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Keep Your Old Car Or Buy A New One?

March 9, 2021 By Thomas Bawdy 1 Comment

If you have owned a car for a while, you may be visiting your mechanic for the fifth time this year and asking if it’s time to buy a new vehicle. In many cases, keeping an old car is more cost-effective than purchasing a new one. However, buying a new car can offer several advantages, including advanced safety features and broader employment opportunities. There’s no clear-cut answer to this question, as most factors that could influence this decision are unique to each vehicle owner. As you evaluate your options, make sure to compare the financial benefits against intangible factors that are important to you.

Reasons to Keep Your Old Car

There are a few financial upsides to keeping your car. With an older vehicle, the costs are generally limited to insurance and maintenance. However, with a newer vehicle, you generally have to pay a down payment, registration and titling fees and monthly payments if you choose to finance the vehicle. You may also end up paying more for insurance with a new car, losing the rates you had with the older vehicle. With this in mind, it may not be financially wise to purchase a new vehicle if you are on a tight budget, it. Furthermore, cars depreciate in value very quickly. This means that within the first year of purchasing a new vehicle, it will have already lost up to a quarter of its value. In this case, it might be better to keep your older vehicle.

One of the most common reasons people want to get rid of their car is the cost of repairs. You might find yourself regularly visiting the mechanic to figure out why your car isn’t running properly. If that’s the case, it’s important to compare the cost of repairs against the car’s cash value. A good rule of thumb when assessing this is using the following strategy: If the cost of repairs exceeds at least half of the vehicle’s market cash value, then it’s not worth repairing.

Keep in mind that as a vehicle’s mileage increases, so does the amount of repairs. For example, many vehicle owners must replace the engine’s timing belt around the vehicle’s 100,000 miles mark. Other repairs and replacement, such as the water pump are common once the vehicle reaches this mark. These are common maintenance repairs as mileage increases the vehicle’s wear and tear. However, if the vehicle is in otherwise good condition, a replacement might be the most cost-effective solution.

Reasons to Purchase a New Car

There are many reasons to buy a new car. The first and perhaps most attractive reason is the modern safety and technology features. The newer the vehicle, the more safety features it will generally include. Not only can these new features keep you and your passengers safer, but they can also affect your insurance. Some car insurance providers offer discounts to motorists with vehicles that have certain safety features. These features signal to the insurance companies that the vehicles are less likely to get severely damaged in an accident, and passengers are less likely to sustain major injuries.

Do you want the option of making phone calls in your car? Perhaps you want to listen to your curated playlist. Newer vehicle models are equipped with various technological features that older vehicles may lack. These include Bluetooth connection, access to premium radio services, garage door transmitters and more. For many drivers, these features make for a more enjoyable driving experience.

Moreover, consider your lifestyle. What does your commute look like? Long drives may not be ideal with older vehicles as they have already experienced wear and tear and are more likely to break down on the road. A new vehicle will provide a sense of security to the owner and make long commutes more secure.

Ride-hailing and food delivery services have grown in popularity as easy ways to make money. Many companies have strict eligibility requirements for drivers and the vehicle. Common qualifications for vehicles include a model year 10 years old or younger and mileage that does not go beyond 100,000. While it might vary slightly depending by state and organization, these are standard practices across most companies. If you are interested in engaging in this type of employment, consider purchasing a new car.

Additionally, getting a new car can give you a boost of confidence, especially if your job requires driving clients around. While this isn’t a quantifiable reason, how you feel while driving should play a role in your decision.

Third Option

There is also a third option that combines the benefits from both scenarios: purchasing a used vehicle. While many used vehicles may come with their own set of problems, you can find a good deal on a great car if you do a bit of research. This can be accomplished through a title check, requesting a Car Fax report or having a trusted mechanic perform a vehicle inspection. Through this, you can get a newer vehicle that fits within your budget, has newer features and is free of major issues without having to pay the high dollar amount for a brand new car.

Filed Under: Cars Tagged With: buy a car, buying cars, car purchasing, cars

Products That Save You Money

March 8, 2021 By MelissaB Leave a Comment

Products That Save Money

Every year, there seem to be more and more expenses competing for our money.  But rather than spending money on disposable or one-use items, consider investing in some of these products that save money.

Around the House

There are so many products that save money for around the house!  This is only a small sampling of what is available:

Deep Freezer

Investing in a deep freezer can save you a significant amount of money because it allows you to buy foods in bulk when they’re at their lowest prices.  Using this method, you never pay full price for food.  Our family has a deep freezer, and we buy a ¼ side of beef every six months to one year.  We get a wide variety of meat at a much cheaper price than we could buying it retail at the store.

Just make sure to keep an inventory of freezer contents and rotate your foods regularly so nothing goes to waste.

Drain Snake

If you have a plugged drain, there is no need to call the plumber if you have a drain snake.  We have three girls in our home with long hair, and the drain snake has kept us from having to call the plumber more times than I can count.

