What's everyone's background?

[Burnt]

I'm in graduate school studying to become a nurse anesthetist

I'm terrible at mechanics/car repair I don't even know how to change my own car oil.

I'm hoping that will change....once I'm done with grad school (1 year left!) I'm going to start taking mechanics classes at the local community college, for fun. I'm sick of feeling ripped off at the auto repair shop.

new to hypermiling and this site

[SentraSE-R]

I feel your pain. I taught myself auto mechanics after going in for a $24.95 tune-up, and coming out with a $60 bill, when I was a college student.

[gasstingy]

I am retired US Air Force. Started my working life at 13, repairing lawn mowers and bicycles. Couple of dead-end jobs briefly. USAF, enlisted swine, fighter aircraft mechanic :-). Went back to school, degree in Accounting, passed CPA exam, find I don't much like accounting, but enjoy bookkeeping. Been working for a Petroleum Distributor for a bit more than 8 years now. Teaching myself about energy efficiency improvements and trying to implement them. (Insulation, solar panels, homemade solar air heater, etc) Trying to build a garage so I can convert a small car to electric drive and wean myself off gas.

[atfab]

I have worked in industrial automation as Tech or Engineer in the semiconductor and electronics assembly fields. Currently involved in a communications security position.

I'm an avid DIY'er and a Championship Dumpster Diver, with two years of electronics technology college, but no degree. I do all the preventive work on my cars and most of the other repairs as needed other than major overhauls.

[koihoshi]

Too much, not enough.

[mcrews]

I graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington after attending Texas A & M for 4 1/2 yrs.
My degree is in Business Management.
For the last 10 yrs I have created a niche in the financial services industry.
I do Financial Planning for Seniors in CARE.
I created Strategic C.A.R.E. Planning (T)

My first car was a 66 mustang in 1975. 200ci straight 6, 2.89 rear end ratio, automatic transmission.
I installed a trip computer in 1979 to track mpg!!!

[gabe502000]

I've been riding everything you can think of on two wheels since 1970. Got involved with Army Aviation (As a U-21, UH-1,+ Oh-58 Crewchief) in the mid 70s, and got My FAA A&P License after I got out of the Army in'77.Bought my first Moped, a Peugeot 103SP in '81 to get around the college town where I was maintaining a University's flight dept's Aircraft.) and immediately fell in love with "Small Bore" transportation! I finally sold it in '06 and bought a new '07 Yamaha C3 Scooter in the spring of '08.... With mods, including an aftermarlet variator and sliding weights, an exhaust system, taller rear tire, windshield, and fine tuning the airbox, and air filter, I've gotten 117mpg and 44mph from 49cc. "Flying Low and Slow!" Gabe

[gman]

Right now i am a high school student.
One day i think i would like to be a automotive tech, welder or cabinet maker. Still not really sure what i want to do.

[Intrigued]

Welcome to all of you! Good to see new names.

Hey, gman! How about working toward a job at a limousine conversion place? Then you could weld cabinets into autos!

...seriously, my youngest brother has a friend that flies all over the world doing repairs on limos for one of the larger limo conversion places. He worries a lot less about finances than I do!!!

[Christ]

Originally Posted by gman

Right now i am a high school student.
One day i think i would like to be a automotive tech, welder or cabinet maker. Still not really sure what i want to do.

Excellent job for you, with that list of interests: Camper conversion specialist.

You get new or used vans and trucks, do the mechanical and wiring work necessary, weld up a frame as necessary, and then add on the sheet metal or fiberglass panels and build the cabinets and furniture.

With your list of interests, you'd have a great chance at making it!