Category Archives: FOR THE GUYS

Tips for the guys, from beards to cars, that help reduce stress and make everyday life a bit simpler.

How To Make Your Driving Experience Better

How To Make Your Driving Experience Better

Whether you drive to and from work out of necessity or just have a love for the open road, you want the experience to be a good one. Lucky for you, there are a few ways to make driving enjoyable. Read on to learn more. 

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Find the right car for you. 

If you have been driving the same vehicle for years, it may be time to move on to something newer and better. It can be hard to hone in on the best vehicle with all the choices available today.  

To make the all-important decision easier, consider the type of auto features you want, such as a clean energy vehicle like the ones from VinFast. Some other key features to make your driving experience better should include:

  • Number of Seats Available 
  • Energy-Efficiency or Fuel Economy
  • Auto Start Option
  • Infotainment System
  • Cabin Comfort
  • Cargo Space
  • Exterior and Interior Color 

When you are driving a high-quality vehicle that you enjoy, the journey becomes just as fun as the destination. 

Make preparation a priority. 

When it comes to vehicles and preparation, they should always go hand-in-hand. There are different ways to prepare for driving. Here are some essential ways to get ready for your drive. 

  • Plan the route – If you know your destination but will rely on GPS and an app to get you there safely, always enter the address before shifting the car into drive. Even if you use voice commands to accomplish the task, finish it before driving to avoid unnecessary distractions
  • Plan for emergencies – Stocking your vehicle with a well-appointed emergency kit is not only a good idea, it is a must. If you live or travel in a winter climate, keep a winter survival kit in the car. Bad weather and accidents do not happen at convenient times, so you should always have what you need, just in case. 
  • Occupy the kids – If you have young children, they can quickly become distractions when they need something. Talk with them about appropriate behavior in the car if they are old enough to understand. Regardless of their age, ensure they have quiet activities to keep them busy in the back seat for everyone’s safety. 

Adhere to the maintenance schedule. 

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Properly maintaining your vehicle and following the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule is just as important as taking care of your own body. Just as you go to the doctor, you need to take your car in for servicing. 

Every vehicle or manufacturer provides a maintenance checklist with tasks that are recommended for completion based on the type of vehicle, mileage accumulated, or time passed. Pay close attention to the schedule to ensure your vehicle always runs at its optimum performance level. 

Even if nothing appears to be wrong and your vehicle is operating as it should, a professional mechanic trained to work on your vehicle’s specific make and model will be able to assess any issues that may become problematic as time passes, such as worn or cracked components.

Watch this video for guidance on taking care of your vehicle on schedule. 

Do not let any more time pass. Take action to make your driving experience wonderful. Find the perfect vehicle for your needs and enjoyment. Once you do, get out on the open road and be safe.

​Tia and TipsfromTia.com are 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 TwitterTikTok, or Instagram.

Saving Money on a New Car

Saving Money on a New Car

When you need a new car, it’s often going to come at the wrong time. Unless you are actively saving for a car, you’ve met your savings goal, and you’re heading out to a dealership to buy one, having to buy a new car is never fun. In this car industry right now. There are plenty of things to consider when it comes to actually buying one. 

Read: TIPS ON BUYING YOUR CHILD THEIR FIRST CAR

Not only do you have to think of the economy of the car itself, but what you are using it for and how you can save money on it. Sure, you can make this the time that you get your first car loan and go on finance for a car, but if you’re looking to save money, you might choose to save up and pay in cash. There are options available to you if you need a new car, and getting you back on the road should be your priority. So with that in mind, let’s take a look at some ways that you can save money on your new car.

Image source: Pexels

  1. You might have to wait for it. Not just because of your budget, but because the car you want may not be ready to be shipped to your particular country. If you’re buying a car that is brand new and has only been created in a factory, then yes, you will definitely have to wait, but otherwise, you should be able to. Wait for the car that you want because of your budget. 
  2. Ask for a discount. Your dealer may not be inclined to give you one, but there’s no harm in asking, right? If you want to save money on a new car, then you need to see if you could ask about savings you can make or a percentage you can take off. If you are trading in your old car as a part exchange, this will actually be favorable for you to save money.
  3. Visit more than one dealership. Have you seen the car that you want? One dealership doesn’t mean that you won’t find it in others. Make sure that you are visiting more than one dealer and you’ll be able to see whether you can get the car that you want cheaper than you think. Price the same car in different places and see if you can play them off against each other. Tell one dealership that you’ve seen it cheaper elsewhere and they may be able to match that cost and say you’ll come back and then do the same thing at the next dealership to see whether you can get that car cost down.
  4. Trade where you can. If you want to save money on your car purchase, then trading in your old car alongside the new one will help. The value of the old car needs to be determined first and then you can trade it in and then just top up that amount with cash.
  5. Get your own finance. You don’t have to go in-house with the dealership to get finance on a car. Your first car loan should be talked through by a reputable provider, so make sure you speak to your bank or a broker.

