Thursday, July 26, 2018

12 Ways to Save $250 a Month in Your Budget With No Change of Lifestyle

One sage said: “It is easier to save money than it is to make more.” That may or may not be the case for you, but if you follow the steps below, I can pretty much guarantee you that you will save at least $250 a month and maybe $500 or more. How many more hours would you have to work each month to make that much?  Keep in mind that the changes below will not change your lifestyle.

So what will you do with the savings. Have you ever considered really moving up to a $2000 Trek road or mountain bike. There's a serious difference between riding a pro bike and the entry-level bikes under $1000. Faster, more comfortable, better performance at every level. So see how much you can save. Let us know in the comments how this worked for you.
  1. Get rid of recurring charges you don’t need anymore – Go through every bank statement and every credit card statement. Look for recurring charges that you have forgotten about from online resources, magazine drives, newspaper subscriptions, and more. We’ll assume you find one of these at $10 a month. You might find way more.
  2. Call your cable TV provider. Tell them you are considering going off grid or switching to satellite. If you have satellite, call the provider and tell them you are thinking of switching to cable. Watch the dance begin. You are very likely to end up with at least $20 or more in savings. Now call the competition with your new rate and see what they will do. You are likely to end up with the same or better rate and some kind of promotional money or free stuff for switching.
  3. Go off the grid on cable. Between Apple TV, Hulu, NetFlicks, RedBox, Amazon Prime, and other TV offers, it is hard to justify any upgrades to basic service on cable or satellite. The savings for getting off of cable could easily be $50 or more.
  4. On to your cell phone, internet, and land line providers. This gets a bit more complicated, but the cost of all of this is dropping fast. By changing providers, bundling, unbundling, and just shopping, you are very likely to end up saving another $30 a month and improving MBPS. Recently I tried to end my land line service, but the bundle cost less with it that without. 
  5. Saving on your utilities. The water company (at least in California) will be happy to help you cut down your water use. Check with your supplier to find out how to get free or reduced costs products to reduce use in bathrooms and irrigation. Then check to see what the recommended water needs are for your yard. The electric company will help you with lighting and other ways to save on electricity. LED lights are fantastic and save a huge amount of money. Switch appliances to natural gas to save even more. Saving $25 or more per month for these changes should be a cinch.
  6. Budget. Keep a penny by penny ledger of all expenses for three months. There are many online tools that can help with this process. Once you see where the money is going, you will almost certainly be able to find ways to cut that won't hurt even a little bit. We’ll put this down as $25.
  7. Shop your car insurance. We have 4 drivers on the policy, so your results may vary. Don’t forget to check Costco or AAA. It is not unusual to save $100 or more. You should also review your other insurance policies annually to make sure you have the coverage you need, and to see about savings on rates. Life insurance is another very likely savings point.
  8. Speaking of Costco. The savings by purchasing your groceries and other items at Costco are real and significant. Costco marks up all items by 15%. What they buy for $10.00, you pay only $11.50.  Most discount department stores mark up 50% to $100.  So you would pay $15.00 - $20.00. I know you have to buy huge quantities. Find nooks all over the house for storing commodities. Buy and extra freezer. A one-time small cost for huge savings. Multiple online sources report Costco as cheaper than Walmart, Sam’s, and Amazon Prime. Imagine the savings compared to your local chain market. Potential savings of at least $25 per month per person.
  9. Amazon Prime. When it isn't a Costco item, why not buy on Amazon Prime?!? Pricey toothpaste, supplements, household items and more are almost always cheaper on Amazon than at Target or CVS. And there is no freight and no auto expense. When you need more, you have a record of what you bought. Savings of another $10 per person per month.
  10. Get rid of any high interest credit card. Use the savings from these other suggestions to first pay off all credit cards with interest rates higher than your mortgage interest rate. The only good use for a credit card is to build credit. Pay them off every month. Or get an interest free credit card and transfer all balances into the interest free card. If you owe $10,000 on credit cards that charge interest and you put this on an 18 month no interest card, you’ll pay 3% for the transfer ($300) and save at least $1800 if you pay the card off in the 18 months for a savings of $100 a month. Most families will save at least $25 per month. If you owe more than that, try a credit union for a low interest loan. If you owe a lot more, consider a HELOC.
  11. Take your lunch to work. Eating out a lunch is expensive and usually not great for your waistline. A normal lunch your make at home will cost under $2.50. Savings of $100 a month and maybe 10,000 calories.
  12. We promised not to suggest changes to lifestyle, but if you want to add another huge amount of savings, get rid of one expensive, useless or worse, habit. Smoking, buying booze in bars, daily Starbucks, fast food, gambling (including lotto.)  This could be the biggest savings of all. An expense of just $10 per day is $300 a month.

