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Take Time for A Moment That Matters: Tire Safety
Have working batteries in your smoke alarms? Done. Has your oil been freshly changed in your car? Done. Is there a new water filter for your refrigerator? Done. But when it comes to regularly checking your tires? Like most people, there may be some room for improvement.
my url shorten
As fall travel and winter weather loom, taking a moment to check your car tires can make a difference in keeping you safe on the road.my url shorten
This year, Cooper Tires is encouraging drivers to mark Labor Day weekend on their calendar (and the first of every month) as a tire check safety moment, to make a habit of checking tires, especially as seasons change.
Continue Reading: Take Time for A Moment That Matters: Tire Safety
A Moment That Matters: Take Time for Tire Safety
(NewsUSA) – Working batteries in smoke alarms? Check. Fresh oil in your car? Check. New water filter for your fridge? Check. But how many people think about regularly checking their tires? As fall travel and winter weather loom on the horizon, taking a moment to check your car tires can make a difference in keeping you safe on the road.This year, Cooper Tires is encouraging drivers to mark Labor Day weekend (and the first of every month) as my url shortena tire check safety moment, to make a habit of checking tires, especially as seasons change."Just as we regularly take a moment to check our smoke detector batteries when we change our clocks in the fall and spring, we need to designate a moment to check tire safety as well," says Jessica Egerton, Director of Brand Development at Cooper Tire & Rubber Company.Checking the overall condition of your tires is easy and important for your safety on the road. Your tires are the only parts of your vehicle to come into contact with, and keep you connected to, the road.The recommended tread depth is more than 2/32 of an inch deep. Do your tires meet this minimum, or are they too worn? Would you know if they are? An easy and quick way to tell is to stick a penny into the tread with Lincoln’s head facing down. If the tread covers the top of his head, you’re good to go. If not, time to replace the tire.Ensuring your tires have the recommended tread depth can help in a variety of ways, including maintaining traction on the road, keeping control of the car, and preventing hydroplaning or sliding.Don’t be under-pressured, either.Tires not inflated to the recommended level of pressure can lead to tire failure, uneven wear and cause your car to use more gas.Try this 10-minute safety check from Cooper Tires:* Check the tread. Use the U.S. penny/Lincoln’s head method. Insert the penny into the tire tread, with Lincoln’s head down and facing you. If the top of his head is visible at any point around the tire, there is too little tread, and it’s time to replace the tire!* Check the pressure. Look on the vehicle doorjamb, glove compartment, fuel door or owner’s manual to find the recommended pressure for your tires. Press a tire gauge on the valve stem. Too low? Add air. Too high? Push down on the metal stem in the center of the valve to release some air. When you reach the recommended pressure, replace that valve cap. Also, don’t check pressure right after driving. Wait at least three hours until the tires are cool.* Check your look. Inspect your tires for cuts, bulges, cracks, splits or punctures. When in doubt, ask a tire professional for an inspection.Visit coopertires.com for more information about tire safety and more details on how to take make your tire safety check moment a regular habit.
Hazards That Are Most Likely To Hurt Your Tires
Consider this: getting a spoon stuck in your tires is more of a likelihood than you may have thought.
According to a new national survey of auto service professionals, this common kitchen utensil is a potential hazard – albeit one of the more unusual ones – likely to damage your tires if you’re not careful about where you’re driving. The four tires on your car are the only thing connecting your vehicle to the road, and they also affect everything from handling to braking, playing a critical role in your safety. Given their part in keeping you safe, it’s worth taking the time to take care of your tires – especially when there are so many (potential) hazards to look out for.
Continue Reading: Hazards That Are Most Likely To Hurt Your Tires
The Hazards Most Likely to Damage Your Tires
(NewsUSA) – Beware of a spoon stuck in your tires?Well, yes. According to a new national survey of auto service professionals, this common kitchen utensil is a potential hazard – albeit one of the more unusual ones – likely to damage your tires if you’re not careful about your surroundings. The four tires on your car are the only thing connecting your vehicle to the road, and they also affect everything from handling to braking, playing a critical role in your safety. Given their part in keeping you safe on the road, it’s worth taking the time to take care of your tires – especially when there are so many potential hazards to look out for.Some of which, like a spoon, may surprise you. But more on that in a minute.The study from Cooper Tires conducted by Auto Service Professional magazine couldn’t come at a better time: Nearly 100 million Americans are expected to have taken a family vacation by year’s end, according to a recent AAA Travel survey, with upcoming spring and summer road trips topping many of their plans.With so many Americans on the road all year long, whether for a family vacation or their daily commute to work, tire damage is an unfortunate reality many have dealt with. According to the study, some of the most common causes of tire damage are running over something, like a curb (72 percent), nails (70 percent), and potholes (39 percent). Other common causes of tire damage are more easily preventable, such as driving with bald tires (48 percent) and driving on a tire with low air pressure (44 percent). It’s probably why checking tire pressure, rotating your tires and paying attention to the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) light are the top tips from auto service professionals on proper tire maintenance.And the one location you probably most want to avoid when driving? Construction zones, which are no doubt the culprit behind so many tires being punctured by spikes, wrenches, screwdrivers and pliers.Drivers need to contend with various road challenges throughout the year. In the winter, the top two sources of tire damage are potholes (72 percent) and unseen hazards hidden under that fresh blanket of snow (59 percent), which can be anything from cracks in the pavement to debris that has fallen off trucks. In summer, underinflated tires are the most common offender (88 percent), leading to overheating."The four tires on your vehicle are the only parts to come in contact with and keep you connected to the road," notes Jess Egerton, director of brand development at Cooper Tires, which has been making tires since 1914. "That’s why, for safety and performance reasons, you have to properly care for, maintain and inspect them."That means:* Checking tire inflation on a regular basis. Operating a vehicle with even just one tire underinflated by 8 psi can reduce the life of a tire by 9,000 miles and increase fuel consumption by 4 percent.* Replacing tires when worn to 2/32 inches tread depth anywhere on the tread face.* Visually checking tires for things like missing valve caps, uneven tread wear and any foreign objects that could spell serious problems should they become even more deeply embedded while driving.But back to those more unusual hazards.Pieces of toys. Porcupine quills. Pork chop bones. Spoons. It’s anyone’s guess – including the service professionals who recounted finding them jabbed in tires – how they got there."Auto service professionals have pulled a lot of unusual things out of tires over the years," says Greg Smith, publisher of Auto Service Professional magazine. "But, really, it might surprise people to know that a lot of tire damage is simply due to poor maintenance and wear and tear."
