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Technology That Should Be in Your Next Car

Beneath the sea of ​​acronyms, meaningless explanations and confusing advertising messages is the key to car infotainment and electronics: better living through technology.

But keeping up with the latest consumer technology advancements can be exhausting, especially in the automotive realm. To help you cut through the hassle, we’ve highlighted the latest and greatest technology features designed to make your driving experience fun, safe and efficient. Whether you’re an early adopter or a diehard, in-car technology will eventually play an important role in your next car purchase.

1. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay

Apple and Google, in partnership with automation software developers, have proven once again that the simplest solution is often the best. Since the dawn of the smartphone era, drivers have wondered, “Why can’t my car’s media copy that of my phone?” Now, it is possible. Just plug in your phone via USB cable (wireless performance is on the way) and voila! The digital climate you are now familiar with is accessed through your car’s audio screen.

2. Extended Bluetooth

Although Bluetooth has become synonymous with hands-free calling, short-range wireless technology has a lot to offer when it comes to mobile connectivity. If you have an Android, Blackberry, or Windows phone, your device likely has a Bluetooth specification called Information Access Profile.

Apple users can take advantage of their iPhone’s factory or dealer-installed Siri Eyes Free feature, which can be activated via the voice recognition button on the steering wheel. When prompted, Siri Eyes Free lets you send and receive text messages, make phone calls, select, and play music, set reminders, and access Apple Maps for turn-by-turn voice directions.

3. USB port

A USB port is a great way to plug in apps and play music from non-wireless audio devices, like old iPods, thumb drives, and maybe the Microsoft Zune. USB connectivity also offers many advantages over Bluetooth. For example, Bluetooth compresses the audio signal to transmit data over the air, reducing the quality of the annoying sound. On the other hand, the USB that transmits music from your device to the audio system is ‘lossy’, resulting in inconsistent sound quality. You can also plug a charger into your USB port so that your phone is always ready for you to use, whether for calls or claiming an online casino sign up bonus.

4. Keyless entry

You have better things to do than to put in your pocket or purse for your keys. Keyless Access uses a radio signal to communicate with your key fob over the air when it’s near your car. Using a button or hand sensor on the door handle, you can lock and unlock your car without taking the keys out of your pocket or purse. These hidden radio signals also disable the car’s immobilizer, allowing you to press the button to start the car.

5. Blind spot monitoring

Studies show that blind spots cause hundreds of thousands of crashes each year. To stop this in its tracks, many new cars today offer a system of sensors designed to alert you to cars in your blind spot with a light indicator in the side mirror.

6. Lane Assist

Lane Keeping Assist is a technology that recognizes lane markings or road markings to alert drivers to unexpected lane changes using visual, auditory, and visual warnings. it’s touching. If you leave your lane without a signal, the system will gently pull the steering wheel and bring the car back to the centre of the lane.

Ways to Conserve Resources at Home

We don’t have unlimited resources, and taking care of what we have is essential. You don’t want to help further reduce whatever resources we have by being irresponsible. Even at home, we can take steps to preserve whatever is available.

Use less water

When you’re not using the faucet or shower, turn it off. Use glass when brushing your teeth. You should also avoid using the dishwasher when the load isn’t full. There are many ways to conserve water, and you must be smart in doing it.

Turn the lights off

When you leave the room, turn the lights off. You can also install smart home devices to shut the lights off when no one is around automatically. You will also save more money by not wasting electricity.

Unplug devices

You might have a habit of leaving devices plugged even when you’re not at home or if they’re not in use. It doesn’t take a lot to get this job done. Even when the device is off, it can still consume energy.

Recycle

Creating new products from scratch can take up too much energy. It helps if you recycle materials at home that you no longer use. Repurpose them or donate them to organizations. You may also consider metal recycling if you have metal scraps at home. Start by segregating trash at home. Introduce the process to your children, and they can continue practicing it.

Shift to renewable energy

The use of fossil fuels is why we continue to suffer from global warming. The best thing to do is shift to renewable energy. We can harness unlimited resources without causing pollution. We can also reduce carbon emissions. You might have to spend a lot at first, but you will save money in the long run. You’re also protecting the environment with this decision.