Monday, December 11, 2017

19 Fantastic Reasons You Should Own an Electric Bike


Populo Sport V3 - The only bike shop quality electric bike under $1000

Bumstead's Bicycles is the place to shop for electric bikes in Ontario

James is 85 years young. He was worried about getting stranded while riding his bike without the energy to get home. His solution? An ebike.

Susan didn’t have the money for a car right now, and the commute to work was only 6 miles. But six miles on a bicycle would leave her…well…perspire-y. She chose an ebike.

James and Susan don’t even realize it, but they are the tip of the spear on a huge trend in transportation, and the fastest growing sector of the bicycle business. As electric motors and batteries for bicycles have gotten smaller, lighter, sleeker, and less expensive, they have entered the mainstream of consumer awareness.

Today, it is possible to buy an electric bike for under $1000 that will take you 25 -35 miles on a single charge, take you through the streets or along a trail at up to 20 mph, and give you options as to how much power you provide versus how much the motor adds. Options on the bike might include multiple gears during pedaling and another set of gears for the motor; folding for storage; charging stations for your phone or other electronic devices; and a full range of bicycle styles from racing to specialty bikes like adult trikes, utility bikes, and even mountain bikes.

A strong argument could be made that everyone needs an ebike as part of their transportation options. Following is a list of the benefits that might apply to each member of any family.

1.    Just plain fun. You’ll need to get on, turn on, and ride an ebike to get the point. Just like a Tesla in the automobile world, ebikes have some serious pep that you don’t usually associate with cycling. Possibly the least fun part of cycling is that initial push off the line, where you are trying to get your feet in the right place, create enough power to overcome inertia, and start shifting through a dozen or more gears while you get up to speed. All that is gone with an ebike.

Most ebikes have an optional throttle that allows you to be 100% motor driven. When you take off under full throttle, you won’t experience any of those painful aspects. But you might get a thrill up your leg from the quick acceleration. As with so much in life, the larger the battery and larger the motor, the more thrill you’ll get.

Of course, going up hills, into the wind, or carrying a load is much easier with a power assist. Thus, unless you are an athlete or are looking for some burn in your outing, an electric bike is just going to be an overall more pleasant way to commute, run errands, or go out for a ride with friends.

2.    We are quickly moving away from the “car culture.” Autonomous cars are just a few years away, Uber is a cheaper way to get to the clubs, and cities are buiding up instead of out, making transit systems more efficient.

If you are employed within 12 miles of your home, you may find commuting by electric bike to be an amazing benefit compared to owning a car for that purpose. The
cost per mile is a fraction of that for a car. Even at 30 miles per gallon, most of us are paying $1.20 for that 12 mile trip – just for the gas. That doesn’t count wear and tear, depreciation, and insurance. Now you might be talking $3.60 for even the most efficient automobile.

The electric bike might set you back 10¢ for the charge, and the cost of depreciation and an occasional new $20 tire isn’t worth talking about. Amazingly, for many inner city trips, you’ll also get there in about the same time. Cars only average about 16 mph in many cities. With an ebike, you can scoot right past traffic jams.