Why a Roth IRA May Be Ideally Suited for Millennials
(NewsUSA) – When it comes to saving, a Roth IRA may be a Millennial’s best friend.Unlike traditional IRAs or even workplace 401(k) plans, Roth money is tax-free in retirement. And even as the account ideally grows fatter over the years -helped in part by a wondrous thing called compound interest – the original contributions can be withdrawn at any time, for any reason, with no taxes or penalties assessed.That’s right, any time. For any reason."Roth contributions are made with after-tax dollars, but those in their 20s or 30s are probably in a lower tax bracket now than they will be later in life when their salaries are higher," explains Melissa Ridolfi, vice president for retirement and college leadership at Fidelity Investments. "So not only would they likely be minimizing their lifetime tax bill, but they’d also have tremendous flexibility."In fact, it’s the flexibility of Roth IRAs over the shorter term – and what that means for two of Millennials’ most pressing issues – that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves:* Buying a home. The homeownership rate among Millennials, age 25 to 34, is about 8 percent lower than that of Gen Xers and Baby Boomers at the same point in their lives, according to CNBC. And you know what being stuck renting an often exorbitantly priced apartment does for wealth accrual: bupkis. Or, as Tamara Sims, a research scientist at the Stanford Center on Longevity, more delicately told the network: "Buying a home at age 50 or 60 isn’t going to do you much good in funding a 30-year retirement."Now, remember what we said about original Roth contributions being tax- and penalty-free? With rare exceptions – and this is one of them – that doesn’t apply to any investment gains withdrawn before age 59?. Yes, thanks to this carve-out, first-time homebuyers (as well as those who haven’t owned a home for at least two years) may also be able to withdraw up to $10,000 of those gains and still not pay any tax or penalty as long as they’ve held the account for at least five years.* Education. And why aren’t as many Millennials buying homes? One of the biggest reasons: crushing student-loan debt.In another of those Millennial-friendly exceptions, Roth money can be tapped to pay for qualified educational expenses like college or graduate school for yourself, your spouse, or your children. Unlike with homes, though, you’ll only beat the penalty – not the tax – on any earnings you withdraw when following the same five-year rule.There’s evidence that Millennials are getting the message about Roths.Fidelity, which has tools and scenarios to help pick which IRA is right for you – as well as advice on specifically saving in a Roth during your 20s and 30s – says 80 percent of Millennials’ contribution dollars at the firm are going into Roths.As for 2019, know that the income cutoff for Roth eligibility (based on your modified adjusted gross income, or MAGI) has been increased over last year to $137,000 from $135,000 for single filers and $203,000 from $199,000 for joint filers. Also raised: the annual contribution limit for both Roth and traditional IRAs (to $6,000 from $5,500, with an additional catch-up of $1,000 for those 50 and older)."One of the great things about being a Millennial," says Ridolfi, "is that they have time and the power of compound interest on their side."
One Small House in Boise, One Big Step in Homeownership
(NewsUSA) – There came a point in Meghanne’s 29-year-old life when she decided it was time to "be an adult and buy a house." And as a loan officer, she wanted to practice what she preached about investing in homeownership.Then again, living on a dairy farm near Boise, Idaho, with only cows for neighbors could have been a factor, too.Either way, after 11 years of renting, Meghanne was ready to buy a house. As a single woman with an active lifestyle, Meghanne didn’t want an older house that required a lot of work or maintenance, so she focused her search on newer homes. Trouble was, many houses were out of her price range, and those that weren’t got snapped up quickly.Due to its lower cost of living, Boise is in the midst of a boom. People from more expensive cities, such as, San Francisco and Seattle, are flocking to the area. In fact, Forbes named Boise "America’s fastest-growing city in 2018" with home prices increasing 11.58 percent. After getting priced out of the market in their cities of origin, these transplanted residents weren’t blinking at the median home price of $319,000. This and a shortage of inventory made for a super-hot real estate market – not exactly ideal when you’re looking for your first home and have a limited budget.Being a resourceful millennial, Meghanne started researching her options. She discovered a private non-profit organization, called NeighborWorks Boise, whose mission is to revitalize communities and offer affordable housing alternatives. This national organization builds pocket neighborhoods consisting of 10-15 energy-efficient homes, clustered together to form a close-knit community. Meghanne qualified for their program by meeting the income limit of $90,000.Through NeighborWorks Boise, Meghanne found a newly-constructed home affordably priced at $184,000. At only 700 square feet, the cute little house featured two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living area, kitchen, front porch and attached garage."I fell in love," says Meghanne, "and the price was perfect."Because the home wasn’t complete, she was able to personalize it by making decisions on the finishes.Although NeighborWorks also offers affordable loans, Meghanne chose conventional financing through her employer, a mortgage lending company. Thanks to private mortgage insurance, she was able to put down only 3 percent ($5,520)."I considered making a 5 percent ($9,200) down payment but opted for 3 percent," explains Meghanne. "I used the extra $3,680 to buy furniture, and keep some money in savings for a rainy day."Since Meghanne moved in five months ago, her new home has already increased in value, appraising at $205,000 and boosting her equity by $21,000. And the planned close-knit community will soon be even closer when her co-worker moves into the same pocket neighborhood. Meghanne’s looking forward to having an already-made friend as her neighbor – instead of cows.Is it the right time for you to buy a house? Find out by visiting mgic.com/resources/buynow. Plus, follow the stories of other first-time homebuyers and learn from their experiences at readynest.com/homebuyer-stories.