​Tia and TipsfromTia.com are 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, TikTok, or Instagram.

4 Maintenance Tips For Your Car For Improved Driving

4 Maintenance Tips For Your Car For Improved Driving

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Your vehicle is one of the most significant investments you will make. Whether you use it for commuting, leisure purposes, or emergencies only, traveling safely in your auto will help you stay safe on the road and get to where you need to be when you need to be there.

Regular care and maintenance for your vehicle is essential. All drivers know this, but what exactly do you need to do to get the most out of your car?

Clean It

Both inside and outside. Your enjoyment of your car and how well it drives it all depend on how well you clean and care for the interior and exterior bodywork. Use a good screen wash and wax treatments, and regularly vacuum and shampoo car carpets to help you improve cleanliness and hygiene levels. An easy way to keep your car clean is to book it in for regular detailing or heading to a car wash. Alternatively, book a time slot every few weeks to spend some time giving your auto some TLC.

Tires

Your tires are your car’s only point of contact with the road, and as such, you need to be sure that they are in good condition at times, especially before long journeys. Legal requirements are 2/32″. To check your tread meets this, you can either buy a tread gauge or you can use a penny. Using a penny, turn the coin upside down so you can see Lincoln’s head. Then, place the penny inside the tread on your tire. The tread should cover some of the head; if you can see the whole head, you need to replace your tires. You should also check you are using the right tires for your driving conditions, too. Be it changing from winter to summer tires or choosing off-road Super Swamper Tires if you drive on rocky terrain frequently to avoid damage to your vehicle.

Check Fluid Levels Often.

The last thing you want is to be in the middle of nowhere and get a warning flash-up that fluid levels are low or even out, and you have no way out of topping them up. Fluid levels you should be checking include water, oil, gas, screenwash, coolant, and power steering fluid. Check them regularly and top up when necessary. It is also a good idea to keep supplies in your car so that should you encounter an issue; you can top up until you can get to safety or repair any faults.

Read: GET SUPERIOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL IN YOUR CAR WITH THESE TIPS

Brakes

Your brakes are made up of many moving parts, and if you neglect to check your brakes, you might find yourself in trouble should they fail. At a minimum, you have your brakes inspected every six months or when your tires are rotated. Alternatively, if you notice a change in your braking, you should have this looked at as soon as possible.

Keeping your car in a roadworthy condition will allow you to extend its lifespan and stay safe on the road. While there are many aspects of car maintenance that you need to consider for complete care health, these points are some you need to keep on top of at all times.

​Tia and TipsfromTia.com are 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, TikTok, or Instagram.

Keep Your Home Safe While Traveling

Keep Your Home Safe While Traveling

Photo by Maria Tyutina

If the idea of traveling makes you feel giddy then you are not alone. However, if you have just bought or moved into a home, this is a huge purchase and it is something that you no doubt considered carefully. 

This means that you will have to make sure your home is kept secure, especially when you have to be away for a while.  

Here are some ways to make sure that your property is still getting superb care while you are away.

Read: HOME SWEET (AND SAFE) HOME

Check Everything

Before you, jump on your next flight. Be sure that no one can pry open and jump through your windows. Before you head out make sure that you check every door and window and see to it that they are properly locked.

If you have spare keys it’s a good idea to take them up. If a burglar were to come around and sniff out that you are not at home, they will start lifting mats and potted plants to find spare keys.

In doing so, they are likely to discover your secrets if you hide keys this way, so make sure you don’t keep any spare keys in these very obvious places.

Get Timers on Lights

Getting lights that have timers on them can help to level up your security. Your best security is often found in motion lights.

Motion lights will come on outside your home whenever a thief or criminal tries to walk or sneakily tiptoe their way onto your property. 

You will say goodbye to cat burglars with motion sensitive lights. These lights are often enough to frighten away these criminals.

Get Smart

Another great way to beef up security on your property is to install smart cameras, lights, and locks. You will get control of what’s happening at your home. 