Most ebikes will go 25-35 miles on a charge, so even if your commute is 20 miles or so, just charge it at work, and it’s ready for the ride home.

3.    Intermodal commuting creates what is known as the last mile problem. You use a train or bus for part of the commute, but then you need to get from the train to your home or office. How do you go the last mile – or is it three miles for you?

Ebikes are a fantastic solution, especially folding electric bikes. The folding variety are commonly allowed in the regular passenger section even during rush hour, or you might be able to stow the bike in a locker. Then, when you get to work or to your home, you can fold it up and take it inside with you, out of the elements, away from
the thieves, and with no need to figure out a parking solution.

You may also find yourself getting on and off the transit lines differently than if you were walking. No need to take a bus to get a bus or train. Go straight to the smartest stop on the line and save a bunch of time.

4.    Check it out, students. Forget about those dangerous skate boards and scooters. Everyone hates you on those, pedestrians and drivers. With an electric bike, you can move along the roads with the cars, except for the last 100 feet or so.

With standard electric bikes, you’ll still be faced with finding parking and using expensive locks to secure your steed. Try a folding bike for the campus, too. Now you take the folded bike from your dorm room and into the classroom. After classes, you take your folded bike into your job or into the coffee shop. Also, as noted, you have the option of carrying it on transit lines. Finally, you can fold it up and take it home on the plane.

5.    Faster than a cars or bicycles. Notice, we didn’t say faster than motorcycles. And we aren’t saying that electric bikes will outperform a car on a freeway. They aren’t even allowed there. However, electric bikes get to go anywhere cars can go, and they get to go lots of places cars can’t go.

Try any errand. You want to go to the mall. Even if the car beats the ebike to the mall, the bike will almost always be easier to park, and it will be parked right at the store, not three stories up in the air in some parking structure and two blocks away.

I suppose it goes without saying that ebikes are faster than bicycles without electric assist. So, except for jocks that are riding their super-spec bikes full out for glory, the ebike is going to win every time. You will accelerate faster, and then it is easy to maintain 20 mph on most ebikes. The average rider will only ride his traditional bike about 10 mph on flat ground.

6.    Healthy lifestyle…seriously? It is possible to buy an ebike and never pedal again. So other than feeling the sun and wind on your face, not that much more healthy than a car. But you do have the option to pedal with no motor at all, or with the motor only assisting you on hills and when going against the wind. Or maybe you want the motor
full operating when your just out of energy for this trip. Last time I checked, you don’t have these options in an automobile.

7.    Overcoming health issues. Whether you just had joint replacement, are coming back from surgery, have a permanent disability, have a few more pounds than you should, suffer from asthma, or are just plain getting old, an ebike can get you out into nature instead of a stuffy car for many of your trips around town.

8.    Sometimes you have a reason to take a long bike ride. Unfortunately, your knees or back, or hands, or stamina in general just aren’t going to hold up for that long ride. With an electric assist, you are now able to go 25 -35 miles under full power or with you providing what power you can, and the motor doing the rest. Now you can go with your friends on that longer ride, or take the job that’s a bit further from home.

9.    Under 16 may be able to drive. In most places in the world, and any place in the USA, an electric bike that has working pedals, and is limited to 20 mph under power, is a bicycle, not a motor vehicle. And in many of those places there is no age limit at all on operation. However, some states or countries do restrict use to riders over 16. Please see your state laws for clarification.

10. No license required. There are only a few states and countries that require any kind of license to drive a pedal-assisted electric bike. Even then, these are generally moped type licenses. Similarly, there is almost never a registration fee or a need to register the vehicle. And there is almost never an insurance requirement, though if you have significant assets, it may be wise to make sure your policy covers you in the case that you cause bodily injury to another.

11.  Can we all agree – less carbon burning is better for everyone. Bicycles are considered by many to be the most efficient and most planet friendly transportation available. Adding a little electric motor doesn’t change the environmental footprint by much at all, but it does add to efficiency and to usefulness as seen in the other 28 benefits outlined on this page.

