Category Archives: For Your Information

Dec18

Car Loans VS Dealership Financing: Which Is Better For You?

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Car Loans VS Dealership Financing: Which Is Better For You?

You usually have two roads to travel down when you want to buy a car:

  • Buy it outright with your own money
  • Seek some sort of financing option

Most people can’t use 100% of their money to buy a car so they go down the financing route, though this also throws a fork in the road:

  • Buy your car using an auto loan
  • Buy your car with dealership financing

Both are very viable options, but which one is better from a personal finance standpoint? Let’s take a closer look at them and see how they compare:

Car Loans Explained:

A car loan is one of the most straightforward auto financing options available. You approach a lender, apply for a loan, and receive enough money to cover the full cost of your purchase. Deposits/down payments are required – and this is usually a secured loan, meaning the car itself is collateral. In essence, if you fail to repay the loan, the lender can repossess your vehicle.

A very simple idea that comes with some massive benefits:

  • You own 100% of the car straight away
  • Car loans tend to come with lower interest rates, making them less costly
  • You gain the flexibility to buy your car from any dealership or brand

There are only a couple of downsides to a car loan, particularly when compared with regular dealership financing. It normally requires more effort to find a suitable lender and apply for your loan – and lenders are strict when it comes to accepting applications. Still, if you’ve got a great credit history, then there’s no need to worry about approval.

Dealership Financing Explained:

With dealership financing, you normally approach a car dealer and buy a vehicle from them, using their financing product. You pay a deposit, and then the dealer charges monthly payments based on the vehicle’s value and how much you already paid. The interesting thing here is that you’re normally locked into a 1-4 year deal. When your term ends, you either pay a balloon payment to own the car or take out a new deal on a new vehicle.

Dealership financing is popular for a couple of key reasons:

  • It’s fast and easy to set up
  • You normally get better deals than buying a car outright with a loan
  • It’s easily accessible
  • You can cycle through brand-new cars every few years

However, the main downside is that you do not own your car. The dealer will retain a majority share of your vehicle unless you pay the balloon payment at the end. This means you lack any flexibility when it comes to modifying your vehicle – and you’re also often forced to go to specific garages for servicing.

Which Is The Better Option Financially?

Speaking from a strictly financial standpoint, car loans are the better choice. You have lower interest rates, gain ownership of the vehicle right away, and have a longer term to split your repayments, making them more manageable. Truthfully, dealership financing only makes sense if you like cars and want to buy a new one every few years.

If you’re on the market for a new car, explore your financial options carefully and don’t rush into a decision you’re not fully comfortable with!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Dec11

Can You Truly Be Prepared For A Financial Emergency?

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Can You Truly Be Prepared For A Financial Emergency?

Financial emergencies can strike any of us at any time. Whether it’s due to a personal injury, an incident on the road, or a sudden major household cost we can find ourselves scrambling to get our finances in order and to avoid falling into debt any more than we need to. Today we’re going to look at some of the preparations you can put in place to make sure that you’re better able to handle those emergency costs when they do arise:

Build An Emergency Fund:

The best way to prepare for an emergency is to make sure that you have some safeguards in place well in advance. First and foremost, put together a savings goal to establish an emergency fund. These should typically cover three to six months of essential expenses, including housing costs, groceries, transport, and other non-negotiables. That way, you can make sure that you have enough of a cushion to get through crises that are as major as even a job loss.

Buy The Insurance That You Need:

Insurance is often overlooked until a crisis hits, but having the right policies in place can prevent emergencies from becoming financial disasters. Make sure that you’re investing in the essential coverage, such as home or renters’ insurance, health insurance, and car insurance (that covers as much as you need), and consider additional coverage, such as income protection to ensure you’re protected even if you’re put out of work for a while. Keep an eye on your policies, checking them yearly to make sure they cover the most probable issues you might face.

Know When You Need A Lawyer:

Sometimes, a financial emergency may stem from an event that wasn’t your fault or responsibility. Whether it’s an injury at work or a car accident, having the number of a reputable lawyer can make a big difference. With a personal injury lawyer, for instance, you can make sure that the person responsible for your injury is also made responsible for your medical bills, as well as any money that you might lose as a result of being put out of work. A good lawyer can help you understand your rights, avoid costly mistakes, and navigate insurance claims more effectively, too.

