New Year's Resolutions for 2016

New Year’s Eve is often seen as a time of rebirth, the chance to start anew. We all come up with the regular resolutions for the upcoming year (losing weight, seeing family more often and/or falling in love), but often our ideas of what should change are too broad. This New Year’s Eve, we should all vow to take a closer look into our lives. These are the 20 New Year’s resolutions you should consider in 2016:

1. Leave the country. If you don’t have money, look into doing charity work abroad. Some programs will sponsor you. Look at helpx.net, for programs you can get involved with.

2. If you hate your job, get a new job. Money is not worth sacrificing your happiness. Food and shelter are important though, so make sure you have another job lined up before moving on.

3. Stop beating yourself up for skipping the gym on days you truly didn’t have time. But also, stop skipping the gym on days you had plenty of time to go.

4. Rid yourself of enemies. Apologize for what you did wrong and forgive those who have wronged you.

5. Rid yourself of “frenemies.” Don’t spend 2016 surrounded by people you secretly despise.

6. If you find someone attractive, be confident enough to say “hi” and introduce yourself. Every relationship you have ever had started with a greeting.

7. Leave your phone number for someone. Worst-case scenario: you won’t get a call and maybe you’ll feel a tiny bit embarrassed. Regardless of the outcome, you put yourself out there and probably made the other person’s day.

8. Stop caring about how many people “like” your social posts. If you like the photo enough to post it, what else matters? Social media anxiety is a waste of time.

9. Cross something off your bucket list this year! Sky dive, bungee jump, scuba dive, etc. Don’t make excuses as to why you can’t accomplish something, and finally do it.

10. Stop hating yourself for eating dessert. Dessert is delicious.

11. If you’ve never done it before, try keeping a journal. It doesn’t have to be something you use 

daily, but documenting your experiences is incredibly important. You’ll appreciate it later.

12. Strengthen relationships with family members. Don’t regret not spending enough time with the ones you love and admire.

13. Help strangers. “Pay it forward,” do good things for the world — and don’t post a Facebook status about it.

14. Conquer a fear. There’s nothing better than triumphing over your old fears. Go for it!

15. Turn off your smartphone at dinner.

16. Don’t check your social media feed when you’re with friends. Enjoy the present, and live in it – not the virtual version.

17. Try a fashion trend you never thought you could pull off. And, do it with confidence. Floppy hats, snap backs, Harem pants; you can do it!

18. Shop locally, eat locally and recognize where your money is going. Consumers control the economy, so visit the mom-and-pop coffee shop down the street instead of Starbucks. 

19. Stop being so shallow. The next time you find yourself judging someone based on his or her appearance, imagine that person standing in front of you saying, “I’m beautiful.” You’ll start to believe it.

20. And finally, if you want someone to commit to you, vocalize it. Purgatory shouldn’t last forever.

This list is meant to give you ideas on how to help yourself and those around you in the year to come. We hope that some of these ideas can give you the inspiration to make 2016 your best year yet! 

3 Factors To Consider When Buying A Pickup Truck

Pickup trucks are one of the most popular choices among vehicle types today. This is because they are ideal vehicles for individuals, families and companies. They can be great for personal use or for business purposes. Pickups are indeed one of the most versatile and dependable vehicles today.

Pickup trucks can also be quite costly though. As such, before buying one, you need to make sure that this is the right type of vehicle for you and it will provide you the best value for your money. Below are some key factors you have to consider when investing in a pickup:

Engine power and size. The size and power of engine you should ultimately choose should depend largely on the main purpose or uses you have for the truck. If you want to buy this type of vehicle for everyday commuting but do not plan on using it to transport large or heavy items, then a 4-cylinder engine can save you money on gas. Four-cylinders are also fine for transporting small payloads; however, if you need to tow something bigger than a small U-Haul trailer, you'll have to choose something bigger. If you plan on using this pickup to tow a boat or bigger trailer, then you will have to go for a V6 or V8 engine. Although trucks with these engines tend to be more expensive, they are more versatile and powerful.

