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Month: November 2018

  • Tips for Plus Sized Fashion: Find the Best Looks

    Tips for Plus Sized Fashion: Find the Best Looks

    A little over two-thirds of the women in the US wear size 14 or larger in clothing. In spite of this, there are hardly any option out there for plus sized fashion. Not everyone can fit into the size 2 designer jeans! Just because you’re plus sized doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have great fashion options. Here are some tips for finding some of the best looks.

    Tips for Plus Sized Fashion

    The Print Matters

    The Ebbinghaus effect states that a circle surrounded by smaller circles looks larger than it actually is. The inverse is true, too: surrounded by large circles, the original circle looks smaller. You can leverage this in your fashion, too.

    Try wearing clothes with large print patterns on them. By doing this you’ll be doing yourself a service: smaller prints and patterns can make you look bigger than you actually are. Keep this in mind when you’re buying dresses and T-shirts with print designs. Similarly, carrying a large purse or wearing huge jewelry can accomplish much the same effect of making you look smaller.

    So Does the Fit

    Finding clothes that fit your body properly is important. A lot of designers don’t actually model their clothes for people above size 6 or so. They opt instead to take the dimensions of a size six and mathematically scale them up. That means you end up with weird oddities like small busts, huge shoulders and ill-fitting clothes.

    This makes you look weird, which you aren’t. Instead of shopping at these stores, shop at places where the clothing fits your body properly. Not only will you feel better, you’ll look better. Your body looks totally fine as long as your clothes are the right fit.

    Remember You Look Great

    Remember, “fat” is not synonymous with “ugly,” despite what fashion magazines tell you. There are really awesome clothes out there for you to wear. Just keep in mind that you need to find what works for you, not someone who is size six.

    There’s nothing wrong with any body type, but there’s plenty wrong with improperly fit clothes! We hope this helps you find fashion that looks great on you for your particular body type.

  • Top Smart Home Gifts to Buy on Black Friday

    Top Smart Home Gifts to Buy on Black Friday

    The Google Home is getting better and better and that’s not going to change any time soon, especially considering Google’s artificial intelligence prowess. Google Home is a huge help to people who want a personal assistant for household tasks.

    But perhaps the best thing about the Google Assistant has nothing to do with the Assistant itself, but more to do with the fact that it can be used to control such a huge range of smart home devices. Unfortunately, not all smart home devices are created equal. If you’re looking to control your home with the Google Assistant, you’ll want to make sure you’re getting the right products.  That’s why we’ve put together this guide — to help you find the best Google Assistant-compatible products out there.

    Things like setting the lights, thermostat and music are as easy as using your voice with Google Home. To help you automate all the little things, here are the top 5 Google Home Devices you need for your home!

    Must-Have Google Home Devices

    Nest Thermostat

    The Nest Learning Thermostat is a great smart home device that works with Google Assistant. If you’re the kind of person who likes saving money on your power bill and keeping your home’s comfort front and center, you’ll want the Nest system. You can control your home’s temperature with your voice through Google Assistant or through the Nest app.

    The best part of this system, however, is the “Learning” part. The thermostat should learn your routine as you use it and develop a profile for you. This means that it will try to change the temperature intelligently before you even ask it to. When working properly, this means it keeps your power bill down and works invisibly. You shouldn’t even notice the system, as you’ll always be comfortable in your own home! How great is that?

    Nest Cam

    On the same note as the Nest Thermostat is the Nest Cam. Retailing at $300, the Nest Came is a pretty handy device. For one thing, it comes included with a Google Assistant, so you can control it with your voice out of the box. It’s also a great companion to an existing smart home system! It’s easily one of the best home security solutions for the money.

    If you’re often away from home and want to be able to keep an eye on things, the Nest Cam has you covered. Whether you’re checking in on pets or kids, or just making sure no one is in there when they shouldn’t be, the Nest Cam is super handy. It can even be set to function by being motion-activated. Hopefully you won’t need it, but it’s great to have! You can even view the camera’s feed from your smartphone over the internet.

