All posts by Anne Younger

Anne is a 30-something full-time SAHM mom of 5 ranging from 3 to 17 and grandma of 1 who resides in Ashwaubenon (Green Bay) Wisconsin. She started blogging in 2008 as a way to regain her sanity. She enjoys coffee, chocolate, cheeseburgers and vodka along with spending time with her husband and kids.

Used Car Inspection: What You Need to Know

When buying a used car the biggest issue that weighs on your mind is the condition it is in and if any mechanical issues are going to pop up in the future.  It is always best to have a mechanic look at the vehicle before purchasing.

 

Here are some of the biggest things to look for.

  1. Uneven tread wear: Uneven tread wear can point to a host of issues.  This includes problems with the alignment, the suspension, and could point to lack of regular maintenance by the owner.  
  2. The suspension:  This includes the condition of the tie rods and tie rod ends, the control arms, and the mileage on the shocks and struts.  Most OEM shocks and struts have a life of 50,000 miles so need to be checked when approaching this milestone to see if they need to be replaced or not.  If a tie rod shows a lot of wear it should be replaced right away because a broken tie rod will ruin more than just your day.  If any of the control arms are even slightly bent they will throw off the alignment and the suspension and will cause more severe issues in the future.  If any of these problems are noticed early the repair is relatively cheap and would not be hard to do yourself if you have the tools and are mechanically inclined or you could talk the seller into doing the work before you buy it.
  3. Brake system:  Have a trained eye look at the condition of the pads, rotors, and calipers before buying the vehicle.  If these fail then you are likely to be doling out a lot of money to have them fixed and no one wants to be driving with substandard braking.
  4. Heat and A/C:  Make sure that the heater and the A/C are in good working condition and that the A/C is charged.  Nothing is worse than freezing or sweating your butt off due to the lack of one of these.
  5. General Electrical:  This applies to everything from the battery and its wires to the power locks and interior lights.  If there are electrical issues they should be checked out to make sure there is not a larger issue that will end up costing you a lot of money.  Make sure all of the power windows works and that you can unlock all of the doors using the front unlocks and/or the key attachment. 
  6. Transmission problems: When buying a used car, the transmission is one of the most important part to check. It’s responsible for transferring speed and torque from the engine to the wheels. One of the best ways to check your transmission for issues is by going to a transmission repair in Oshawa

These are items that a lot of car shoppers leave off of their inspection list only to discover a problem after the purchase is made.

Make sure to always fully inspect any car you are going to buy.

Looking to buy a new or used car? Check out the inventory at Bud’s Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep, Inc. of Celina, OH.

Top 6 Summer Car Care Tips

It may be July but we aren’t even a full month into summer which means we have a lot of warm weather still ahead of us. To make sure your car is in tip top condition for the rest of the summer, here are some great summer car care tips!!

Driving Down the Road. Road to the Sun. Modern Car Driving.

1. Keep Your Engine Cool

The cooling system in your car protects the engine from overheating. It is important to make sure that you have the cooling system flushed as specified in your owners manual. It is also important to have your cooling system inspected as the rubber components can deteriorate over time after being exposed to heat. You should check hoses and belts for any cracks or soft spots.

2. Check Your Fluids

Checking your fluids is something every car owner should be doing regularly however it is something we often forget to do. The fluids are what really keeps your car running by lubricating the engine and keeping things cool by moving the heat away from the critical parts of your car engine. When fluids are low, your engine and the cooling system are working harder than they need to be. Be sure to check your owners manual to find out where your levels should be and to use the proper fluids for your vehicle type.

3. Check Your Tires

Another item car owners tend to forget about until it is too late are tires. To get the most out of your tires and protect yourself from a bad situation, such as a flat tire or blowout. It is important to make sure your tires are properly inflated. If tires are under-inflated your tires can overheat, especially when the roads temperature is high, and cause a blowout. Your owners manual, as well as a convenient sticker on the driver’s side door jamb will tell you exactly how much air your tires should have.

4. Have Your A/C Checked

If you are expecting high temperatures, you want to make sure you can keep cool. Be sure to have your A/C checked to ensure the refrigerant level isn’t low and all other components are in working order. You can have your A/C inspected by a certified technician at Miller Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram for just $9.99.

