Before You Leave On That Road Trip: Making Sure Your Car Is Ready
by Jay Gaulard
A big road trip is looming in the future. Can you be sure that your car is ready? Before you head out on the open road, there are some important safety checks you need to make. After all, nothing would ruin a vacation faster than serious car trouble on your way to your destination!
On Month Before Leaving
Preparing for a car trip starts long before you are ready to go. About a month before you are ready to leave, there are some steps you need to take. First, you need to complete any major repairs that are needed on the vehicle. Often repairs lead to the discovery of more problems, and you want to be sure that your car is in the best shape possible before you take a long trip.
If you are traveling in the summer or headed somewhere that is significantly warmer than your home, have your coolant checked. If you are traveling where it will be below freezing, make sure the coolant has the proper amount of antifreeze in it. Change the coolant if it needs to be changed.
This is also the time to check your tires. Do a tread check by placing a penny in the car’s tread, with President Lincoln’s head pointed down and facing you. If you can see the entire head, the tread is too worn and you need to replace your tires. While this might seem like a very big expense, worn tires can burst while driving, which can be a very dangerous situation. Also, make sure your spare is inflated and that you have the necessary tools to change a tire if needed, such as a jack and a wrench.
This is also a good time to spring for a brake inspection. Brakes that fail can cause serious accidents, and often something as simple as replacing the brake pads can keep your family much safer. It is better to know now that something is wrong with your brakes, rather than finding out as you are driving.
Finally, check the glove box for the car’s owner’s manual, insurance card, and registration. If any of these items are missing, request them. You can order a manual from the car’s manufacturer, or you may be able to download it online. If your insurance or registration is going to expire while you are on your trip, renew it before you leave.
The Week You Leave
When you are getting closer to the time of your departure, head to the mechanic to have an oil change done along with any other routine maintenance that is due on the vehicle. You may wish to schedule a full tune up. You want your car to be running as efficiently as possible before you head onto the open road. Check the pressure in the tires and double check the tread. Make sure the air filter is clean, because a dirty air filter will reduce your gas mileage. If the air filter has been in the car for 10,000 or more miles, go ahead and change it, even if you do not think it looks dirty.
Now you need to clean out the interior of your car. You need room for your luggage, and anything that you do not need simply adds weight to the vehicle, which cuts down on your gas mileage. Some things you should not remove, however, are your first aid kit and emergency supply stash. Make sure these are well stocked. However, if you are not going to be in cold weather, you can remove the winter emergency kit from the car, if you have one. Don’t get the car washed or vacuum the interior yet, however, because you still have a week to get it dirty again.
If you do not have an atlas, buy a good one. If you do have one and it is old, replace it. GPS systems and map printouts are great, but an atlas is one tool that you can rely on even if the electronics stop working. Also, you may be forced to take a detour, either due to construction or because you want to see some sights, and your printed maps or GPS may not help in this situation, as they are going to show you the shortest possible route to your destination.
The Day Before Departure
The day before you are scheduled to leave, you need to check the tire tread and the tire pressure again. Tires are not something to leave to chance, so make sure they are in good shape before you leave! Check the owner’s manual to see if your vehicle has separate tire pressure recommendations for heavy loads or high speeds, both of which probably apply to you as you prepare for your trip. If you need to make an adjustment, do so when you fill up, which is another thing you can do the night before you leave. Then you have one less thing to do on your way out of town the next day.
Packing up to Leave
On the day of departure, think carefully about where you pack your items in your vehicle. The heavier items should be placed as far forward as possible. Also, try to keep the load level. Make sure that you do not overload your vehicle. Remember, every vehicle has limits. These tips will help to increase your fuel economy as you drive. It will also keep your family safer if you should run into inclement weather along the way. A car that is packed unevenly is more prone to spinning off of the road and does not get good gas mileage.
With these tips, your family will be as safe as possible on your next road trip. Remember, you cannot plan for the unexpected, but you can be as prepared as possible for whatever comes your way. Preparing your car is not just a good idea, but it is also essential to enjoying your vacation free from worry and hassle.
Jay Gaulard writes for a wide selection of websites on various topics. He is a veteran of the internet and has come to be respected in his many areas of expertise. This article was written on behalf of MyAutoMarket, a popular automotive parts and accessories website.
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Five Investment Mistakes You Don’t Want To Make
by John Rasor
These are frightening times for people trying to build or preserve their retirement accounts. The stock market has produced daily swings large enough to churn just about everyone’s stomach. This landscape makes it easy to commit big mistakes and investment no no’s. Credit markets have tightened such that no credit score is good enough to borrower money. Here are some of the worst maneuvers you can make during these crazy economic times.