    Phillips Hue

    The best way to equip your house with smart lights is through the Philips Hue system. These smart lightbulbs are really rather intuitive, and they work well with Google Assistant. The bulbs come with a variety of uses, as they can connect to several different smart home systems. If you have Alexa, for instance, these work well with that system too!

    To get started with Hue you need a Hue Bridge. Once you have that you can simply add more Hue bulbs to your Hue system. You can control the lights entirely with your voice, turning them on or off or even changing their colors. It’s a small touch, but it makes you feel like you’re living in the future when you can control your house with your voice!

    Hue makes it easy to set up and control the lights in your entire house. You need only get a Hue Bridge connected to your Google Home system. Then, you just tell it which bulb is in which room. You can even control the lights from a smartphone app while you aren’t home!

    Belkin WeMo

    The WeMo system by Belkin is a way to turn nearly any device into a smart device. WeMo plugs are smart switches that can simply be toggled on or off. That means if you plug a lamp into one, you can name that switch “lamp” and command it with your voice. Calling out “Google, turn off the lamp,” is a pretty satisfying command.

    The possibilities for WeMo are pretty wide and varied. It’s hard to overstate how handy this is for anything you want to become a smart device. Your speakers, your fans and the like can all be connected via this smart system. Talk about an easy way to get everything connected!

    Chromecast

    Ever wanted to pull up YouTube videos on your TV with your voice? Then you want a Chromecast. Simply tell Google what you want to see on the TV from the internet and Chromecast has you covered. It’s really quite satisfying to control your TV with your voice, and Chromecast isn’t even that pricey!


  • Have You Heard of CoolSculpting? The Coolest New Way to Fight Fat

    Have You Heard of CoolSculpting? The Coolest New Way to Fight Fat

    CoolSculpting is a new, noninvasive procedure that uses cold to help eliminate fat from the body. It’s not quite like liposuction, as it’s not a surgery and is much less invasive. Today we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about the coolest new way to fight fat: CoolSculpting.

    Facts You Should Know about CoolSculpting

    Why CoolSculpting?

    Many people like CoolSculpting because it helps them target specific areas they may feel insecure about. It’s not invasive like liposuction and people feel more confident in this FDA approved procedure. After all, you can’t help how you body stores fat, and exercise can’t isolate areas where you want to lose weight. That’s where this new procedure, utilizing cold temperatures, comes in!

    How Does it Work

    The procedure utilizes a process called cryolipolysis to freeze fat cells. The clinician applying the procedure uses a device to apply cold to the skin above the targeted fat cells. This causes the fat cells to die due to the low temperature.

    Your body then undergoes a process to eliminate the dead fat cells naturally over the course of weeks or months. The process takes about an hour in the clinic and then you’re good to go! People often see 20 to 25 percent reduction in fat content in a given area. This allows for targeted weight loss in problem areas that you can’t seem to get!

    Is it Safe?

    The CoolSculpting procedure doesn’t require anesthetic, takes only about an hour and has been approved by the FDA since 2012. There are a few side effects, like bruising, swelling, cramping, pinching sensations and itchiness that could occur. However, the process is otherwise considered quite safe.

    Reminders

    This process isn’t for weight loss: it targets specific areas of fat to help those near their weight goals burn down the last little bit of fat. You’ll have to keep up a healthy diet and exercise regiment to stay at your target weight.

    People who have CoolSculpting done have to put in the maintenance to keep the fat off. That said, if you’re struggling to shed the last little pocked of fat somewhere, consider this procedure to help get rid of it.

  • What Can You Expect to See on Sale This Black Friday?

    What Can You Expect to See on Sale This Black Friday?

    Black Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year, and shoppers continue to break sales records every year. The massive sale extravaganza is a complete madhouse at certain retailers, and for good reason: the sales are absurd! This year, Black Friday falls on November 23 – but you don’t have to wait until Thanksgiving to start scoring deep discounts.