On the other hand, compared to cars, trucks, trains, planes, and even horses, the electric bike is a potential huge benefit to reducing the use of carbon fuels. If you have solar power at home, you are getting pretty close to a -0- footprint.

12. How much money will you save. New electric bike $1000. Probably $100 - $150 a year for routine maintenance, new tires, tubes, etc. 10¢ to 20¢ per day for fuel. No license, no registration, no insurance, no parking fees, no car washes. Recent statistics suggest a car costs $750 per month to operate. Electric bike, maybe $25.

13. Safety. Are ebikes safer than cars, motorcyles, bicycles without power? You can choose an opinion and find those who will back you up. Let’s deal with the obvious ones.

You are going faster than a bike and slower than motorcycles and cars. Thus, in general you have a lower impact on accident. But you are unprotected on any bike, so the car has a few advantages in the protecting the rider department.

Less obvious would be that the power might give you options to avoid tough spots that you wouldn’t have with human power only. Some say that electric bike  riders are more likely to stop at stop lights and signs, since they don’t have the inconvenience of starting up again (as noted above). Otherwise, I’ll let you decide.

14. Senior citizens should line up. Whether you opt out for a standard bike, or choose to consider a smaller framed and wheeled travel bike, or even go to a three wheel adult trike, using an electric bike for local errands is just too obvious.

If you use an adult trike or one of the utility bikes now on the market, you can haul a huge amount of groceries, potted plants, tools, or other hobbiest items along with you. You won’t be limited by hills. Go anywhere in town you like with a full load of goodies.

15. No sweat. No need for lycra. Talk about a faustian choice. Arrive sweaty or wear a lycra outfit. I’ll take neither, thank you. With an ebike, I arrive fresh and ready to do business.

16. Join an ecycling group. It doesn’t matter whether you ride with a competitive cycling group or a no one left behind group, there’s competition. Right? Well, if all bikes are
created equal, and personal power doesn’t matter, then we can all get along, and no one feels the need to lead or the fear of failure.

17. Go where others fear to tread. Other than Keds, bicycles are the least restricted form of transport. You can take your bike on highways, biways, bike paths, and trails. Ebikes are now made for mountain biking, You can buy a fold up and take it with you on your boat, motor home, private plane, or canoe.

Since it is usually allowed on all other transportation, you can take it along as your best friend on trains, planes, busses, cruises, and you are ready to take off at 20 mph as soon as you arrive at your next stop.

18. Pet peave eliminator. Do you hate to pay for parking? Even worse, how do you feel about $60 parking tickets. Then again both of those might seem better than no place to park at any price. 

19.  There are probably more really good reasons to buy an electric bike, but we will close with this. Never, ever tow a car behind your motor home again. ‘Nuff said.

Monday, October 2, 2017

The Revolve Imp Folding Electric Bike - Bike Review

The Revolve Imp: Convenience Meets More Convenience. Folding Bike With Electric Assist Gets You From Point A to Point B Faster Than Ever Before!

Today we're going to look at an electric bike from a company called Revolve. They've been around for about seven years - a long time in the electric bike business. The bike we are reviewing is called the Imp. What's unique about the Imp over other bikes is that it is an electric folding bicycle. It is designed for people living in apartments, commuting by train, or traveling.

Let's first take a look at the folding aspect. It is really very simple. Just unlock it, pull the lever, and it folds up small. If you need it even smaller, you can fold the pedals and the handlebars in. No tools are required. The pedals fold in really simply and the handlebars just need to be unscrewed and taken apart. Just a couple simple steps and this bike is ready to be stored in the closet at home or work, taken with you in the car, or sit next to you on the train.

 The battery pack is over the back wheel and comes with a typical wall charger for added convenience. It takes about four to five hours for a full charge and you can charge it with the battery disconnected or still mounted to the frame. The charger is relatively small, making it very easy to take the charger with you should you feel that you will need it on longer rides. The battery also powers a built-in headlight for night riding. The control panel up top on the handlebars shows you how far you've gone, how fast you're going, and how much charge you have left.