Passenger capacity. Many pickups come standard as two-seaters, with sufficient space for the driver and a single passenger. Trucks with two-person cabs are normally less expensive than trucks with larger cabs. They also come with longer beds. If you will not be transporting many passengers and need more cargo space, the standard cab configuration might be your best choice. But if you need more passenger capacity for friends or family, select one with a larger cab.

4x4 or two-wheel drive. A 4x4 pickup truck is costlier and deciding whether you should choose this option should depend on the regular weather condition where you drive and your driving habits. If you live in a place that doesn't see a lot of rain or snow and simply plan to use your truck for commuting, then a 4x4 truck is unnecessary. This is because going for this option as will considerably reduce your gas mileage. However, if you live in a place where it rains or snows or the weather can be unpredictable and you have plans of driving the pickup off-road for work or pleasure, a 4x4 drive would be better since its improved traction can prevent you from getting stranded in the mud, muck or snow.

Winter Maintenance Tips You Need to Know

You know there are preventative maintenance items your daily driver needs, but the exact list of things to look after escapes you. Don’t worry! That’s why we’re here.

We will help walk you through the best winter maintenance tips so you can survive until spring comes ‘round the corner again.

WINTER TIRES

Many of today’s vehicles have either front-wheel-drive or some kind of all-wheel-drive. While both do wonderful things for traction, they cannot break the laws of physics. Sudden ice storms, low visibility, or bad driving by “the other guy” are not necessarily overcome by these drive systems. If you live in an area that’s particularly snowy, and/or are not the most confident winter driver, the number-one driver’s aid is a good set of winter tires.

Note that we don’t call them “snow tires” anymore.

Today’s rubber compounds are designed to provide maximum traction in the coldest temperatures, so it’s not just about the tread pattern.

If you plan to keep your vehicle awhile, consider getting your snow tires mounted on dedicated wheels. Although the initial cost seems high, the ease and expense of making the seasonal switch is greatly reduced. If, on the other hand, you have a leased vehicle, or will likely trade for something else soon, you can purchase tires and accept the trade off of paying a little more for the mounting and balancing every six months.

EXTERIOR CARE

If you haven’t waxed your car’s paint yet this year, now is the time to do it. A fresh coat of wax will protect the paint, not so much from the snow, but from the sand, salt, and other stuff that gets mixed in with it. Second, most experts recommend replacing your wiper blades twice a year, in the spring and in the fall. If you forgot to do it last April, get it done now.

Lastly, with shorter days and longer nights than normal, remember that your exterior lights help you both to see and be seen. A quick walk-around will confirm if any bulbs need replacing. You’d rather do that now than in January when it’s minus 10 degrees with the wind chill.

MECHANICAL SERVICE

Much of what’s needed under the hood falls into the “preventative maintenance” category. You want to take care of things before they fail. Trust us, there is no joy in being stuck at the side of the road, especially when winter’s fury is blasting you.

The DIY items here start with topping up the washer fluid. If you’ve been using a 50/50 mix during the summer, switch to 100% from the bottle. Personally, we always buy solvent in quantities of two, and keep one in the trunk. Oil and filter services should be done, as cold-weather driving is strenuous for the engine.

Check the radiator antifreeze level, as it’s the coolant which delivers interior heat.

Jobs for which you’ll likely need professional assistance include testing said antifreeze for proper temperature protection; testing the battery’s condition to help ensure it’ll get your motor running every time, and giving all under hood systems (belts, hoses, other fluid levels) a once-over.

INTERIOR / PERSONAL CARE

Snow, slush, and salt on your shoes will quickly damage your vehicle’s carpeting. A good set of rubber floor liners will pay for themselves in the protection they provide. Because you can never be too prepared, be sure to carry a snow brush, ice scraper, and personal emergency kit as well. We’re not paranoid, but keeping a blanket, flashlight, portable shovel, and non-perishable snacks tucked into the trunk will make us feel better.