    Every retailer is trying to grab your attention with incredible deals on Black Friday. If you’re looking to save some money for holiday shopping, here’s what you can expect to see on sale this Black Friday!

    Last Year’s Best Black Friday Deals

    If you want to know what to expect for Black Friday this year, you’ll want to look back to the deals offered in 2017. Each year, retailers keep their sales consistent, offering the biggest bonuses and markdowns on the hottest, most sought after products of the year. Last year, retailers released a host of incredible discounts – and those specials were unveiled as early as November 9th. Some of the top deals shoppers scored included:

      • iPhone + Gift Card Offers: Customers who purchased an Apple iPhone X, iPhone 8, or iPhone 8 Plus received a $300 Walmart gift card.
      • Samsung Galaxy + Gift Card Offers: The popular Samsung Galaxy Note 8, Galaxy S8, and Galaxy S8 Plus came with a $300 Walmart gift card.
      • PlayStation Bundle Discount: Buy a PlayStation 4 bundled with GranTurismo Sport and a virtual reality set for $100 off.
      • Nintendo Discount: The popular Nintendo Switch console with two controllers and a carrying case was priced at $299.
      • Xbox One X Discount: The Microsoft Xbox One X console with 1 terabyte of storage space was priced at $499.
      • Smart LED TV Discount: A Sharp 55” 4K Smart LED TV was discounted down to just $298.

    Shoppers went wild for these steals – and this year, you can expect Walmart to offer equally great deals for Black Friday.

    Black Friday Sales to Expect This Year

    It’s easy to predict what kinds of deals you can expect to see for Black Friday 2018. Each year, retailers tends to offer similar discounts and bundled packages on new smartphones, TVs, video games and consoles, and so many more tech products. Before retailers releases its 2018 deals in early November, here’s what we’re expecting to see on the list of deals:

    Smart Speakers

    Smart speakers have been some of the hottest Black Friday sellers in recent years, especially now that big names like Amazon and Google are essentially all-in on the connected home. Expect more of the same for shoppers in 2018, with lots of deals on Alexa and Google Assistant gadgets, smart thermostats from names like Nest and Ecobee, home surround sound smart speakers, connected lighting kits, video doorbells app-enabled robot vacuums… you name it.

    Smartphones + Gift Cards

    New iterations of both the iPhone and the Galaxy have been released, along with plenty of other popular smartphones from LG, Huawei, and more. One of the biggest draws Walmart offers year after year is a special on the most sought after smartphones – and for 2018, we can expect to see gift card offers equal to or better than last year’s deals. Expect to see the newest smartphones, from the iPhone XS and XS Max to the Galaxy S9 and Note 9, offered with a gift card of $300 to $350.

    These types of deals reoccur year after year, and they’re a safe bet at large retailers. If you’re planning on upgrading to a new phone or giving one as a gift, keep this in mind!

    Video Game Consoles

    Speaking of the Nintendo Switch, its sure to be a hot seller this year. The little hybrid console is primed for the release of Super Smash Bros Ultimate, Pokemon Let’s Go! and Super Mario Party. Those big-name games will make the console a must-have for gamers this holiday season, so expect to see it discounted.

    For an example, last year retailers had deals including the console, a carrying case and a game for only $300. That’s the normal MSRP of the system, so the carrying case and game were simply all-upside! This year we expect to see similar sales at various retailers. The Super Smash Bros and Pokemon bundles of the Switch are likely targets for big sales. Both include unique docks and controllers based on the games that are bundled in! They’re both likely to be hot-ticket items this year.

    Microsoft and Sony also offer their Xbox and PS4 at $300, respectively. While we don’t expect to see these systems discounted any, it wouldn’t be surprising to see deals including games or controllers as bundles at $300. These sales are more desirable to retailers: they offer value to the consumer while not digging into the company’s profits. In fact, they could even help offload hardware like controllers or carrying cases while increasing traffic around the holidays.