Keep Your Credit In Good Shape:

While you typically want to avoid having to borrow in order to deal with sudden expenses, sometimes you might have no other readily available option. Keeping your credit score high can offer a significant advantage, allowing you to utilize loans or credit cards with good interest rates, instead of having to rely on more unreliable sources of funding, like payday loans or secured loans that could lead to much worse financial outcomes and higher interest payments.

Emergency situations are an unfortunate part of life and the best thing you can do is be prepared to face them!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Nov8

Safety First

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Safety First

Howdy!! We are obviously living in some pretty crazy times and one of the best things that you can do is be safe. I had a situation on Monday that I think is worth offering a friendly reminder for. Maybe it was nothing. Maybe I watch too many true crime documentaries lol. However, this is a good tip to pass along if you should experience something similar…

When I got home from work on Monday, Johnny was heading out the door to meet his mom for dinner. After he left, I went into the kitchen to make myself something to eat. Grilled cheese and tomato soup for the win on a chilly fall day! Less than ten minutes later (Between five and seven, I would guesstimate), I got a knock on my door. I thought Johnny might have forgotten something but he always announces himself when he’s at the door and I’m by myself. From the kitchen, I could see that it was an older man who I didn’t recognize at all.

As we had no memos from our apartment community for maintenance checks, I knew that it was not someone who worked on the property. He left after a few minutes and there was no note at the door which confirmed it wasn’t someone who was employed where I live. I decided to call my downstairs neighbor and he didn’t have any visitors at his place and I thought that was odd. If this person was selling something, it would make sense that he knocked on my neighbor’s door next.

Once again, it could have been nothing but the reminder is: If you are home alone and not expecting anyone that it is okay to not open the door. If you have an off feeling, then listen to yourself. I definitely had a weird feeling when the person arrived so shortly after I was by myself and remained in the kitchen until the coast was clear. Should you answer the door and the person questions if there is anyone with you – lie. Your neighbor is about to stop by for coffee. Your partner is returning home from work. You are expecting a call from your boss. Anything to get that door shut again. Also, don’t open the screen door and keep one hand on your phone and your other hand on the knob so you can shut it quickly.

Being cautious when you are by yourself at home and not expecting anyone at your door is smart. If you don’t have a safety plan in mind, I encourage you to make one so you don’t feel on the spot when you feel like something is off!

Do you have a safety plan in place for yourself? What is on your plan? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov3

How To Pest-Proof Your Lawn Before Winter

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How To Pest-Proof Your Lawn Before Winter

You ever notice how when the weather finally cools down, you’re excited for cozy sweaters and hot chocolate, but every bug in existence seems to get the same idea? Yeah, it’s not really a fun way to have a seasonal shift, right? Well, not just bugs (though it’s mostly bugs), but mice and other pests too. Unlike birds, pests don’t migrate south for the winter; they’re trying to get into your warm house instead. Your lawn is basically like a waiting room for pests until they can get into your home. Usually, this can be fairly preventable, but it starts with your lawn and utilizing these tips:

Your Lawn Might Need a Quick Glow-Up:

On the one hand, your lawn is nature and it needs nature to thrive (obviously). But at the same time, if you let Mother Nature set its course, or welcome Mother Nature a little too much, that means a bug infestation. Obviously, there needs to be a balance, because you can’t just expect to have literally zero pests in your lawn; that’s not possible or healthy. If your lawn is covered in leaves, sticks, and grass clippings, it’s basically saying, “Come on in”. Well, for a bug (or even mice), that’s what it seems like. So, is it autumn? Is it damp? Is there anything like leaves decomposing? That’s perfect for bugs and rodents trying to stay warm. You just need to clean it up, rake the leaves, compost (in a bin) the leaves, remove trash, cut the grass, it’s those sorts of things that make a big difference.

Your Lawn’s an Ecosystem:

This was already mentioned, but it helps to just say it again. People often forget that lawns are alive. Think of it like this: Too much moisture – that means grubs. Are there dead spots? You can say hello to ants. You get the picture. For the most part, a healthy lawn does fight back. And sure, it can be hard having to “perfect” this art, like aerating the soul, bug control, fertilizer, ect, and in that case, if you have the money for it, it could help to look into SolTerra Lawn & Pest since they can keep your lawn strong and keep the bugs outside (and not going into your house).

