Fender Bender: How to Save Cash on Your Next Auto Body Repair

Fender benders are a bummer. Even minor damage such as chips off the paint or a dent in the door could lead to rust. You might not realize there is more significant damage until the mechanic looks. These tips will help you save cash on your next auto body repair.

Research Typical Repair Prices

Consider using one of the many apps that will price out the cost of common auto body repairs in your area. These free or low-cost apps could save you hundreds of dollars on a single repair service by giving you an idea of what fair pricing is. 

If you know what the problem is with your car, you could also call around and ask if any local shops can beat a certain price point. For example, if the app showed that Joe's Repair Shop charges $300 to replace a dinged bumper, ask another reputable place if they can beat that by 5 or 10 percent if you pay cash. 

You could also check with your insurance company about what the going rate is for certain types of car repairs. 

Use a Trustworthy Mechanic

If you already have a mechanic who has worked on your car and you trust that person, you may wish to maintain that strong relationship. 

If you do not already have a mechanic or that shop does not do auto body repairs, ask around and get recommendations. Your coworkers, friends, and family might be able to recommend one shop or persuade you not to use a place that overcharged them or did not do the job correctly. 

Also look to consumer review websites. The public review sites should be taken with a grain of salt, but membership sites such as Angie's List or verified sites such as the Better Business Bureau may give you an accurate idea of what type of customer service you can expect from each repair shop in your area.

Know Which Repairs Are Necessary

If you just have a minor dent in your bumper, you might consider holding off on the repair until you also need some other services, such as brake replacement. 

Make sure you know which repairs are necessary, such as replacing a broken headlight, brake light or tail light. The police could pull you over for those types of auto body problems. 

If a repair shop has to take a lot of parts off of your car and another issue is discovered, consider an auto body repair shop in Utah County. If you put off the second repair, you could pay another labor fee when it gets fixed. Getting it all done at once means only paying for the labor once.

Look for Discounts and Coupons

Look at the city deals websites for your area and see if there are any new customer or other discounts available for your auto body repair. 

If you are a member of AAA, a U.S. veteran, a senior citizen or a member of another group, discounts might be available. Your insurance company might offer discounts at certain auto body shops, even if you choose to pay cash rather than making an insurance claim. 

Also consider asking for a discount for non-priority service. If you can go without your car for a week or two, you might be able to negotiate a lower labor rate compared to if you need to have your car back within a few days.

Paying for car repairs is not fun, but it is necessary. You can save money without sacrificing your safety or the car's functionality. These simple tips on auto body repair bills could help you to save hundreds of dollars.

Why Writing A Will Is Essential For Business Owners

Most people tend to be lulled into the false sense of security that they don't even have to think about a will yet, because they’re nowhere near the age where they deem its relevant to them. 

As a business owner deciding what would happen to your positions if you passed away isn’t exactly the most pleasant task, but as the responsible owner it is most definitely something that needs to be done as it could cause great complications and unneeded stress to your loved ones. 

A will simply ensures that your assets are shared between the right people, rather than them ending up in the wrong hands or let to battle over – something that you obviously won’t want.

Planning for a Future When You Are Not There

Without a will, all of your possessions end up in the hands of the law, who then decide which assets go to who. 

They don’t just automatically fall into the hands of your loved ones, so it is important to consider this for their sake too. A lot of the time, family members or business partners presume that they will be entitled to so much only to find out that this isn’t the case causing disharmony in the ranks, which isn’t good for the future of the business.

A Will is Good for Business

In some cases where people have passed away, their family home has had to be sold in order to cover their business costs. 

This is a troubling notion for anyone to consider. Once you own a business and have business assets, it makes everything far more complicated. It would be devastating if a business that you spent years building up had to shut down due to your death. 

Furthermore, this could mean that tens or hundreds of your employees would also lose their job which would be a real shame, especially when this could have been avoided with some careful planning. 

Avoid Legal Difficulties

A will also significantly reduces the risk of your business having to shut down due to a legal battle. For example, when the law distributes your assets, they could split your business equally between your next of kin. 

If it was really supposed to go to just one child (because they had actually worked alongside you in the company), then this could result in a heated and lengthy dispute and immense emotional distress for your entire family. 

Furthermore, if it should go to your business partner, you could be faced leaving it behind with a family member that has no experience about your field, ultimately causing problems in a company that you’ve worked so hard to build.

Estate Planning and Inheritance Tax

When you do decide to write up your will, it is important that you consider succession planning, which will increase the advantages of business property relief (BPR). 

This will alleviate inheritance tax for your business, which is a vital area to be precise about in your planning. It ultimately protects your loved ones from being struck with hefty inheritance tax. 

Start Planning Today

The sooner you start planning your will the better to ensure that you and your loves ones are covered, should the unthinkable happen. 

A simple process but one often over looked, there have been thousands of cases where families and businesses are left in jeopardy because people have failed to safeguard for the future. 

Don’t be tempted to leave it until you are growing old or becoming ill, having a will in place will protect your business and your assets in the unfortunate event of sudden death. 

Even if you’re unsure where to start, take the first step by speaking to will solicitors about your options. This will clear up unanswered questions and set you on the right tracks.

4 Factors that Affect Personal Loan Interest Rate

A Personal Loan is one of the quickest forms of credit you can get. It doesn’t need security, and the documentation for it is very minimal. 

Although all of this makes it seem like Personal Loans are easy, there is a catch, the interest rates. Personal Loan interest rate can be pretty high, ranging from 14% and 27%.

The high interest rate is because Personal Loans are unsecured loans. To cover any loss in the event of a possible default, lenders tend to charge heavy interest. 

This risk factor attached to a borrower, is what decides the rate of interest a Personal Loan. Your income, credit score, and relationship with the bank have a role to play in determining the interest rate on Personal Loan. 

Salaried employees and self-employed professionals are eligible for Personal Loan. But the terms of the loan, which include the interest rate, varies. Here are some factors that impact the interest rate at which you can get a Personal Loan.

1. Your Income—How Much You Earn

How much you earn has a direct bearing on the interest you pay on the Personal Loan. If your monthly income is more than Rs.50000, you can get a loan at interest rates varying between 16% and 20%. 

If you earn more than a lakh, you can negotiate with the lender to offer you a loan for 12%. To sum up, the higher your income level, the more you can negotiate your interest rate. 

2. Your Credit Score

The other factor that affects the interest rate is your credit score. The credit score is a reflection of your credit history. This score is compiled by the CIBIL authority. They have a variety of criteria. 

This includes repayment of current and past loans and credit card bill payments. A solid credit history can help you get loans at lower interest rates. The higher your credit score (750+), the more easily you can get a Personal Loan. 

In fact, getting a Personal Loan with bad credit score is little bit difficult. So, if you decide to get a loan, make sure your credit score is high.

If you have a low credit score, you can work to increase the credit score by maintaining financial discipline. 

Paying off your bills on time, repay your loans and service your EMIs before the due date. You can also lower the percentage of credit utilisation on your credit card. All of this helps ensure that your credit rating goes back up. 

3. Where You Work—Employer Profile

The standing of the organisation you work for plays a crucial role in determining interest rate. Borrowers working for reputed companies are perceived to have a stable career and steady income. 

This is trust that they’ll repay loans on time. This security is what drives lenders to offer Personal Loans at a lower interest rate.

4. Your Relationship With The Bank

A long standing customer of a bank can get a low interest rate Personal Loan. That’s because the bank has knowledge of the customer’s history based on past dealings. So, they’d be more than willing to give you a low interest rate to a loyal customer. 

When you need a Personal Loan, take these factors into account. Even if you don’t earn a 6 figure salary, you can still get a Personal Loan at a low rate of interest. Make sure that you have a high credit score and good relation with your banker.

Kitchen Repair: How Mom and Dad Can Save Money on Simple Fixes

The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house. It is where you eat, drink your first morning coffee or gather to entertain friends. This makes it especially important to have the right facilities for your intended purpose. 

Some people need a lot of room and some just need a little. But, if your kitchen is in need of repair there are inexpensive ways to keep the room looking great and functioning properly.

Kitchen Supplier Outlet Stores Help Save Money

When repairing or replacing the kitchen floor, you should look to a kitchen supply outlet store to meet your needs. Outlet stores carry a variety of products from reputable brand names at pennies on the dollar. 

Typically, product is sent to an outlet store because it is being discontinued or because there was too much of a given item within the stores themselves. By shopping at an outlet store, you get the look that you want in the kitchen at a price that you can afford. 

Repair or Replace Kitchen Counters Yourself

Over time, your kitchen counters may become worn, scratched or dated. The good news is that replacing them can be a project that you complete yourself. 

Those who don't have experience with kitchen repair projects can get the help that they need from family or friends or by watching tutorials on YouTube. In some cases, it may be possible to simply remove or cover the scratches, which can save even more time and money

Sink Repair Isn't Overly Difficult

It isn't uncommon to have a leaky faucet or a sink that is slow to drain. However, all you need to fix those issues is some basic tools and the ability to use them. 

Slow drains can be unclogged either with a plunger or by using hot water and gel to get rid of a clog. If the faucet leaks, you can use a screwdriver to tighten it in a matter of minutes. 

And lastly, if there is something in the sink that you just cannot fix then contacting professionals, like those at Young Plumbing Corporation, is the right move to make.

Use Sample Windows to Keep Costs Down

The kitchen can be a warm and inviting place when there is plenty of natural light. If your kitchen doesn't have a large window, you may be able to order one direct from the manufacturer. 

From there, you may be able to make your own frame and install it without paying a professional.

Maintaining your home is critical to preserving its value and making it an inviting place to live. However, if you know how to make basic repairs on your own, you can fix small problems in an affordable manner before they become major issues.