    TV Deals

    You can also expect to see great discounts of TVs. Interestingly, TVs are one of the few things that hasn’t increased in price year over year with inflation. Instead, it’s more affordable than ever to get a big, flat-screen HD TV. That goes double during Black Friday sales when everything has huge discounts!

    Last year large retailers had 55-inch 4K displays as low as $300. Those kinds of prices were around $200-$300 off of MSRP. A lot of retailers even used those huge TV discounts as one of the biggest draws to shopping in their store during the huge holiday sales.

    As crazy as this sounds, you might even be able to pick up 4K Smart TVs for as little as $250 on Black Friday. These deals are sure to be red-hot to boot. Make sure you’re early in line to snag these deals! TVs are one of the fastest-moving items on sale during Black Friday. If you’ve been holding off on upgrading, this year is going to be a really good time to pull the trigger on an upgrade. Given the trajectory of large flat-screens, it’s likely that this year will have some of the lowest prices ever for them.

    There are sure to be dozens of more awesome deals to be found at major retailers this Black Friday. Ads indicating sale prices are usually out by mid-November, so make sure you keep your eyes peeled for early indicators of the big deals this season!

    Laptop & Tablet Deals

    If you’re looking to pick up one of the best laptops or a new MacBook, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the best times to do fetch a winning deal. And, with this year’s celebration of shopping quickly approaching, you might want to gear up for the big day and see how you can ensure you only get the best price.

    Big name brands like Dell, Lenovo and HP should all see price drops for their range of laptops, both budget and high-end. Last year, Dell’s XPS 13 and XPS 15 laptops saw liberal price cuts, and we hope to see similar slashing this year. They are two of the best laptops money can buy, so if you find those getting discounted on Black Friday, definitely consider purchasing them.

    Price cuts to Microsoft’s excellent range of Surface devices are also a common sight on Black Friday. Microsoft just announced the Surface Pro 6, and while Black Friday will be too soon for that new device to see price cuts, it means that its predecessor, the Surface Pro 2017, has a good chance of seeing some decent price cuts. Keep an eye out for the affordable Surface Go as well – we suspect Microsoft will make some prices cuts there as well.

    But, what about Apple? Apple’s MacBook notebooks don’t often receive sizable price cuts, but in recent Black Friday events we’ve seen some good price cuts emerging from retailers like B&H Photo and Adorama. If you don’t mind getting somewhat older MacBook hardware from a year or so ago, then you should be able to score yourself a neat MacBook deal on Black Friday. Finally the new iPad Pro was recently unveiled this year so Apple will undoubtedly have Black Friday deals for their most recent flagship product.


  • Facts You Need to Know about Adult Asthma

    Facts You Need to Know about Adult Asthma

    There are people who erroneously think of asthma as the sort of thing you grow out of. The fact of the matter is, there are many adults with asthma. In fact, some even develop new or worsening asthma symptoms as they get older. Here are some important facts you need to know about adult asthma.

    Facts You Need to Know about Adult Asthma

    Symptoms

    Asthma is caused by a constriction of the bronchi while breathing. This often manifests as shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain and/or tightness in the chest. For many adults, they notice these symptoms most strongly when they are exerting themselves, whether they are working out or simply have a physically demanding job.

    Many adults don’t even know that they have asthma, especially those who aren’t active often. They get short of breath and simply brush it off. If you feel like something is wrong with your breathing, don’t be ashamed to see your doctor.

    Risks

    Those who had asthma as children are at a naturally higher risk of developing adult asthma. People with severe seasonal allergies are also more susceptible to asthma symptoms than those without. Women who are pregnant or going through menopause may be at higher likelihood of developing asthma as well. The hormones released during these experiences can inflame the lungs.

    Those with GERD, or acid reflux, could be at a higher risk for asthma as well. The presence of acid can trigger a bronchial spasm and cause irritation that leads to asthma. Some people are at higher risk due to their jobs. Those who work around fumes or dust that they can inhale may find their lungs inflamed and develop adult-onset asthma.

