Wednesday, March 18, 2009
TV Anywhere Wireless A/V System
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Antique Auto Parts Review
Many lovers of cars from all over the world are attracted to antique auto parts. As a result, there are also many suppliers of these kind of items that are not usually found in the general markets.
Antique auto parts do enhance the overall view of an old car. Many people with very old cars do look for other old attractive items which will help beautify their cars. These people usually spend a lot of money on items used to beautify their cars than they spend on acquiring the old car. This is the main idea behind purchasing an very old car.
Various antique auto parts are available in the market. They include; the ignition parts such as rotors, condensers, rebuilt starters, ignite gears, distributor drive gears, voltage regulators among many others. Spark plugs are also available but only by special order. The headlights, horn, transmission, fog lights, blower, and air conditioning are some of the very old relay items available in the market. They give ones car a very old feel and are available in classic or old style designs.
There are various suppliers of this kind of car items. Some of them specialize in parts and accessories for model T of Ford as well as other cars. There are also some that specialize in Ford and Mercury models of cars and trucks. There is also a web site which contains information about car items that are available and their suppliers and also a catalogue. This catalogue can be ordered online at no cost. Most suppliers are know what their customers prefer. They keep their outlet well updated and stocked so as to meet the needs of their customers.
Peter Gitundu Researches and Reports on Antiques. For More Information on Antique Auto Parts, Visit His Site at Antique Auto Parts. You Can Also Add Your Views About Antique Auto Parts At My Blog here ANTIQUE AUTO PARTS
How Do I Initiate a Car Donation for Charity
Many people are participating in car donation these days as opposed to selling or junking their old vehicles. Although it can be a tax deduction if you donate to a reputable entity, the real benefit comes from knowing that the sale of your car will provide food, shelter and medication to the underprivileged.
Although the vehicle donation process used to be quite tedious - with multiple phone calls, numerous forms to fill out and the fact that you had to drive your vehicle to the donation center - it is now much simpler. You can essentially complete the entire process in a matter of minutes...all you need is a computer and an internet connection.
There are a number of reputable sites online that take car donations for charity. A little research will help you find the one that's right for you. In most cases, you will have to fill out a brief form with information about yourself and your vehicle. If you would rather call up and speak with someone, you can do that too. Most of the better companies will have a live operator who can not only take your information, but provide more information about the program, including tax deductions, pickup arrangements and which charities the donations will go to upon the sale of your automobile.
Once you have submitted your vehicle donation information, you can make arrangements for pickup...as we mention above, you do not have to drive the car there yourself. This can usually be set up within a few days, and it can be picked up either at your home or at an agreed upon location. You also do not have to be present at the time. They make it very convenient and easy for you to donate your car to charity.
You do have the added benefit of a tax deduction for your car donation, which is usually up to $500, or more if the company is able to sell your auto for more money. Essentially, the deduction can be for the full price of the car, subject to a few restrictions.
Although car donations for charity usually go to a specific organization, in some cases you may be able to choose where the proceeds of the sale go. But as long as it goes to a reputable charity it's worth it.
So if you're thinking of getting rid of your old car, consider a charitable vehicle donation. Isn't knowing that the sale of your car helped feed or clothe someone in need more satisfying than a couple hundred extra dollars in your pocket? We think it is.
Learn more about car donation on our website, and discover how you can make a difference by donating your old vehicle to a worthy cause.
Sheldon Miller is an automotive expert and has been in the industry for many years. He is a regular contributor to Car Donations For Charity, a section of Car Buying Tips dedicated to donating used vehicles.
Home Mortgage - Part 3
Too many people today have bought homes in good neighborhoods where their houses should increase in value over the years only to see the opposite happen. Why? For one thing, that area might have been in a large town with excellent employment opportunities. As those jobs disappear for one reason or another, the home owners must move to find new jobs. These forced sales lower the prices on the houses in the area. Who has not seen nice middle class areas become lower income housing in as little as ten years? In other words, in the good old days Dad had a job for life and, therefore, spent his life in the same house. Today's society just simply does not work the same way. You may buy a house in an area of rapidly increasing home values today and in ten years not be able to sell it for even what you paid for it. We do not see this trend changing back to the good old days as there is no more job security in the world. Therefore, you need to re-think your ideas on building equity in your home.