If you take care of only the tires, wiper blades, and fluids, you will still be ahead of most of the driving population in winter preparedness. If you attend to everything on our list, you’re almost guaranteed to make it through the winter unscathed.

Our best advice is to print out this list and use it annually as your winter check sheet.

Tips for Buying your First New Car

Buying new cars is something that can cause uncertainty. While the process does get easier each time, the first purchase can be quite intimidating if you aren't sure exactly how to go about it. Here are some tips that can help you when it comes time to buy your very first vehicle.

The first thing you should do is establish a budget. Your budget should be realistic and reflect what you are able to pay monthly when looking at new cars. Unless you are able to pay cash for the vehicle, you will be financing the cost. Look at your cost of living when it comes to food, shelter, insurance, and other spending habits. Once you have taken a good look at that and your income, you will have a better idea of what you can afford to spend on a car payment, insurance, fuel, and maintenance.

After you have decided what you can afford, then you need to take a close look at your needs. While there are many fun new cars, purchasing the vehicle that is best suited for you and your lifestyle is a wise choice. Unless you have excess funds, buying a vehicle that is bigger, better, faster, or fancier can cost you more in insurance, maintenance, and fuel.

Now it's time to research new cars. Luckily, learning more about the vehicles that you are considering is quite easy. You can learn more about cars and their features by looking at our site. After you have researched, you can have a more effective shopping process on our lot.

Are you ready to start looking at new cars in person? Come into our dealership and speak with one of our sales associates. The next thing you should do is take a test drive. While you may find all the information you think you need online, you still want to know how the vehicle feels when you sit in it and drive. Is the seat height adequate? How does the steering feel? Do you like the layout of the controls? There is a lot more to a vehicle than what it looks like and its ratings and features so be sure to do a test drive before making a final decision.

After you have shopped around and decided on a vehicle to purchase, you should learn more about your financing options. Depending on your credit history, the down payment you can afford, and other factors, you may have finance options. Speak with our dealership’s finance department about these, we can help you fit the car of dreams into your budget.

Purchasing a new vehicle is exciting, but it is something you should learn about before signing on the dotted line. Use the information shared here to help you make the most informed decision.

Change Your Flat Tire Safely

This is a quick run-down on what to know and steps to take when changing a flat tire. We’re sure there are more tips than this, but these are good universal tips for all of us.

1. Pull your vehicle as far over or even off the main road if possible for safety.

2 .Locate the jack and tire wrench in your vehicle. If you are unsure where it is, pull out the manual and look it up. Many times it is located in the trunk somewhere.

3. Follow the instructions in your manual or on the jack to place the jack in the correct spot underneath and get it snug on the frame while not quite raising it up yet.

4. Take your wrench and start to loosen each lug nut just a little so each is started.

5. Once they are loose, go ahead and jack the vehicle up until the vehicle tire is off the ground.

6. Once off the ground, loosen all the lug nuts until they come off. Pull the flat tire straight off. If you pull at an angle the rim may catch on the bolt threads and make it difficult to pull off.

7. Roll the old tire off to behind the vehicle, and grab your spare tire. Many times the spare will look smaller than the original. That is because it is just made to be a temporary tire to get you to the tire garage and get the flat tire repaired or replaced.

8. Take your spare tire and line up the bolt holes with the rim with the bolts or holes on the hub and try to put it straight on.

9. Holding the tire on with one hand, take one of your tire bolts and start to screw it into the top hole. Once that is tight enough to hold the rim on, hand tighten the rest of the bolts on.

10. Take your wrench and firmly snug them all up using a criss cross pattern instead of going clock-wise or counter-clockwise.

11. Slowly lower the jack so the tire is now on the ground. Give each bolt a good turn to make sure they are all tight.

12 Don't forget to put the jack and wrench back in their compartments, and throw the flat in your trunk. Since most spares are temporary it is wise to head straight to the tire center and have your tire fixed or replaced as soon as possible.