Start a compost pit

You can convert your scraps into compost for your garden using this method. It also doesn’t take a lot to get it done. Of course, you might have to learn the process first, but you will eventually get it. You may also open this idea up to your neighbors to start a community pit.

Insulate your house

Consider insulating your house to save energy. For instance, when using air conditioners, the temperature remains the same because of sound insulation. As a result, you don’t need to keep adjusting the thermostat. It can also reduce your electric bills.

Pass old clothes

Not everyone enjoys hand-me-down clothes. However, you can instill the value of recycling in your children. Let them realize that these clothes are still helpful. You don’t have to throw them away. Instead, if they don’t like using the clothes, gather them in a box and donate them to charitable organizations. Then, someone else can still enjoy these clothes.

These are only some practices you can do at home to conserve energy and protect resources. Start with something you’re comfortable with, and it will become a habit.

The Pros and Cons of Receiving Your First Car Loan 

You have a number of options available to you when you’re buying a new car. But the reality is that the different options can easily lead to confusion. We begin this article by looking at the different ways that you can finance your car purchase before looking at the pros and cons of applying for your first car loan.

Cash or savings 

Paying in cash is one of the best way to buy a car, as you will save money on fees and interest payments. Also, if you fall on tough times, you can sell your car to recover some of your initial investment because you own it outright. What’s more, many dealers offer discounts to cash buyers, so you might get a better deal on the car as a result. Just be careful if you’re using cash, as it’s not a good idea to wipe out your savings entirely just to buy a new car.

Personal contract purchase 

Personal contract purchases (PCP) have become popular recently. They allow you to pay a deposit on a car before agreeing to specified monthly repayments for a particular timeframe. At the end of the deal, you can either give the car back to the company, pay a final lump sum to own the car, or part exchange the car for a new one. PCP options are not the easiest way to fund a car, but they allow people who don’t have a great deal of capital to complete a deal. One of the drawbacks of this type of financing arrangement is that the finance company draws up a mileage limit, which restricts how much you’re allowed to use your vehicle in one year.

Hire purchase 

A hire purchase also allows you to spread the repayments for your car over a longer period (2-5 years). But the difference is that when the period is over, you officially own your car and are not subject to additional payment if you want to keep it. You will also need to put down a deposit for the car in the first instance, which will then determine how much you’re required to pay off over the years in repayments. Interestingly, with hire purchases, because you don’t own the car until the end of the period, the finance provider will have to step in to pay for any faults with the car.

Personal loans 

Another good option is to apply for a personal loan from a provider like Koyo Loans. Personal loans are transparent, give you full ownership over the vehicle, and provide you with bargaining power, as you can sell it at any time if you need the money. There are many advantages of receiving your first loan for a car, and we introduce them below.

Pros of receiving your first car loan 

  • Personal loans enable you to arrange your finances in advance, meaning the dealer will treat you as a cash buyer. You might be able to negotiate a discount as a result.
  • You have the chance to spread the cost of repayment over a long period, meaning you don’t have to use up all of your savings to buy the car that you want.
  • You can sell the car if your personal circumstances change, which isn’t the case with other financing arrangements.
  • When you’re approved for a personal loan, you’re not beholden to one dealer. This allows you to shop around for the best deal.
  • When you receive your car, you don’t have to restrict yourself to an annual mileage and can drive it as far and as often as you like.

 Cons of receiving your first car loan 

  • Unlike other types of car finance, you will be responsible for fixing defects yourself. This shouldn’t be such an issue if you’re buying a new car, but it’s important to note.
  • You will need to have a decent credit rating to be approved for an unsecured personal loan, so it’s not an option that is open to everyone.

What’s the best way to finance a car purchase? 

As you can see, there are lots of ways to finance a car purchase, and a lot depends on your personal circumstances and preferences. Dealers are pleased when you use finance products because they earn a decent commission on these arrangements. However, buying with cash (or at least with cash secured from a personal loan) affords you bargaining power, as many dealers provide cash discounts on certain vehicles. Ultimately, we’d recommend shopping around before committing to a financing arrangement, but opting for a personal loan provides you with the cash upfront and is a great way to remain in control of the purchase.

