Rising Fuel Costs

(Feature Impact) If you’re feeling pain at the pump, you’re not alone. However, it’s not just rising gas prices that can impact your wallet – it might be your own habits on the road that negatively impact fuel efficiency and add extra strain to your vehicle.

With gas prices fluctuating by more than $1 per gallon nationally in recent years, Mercury Insurance is highlighting how driver behavior can significantly influence fuel costs.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, aggressive driving – rapid acceleration and hard braking – can reduce fuel economy by up to 40% in city driving and 30% on highways, increasing annual fuel expenses by hundreds of dollars.

For the average American driver, that inefficiency adds up quickly. AAA estimates that annual fuel costs can exceed $2,000 depending on vehicle type and region. A 30-40% reduction in fuel economy can translate into hundreds of dollars in additional fuel expenses each year – before factoring in the added wear on key vehicle components.

“Most drivers think of aggressive driving as a safety issue, but it’s also a cost issue,” said John Dicken, director, material damage claims at Mercury Insurance. “From a claims standpoint, we see how habits like hard braking and rapid acceleration accelerate wear on brakes, tires and suspension components. Smoother driving isn’t just more efficient – it helps reduce preventable damage over time.”

The Hidden Cost of Driving Aggressively

Fuel is only part of the equation.

• Brake replacement can range from $300-800 per axle, depending on the vehicle.
• A new set of tires can cost $600-1,200 or more.
• Poorly maintained or underinflated tires can lower gas mileage by roughly 0.2% for every 1 PSI drop in pressure, according to federal transportation data.

Over time, inconsistent maintenance and aggressive driving habits compound these costs.

“Driving behavior directly impacts how often certain parts need to be replaced,” Dicken said. “When drivers anticipate traffic, maintain steady speeds and keep up with routine maintenance, they reduce strain on their vehicle and potentially avoid unnecessary repair expenses.”

Practical Eco-Driving Tips That Make a Measurable Difference

Consider these strategies recommended by Mercury Insurance to improve efficiency and reduce vehicle wear:

Accelerate gradually: Avoid rapid starts and jackrabbit acceleration, which significantly reduce fuel economy.

Brake smoothly and anticipate stops: Looking ahead and easing into stops reduces stress on brake systems.

Maintain consistent speeds: Using cruise control on highways can help improve fuel efficiency.

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Keep tires properly inflated: Check tire pressure monthly and before long trips. If you’re unsure what your vehicle’s tires should be inflated to, locate the sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb for the proper PSI inflation or refer to the owner’s manual.

Remove excess weight: Extra cargo and unused roof racks reduce efficiency and increase drag.

Efficiency, Safety and Sustainability

The Environmental Protection Agency reports that transportation accounts for roughly 28% of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. While vehicle technology continues to improve, individual driving behavior remains one of the most immediate ways drivers can reduce both fuel consumption and environmental impact.

“Small, consistent changes in how we drive can produce meaningful savings over time,” Dicken said. “It’s one of the simplest ways drivers can protect both their budget and their investment.”

For more information about efficient driving and other cost saving measures, visit MercuryInsurance.com/Resources.

Photos courtesy of Shutterstock

SOURCE:

Mercury Insurance

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Refresh Your Home: A Room-by-Room Spring Cleaning Checklist

(Feature Impact) After months of winter, spring cleaning isn’t just about dusting and vacuuming – it’s about inviting sunlight and fresh air into your space through the open windows and giving yourself a fresh start for the longer days ahead.

It’s also a perfect opportunity to clear out the old and make room for new experiences, memories and energy. Whether you’re tackling deep cleaning for the first time or you have seasonal rituals for tidying up your home, this room-by-room guide can help you plan and conquer seasonal chores.