DON’T FREAK OUT: During bear markets like today it’s easy to freak out as we watch stock prices fall almost on a daily basis. Fear kicks in and we think, sell now and cut our losses. The worst thing to do is sell, hide the money in cash and wait for things to turn around. Why? Because more often than naught things turn around and all of a sudden we’re back in after prices have raced back up.
Don’t act on fear. If you have an investment account that is well diversified and designed with long term objectives in mind, chances are that your portfolio should be left alone.
EUPHORIA: Just the opposite of freaking out. During bull markets your portfolio is going through the roof. Everything you touch turns to gold, equities are surging and all common sense goes out the window.
As the equity markets rise, investors reason that the risk of a significant decline fades away. When the DOW hit 15,000 you could feel the Euphoria on Wall Street. I’d say a few people freaked out when it dropped below 10,000. As the market soars the potential for a drop is greater than before. Thus the market becomes riskier, not safer.
PUTTING ALL YOUR EGGS IN ONE BASKET: Probably the worst investment mistake of all. Confining your portfolio with what’s hot today makes you a sitting duck. Chasing the sector of the moment is a dangerous game. Look for a balanced group of investment vehicles that include stocks, bonds, mutual funds and a money market component.
Keep in mind that diversification does not assure against market loss and there is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will outperform and undiversified one.
NOT HAVING A PLAN: You may have heard the old saying….if you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there. You must have a personal investment plan with specific goals and objectives. Whether it’s retiring at age 60 or saving enough money for your children’s college you need a plan.
A plan will help you adhere to a sound long term policy even when current market conditions are unsettling. Having a good plan and sticking to it is not near as fun as trying to time and beat the markets, but it will likely be more profitable in the long run.
BELIEVING THE HYPE There is almost nothing on financial news shows that can help you achieve your goals. News letters rarely offer anything of value and when they do, how do you identify them in advance? If there really was a secret formula to making big bucks do you really think someone would make a living telling others how to do it?
Spend less time watching financial news shows and reading newsletters. Spend more time sticking to your investment plan. No matter the market, sound investing principles will serve you in the long run.
http://www.creditscorecowboy.com is the one of the most unique on-line resources for free credit score reports, Identity theft protection software, and a BLOG with a wealth of personal credit information. The information within this website is written by professionals that know about credit.
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Tips to Plan out a Great Spring Wedding
by Cynthia ford
Spring signifies the beginning of new life and it is the perfect time for exchanging vows and to have a dream wedding. You can have your spring wedding in an outdoor location decorated with fresh seasonal flowers and you looking gorgeous in a traditional wedding gown. For planning a spring wedding there are certain things that you need to keep in mind to make the wedding a great success. Here are some tips to help you plan out a spring wedding:
Decorations and flowers
Using seasonal flowers and pastel colors would give your wedding a feeling of spring time. Decorating the tables with snowflakes is not ideal for a spring wedding. Instead choose petals to adorn tables. For centerpieces, you can use baskets containing spring flowers in soft pastel shades. You can decorate the place with beautiful tulips, roses, lilies, ranunculus, Gerber daisies, hyacinth and daffodils. A bouquet of cream tulips and red roses looks very classic.
Menu
For a spring wedding, a menu which comprises of fresh vegetables such as baby carrots, asparagus, peas, and haricots verts would be great. And don’t forget to include spring fruits such as strawberries, watermelon and apricots. As far as wedding cake is concerned, get the cake decorated with edible spring flowers. In fact you can even opt for something different instead of a regular cake. A carrot cake with a cream cheese icing would be delicious.
Spring Wedding Dresses
An A-line dress with floral embellishments on the bodice or waistline would be ideal for a spring wedding. But don’t choose anything heavy or long-sleeved wedding dresses unless you want to sweat your way down the aisle. You can also go for long floating skirts or gothic gowns. Tea-length gowns are another popular style of wedding dress for brides looking for something trendy to wear. You can find all these styles of wedding dresses quite easily at online bridal shops and that too at much affordable prices.
Adding a bit of color to your wedding dress would be a great idea. Add a touch of pink or blue color or include a bit of colorful embroidery in your wedding dress. As far as fabrics are concerned, light and airy fabrics are ideal such as chiffon, organza or charmeuse.
During the spring season, temperature can drop down to 50 degrees in the evening. Hence carry a sophisticated cashmere cardigan or an organza neck scarf with you.
