Any car, even a used one, is a huge investment -- so you definitely don't want to fall for something as avoidable as odometer fraud. While most cars made in the last few years use electronic odometers that are harder to jigger, fraud is still an issue for cars with mechanical odometers.
Continue reading "Before You Buy a Used Car, Check for Odometer Fraud" »
You may think Grand Theft Auto is a cool video game, but it's no fun at all when car theft happens to you in real life. And anyway, what can you really learn from a game that teaches that the best way to get across town is to hit a little old lady, and then steal a police car when the cops come to investigate?
Continue reading "What You Should Know About Car Theft" »
Car donation is quite popular in the non-profit charity world. But is it really worth it to donate your car, even to the best of charities?
That's a good question -- exactly what I'd expect of a savvy consumer. It's always wise to be cautious, even with charities. So let's take a closer look at the auto donation issue.
Continue reading "Car Donation: Why You Should Consider It" »
Here's an easy way to save money: buy a scooter and use it instead of your car for simple commutes. Now, I'm not talking about one of those Razor thingies that all the kids were wild about a few years back. Those are cost-efficient, sure, but hardly worth the effort. Might as well ride a bike.
I'm talking a motor scooter here: basically, a low-powered motorcycle. When the weather's good and you need to get somewhere in a hurry, a motorized scooter can be very helpful.
Continue reading "Want to Save on Gas Money? Buy a Scooter!" »
I'll be the first to admit that I wouldn't want to live without my car air conditioning, especially in the summer -- and where I live, that's basically March to October. But as nifty and necessary as it is, any auto A/C costs the Earth to run... literally, in one sense.
You see, it's more than just the cost of fuel that matters here, though that's nothing to sneeze at. Not only does auto air conditioning use up prodigious amounts of fuel, it dumps greenhouse gasses and pollutants into the atmosphere more rapidly than necessary.
Continue reading "How To Save Money on Car Air Conditioning" »
Now that gas prices are back around the $3.00 level, you're probably keen to learn about new ways that you can save money on gasoline. It's not like you can do without gas, unless you work at home and never go anywhere; and even then, you're likely to need a gallon here or there to mow the lawn.
Too bad the more eco-friendly alternatives, particularly diesel and biodiesel, have practically priced themselves out of the market.
Continue reading "How to Save Money on Gasoline" »
This article on tune-up tips was triggered by my recent realization that a simple $20 oil change at the local quickie lube had ballooned to almost $100 because of all those extra services the technicians are so good at finding.
When I looked back on previous visits, I realized that this always seemed to happen. No matter how recently I'd had the car in the shop, no matter how recently I'd changed the fuel or air filter or had a major repair done, it always seemed that something more had to be done. Why?
Continue reading "A Few Automotive Tune-Up Tips" »
Do you really need a GPS? Do they really work? How? Are they worth the money? If you're considering buying one of the many GPS systems on the market, you probably have many of these questions racing through your mind. After all, you don't want to waste money on yet another fancy electronic gadget that isn't really up to snuff. Read this crucial information before making any decisions.
Continue reading "How to Choose a GPS System" »
If you're in the market for a new car, one of the big questions on your mind is how to save money on car payments. Nothing takes the thrill out of a new car like a huge monthly bill. If you want a new car with the lowest possible payments, follow these tips.
Continue reading "How to Save Money on Car Payments" »
We've been hearing about electric cars for years. Guess what? They're finally here! Nissan releases the Leaf, their version of the electric car in 2011. The question now is, "Are electric cars the answer to our fuel problems? Is the electric car better for the environment? And can electric vehicles cut your expense at the gas pump?"
Good questions. Let's see if we can find some answers.
Continue reading "Electric Cars: Should You Take the Risk?" »
Whether you use rental cars frequently for business or only once a year for vacation, it never hurts to know a few tricks to protect yourself and to get the best deal. Here are three tips that can help you do just that.
Continue reading "5 Money Saving Tips for Rental Cars" »
Recycled motor oil has kind of a bad rap, mostly just because it's recycled rather than new. But here's the deal: while virgin oil is great and all, it's not really any better than the recycled stuff. It just has better PR.