    Treatment

    If you think you have asthma, see your doctor. People who are diagnosed with asthma carry inhalers that are full of medicine to help your lungs relax when experiencing bronchial spasms. This can be life-saving, as asthma attacks could cause you to fall unconscious.

    Asthma is a serious thing. If you feel like you are constantly short of breath and can’t ever catch up, you may be living with asthma. There’s nothing wrong with seeing a doctor.

  • Coolest AI-Enabled Tech You Have to See to Believe

    Coolest AI-Enabled Tech You Have to See to Believe

    Artificial intelligence is going to redefine the ways we interact with technology. Today we’re going to take a look at the coolest AI-enabled tech you have to see to believe. From learning algorithms in graphics cards to autonomous cars, today is all about AI.

    AI-Enabled Tech You Have to See to Believe

    Graphics Cards

    The newest graphics cards from companies like Nvidia are pushing the envelope when it comes to photorealism. With the addition of learning AI to the most powerful graphics cards, advanced techniques like ray tracing and dynamic lighting become more feasible. That’s because of the way learning AI can implement these features.

    Rather than having to render every single one of these features, learning programs can just render the things you need to see. This makes them incredibly efficient, allowing the system to conserve memory and run even more smoothly while putting out incredible images.

    Robots

    The most prominent sci-fi tropes involving AI also involve robots. And why not? They’re a classic sci-fi mainstay. Well, they might cease to be fiction soon, are they may have already. Companies like LG have pushed forward with learning robotic helpers that are able to predict your schedule and your needs.

    An example of this learning robot style is the Airbot. Airbot was created to help visitors in airports by scanning ticket, showing people around and even guiding them when they are lost. It uses speech learning patterns and facial recognition to help people.

    Autonomous Cars

    A huge number of companies, from Tesla to Ford, are pouring money into creating self-driving cars. The auto industry is convinced that this will be the future of transportation. Well, with all the emphasis they’re putting on it, it would be surprising if it didn’t!

    Jokes aside, learning programs seem poised to make this a reality. Programs that can map and understand their immediate surroundings and make decisions on the fly are required for self-driving cars. Learning behavior from other cars on the road, making efficient maneuvers and keeping passengers safe are all possible with the right AI.

    In many ways, the future is already here. Artificial intelligence is on the verge of being commonplace all around the world. What a brave new world, huh?

  • Mobvoi Ticpods Free: True AirPod Killers?

    Mobvoi Ticpods Free: True AirPod Killers?

    Apple’s AirPod wireless earbuds have a lot of catching up to do. While they were some of the first truly wireless earbuds on the market, they’ve been largely outdone by some of their competitors. One such competitor is Mobvoi. Do the Mobvoi Ticpods Free have what it takes to dethrone the AirPods as best wireless earbuds? Let’s get into it.

    Mobvoi Ticpods Free Review

    Design

    There’s nothing crazy going on with the design of these earbuds. The Mobvoi Ticpods Free have the same standard “earbud with a long tail” look that the AirPods started. The tail is flat, unlike the AirPods, and allows you to use the touch controls. The left earbud controls volume with swipes up or down on the tail. The right earbud can be double tapped to skip songs or long-pressed to bring up the voice assistant.

    Largely, these are sleek-looking earbuds that seem to be designed to look almost just like their chief competitors. If you like the way AirPods look then you’ll like the Ticpods. If you don’t, well, maybe these aren’t for you.

    Features

    Unlike the AirPods, the Ticpods have a comfortable silicone tip that feels great in the ear. The seal these tips make with your ear make the sound quality that much better. Although the AirPods may have better drivers, they sit so loosely in the air that the sound quality is degraded. The Ticpods, on the other hand, suffer no such problem

    The only thing these earbuds don’t have on the AirPods is battery life. While the AirPods last an average of five hours on a single charge, the Ticpods only go for four hours. That said, most people will keep the charging case on hand, which offers an additional 14 hours of battery. You just need to remember to put them back in the case when you’re not using them!

