For example, parents simply buy their kid a car or computer rather than expecting that the kid work after school to save money for a car or computer.

FORBES: Stagnation and Recession

How much would you save by trading for a car that gets 50 mpg?

WSJ: Why Your Mileage May Not Measure Up

There has been an upward trend for car thieves to save themselves the bother of "hotwiring" a car by stealing the keys from the owner.

BBC: Gadget 'halts thieves in tracks'

You want to save the earth, but you're not ready for a hybrid car.

FORBES: Magazine Article

For each hundred pounds trimmed off a car, drivers could save about 1% to 2% on fuel economy, which could add up to billions of dollars nationally, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

FORBES: Move up http://i.forbesimg.com t Move down

It may make economic sense to pay more for a new car, furnace or solar panel that will save money and energy in the long run, but it is hard--for both individuals and companies--to sacrifice current profit for future gain.

CNN: Hot Air In Kyoto

HLDI, an affiliate of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, is a big fan of hybrid technology to save gas, rather than buying a smaller car.

FORBES: Hefty Batteries Make Hybrids Safer, Study Finds