However, there is another aspect to equity if you are sure you will be living in your house for say 25 years out of a 30 year mortgage. In this case, because you have paid off most of the house value, no matter what the value is, you have equity in your home. That is, even if the market value has gone down, the house is still worth something which you now own. Staying in your home for such a long period is like a forced retirement plan. That is, when you retire and have your house paid off, you will be able to live rent free (although still paying property taxes) or you can chose to sell the house in order to move into a smaller retirement apartment and invest the remainder of your sale price. Thus you will have put your money into this house for 25 or more years and then be able to sell it and use this money for your retirement even though you will not make back what you originally paid for it 30 years ago.
The other aspect in buying a home is the interest you pay on the loan over 30 years. That is, a house that you buy for $120,000 will actually have cost you over $200,000 by the end of the mortgage. If the house has appreciated in value, then you hope to make up some or all of this interest payment. However, today the average income family will not see this happen. So now you have a home you paid over $200,000 for and can only sell it for $110,000 after depreciation.
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Safety Tests of Cars
While cars are safer when it comes to collisions than they used to be, there are still about 30,000 deaths annually from people traveling in passenger vehicles. There are many factors that go into fatal crashes including things like safety-belt usage, the behavior of the driver, changing road conditions and things that happen on the road that are impossible to avoid. One of the things that needs to be taken into consideration is that the type of car you're driving can mean the difference between life or death in a collision.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has conducted nearly 250 crash test videos to show high-impact segments, and how vehicles held up against the Institute's stringent frontal-offset barrier tests and its side-impact test. By using a moving barrier that simulates another vehicle on a vehicle collision, the results from these tests have given valuable insight into why passengers get injured and killed. This also allows consumers to look for the safest models in their price range and encourages manufacturers to deliver safer vehicles.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which is a branch of the Transportation Department, also conducts a series of crash tests and other safety evaluations. Both these organizations conduct front- and side-impact crash tests using different methods. The insurance Institute for Highway Safety challenges the vehicle designs, while the National Highway Safety Administration scores its test using a scale of one to five stars, with fewer stars, meaning the greater likelihood of injury and death in cars while the IIHS uses a four level scale: poor, marginal, acceptable and good.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does a front crash test scenario, where it accelerates the car straight into a rigid barrier going at approximately 35 miles an hour. The entire width of the vehicle's front end is what hits the barrier in the car has seat-belt crash test dummies that sit in the two front seats and record the level of force on body of the car. With these measurements, the NHTSA can assign an injury level on the basis of their star rating.
The IIHS's crash test involves a front-crash test that simulates what would happen if two cars crashed into each other head on, and if each car weighed the same amount. This test is more severe than The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, because the cars are traveling at a higher rate of speed, and as a result, the crash energy is concentrated in a small area.
They use a dummy, which is sensor-equipped in the driver's seat and records the force to the head and neck, chest, legs and feet. Vehicles are then rated as good, acceptable, marginal or poor based on the test, and what happens to the vehicle's structure in conjunction with the force placed on the dummy.
Safety tests of cars also include a side-impact test. This is more sophisticated and more severe on the Insurance Institute Highway safety tests than it is on The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's test. In this test, safety tests of cars uses a heavier striking barrier of about 3300 pounds, compared to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's 3015 pounds.
The barrier also strikes higher up on the test vehicle so that it simulates a car being hit at 90 by an SUV or truck. The Insurance Institute Highway administration bases its results on the head and neck chest, abdomen and pelvis and leg injury that would occur as a result of a collision at that speed. Safety tests in cars are created to give consumers an idea of what they're facing should something untoward happen while driving. It also tells people how well they will fare if a collision should occur.
Bill Consolidation Techniques - Home Equity Loans
When a person is in debt, it can be one of the worst feelings in the world. Not only is a person in debt likely to be strapped financially, but the whole situation of being in debt serves to cause a lot of ancillary effects that many people might not initially think of.
Firstly, a person that is in debt is a person that probably has their mind on their money woes continually and frequently. A person who thinks about negative things continually and frequently is likely to suffer from stress, depression, anxiety, panic and maybe even all of those at the same time. Those are all different and distinct medical conditions that are caused by events that can severely affect someone on an emotional basis; being in debt is at the top of the list of events that have the ability to affect someone in that way.
Adding to this feeling is the idea that a person got into debt by their own fault. If you're in debt due to losing your job then it is easy to avoid this feeling but if you're in debt because of making a lot of impulse purchases and spending more than you could afford to pay off, then debt really was your fault and this type of thinking can add even more stress to your already full plate.
