basis — even if they don’t always do it. But other fluids and filters also need regular maintenance. For example, changing your air filter helps your car breathe easier and the engine last longer. “If your air filter is clogged, your engine is not performing properly,” notes Jack Nerad, editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book. “It also hurts your fuel economy, and it can harm the engine over the long term.”

Keep It Cool
Maintaining your car’s cooling system and the proper coolant level is as important as making sure the engine is well lubed and can potentially save you thousands of dollars in repairs. “A cooling system failure can result in your engine literally melting down,” warns Nerad. “Because of lack of proper coolant and maintenance of hoses, you can have major problems.”

Pressure Check
Tires are often the most neglected part of a car, Nerad adds. “Most people don’t pay much attention to keeping their tires at the right inflation pressure,” he says. “And it’s not only bad for the car, the tires and fuel economy, but it’s also a safety issue. The simple step of keeping the tires up to proper pressure is valuable all the way around,” he adds, “and it essentially costs almost nothing.”

Fully En-Gauged
If there is a problem with your oil pressure, cooling system or even tire pressure on the latest vehicles, your car’s gauges will tell you — if you’re paying attention to them. “The vast majority of people don’t,” remarks Nerad. “That’s why manufacturers went to ‘idiot lights’ to give a clear indication of when there’s a problem.”

Get Regular Checkups
Find a repair shop and mechanic you trust. “And let that shop service your car all the time,” says Dave Jones, owner of Jones Automotive in Green County, Pennsylvania, and co-host of the Web site AskAutoPro.com. “When you get sick you don’t go to a different doctor every time. Your doctor knows you from top to bottom, inside and out.” A good mechanic will get to know your car and look over it the same way, Jones adds.

Look Closely
Jones also suggests spending time inspecting your car. “Every now and then, take five minutes and walk around the car and look at it,” he said. Check to see if the tires are wearing unevenly. Open the hood and check out the hoses. Make sure all the lights are working. “It only takes a couple of minutes to check things like that,” he adds.

Get on a Schedule
While your owner’s manual will have a maintenance schedule, another advantage of using the same mechanics on a regular basis is they will be able to make sure you stick to the schedule — and take care of things the manual may not include. “If you go to different places each time you have your car serviced, they won’t know the last time you had something done,” says Aaron Clements, owner of C&C Automotive in Augusta, Georgia, and a 31-year auto-repair veteran. “So you may end up paying for unnecessary repairs. Most shops have electronic records so they know when each service was done. The scheduled maintenance charts in owner’s manuals tell only part of the story,” he adds. “So it’s also a benefit to have a relationship with a service advisor who knows your vehicle and when to perform service in addition to what’s in the owner’s manual.”

Drive Smarter
The way you drive has an effect on how long your car — and your gas — will last. “You not only save wear and tear by having good driving habits, but also fuel,” claims Clements. “Taking off fast and coming to a stop quickly can be bad on a car and affect the engine, the brakes and other things.”

Keep It Clean
Nerad also stresses taking care of the exterior of your car by regularly washing and waxing it. And don’t forget about the interior. “That’s an often overlooked area,” he says. “Spend time keeping it clean and clean-smelling without perfuming it, and vacuum the carpet on a regular basis. Get spills out immediately because if you don’t they’re more difficult to remove.”

Keep it Covered
Nerad also suggests storing your car in a garage or under a carport or cover. “Keep your car out of the sun,” he says. “And keep it away from bird droppings and tree sap. Also be careful where you park to avoid dings,” he adds.

Keeping your car maintained will not only make it last longer but also will make it much more pleasant to drive — which will make you want to take better care of it. “If you have a vehicle that looks good and you enjoy getting in it and driving, you’re much more prone to take care of it,” observes Clements.” And since it won’t last forever, taking care of your car will also increase the resale value. “It’s very clear on our site that condition is crucial,” says Nerad. “In real estate they say it’s all about location, location, location, but with car values it’s all about condition, condition, condition.”

More on MSN Autos

• Research new and used cars before you buy
• Learn how to reduce your car’s impact on the environment
• Cool gadgets and upgrades for older cars

Provided by MSN Autos

It's the focal point of your living room, the place you curl up together for movie nights, and -- most likely -- your pet's domain. Learn how to find the perfect couch that will last for years to come -- and complement your couple style.

Anatomy of a Couch

Filler: You can’t go wrong with a down-and-feather combo, but high-density foam is also comfy, budget-friendly, and long-wearing.

Fabric: If the piece is wrapped in rich leather, thick twill, or a durable microsuede, you can count on its longevity.

Joints: You might not see them, but the joints should be double- or triple-doweled, corner blocked, glued, and high-pressure stapled for support.

Frame: Look for a couch built with a kiln-dried hardwood (better because less moisture is left in the wood) such as beach, maple, or ash.

