How to Save Money on Car Repairs and Maintenance

With gas prices so high, paying for basic car maintenance has taken a backseat to gas money. But taking care of your car is as easy and cheap as pulling together a few items you already have in your home! Visit our new website for ways to save money on car repairs and maintenance.

Tip of the Day: Coloring Your Car

Chips in your car’s paint job can be expensive to fix, so before you head to the auto body shop, see if you can find a crayon that closely matches the color of your car. Fill in the nick with the crayon, and then buff gently. This works especially well with minor scratches!

Tip of the Day: What to do About Motor Oil

If your car has leaked oil in your garage, easily clean it up by applying some cat litter to the area (preferably the non-scoopable kind). Its super-absorbing properties will make the stain disappear in a day.

Tip of the Day: TGIF?

A mechanic friend (who shall remain nameless!) once confessed to us that he does his worst work on Fridays, because he tends to rush the job to get ready for the weekend. If it can wait, take your car in on Monday, when it will get the time it deserves.

Tip of the Day: Oven Mitts for Your Car

When it’s time to retire your oven mitts because they’re covered in stains and burn marks, don’t throw them away. Save them for use with your car. Oven mitts are great to use when handling hot engine parts or even as a washing mitt.

Tip of the Day: A Salt and Battery

Epsom salts can extend the life of your car battery. Just dissolve an ounce of Epsom salts in 1 1/2 cups warm, distilled water and fill each battery cell.

Tip of the Day: The Sum of Its Parts

When visiting a mechanic to have a part replaced, always ask for the worn/damaged part back. This way, you’ll be sure it was actually replaced and that you’re not getting a bum deal.

How to Make Your Car Easier to Drive This Winter

It's snowing again...are you ready to get out on the road? Driving on unplowed streets while trying to clean the salt off your windshield is bad enough, but when you have to contend with digging your car out of a parking spot, a non-working battery, and doors that are iced shut, things can turn from bad to worse. Luckily, Bruce and I are here to help! (Of course.) Visit our new website for four ways to make your car easier to drive this winter.

Tip of the Week: Free Car Air Freshener

We love this tip for the winter months, when it's too cold to roll down the windows in our mini van, and since we hate to throw anything away it's even better! To make a free air freshener for your car, break old, scented candles into several pieces and place in a clean sock, then knot shut. Place the sock under the seat of your car and you'll be greeted with that lovely scent from your favorite used-up candle every time you open the door!

How to Save Money on Gas

If you feel like your kids' personal chauffeur, you also know how expensive gas can be. We always tell people to check out GasBuddy.com before they fill up, which will tell you what local gas stations have the cheapest prices--and you may be surprised at the results. But even if you're getting the cheapest unleaded available, it sure can go fast! Luckily, there are a few simple ways than can help you use less gas. Visit our new website for some great tips on how to save money on gas.