Programmable Thermostat

A programmable thermostat allows you to reduce your heat or air conditioning when you’re not home and then automatically increase it 30 minutes or so before you return home.  This lets you return to a comfortable home.  Programmable thermostats can easily save you hundreds of dollars every year in energy costs.

Wool Dryer Balls

Wool dryer balls take the place of dryer sheets.  These balls only cost about $10 to $12 for a six pack, and they will last for months.  These are definitely much cheaper and more eco-friendly than buying dryer sheets.

Vinegar

Products That Save Money
Photo by Daiga Ellaby on Unsplash

Vinegar may be the item that saves you the most money on this whole list.  Vinegar can be used to replace so many cleaners and other items you may currently buy.  We use vinegar to clean our toilet and bathtub.  We also use it as a weed killer.

Food/Drink Consumption

Food is most people’s largest expense behind a mortgage/rent or a car payment.  But there are many, many products that save money in this area.

Coffee/Espresso Maker

If your Achilles’ heel is coffee, don’t run to the coffee shop every day.  Instead, invest in a coffee or espresso maker and make your brew at home.  (Plus, you’ll save time not waiting in line at your favorite coffee joint.)  The savings here are significant.

Herb Garden Kit

Buy a herb garden kit and set it on your window, and you’ll never need to buy fresh herbs again.  Not only does this save you the expense of buying herbs (that often come in packages to big to be used before they go bad), but it will also improve the taste of your food, which may make you less likely to go out to eat.

Bottle Emptying Kit

At first, this may seem like a silly purchase.  I regularly tip bottles upside down to try to get the remaining contents out.  However, frequently, bottles like dish soap can’t stand up when upside down.  Instead, they fall to the side.  As an alternative, attach a bottle emptying kit to the lid, and the stand holds the bottle in place while the ingredients run down for your use.

This kit can be used for condiments, oils, shampoos, hand soaps, dish soaps.  When you consider every item where you can use all of the contents instead of leaving a bit at the bottom, you will save money with a bottle emptying kit, though it may take years.

Female-Related Expenses

For female related needs, there are many ways reusable items can save you money.

Period Panties

Using period panties reduce the need to buy disposable tampons or pads.  While these panties cost around $20 each, they can be used for two to five years, if cared for properly, netting you a significant savings.  Plus, as part of the CARES Act, you can now be reimbursed for buying period panties by your FSA account.

Menstrual Cup

Likewise, a menstrual cup can be used for one to two years.  At $40, one of these could quickly save you money if you replace disposable tampons for it.

Reusable Bamboo Make Up Remover Pads

If you’re currently using disposable make up remover pads, consider switching to reusable bamboo make up remover pads.  You can buy a 20 pack for $3.99 on Amazon, and, according to Good Housekeeping, they can last you for over 500 to 1,000 washes!

Subscription/Membership Services

Some people adamantly refuse to pay money to save money when it comes to subscriptions and memberships, but I disagree.  Paying for these can be an excellent way to save money.

Amazon Prime

Photo by Christian Wiediger on Unsplash

An Amazon Prime membership costs roughly $130 a year (including taxes).  While that sounds like a lot, our family finds that the membership pays for itself in many ways.  Many other Americans must feel the same.  As of 2019, there are over 90 million Amazon Prime account holders in the United States (Fortune).

For our family, the free shipping alone covers the cost of an annual membership.  However, an Amazon Prime account can also save you money on entertainment—take advantage of Amazon’s free movies and TV shows as well as music, books, and magazines.

Costco

Costco is another membership-based company that can save you money.  We save a lot on organic food and foods that cater to our many food intolerances including almond milk, gluten free pancake mix, and other items.

In addition, their clothes are very reasonable, as are their restaurant gift cards.  Don’t forget their discounts on car rentals or their discounted gas.  Also, one of my favorites is their two year warranty and concierge service on products like computers and televisions.  There are many, many ways having a Costco membership can save you money.

Final Thoughts

While most of these products that save money require that you spend money up front, the investment is worthwhile for the amount of money you’ll be saving over the next few years.

What are your favorite products that save money?

Read More

Costco Can’t Be Beat for Large Purchases

Is a Costco Membership Worth It When Living Alone?

5 Ways to Save on an Amazon Prime Membership

Free Alternatives for Things You Currently Pay For

Filed Under: Frugality, Saving Tagged With: Amazon Prime membership, Costco, save money

Natural, Low Cost Flea Treatments

February 15, 2021 By MelissaB Leave a Comment

Low Cost Flea Treatments

When I was young and we had cats that were indoor/outdoor, we got fleas frequently.  My mom’s solution was to bomb the house and put flea collars on the pets.  I hated when we bombed the house because we’d have to seal up all of the food to make sure the chemical didn’t get in it.  Afterward, we’d have to do a thorough cleaning to remove all of the chemical.  The whole process didn’t feel safe to me, and I wished we had used natural, low cost flea treatments instead.