You can control the ins and outs while you are on vacation. Let people go in or out as you wish from wherever you are via an app. You can put it up on your phone or your tablet and then go to work in securing your property from a distance. 

It’s great for letting service people such as house cleaners while you are away. With smart cameras, you can become a super spy because you can see what is going on in your home while you are in a different country.

This is how far smart technology has come!

Reduce Signs that No One Is Home

The next thing you need to do is reduce the signs that nobody’s home. You should try to get someone to pop in and pick up your mail from your mailbox. 

Also, get someone to come in and clear away any packages that get delivered.

Getting someone to do this will throw potential burglars off the scent. It will be almost impossible for them to tell that no one is home.

When your yard turns into a forest of overgrown weeds while you have been gone for a long period, it’s a dead giveaway that no one’s home. This draws attention to your property and lets the criminals know that the place is empty.

The best thing to do is to schedule tree trimming and lawn care ahead of catching your flight. 

Set Electronics Timers

It’s not just your locks, lights, and your doors that you can program when you are going away on vacation. It’s also possible for you to create the illusion of being home using electronic timers.

You can get lamp timers that will turn on at a specific time during the night or the day. Like magic, they will give the appearance that someone is home when they’re not. 

This magic can even be extended to your television. Let this come on at different times so that if someone is watching your house they think you are home. This is usually enough to make a burglar think twice before masterminding a plan to get into your home.

Read: HOW TO SAVE MONEY WHILE PLANNING A VACATION

Stay Safe

You must try to keep your house as safe as possible when you are away on vacation. You want to make sure that your home is not the equivalent of a sitting duck when it comes to being vulnerable to criminals. 

Throw confusion into the minds of burglars, so that they make plans in vain. By taking the time to predict and block every possible move while you are away. You can beat them at their own game and keep your property safe night and day while on vacation.

​Tia and TipsfromTia.com are 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, TikTok, or Instagram.

Top Reasons to Buy a Luxury Car

Top Reasons to Buy a Luxury Car

The cost of living crisis is – right now – affecting people of all incomes and from all backgrounds. In fact, it’s having a less than lovely effect on the moods of most people just trying to live their lives and exist. The thing is, even with a cost of living crisis and even with people finding it hard to get by, there is always room to treat yourself every now and then. 

A car is not always a luxury. It’s a necessary part of an everyday household and many of us rely on our cars to get by. We rely on them to get us to work, to school, and to wherever we need to be in the most convenient way.

Of course, cars are an expense and sometimes that expense can feel rather huge. From the car service you complete regularly to the cleaning and detailing, insurance, and more, you want it to be worth it for the car you buy. If you do often worry about services and repairs, seek support from Cars Protection Plus as you can reduce the cost of repairs and maintain your expensive car. So, with that in mind, let’s take a look at the top reasons to make sure that the next car you buy is a luxury one. 

Read: GET SUPERIOR TEMPERATURE CONTROL IN YOUR CAR WITH THESE TIPS

Image source: Pexels

  • Safety. You want to be on the road, and you want to get where you need to be in one piece, right? Well, a luxury car can help you with that. In fact, a luxury car could be the exact thing your household needs. You can spend cash on a luxury car on finance if you can’t afford to buy it outright, but you can bet that the latest and greatest technology affords you the best safety features around. 
  • The prestige. You know as well as anyone else that driving around town in a luxury car is going to afford you some appreciative looks. If you can afford it, why not?
  • You can sell it. The best part about driving a luxury car is knowing that when it comes to selling up, it’ll retain most of its value. Most cars start to depreciate as people drive off the lot, but luxury cars hold their weight a little longer. You get to sell it for almost the same as what you paid, and this will help you to buy a different or upgraded luxury car. 
  • Comfort. Luxury cars are made with the latest and greatest in technology and upholstery. Comfort comes with heated seats, surround sound, and gadgets that you can only have dreamed about when driving your first-ever car. Luxury cars have been manufactured to the best possible standards, and things like remote start and parking assist can really make a big difference to your driving experience. 

Read: ROAD TRIP WITH PETS: HOW TO CARE FOR THEM EFFECTIVELY

Driving a luxury car may feel frivolous in a cost-of-living crisis, but luxury comes in many forms. One amazing car that lasts you years is going to be as valuable to you as an amazing pair of shoes. Don’t let anyone convince you not to buy the car you have fallen in love with. It is absolutely worth the investment.

​Tia and TipsfromTia.com are 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 TwitterTikTok, or Instagram.