Let’s face it, cars are expensive. Today’s car loan can cost more than you’re parents’ first mortgage. The reality is, that it’s not only the price of the car, but also the gas, insurance, maintenance, car washes, and more that really add up. For most of us, there are also considerable costs associated with the auto loan. I love having a nice car, but with the economy as it is, every expense is worth checking out.

How to save money on your next auto loan using my strategies:

1. Improve your credit. Nothing has more impact on the terms of your loan than your credit score: the better your score, the lower the interest rate. If your credit history is sketchy, it’s going to cost you. So if you have credit problems, put off buying that new car until you’ve done some work on your credit.
2. Avoid small loans. In many cases, interest rates tend to be higher on small loans. If the car costs less than $5,000, then it’s best to simply save up ahead of time and pay cash for the car. That doesn’t mean that you should get a Porsche because the loan is cheaper and if you’re desperate for a vehicle, this may not be an option, but, throwing away money is never a good option.
3. You can refinance an automobile at a lower interest rate if interest rates have fallen since you bought the car. This especially makes sense if you’ve also been able to improve your credit since you obtained your loan. You could easily save $100 per month by refinancing. Zippy’s friend Shana does this with almost all of her car loans and it has saved her $$$$.

• With the subsequent reduced payment schedule, you can apply the extra you’re saving toward other investments or you can pay off your car sooner.

4. Shop around for financing. It might be easiest to get your financing at the dealership, but it’s rarely the best place. Finding a better financing offer means extra money that could be in your pocket instead of the dealer’s. Check with your bank or credit union, as well as online.

• Check out what the dealer has to offer, but get some other financing quotes and see what makes the most sense.

5. Consider leasing. While leasing is usually considered to be more expensive in the end than purchasing, it can make sense if you never own a car long enough to get it paid off. I lease because my payments are so much lower, and then will finance the remainder of the car at the end of the lease so that I own it.

• Your monthly payment will likely be less and the taxes are less, since you usually only pay tax on your payments, not on the value of the car.

6. Find a less expensive vehicle. Cars today are almost universally quite reliable. There’s almost no practical difference between a $10,000 car and a $100,000 car, both will get you where you need to go. All the extra cost has little to do with how reliably or safely the car will get you from point A to point B.

• Consider purchasing a slightly used automobile to really save some money. If you can find a car that’s almost new with low mileage, you get all the advantages of a new car, including the warranty, without the new car cost. We used to exclusively buy certified used cars from the dealership so that we got a great warranty along with a good price.

There are several ways to save money on your next auto loan. If you have the luxury of time on your side, fix any credit challenges you may have and shop around for the best financing terms. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Do what you can to keep as much of your money as possible.

• It’s not cars
• It’s not bars
• It’s not pars

But it is Zippy and Rachel’s newest endeavor and I wanted to show it off. Feel free to pass this along to anyone you think might be interested. While most of the articles are for women, we found some GREAT CBD products to help with the after-golf aches and pains, as well as a very cool CBD drink that I tried. I’m also a HUGE fan of Zippy’s Nachos (as you can tell by my LACK of waistline) and those EARBUDS? Well, they are mine now (and I refuse to tell her where I hide them when I’m not using them).

Ah….married life.

In 6 months I will turn 69. That’s too close to 70 for my own comfort, but there’s little that I can do about the physical years that pass. Having been retired since my mid-50’s, I have learned that it’s very easy to let yourself slide down that watch TV, take a nap, eat schedule that I found quite appealing at first. But, I realized that while I was relaxed, I was not as sharp as I used to be. I realized that it’s natural for your brain to change as you grow older, but did you know that you can protect your cognitive fitness at any age?  Your lifestyle plays a major role in how well you think, learn, and remember.

Unfortunately, failing brain health is a public health epidemic, according to the American Heart Association. Their research shows that 3 out of 5 Americans will develop a brain disease in their lifetime.

I took my brain for granted but finally came to realize that the “use it or lose it” motto was important, besides your quality of life depends on it. Keeping your brain in top shape will help you to overcome obstacles, develop relationships, and complete your daily activities.

Try these suggestions for showing your brain some love, you’ll be glad that you did.

Taking Care of Your Mental and Physical Health:

1. Exercise regularly. Physical activity delivers more oxygen to your brain and helps form new neural connections. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise each week, as well as training for strength.
2. Eat healthy. Studies suggest the MIND diet slows brain aging by almost 8 years and cuts your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. It’s a combination of the popular Mediterranean and DASH diets, focusing on vegetables, fruits, and meat-free meals.
3. Sleep well. Your memory and learning capacity grow stronger while you sleep. Go to bed and wake up on a regular schedule and talk with your doctor if you have trouble falling asleep on a regular basis or feel tired most days.
4. Quit smoking. Tobacco affects more than your lungs. Brain scans show that smoking thins your cerebral cortex, which is responsible for many important thought processes.
5. Treat chronic conditions. Many physical health issues can impact your brain. That includes obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, and hypertension. Get regular screenings and follow your doctor’s recommendations.

Staying Connected:

1. Make plans. It’s easy to get so busy that you lose track of family and friends. Block out time for family dinners, date nights, and weekend outings. Social ties help to slow the rate of memory decline and enhance many other mental and physical health outcomes.
2. Be kind. Do you want to feel more valued and connected? Being generous and warm will draw others to you. Volunteer in your community and brush up on your listening skills.
3. Use technology. Face-to-face interactions are usually more meaningful but going online can be an alternative when social distancing or travel keeps you apart. Use video calls and Facebook to stay in touch.
4. Ask for help. Healthy relationships are mutually supportive. Let others know your boundaries and when you need assistance.

