Tag Archives: preparing

It is time to prepare your car for the cold

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Environment, Hard News, How-To's, ,

By Maggie Carey
WKTV Contributor

Snowy weather is here which means making sure you have checked that your car has all your survival essentials. (WKTV/Maggie Carey)

With the colder months approaching quickly, it is important to stock your car with items that will help you through the winter. Winter weather can leave you stranded and having a kit of essentials can get you back on the road faster or make your time waiting for assistance more comfortable in the frigid temperatures.

Winter essentials for the car can include:

Ice scraper. This is an essential that can be found almost everywhere. Car scrapers with a brush end and scraper end are best (see image right) as they help remove both snow and ice from your car. Not only is it safe for you to clear your car of snow, it is also safe for those around you as snow falling off your car can impair their vision while driving.

 

A car scraper with a brush and scraper end is recommended.

Portable Shovel. Small portable shovels can be helpful when digging a car out from snow or when trying to leave a snowy street in the morning. If you have a big enough trunk, consider keeping a full-sized shovel on hand to make the process smoother.

Cat litter or salt. Did you know that cat litter can help budge a stuck car more than salt? Cat litter absorbs all the moisture around the tire and makes the surface dry to drive on. If you are stuck in snow or ice, pour small amounts around your wheels and slowly accelerate to dislodge your car. This can also be an affordable alternative to keeping salt in your car. Or if you want to keep it classic, salt does the job too. Be sure to have one on hand though as we enter the Michigan winter.

Extra warm clothes. Having extra clothes on hand can be helpful if your car has died and you are waiting for assistance on the side of the road. Put together a tote with a coat, gloves, hat, scarf, socks and if you have the room, a blanket. These items can help regulate your temperature while waiting for assistance and could potentially save your life.

Food and water. Some types of food, like non-perishables, can stay in your car for the winter months and come in handy for those unpredictable winter weather emergencies. Trail mix, granola bars, dried fruit, nuts, and canned foods can be kept in cold temperatures in your car. You should also keep water in your car. Stainless steel bottles are the best method of storing water, just remember to only fill them ¾ of the way as the colder temperatures can make the bottle burst if too full.

 

Take the time now to think about what you need and stock up your car essentials to keep you and your family safe during your winter travels.  

How to enjoy life and reduce stress

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Finances, Local Business, , , ,

By Dave Stanley
Integrity Financial Service LLC

Some tips to reduce stress.

  1. Get serious about your retirement: If your employer matches your 401(k) contributions, you need to take advantage and max out your contribution. Your employer’s share is “house money,” which means using their contribution as part of your 401(k) plan as an employee benefit. Many 401(k) plans allow for conversion to a guaranteed retirement income which can be used as a lifetime benefit. Ask your benefits manager to see if it is included in your plan. It would help if you also planned at what age you would like to retire. If you have had a loss in investment returns in your 401(k), ask yourself how you can gain that back. Your asset allocation in your 401(k) can be changed as you get closer to retirement age. Most plans allow you to move the money as a rollover to a self-directed IRA, which provides the option of using an annuity with an “Income Rider” attached to provide desired guarantees. If you have an IRA and are not contributing annually, start this year; contributions made before April can be deducted from the previous year’s income.

  2. If you don’t have a will, see an attorney and make one. If you have a current will make sure it is up to date.

  3. Name an executor for your estate. Use caution in the selection, and make sure you have asked the executor for permission to use them. Based on the valuation of your estate and your state of residence, the use of a trust can assist the executor in their responsibilities. Ask your attorney for ideas and help. Never buy a trust from anyone other than an attorney licensed to practice law. Often life insurance is used to provide funds for any taxes or debts that may be due at your death, have a professional insurance review the policies, and make sure the ownership and beneficiary decisions are up to date.

  4. Create an emergency fund for situations that come up, such as a hole in your roof or an unplanned car repair. Only 28% of people have an emergency fund, according to a 2022 Bankrate.com survey.

  5. Take a close look at your investments and review them for changes. Remember, as we get older, we have less time to make up losses in our investments.

  6. Start paying down debt. Debt can be a drag on your retirement; once the debt is retired, stress becomes less, and your options for life increase.

  7. Budgeting and following a monthly plan can help. There are numerous studies about budgeting; one thing is for sure, people who follow a budget have less stress. Make a budget and stick to it.

Life should be enjoyed. Use these simple 7 financial tips as the first step to regaining financial freedom and reducing stress.

Dave Stanley is the host of Safe Money Radio WOOD1300 AM, 106.9 FM and a Financial Advisor and Writer at Integrity Financial Service, LLC, Grandville, MI 49418, Telephone 616-719-1979 or  Register for Dave’s FREE Newsletter at 888-998-3463  or click this link:  Dave Stanley Newsletter – Annuity.com  Dave is a member of Syndicated Columnists, a national organization committed to a fully transparent approach to money management