Fix the Tiny Stuff ASAP:

Here’s an example: you know that crack near the garden bed you’ve been ignoring for months? The bugs are using it. In general, those little gaps in the soil, patio, or fence line are where bugs crawl into to stay warm. So you will need to fill or patch these ASAP. The same goes for standing water, too, like puddles. Standing water can, of course, damage the lawn further and bring pests right to your front door.

Fixing problem areas in your lawn can help keep your home pest free for the winter. Start now while the weather is still warm(ish)!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Oct28

How To Handle Home Emergencies Like A Pro

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How To Handle Home Emergencies Like A Pro

No matter how organized you are, home emergencies have a way of showing up at the worst possible moment. IE: A burst pipe just before bed, a power cut on a cold evening, a leak in the roof when it’s pouring down, and so on – you know the kind of thing. The problem is that these things happen fast, and when they do, it’s easy to panic. A calm, practical response can make a big difference to the outcome, and knowing what to do in those first few minutes can save you money, reduce damage, and keep your home safe. Keep reading to find out more:

Start With Safety First:

Before anything else, make sure the situation isn’t putting anyone at risk. For example, if there’s water involved, switch off the electricity before going near the problem, and if there’s a fire or gas leak, leave the property immediately and call emergency services. Then, once you know everyone’s safe, you can turn your attention to limiting the damage.

Know Where To Turn Things Off:

A lot of emergencies are made worse because people don’t know where their stopcock or fuse box is, which is why it’s worth taking a few minutes as soon as you can to learn how to turn off your water, gas, and power quickly. This small bit of knowledge can stop a minor issue from turning into a disaster because doing something like turning off the main water supply right away can make a huge difference if a pipe bursts.

Act Fast To Contain The Problem:

Quick action often means less damage, so if water is leaking, use buckets or towels to stop it spreading, and if the roof is letting water in, a temporary cover can protect belongings until help arrives. Why do something at that point even if you’ve got help on the way? It’s because even a few simple steps in those first moments can save a lot of stress later on.

Call In The Right Help:

Some jobs are best left to professionals, especially when it comes to plumbing, electrics, or structural issues. If a burst pipe has caused flooding, getting water damage restoration experts in quickly can prevent mold, protect flooring, and stop further problems from developing. In other words, don’t wait until things get worse to pick up the phone – calling early usually means less disruption and lower repair costs.

Keep A Basic Emergency Kit:

You don’t need to turn your house into a survival bunker, but having a few basics ready can make emergencies easier to manage. Your kit could include a flashlight, spare batteries, a few tools, sandbags or sealant, and a copy of emergency contacts can all help you act fast. Even if you never end up needing to use your kit, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and have one ready anyways.

Home emergencies are stressful, but they don’t have to be overwhelming. Keeping a calm head, a bit of preparation, and knowing when to bring in professional help can make all the difference!

Featured Image By: Slyzyy

Aug26

Friendly Reminder!!

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Friendly Reminder!!

Hello!! After leaving an incredibly shitty work experience in March, I most definitely needed a bit of me time. During that Lil Red mental health retreat, I threw my hands up, said “screw it” (It was actually an expletive!) , and made a TikTok. What makes me really happy is creating content and I decided I needed more of that in my life – even if I am not the biggest fan of making videos. However, after close to five months of posting daily content on TikTok, I finally get it lol. It’s a lot of fun and I love shooting OOTDs, hiking, exploring, cooking, and any and everything videos. All of you have been onto something for a phat minute and although I am literal years late to the party, it’s better late than never! 😀

At the end of May, I was almost at one hundred followers and you have no idea how happy that made me. Fast forward to the here and now and I have around twenty five hundred and you have no idea how happy that makes me! For a page that is still relatively new, it might as well be twenty five million to me and I feel proud of that because my TikTok really is just for funsies. I don’t expect brand deals and billions of views. All I wanted was to go back to making content for me, myself, and I… And anyone who feels like watching or reading it and that is the prize in itself.

