"Those Cars Never Seem To Stop Coming... Keep Those Rags And Machines Humming!"
~ Rose Royce
With spring in full swing and summer fast approaching, most people want to have their car looking good. Driving a nice clean car just feels good--and it can also help to preserve its appearance and resale value.
What's the Best Way to Clean Your Car... at the Car Wash or at Home?
Believe it or not, an automatic car wash is not only more convenient, but it can also be much safer for your car than washing the car at home. Why? If your car is washed by hand in direct sunlight, the drops of water turn into mini magnifying glasses, which can cause the sun's rays to burn spots into the paint--and this could cost you big when going to resell the vehicle. Additionally, many people use harsh household soap products, which remove protective wax and leave a chalky residue on the surface. Taking this into consideration makes the $8 to $15 automatic car wash fee look pretty reasonable.
Of course, the car wash has a number of "extras" that can add up fast and quickly double the cost of a quick car wash! Before you agree to the "works" package, find out what is included and decide if it is really worth the extra money to have a fresh scent sprayed in the interior, or a spray-on wax applied to the exterior.
Consider These Tips the Next Time Your Car Needs a Shine. Rust Proof Spoof?
Undercarriage rust proofing may be one of the extras you can do without. That's because most new cars were already rust proofed at the factory, and adding a car wash proofing adds little to nothing in terms of true protection.
Wax On, Wax Off.
Many automatic car wash machines offer a spray-on wax feature. But, truth be told, spray-on waxes offer little more than a surface-level shine. A hand-applied wax, on the other hand, may be worth the investment because it helps restore precious oils and provides a UV-protective film.
Wash That Grease Away?
In most cases, you'll want to avoid having your engine cleaned. The high-pressure water used to perform the engine cleaning can cause serious engine problems in new vehicles.
Undercarriage Cleaning.
Rust proofing your car's undercarriage may not be necessary, but you should consider adding an undercarriage cleaning. It washes away residue from the winter and helps prevent buildup that a regular car wash can't reach.
Ring Around Your Tire?
Tire dressings are a better investment and more important than they may seem at first. That's because they actually provide a strong cleaning that removes dirt and brake dust that may cause problems if left unchecked.
To Brush or Not To Brush.
When it comes to automatic car wash machines, you should always opt for a brushless car wash. Older car wash facilities may still use brushes, which tend to leave light scratches in the paint. They can also remove the clear coat that was applied by the factory to protect the paint.
| |
A PENNY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS |
|
Starting May 12th, it'll cost you one extra little penny to mail someone your thoughts. That's right...the US Postal Service is getting ready to make some price changes, and the biggest change for most consumers will be a price increase for First Class stamps from 41¢ to 42¢.
The news isn't all bad, though. That's because for the first time in the history of the US Postal Service, the new pricing structure will include online price reductions, rebates, commercial volume and contract prices, as well as several other new incentives. The heat must be on the USPS to be competitive in pricing, as according to Postmaster General John Potter: "These innovative pricing incentives will make our products more attractive to all shippers, especially small businesses. We're pricing our products to sell in today's competitive shipping market."
The information below can help you plan for your postal expenses and figure out a few ways that you can save!
New Prices as of May 12
Consistent with The Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act, the average increase of the prices is at or below the rate of inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index. Here's what the new pricing will be:
- First-Class Mail letter 1 oz. = .42¢ (current price = .41¢)
- First-Class Mail letter 2 oz. = .59¢ (current price = .58¢)
- Postcard = .27¢ (current price = .26¢)
- Certified Mail = $2.70 (current price = $2.65)
- First-Class Mail International to Canada and Mexico 1 oz. = .72¢ (current price = .69¢)
- First-Class Mail International to all other countries 1 oz. = .94¢ (current price = .90¢)
Ways to Save...
Forever Stamps — Last year, the US Postal Service introduced Forever Stamps... and this is your chance to reap the rewards! You can purchase Forever Stamps prior to May 12 at the lower .41¢ rate, and then use them even after the price change. Forever Stamps are widely available through Post Offices, Contract Postal Units, consignment locations, Automated Postage Centers, and The Postal Store®. To help meet increased demand before the price change, the US Postal Service plans to have 5 Billion Forever Stamps in stock. So you shouldn't have any problems getting your hands on them.
In addition to Forever Stamps, the US Postal Service is introducing all new ways to help you save, including the following new incentives:
Express Mail — With the new "zone-based pricing system," you'll pay less when you send a letter to a nearby destination using Express Mail. You can also save 3 percent when you purchase Express Mail online or through a corporate account. Finally, additional price reductions are available if you ship quarterly minimums.
Priority Mail — The new pricing structure includes a provision to help you save an average of 3.5 percent when you use electronic postage or meet other requirements.
Parcel Select — Large - and medium-size shippers will receive pricing and volume incentives under the "last mile" delivery provision.
Parcel Return Service — A new weight-based pricing system will result in significant price reductions for the return shipping of lighter packages.
You can learn more about the new pricing structure at www.usps.com/prices, and you can purchase Forever Stamps at your local Post Office or online at The Postal Store.
| |
BEAT THE HIGH GAS PRICES! |
|
With record-setting gas prices at the pump, now's the time to make sure you're stretching every mile you can out of each gallon of gas. So before you hit the road this spring and summer, make sure you take a few simple steps to operate more fuel efficiently... and save some cash.
Put a Lid on It. Did you know that a bad seal on your gas cap could allow as much as 30 gallons of gas to evaporate over the course of a year? Before you leave the pump, make sure you tighten the cap completely. And if you notice that the rubber seal on the cap is beginning to wear out or crack, replace it. This minimal investment will pay dividends down the road.
Don't Just Kick the Tires...Check Them! Under-inflated tires are one of the most common reasons for poor gas mileage. If your tires are under-inflated by just 20%, your gas mileage can drop by as much as 15%. That means you'd be getting two to three miles LESS per gallon...which leads to filling up sooner and paying at the pump more often than you need to.
Take a Load Off. For every 100 pounds of unwanted weight your car carries, your fuel economy drops up to 2%. Shedding that unwanted poundage--including golf clubs, bike racks, and tools--can save you the equivalent of three to six cents per gallon! So check your trunk and empty out any unnecessary items.
Ease on Down the Road. Remember, unnecessary stops and starts, as well as aggressive acceleration can overshadow all of the good tips on this list--so take it easy on your gas pedal. You'll also want to use your cruise control wisely. For instance, turn off cruise control when climbing steep hills to stop your car from automatically cranking up to maintain its speed. And, leave your cruise control off when you go down the other side of that steep hill--your car doesn't understand gravity as well as you do and, therefore, won't take advantage of the downhill momentum.
Give It Some Air. Believe it or not, replacing a clogged air filter can improve your car's gas mileage by as much as 10%! Not only will replacing a dirty air filter save gas, it will protect your engine.
Consider Using Overdrive Gears. By using the overdrive gears, you can reduce your car's engine speed... which means you'll save gas and reduce engine wear at the same time.
Stop Idling. Finally, if you're sitting still for longer than a minute, you should consider shutting down the car. Idling endlessly reduces gas mileage and wastes precious fuel you could be using to get across town.
By following these simple tips, you'll be taking better care of your car...and your wallet!