The motor is installed on the hub, making this a rear drive electric bike. In addition to a throttle on the right handlebar, the control panel also allows for five levels of pedal assist in case you do still want to exercise a little bit. The pedal assist is also great for effectively conquering even the largest hills. Simply put the pedal assist all the way up, pedal away, and be at the top of huge hills in no time without breaking a sweat. This bike tops out at 20 mph, allowing you to get most places in a very convenient amount of time. So instead of taking the car on your next errand, you can take your electric bike and away you go.

Sunday, October 1, 2017

Revolve Easy Rider II Electric Bike Review

High Performance Electric Bike Disguised as High Performance Scooter... For a Fraction of the Cost!

The model we will be looking at today is the Revolve Easy Rider II. At first glance, it looks much more like a moped than a classic bicycle. This bike is actually somewhat of a hybrid between the two, but technically we can refer to it as an electric scooter. What differentiates the Easy Rider from other scooters is the fact that it does still have pedals, making it legally classified as a bicycle. This means that, at least in California, it doesn't need to be registered, you don't need a driver's license, and you don't have to have insurance. This is a huge plus in my opinion when comparing the bike to gas powered scooters.

What I like about this bike is a design that very much reminds me of mopeds and Vespa scooters. You can just get on it, put your feet up on the platform, and hit the throttle. It has very high performing front and rear brakes that will slow you down in a heartbeat. Its advantage over Vespas and other mopeds is that it is electric, so you stay much more ecologically friendly. It also has mirrors, lights, turn signals, and a horn; all the things you would expect when dealing with motorized transportation. There is a display in the middle of the handlebars that has a speedometer, odometer, and charge life, making your ride easy and informative.

The battery is hidden under the seat and is locked to prevent theft. You can unplug and remove the pack to charge or just simply lift the seat and plug it in to the wall. Just plug it in when you get home, and the next day you can go 25-35 miles on a single charge - which should take about four to five hours. It has a small little luggage rack on the back, as well as a back seat with pegs if you'd like to take a passenger with you.

This bike is great for getting back and forth to school, work, or running errands. You can lock the handlebars from being able to steer, but I would recommend also getting a good u-lock to lock up the rest of the bike. This scooter is only $1399 which is a bargain for what is basically a no hassle, ecologically friendly Vespa.
For basic transportation without added expenses, this is a great vehicle to have in the garage.

Populo Lift Electric Bike Review

After 100 years of selling bikes, we are now in the electric bicycle business. We feel their time has come. So I want to take a minute and show you the Lift from a company called Populo.

This bike has an all aluminum frame with what is called a "step-through frame" design, making it much easier to get on the bike. A lot of people at first think that this kind of frame means that it's a girls bike, but this is not the case anymore. These days, with all the different bikes out there, the step-through design has become unisex. And that's good news, because step through bikes are very convenient and comfortable. No longer will you have to swing your leg over the frame every time you want to get on the bike, and no longer will you be left incredibly uncomfortable every time you stop at a traffic light.

The motor on this style of electric bike is on the rear hub. The advantage here is that it's hidden in the wheel, and it is a very simple and reliable design. The battery pack on this bike is stored in a rack compartment over the back wheel. It can be charged inside the rack or be removed if you happen to live in an apartment or condo complex or just want to leave your bike in the garage and take the battery inside. The battery rack is aluminum, making it very durable, and it also comes with a bungee cord. This makes it really convenient for running small errands like a quick trip to the grocery store or carrying things like extra gear or clothes. One of the features I like about this bike over some of the other electrics is that it's just a good all around bicycle. It has a Shimano derailleur with seven gears. It's a lightweight frame that you could ride without the electric assist and it would be a perfectly good bicycle. It also has front and rear disc brakes from Tektro - a reputable brand name for disc brakes. As far as safety and night riding, it has reflective side walls on the wheels and a set of built in lights that are powered by the electric battery.