Follow these steps to keep your frustrations to a minimum with your unfortunate circumstance. If you ever feel you are in an unsafe area, call a tow truck to either change it for you or tow you to a garage that can help.

Fall Driving Safety Tips

Fall means a number of wonderful things, like warm, comfy sweaters, foliage, and baking pumpkin pies. For drivers, fall also brings unique dangers to the roads. Find out what makes fall driving dangerous and what you can do to keep yourself safe.

Why Driving In The Fall Can Be Dangerous

Weather conditions can be unpredictable in the fall. A bright, beautiful afternoon can turn rainy and cold in minutes. And with days getting shorter, you could find yourself commuting to or from work in darkness.

Back-to-school traffic

Fall means back to school for kids, which means more cars and buses on the roads. Drivers also need to watch out for increased pedestrian traffic in the morning and afternoon as children walk to and from school and their neighborhood bus stops.

Rain

The first rain in a few weeks can be particularly dangerous, as water pools on top of dust and oil that haven't had a chance to wash away and makes the pavement extremely slippery.

Leaves (and leaf peepers)

Fall foliage is certainly beautiful, but as leaves begin to fall, they litter the roads, making streets slick while obscuring traffic lines and other pavement markings. They also hide potholes and other road hazards. And when it rains, it can make those wet leaves on the roadway as dangerous as ice.

And where there are turning leaves, there are leaf peepers. These leaf-peeping drivers tend to crawl along the roads and make unpredictable stops to admire the changing foliage. If you're driving behind a car with out-of-state plates, give them a little extra space just in case they stop short for a photo.

Fog

Cold fall mornings often lead to fog, which can greatly limit your driving visibility and perception of distance. Fog tends to occur in low places or areas surrounded by hills, water, mountains, and trees. One common mistake drivers make during foggy conditions is putting on their high beams instead of staying with their low beams. This only makes visibility worse because your high beams will bounce off the fog and create glare.

When driving through fog, slow down and stay well behind the car in front of you so you'll have adequate time to stop if you need to.

Frost

During the fall, temperatures tend to drop dramatically during the night, which can lead to morning frost and icy spots on the road. This is especially common on bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas of the road.

Sun glare

Fall is also a bad time for sun glare on the roads. Sun glare can impact your sight for seconds after exposure, making it hard to see pedestrians, oncoming traffic, or the car in front of you. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drivers describe being "blinded" after exposure, and this sometimes leads to accidents or near misses.

Sun glare can also cause problems when the sun sets behind drivers. In this case, sunlight can bounce off your rearview mirror or reflect off traffic lights up ahead, and this can blind you for a split second while your eyes adjust. It can also make it hard (or impossible) to see traffic lights, which can prevent you from knowing if you're supposed to stop or go.

Deer

The fall season brings an increase in deer activity because it's their time for mating and migrating. If you live in a deer-heavy area, watch for darting deer, especially when driving at night.

Fall Driving Tips

• Being prepared for fall's inclement weather and hazardous driving challenges is half the battle.
• Watch your speed: Drive a bit slower when faced with fall driving hazards, especially if you're driving around a school bus.
• Keep your distance: Leave a little more space between you and the car in front on rainy or foggy days, during dawn or dusk, and in areas with wet leaves. This will give you more time to react.
• Stick with low beams: Keep your headlights on low when driving in the fog (and rain). High beams will only cause glare.
• Clear frost away from your windows: Frost can reduce visibility and response time on the road.
• Approach traffic lights carefully: Sun glare can make it harder to see traffic lights change, so approach them with more than the normal care.
• Avoid using products that increase gloss: Washing and waxing with these products can magnify the fall's sunny glare and make it hard to see.
• Clean your windshield, inside and out: When your windshield's illuminated by sunlight, dust particles, streaks, and smudges become magnified, making it hard to see the road.
• Watch for wildlife: especially in the early morning and evening hours.
• Check your tire pressure: Since fall weather rapidly changes from warm to cold, your tires will often expand and contract. This can lead to a loss of pressure.

Source: www.esurance.com