Say it Ain’t So – Please No More Snow

The weather person keeps telling us yet another snow storm or arctic blast is on its way. Most places in the United States have already set records for snow fall amounts and low temperatures.  You can not even escape by going to the traditional winter warm spots like Florida or South Carolina because the weather has been lousy there too! You know it is bad when it is colder in Texas than it is in Alaska. It is time for Old Man Winter to get this message; we have had enough.

Unfortunately, it does not look like that is going to happen. So, it appears as if everyone will be forced to hunker down and just ride it out until Spring arrives. Let us all hope that happens sooner rather than later.

There are some things you can do to make hunkering down a little less stressful. When you do get out to the stores, stock up of items you will need for those times when you cannot get out. Those items should include food products that do not have to be cooked or heated in case the power goes out along with water and milk. Also, do not forget to purchase batteries, candles, etc. to have on hand during a power outage. If you have pets, you should also get an extra supply of pet food.

You should also make sure your car is well maintained as you may need it to get to a shelter in case of severe weather or if the electricity is going to be out for an extended period of time. If your car battery is more than three years old, have it tested by a mechanic to make sure it is okay. Cold weather reduces the cranking power of the battery. You do not want to get struck with a dead battery during bad weather. Make sure you keep your gas tank at least half full so that the gas line does not freeze. And, is a good idea to place winter blades on you wipers so your windshield stays clearer.

Everyone has probably heard horror stories of people getting stranded in their car for hours or even days during a raging blizzard or ice storm. Therefore, it is very important to be prepared in the event this happens to you. First, keep a warm blanket along with extra warm clothes in your car like gloves, a hat, scarf, boots, etc. Also, keep a supply of water and food in your car. If you have a cell phone, make sure it is fully charged.  

If you are going to be traveling somewhere that is not part of your normal routine, tell someone where you are going, what route you are taking and what time you expect to get there. That way, if you do not show up, someone will know to alert the authorities and they will have an idea where to start searching for you.

A little planning and preparation will make surviving this very hard winter a little easier and safer too!

The Winter of Our Discontent

Here we go again. Another winter storm is bearing down on us. It is the latest in a string of storms that have plagued us. Each storm brings a new round of snow, sleet, ice, wind, etc. It is enough to make you want to move to a warmer place in the country. But wait; there is no warmer place in the country to move to. Every state has seen its share of bad weather; from tornados to floods to snow to ice to extreme cold. It can be very depressing.

If you have are tired of having to dig the snow the out from around your extra car, here is one suggestion. Get it out of your way, get a generous tax deduction, and help to support a very good cause when you donate car to charity. The vehicle does not have to run in cold weather or perform well on the snow and ice. When you do, you get a tax deduction of $500 or the amount the charity sells your vehicle for, whichever is more.

Many charities will not accept vehicles that no longer run, are badly rusted or very old. Basically they want cars that have a decent resale value. Cars4Charities is different. They do not care how old your car is, what condition it is in or even if it is smashed to smithereens. They only ask that you have the title to the car that is free of any liens, have not stripped all the valuable parts off of it and have it parked in a place where a tow truck can easily get to it.

You may not be aware that many charities sell all donated vehicles  to only one or two companies. The problem with this practice is that it does not get the most amount for each car. Cars4Charities attempts to maximize the return on every donate car. You may ask why they do that. There are two reasons. First, the more they sell your vehilce for, the more you can claim as your tax deduction. Second, the more it sells for, the more of the proceeds go to the charity you choose from their very impressive list. They accomplish this by selling to multiple retailers.

The other thing that separates them from the others is that they are one of the very few charities that allow you to donate your car on line at your leisure through their website. The others ask you to call them or to complete an on line form and then wait for someone to call you with further instructions. And Cars4Charities is recognized by the IRS as a charity themselves, so you can be confident they will handle everything properly.

For complete details please log on to http://www.cars4charities.org/ or call them toll free at 1-800-448-3487.

The Arctic Blast

Most of the country continues to get hit with an arctic blast. The temperatures have hit record lows in places that do not normally experience them. So, what do you do when Jack Frost comes nipping at your nose?

If you are going out doors, dress in several layers and make sure your head is covered by a hat or hood. That will prevent you from losing a lot of body heat. Also, cover your face with a mask or scarf. It only takes a few minutes for frostbite to begin when the temperature is very cold.

To stay warm indoors, also dress in layers. To help maintain your body temperature, eat warm foods like soup or stews and drink plenty of warm liquids. Taking a long hot bath with help keep you warm as well. Avoid drinking any alcoholic beverages. Although they will make you feel warm, alcohol actually lowers your body temperature.

Open your curtains and blinds during the daytime to allow the sun to warm the room and close them at night to prevent heat loss. Also, run your ceiling fans in reverse.  This will help push the heat downward. Block any door drafts with a rug or rolled up towel. To keep your water pipes from freezing either open the faucets to a steady drip or leave the cupboard doors open.