    Bottom Line

    With the exception of battery life, these are tighter earbuds than the AirPods. The best part is that they cost a lot less, coming in at $130. We can recommend these Mobvoi TicPods Free to all but the most die-hard of Apple fans.

  • Planning on Painting? 5 Tips When Painting Your Home

    Planning on Painting? 5 Tips When Painting Your Home

    A fresh coat of exterior paint can transform even the most run-down “fixer-upper” into a stylish “classic,” dramatically boosting curb appeal and adding thousands of dollars to your home’s resale value. Even if you’re not trying to sell your house, a professional-grade exterior paint job can protect it from the elements — wind, rain, mold and mildew — or at the very least, make your neighbors jealous. If you are planning on painting,  Ive got 5 tips when painting your home Id like to share with you.

    I spent a few of my youthful years painting for a living. I picked up a lot of tips and tricks, that not only save time but improve the end result. Lets go through some of these learned lessons and painting tips to make this task simpler.  With good preparation and a few tricks of the trade, painting interior ceilings and walls is a simple process that can yield professional results. Lets take a look at my 5 Tips When Painting Your Home

    Sand, Caulk and Prep

    To get a super smooth finish on your doors, windows and timber trim, give each coat a light sand before applying the next coat. The undercoat raises the grain on raw timber and sanding will knock this off and flatten out any brush strokes. If you’re using gloss paint, sanding after the first finishing coat will knock off some of the shine and help the final coat stick. I always recommend sanding and using a caulk to fill in any small blemishes. Use good caulk, the cheap stuff shrinks.

    Quality Equipment

    Good paint brushes feel ridiculously expensive so for a long time I wouldn’t spend the money. Then, I bought one of these rubber gripped edging brushes, and the difference was amazing. The biggest tip you can give a painter is to buy the best quality brushes and rollers you can afford. Good quality brushes leave less brush marks and give you better coverage. Cheap equipment is more likely to drop bristles and fibres, so you have to spend time picking them out and going over the job again. They’ll also last a lot longer, saving you money in the long run. Properly cared for, quality painting equipment will last for years.Good paint brushes feel ridiculously expensive so for a long time I wouldn’t spend the money. Then, I bought one of these rubber gripped edging brushes, and the difference was amazing.

    Good Paint, 2 Coats

    number 2 on my 5 Tips When Painting Your Home is get good quality paint and enough for two coats of paint, then paint in the same order as you applied the primer—ceiling first and then walls. Brush or roll from top to bottom. If the primer you chose was of good quality, you may need only one coat of paint. You will always want 2 coats of paint, this is a rule you can’t bend. Primer 1 Paint 2. With good high quality paint you can get away with just 2 coat and skipp the primer.

    Use a Rolling Screen in a 5 Gallon Bucket

    You can try to Line your roller pan by putting a plastic grocery sack or trash sack (inside out if it has writing on it) on the paint tray. Then you can just invert the sack when you’re done and throw it away. You can also line with foil, but the plastic bag is quicker, easier and results in less mess. If you’re taking a break or switching to a different task, you don’t have to spend time washing out the brush or roller, just wrap it up in cling wrap. Load it up with paint first and make sure the air can’t get in, which will dry out the paint. I always just go straight for a roller screen in a 5 gallon bucket, its quick and easy.

    This doesn’t mean you need to buy five gallons of paint. Instead of pouring from a gallon into a tray, you can dump the whole gallon into a five-gallon bucket with a paint screen. It’s far easier and less messy to load paint this way. I still use a tray if I’m doing a small space—like a hallway or bathroom—but if I know I’m going to use a gallon or more of paint, a bucket is the way to go.

    Use a Lined Pail for Cutting In

    last of the 5 Tips When Painting Your Home is on cutting in. “Cutting in” is when you use a brush to paint all of the edges and corners of a room. It often requires being on a ladder or step-stool for the edge around the ceiling, and you have to reload your brush with paint quite often. While I try to avoid any tools that feel “gimmicky” I’ve found the HANDy Paint Pail or similar lined paint pails to be quite useful.