 

Important Car Noises You Should Never Ignore

Usually, a weird noise in your car does not indicate that it is in imminent danger of breaking down. However, it is impossible. In fact, while an odd noise may indicate a minor issue that seems harmless, these odd noises may also signal a problem that will worsen over time. These problems will ultimately necessitate significant repairs if not addressed promptly.

Furthermore, as a car owner, you’ve likely experienced a moment or two when your car began to make strange or unexpected noises while running or driving. Often, the noise originates from a particular section of the vehicle, such as the engine, wheels, or outside it. At times, it’s difficult to determine the source of the noise. In any case, if your car is producing unusual sounds, it’s a sign that something isn’t quite right; and it’s worth your time to search for an “auto repair shop near me” to inspect it. The following are the most common reasons for unusual car sounds you should never ignore.

Noise From the Engine

Engine noise is always concerning, both in terms of performance and cost. In many respects, the engine is the most crucial component of your automobile, and engine failure can soon leave you stranded. Thus, the general rule is that you should get the car checked out as quickly as possible when it comes to odd engine noise.

Moreover, the majority of engine sounds are caused by numerous elements and components in the engine system that are out of balance, worn out, or broken. Often, in these cases, an unusual noise will give you a heads-up before a vital component breaks.

Noise From Steering

Another unusual car noise occurs when you spin the steering wheel to maneuver your vehicle. These are the sounds you hear emanating from the front of the automobile, either at the steering column or out to the wheels.

An odd steering noise might signal a problem with a component of your steering mechanism, or it could be an issue farther down the chain in your suspension or wheels. The difference between this and the last part is that these sounds will be heard when you spin the wheel, while the previous ones would be heard when you hit bumps or drive straight.

Noise For Suspension

Suspension noise may be a substantial red signal that one of your suspension’s components is worn out or broken, and driving with that part not working can lead to a slew of other issues if not remedied.

One of the most typical suspension sounds occurs when passing over a bump in the road, sinkhole, or any other roadblock. A clunking or banging sound may be heard, which can be caused by several things.

Noise From Tires

Tire noise is one of the most frequent strange sounds you may hear. In reality, tires may create many unusual sounds, each of which might indicate a specific possible problem. It’s critical to know not just that your tires are producing a funny noise but also what that noise is and what it can signify for the health of your automobile.

Noise When Hitting the Breaks

Noises that emerge when braking are another prevalent kind of weird car noise. The braking procedure is one of the most taxing in terms of excessive wear on your automobile since putting all that speed to a stop demands a significant amount of energy. Under typical conditions, you may hear some noise while braking, but the procedure should be relatively quiet. If you hear weird noises when braking, this is most likely an indication of a problem.

Noise Of Squealing

Most of us have experienced it: your tires squealing as you spin the steering wheel. As long as you’re not making tight corners at high speeds, your tires shouldn’t be screeching.

One or more underinflated tires are the most common cause of squealing tires. If you hear it, you likely need to inflate your tires. Underinflated tires may create a range of issues for your wheels, suspension, and other elements of your vehicle over time, so it’s best to treat them as early as feasible.

Banging Noise

If you hear a banging from your engine, it might be an indication that your valve clearances need to be changed or that your lifter needs to be pumped up. However, if the banging becomes more severe and rises with RPM, your rod bearing may be failing, or your engine may have twisted in some directions, both of which would need significant repairs.

Humming Sound

Tires that appear to hum as you ride are another very recurring problem. Take into account that tires will naturally generate some noise in most road conditions, which is normal. However, when the buzzing becomes excessive, this often indicates a concern. Tires with uneven tread wear are the most common cause of irregular tire humming in this situation. Moreover, tires may wear unevenly for various reasons, including suspension issues, bad bearings, and a variety of other factors.