Some of the Biggest Misconceptions About Life Insurance
(NewsUSA) – So much for fancy cars, houses and jewelry.Eighty-one percent of Americans my url shortenbelieve their "most valuable asset" is their family, according to a new survey by Edward Jones and the nonprofit consumer-education organization Life Happens. And one quarter of respondents in the national sampling of adults confessed that their biggest fear was saddling their nearest and dearest with unexpected financial burdens if they’re unable to work or die prematurely.Which begs the question: If we’re so worried about protecting what we treasure most, why don’t more people have life insurance?Ask most experts, amy url shortennd they’ll tell you that such policies can help provide crucial resources for anyone with loved ones to support. And yet the latest figures show only 41 percent of U.S. households have individual life insurance."Most Americans have little or no safeguards for their financial goals," says Ken Cella, principal of the Client Strategies Group at the financial services firm Edward Jones. "They may understand tmy url shortenhe value of having emergency funds to cover unexpected financial expenses in the short term, but they’re less protected for the long-term financial implications."Faisa Stafford, president of Life Happens, puts it even more bluntly: "Emergency savings aren’t a long-term financial solution, especially if a family’s primary breadwinner were to die."Much of the disconnect between what we’ll call "the urge to protect" and the reality on the ground can be blamed on one or both of the fmy url shortenollowing misconceptions:* It’s too expensive. Think of this as the equivalent of the alligators-in-New-York-City-sewers myth. When Life Happens and LIMRA, a global life insurance research and consulting group, asked participants in their 2017 Insurance Barometer Study how much a $250,000 term life policy for a healthy 30-year-old would cost, NerdWallet reports, the median estimate was $500 a year – more than three times the actual annual amount of $160.But let’s say that would-be policy holder wanted even more protection for his dependents. Forbes magazine recently calculated that that same incorrect median estimate – $500 – would buy a healthy, non-smoking, 30-something male a 20-year term policy with a million-dollar death benefit. Some people spend more than that in a year on caffe lattes.That said, prices do vary based on factors like age, health, amount of coverage, and whether you opt for term or permanent insurance. The former – the most affordable – covers a specific time frame (usually 20 years or less), while the latter stays in force for life (as long as you continue to pay the premiums). Online aids like Edward Jones’ complementary Life Insurance Needs calculator can help with factors to consider when determining how much life insurance may be appropriate for you. * The policy I have through work is good enough. And if you’re no longer employed there? Not only is group life insurance generally not portable, it typically only provides benefits equal to one or two times your annual salary."Growing families usually need greater protection than that," says Scott Thoma, an investment strategist at Edward Jones, "and they need coverage that’s not contingent on work status."Know that life insurance doesn’t simply assign a monetary value to someone’s life. Which brings us to another revealing finding of the Edward Jones-Life Happens "Protect What Matters" survey.Twenty-three percent of participants didn’t know it can even cover expenses like college tuition for a surviving child.Edward Jones is a licensed insurance producer in all states and Washington, D.C., through Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P. and in California, New Mexico, and Massachusetts through Edward Jones Insurance Agency of California, L.L.C.; Edward Jones Insurance Agency of New Mexico, L.L.C.; and Edward Jones Insurance Agency of Massachusetts, L.L.C.
Online Conference Connects Global Startups and Investors
(NewsUSA) – The current startup business environment today is full of opportunities for investors who want to get in on the global economy.At the upcoming Global Startup Summit, a free online event, startups from around the world can network with each other and with investors for mutual benefit.The 7-day online event will be streaming on globalstartup.tv. Each day is dedicated to a different region of the world and includes three sessions with experts in the tech-enabled business field, a panel discussion on investment opportunities and consumer trends, and pitches from two startups.Key themes at the Global Startup Summit include early-stage investment opportunities, global consumer trends, and trends in tech adoption across markets, according to Global Startup Media, a Virginia-based media company covering the business of global startups.The event begins on February 18, 2019, with Africa Day, followed by Asia Pacific Day (Feb. 19), Europe Day (Feb. 20), US Opportunity Zone Day (Feb. 21), Latin America Day (Feb. 22), Middle East Day (Feb. 23), and Canada Day (Feb. 24).Presenters at the Global Startup Summit include the World Bank, African Tech Roundup, Chinaccelerator, Middle East Venture Partners and more."As technology globalizes opportunity and capital, investors and founders are aggressively looking for new opportunities outside of their domestic markets, we are working closely with leading global brands in startups to present investment opportunities and consumer trends in startup ecosystems worldwide," says Andrew Berkowitz, CEO and founder of Global Startup Media, the company organizing the conference."Great companies can be started anywhere in the world, and startups are growing everywhere. This event is an exciting opportunity to promote and connect the leaders driving growth and creating opportunities in the world’s startup ecosystems," emphasizes Anne Driscoll, president and cofounder of Launch Pad, an organization with locations in cities across the U.S. that supports entrepreneurs and startups. Launch Pad is partnering with Global Startup Media to host the conference.Technology trends related to startups on the US and global scene that may catch and hold investors’ attention include virtual reality/augmented reality, health technology, 3-D printing, and artificial intelligence, according to Fast Company magazine. These trends may materialize in startups in areas such as audible computing (Alexa, Google Home), smart cameras, consumer experiences, and micromobility in cities (shared spaces).Visit globalstartup.tv for more information and to register in advance.For more information about Global Startup Media, visit globalstartupmedia.com.