Continue reading "Save Money with Recycled Motor Oil" »
When it's time to buy a new car, the worst mistake you can make is to go car shopping without first preparing. Sure, you probably know what type of car you're interested in, but how do you know when you're getting the best deal? How do you know you're not paying too much? Here are some valuable resources you can't afford to do without.
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Buying a car doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. Now, there's no doubt that it's going to cost an arm at least, no matter what you do; that's just the nature of any huge purchase. But the other metaphorical extremity is optional.
In Part I of this article, we looked over a few ways to limit the outlay for a new car. In this exciting episode, we'll look at other ways to save, both in the short- and long-term.
Continue reading "How to Save Money When Buying a Car, Part II" »
Unless you're committed to using public transportation (which is not without its own challenges), at some point you're going to end up buying a car...and it's probably going to hurt. While it's a somewhat exciting process, it's also tedious, so there's no harm in streamlining the process and saving some green.
In this two-part article, I'll discuss a few ways to save money on your car purchase. It all comes down to deciding what you can live with, and then sticking to your guns.
Continue reading "How to Save Money When Buying a Car, Part I" »
There's little doubt that biodiesel in general is a good idea, since at some point, fossil fuels are going to be in desperately short supply. And with the breached Deepwater Horizon well still belching thousands of barrels of crude into the Gulf of Mexico daily as of this writing, petroleum is in bad odor at the moment.
Biodiesel is marketed as being the ideal eco-friendly option for any diesel-fueled automobile, since it's made from processed vegetable oil and forms little more than water vapor and carbon dioxide when it's burned. Not so bad, right? Well...
Continue reading "Is Biodiesel All It's Cracked Up to Be?" »
Car expenses are a fact of life. The costs associated with driving your car are facts too. The cost for driving the average car is $8,121 per year and $10,488 per year for SUVs. While you can't get rid of all the expense, you can greatly reduce your costs by following these tips in the three areas that cost you the most.
Continue reading "Is Your Car Costing You too Much Money?" »
I'll never forget the day I finally decided to get a car GPS. I figured it would be an easy purchase: take a quick look at the ones on display and snatch up my favorite color. Boy, was I mistaken. It turns out that GPS systems range from $100 to over $2,000, and they all have their own selling points. That begs the question: which system is best for you? What do you really need?
If you're considering a GPS navigation system for your car, here's what you need to keep in mind while you're shopping -- and even before!
Continue reading "All the Details on Buying Your New GPS" »
Have you noticed all the TV commercials promoting gas-saving tires? With increased pressure on car manufacturers to produce more fuel efficient cars and unstable gas prices, tire manufacturers are promising increased gas mileage with the purchase of their tires.
Continue reading "Are the New Gas-Saving Tires Worth the Cost?" »
Did you grow up driving a manual transmission car? A lot of people did and as soon as possible they switched to an automatic transmission considering it an upgrade. However, today many people are switching back to a manual to save money on gas. This leaves a lot of people wondering if driving a manual transmission really saves on gas and is it worth it?
Continue reading "Can Driving a Manual Transmission Save You Money?" »
Many people look to save money and save the environment by going green at home. Did you also know "driving green" saves you money and helps out the environment? Read these top tips, start saving money and helping the environment today.
Continue reading "Top Tips for Driving Green" »
Not following basic tire safety practices is responsible for 600 deaths and 33,000 injuries every year according to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Would you like to know the #1 safety practice that is ignored and responsible for these statistics? Keep reading.
Continue reading "Tire Safety -- Follow these Tips and Avoid Becoming a Statistic" »
What do the top four used car history report companies have in common? They're usually wrong. Unfortunately, this was the finding when checking out the reliability of these companies. Keep reading to discover which companies you can trust.
Continue reading "Can You Trust Your Used Car History Report? Find Out" »
Cheap car insurance for teens seems like an impossible dream. With teenage drivers twice as likely to be involved in an auto accident than a driver over the age of 25, there's no wonder auto insurance is sky high. But don't give up. Read these five tips to learn how to cut your insurance costs while insuring your teenager.