When it comes to unusual car sounds, there’s likely an inclination to ignore it and hope it goes away. However, that is not always the case. Most of the time, an odd noise in your automobile is caused by anything being uneven, worn out, or damaged. Therefore, always check it with the auto repair experts and remember that ignoring strange sounds can often exacerbate the issue over time and might lead to problems with associated components, raising the expense of repairs.

 

3 Things to Consider When Opening an Auto Body Shop

Una persona con una maleta Descripción generada automáticamente con confianza baja

Opening your own auto body shop can be an exciting challenge as an entrepreneur; however, it can also be difficult. While it may seem like an easy task to take on, the truth is that there are many difficulties that come with the opening of a new auto body shop.

People who have been in the service industry for years will tell you opening an auto body shop has its own special set of challenges. Whether you’re thinking about opening your own business or are just curious about the things to consider, you’ll find information and resources here to help you in your journey.

To start off with, learning how to deal with estimating and insurance companies, how to handle employees, and how to run a successful auto body shop is not always easy. With that in mind, there are still other things for you to consider when opening an auto body shop.

How Lucrative is Auto Body Shop?

Opening a new auto body shop can be a lucrative business venture. The business is recession-proof and you will be able to make a lot of money if you follow the right steps, but this won’t happen overnight.

There are several elements that play an important role in the success of this business. A lot of people take on this business because they are passionate about cars and they believe they can do a great job in repairing damaged cars. However, you should also look at it from a financial aspect and make sure you have the capital to start off with before you take on an auto body repair shop as a business venture.

It is estimated that auto body repair shops make about $11,000 in profits each year. Auto body shops are also good for insurance companies because they are able to fix cars at a cheap rate, which means that the insurance company does not have to pay as much when it comes to making claims. Auto body repair shops can also benefit from incentives from the insurer. Having an auto body repair shop on hand also makes sure customers are happy with their car and that the company has the opportunity to gain new customers through referrals.

The profit margin for an auto body repair shop on average is estimated to be around 25%. This is more than double the average business profit margin which is at 12%. This large profit margin makes it easier for auto body repair shops to grow. If you are starting an auto body shop, there are some things that you should keep in mind.

Things to Consider When Opening an Auto Body Shop

The following three points should be considered before opening an auto body shop:

Location 

The first thing that you need to think about when opening an auto body repair shop is the right location. You should find a place that is centrally located with good visibility to passing traffic. People need to be able to see your signs and easily find your business. You should also look for a place that is close to the highway so that people who live further away can still come to you for auto repairs.

Choosing the right auto body shop location is one of the most important decisions you will make. Also, you will want to check with the local zoning board before deciding on a location, however, as they may require that you have a hardcover over your garage area or that you provide parking space for customers.

Training

The amount of training necessary to run your own repair shop depends on what type of work you plan to do. If you only plan on doing minor cosmetic repairs, then a lot of formal training may not be necessary. However, if you plan on repairing more severe damage, then you will need more training for you and your staff from experienced professionals before you can start working on cars in other to build a good reputation for your shop.

Services and Price

Another thing to consider is what kind of services you are going to offer as well as the price range for these services. You have to look into your market and find out what kind of prices other shops are offering before setting up shop yourself. Make sure that the services you offer will be in demand in your area and that they are priced fairly. If you tell people that their car will be fixed right the first time and then it isn’t, they will feel like they cannot trust you.

Conclusion

As you continue to research the subject, you will find that there are a lot of decisions that have to be made in order for you to fully understand how to run a successful auto body shop. In order for someone to how to run a successful auto body shop, they must take all of the little things into consideration.

 

What to Do at Taj Lifestyle Center

Located at the Jordanian capital, Amman, Taj Lifestyle Center offers its visitors the chance to spend an enjoyable day with family and friends. The mall combines a number of the best shopping, dining, and entertainment destinations in the country, ensuring an unforgettable experience.

Here is a list of things you can do while visiting Taj Lifestyle Center:

Shop Till You Drop

Whether you are shopping for women, men, or kids’ clothes, Taj Lifestyle Center will never fail to impress. What makes Taj Mall an attractive shopping destination is that it groups high street brands and luxurious brands under one roof.

