Ready to Change Your Car? Here’s How to Add Up the Costs

Ready to Change Your Car? Here’s How to Add Up the Costs

In case you decided it is time for new wheels, and would like to make sure that you are changing for the better, you might have compared various models and designs before. There is one thing you probably didn’t check, though; the cost of buying the car and maintaining its condition, or keeping it on the road. Most of us only look at the price, but there are some hidden costs that can have surprises for you. Find out more below.

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Purchase Price

Of course, you will have to compare the different deals and offers, and ensure that they are giving you the best value for your money. It is hard to compare the deals like-for-like, as every dealership has some kind of special offer that will be appealing to different buyers. Some will offer interest-free credit, others will throw in extras, but – most of the time – this is included in the final price, and is just a marketing trick.

Credit Cost

You might think that the car will only cost you $7,000, but after you have paid the fees for the broker, the interest for 3-5 years, you might end up paying much more. That is why you will have to learn how to compare the different car finance deals before you sign the dotted line. After all, you don’t want to buy the vehicle for more than it is worth, and that is what you do if you are taking on expensive credit.

Depreciation

If there is one hidden expense, it is the negative equity of your car. Once you drive a new car out of the salon, you have instantly lost hundreds. Before you choose your make and model, it is important that you check what is the depreciation rate of the car, so you can find out how much you can get for it when you finally decide to change it.

Insurance and Tax

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If you are buying a used car, you will have to check the insurance and tax rate before you make your final decision. You will have to pay out of your pocket to keep your vehicle on the road. Older and less energy efficient models will cost more to tax, but their insurance cost might be lower, due to their value. Make sure that you opt for safety features, as this can reduce your insurance premium.

Maintenance

To get the best value out of your car, when you drive it, and when you sell it on, you will have to keep it maintained. There are several comparison blogs that will tell you which makes and models are the cheapest to service. If you are looking for a reliable German car, you can check out the prices on Mercedes Benz mechanic services before you commit to buy.  

Changing your car is a financial decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Add up all the above costs to ensure you are getting the best value for your money.

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Dealing With Life’s Biggest Stresses

Dealing With Life’s Biggest Stresses

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There are many stresses in life, and they are often avoidable if you want to move on and experience life itself. The good thing to know is that we all experience stress in our lives, and it’s not just major life events, but even day-to-day situations can top the list when it comes to causing us stress, but luckily there are plenty of ways to help you cope with them.  

Bereavement

Losing a loved one comes top of the list of the most stressful things you may ever have to deal with. As grief affects people in different ways, you may feel shock and sadness, anger or even guilt. It is essential that during this time that you make sure you take care of yourself, to make sure you eat well and get enough rest.

Relationship Breakdown

Separation or divorce is both another two of life’s most stressful events. Even if both the end of the relationship is mutual, there are always going to be emotional, practical and legal considerations to be dealt with. Living arrangements, financial matters and dealing with child custody lawyers all have to be taken into account. Surround yourself with a good support system, and take time to make any decisions.

Moving Home

Moving house is another of life’s stressful events. There’s finding the right place for you, then there’s the packing and unpacking and finding new schools, shops and other services. This comes along with any financial stress, and in addition to the logistical considerations, there is also the emotional stress of moving. Researching the new area, hiring professional movers such and relying on friends and family for help to make the whole thing a lot easier. Try to plan the entire move ahead of time for things go smoothly and once you have moved in, introduce yourself to your neighbours and start looking for ways to get involved in your new community.

Getting A New Job

No matter where you are on the career ladder, starting a new job can be a significant cause of stress in everyday modern life. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed in your first days in a new job as we learn what is expected of you in your original post. Remember, you can’t be expected to know everything right from the start, so don’t be afraid to ask questions or get help when you need it. If you find yourself getting overwhelmed, take a short walk or find another quick stress reliever.

Finance Worries

Finances are also one of the most common causes of stress. Identify your financial worries and create a plan to manage your finances more efficiently. Look at how you deal with the financial burden and address any unhealthy behaviours you might have such as gambling or drinking. These are not good or advisable ways to relieve money stress.