Continue reading "Cheap Car Insurance for Teens -- Possible?" »
Buying American cars has always been the patriotic thing to do, but more than a few of us feel that it hasn't always been the sensible choice. After all, a Honda can outlast a Ford by at least 100,000 miles, right? Actually, American cars have come a long way. If you think names like Toyota and Honda are the only option for serious reliability, you need to think twice...
Continue reading "Are Foreign Cars Really Any Better than American Cars?" »
They go up, they go down, they go up, they go down -- gas prices seem to be worse than some of the most volatile amusement park roller coasters. Just when you think they're on a consistent downward trend, they go up again. That means money-saving tips are still in high demand, and with that in mind here are a few to help you save some dimes and dollars at the pump...
Continue reading "Money Saving Tips For Fighting Unstable Gas Prices" »
Gas prices are going crazy. We won't get into the politics of this here. But my friends, as outraging as it may be, there are things we can do. Here are some tips to help fight the burden of rising prices at the pump.
Continue reading "Those Darn Gas Prices Are At It Again" »
Many Used Car Warranty Holders Are Finding Themselves Out of Luck
How much is that used car warranty you're holding worth? Might not be worth the paper it's written on if you're like many used car owners. If you've purchased a used car warranty, there are some things you need to know.
Continue reading "What You Need to Know About Your After-Market Used Car Warranty" »
The warm weather is upon us and many of us will be hopping in on the car buying action this year. The dealerships have anticipated our readiness to buy and are at their old tricks, but old tricks are taking on a new face. Why? Because car buyers have gotten savvy to the common car buying tricks. Here are some new ones to look for.
Continue reading "Car Buying Alert: Dealers Are At It Again" »
The face of public transportation has definitely changed over the years. Who would have thought commercials for the bus would be so popular? Wondering what the hype is about? If you’re not using public transportation, you may not know what you’re missing.
Continue reading "If You’re Not Using Public Transportation, You Should Be" »
Being a savvy consumer means being attentive to those little details that many consumers often overlook. I’ve talked to you before about the importance of car maintenance and those ever-important routine oil changes. Today, I’m going to explain a lot more about oil changes and provide you with some tips to continue to be that savvy consumer that has become such a big part of your personality.
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Many people consider car maintenance to be a necessary evil. Fortunately, there are several things you could do to protect your investment and save some money. Like children, each vehicle requires different needs that the owner should consider. Car maintenance should be a top priority for any vehicle owner.
Continue reading "The Importance of Car Maintenance" »
If you don't think twice when speeding in a construction zone, you may want to reconsider. Speeding in construction zones carries stiff fines and poses a hazard for the construction workers. Speeding in a construction zone can cost you a lot more than your money -- it can cost you your freedom.
Continue reading "Speeding in Construction Zones is Both Hazardous and Costly" »
Saving money is second nature for many savvy consumers, and a great way savvy consumers save money is by following the motto, “If you want something done cheap, do it yourself.” Using a professional car washing service may be convenient, but it can add up to a lot of money over the years. Think it’s not worth it to wash your own car? You may want to think twice.
Continue reading "Get Out There and Wash Your Own Car" »
Gas prices have been dropping considerably in recent weeks, and some people want to know why and whether or not it’s going to continue. There are many factors that affect what you pay at the pump, and with the recent dip in gas prices, you probably have a few questions you’d like answered.
Continue reading "The Outlook for Gas Prices" »
It appears that car dealership fees have been getting out of hand lately. Some surreptitious car dealerships have been taking creative license and “inventing” allegedly required fees. Before you buy another car, you need to read more about car dealership fees so you can be fully prepared to tell the dealership why you’re not going to pay them.
Continue reading "The Dark Side of Car Dealership Fees" »
Public auto auctions seem to be increasing in popularity each and every day, however, consumers should really think twice before purchasing a car this way. Buying a car at a public auto auction can be problematic for many reasons and if you don’t know what to look out for, you may end up getting the raw end of a deal.
Continue reading "The Lowdown on Public Auto Auctions" »
Shopping for a car is not something my wife and I look forward to. On the contrary, my blood pressure goes up and she gets a headache the moment we decide it’s time to embark on a car-buying adventure. Not because we have a phobia of automobiles. We just don’t like sharks. Earlier this week when our car finally gave out and we decided to bite the bullet and another one, my wife decided to take a new approach at the dealership. If you’re looking for a great car deal, you have to read this.