5. Check Your Battery

Your battery is more lucky to have troubles in the summer than it is the winter. The summer heat and vibration can lead to an internal breakdown in the battery and eventually failure. Since you can’t control the heat, it is important to ensure that your battery is properly and securely mounted to minimize vibration. Also, be sure to clean any buildup around your battery terminals and connections and ensure your clamps are tight and don’t move. You can also have your battery tested to see how much longer it will last.

6. Be Prepared for a Breakdown

Even with the best routine maintenance, breakdowns can still happy. In the case of a breakdown, you want to be prepared with a well-stocked emergency road kit. It is important to have water, non-perishable foods, basic tools, jumper cables, etc.

Following this tips for summer car maintenance can help you and your car, have a safe and fun summer of travel!!

Should You Lease a Car?

If you’ve got the money, and you’ve been wanting or needing a new vehicle, you’ll soon find yourself nervously debating whether you should buy or lease. There are various pros and cons that we could list for both options, but this article will focus on the pros that exist for leasing a vehicle. There are a lot of them! Leasing offers tax deductions, the benefit of controlled costs, profitable leasing agreements, and usually better deals. So, stop tearing your hair out and missing out on sleep. Have a look, and you’ll see why you should lease a vehicle today!

Better Deals

When leasing a car, you can get a better deal than purchasing it up front. There are many websites online that can help you  find deals for leasing as well as many local, reliable dealerships that can help. Whether you’re looking to lease new or used, there are tons of options available to you. Used will be cheaper of course, even if the vehicle hasn’t been heavily used, and only has a couple hundred miles on it. This is especially true of ex-business vehicles, which may have been put up for sale far before their time. Reedman-Toll Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Jenkinton, PA is happy to help assist you with all of your leasing needs and has a large selection of vehicles for you to choose from.

Bigger Tax Deductions!

If you own a business and you lease your new car, you will be able to deduct it from your tax payments as a business deduction. However, keep track of how many miles you travel for business reasons, and how many you travel for personal reasons. There’s no big risk, but you don’t want to be committing tax fraud, so keep your eyes on that odometer. Of course, if you use your vehicle only for business purposes, you have nothing to worry about.

Controlled Costs!

Controlling costs is the practice of reducing expenses as much as possible, and increasing profits all at once. If you’re leasing a business vehicle so that you can use it as a tax deduction, then you can easily partake in this practice. A vehicle is one of the main controllable costs in a business, and you should take advantage of this fact. Therefore, when you combine the benefits of leasing, along with the rest of the benefits of cost controlling, you’re looking at a massive reduction of costs, and a major increase of income.

The Benefits Of The Lease Agreement

If you are leasing a vehicle, there is a chance you can make up for any wear and tear that you put on the car.

So, in the end, there’s no real reason not to lease a car. As long as the miles are low, and the price can match them, you’re most likely going to get a better deal than you would if you flat-out purchased it. Leasing is the best use of your money, especially if you own a business. If you can afford to make a big down payment, you’re just going to cut the costs even further. With all the tools that are available nowadays to help you find deals when leasing a car, you have nothing to worry about.

13 Reasons to Shop at Rouen Chrysler Jeep Dodge in Woodville, OH

Shopping for a new car should be a fun, joyful experience. It should be something you want to remember, not something that stresses you out and that you dread doing. The folks at Rouen Chrysler Jeep Dodge in Woodville, Ohio want your next car buying experience to be a pleasant one and that is why we have out together this list of 12 reasons why you should shop at their facility.