You can shop for clothes, shoes, sportswear at different stores including, H&M, American Eagle, Mango, Adidas, and more. And to elevate your look and add a stylish touch to your outfit, Taj Lifestyle center offers various accessory stores that provide high-quality products including, Parfois, Aldo Accessories, and Accessorize.

In case you are planning to spoil yourself, Taj Mall is home to many high-end and luxurious fashion brands such as Burberry and Louis Vuitton.

How About a Coffee Break? 

Your shopping trip is taking too long, and now you are exhausted. How about taking a break to recharge and get back out there full of energy to find the pair of shoes we’ve been looking for all day?

Taj Lifestyle Center features many renowned cafés offering a diverse selection of coffee choices, snacks, desserts, and refreshers, to guarantee everyone is happy and all your different cravings are satisfied.

While at Taj Lifestyle Center, you can have coffee at different cafés including, Starbucks and Nestle Toll House. You can also visit Majnoon Qahwa and Cirute Café & Resto to sit and sip a cup of coffee and enjoy a shisha while enjoying Taj Lifestyle Center terrace and the views of Amman’s skyline.

Don’t Miss Hollywood’s Latest

After more than a year of lockdown, Taj Cinemas is finally back with an immersing and unparalleled movie experience. Taj Cinemas has been announced to be the largest cinema complex in Jordan, spreading over 7000 m² and featuring 16 theaters.

In addition to 12 regular theaters, Taj Cinemas introduced Taj Class. To take your movie experience to a new level, Taj Class boasts 4 VIP theaters and over 100 leather armchairs that fully reclines for increased comfort. When visiting Taj Class, you can only expect 5-star services including butler service. All you have to do is press the buzzer, and all your needs will be met.

All 4 VIP theaters are equipped with 4K projectors and the latest cinema sound technologies to enhance your movie experience.

You can view movies and showing times on Taj Cinemas website or by downloading Taj Cinemas mobile application. And if you are not a fan of queues, you can book your movie tickets online.

Time for Some Delicious Food

This vibrant Amman mall provides visitors with a diverse selection of food and desserts. Taj Lifestyle Center hosts various dining options; you can find your favorite fast-food chains like McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC, and Hardee’s. And if you have a sweet tooth, there are many dessert shops offering tasty options to indulge in. These include Cinnabon, Dip N Fly, Gérard Ice cream, and Magnolia Bakery.

And if the food court choices don’t appeal to you, then you can dine in one of the restaurants located at Taj Lifestyle Center’s terrace. You get to choose from various options such as Kahraman and Little Italy.

Tips to Transform Your Fashion Style to Shock Everyone You Know

You might not be the most adventurous person when it comes to fashion style. You’re always on the safe side since you don’t want to be the centre of attention. You also worry about what other people have to say about your choices. However, if you dare to transform your fashion style, it’s time to step up. Surprise everyone you know with your choices. After all, you’re free to change whatever you want if it makes you happy. Here’s how you can start the process.

Check your old photos

Consider all the photos you took in the past. You will then know your evolution in terms of fashion style. If almost all your photos look the same, it’s a good thing. It means that you can explore different styles and you can still surprise a lot of people. However, if you already did something unique with your hair or fashion choices, try to explore other options.

Forget the trends

There might be certain trends in fashion that you feel tempted to follow. Before you do it, you need to think about what you want. It’s not about what other people do. However, if you feel tempted to follow the trend, you can also take that direction. You might love what other people do with their style. The point is that you try to mix things up and reinvent yourself.

Always consider comfort 

Regardless of your choice in style, comfort should be the priority. You want to look good with your choices, but you also don’t want to sacrifice comfort. If certain types of clothing make you feel uncomfortable, you have to avoid them. If you decide to change your hairstyle, you should feel comfortable doing your hair each day.

Stand by your choice

Once you decide that you will change your fashion choices, you have to stand by your decision. Forget what other people have to say. Even if they don’t receive your choice well, it doesn’t matter. You reinvented yourself because you wanted to look great and feel comfortable. You can consider other people’s ideas and take note of their suggestions. However, you should still follow what you want.