When I moved out, I decided that my cat would only be an indoor cat, and I’ve lived happily for 20+ years with nary a flea.  However, a family friend who was terminally ill recently  asked us to take in her cat.  I specifically asked if the cat had fleas because when I was petting her, I could feel scabs all over her back.  I was assured that she did not.

BUT SHE DID!

About two months after we adopted the cat, we saw a flea run across her belly where her shaggy, thick fur was thinner and white.  I was horrified!

After all my diligence, the adopted cat, our cat we already had, and our house had fleas!

I’m pretty “crunchy” and don’t like to use chemicals unnecessarily.  I certainly didn’t want to bomb our whole house as my mom used to do.

Natural, Low Cost Flea Treatments

Instead, I scoured the Internet obsessively for a few days before I started using a variety of natural treatments to rid our home of fleas.

Here’s what we did:

Initial Strategy

Give the cats a bath with Dawn soap.  Dawn soap is safe for the cats, but it kills the eggs and fleas currently on the cat.  We made sure to put a ring of soap around the cat’s neck so the fleas couldn’t high tail it up to the cat’s head, as they’re prone to do.

Salt the carpets.

Yep, you read that correctly.  Our house has carpet in the living room and three of the four bedrooms.  We bought 8 round canisters of table salt and generously sprinkled the salt on the carpets.  Ideally, you should leave the salt on the carpet for 8 to 24 hours.  Make sure to get the salt near the corners and baseboards where flea eggs and larvae may be hiding.

Why salt?  Salt dries out the flea, and it dies.  (There’s even a video on YouTube to illustrate this!)

There are a few warnings with this strategy—your cats (or dogs) shouldn’t be allowed on the carpet during this time.  Also, you’ll want to make sure to vacuum vigorously to get up all the salt so that it doesn’t damage the carpet.

Low Cost Flea Treatments
Photo by The Creative Exchange on Unsplash

Mop with essential oils.

I found many recipes online mixing essential oils with water to use to mop tile floors.  The oils repel the fleas.  I ended up using a variety of oils including Geranium, Tea Tree, Citronella Java, and Lemongrass.  My only complaint about this technique is that I’m sensitive to smells, and the essential oil smell was overwhelming to me.  Remember to mop all of the crevices, where the floor meets the baseboards, and the baseboards themselves.

Wash and dry all bedding on hot.

We didn’t wash the pillows, but we put them in the dryer on high for 30 minutes.  Everything else was washed and dryed.

Follow Up Strategy

After the initial blitz, we had several activities that we did every day for about three weeks:

Brush the cats with a flea comb.

This got out any fleas that may have jumped on the cats after the bath as well as the eggs the fleas might have laid.  I had a glass nearby with water and a dab of Dawn dish soap.  As soon as I put the brush in that, the flea died.

Bath the cats every three days.

Yep, our cats loved baths by the time this was over.  Not!

Vacuum daily.

We vacuumed thoroughly every day including all the nooks and crevices of the couch and the baseboards.  This is necessary to vacuum up any flea eggs before they hatch.  Make sure to do a thorough job and vacuum not only the carpet but the baseboards and any cloth furniture as well as in the cracks of the furniture where the cushions go.

Mop every other day.

We mopped every other day with the essential oil mixture.

Wash the bedding the cats are on every other day.

Low Cost Flea Treatments
Photo by CDC on Unsplash

Since fleas will be on the cat, you’ll want to pay special attention to their bedding and wash it every other day on hot and dry on hot.

Wash all other bedding twice a week.

An Easy Strategy in the Summer

If you live in a warm, dry climate, I discovered a very easy way to get rid of the flea problem once and for all.  We live in Arizona, and our air conditioner died on the 4th of July.  For three days, we had no air conditioning, and our indoor temperature reached a sweltering 100+ degrees.  Of course, we stayed in a hotel during that time, but when we returned home, our fleas were completely gone.  Fleas cannot survive in temperatures over 95 degrees.

I’m not sure how well this remedy would work in a humid environment.  However, it doesn’t hurt to try.  If you can go somewhere else, turn off your air and let the summer heat bake the inside of your home.  If you have a humidifier, set it to make the inside of your home as dry as possible while you’re doing this.  When you come home, your fleas might all be dead.

Final Thoughts

I’m not going to lie, this process was time consuming and a total pain.  Although these were natural, low cost flea treatments, they weren’t easy to do.  If you’re able, I’d highly recommend trying the strategy of heating up your house as high as it will go to kill the fleas.  That is definitely the quickest, most efficient method.  We are glad we avoided filling our house or our cats with chemicals, and we got rid of the fleas.

Here’s to hoping I never have to deal with fleas again!

Read More

Prepare for These Expenses When Buying a Dog

Going on Trips with Fido (and Other Pets)

8 Easy Low-Costs Fixes to Help You Sell Your Home Fast

 

 

Filed Under: Pets Tagged With: fleas, pets

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