Continue reading "Need A Great Car Deal? Try This!" »
As I was doing research on area car dealerships for a friend, I came across some very interesting information. It seems that a car dealership that had been selling extended auto warranties for a certain auto warranty company was no longer accepting claims from that company and the company wasn’t paying as it had promised to. What does this mean? It means that the people who had paid good money for those extended auto warranties are now out of luck and are stuck with big repair bills if something goes wrong with the cars they thought were covered.
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If you are anything like me, there is nothing better to drive than a luxury car. However, most people drive less-expensive cars due to the big price tags attached to the luxury models. Luckily, there are ways to buy a luxury car for thousands less than you may think if you know what to look for.
Continue reading "Get a Luxury Car without the Exorbitant Price Tag" »
For most of us, cars are an everyday part of our lives. That’s probably the reason so many injuries result from not practicing proper car safety. If you think car safety just means defensive driving and wearing a seatbelt, you may be one of the people putting yourself in harms way without even realizing it. We’ve got some car safety tips you need to follow.
Continue reading "Common Sense Car Safety Tips" »
Flex fuel -- the term has been being tossed around quite a bit lately. But what exactly does flex fuel mean? Is it a concrete solution to our current gas prices or is it a technology that’s far off in the future? If you don’t know what flex fuel is, you’re not alone. There are masses of consumers who have little to no knowledge of flex fuel technology. And if you think you understand everything there is to know about flex fuel, you might be surprised at what you don’t know.
Continue reading "Are Flex Fuel Vehicles the Wave of the Future?" »
It used to be that the main drawback of buying a used car was the fact that the car came without a warranty -- after all, there’s much to be said for peace of mind and that’s exactly what an auto warranty offers. However, thanks to extended auto warranties, used car buyers are finding themselves in the position of being able to opt for coverage on their used car purchases. But are these extended auto warranties worth the price or are they just another rip off?
Continue reading "The Lowdown on Extended Auto Warranties" »
Yes, I realize I’ve been talking about the price of gas quite a bit lately, but with gas prices exceeding three dollars a gallon in some areas, who can blame me? Many of us are on opposite sides of the coin when it comes to our opinions on the rising cost of gas, but whether you are mortified about rising gas costs or you think it’s just par for the course there is one thing we can all agree on -- the increase in gas prices has just begun. So are we destined to see a future that holds gas costs of $5 a gallon or more? Maybe not -- gas banks may be the answer we very much need.
Continue reading "Are Gas Banks the Answer to Our Gas Woes?" »
As many of you know, this isn’t the first post we’ve done on combating increasing gas prices. However, since gas prices only seem to be heading skyward, I figured it would benefit everyone if we provided even more tips on ways to combat these increasing gas prices. So if you’re in need of some gas-saving advice, look no further. We’ve got the information you’ve been searching for.
Continue reading "More Ways to Combat Increasing Gas Prices" »
Just when we thought there was going to be a reprieve in the cost of gasoline, gas prices once again have begun to soar. With the operating cost of vehicles continually on the rise, what’s a consumer to do? Believe it or not, there is a ray of hope. By following a few savvy tips, you can help alleviate the pain caused by the current gas prices.
Continue reading "What to Do About Rising Gas Prices" »
Your child is 7 years old so there’s absolutely no reason why he or she should be strapped into a booster seat -- right? Wrong! While it may surprise you, many states are now requiring that children be strapped into a booster seat until they are eight or nine years old. Are you protecting your child to the best of your ability?
Continue reading "Should Your Child Be in a Booster Seat?" »
If you’ve paid attention to the prices at the pump lately, you’ve probably noticed an upward trend. With gas prices going so high, saving money wherever possible is important. So with the big price difference between premium gas and regular, is it really necessary to put premium in your car?
Continue reading "Is Premium Gas Really Necessary?" »
When’s the last time you checked your tire pressure? Believe it or not, you should be checking your tire pressure at least once a month. If you’re not checking your tire pressure regularly, you may be causing your tires to wear out earlier than they should and you may even be putting yourself at risk of an accident!