Headpiece
A delicate floral headpiece would be perfect for a spring wedding. But make sure that the floral headpiece matches with your wedding dress completely. If you have a touch of pink shade or pink color embroidery on your wedding dress, then wearing a blue color floral headpiece would look odd. Hence it is advisable that you first make purchase of your affordable yet elegant wedding dress from a bridal store or online bridal shops and then proceed to buy matching accessories.
Best wedding favors for spring wedding
Seed packets are a popular favor for a spring wedding. You can also present wedding guests with a colorful butterfly cookie or birds nests. Spring is the time of Easter. So you can give your guests a ceramic Easter egg or a chocolate Easter bunny.
Spring is a great time to exchange vows with your beloved. And don’t get disheartened if it starts raining. It would only make the atmosphere even more romantic.
Cynthia ford is a fashion journalist who loves to explore various online bridal shops selling affordable wedding dresses. She also provides tips on how to purchase good quality wedding dresses online and a lot more.
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The Best Place To Snowmobile in Colorado
by Claire Chappell
Ski Town USA is getting rowdy. In Steamboat Springs, Colorado, the approaching ski season is in the air. Just driving down the main drag, you can see and feel the difference. Gear swaps and sales, classes at the rec center specifically designed to get your skiing legs back, and my personal favorite- the roller-blade inspired “roller-skis” that dedicated souls all over town are using to cruise up and down the cement slopes. There is no denying it- this is a ski town. But there’s another snow sport that has a strong and growing presence in Steamboat. It’s one that may not be noticed as you pass through. In garages all over town tune-ups and repairs are being performed, snowmobiles are being prepped. Snowmobiling has been gaining momentum as one of the area’s most popular winter activities. And slednecks, (defined by the Urban Dictionary as “a person from a mountain state that tears it up on a snowmobile”) are enthusiastic about the promise of another epic season here in northwest Colorado. Skiers and snowmobilers alike await the snow.
A central reason for the prevelance of snowmobiling in this area is Rabbit Ears Pass, in the Routt National Forest. The Pass is the snowmobile Mecca of Colorado. X-games competitors frequent the area and the longest snowmobile jump in history was recorded there. If you were to sit on the summit and get out your binoculars you would be able to spot numerous enthusiasts enjoying the area. On the highway’s edge there are trailers of all sizes and shapes. In the distance are guided tours that resemble ants on a march as they zoom up and down the hills. And if you know where the pros hang out, you may catch some wild cliff dropping and huge jumps. Rabbit Ears Pass is truly an outstanding place to ride. It boasts the ideal combination- accessibility, diverse terrain and plenty of snow.
Accessibility is foremost. Poor access makes great terrain useless. This is why a crowded and expensive ski resort is more popular than the thousands of miles of wide-open backcountry. For most of us, our playtime is limited and we would rather not spend it en route. From Steamboat, the Pass and endless snowmobiling is a mere twelve miles east. Just park in one of the lots that line the highway, unload your sled and your off. For those with a large budget to spend on their appetite for snow sports, an airport lies just a half-an-hour west and Steamboat has endless lodging options.
The diversity of the terrain is tremendous. Beginners have groomed trails. Intermediate riders have single track and hills with varying degrees of steepness. And the really crazy folks out there- they have plenty of cliffs. And all riders can play in the many alpine meadows on powder days. This assortment brings a wide array of experience levels to the Pass. It’s also a wonderful fit for commercial tours. Guided trips are a fusion of excitment and safety. By introducing people to snowmobiling, tours also assure the growth of the sport. Some of these newcomers will become addicts and, like the rest of us, spend lots of money supporting their habit and the industry.
Finally, the white fluffy icing on the proverbial cake. The delectable snow. Aptly icknamed “champagne powder”, the snow that falls on the Yampa Valley is renowned for being lighter than that of other regions in Colorado. Lighter snow heightens that supreme floating sensation that we all strive for. Sure, speed has some allure, and leaning into an impeccably carved turn can feel like cheating the laws of physics, but to float is undeniably divine.
Next time you and your family pack your sweaters and mittens and head for the mountains, consider Steamboat Springs as a destination. The exceptional ski resort draws a crowd all on its own, but the availability of many other snow sports makes this town unique. Trek off the beaten path and into the wilderness on a snowmobile and return with tales to tell.
Claire Chappell works with Steamboat Vacations, a local company that specializes in connecting travelers with amazing Outdoor Activites and Tours in Steamboat Springs. Claire spent years as a professional guide in sports such as snowmobiling and whitewater rafting, and is happy to share her knowledge and help visitors plan a sensational vacation to the Rocky Mountains.