While I was in the midst of the not ideal work sitch, I was barely keeping my head above water let alone making content that I felt excellent about. And, in turn, I felt far below excellent because content creating is truly one of my forms of self care. It gives me a safe space to wear whatever I want, experiment, and simply be me. Even if my blog or TikTok got no views, it would be fine because it is mine and mine alone and I made it and had a blast doing it. My mental health has improved tenfold and it feels so SO good to be back in my zone and feeling completely like myself!

If you feel so inclined, I would absolutely love it if you joined me on my TikTok. If not, that’s okay too! I’ll see you around the blogosphere! ❤

What is your favorite form of social media? What makes you feel like yourself? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul16

Car Care: Pay Attention To These Areas

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Car Care: Pay Attention To These Areas

Are you a car owner? If so, then you will no doubt be aware of the constant struggle to take care of your vehicle. To do this, you need to make sure that you understand the key areas that will always require your attention with your vehicle. There are lots of elements that you need to think about here, so let’s dive in:

Clean It Regularly:

First, you should make sure to clean it properly. In doing so, you can avoid a build up of dirt and grime. Believe it or not, this is more than enough to damage your vehicle and it’s why it’s always important to clean your car thoroughly. Make sure that you use the right cleaning liquids too. If they are the wrong choices, then they could ultimately end up damaging the paintwork and this could also eventually lead to issues with rust in key areas of the vehicle.

Dirt and grime may also cause issues with key areas of your vehicle like the brakes. If there is a problem with the brakes, then it could diminish your stopping distance and this will ultimately lead to a collision or a severe crash on the road. That means that you’ll need to pay a fortune to get your car repaired at some point in the future.

MOT And Service Regularly:

In most countries it is a legal requirement to book your car in for a regular MOT and service. This informs you that your car is safe to drive and roadworthy, the last thing you want to be doing is driving around on faulty breaks. You will be given a certificate when you book into an MOT or service and this stays with your car. If you prefer, you can go to the correct dealership for your services. If you have a Mercedes then you will need to book Mercedes service to find out more.

Keep Your Eye On How It Drives:

Finally, if you are trying to look after your car then it can tell you a lot about what is going on by the way it is driving. For example, if your car is jumping or juddering then this could signify an issue with the gearbox. Make sure you listen for any and all unusual noises and get it booked into a garage. You don’t want a simple issue to grow due to you ignoring it. A garage and mechanic will be able to hoist it up on the ramp with the diagnostic tool. This will give you a full workup of what could potentially be wrong with your car.

We hope this helps you understand some of the key areas that you need to keep in mind to ensure that your car remains in great working order in the future. In doing so, you can guarantee that your car retains as much value as possible and doesn’t let you down when you are on the road!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Jun10

How To Take Care Of Your Self-Sufficient Home

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How To Take Care Of Your Self-Sufficient Home

In recent years, more and more people have seen the benefits of living a more self-sufficient lifestyle. This way, you are able to live off the grid and still look after your family. You can save money and reap the rewards of your own hard work. Even better, you can live a greener lifestyle as a self-sufficient lifestyle is often a more sustainable way to live. Of course, there are different ways to be more self-sufficient. A lot of people still rely on outside infrastructure, but you might be surprised at how much you can do for yourself if you look after your home:

Feeding Your Family:

There are a few different lines of thought about how much land you need to feed a family. If you want to be completely self-sufficient, most sources recommend about five acres of land for a family of four. This includes growing vegetables, crops, and even livestock. As well as the food itself, you also need to consider infrastructure like barns or storage areas, buffer areas like fences and hedges, woodland for firewood, and extra areas for rotational grazing if you have different livestock.

However, most people might not manage to be completely self-sufficient, especially because it takes a lot of land, a lot of investment, and a lot of work to keep it going. But even with a smaller portion of land, you can still grow most of the vegetables that you might need throughout the year, as well as rearing chickens for eggs and meat, and even keeping bees for honey. This middle ground is a much more common option because it’s more manageable for most people. No matter how much land you have, it’s important to plan what you grow, where you grow it, and how much food that will provide. This will allow you to maximize the land you have.

Utilities:

As well as looking after your plants and crops, you need to look after yourself. For many people, it’s relatively simple to set up their utilities so that they’re mostly, if not completely, separate from the grid. Solar and wind power can keep your property running, and you can set up a generator if there’s an emergency. You also need to get batteries for storing the power so that, if you lose it for whatever reason, your home can still have electricity.