Well if you're committed to stopping whatever it was that got you into debt in the first place and even more committed to get yourself out of debt, there are ways to go about doing so. Firstly, sit down and take a deep breath. Stop blaming yourself for what happened and stop thinking about the past. You need all your wits about you to deal with the situation at hand.
Secondly, it is time to start looking at some techniques that can help you along the way to becoming debt free. One of these techniques is to consolidate all your bills into one large bill that is easier for you to pay. One of the ways to do this is to take out a loan based on the equity you have in your home and use that to pay off all your non-mortgage debt. The end result of this will be one large monthly bill that is usually smaller than what you had to pay originally between all of your separate bills, as well as an interest rate that is much lower (mortgage interest rates are around 6%, while credit card interest rates can easily be triple that).
Home Equity Loans are just one method of bill consolidation that people have used to get themselves out of debt. Remember that there is always a solution to your bill payment problems. Remember also that the only way you're going to find that solution is if you keep a level head. Be smart about your bill consolidation endeavors and you just might be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel sooner rather than later.
For answers to the question why choose a home equity loan try visiting http://take-our-money.com, a popular home equity loan website that specializes in providing tips, advice and home equity loan resources including information on home equity loan companies, home equity loan calculators and home equity line of credit that you can use to better understand the home equity loan process
Home Equity Loan vs Refinance - The Pros and Cons
Let us first start by defining what a Home equity loan is and what refinance means and then look at the pros and the cons.
Home Equity
Home equity loans are used when you want to borrow a set amount against the increase in value of you home over the amount you owe. A home equity loan is most commonly held in a second position lien (second trust deed), this is because the home owner usually has an existing loan. If however, the original mortgage had been repaid then the home equity loan amount would be secured against the property as a first position lien. A home equity loan then can be either a first mortgage or a second mortgage!
Refinance
The concept of refinancing your mortgage is fairly simple - You replace your primary mortgage for an amount higher than the outstanding balance. So it differs substantially from a home equity loan as it is akin to taking out a completely new mortgage!
Equity Pros
1. It is common to be able to borrow up to 100% or more of the value of the home, less any outstanding debts or mortgages. There are also lenders that will lend up to 125% in special circumstances and these are referred to as 'over-equity' loans.
2. In the United States, under certain circumstances, it is often possible to deduct home equity loan interest on one's personal income taxes. A visit to your accountant or financial adviser may be appropriate to see if you qualify for tax relief.
3. Fees such as Appraisal fees, originator fees, title fees, stamp duties, arrangement fees and closing fees are often included in the loans.
Equity Cons
1. A home equity loan creates a lien against the borrower's house, and reduces actual home equity. This means that the loan to equity ratio, if further borrowing is needed, can only improve through rising property prices.
2. Since it is a debt against your own property a home equity loan is a secured debt. Some borrowers prefer unsecured debt at a higher rate.
3. Most home equity loans require good to excellent credit history, and a reasonable loan-to-value ratio. The reason for this is simple. If the home owner gets into financial difficulties and since most equity loans have a second lien then in default situation the primary lien holder gets paid first the secondary lien holder gets the 'balance' that's left!
Refinance Pros
1. If you refinance your mortgage, you may be able to reduce your current rate.
2. It's most beneficial when rates are lower.
3. It can be attractive to home owners looking to consolidate other high interest debts as the credit score of the borrower is often relied on to a lesser extent than a home equity loan.
Refinancing Cons
1. By doing a 30-year refinance now you reduce your payments but now your house won't be paid off for another 30 years.
2. An often large lump sum is payable at the end of the loan and is referred to as a balloon payment - If you can't make the balloon payment or refinance, you face foreclosure and the loss of your home.
3. There can be hidden penalties if the borrower pays off the amount early - these are known as pre-payment penalties and the borrower should always find out if these penalties apply - or walk away!
4. If the borrower pays the minimum only - the loan will not get repaid. In fact the amount of the loan can increase over the period resulting in a larger balloon payment at the end
Conclusions
Home equity loans can be a great financial management resource tool when used responsibly. A major benefit over refinance is the possibility of getting income tax relief on payments. A Home equity loan vs refinance as an option means that you can end up with one easy to handle lump-sum payment while having the security of a fixed rate. Refinance can be more costly over the longer term with the balloon payment, in many cases being indeterminate at the start of the loan!