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Treasuries: The Next Bubble?
by Jose Roncal
We’ve survived the tech bubble and the housing bubble, but are we headed for something more catastrophic than either of those? Some experts are beginning to fear the worst.
Let’s review recent financial events. The meltdown in the global financial markets created a wave of panic and a surge of money has poured into what has always been considered safe—short-term U.S. Treasury securities. This basically means that investors are willing to put faith in and lend money to the government. Primarily because, even though our national debt stands at staggering $10.59 trillion, and is still growing, the U.S. has never failed to meet a debt payment. This sudden appetite for Treasuries has driven yields down to their lowest levels since the Great Depression.
Over the past couple of months, the Feds have funneled massive amounts into bailout packages upsetting the government’s balance sheet. When you add a soaring U.S. deficit into the mix, you get a situation that’s causing sleepless nights for anyone that’s paying attention.
How Low Can They Go?
We’ve been waiting to see just how low interest rates on Treasury securities could go before the rapid stream of investments would dry up. It now appears that even zero is not too low. One day during the second week of December, the annualized yield on three-month T-bills in the secondary market hit the minus zero level, down to negative 0.01%, then later that same day it rose to positive 0.01%.
This means that investors are so fearful of the markets, but still have enough faith that the U.S. government, they are willing to risk getting less money upon maturity than they originally invested, and earn no interest along the way.
The Treasury hasn’t had to auction new T-bills at a negative rate yet, but on December 8, they actually sold $30 billion in four-week T-bills at a yield of exactly zero. Anyone who bought those can sell them in four weeks, but not for one penny more than they paid for them. At that rate, you could have just as easily stuffed a fistful of $100 bills into a coffee can and buried it in the back yard.
You might be wondering who would be willing to buy Treasury debt for little or no return? It turns out that there were plenty lined up to buy—some who probably no longer have back yards—so many in fact that the Feds reportedly could have sold up to four times as much as they did. Actually, while there are plenty of individual investors, it’s the big institutional investors like pension funds, and international central banks that are the biggest players in the market for Treasury securities.
How Long Can it Last?
There is so much money shifting into Treasuries, it can’t last forever. Investors seem to be pouring money into government securities with the same fervor that they did during the housing surge and the dotcom mania. U.S. government debt has always been considered the safest investment in the world. But now some fear the Treasury market is venturing into bubble territory.
The big question becomes, “How long can it last?” Were a bubble of this size to implode, there wouldn’t be enough sand bags in the world to stop the flood of money that would come gushing out. When the torrent was over, there would be so little left in the Treasury coffers, the government would be forced to pay higher rates on their burgeoning debt.
Our Foreign Debt Holders If such a day of reckoning is coming, it would be a devastating blow to the economy, and the dollar. At the first sign of the stock market entering a sustained period of recovery, investors would shy away from low-yield Treasuries. The Fed could then be forced to monetize Treasury securities, or else boost the rates higher.
But China and other foreign countries hold a major chunk of U.S. debt. In fact, about half of the nation’s $5.3 trillion in publicly traded debt is held by countries like Japan and China. That means a significant down shift in Treasury prices would lead to the decline of the US dollar, a threat of hyper-inflation and finally, a depression.
And yet, even though the U.S. has the dubious distinction of having kicked off the firestorm of global economic meltdown, our government bonds are still considered the safest investments in the world.
What’s in Store?
Just like we all thought that the price of homes could only go up, we now know that it’s that kind of irrational exuberance that blind us what’s coming. Jim Grant of Grant’s Interest Rate Observer recently commented on CNBC, “There’s more risk in things people think are inherently safe, including cash and Treasuries, vs. the things people perceive as risky.”
It appears that even though Treasury yields are at an all time low, even institutional investors are more concerned about preserving capital than they are in getting higher returns. Treasury interest rates are already at or near zero.
If things get worse, and they slip further into negative return territory, would investors actually be willing to pay the government to hold their money for safe keeping? So far, there is no indication that things will get that dire. Although, since none of the rules we’ve lived by these past few decades seem to apply anymore, we can’t speculate on the future.
We think that Treasury interest rates will probably remain low until some time mid-2009, or at least until the recession begins to lighten up. If the skittish market keeps the fear factor alive, people will keep moving money into the Treasury for safekeeping, low interest rates or not.
Jose Roncal is co-author of “The Big Gamble: Are You Investing or Speculating” which Donald Trump endorsed as “a great read”. Many of the author’s articles related to finance and the global economic crisis can be found at http://www.financialspeculation.com
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