Be open to more changes in the future

After exploring some changes, you’ll feel more confident doing something else in the future. You know that you can pull off whatever you want. Nothing should stop you. These changes are liberating, and you have to keep doing what makes you happy. It’s not only about fashion choices, but other decisions in life. Each time you do something for yourself, it’s satisfying.

For instance, if you want to focus on home improvements and decide to install made to measure wardrobes, you can pursue this plan. If it looks good in your house, you should have it. Besides, you can afford these changes. You would rather spend money on essential home improvements than waste it on things you don’t need.

3 Tips For Starting A Business In The Outdoor Recreation Industry

If you have a love for the outdoors, you may have wondered if you have what it takes to turn your passion into a career for yourself. Depending on where you live, what skills or abilities you have, and what you could offer to the market in your area, you may find that starting a business based off of your outdoor experience and interest could be much easier than you may have originally thought.

For those trying to seek out a successful business in this area, here are three tips for starting a business in outdoor recreation.

Work From Your Experience

The first thing you’ll have to figure out when trying to start your own outdoor recreation business is exactly what you could offer as your product or service.

When doing this, you’ll want to work from your experience so that you come at your business idea from a place of knowledge rather than just something you think sounds fun. Everything from a knowledge of the outdoor environment in your area to your yearly hunting trips can give you experience that will help make your outdoor recreation business thrive. But if you don’t have this experience yet, Melinda Gaines, a contributor to Chron.com, recommends that you gain this experience before you get too far into developing your business plans.

Find Strategic Partnerships

Once you know what you want to do for your outdoor recreation business, it’s time to start getting that business off the ground.

One thing you might want to start with, according to Anna Jacobson, a contributor to America Outdoors, is finding strategic partners that can help you quickly grow your business. By tapping into people or businesses that are already doing outdoor recreation in your area, you may be able to get a leg up in your market by working together. Just make sure that you don’t approach anyone who might be competition for you, as this type of partnership likely won’t be beneficial to either party.

Try New Things To Set Yourself Apart

If you’re trying to start your business in an area that already has a lot of other outdoor recreation businesses, you’ll need to think of something you can do that will set your business apart.

To do this, Avery Stonich, a contributor to Outdoor Industry Association, suggests that you try to innovate when it comes to marketing, offerings, and connecting to your community. If you’re able to do something that no one else in your industry has done before, you could find yourself getting a lot more success than you otherwise would have. A great example is customcornholeboards.com as they took an outdoor game and created all custom images to set them apart from the rest.

If you’re wanting to start your own business in the outdoor recreation industry, consider using the tips mentioned above to help turn your passion into your profession.

 

What Is Elss And How To Invest?

Investors are often on the lookout for good investment opportunities that can help them accumulate wealth, fetch regular and significant returns, and also help them save tax. This is because the more they can save on taxes, the more earnings they can take home. This is why tax planning becomes absolutely essential. Section 80C provides numerous tax benefits to investors with its varied tax-saving investments. Although these tax-saving investments offer tax deductions, they prove slightly incompetent when you take into account the lock-in period and the average returns provided by these investments. Individuals investing in mutual funds often shy away from mutual fund investments due to tax on mutual funds. Enter ELSS tax saving mutual funds, also known as Equity-linked Savings Scheme.

What are ELSS funds?

ELSS mutual funds are referred to as tax saving mutual funds, owing to their tax-saving attributes. ELSS funds invest a minimum of 80% of their assets in equity and equity-linked securities. Investments in these mutual funds are eligible for a tax deduction of up to Rs1.5 lac u/s 80C of the IT Act, 1961. An investor can save up to Rs 46,800 p.a. by investing in ELSS mutual funds. ELSS tax saving funds are accompanied by a 3-year lock-in period, which also happens to be the shortest lock-in period against any other Section 80C investments. These mutual fund tax savers offer dual benefits of wealth creation and tax saving.

How to invest in ELSS funds?

