Dare to be Different

Where can one find like-minded individuals who share an interest in true crime? What are some notable facts about Michelle McNamara? If true crime is your area of interest, I encourage you to read further.

Things to consider when Buying a used car

How many of you felt to make a decision quickly because you need a ride? How many of you felt pressured into buying a vehicle? How many of you didn’t completely understand what you were agreeing to when purchasing a used vehicle? How many of you didn’t ask questions? If you have answered yes to any of the questions I have been in your shoes !

First and foremost most never jump into a vehicle without doing your research! Make sure you ask questions! The average Sales persons goal is to sell you a car to get the commission. Very rarely will you come across someone who actually cares and pays attention to your wants and needs as well as your budget.

Questions to consider asking when purchasing a used vehicle. 1. What is the asking price of the vehicle? Remember when you are purchasing from a used car lot they are selling the vehicles at retail pricing. Many people will look at Kelly blue book and try and compare pricing. These are apples and oranges. Kelly Blue Book is wholesale pricing for a guide at auctions. 2. How many miles are on the vehicle? The amount of miles matters. If you are someone who drives for Door Dash , Lift , Spark , or any type of delivery service where you have to use your own vehicle mileage matters! Don’t purchase a car with 179k miles and then think you can deliver everyday and then expect the used vehicle to last. It’s not going to happen.
3. How many owners has the vehicle had ? This is important because each vehicle tells a story. This is where the CarFax comes into play. This tells you where the vehicle was owned, any title or brand issues , and if there were any accidents reported. Why this is important leads me to my next question?
4. Is there any rust on the vehicle? Check the under carriage ! Especially for vehicles that have been in northern States with lots of snow! And ask if the vehicle has been undercoated.
5. Make sure you ask about vehicle repairs and any maintenance that has been done to the vehicle. Knowing repairs will help you determine the longevity of the vehicle. Vehicles that have had a lot of repairs and maintenance completed means that it was taken care of and maintained.
6. Lastly Test drive the vehicle! Get the engine warm and the fluids flowing. Listen for sounds that are out of place . Listen for ticking in the engine.

During this process if a sales person makes you feel pressure to buy ask you for a new sales rep or go elsewhere. Someone who pressures you is only looking for money and a quota. This is just the beginning of the process. We have not gotten to the financing stage yet. So if you already feel pressured to buy that is a problem.

A lot of sales people will want to gather information from you. Let them collect it. This can help stream line the process. Be sure to ask about their credit pull process especially at used car lots. Make sure that you only allow them to pull a soft credit. Each hard credit inquiry they make affects your credit score. If a lot needs check stubs provide them if they need you drivers license provide it . They are working to get you a final approval point. Most Buy Here Pay Here’s are based on affordability rather than credit. So there is more risk and they have to have more documentation. By streamlining the process used car lots like to make smoother for you so you are not sitting there an entire day to purchase a car .

Lastly contracts and paperwork are the most crucial part of the sales process. Make sure that you understand what you are signing. Make sure the finance charges are explained, make sure your payments are explained and check interest as well. Make sure you are aware of any warranties or service contract that you are signing. Make sure you know the ways you can make your payments. Make sure you know the processes. Also make sure you leave with someone for you to contact in the event that you have any questions.

Overall the car buying process should not be stressful! If it is take a step back and reevaluate your situation. I hope this helps someone in the future!

President Trump's America First Priorities MAKE AMERICA SAFE AGAIN President Trump will take bold action to secure our border and protect American communities. This includes ending Biden’s

Thoughts?

Ending Illegal Discrimination And Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity – The White House By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:Section 1. Purpose.

Knowledge is power before you speak know the facts ! Your opinion is valued .
Do you agree or disagree ?
Let me know your thoughts ?

President Trump's America First Priorities PROTECTING CIVIL RIGHTS AND EXPANDING INDIVIDUAL OPPORTUNITY: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an historic Executive Order that protects the civil

Thoughts?

The Trump-Vance Administration Priorities President Trump and Vice President Vance are committed to lowering costs for all Americans, securing our borders, unleashing American energy dominance, restoring peace through strength, and making all Americans safe and secure once again.