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feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

Why You Should Buy A Used Car

Why You Should Buy A Used Car

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Life can be expensive. No matter what your job, whether you have kids or where you live, it is important to budget out your expenses. A car is an essential part of many people’s lives. Getting you to work, the kids to school or just to the shops, you need a car that you can rely on and you know won’t breakdown in a moments notice.

Buying a car may seem like a daunting and costly process. When searching for a new car, your first thought might be “maybe I need a brand new car”. As nice as it is to have a new car, at times, it may not be practical in terms of your expenses. Buying a new car will always be the more costly option. And the sad thing is, as soon as you drive it out of the showroom, its price starts to depreciate. With used cars, not only do they have a lower price tag making it more enticing to buy, but they are more likely to keep their value for longer.

An inevitability of buying any car is that you may from time to time have to purchase parts for it. One benefit of a used car is that you can often find the parts easier – as more places will stock them, and you will be able to pick them up for a more reasonable price as they are older.

Whether you are on a hunt for a used Hyundai, a used Mini Cooper or a used Fiat 500 (to name a few popular options), there will be plenty of places out there that sells them. From apps such as Autotrader to showrooms, you can pick up a reliable car at a price that won’t damage your wallet. Another plus point of used cars is that you can also usually pick them up straight away from wherever you have bought it from – in comparison to purchasing them brand new, in which you usually have to wait for the car to be ready to pick up. It’s important that you do your research however, as you want to make sure that the used car is still worth the money you paid.

Older, used cars also have the advantage of lower insurance and tax – saving you much needed money in the long term. Yes, this of course does depend on the age of the driver, but overall it would cost you more to be insured on a brand new Mercedes than a 15-year-old Ford KA – for example. Most cars these days also look pretty similar with features that you will (let’s be honest) never use. So with used cars that are a little older, you may have more options to choose from. Nothing compares to vintage cars, simple yet beautiful, they showcase the driver’s personality.

Whether you are on the hunt for your first car, a family car or a runaround, a used car is always a worthy option. Cheaper in the long run and generally easier to repair, they are perfect for those who don’t have endless amounts of money in their pocket and want to keep on top of their finances.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

5 Essential Health and Wellness Tips for Seniors

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5 Essential Health and Wellness Tips for Seniors

Our bodies go through many changes as we age, but this doesn’t mean we’re destined to live our senior years in poor health. If you are a senior or taking care of one, there are numerous preventative steps that seniors can take to avoid disease, prevent injury, and support the resilience of their mental health.

Whether they live independently or in a living center like the one at chelseaseniorliving.com/locations/the-chelsea-at-manalapan/ that offers multiple living and care services for active and less-active seniors, here are a few concrete ways seniors can discover greater well-being.

1. Take Advantage of Supplements

Due to natural changes in the body, seniors need fewer calories than younger adults — this can lead to nutrient deficiencies which negatively impact health, energy levels, and overall quality of life. Consider supplementing your diet with calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, potassium, magnesium, and omega-3’s to ensure you’re getting the nutrients you need to support your body and mind.

Seniors can also benefit from supplementing with Cannabidiol, or CBD oil. Research shows that CBD has several mental and physical health benefits, relieving anxiety, reducing inflammation, and easing chronic pain. Though this compound comes from cannabis, it is non-psychoactive and will not get you high. If you’re being held back by chronic pain, try supplementing with CBD oil instead of turning to addictive pain medication. Check out Remedy Review for a complete CBD oil buyer’s guide.

2. Use Technology to Stay Safe

Technology can help you stay connected to your loved ones and banish loneliness, but it can also help keep you safe. Seniors with mobility issues or weakness can reduce their risk of sustaining serious injuries at home with medical alert systems. This technology can be set up to automatically detect falls or allow you to contact your family members and medical professionals if you have an accident. Having this safety net available at all times can give you more independence and comfort in your own home, significantly improving your quality of life.