Managing Stress:

1. Take time to relax and reflect. Relaxation reduces inflammation and helps your brain to work more efficiently. Find forms of contemplation that work for you. Savor the present moment. Let go of judgments and expectations.
2. Slow down. Pay attention to one thing at a time instead of trying to multitask. Take a break from technology each day.
3. Express your creativity. Making art raises serotonin levels and enhances brain function. Experiment with different crafts and hobbies to find something you enjoy. Have fun and remember that the process can be beneficial regardless of your skill level.
4. Cultivate gratitude. Recognizing and appreciating your blessings makes you more resilient. Start a gratitude journal. Thank others and look for the positive aspects of any situation. Give back to your community by donating your time and money.
5. Change your self-talk. Lighten up on yourself. Make your inner dialogue compassionate and encouraging. Give yourself credit for taking risks and trying new things.

It’s so important to reduce your risk of cognitive decline. Keeping your brain healthy will help you to lead a longer and more rewarding life. Take that 70!

Before I retired I was a car guy. While most of my time in the automobile business was spent as a buyer, going to auctions, and buying the cars that you see in the used car lots, I did spend some time on the retail end of the business. Yes, I was the guy you feared coming to see because you were SURE I was going to rip you off. I understand. It’s happened before. You needed a new car so you went looking for your best deal. But somehow, you ended up leaving the dealership in a car that wasn’t your top choice or you paid way too much for it. “What just happened?” you wondered as you drove away.

Wouldn’t you love to pay what you want for the vehicle you choose, rather than the high-priced car the dealer wants to get rid of?

Follow my tips to help ensure a better experience the next time you walk onto that car lot

1. Do your homework. Think about cars you’re interested in before you go shopping. Jot down makes and models you like. Note specific features you want. Knowing what you want will keep you focused on getting the RIGHT deal on the RIGHT CAR.

• Look at car manufacturer’s websites. Notice the features, specifically those that matter to you. Make notes. Eliminate cars that don’t fit your criteria. Keep notes WITH you about why you’re rejecting those cars. Later, you can look back on your notes, if necessary.

2. Familiarize yourself with the top 2-3 cars you want. Watch for them on the roads. Do you like how they look? Ask friends and neighbors who have a car you’re interested in if you can look at the dashboard and interior space. I like to go to the dealership when they are CLOSED and peek into the cars so that I have an idea about the interior that I like as well.
3. Check the Edmunds.com website. This website tells you what the car should reasonably cost you. You can select the interior and exterior colors and any extra options you want for pricing.

• Learn what car manufacturers are offering for cash incentives or buyer’s rebates on the cars you like. This info can also be found at the Edmunds website. Completing this step will arm you with expert knowledge about what the car should cost and help you with the negotiation as you can use it as a tool when dickering over the price.
• If a car dealer tells you the Edmunds figure isn’t accurate, move on. He’s most likely trying to rip you off.

4. NEVER, EVER, EVER pay the sticker price. Car salesmen will try very hard to get you to pay that price. However, you can negotiate to pay less. If you already did your research, you’ll know what to offer. Don’t pay a penny more. If you have a car to trade in, it may be a lot easier to negotiate the amount that they give you for YOUR car to get the final price where you want it.
5. Consider shopping from home. If you’ve been held captive at a car dealership for 3+ hours being pressured, cajoled, and manipulated, you’ll appreciate this suggestion. Examine internet sites like Cars.com or AutoNationDirect.com.

• If you prefer, go to the manufacturer’s website and request a price on a particular vehicle. A salesman will respond back by e-mail. Then, negotiate back and forth by e-mail or phone to obtain the car, features, and pricing you seek.
• Determine if they have the exact car in your desired color with your preferred options on the lot. This point is important because salesmen will try to get you in to test-drive any vehicle in hopes they can give you the hard-sell routine.
• These days you can save a lot of time and frustration by shopping from home.

6. Never get financing through the dealership. Dealerships advertise low percentage rates then pump up “miscellaneous” fees in excess of a reasonable percentage amount. Therefore, get your car loan through your bank or credit union. There is ONE exception to this rule….when a dealership offers 0% financing GRAB it.

• Seek a pre-approved loan before shopping. That way, you’ll know how much you’ll pay monthly based on the figure you were pre-approved to borrow and you’ll have that extra power in the negotiating. Dealerships make a BIG PERCENTAGE of their money on auto loans!

7. Remember you can walk away or say, “No.” Avoid falling into the trap of doing everything the salesman says. After all, you’re the customer and he’s there to fulfill your needs, not the other way around. We always walk away during the negotiation and laughingly count the seconds before the salesman runs after us (or how long it is before he calls us at home with a better offer).
8. Find out your state’s policy on returning new cars. Car dealerships will tell you that once you sign the papers and drive the car off the lot, you can’t return it. However, many states have a “buyers’ remorse” clause, which allows you a period of time, like 3 days, to return a vehicle you don’t want. Take time to read the fine print on whatever documents you sign.

• The best way to avoid buyers’ remorse is to shop within your budget and avoid saying, “yes” to just any car or deal. Wait for the deal you want.

By following these strategies, you can avoid getting ripped off the next time you shop for a new car.