If you have a working fireplace, make sure to keep the damper open. Also, if you are using a space heater, make sure the cord is not frayed and it is properly vented. Never put your space heater near anything flammable like drapes, furniture, etc. And, do not attempt to dry your clothing by placing it over a space heater. If you are using a gas generator, it too must be properly vented. If these items are not properly vented, you could be exposed to deadly carbon monoxide gas. Never heat your home with an open stove, charcoal or gas barbeque or wood grill. They cannot be vented properly and give off carbon monoxide gas. Also, do not leave candles unattended.

Do not forget to bring your pets indoors during the arctic blast. They can easily get frostbite especially on their paws in very cold temperatures.

Baby It’s Cold Outside!

We are experiencing record cold temperatures. If you are not accustomed to dealing with the extreme cold here are some tips; dress in layers, wear a warm hat and gloves, cover your face with a scarf or mask. Remember, it only takes a few minutes for frost bite to start.

Your car does not like the cold anymore than you do. Extreme cold can drain the battery of much of its cranking power. If your battery is completely dead, you probably need to replace it especially if it is more than 3 years old. Do Not try to jump start it until you have checked to see if it is frozen. To do that, just pop the caps to see if there is ice in the battery. If you try to jump start a frozen battery it might explode. It used to be that you could remove a frozen battery, bring it in to a warm place to thaw, then put it back in the car and then jump start it. That is no longer recommended because removing the battery interferes with the various computer systems on cars and can actually cause harm.  If the battery on your car is dead or if it is cracked, you should just bite the bullet and replace it. 

If your car will not start, but the battery is not completely dead, you can try jump starting it. Pace the car that starts facing the dead car. Turn off the engine of that car and turn off everything in both cars that runs off the battery like the headlights, radio, heater, wipers, etc. Before you begin connecting the jumper cables, put on eye protective and gloves to protect yourself from sparks or under the worse case scenario a battery explosion. And, stand on the side of the car for the same reason. Connect the positive or red cable to positive or red terminal on the dead battery. Next, connect the other end of the red cable to the positive terminal on the good battery. Connect the black or negative cable to the negative terminal on the good battery. Connect the other end to a metal ground on the engine or non-painted part of the frame of the dead car. Do Not connect it to the negative terminal on the dead battery since the spark might ignite the hydrogen fumes in the battery causing it to explode. Then, start the car with the good battery and rev the engine for a couple of minutes to charge the dead battery. Then, start the other car. If it starts, remove the cables. Be sure not to touch the ends of the cable to each other or to any metal on the cars as they will spark.

Once you get the car started, let it run for 20 to 30 minutes to fully charge the battery. Do not just drive away thinking everything is okay. You do not want to have the car die on you in this extreme cold weather.  Turn off the engine and try to restart it. If it starts with no problems, you are probably good to go. If it does not start, it is time to get some help as your problem may be the alternator.

Welcome to Winter!

So far this winter, snow has hit every state in the country. Venturing out in this “winter wonderland” has taken on a whole new meaning; wondering if you are going to be able to get to work or school, wondering if they are even open, wondering if the buses or trains are running, wondering if your car will start, wondering if you can get your car out of the driveway or parking spot, wondering if you will get stranded at the airport or worse yet in your car, wondering if the roads have been plowed, wondering if the person in the other car knows how to drive on snow and ice, etc.

Well, here are some tips that might make the “winter wonderland” a little more tolerable;

First, if you do not absolutely have to go to work or school, stay home. The fewer the cars on the road, the easier it is for plows to clear them and for emergency vehicles to get around. You can spend part of the day cleaning your driveway and sidewalks. Do not over exert yourself shoveling!

If you do have to go out, slow down.  No one is going anywhere fast, so just take a breath and relax. Take the time to warm up your car and clear off the snow and ice. You definitely want to see where you are going or who is coming at you. And, turn your headlights on so other vehicles will see you! Slow down on the roads. Giving your car too much gas will just make it fishtail causing you to possibly spin out of control. Slowing down gives you more control over your car. More control allows you to avoid accidents by giving you more maneuverability and it makes it more likely you will be able to stop for red lights and stop signs and not skid through them. And remember, when the sidewalks are covered with snow or ice, pedestrians may be walking in the road, so be cautious.

If you do have the misfortune to be involved in an accident, you may have to decide whether or not to repair your vehicle. Your decision will be based on the cost of the repairs and whether your insurance will cover them. If your insurance will not cover the accident and the repairs costs are high, you may want to just look for another vehicle. If your car insurance does cover it and gives you a check, you may want to put it towards another car rather than fixing your present car. In both cases, you will need to do something with your car.

If the damage to your vehicle is not severe, you can probably trade it in towards a new or used one or sell in privately. However, if it has sustained severe damage, you will not be able to do that. If you give it to a junk yard, you will probably get somewhere between $50 and $250 for it. No matter how badly damaged it is, you will a tax deduction of $500 or more if you donate your car to charity. If the charity sells it for more than $500, that sale amount will be the amount you can claim for your tax deduction.