3. Consider Moving to The City

If you’re living out in the middle of nowhere, now is the time to think about moving into town. According to Business Insider, seniors move to cities for better public transportation, walkability, disability-friendly infrastructure, and proximity to healthcare centers. Being in the city also makes it easier for seniors to create social connections, staving off the problems with cognitive decline and heart disease that accompany prolonged loneliness.

4. Give Your Days Purpose

Many people in retirement struggle to find purpose in their lives. According to the Chicago Tribune, seniors who feel that they have long and short-term goals enjoy greater strength, less stress, and a general sense of well-being. Something as simple as caring for a pet, growing a garden, or volunteering in the community can add purpose to your days and help you feel fulfilled.

5. Exercise One Step at a Time

Everyone knows that exercise plays a crucial role in health, but many seniors find it difficult to exercise due to pain, disability or illness. Fortunately, there are plenty of senior-friendly workouts and aerobic activities you can try. You can even exercise from a chair! Walking is fairly easy for most people and provides several long-term benefits. If you haven’t walked in a while, start with 10-minute walks and increase these by 5 minutes every week. Once you’ve reached a comfortable walking session of 30 minutes, work on increasing your walking speed for greater health benefits. Just remember to take it slow and listen to your body. In the end, any amount of exercise is better than nothing.

It’s never too late to improve your health. Seniors can boost their quality of life by taking control over their mental and physical health. Though it can be extremely difficult to change established habits or make alterations to your comfortable routine, incorporating healthy activities into your day-to-day life will have a significant impact on how you feel in the long run.

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Car Safety Tips

Car Safety Tips

When you’ve been driving for a while, it can be all too easy to fall into lazy habits. Waiting a bit too long to get your service done. Skipping out on getting that light on the dash sorted out. Perhaps not checking that the car seats are correctly fitted… an endless list maybe? Well, even if you have never been in an accident and in fact are an incredibly safe driver you still need to perform necessary safety checks on your vehicle. For example, how would you feel if your airbags didn’t deploy? Devastated.

So here are a few tips for you when it comes to car safety.

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Seatbelts

A correctly fitted seat belt will save your life most of the time. But the amount of people who don’t wear them correctly, or don’t fix twists in them is pretty high. The Traffic Highway Safety Administration says that 15,000 lives are saved each year just by a properly fitted seat belt. Don’t be tempted to tuck your seatbelt under your armpits, or avoid the crossbody strap. During a collision the seatbelt will spread to force across your body, protecting your vital organs and spinal cord.

Car Seat

Poorly fitted car seats can be deadly. If you haven’t read the manual, then you simply shouldn’t be driving with your children in the car. Each age range has a specially designed car seat that will be able to protect their bodies during an accident. They provide support and protection in a way that shouldn’t be underestimated. It is advised that children should remain rear-facing for as long as possible. There are height and weight limits that you should take into account to. If you are in doubt, then go to a specialist fitter.

Multitasking is Asking For Trouble

Sipping hot coffee, eating and hold the wheel with one hand, text, reaching in your bag… all of these things most people are guilty of. You are lucky that you haven’t had an accident due to this. Switch your phone notifications off, or active driving mode – so that you will not be disturbed and tempted to pick up your mobile phone. If you are hungry then pull over and eat, if you are thirsty then try to have a cup with a straw which requires less attention. If you feel distracted simply pull over when you can do so safely.

Bike Aware

Due to the speed and size of motorbikes, it is easy to miss them. If you are by a bike rider or cyclist, then make sure you give them enough room as your safely pass or provide them with enough room to move by you. When you are making turns, even on roads you know, you should ‘think twice, think bike’ and give a second look. Yes, this might frustrate drivers behind you, but it could be the reason you don’t hit a motorcyclist.

People Focus

More often than you would like to think, people will step out from behind cars, directly into the road. Be vigilant when you are in typically high foot traffic areas.

Tia, and TipsfromTia.com  is trying to keep you looking good and
feeling good, from the inside out. If you’ve got a problem or a tip email me! Be sure to Like and share on Facebook or Follow on Twitter or Instagram.

Everyday Tips from Tia