    They use liners which, yes, are more expensive, but it’s one less thing to clean so I find the expense is worth it for me. It also has a handle which, for my small hands, is way easier and more comfortable than trying to grip a quart of paint in one hand while climbing up and down a ladder. That scenario has ended in disaster for me more than once.

     

     

  • Unsold SUV Inventory Causing Prices to Drop

    Unsold SUV Inventory Causing Prices to Drop

    Getting a great, affordable deal on an SUV or luxury SUV may seem too good to be true. But there’s never been a better time than right now to buy SUVs at reasonable prices – and that’s because many dealerships are being left with excess inventory due to a combination of market demand shifts and an overproduction of SUVs by manufacturers.

    Many of the top SUV lines have not changed in recent years, but due to last years unsold models prices are dropping. This is making it very easy to steal a great deal on an SUV.  The auto market is making SUVs more affordable than usual – but this climate won’t last forever. You need to start looking for new SUV deals now if you want to take advantage of the available incentives; odds are they won’t last long.

    Two developments in the auto marketplace have combined to put considerable downward pressure on the prices of new SUVs. The turn over market for leased vehicles is giving buyers a lot of gently used recent model SUVs you can buy used.  Then we have the fantastic shift in consumer demand away from sedans and towards SUVs. When there is a demand, surplus of supply follows. New SUVs are now more affordable than ever, thanks to a surplus of unsold inventory from the 2018 model year, manufacturers are scrambling to clear space for new 2019 models.

    If you’re in the market for an SUV of any kind, acting now could save you substantially. Here’s what you need to know about SUVs and luxury SUVs: why they’re more affordable now and how you can find the best deals.

    How You Can Save BIG Right Now On A New SUV

    Thanks to these 3 major shifts in the marketplace, you have a tremendous opportunity to get the vehicle you want an extremely low price

    • Consumers are giving back their leases at an epic rate4. This left thousands of dealerships with barely used cars that have very few miles on them

    • A shift from large gas-guzzling SUVs to more efficient and reliable cars

    • The model year is coming to a close and dealerships need space for new cars

    These conditions combined to form the perfect storm. Now consumers have access to the latest crossover SUVs and trucks at rock bottom prices.

    New OR Used?

    Should I buy new or used? That is the question, and everyone you asks has an answer and a reason and an Uncle with a story. the Truth is it depends. Unfortunately there is no one-size-fits-all answer. There are sound reasons to buy new and sound reasons to buy used.

    Too often the only questions we ask ourselves: Will I look good behind the wheel? and How big a monthly car payment can I afford? Neither of these questions will help you make smarter car buying decisions. Buying a car based on how much car payment you think you can afford per month will almost always ensure you buy too much car and pay too much for it. It’s also the wrong question to ask yourself when deciding between new and used.

    Luxury SUVs?

    Luxury SUVs are typically sports utility vehicles with premium features that go well above and beyond the basic necessary function. High-end materials, like wood and leather, are often incorporated into the interiors of luxury vehicles, as are premium sound systems and other advanced infotainment features. Enhanced safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, are also usually found on luxury models but not the average SUV.

    Luxury vehicles also tend to involve a special performance component. Many, though not all, luxury SUVs feature powerful engines and perform beyond the level of a basic SUV, Consumer Reports writes. Performance SUVs often include enhanced transmissions, suspensions, and braking for a smoother and more responsive driving experience.

    New Options

    There are a lot of benefits of purchasing new. You can get the latest technology, including things like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Most new cars come with Bluetooth phone connectivity, so you can use your phone legally while driving, without having to purchase an aftermarket Bluetooth interface. Automobiles come from the factory with warranty coverage for at least the first three years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. That gives you a predictable cost of ownership over the first few years you own it, without much risk of a huge repair bill. Purchasing a new car is easier than buying used. With so many versions of the model you want at the dealership, you’ll likely find the car you are looking for on the lot. If not, your local dealer can trade inventory with another dealer to find the exact model, option list, trim level, and color you are looking for.