There are many benefits to taking out a home equity loan or refinancing your existing mortgage. IXL Publishing.com is a resource site that you should look at and see how various forms of loans can help you. It is a source to help you understand the types of loans, what they are including bad credit solutions and consolidation Check it out you may save money!
Peter Burke is a regular contributor of articles with the aim of being able to inform and help people with specific problems!
Peter Burke MBA has been writing Journals and Articles for academic publications for over 7 years and is Managing Director of a Consulting Company in the United Kingdom.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
How to Turn Your Old Beat-Up Car Into a Car Donation Tax Deduction
If you're thinking about donating a car to a charity you may want to keep the following tips in mind. A car donation tax deduction can benefit not only you and the charity but a person in need also.
Charities have the option of using donated vehicles for their own use, for providing transportation for volunteers or for charity-related activities such as picking up supplies etc. But more often they will already have enough vehicles and they will sell the auto, truck, RV, airplane or other vehicle from their car lot or through dealers to raise funds for their charity. If the charity uses a dealer they've contracted with, the charity may only receive $50 or less from the dealer when the vehicle is sold.
Changes in the laws limit the amount the donor can receive for a used car donation to the actual price that the charity sells the car or truck for.
If the charity or car donation program is not familiar to you, you may want to make sure the charity is eligible from the IRS to receive tax deductible contributions. Request a copy of the charity's letter of determination from the IRS. This letter verifies the charity's tax exempt status.
Make sure that the charity or car donation center gives you an itemized detailed receipt for your car donation. Keep it in a safe place and file it with your tax return. Non-cash donations can be an unwanted red flag for an IRS audit so make sure you document the value of the car and keep good detailed records.
If you discover that your old used car is worth more than $500 then you as the donor must fill out Section A of the IRS Form 8283 and file it with your income tax return. Make sure you get a written acknowledgement along with the receipt from the charity because you'll be required to do so.
If the charity turns around and sells the car instead of using it for transportation then the charity must give the donor certification that the car was sold at what is called "arms length" between parties who are unrelated. And after the sale report the sale price of the car to you within at least 30 days. The donor's car donation tax deduction will be only for the amount that the charity sold your car for. And if the charity doesn't sell the car and elects to keep it, then it must give you, the donor, a written receipt for the vehicle within 30 days of the date of the sale.
The charitable car donation organization might also be required to provide certification to the donor showing how it plans to make use of or improve or repair the car or other vehicle and also that it promises it won't sell or transfer the car to another person or company.
In the US, the federal government imposes penalties on charities that provide fraudulent acknowledgments or documentation to donors.
If the car, truck or vehicle you plan to donate is worth $5,000 or more, then an independent appraisal is required and you must fill out Section B of IRS Form 8283. You ma have to get advice from your CPA or accountant on how to handle this.
If you think or know your car or truck or other vehicle is worth less than $5,000, you can use the Kelley Blue Book or a little guide book from the National Auto Dealers Association (NADA) to figure out the market value. You can find these guides online or at your local public library. You must use the correct figures for the mileage, date and exact condition of your car - document this as much as possible. Choosing the highest figure listed in the guide for your car model and year without taking into consideration any of the other options and factors will not make the IRS very happy.
Take several current pictures of the car or truck and save all your vehicle receipts for new tires, repair work, or any necessary upgrades to help prove its value.
It's important to remember, that you as the donor, not the charitable organization, are responsible for determining the value the car. It is you who will pay any penalties if the IRS challenges your figures through an audit.
There are many reputable lesser-known as well as the more well-known charities such as Target, Purple Heart, Kidney Foundation, Salvation Army and Goodwill Industries. Centers are located in every state including Massachusetts, California, Minnesota, New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Illinois, Connecticut etc. Some of the charities in some states seem more active in pursuing the donations than others and you'll find more ads.
These are just a few of the best tips you should know about if you plan on donating a car, truck, RV, airplane, boat or other vehicle. Armed with these facts you can start to make an educated decision about whether you want to go ahead and donate a vehicle and get a nice car donation tax deduction.
For more tips on choosing the best charity car donation, car donation program, used car donation or charitable car donation online and offline go to http://www.Car-Donation-Info.com for charity and tax deduction tips, help, facts, reviews, including information on all types of car donation
So, Your Starter Is Just Clicking
Does you starter make a *click* sound when you try to start your vehicle?