Follow these simple steps to start investing in Equity-Linked Savings Schemes:

  1. Determine your taxable income and tax slab
    It’s important to have a clear picture of your taxable income and your tax slab. This will aid you to decide under what sections you can save tax and what investment options can be useful in achieving that.
  2. Choose the most suitable ELSS mutual fund for your investment profile
    As an investor, you must consider various factors such as the age of the fund, consistency, past performance of the fund, extended internal rate of return (XIRR) of the fund, etc. You must ensure that your ELSS fund aligns with your investment horizon, risk profile and financial goals and objectives. Additionally, if the fund is actively managed by a mutual fund expert, you should look at their history to determine their success ratio and vision.
  3. Invest in ELSS online
     An investor can invest in ELSS online by filling in all the necessary personal details in the application form, providing their bank details, and uploading a picture of a cancelled cheque. This can be done directly on the AMC’s (Asset Management Company) website or through a mutual fund transfer agency like CAMS (Computer Age Management Services). Just follow these simple steps and, voila, you have created an account, and you can now invest in ELSS funds.

Just like any other mutual fund, ELSS mutual funds offer the flexibility to choose the investment style – SIP (Systematic Investment Plan) and lumpsum. SIP follows a disciplined way of investing, wherein an investor invests a specific amount periodically over a period of time that lowers their burden to invest. In the lumpsum mode of investing, an investor puts all their money in one go at the start of the investment cycle. Happy investing!

 

Is Now the Right Time to Buy a Car?

For a lot of people since the pandemic, their commute went from driving to the next town to walking to the next room. Many are having to set weekly reminders to drive the car around the block. That is because cars do not like to be parked for long periods of time. They have to be fired up and driven around or bad things start to happen.

No one is driving for fun these days. Casual driving is a thing of the past. We have everything delivered. Eating out means having a service bring us food from a restaurant. We order groceries, medicine, and hand sanitizer. Some religious people haven’t been to an in-person service since March. This seems like a bad time to invest in a car.

Then again, if you happen to be one of the people doing all that delivering, you might need a second car. First responders, medical professionals, and anyone else with a pandemic-proof job still need to drive. For them, finding good auto body repair in California, and other car cultures, is still a going concern. If their car suffers more severe damage, they have to consider how best to acquire a new one. Here are a few things to consider:

Leasing Is Always an Option

No one knows how long they will continue to have a job, or when everyone will be told to work from home. That means this is not really an ideal time to get into a long-term contract commitment with a vehicle. That is one of the top reasons why you should lease and not buy a vehicle unless you are in a position to buy it outright.

There are pros and cons to leasing. Think of leasing like renting a condo with the option to buy later. You have the option to renew the lease and keep things the way they are. You can opt to pay it off after a couple years. Or at the end of the term, you can just walk away with no further payments.

The downside is that leases carry more restrictions on what you can do with that vehicle. The biggest restriction has to do with mileage. If you do a lot of driving for work, a lease might not serve you well. Still, for many, it is better than a 5 or 6 year financing agreement.

Consider Ride Sharing Services

If you primarily use your car to commute to and from work, you might be better off using Lyft or Uber than owning a car. The monthly cost of owning a car is around $878 when calculating gas and other expenses. Paying $10 each way to a ride sharing service will run you about $450 a month.

Additional benefits to using ride sharing include the following:

  • You don’t have to pay for parking.
  • You don’t have to pay for gas.
  • You don’t have to pay for maintenance.
  • You don’t have to pay when you are not using the car.
  • It makes more sense for the environment.

If you have a longer commute, ride sharing might not work out financially. But for many, it will be a better option than purchasing a car right now.

Public Transportation and Last Mile Solutions

Why bother with a car at all if a bus or train will get you where you need to go? It is ridiculously inexpensive. Electric scooters have become a popular last mile solution for everyone from casual riders to business workers. People have been communing via bicycle for ages. Large cities even have dedicated bike lanes to make it a safer proposition. It doesn’t have to be forever. But it might just get you past the uncertainty of the present crisis.

There is nothing wrong with owning a car, or purchasing one if that is what you need. But while waiting out the pandemic, you might also want to consider leasing, ride sharing, and public transportation.