People are paying $7,500 for Geo Metros

Maybe not that one, but the Geo Metro is making a huge comeback. So huge that people are paying up to seven times the Kelly Blue Book Value on eBay. Why? Because it gets 58 mpg when outfitted with a 3-cylinder engine and a 5-speed manual. Bonus for the truly ecologically minded – buying used means the car has zero “carbon debt.” The Prius doesn’t burn off its carbon debt until it hits 50,000 miles or so.  

Has the world gone nuts for the Geo Metro? [Automobile magazine blog]

The whole carbon debt thing is explained eloquently by Wired:

Because there are about 113,000 BTUs of energy in a gallon of gasoline, the Prius has consumed the equivalent of 1,000 gallons of gasoline before it reaches the showroom. Think of it as a carbon debt — one you won’t pay off until the Prius has turned over 46,000 miles or so.

Got $25? Help someone start a business

Kiva.org was recently featured in a CNN much better news source article for the interesting way it promotes microfinancing – connecting people with (relatively) discretionary cash and entrepreneurs from developing countries in need of cash advances to start businesses within their communities.

No interest is earned on the investment through Kiva (thankfully), but status updates on the business and a repayment plan is posted to the site for the investor to review. And the rate of repayment is high:

Contrary to expectations, repayment rates for microfinancing are high: Kiva’s repayment rate is about 97.2 percent, according to Shah, and Turner says the historic repayment rate on microfinance loans in general has averaged 97 percent.

So if you are looking to help someone make a positive impact on their society but don’t feel like your $20 donation to a major charity is going anywhere, seriously consider microfinancing through Kiva. You’ll form a personal connection with someone, and will be helping them to realize entrepreneurial dreams.