Women Say They’re Ready to Put Their Money to Work for Them
(NewsUSA) – More women than ever before are realizing they need to make their money grow for them.For decades, we’ve been hearing about an "investment gap" between males and females. And while it still exists, a whopping 72 percent of women in a new survey by Fidelity Investments said they’re ready to make bolder moves in the coming months – including investing more of their savings."Women tend to be the CFO of their household," says Kathy Murphy, president of personal investing at Fidelity. "They tend to pay the bills, they tend to make 80 percent of the purchasing decisions. This (investing) can be part of it."The point about investing more of savings is crucial. While 44 percent of females polled for the firm’s "2018 Women and Investing Study" were currently putting their money to work in the market beyond just retirement accounts – that compares to 59 percent of men -more than a third of all women reported having $50,000 or more still sitting in checking and savings accounts that pay a pittance in interest. And that third or so includes those who do invest outside of, say, company 401(k) plans.But if even $20,000 of that cash was invested in a conservative portfolio mix? Over five years, in a typical market, the money could potentially swell by $5,733 vs. $80 in a basic savings account (and potentially $2,961 in a typical five-year CD).Millennial women would seem to be taking those numbers most seriously, which accounts for much of the optimism underlying the report.Forty-eight percent of them are already investing their cash, as opposed to about 40 percent of both Baby Boomers and Gen Xers."This is the first time in the almost decade we’ve been doing this study that we’ve seen Millennial women on track to really lead the way," notes Murphy.Don’t misunderstand: No one’s saying people – men or women – shouldn’t keep at least enough cash on hand in savings to cover three to six months of living expenses. That’s a fundamental rule of thumb among financial advisors. And Murphy contends that women who do invest actually turn out to be "great" at it for this simple reason: They come up with a long-term plan based on their own or their family’s goals, and then they allow their investments to grow without tending to make the mistake of trying to time the market.Many online tools can help women looking to better manage their financial lives. Fidelity, for example, offers a free 10-minute "Financial Wellness" check-up that’s a first step in developing such a plan, and the firm also just launched a new "Demand More" site designed specifically for those with two X chromosomes. The latter, which is also free, includes personal stories from women like the 54-year-old with two grown children who "restarted her finances" after her divorce.As for why women lag men in investing, Murphy has her own theory: "Sixty-five percent of them equate it with picking stocks. But it’s not about that. It’s about having a financial plan and sticking to it."
Don’t Make These Mistakes after A Collision
(NewsUSA) – In the U.S. alone, there are 10 million car accidents every year, and the tense moments following a car accident, even a minor one, can be scary and stressful for everyone involved.Drivers and passengers can feel confused and unsure of what to do. Even the most experienced and seasoned drivers can make basic mistakes after they have been involved in a traumatic event.Simple, avoidable mistakes could cost you time and money, or lead to personal, medical and legal issues.Here are some of the most common mistakes to avoid after a collision:* Fleeing the scene: Leaving the scene of an accident could land you in serious legal trouble. You may be in shock, but the most important thing to do is stay where you are.Check on your passengers, and once you exit your vehicle, check with the other driver involved in the accident.Try to remain calm and wait for law enforcement to arrive on the scene. If it is safe to do so, use your cell phone to take photos of your vehicle to document the damage that resulted from the accident while you wait for police.* Not reporting the accident:Even if it’s just a minor collision, always report the accident to the police. Never let someone convince you to avoid calling the police.If you decide to make a claim with your insurance company later on, or if you decide to pursue a legal claim, not reporting the accident could hurt your case.* Exchanging too much information: Do not share your driver’s license or who was at fault with the other driver; however, share this information with the police along with your current insurance.Always exchange contact information with the other driver, get contact info from any witnesses, and obtain full insurance details from other drivers involved in the accident.Make sure accurate information is included in the police report, and ask for a copy of the report to edit any incorrect information.* Failing to get medical advice: You may think that you were lucky enough to escape injury, but you should always get a medical checkup after a car accident, especially if you hit your head.Remember, only a medical professional can rule out possible head trauma and other serious injuries.* Having your vehicle repaired at just any shop: You might have to make a decision on-the-spot as to where to have your vehicle repaired. Don’t make a panicked decision when it comes to your safety.Visit www.goldclass.com to find a Gold Class shop that has collision repair professionals with up-to-date training contributing to complete, safe and quality repairs.