Continue reading "Don’t Forget to Check Your Tire Pressure" »
You’re driving along in your faithful automobile and suddenly something goes wrong. Your car breaks down on you and you find yourself in need of serious auto repair. The question is, if your car is more than a few years old, do you pay for the extensive auto repair or do you just shell out money for a new car altogether. Believe it or not, the answer may not be what you think.
Continue reading "Auto Repair or New Car Purchase?" »
So you’re in need of car repair. Perhaps it’s just a scheduled maintenance requirement or perhaps there’s something wrong with the way your car is running -- either way, you need to find a qualified car repair professional to take care of your needs. The question is, where do you go to ensure that you won’t be taken for a ride when it comes to car repair bills?
Continue reading "Watch Where You Go For Car Repair" »
If you’re in the market for a used car, you’re probably looking for a good deal. But what if that good deal turns into a major headache? If you buy a car that happened to suffer from flood damage, you may find yourself in the situation of having purchased more than what you bargained for.
Continue reading "Buying a Used Car? Be Wary of Flood Damage!" »
When buying a car, you might think it’s more convenient to arrange your car loan through the car dealer. However, before you go to the dealer for your auto financing needs, you might want to consider the fact that the dealer may not only try to profit from the sale of the car, he might try to tack cost on to your car loan too.
Continue reading "Don’t Arrange Your Car Loan at the Dealership" »
Let’s face it, car shopping isn’t always a walk in the park. While there are indeed many dealerships out there that conduct business in a fine and ethical manner, there are still many that don’t. The car shopping business is a game, and unless you know how to play it, you’ll be out some cold-hard cash. Make sure you follow these car shopping tips when looking for a new car.
Continue reading "Three Things to Look For When Car Shopping" »
If you’re thinking about buying a hybrid car, your reasons for doing so may just have gotten greater. Not only can you save gas money when owning a hybrid car, but you can take a nice tax deduction and you can also now save money on insurance.
Continue reading "Hybrid Cars Can Save You More than Just Gas Money" »
If you don’t have a regular mechanic who you can trust, it can be a major headache when your car breaks down. Finding a reputable mechanic has never been easy, but in today’s day and age when you just never know who’s trying to take you for a ride, how do you keep from being taken?
Continue reading "Finding the Right Mechanic" »
When the SUV craze first hit the nation, people everywhere were buying them. Touting safety, these mammoth vehicles usually come equipped with 4-wheel drive and other safety features that make parents feel secure. However, if you’re thinking of buying an SUV because you think it’s safer than a car, you’d better think twice.
Continue reading "Buying an SUV for Its Safety?" »
Did you know that today is “Let’s Make a Deal Day”? If you’re thinking of buying a car, you might want to let the salesman in on the secret. We all know that buying a car can be a serious headache, especially when it comes to the negotiations. Let’s see if we can change the rules on Let’s Make a Deal Day.
Continue reading "Let’s Make A Deal Day Is the Perfect Day To Buy a Car" »
If you haven’t noticed the gas prices at the pump lately, you’re one in a few. Almost everyone has been affected by the rising prices of gasoline, and even though they took a bit of a drop in some areas, gas prices are still astronomical in the grand scheme of things. If you want to save money on gas without giving up your car, follow these simple steps.
Continue reading "How to Save Money on Gas" »
Let's face it, car buying isn't exactly a walk in the park. First you have to deal with the vultures slowly circling you at the car sales lot. Then Slick introduces himself and assures you that he's going to take care of all of your car buying needs. After all, he has your best interests in mind. Yeah, right.
With Slick to your left and the rest of the vultures to your right, you could probably use some car buying tips right about now.
Continue reading "2 Valuable Car Buying Tips" »
Simple, Non-Obvious Ways to Conserve Energy
How to Avoid Telemarketing Scams
Good Reasons to Buy Things With a Credit Card
Plastic Canvas: A Creative But Inexpensive Hobby
Before You Buy a Used Car, Check for Odometer Fraud
Are You Claiming Your Earned Income Tax Credit?
Tooth Whitening: Is It Worth the Cost?
Is Satellite Internet a Good Deal for You?