Whole Home:

• Declutter spaces: Donate, recycle or discard what you don’t need
• Wash windows inside and out
• Dust baseboards, walls, vents and ceiling fans
• Wipe down doors, knobs and light switches
• Vacuum and clean under and behind furniture
• Clean curtains and blinds
• Store seasonal items like winter clothing and decor
• Replace air filters
• Shampoo carpet

Kitchen:

• Empty and wipe down refrigerator and freezer
• Clean oven, stovetop and microwave
• Scrub countertops and backsplashes
• Clean out the garbage disposal
• Sweep and mop floors
• Organize the pantry and throw away any expired items

Bathrooms:

• Scrub grout and tile
• Clean mirrors and glass surfaces
• Deep clean toilets
• Wipe down cabinets and bathroom fixtures
• Wash rugs, floor mats and the shower curtain and liner
• Empty trash and clean the bin

Bedrooms and Other Living Areas:

• Wash bedding, pillows and linens
• Organize closets and drawers
• Vacuum chair, couches and mattresses as well as under cushions
• Dust shelves and decor
• Clean light fixtures and lampshades

Outdoor Areas:

• Power wash patios, sidewalks and driveways
• Wipe down outdoor furniture and replace textiles like pillows, cushions and umbrellas
• Clear debris from garden beds
• Prune shrubs, plants and trees
• Organize garages and sheds
• Reconnect hoses and sprinklers
• Prep lawn equipment such as mowers, weed eaters and blowers

For more spring cleaning tips and tricks, visit eLivingtoday.com.

Photo courtesy of Shutterstock

SOURCE:

eLivingtoday.com

Welcome to the Consumer Corner section of STM Daily News, your ultimate destination for savvy shopping and informed decision-making! Dive into a treasure trove of insights and reviews covering everything from the hottest toys that spark joy in your little ones to the latest electronic gadgets that simplify your life. Explore our comprehensive guides on stylish home furnishings, discover smart tips for buying a home or enhancing your living space with creative improvement ideas, and get the lowdown on the best cars through our detailed auto reviews. Whether you’re making a major purchase or simply seeking inspiration, the Consumer Corner is here to empower you every step of the way—unlock the keys to becoming a smarter consumer today!

https://stmdailynews.com/category/consumer-corner

Unilever and Google Cloud have announced a five-year partnership aimed at accelerating the consumer goods giant’s digital transformation through AI, cloud infrastructure, and data modernization.

The deal centers on helping Unilever strengthen brand discovery, marketing measurement, and AI-driven customer engagement across its global portfolio, which includes Dove, Vaseline, and Hellmann’s. A major focus is the rise of conversational and agentic commerce, where consumers increasingly discover and shop for products through AI-powered interactions rather than traditional search and browsing.

As part of the agreement, Unilever will migrate its integrated data and cloud platform to Google Cloud, creating what the companies describe as an AI-first digital backbone. That system is intended to help Unilever move faster on demand generation, turn data into actionable insights, and respond more quickly to shifts in the market.

The partnership is built around three pillars:

• Agentic commerce and marketing intelligence
• An integrated data and cloud foundation
• Advanced AI adoption across the business

Unilever leadership framed the move as part of a broader shift in which technology is becoming central to value creation in the fast-moving consumer goods sector. Google Cloud said the collaboration will use advanced AI models, including Gemini, to help modernize business processes and improve agility.

Unilever said it generated €50.5 billion in sales in 2025, operates in more than 190 countries, and reaches 3.7 billion people every day.

What to watch for

• How “agentic commerce” changes consumer brand discovery
• Whether other major CPG companies follow with similar AI-cloud partnerships
• How AI-backed marketing measurement impacts ad efficiency and conversion

Source: PR Newswire / Google Cloud

Welcome to the Consumer Corner section of STM Daily News, your ultimate destination for savvy shopping and informed decision-making! Dive into a treasure trove of insights and reviews covering everything from the hottest toys that spark joy in your little ones to the latest electronic gadgets that simplify your life. Explore our comprehensive guides on stylish home furnishings, discover smart tips for buying a home or enhancing your living space with creative improvement ideas, and get the lowdown on the best cars through our detailed auto reviews. Whether you’re making a major purchase or simply seeking inspiration, the Consumer Corner is here to empower you every step of the way—unlock the keys to becoming a smarter consumer today!

https://stmdailynews.com/category/consumer-corner