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Take Time for A Moment That Matters: Tire Safety
Have working batteries in your smoke alarms? Done. Has your oil been freshly changed in your car? Done. Is there a new water filter for your refrigerator? Done. But when it comes to regularly checking your tires? Like most people, there may be some room for improvement.
my url shorten
As fall travel and winter weather loom, taking a moment to check your car tires can make a difference in keeping you safe on the road.my url shorten
This year, Cooper Tires is encouraging drivers to mark Labor Day weekend on their calendar (and the first of every month) as a tire check safety moment, to make a habit of checking tires, especially as seasons change.
Continue Reading: Take Time for A Moment That Matters: Tire Safety
A Moment That Matters: Take Time for Tire Safety
(NewsUSA) – Working batteries in smoke alarms? Check. Fresh oil in your car? Check. New water filter for your fridge? Check. But how many people think about regularly checking their tires? As fall travel and winter weather loom on the horizon, taking a moment to check your car tires can make a difference in keeping you safe on the road.This year, Cooper Tires is encouraging drivers to mark Labor Day weekend (and the first of every month) as my url shortena tire check safety moment, to make a habit of checking tires, especially as seasons change."Just as we regularly take a moment to check our smoke detector batteries when we change our clocks in the fall and spring, we need to designate a moment to check tire safety as well," says Jessica Egerton, Director of Brand Development at Cooper Tire & Rubber Company.Checking the overall condition of your tires is easy and important for your safety on the road. Your tires are the only parts of your vehicle to come into contact with, and keep you connected to, the road.The recommended tread depth is more than 2/32 of an inch deep. Do your tires meet this minimum, or are they too worn? Would you know if they are? An easy and quick way to tell is to stick a penny into the tread with Lincoln’s head facing down. If the tread covers the top of his head, you’re good to go. If not, time to replace the tire.Ensuring your tires have the recommended tread depth can help in a variety of ways, including maintaining traction on the road, keeping control of the car, and preventing hydroplaning or sliding.Don’t be under-pressured, either.Tires not inflated to the recommended level of pressure can lead to tire failure, uneven wear and cause your car to use more gas.Try this 10-minute safety check from Cooper Tires:* Check the tread. Use the U.S. penny/Lincoln’s head method. Insert the penny into the tire tread, with Lincoln’s head down and facing you. If the top of his head is visible at any point around the tire, there is too little tread, and it’s time to replace the tire!* Check the pressure. Look on the vehicle doorjamb, glove compartment, fuel door or owner’s manual to find the recommended pressure for your tires. Press a tire gauge on the valve stem. Too low? Add air. Too high? Push down on the metal stem in the center of the valve to release some air. When you reach the recommended pressure, replace that valve cap. Also, don’t check pressure right after driving. Wait at least three hours until the tires are cool.* Check your look. Inspect your tires for cuts, bulges, cracks, splits or punctures. When in doubt, ask a tire professional for an inspection.Visit coopertires.com for more information about tire safety and more details on how to take make your tire safety check moment a regular habit.
Hazards That Are Most Likely To Hurt Your Tires
Consider this: getting a spoon stuck in your tires is more of a likelihood than you may have thought.
According to a new national survey of auto service professionals, this common kitchen utensil is a potential hazard – albeit one of the more unusual ones – likely to damage your tires if you’re not careful about where you’re driving. The four tires on your car are the only thing connecting your vehicle to the road, and they also affect everything from handling to braking, playing a critical role in your safety. Given their part in keeping you safe, it’s worth taking the time to take care of your tires – especially when there are so many (potential) hazards to look out for.
Continue Reading: Hazards That Are Most Likely To Hurt Your Tires
The Hazards Most Likely to Damage Your Tires
(NewsUSA) – Beware of a spoon stuck in your tires?Well, yes. According to a new national survey of auto service professionals, this common kitchen utensil is a potential hazard – albeit one of the more unusual ones – likely to damage your tires if you’re not careful about your surroundings. The four tires on your car are the only thing connecting your vehicle to the road, and they also affect everything from handling to braking, playing a critical role in your safety. Given their part in keeping you safe on the road, it’s worth taking the time to take care of your tires – especially when there are so many potential hazards to look out for.Some of which, like a spoon, may surprise you. But more on that in a minute.The study from Cooper Tires conducted by Auto Service Professional magazine couldn’t come at a better time: Nearly 100 million Americans are expected to have taken a family vacation by year’s end, according to a recent AAA Travel survey, with upcoming spring and summer road trips topping many of their plans.With so many Americans on the road all year long, whether for a family vacation or their daily commute to work, tire damage is an unfortunate reality many have dealt with. According to the study, some of the most common causes of tire damage are running over something, like a curb (72 percent), nails (70 percent), and potholes (39 percent). Other common causes of tire damage are more easily preventable, such as driving with bald tires (48 percent) and driving on a tire with low air pressure (44 percent). It’s probably why checking tire pressure, rotating your tires and paying attention to the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) light are the top tips from auto service professionals on proper tire maintenance.And the one location you probably most want to avoid when driving? Construction zones, which are no doubt the culprit behind so many tires being punctured by spikes, wrenches, screwdrivers and pliers.Drivers need to contend with various road challenges throughout the year. In the winter, the top two sources of tire damage are potholes (72 percent) and unseen hazards hidden under that fresh blanket of snow (59 percent), which can be anything from cracks in the pavement to debris that has fallen off trucks. In summer, underinflated tires are the most common offender (88 percent), leading to overheating."The four tires on your vehicle are the only parts to come in contact with and keep you connected to the road," notes Jess Egerton, director of brand development at Cooper Tires, which has been making tires since 1914. "That’s why, for safety and performance reasons, you have to properly care for, maintain and inspect them."That means:* Checking tire inflation on a regular basis. Operating a vehicle with even just one tire underinflated by 8 psi can reduce the life of a tire by 9,000 miles and increase fuel consumption by 4 percent.* Replacing tires when worn to 2/32 inches tread depth anywhere on the tread face.* Visually checking tires for things like missing valve caps, uneven tread wear and any foreign objects that could spell serious problems should they become even more deeply embedded while driving.But back to those more unusual hazards.Pieces of toys. Porcupine quills. Pork chop bones. Spoons. It’s anyone’s guess – including the service professionals who recounted finding them jabbed in tires – how they got there."Auto service professionals have pulled a lot of unusual things out of tires over the years," says Greg Smith, publisher of Auto Service Professional magazine. "But, really, it might surprise people to know that a lot of tire damage is simply due to poor maintenance and wear and tear."