Sofa Basics

• Expect to pay between $700 to $2,000 for a couch, but designer ones can go for over $10,000.
  
• A love seat averages in at 58-60 inches. And an “apartment-size” couch is somewhere in between a love seat and standard three-seater.
  
• A quality couch should last about 10 years with normal wear and tear (keep the klutzy drunks at bay, and you’ll get even more time).

Know Your Style

• Have a budget and give yourself a 10 percent cushion if you just have to have a certain piece.
  
• Think about your lifestyle. A small space requires a smaller couch. Lots of guests requires a pull-out.
  
• Visualize your dream living space. Want to be traditional? Lush, dark solids create a warm look. Thinking more modern classic? Less fancy leg- or arm-work in neutral colors stands the test of time. Or is your taste more modern? New fabrics, bright colors or patterns, and retro-modern shapes are hot now.

Test It

• Sit all the way back in the corner of every prospective couch. See how it feels. Your feet should touch the floor, and you shouldn’t sink so far that you need a hand getting out.
  
• Stretch out like you do at home to get a sense of how the two of you will fit on the couch.
  
• Test the height of the arms and check for ample padding on the arm rests. If the back is finished as well as the front, a good craftsman has been at work.
  
• Removable cushions are a plus for chowing on since you can flip them over if you spill.

Looking to shed some of that (often inevitable) extra winter weight? Purchasing a treadmill for your nest can be a good investment for long-term cardiovascular fitness. Here’s what you need to know before you start running:

Make a budget: You can find treadmills for a few hundred dollars, but expect to pay at least $1,000 for a good-quality model, says exercise physiologist Kelli Calabrese, author of Feminine, Firm and Fit. “For the most part, the more you pay, the better it is,” she says. In terms of brands, she recommends the Landice treadmills or any commercial brand, like Precor, that creates a residential version of their products.

Try it out: The best way to find your ideal treadmill is to take it for a test drive -- or run. Start by making sure the belt is long enough for the type of running or walking you plan to do, says Theresa Laurenz, a Chicago-based personal trainer. A 70-inch belt should enough for most people, but try it out to make sure your feet don’t hit the front of the machine. Also consider the cushioning in the deck, or bed, of the treadmill -- less will make you feel like you’re running on concrete, while more will simulate the feel of grass. “It’s a little bit of preference,” Laurenz says, “but overall having a bit more cushioning tends to save people from hurting their joints.”

Ask some questions: When shopping around, consider what your fitness goals are. If you’re looking for interval training, which is a combination of fast sprints and walking at various inclines, you may want to choose a treadmill with programs that take the guess-work out, Laurenz says. In terms of incline, most people won’t need more than 12 percent, unless they’re training to hike or use a StairMaster. And when deciding on how fast the treadmill should go, 10 miles per hour translates to six-minute miles, so plan accordingly. One thing that’s not worth the extra hefty price tag? Calorie counters and heart-rate monitors, Laurenz says. While it may be satisfying to imagine that 400-calories muffin disappearing with each step, these metrics can be off by as much as 20 percent.

Think about the extras: Having a place for your water bottle, iPod, and book can make exercising more fun -- which means you’ll be even likelier to stick to a fitness program. Calabrese suggests also purchasing a mat to go under the machine. You can find most of them for less than $50, which isn’t much considering that without one, carpet fibers can get into the motor of the machine and shorten its lifespan.

Read the fine print: Before you’re ready to break a sweat, consider what’s included in the price of your new treadmill. Calabrese suggests looking for a model with a 10-year warranty and making sure that delivery charges include stairs and inside drop-off. And remember that a treadmill belt is like a couch cushion, Laurenz says -- its life can be extended by flipping it every once in a while, so make sure you have this option to avoid premature wear-out.

Great news for those trying to make spring cleaning more eco-friendly: According to Consumer Reports, not only are homemade cleaning products more environmentally friendly and less toxic, they'll also help you save bigtime! Here are seven do-it-yourself ways to clean up at home with products that might be in your kitchen right now.

Freshen up. Make your own air freshener using 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 teaspoon vinegar (or lemon juice), and 2 cups hot water. Pour the mix into a spray bottle and spritz away to remove odors. Note that while white vinegar has a slight scent while wet, when it dries, it leaves no odor.

Boost detergent. To reduce the amount of laundry detergent you need to use (especially if you have hard water) add baking soda or washing soda. These minerals soften the water, which increases the detergent’s power. For liquid detergent, add 1/2 cup of soda at the beginning of the wash. For powdered detergent, add 1/2 cup of soda during the rinse cycle.

Get squeaky clean. Just use a mixture of 3 tablespoons vinegar per 1 quart water in a spray bottle and you've got a safe, eco-friendly window cleaner. Some recommend using half vinegar and half water. For extra-dirty windows try this: 1/2 teaspoon liquid soap, 3 tablespoons vinegar, and 2 cups of water. Shake well. The best way to get streak-free windows? Use newspaper instead of paper towels to wipe them.