    Manufacturers also offer special financing incentives and lease deals on new cars that aren’t typically found on pre owned models. If you do the math, some zero percent financing deals can bring the total amount of money you’ll pay for the car down to the level of used cars with traditional financing. If you are seeking a loan from a bank or credit union, you will generally be offered a lower interest rate on a new vehicle than you would on a preowned model.

    Best New SUV Deals

    Chevy

    Chevy has some great purchase options on the 2019 Equinox.  The 2019 Chevrolet Equinox LS/Premier/LT is getting 0% APR for 72 months for qualified buyers.That monthly payment is $13.89 for every $1000 you finance. In addition to that they have $4876 in rebates and incentives. The Equinox doesn’t skimp on standard features, rounding out a truly versatile compact SUV and one of the best buys on the market.

    Ford

    The Expedition and Explorer from Ford, lets check these out. Ford is throwing financing offers at their top end SUVs. Making some very attractive offers. Along with rebated and incentives they are putting up 2.90% financing for 84 months on Explorer and Expeditions.  Now I never recommend taking a 7th year financing option but it will drastically reduce your monthly payment. While not adding to much to your total cost.

    Infiniti

    Infiniti has some offers you may want to explore and some great new SUV deals. Cost on these high end luxury SUV are quite comparable and affordable. Boasting four models in 2016, Infiniti offered a crossover vehicle or sport utility vehicle for almost any luxury preference. An entry-level compact premium crossover, the Infiniti QX50 was heavily revised for the 2019 model year. Snagging 0.9 percent APR financing for 60 months is offered on remaining 2018 QX50 models. Infiniti’s flagship QX80 is also featured with 0.9 percent financing. The only 2018 Infiniti vehicle to be available with front-wheel drive, seven-passenger crossover QX60 can be acquired with 60-month, 1.9 percent APR financing. For people requiring aid due to a physical disability, the Infiniti Mobility Assist offer provides a reimbursement for approved equipment meant to improve accessibility.

     

  • How to Save Major Cash on a Wedding Ring: Don’t Overpay!

    How to Save Major Cash on a Wedding Ring: Don’t Overpay!

    There’s no piece of jewelry that’s going to mean more than your wedding ring. It’s a symbol of love and devotion that will signal to everyone the dedication you have to your spouse. That doesn’t mean you should overpay for your wedding ring, though. Here are the best ways to save on your wedding ring!

    How to Save on Your Wedding Ring

    Forget Tradition

    You know that old rule of thumb that your wedding ring should cost two months of your salary? Yeah, throw that out the window. This isn’t the 1800’s and that whole thing was cooked up by an ad agency. Here’s what you should know about wedding rings: they’re not supposed to be as expensive as you think they are. We’re going to show you how to get a beautiful ring without spending thousands of dollars.

    Rethink “Precious”

    There’s no such thing as precious metals when you get down to it. Gold and platinum are valued because they are considered valuable, and no other reason. If you dig a bit, you’ll find that there are plenty of beautiful wedding bands that are made from metal alloys. These alloys are durable, don’t tarnish and will last a lifetime. Not to mention they cost a couple of bucks.

    The same thing goes for stones. Diamonds cost way, way more than they have any business costing. There are numerous synthetic alternatives to diamonds that are not only beautiful and affordable but just as durable. This goes for a lot of synthetic stones: many of them cost thousands of dollars less than “natural” alternatives and are just as beautiful.

    Get Out of the Mall

    Jewelry stores have gorgeous glass cases, velvety carpeting and well-dressed attendants. They make you feel like royalty when you walk in. You should also expect to pay royal prices if you shop in them. If you get the heck out of them you might find some amazing deals online. After all, online retailers aren’t charging you for “atmosphere.”

    When you shop online, you can comparison shop, research and order all in one place. Not to mention you don’t have to worry about pushy salespeople trying to get you to buy an overpriced ring. Remember: there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to your wedding ring. Buy the ring that looks right at the right price and don’t sweat tradition.