Why a Roth IRA May Be Ideally Suited for Millennials
(NewsUSA) – When it comes to saving, a Roth IRA may be a Millennial’s best friend.Unlike traditional IRAs or even workplace 401(k) plans, Roth money is tax-free in retirement. And even as the account ideally grows fatter over the years -helped in part by a wondrous thing called compound interest – the original contributions can be withdrawn at any time, for any reason, with no taxes or penalties assessed.That’s right, any time. For any reason."Roth contributions are made with after-tax dollars, but those in their 20s or 30s are probably in a lower tax bracket now than they will be later in life when their salaries are higher," explains Melissa Ridolfi, vice president for retirement and college leadership at Fidelity Investments. "So not only would they likely be minimizing their lifetime tax bill, but they’d also have tremendous flexibility."In fact, it’s the flexibility of Roth IRAs over the shorter term – and what that means for two of Millennials’ most pressing issues – that doesn’t always get the attention it deserves:* Buying a home. The homeownership rate among Millennials, age 25 to 34, is about 8 percent lower than that of Gen Xers and Baby Boomers at the same point in their lives, according to CNBC. And you know what being stuck renting an often exorbitantly priced apartment does for wealth accrual: bupkis. Or, as Tamara Sims, a research scientist at the Stanford Center on Longevity, more delicately told the network: "Buying a home at age 50 or 60 isn’t going to do you much good in funding a 30-year retirement."Now, remember what we said about original Roth contributions being tax- and penalty-free? With rare exceptions – and this is one of them – that doesn’t apply to any investment gains withdrawn before age 59?. Yes, thanks to this carve-out, first-time homebuyers (as well as those who haven’t owned a home for at least two years) may also be able to withdraw up to $10,000 of those gains and still not pay any tax or penalty as long as they’ve held the account for at least five years.* Education. And why aren’t as many Millennials buying homes? One of the biggest reasons: crushing student-loan debt.In another of those Millennial-friendly exceptions, Roth money can be tapped to pay for qualified educational expenses like college or graduate school for yourself, your spouse, or your children. Unlike with homes, though, you’ll only beat the penalty – not the tax – on any earnings you withdraw when following the same five-year rule.There’s evidence that Millennials are getting the message about Roths.Fidelity, which has tools and scenarios to help pick which IRA is right for you – as well as advice on specifically saving in a Roth during your 20s and 30s – says 80 percent of Millennials’ contribution dollars at the firm are going into Roths.As for 2019, know that the income cutoff for Roth eligibility (based on your modified adjusted gross income, or MAGI) has been increased over last year to $137,000 from $135,000 for single filers and $203,000 from $199,000 for joint filers. Also raised: the annual contribution limit for both Roth and traditional IRAs (to $6,000 from $5,500, with an additional catch-up of $1,000 for those 50 and older)."One of the great things about being a Millennial," says Ridolfi, "is that they have time and the power of compound interest on their side."
One Small House in Boise, One Big Step in Homeownership
(NewsUSA) – There came a point in Meghanne’s 29-year-old life when she decided it was time to "be an adult and buy a house." And as a loan officer, she wanted to practice what she preached about investing in homeownership.Then again, living on a dairy farm near Boise, Idaho, with only cows for neighbors could have been a factor, too.Either way, after 11 years of renting, Meghanne was ready to buy a house. As a single woman with an active lifestyle, Meghanne didn’t want an older house that required a lot of work or maintenance, so she focused her search on newer homes. Trouble was, many houses were out of her price range, and those that weren’t got snapped up quickly.Due to its lower cost of living, Boise is in the midst of a boom. People from more expensive cities, such as, San Francisco and Seattle, are flocking to the area. In fact, Forbes named Boise "America’s fastest-growing city in 2018" with home prices increasing 11.58 percent. After getting priced out of the market in their cities of origin, these transplanted residents weren’t blinking at the median home price of $319,000. This and a shortage of inventory made for a super-hot real estate market – not exactly ideal when you’re looking for your first home and have a limited budget.Being a resourceful millennial, Meghanne started researching her options. She discovered a private non-profit organization, called NeighborWorks Boise, whose mission is to revitalize communities and offer affordable housing alternatives. This national organization builds pocket neighborhoods consisting of 10-15 energy-efficient homes, clustered together to form a close-knit community. Meghanne qualified for their program by meeting the income limit of $90,000.Through NeighborWorks Boise, Meghanne found a newly-constructed home affordably priced at $184,000. At only 700 square feet, the cute little house featured two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living area, kitchen, front porch and attached garage."I fell in love," says Meghanne, "and the price was perfect."Because the home wasn’t complete, she was able to personalize it by making decisions on the finishes.Although NeighborWorks also offers affordable loans, Meghanne chose conventional financing through her employer, a mortgage lending company. Thanks to private mortgage insurance, she was able to put down only 3 percent ($5,520)."I considered making a 5 percent ($9,200) down payment but opted for 3 percent," explains Meghanne. "I used the extra $3,680 to buy furniture, and keep some money in savings for a rainy day."Since Meghanne moved in five months ago, her new home has already increased in value, appraising at $205,000 and boosting her equity by $21,000. And the planned close-knit community will soon be even closer when her co-worker moves into the same pocket neighborhood. Meghanne’s looking forward to having an already-made friend as her neighbor – instead of cows.Is it the right time for you to buy a house? Find out by visiting mgic.com/resources/buynow. Plus, follow the stories of other first-time homebuyers and learn from their experiences at readynest.com/homebuyer-stories.