12 Reasons Why You Should Shop at Rouen

  1. Large selection of vehicles including the new top 2019 models like RAM 1500 Classic Big Horn and the 2020 Jeep Gladiator Sport S.
  2. On-site financing so you can find the perfect loan or lease option without having to run all over town and fill out paperwork.
  3. Fresh Start Credit program that makes the credit process easy, even after bankruptcy and repossession or if you are a first time buyer. It is 100% confidential and there are over 500 vehicles available!
  4. Service center staffed with ASE-certified automotive technicians and four Master Technicians on staff.
  5. Great selection of accessories for your car, truck or SUV.
  6. Rouen Chrysler Jeep Dodge carries genuine parts and Mopar accessories.
  7. Enjoy free coffee and a comfortable, quiet waiting area while your car is being serviced or take the shuttle back to your home or office. You can also take advantage of their 24-hour drop off and leave your keys in the drop box and drop your car at your convenience.
  8. Saturday service hours so you don’t have to worry about more during a hectic work week.
  9. Amazing new car specials that will help you save money on your vehicle purchase.
  10. Knowledgeable staff that is happy to answer any of your questions about the vehicle(s) you are looking at to help make your decision easier.
  11. Friendly staff that is helpful, not aggressive or pushy. They listen to your needs and help you to find just what you are looking for.
  12. Free car wash with EVERY service appointment.
  13. Rouen Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram received the FCA Customer First Award for Excellence for 2018, meaning you are receiving the highest level of customer experience in:
  • Performance Measures – Key measures of your process and people-performance.
  • Process Validation – Core, essential dealership processes that drive customer experience.
  • Facility Certification – Professional, clean and comfortable facilities.
  • Employee Survey – Employee feedback to help build stronger teamwork and professionalism.
  • Training Certification – Continuous learning and growth

Rest assured that when you shop at Rouen Chrysler Jeep Dodge that you are receiving the highest level of professionalism and customer service.

7 Items to Check Off Your Christmas To-Do List – In July

I know, it’s the middle of summer and you probably hate me for even saying this, but Christmas is less than 6 months away! Now is the time to start prepping for the holiday so you don’t find yourself scrambling at the last minute.

The question is, which items on the list do you tackle first? For us, the one thing that is always hard to do is capture the perfect family photo or just pictures of the kids to feature on our holiday card, after that, I always put the rest off….but not this year!

This year, we have come up with 8 items for you to check off your Christmas To-Do list – in July!

1. Create Christmas Wish Lists

One thing I despise more than anything is getting a list from my kids or other family member super close to Christmas. I love to shop year round and you never know when you will stumble upon a great sale for the perfect gift your family member wants. Be sure to create your list and have you kids create their lists too. Getting them done early means they will be ready and waiting the minute someone asks for them.

2. Family Pictures

If you are planning on sending out a photo card, newsletter or want to give photos of the family or just the kids as a gift, schedule your photo session ASAP! Photographers book up more and more the closer we get to the holidays and the sooner you get yours done, the sooner your photographer can get them edited and back to you in time for the holidays.

3. Get Some Christmas Card Ideas Together

Selecting a Christmas card to send can be tough, especially if you are looking for something that is simple or something that you can customize to meet your tastes. Basic Invite is one of the few websites that allows customers almost unlimited color options with instant previews online. Once you select a design you can change the color of each element on the card to over 180 different color options so you can make sure the card is exactly how you want it down to the littlest detail. The
holiday cards maker makes it easy for you to get exactly what you are looking for! As a bonus, you can even order a sample card early to make sure they are just what you are looking for. Basic Invite is filled with all kinds of great Christmas card ideas including company Christmas cards if you need them! Right now Basic Invite is offering 15% off with coupon code: 15FF51.

4. Get Started on Homemade Gifts

If you plan on gifting any items that are homemade such as keepsake gifts from the kids, blankets, or anything that takes a lot of time to create, get you projects started now. A lot of stores are already stocked with holiday crafts and sales making it a great time to take advantage of the prices and the extra time before the holidays hit.

5. Clean Out The Kids Rooms

When it comes to Christmas and kids, it usually means more new clothes and more new toys. Start working on cleaning out all of the clothes that don’t fit anymore or toys they have outgrown or just don’t enjoy and find them a new home with a friend or family member or donate them to a local charity.

6. Take Advantage of Summer Sales

A lot of stores start putting out small Christmas displays in July to bring in some extra sales in the summer which makes it the perfect time to shop for some new holiday decor if you need it. Also, watch for stock up sales for things like bath and kitchen towels, dishrags, and other household goods that could make great gifts for friends and family.

7. Find Time in Your Winter Schedule To Give Back

The holidays are a great time to give back to your community and a lot of people wait until the last minute to sign up to volunteer their time. Take advantage of the summer and make a few phone calls to local charities or schools and find out what events they have going on during the holidays that you are your family may be able to help with a commit to it now and get it on your calendar.

With just completing these tasks, you will be checking off items on your Christmas to-do list and be prepared for the holidays instead of waiting until the last minute.