Car shoppers, be aware: Cash for Clunkers may soon be out of cash.

RODALE NEWS, EMMAUS, PA—The U.S. government’s extremely popular “Cash for Clunkers” program, in which people can trade in a gas guzzler and get up to $4,500 off a new, more fuel-efficient vehicle, is out of money just a week after going into effect. However, the White House announced Friday that cars sold through this weekend will still qualify. The House of Representatives has okayed $2 billion from the American Recovery Act pot to keep the program running longer, according to an aide for House Majority Leader Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD). The Senate is expected to vote on the matter next week.

On Friday morning (prior to the House vote), Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) said, “We have been told by the White House that people can keep buying cars under the program until further notice. We don’t know how long it will last, so people should go to their car dealers now if they want to take advantage of the program. We’re also going to seek additional funding to hopefully make the program last longer.”

THE DETAILS: The program, officially titled the “Car Allowance Rebate System,” or CARS, was created to get approximately 250,000 gas-guzzling, polluting vehicles off the road and to stimulate the economy at the same time. To be eligible for a trade-in rebate, cars and light trucks must be at least a 1984 model or newer and get 18 miles per gallon or less. Owners must show proof that they owned and insured the drivable vehicle at least for the previous year. For a $3,500 rebate, people must buy or lease a new vehicle that is at least 4 miles per gallon more efficient; 10 miles per gallon better earns a $4,500 discount.

Check back with Rodale.com for more information on the program, and other money-saving options you can try even if the program is discontinued.