You can also use natural water sources like lakes, wells, and rainwater for your home. You can store it in cisterns and clean it before you use it. You will have to make sure that you check local regulations when using natural water bodies or wells. A septic tank can store any waste so your home doesn’t need to be hooked up to a sewage system. You will have to get regular septic tank pumping to maintain it and empty it when needed.

Decorating Your Home:

Once you have all of the practical steps covered and your home is self-sufficient, you can focus on making your house feel like your home. You can decorate the exterior and interior for that cottage-core feeling, making sure that you balance practicality with aesthetics.

Creating a self sufficient home is an exciting adventure and can prove that you are much more capable than you thought!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

May7

A Car Repair Cautionary Tale

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A Car Repair Cautionary Tale

Hello!! My car, AKA the Little Red Love Machine, is my little pride and joy. She is basically me in car form and I worked very hard to be able to buy my dream car. It is so important to me to make sure she is running in the best, safest way possible and I always stay up to date on regular maintenance. I began going to a shop down the street from me for oil changes and have had a positive experience every time. Except for the last time…

After my last oil change, I was informed that my car needed some extra work and that the price was going to be steep – the bare minimum being around $1340. YIKES! Right away, my feelers went up because what they were recommending was something that I had gotten done before and for way cheaper. Rather than commit to anything right away, I called another repair shop I go to on occasion and got a quote from them. The price just on the phone? $960. That was much more like it! Better yet, when I took my car to get fixed, the true price when they called me was $820. That was even more like it and over five hundred dollars less than the original quote!

While I was doing the happy dance for a repair that was even less than anticipated, I was a bit peeved. Did the people at the first repair shop think I was stupid or something? In fact, after they high balled me, I got a text from one of the team members saying I could get a free oil change if I wrote a review and I’m pretty sure they knew I had their number lol. (And, no: I did not write the review as temping as a free oil change is!)

This is why I decided to share my cautionary tale. If you are getting a major repair on anything done and the price seems way too high, get a second quote from a different source. Hell, get a few! If the prices are similar across the board, then that’s okay. However, you might find yourself in a situation similar to mine and will be so glad that you called around. This might seem like a no brainer but it is definitely worth the reminder so that you can continue to get the most bang for your buck and find professionals that are trustworthy. You couldn’t pay me to go to the original shop I went to again!

I am pleased to report that the Little Red Love Machine is back in excellent condition and my savings speak for themselves. You can’t beat that!

Do you have a story similar to mine? How much money did you end up saving by getting additional quotes? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mar23

Follow Me On TikTok!

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Follow Me On TikTok!

Hello to you!! Well, everyone, I finally did it… I made a TikTok lol. This is something that I truly had no intention of doing. As you all know, I am a word girl through and through. I always have been so when video content started to become increasingly popular, I simply had no desire to even think about following suit. So why did I make a TikTok? It’s funny you should ask…

While I was shooting an OOTD in Johnny’s guitar corner, the pictures were being taken “live”. I had an inspired idea to put one of the cords from his amp around my heel and pop my foot. In my head, I was SO amped up and thought it was going to be MAGNIFICENT. It wasn’t:

Magnificent? No. Hilarious? Yes. So, I decided to post it on my Facebook and it ended up getting over one thousand three hundred views. Is that a lot? No. However, it wasn’t bad for someone who literally never posts videos and that’s when I decided that it couldn’t hurt to at least give TikTok a try. I created an account, I filled it full of old videos, and am pleased to report that I have… FIVE FOLLOWERS!! Lol hell yeah. 😀

I’ll be the first to admit, it lightweight sucks starting a completely new page. Then, I started to see the merits of making a TikTok for myself and that’s what inspired me to keep going with it. It’s kind of cool that I can give all of you a further glimpse into what you are reading about here on lifewithlilred. Whether it’s food or product reviews, a peek at the bunnies zooming about, Johnny playing guitar, or OOTD shoots, I am viewing TikTok as a way for people to get to know me better.

I’ll also be the first to admit, that I am by no means a videographer lol. Once a word girl, always a word girl. But, if you want to hop on my TikTok train – please give me a follow at lilred6794 because I can’t wait to get to know you better too!

What is your favorite social media platform? What is your favorite kind of content to view? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah