3 Reasons to Consider Trading for A Better Car Before Winter

It’s getting closer to winter than you might realize. As the chill starts to move into the air, you may need to think about trading in your current vehicle. Below are just three of the reasons to consider trading in for a better car before winter.

Simple Safety

The winter is a dangerous time for drivers. If you live in an area with snow, you already know that older cars have a tendency to develop more problems. If you live in a warmer area, you may well have to deal with ice instead of snow—something you definitely don’t want to chance with an older car. 

It may well be time for you to trade in for a newer vehicle, one that can keep you safer as the weather changes. It’s better to start looking now than to worry about your car when the freezing starts.

Great Deals

It’s also a smart idea to trade in before the winter because there are some fantastic deals you can find. The colder months aren’t always the best months for car dealerships like and many dealers look to make a profit before the weather turns. 

Whether they are looking to get rid of older models or they just need to make money before the end of the year, dealers are often able to give better trade in deals right before the winter begins. 

If you can get into a dealership like Young Automotive Group with a decent trade, you stand a much better chance of walking away with a great car that you are actually able to afford.

Keeping Value

Finally, you might want to consider trading in for a new vehicle before winter sets in because you’ll get more for your old car. The winter can be rough on vehicles and trade-in values tend to decline when there’s rust or damage on the vehicle. 

The sooner you are able to trade in your current car, the better—especially if your car is in good condition. With a little luck, you’ll be able to trade up to a new vehicle while your old car can still fetch a good trade-in price.

Trading in now can get you a better deal, maximize the value of your car, and keep you safer on the winter roads. Don’t delay just because you think you might get a better deal if you hold out—both your bank account balance and your personal safety may affected if you’re not willing to look at trading in before the winter finally arrives.

Need a New Car? How to Buy a New Vehicle on a Limited Budget in Retirement

For many people, having a vehicle is a necessity. You may not have the luxury of public transit based upon where you live and where you need to go on a regular basis. This is especially true if you work or are in school full time. 

You need a reliable source of transportation. If you are on a limited budget, however, you might worry that you won't be able to afford a car at all. Luckily, you do have options. And while having a car comes with additional expenses, such as maintenance, gas, and insurance, simply having a car can save you time and make things more convenient for you. 

And in some ways, by having a car you are saving time which can also save you money. These are a few tips that can help you get the car that you need, even if you don't have a lot of money.

Consider a Lightly Used Car

Even though you might like the idea of buying a brand new car, it's not a bad idea to at least consider looking for a gently used car. If you buy a car that is only a couple of years old, you might find that it's in like-new condition but that it's available for a fraction of the price. 

This can be one of the easiest ways to buy a vehicle for less as will save you money on your month to month car payments.However, if you are looking for a new car, you can also look into doing a lease rather than financing. This can save you money in the short-term and in some cases, the long-term as well. 

You just want to make sure that if you do lease a vehicle, that it holds its value well for the duration of the lease. This way you can have the option to buy it out when your lease is up.

Look for an Understanding Lender

Not all lenders are super-picky when it comes to granting car loans. Some are much more understanding than others. Consider applying for a loan with a company like Clubmoney. 

These types of lenders are used to working with people with lower incomes and who might not have the best credit scores, and they may be able to help you more than you think.

Consider Securing a Co-Signer

If your income is low, there is a chance that you might find it to be a little bit harder to get approved for an auto loan. This does not mean that you won't be able to get a loan, however. 

Some lenders will still work with you, but you might find that it's easier to get approved if you have a qualified co-signer. This is especially the case if you have bad credit. Not only can it help you get approved, but it might also help you secure a lower interest rate.

Shop Around for the Best Price

Before buying a car, it's always a good idea to go to a few different dealerships. You could be surprised by how much of a difference in cost you might find between different dealerships. Shopping around will help you find the best deal on the make and model that you are interested in.

As you can see, even if you have a limited budget, there are things that you can do to help you get a car. If you follow these tips, you might actually find that buying a car is a lot easier than you thought it would be. In no time, you could be behind the wheel of a great vehicle.

Healthy Heaters: 4 HVAC Maintenance Tips to Look into This Fall

Fall has finally arrived. Now is the time to get some maintenance done on your HVAC system. It has been working hard all summer keeping your home cool and comfortable. 

It is going to be working just as hard keeping your home warm through the winter. Let’s look at four tips you can use to get your system ready for the season.

Replace Your Air Filters

If you have not changed your air filters recently, now is the time to do it. Actually, you should check the filters at least once a month and change them when the filter is covered with dust. 

Modern HVAC systems require a clean flow of air to work properly. The filter cleans out particulates but it can become clogged. A clogged filter prevents a free flow of air and that makes the system work harder.

Clean the Exterior Unit

If your HVAC system has an outdoor unit, you need to make sure it is clear of dead leaves, grass clippings and other debris. The outdoor unit uses air to dispel heat. 



When the unit is clogged with debris, the air does not flow properly. This, like a clogged filter, makes the system have to work harder to keep your home comfortable.

Clean the Interior Equipment

If you look inside your interior HVAC equipment, you may find dust coating the heat exchanger. That dust is causing the unit to have to work harder to cool and heat the air in your home. 

Gently brush the dust off. If you find mildew in the unit, use water to remove it. A few minutes of your time will give you healthier, conditioned air.

Schedule Professional Maintenance

At least once a year, you need to have a professional technician from a company like All American Air & Electric, Inc. or a similar business come out and check your HVAC system. That technician will inspect the entire system to ensure everything is working properly. 

He may make adjustments to the controls to ensure the system is running at optimal levels. He will check coolant levels and top them off if needed. He may find some minor issues that need attention before they become major. All this work will keep the system running through the winter months.

These four tips will help you get your HVAC system ready for the winter season. Taking time to do the work and getting a system checkup will ensure your home is comfortable this winter. It will also help your system last longer and keep it free of repairs.

DirecTV NOW Review

I ditched stellite television a couple of weeks back and substituted it with Hulu, Netflix and Sling TV. So being a cable cutter, I was seriously psyched by the news of DirecTV NOW with its 120+ channel lineup. I am looking to cut back on expenses as we near retirement and tv can get pretty expensive. After many weeks of screening DirecTV NOW - I can tell you it's not quite ready for prime time.

DirecTV NOW app

The interface for the DirecTV NOW app is tidy and consise, however not quite simple, so it takes a little time to get used to it. The app lets you do things like set TV channels as favorites, check out a TV guide, and gain access to on demand titles. 

Thus far, the app is still buggy, however it's being routinely upgraded and enhanced, and extra on-demand titles are being included. Regardless, possibly the neatest element of the DirecTV NOW interface is that you can continue to view a show in the background as you scroll around the user interface searching for something else to view.

TV programs and channels stream effortlessly and look fantastic. Already, there are apps provided for Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android, Chromecast, iPad, and iPhone. Along with those apps, you can even log in from your browser to stream DirecTV NOW.  I'm actually a Roku fan and have been using it on there for a month and I will continue for one more month to really get the feel of it.


I initially found out about DirecTV NOW as a service with over 120 channels and one that would be $35, however it ends up both of those things aren't real at the same time. DirecTV NOW has 4 subscription levels, varying from over 60 channels to the leading level, which has more than 120.

Prices

Live a Little-- $35/ month (60+ channels).
Just Right-- $50/ month (80+ channels).
Go Big-- $60/ month (100+ channels).
Got ta Have it-- $70/ month (120+ channels).

The 120+ channel lineup for DirecTV NOW is outstanding, and you can even add on premium channels like HBO and Cinemax for an additional $5 monthly each. When DirecTV NOW initially released, they offered a special introduction discount which provided their 100+ channel lineup for $35. 

That promotion ended in January, and now they've gone back to their regular multiple bundle prices which begins at $35 for 60+ channels and increases to $70 for 120+ channels. Regrettably, at $70 for 120+ channels, you're most likely much better off going straight through your cable television carrier and getting a TV/ Internet package that consists of DVR functions, which DirecTV Now presently does not have. 

This is damaging to the service, because without the DVR function this is potentially the greatest defect of the brand-new service.

Decision

DirecTV NOW will unquestionably keep improving gradually-- currently, we've seen its catalogue grow considerably since its release over the past number of weeks. However, in the meantime I cannot support its high price point. 

At its $50/Just Right option, the price was right for me, I do not need anymore channels than that. To make the service a somewhat more appealing, I 'd like to see offline watching and DVR functions hopefully very soon, a larger on-demand catalog, and more reasonable prices compared with other services. 

If DirecTV NOW can make all that occur, it might end up being a cord-cutter's dream.

The Good: 

• More channel choices than its rivals 
• provides premium channels for an additional price 
• smooth streaming experience 
• fantastic for live TV
• no contract needed 
• no surprise costs

The Bad: 

• No DVR component yet 
• buggy software
• expensive plans
• requires more on-demand titles to make it interesting

My recomendation is to try the Live a Little-- $35/ month (60+ channels) choice and see if you like it. If it's your first Internet tv choice, this is a good one to get your feet wet.

DIRECTV® NOW - Start Streaming Today. Live Stream Your Favorite Channels on All Your Screens with No Annual Contract!