Now let's take a look at the electric components. As we know it is powered by a battery in the rear and a motor on the rear wheel. On the handlebars is a control panel. This control panel gives you tons of information like how far you've gone, how fast you're going, remaining charge on the battery and pedal assist. As you're pedaling, the motor will kick in and assist you depending on how much effort you want to put out or how much assist you need. The pedal assist has eight levels for a full range of usefulness. Going down a flat road you may only need the pedal assist at two or three to be going a comfortable 15 miles an hour, while cranking it up to eight going up a big hill will get you there in no time. There might be an instance where you just want to get to the store and back or it's hot out and you don't care about pedaling. For that, this bike does have a throttle on the left hand grip. Without pedaling, this bike's max speed is 20 mph, allowing you to get where you need to go quickly and efficiently.

It's a very high quality bike with good components and electronics. For a bike for the average person who wants to exercise with a little help or just wants to run to the store or work, grab your electric bike and go!

Saturday, September 2, 2017

Populo Sport Electric Bike REVIEW

Today we are showcasing the 2017 Populo Sport Electric Bicycle. Electric bikes are the new trend, maximizing efficiency in alternate modes of transportation. Populo is sitting at the forefront of this revolution.

Many electric bikes have not been able to fully master a great looking frame. With the Populo Sport, you won’t know you’re on an electric bike until you feel its full effects in your ride.


The Populo Sport is equipped with a Panasonic Lithium-ion 36V batttery. This battery allows for a range of at least 30 miles, giving you the ability to use the electric assist from day to day commuting all the way to a long ride.

Electric Assist

Although this is technically a single speed bike, the electric assist offers 8 assisted levels. As a result, the ride feels like a 24 speed road bike, allowing you to conquer the most intense climbs with ease. The max assisted speed is 20 MPH. You will be able to get from A to B on your bike faster than ever before.


Four frame sizes allow for a fine tune fit for various types of people. A Double Butted 6061 Smooth Welds frame gives an incredibly clean look so you not only ride fast, but in style. Additionally, the frame can clear up to 38c tires if you want to opt for a smoother, cleaner ride. The frame also has a braze-on if you’d like to add a rear rack, turning this bike into the perfect commuter. The fork also has a dropout to add a fender for when the rain and mud hits.

The bike comes in at 36 pounds for the medium size. Although you might think this is quite heavy at first glance, when you consider the added weight of both a battery and motor, it is relatively lightweight. This will allow you to zip around town, especially when you kick in the electric assist.


The Populo Sport is going for $995, making it a rarity in a market of electric bikes that are almost exclusively over $1000. When you weigh in all of the accommodations of electric assist plus the smooth ride, this price is an absolute steal.

If you’d like to test ride or purchase the Populo Sport or any of our other electric bikes we now have on the floor, come in today and we’ll get you setup!

Tuesday, May 2, 2017

*VIDEO* The Populo Electric Bike is Absolutely Incredible.

Come In To Bumsteads Bicycles To Take A Test Ride!

If you find you are getting to school or work a little too sweaty and winded - this bike is just for you.

You can average 18 miles an hour with this electrically assisted bike. At $975, this 24 speed bike takes some of the load for you so that you can get to work or school - even if it's quite a distance away - quickly and without being gross or sweaty when you get there!

Because the Sport is designed as a single-speed similar to Populo’s popular Fixie Bike, the torque transfer is instantaneous and provides a smooth and seemless combination of human power and electric assistance in addition to eliminating the need for multi-speed gearing.

The simplicity of an electric bike that uses all standard single-speed parts makes the Populo Sport easy to maintain, repair and even upgrade.

Forgot to charge your phone or light? Well, no problem; both the Smart LED screen and the 36 volt Panasonic battery come equipped with USB charging ports to plug and play!

Come in to Bumsteads Bicycles today to test ride the Populo or any of our other great bikes from Aventon, Trek, Electra and MORE!

Check out this slideshow of pictures from