Lift stains and spots. Cream of tartar lifts stains from sinks and tubs and removes spots from aluminum pans. This common baking ingredient is a mild alternative to chlorine bleach and can be used for stain removal and mild bleaching and germ killing. It's available in drug stores and supermarkets. 

Cut grime and grease. Use baking soda to clean up in the kitchen. For a "soft-scrub" for countertops, mix baking soda and liquid soap until you get a consistency you like. (The amounts don’t have to be perfect, but make only as much as you need, as it dries up quickly.) To clean an extra-greasy oven, mix together 1 cup baking soda and 1/4 cup of washing soda, then add enough water to make a paste; apply the paste to oven surfaces and let sit overnight. The next morning, lift off soda mixture and grime; rinse surfaces well (gloves are recommended as washing soda may irritate skin).

Try borax in the bathroom. Sold in most grocery stores, borax is a water softener and sanitizer. For a good all-purpose bathroom sanitizer, mix 2 teaspoons of borax, 4 tablespoons of vinegar, and 3 to 4 cups of hot water in a spray bottle. For extra cleaning power, add 1/4 teaspoon liquid soap to the mixture. To clean your toilet bowl, pour 1 cup of borax into the toilet before going to bed. In the morning, scrub and flush. For an extra-strength cleaner, add 1/4 cup vinegar to the borax.

Play it safe. Whether you’re using commercial or homemade cleaners, it’s important to follow safety precautions. Avoid splashing household cleaners on your skin or in your face, and check labels to see if respiratory masks, rubber gloves, goggles, or other protective measures are recommended. People with heart or lung disease and pregnant women should try to avoid products that contain chemical solvents. And since contact lenses can absorb vapors and hold them against the eye, causing irritation or eye damage, anyone who normally wears contacts should remove them and put on eyeglasses before handling such products. If you find that the cleaners you’re using irritate your nose, eyes, and/or lungs, follow your instincts and stop using them. Finally, be sure to clearly label containers of homemade cleaners, and keep all cleaners out of reach of children and pets.

More on .

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Dust bunnies and pet hair, beware! Vacuuming will cease to suck when you buy one of these high-tech machines. We’ve got the dirt on finding the perfect one.

What’s My Budget?
Vacuums cost anywhere from $50 to $1,500. Why the huge price gap? Most vacuum motors have about the same amp power (8 to 12 amps), so the extra dough goes into the details -- from filtration quality (the best filters trap the smallest particles and dust) to how tightly sealed the body is around the motor, which determines the amount of suction.

Pricier vacs are made with more durable materials and are covered by a longer warranty (up to 15 years). Cheaper models may only last a few years, but it makes sense to go low-end if you’ll be moving around and don’t know what type of floors or vacuum you’ll need later on.

What Type of Flooring Do I Have?
Most vacuums have the settings or attachments to clean any floor, but if there’s a majority of one type of surface in your house, consider this:

Mostly carpet: Uprights work better for cleaning carpet because they have a built-in gizmo called a “beater bar” on the revolving brush. It vibrates deep-down dirt loose from carpet fibers.

Mostly hard floors: A canister is often recommended for bare floors because it’s easier to pull around the house and hard surfaces get better suction from the hose and nozzle setup.

Do I Have Stairs or High, Hard-to-Reach Zones?
The hose and wand on a canister give it better reach and agility for attacking nooks and stairs. But when the slinky accessory hose on an upright is stretched out for cleaning, the appliance gets tipsy.

Do I Have Allergies?
The air that circulates inside a vacuum blows micro-sized dust all over the place (read: sneeze city). Vacuums with high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters catch at least 99.97 percent of all particles. Look for “Certified,” “True” or “Absolute” HEPA. Some vacuums claim “HEPA-type” or “HEPA-like” filtration, but it’s not the same.

Do I Have Pets?
Look for vacuums equipped with attachments and brushes designed for grabbing pet hair. Or invest in extras: The Bissell Pet Pack vacuum tool kit ($37, BestBuy.com) is compatible with major vacuum brands.

Can I Test-Drive It?
If you’d rather test before you buy, go to Sears or Bed, Bath & Beyond for a test-drive (Target and Wal-Mart don’t offer this). See how comfy a vacuum feels when you push or pull it, and check out how much direct suction it has on carpet or hard floors. Stretch the hose—it should reach at least 10 feet without tipping or lifting the vacuum.

What’s the Warranty?
Expensive vacuums should have at least a five-year warranty on the motor and a one-year warranty on other parts. A one-year motor and 90-day parts warranty is standard for cheaper vacuums. Ask about warranties and never settle for less.

Nestperts: Mark Davis of Best Vacuum; Pete Duncanson of ServiceMaster Clean

Click here for more vacuum-buying tips

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