Some of the Biggest Misconceptions About Life Insurance
(NewsUSA) – So much for fancy cars, houses and jewelry.Eighty-one percent of Americans my url shortenbelieve their "most valuable asset" is their family, according to a new survey by Edward Jones and the nonprofit consumer-education organization Life Happens. And one quarter of respondents in the national sampling of adults confessed that their biggest fear was saddling their nearest and dearest with unexpected financial burdens if they’re unable to work or die prematurely.Which begs the question: If we’re so worried about protecting what we treasure most, why don’t more people have life insurance?Ask most experts, amy url shortennd they’ll tell you that such policies can help provide crucial resources for anyone with loved ones to support. And yet the latest figures show only 41 percent of U.S. households have individual life insurance."Most Americans have little or no safeguards for their financial goals," says Ken Cella, principal of the Client Strategies Group at the financial services firm Edward Jones. "They may understand tmy url shortenhe value of having emergency funds to cover unexpected financial expenses in the short term, but they’re less protected for the long-term financial implications."Faisa Stafford, president of Life Happens, puts it even more bluntly: "Emergency savings aren’t a long-term financial solution, especially if a family’s primary breadwinner were to die."Much of the disconnect between what we’ll call "the urge to protect" and the reality on the ground can be blamed on one or both of the fmy url shortenollowing misconceptions:* It’s too expensive. Think of this as the equivalent of the alligators-in-New-York-City-sewers myth. When Life Happens and LIMRA, a global life insurance research and consulting group, asked participants in their 2017 Insurance Barometer Study how much a $250,000 term life policy for a healthy 30-year-old would cost, NerdWallet reports, the median estimate was $500 a year – more than three times the actual annual amount of $160.But let’s say that would-be policy holder wanted even more protection for his dependents. Forbes magazine recently calculated that that same incorrect median estimate – $500 – would buy a healthy, non-smoking, 30-something male a 20-year term policy with a million-dollar death benefit. Some people spend more than that in a year on caffe lattes.That said, prices do vary based on factors like age, health, amount of coverage, and whether you opt for term or permanent insurance. The former – the most affordable – covers a specific time frame (usually 20 years or less), while the latter stays in force for life (as long as you continue to pay the premiums). Online aids like Edward Jones’ complementary Life Insurance Needs calculator can help with factors to consider when determining how much life insurance may be appropriate for you. * The policy I have through work is good enough. And if you’re no longer employed there? Not only is group life insurance generally not portable, it typically only provides benefits equal to one or two times your annual salary."Growing families usually need greater protection than that," says Scott Thoma, an investment strategist at Edward Jones, "and they need coverage that’s not contingent on work status."Know that life insurance doesn’t simply assign a monetary value to someone’s life. Which brings us to another revealing finding of the Edward Jones-Life Happens "Protect What Matters" survey.Twenty-three percent of participants didn’t know it can even cover expenses like college tuition for a surviving child.Edward Jones is a licensed insurance producer in all states and Washington, D.C., through Edward D. Jones & Co., L.P. and in California, New Mexico, and Massachusetts through Edward Jones Insurance Agency of California, L.L.C.; Edward Jones Insurance Agency of New Mexico, L.L.C.; and Edward Jones Insurance Agency of Massachusetts, L.L.C.