Each time you turn the ignition switch to start, does the starter just *click* one time?
That is probably the starter solenoid.
If it goes, *click-click-click-click*, and so on, it may just be a low battery.
A low battery that makes the starter *click* a few times doesn't have enough *juice* in it to turn the starter over to turn the flywheel over to turn the crankshaft over to make the engine start...phew!
A simple way to tell if the battery is at fault is to turn the headlights on and turn the ignition switch to start.
If the lights go out, then the battery is probably at fault.
Course, you'll have to run real fast after you hit the start position in order to see if the lights go out...or have someone out there watching for you.:-)
You can purchase a small inexpensive battery charger at most malls, or parts store.
The best way to use a *trickle* chargers is to charge the batter all night, or all day, whichever pleases you.
You can try charging the battery. If it runs down again, then you need to do something.
Remove the battery terminals from the battery post, if you have the *post* type, and clean the post and the inside of the cable clamp.
If you have the side mount just loosen the 8mm bolt and clean the terminal where it comes into contact with the battery. Clean the part on the battery, too. :-)
Sometimes the battery will build up a lot of corrosion on the outside of the cable clamp.
When this happens, usually, the inside part of the clamp and post will create a hard metallic-like surface.
This stops the flow of electricity from the alternator to the battery.
When you use the battery's reserve, it's gone, no more being put in.
If the vehicle does crank, it will run off the alternator, which ain't good. :-(
If cleaning the post and recharging the battery doesn't solve the problem, you may need a new one.
Don't run to the nearest *convenience store* and buy a battery.
Take your battery to a place that sells batteries and have it checked.
If it is gone to where old dead batteries go, then you will have to purchase a new one.
You may have other problems...like the alternator; the tension on the alternator belt... several things could make the battery be low...did you leave the parking lights on when you parked, to go shopping? :-)
Tommy Sessions has been in auto repair since 1970. He publishes Auto Repair Answers Newsletter so you can learn how to keep your vehicle looking new, running safely and efficiently, while you save money and time...also, learn how to avoid shop rip offs. Don't be at the mercy of the dealerships and auto repair shops...they will have more respect for you.
http://www.auto-repair-answers.com
Key 100% Home Equity Loans Questions
If you need a way to free up the cash equity in your home one way to do so is through a 100% home equity loan. With interest rates as low as they are currently the home equity loan has been a very popular option for getting more cash and a 100% home equity loan takes that even one step further. This type of home equity loan might not be right for you, but you can decide by asking yourself a few easy questions.
How Low is the Interest Rate?
You always want to get a low interest rate on any loan, but this is especially true of a 100% home equity loan. Make sure you can't get a better rate by getting a personal loan or tapping your credit cards. It's highly likely that the interest rate on your home equity loan will be the lowest you can find, but it never hurts to check first and make sure. Go online and request quotes from a variety of online lenders to get a good idea of what their current home equity rates would be for you.
You should also know that by borrowing against 100% of your homes' value you won't qualify for the lowest rates, but the rate should still be lower than that on credit cards and even personal loans. In addition you get a tax savings by taking a home equity loan, so factor that into your decision as well.
What are the Benefits of a Home Equity Loan?
Your personal benefits will be determined by what you use the cash for. If you're paying off high interest credit cards or making home improvements that will boost the value of your home then by all means you should consider a home equity loan. On the other hand, if you want to use the cash to finance a trip around the world or to go on a huge shopping spree then you should probably reconsider. Basically, as long as you'll be improving your financial standing with the proceeds of your home equity loan then it makes good sense for you. If there is no financial benefit then you should forgo the equity loan and simply save for that purchase.
How Long Will You Stay in Your Home?
The length of time you plan on living in the same house can make a big difference in whether or not you want to consider getting a home equity loan. By taking all of the cash out of your home now you are ensuring that there won't be much left if you sell the house in the next few years. Especially with the declining house values you could actually end up owing more than the home is worth.
While it can make sense for some, you should consider carefully before taking a 100% home equity loan. Once you've taken all the cash out of your home equity you no longer have that cushion and you might end up missing it should you have an emergency or even a good opportunity that you would need cash for later. If you're benefiting financially then it could be a good move. In any case you'll want to get quotes from several lenders before agreeing to any home equity loan.
To learn more about 100% home equity loans and even higher leveraged 125% home equity loans please visit the author's website.