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Entry bubble Can You Still Get Cash for Used Cars?

By: Joanne | August 04, 2009 | Category: Money

Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) logoYou’re probably familiar with the CARS program by now – you know the program that offers cash to people who own old, fuel inefficient cars to help them buy new, fuel efficient cars.

Even though the program is still very new, it’s been so popular that it’s almost out of money. The Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act of 2009 that created the program allocated only a billion dollars (I can’t believe that I just used the phrase “only a billion dollars”) for the whole program. When the money runs out, the program ends.

The House of Representatives has decided that they don’t want the program to end and passed a bill on Friday to allocate more money so more people can take advantage of the program. The Senate is considering the issue this week.

I did a post about the CARS program about a month ago, and I heard from a lot of you. Some people like the program, some people don’t. Many of you are like me and have an old clunker that doesn’t qualify for the program. Rats.

Well, now is the time to contact your Senator and let them know what you think about the program.

| View Comments [12] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: car   cars   cash   clunkers   efficient   fuel   joanne   new   trade   used  

 

Entry bubble Summer Beach Vacation

By: Joanne | July 28, 2009 | Category: Travel

two pairs of bare feet standing in the sandThe kids are getting antsy. In a couple weeks we’ll be headed to the Jersey shore for our summer beach vacation. We’ve been doing the same thing for a few years now and we think a week at the beach is a wonderful family vacation. It’s nice to get away and spend a week biking, swimming, and golfing (mini golfing, that is) together.

Since we don’t live close to the coast, it’s a long, long ride to get to the beach. Any time you’re taking a long ride, it’s a good idea to check for road closures and construction. Anything that makes a long ride with little kids smoother is time well spent. We plan to map out a good route and then bring along plenty of snacks and dvd’s to keep the kids happy along the way.

There’s a lot to remember when heading to the beach – like water safety, and sunscreens, and hats, and towels. I start making a list weeks and weeks in advance. We also keep an eye on the beach temperatures just because we’re excited and we can’t wait to get there!

| View Comments [0] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: beach   jersey   joanne   new   ocean   sand   shore   sun   travel   vacation  

 

Entry bubble Cash for Your Used Car

By: Joanne | June 30, 2009 | Category: Money

Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) logoLast week President Obama signed the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act of 2009 into law. The new Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) program offers cash to people who own old, fuel inefficient cars to help them buy new, fuel efficient cars.

Sounds interesting? You bet. Who doesn’t want to spend less money on gas, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce our dependency on oil and increase energy sustainability AND get a shiny new car in the deal?

How does it work? Now that it’s a law, program details are available. Here are some quick facts – visit cars.gov for more details.

 

  • The amount of the credit is $3,500 or $4,500 depending on what you trade in and what you buy
  • Your car must be less than 25 years old
  • You must buy or lease a new car
  • Generally, your trade-in must get 18 or less miles per gallon (some very large pick-up trucks and cargo vans have different requirements)
  • Your trade-in must be registered and insured continuously for the full year before the trade-in
  • You don't need a voucher, dealers will apply a credit at purchase
  • Program runs through Nov 1, 2009 or when the funds are exhausted, whichever comes first.
  • The vehicle that you are trading in is required to be destroyed. Therefore, the value you negotiate with the dealer for your trade in is not likely to exceed its scrap value. The law requires the dealer to disclose to you an estimate of the scrap value of your trade-in vehicle.

 

Watch out, I’ve already heard reports that fraudulent websites have popped up, pretending to offer information about the CARS program but they’re really phishing for your personal information. Stick with the official CARS website for official program information.

p.s. Don't forget to submit your Independence Day photos on the USA.gov and GobiernoUSA.gov Flickr Group

| View Comments [16] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: car   cars   cash   clunkers   efficient   fuel   joanne   new   trade   used  

 

Entry bubble Car Trouble

By: Joanne | December 02, 2008 | Category: Home and Family

overheating car

Our cars have had a bad week. First the Subaru broke down 40 miles away from our house while we were on our way to a funeral, and then the Ford broke down when we were on our way home from Thanksgiving at my mother’s house. The Ford at least had the decency to break down on the road directly in front of our house.

I try to do a good job of maintaining the cars and I’ve never had a car break down on the road. Until now.

Getting the Subaru repaired has been problematic. It broke down about 50 miles from our mechanic, and we saved money on the towing and had it repaired locally. The local mechanic had it for a week, and we’re now having it towed to a dealer. I think it would have been smarter to have it towed to our regular mechanic. Lesson learned: carefully select your repair shop and stick with the people you trust.

One thing that I didn’t mention is that both of my cars are pretty old. The Ford is a ’94 and we’d get rid of it, but we don’t drive that much and the darn thing won’t die (until now, at least). It’s been a perfect backup car. I know in the back of my mind that we’ll be buying a car soon. I usually don’t buy a new car, but opt for a used car that’s only been on the road for a year or so and has very low miles.

I haven’t been seriously in the auto market for 7 years now. What car do you recommend for an active mother of two who’s concerned about safety, reliability, fuel economy and price?

| View Comments [12] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: car   garage   joanne   mechanic   new   repair   tow   used  

 

Entry bubble Hangover Helpers

By: Joanne | January 01, 2008 | Category: Health

Man pouring champagne into champagne flutesHappy New Year! I’m sorry, was I shouting a bit too loudly? Is your head throbbing and your stomach queasy from overindulgence last night? Gather ‘round friends and let me tell you about a topic I know well:  the hangover.

Through a rigorous method of trial and error, I’ve learned that the best way to relieve a wicked hangover is not to get one in the first place. Let’s first talk about what the National Institutes of Health recommend for preventing a hangover:

Dehydration is your enemy my friend.  Drink water before, during and after consuming alcohol.
Have food in your stomach while you’re consuming alcohol.
Drink higher quality alcohol because these products are usually put through a more rigorous filtration process and therefore contain fewer toxins.  The scientists refer to these toxins as congeners.  This one was news to me.


Toast the holidays, toast your friends or toast toast, but consume alcohol moderately.  If you find that moderation isn’t possible, take a moment to consider the possibility that you’ve got a health problem to work on.  Try this handy screening test to help you identify hazardous or risky drinking. 

But enough of my speech – you need help now, don’t you dear?  The Department of Health and Human Services has some tips to help that hangover:

Sleep:  because you always feel better when you’re well rested, don’t you?
Have some juice or honey, research shows that the fructose may help to get the alcohol out of your system faster.
Eat complex carbs like bread or crackers.
Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

I wish you a healthy and happy New Year, and I want you to keep in mind that I’m a web content manager and if you’re looking for medical advice, you should always talk to your doctor.

| View Comments [2] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: alcohol   alcoholism   drinking   eve   hangover   joanne   new   year  

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