Online Conference Connects Global Startups and Investors
(NewsUSA) – The current startup business environment today is full of opportunities for investors who want to get in on the global economy.At the upcoming Global Startup Summit, a free online event, startups from around the world can network with each other and with investors for mutual benefit.The 7-day online event will be streaming on globalstartup.tv. Each day is dedicated to a different region of the world and includes three sessions with experts in the tech-enabled business field, a panel discussion on investment opportunities and consumer trends, and pitches from two startups.Key themes at the Global Startup Summit include early-stage investment opportunities, global consumer trends, and trends in tech adoption across markets, according to Global Startup Media, a Virginia-based media company covering the business of global startups.The event begins on February 18, 2019, with Africa Day, followed by Asia Pacific Day (Feb. 19), Europe Day (Feb. 20), US Opportunity Zone Day (Feb. 21), Latin America Day (Feb. 22), Middle East Day (Feb. 23), and Canada Day (Feb. 24).Presenters at the Global Startup Summit include the World Bank, African Tech Roundup, Chinaccelerator, Middle East Venture Partners and more."As technology globalizes opportunity and capital, investors and founders are aggressively looking for new opportunities outside of their domestic markets, we are working closely with leading global brands in startups to present investment opportunities and consumer trends in startup ecosystems worldwide," says Andrew Berkowitz, CEO and founder of Global Startup Media, the company organizing the conference."Great companies can be started anywhere in the world, and startups are growing everywhere. This event is an exciting opportunity to promote and connect the leaders driving growth and creating opportunities in the world’s startup ecosystems," emphasizes Anne Driscoll, president and cofounder of Launch Pad, an organization with locations in cities across the U.S. that supports entrepreneurs and startups. Launch Pad is partnering with Global Startup Media to host the conference.Technology trends related to startups on the US and global scene that may catch and hold investors’ attention include virtual reality/augmented reality, health technology, 3-D printing, and artificial intelligence, according to Fast Company magazine. These trends may materialize in startups in areas such as audible computing (Alexa, Google Home), smart cameras, consumer experiences, and micromobility in cities (shared spaces).Visit globalstartup.tv for more information and to register in advance.For more information about Global Startup Media, visit globalstartupmedia.com.
Women Say They’re Ready to Put Their Money to Work for Them
(NewsUSA) – More women than ever before are realizing they need to make their money grow for them.For decades, we’ve been hearing about an "investment gap" between males and females. And while it still exists, a whopping 72 percent of women in a new survey by Fidelity Investments said they’re ready to make bolder moves in the coming months – including investing more of their savings."Women tend to be the CFO of their household," says Kathy Murphy, president of personal investing at Fidelity. "They tend to pay the bills, they tend to make 80 percent of the purchasing decisions. This (investing) can be part of it."The point about investing more of savings is crucial. While 44 percent of females polled for the firm’s "2018 Women and Investing Study" were currently putting their money to work in the market beyond just retirement accounts – that compares to 59 percent of men -more than a third of all women reported having $50,000 or more still sitting in checking and savings accounts that pay a pittance in interest. And that third or so includes those who do invest outside of, say, company 401(k) plans.But if even $20,000 of that cash was invested in a conservative portfolio mix? Over five years, in a typical market, the money could potentially swell by $5,733 vs. $80 in a basic savings account (and potentially $2,961 in a typical five-year CD).Millennial women would seem to be taking those numbers most seriously, which accounts for much of the optimism underlying the report.Forty-eight percent of them are already investing their cash, as opposed to about 40 percent of both Baby Boomers and Gen Xers."This is the first time in the almost decade we’ve been doing this study that we’ve seen Millennial women on track to really lead the way," notes Murphy.Don’t misunderstand: No one’s saying people – men or women – shouldn’t keep at least enough cash on hand in savings to cover three to six months of living expenses. That’s a fundamental rule of thumb among financial advisors. And Murphy contends that women who do invest actually turn out to be "great" at it for this simple reason: They come up with a long-term plan based on their own or their family’s goals, and then they allow their investments to grow without tending to make the mistake of trying to time the market.Many online tools can help women looking to better manage their financial lives. Fidelity, for example, offers a free 10-minute "Financial Wellness" check-up that’s a first step in developing such a plan, and the firm also just launched a new "Demand More" site designed specifically for those with two X chromosomes. The latter, which is also free, includes personal stories from women like the 54-year-old with two grown children who "restarted her finances" after her divorce.As for why women lag men in investing, Murphy has her own theory: "Sixty-five percent of them equate it with picking stocks. But it’s not about that. It’s about having a financial plan and sticking to it."
Don’t Make These Mistakes after A Collision
(NewsUSA) – In the U.S. alone, there are 10 million car accidents every year, and the tense moments following a car accident, even a minor one, can be scary and stressful for everyone involved.Drivers and passengers can feel confused and unsure of what to do. Even the most experienced and seasoned drivers can make basic mistakes after they have been involved in a traumatic event.Simple, avoidable mistakes could cost you time and money, or lead to personal, medical and legal issues.Here are some of the most common mistakes to avoid after a collision:* Fleeing the scene: Leaving the scene of an accident could land you in serious legal trouble. You may be in shock, but the most important thing to do is stay where you are.Check on your passengers, and once you exit your vehicle, check with the other driver involved in the accident.Try to remain calm and wait for law enforcement to arrive on the scene. If it is safe to do so, use your cell phone to take photos of your vehicle to document the damage that resulted from the accident while you wait for police.* Not reporting the accident:Even if it’s just a minor collision, always report the accident to the police. Never let someone convince you to avoid calling the police.If you decide to make a claim with your insurance company later on, or if you decide to pursue a legal claim, not reporting the accident could hurt your case.* Exchanging too much information: Do not share your driver’s license or who was at fault with the other driver; however, share this information with the police along with your current insurance.Always exchange contact information with the other driver, get contact info from any witnesses, and obtain full insurance details from other drivers involved in the accident.Make sure accurate information is included in the police report, and ask for a copy of the report to edit any incorrect information.* Failing to get medical advice: You may think that you were lucky enough to escape injury, but you should always get a medical checkup after a car accident, especially if you hit your head.Remember, only a medical professional can rule out possible head trauma and other serious injuries.* Having your vehicle repaired at just any shop: You might have to make a decision on-the-spot as to where to have your vehicle repaired. Don’t make a panicked decision when it comes to your safety.Visit www.goldclass.com to find a Gold Class shop that has collision repair professionals with up-to-date training contributing to complete, safe and quality repairs.
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