The Life of a Used Car Sales Associate
Cars, Trucks, SUVs
Each individual vehicle has its own characteristics. What type of vehicle are you interested in? What type of Down Payment do you have? How much are you looking at spending each month on a vehicle? These are just a few of the questions that are asked on a regular basis from a Car Sales Associate.
Cars come in many different styles. The two-door sports car, the compact Sedan, the full-size sedan. The two-door Camero, Mustang, Eclipse, Charger, and Challenger are just a few of the ones available in the used car world. The compact Accent, Elantra, Dart, Focus, Forte, Versa and Cruze are available for the gas mileage and the everyday vehicle. The full-size Impala, Malibu, Fusion, Sonata, Altima, Maxima and Optima draw in the young families.
SUVs come in all sizes as well. You have your Compact SUV such as Escape, Sportage, Trax, Encore, and Rogue. You need more space but not too much it leads you to the Edge, Terrain, Equinox, Sorento, and Murano. Need even more space that leads to the Explorer, Pathfinder, QX60, Tahoe, Acadia, and the Traverse. But these aren’t big enough for you? Well, that leads to the Armada, Suburban, Yukon, Expedition, and Navigator. There are so many SUVs that are available and so many makes and models that I have not even mentioned.
Trucks have several makes and models as well. The F150, Chevy Silverado, Titan, Ram, Serria, Colorado, Frontier, and Dakota. They all come with either RWD or 4WD. Some have stronger tow capacities than others. Some are V6 engines, some are V8 engines. Mostly the truck speaks for itself.
Being in used car sales, you must understand the needs of the person buying. Some will say that applies to new car sales as well. I feel that there are more building relationships with the buyer in used car sales. You are selling a used car. You must know the ends and outs of the vehicle. You must know how you can relate to the customers’ everyday life with the vehicle.
Used cars can have their own personalities. They are not fresh off the assembly line. They have a decent number of miles they have driven. They have most likely been repaired. Knowing the ins and outs of the vehicles that are on your lot is key to the selling process. Know whether the truck a potential buyer is interested in is RWD or 4WD. Know if it has a V6 engine with eco boost. Pull the Carfax to know the vehicle history. Do your research.
Many people say Knowledge is power. Well, that leads to money. Which can lead to a filling of Success. Dare to be Different. Stand out in your field. Be the Sales associate that goes above and beyond for the potential customer to turn them into a customer. Be available. Make the time. Do the work. These are just some of the things that happen in the life of a sales associate. There is so much more that I have not even touched on. I will save that for another day.

Should this be done? Is Trump Daring to be Different and protecting the USA or is he harming ?
Would love to hear your thoughts 😊

Trump wants to pull the US out of the World Health Organization again. Here's what may happen next President Donald Trump has used one of the flurry of executive actions that he issued on his first day back in the White House to begin the process of withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization for the second time in less than five years.

Today…
1/21/25

It all started at 7:30am, with a buzz of an alarm clock. Well I say an alarm clock but to be honest let’s just say that is the first one I heard. I finally decide to rollover. Greeted by a tongue. Lick Lick Lick . That’s right say hello to Lilly. She just turned one January 2nd and is already in the terrible twos stage with the attention needed for a newborn.
Lilly is a Jack-Chi . She has the head of an apple head chihuahua and the body of a jack Russell. But she is only part of the reason I get out of bed each day .

My Wife is the other reason. On a typical day by the time I get out of bed she has already left for work. But the last few days have been different . My wife age 52 who works so hard to provide for Lilly and me lost her job. Where most people would view this as a stressful time, I view this as a blessing. Everyday this past week she has been there by my side for me to wake up to.

People including my self get into routines. When those routines are disrupted stress usually occurs . So this makes me wonder why. Is a routine change up really a bad thing? I guess that depends on you.

I cherish each morning that my wife doesn’t have to work . I cherish each day that I wake up beside her. Yes there will be struggles but the time that I share with her is more important to me. Which is why I get up everyday.

Once I am out of the bed my morning routine starts. Personal Hygiene comes first. If you don’t have a personal hygiene process in the morning you need to get one. Then comes the outfit. Right now it is freezing outside so that consists of several layers. Lastly, I pack everything up and head out the door.

Wait that was my normal routine!! My wife is home so that has changed. I still get up, start with personal hygiene and then the outfit. But to my surprise, my items that I need to leave with have already been gathered, lunch is packed, morning pop is in a tumbler waiting in the kitchen for me, car is cranked and warming up , and my most favorite part is the fresh brewed coffee smell that lingers around the house when she is home .

Cherish the moments that you have and relish in change . Change can be good even if it presents itself negatively. Look for the positive points in challenges in your lives. I personally have ups and downs. Yes I have stressful situations too. I want to encourage you to take the time and really process the change and how it can affect your life positively. This situation was stressful for me at first. As I spend time with my family each day and adapt to the changes in my routine the stress lessens !

Dare to be Different !!

We white in a crowd of red !
Be the light in the darkness!
Be the sun shining through the clouds!

Don’t conform to other’s opinions about you !
You walk in your own shoes not theirs !
Don’t let the harshness of others take your joy!

Be who you are! Be who you are meant to be!

Dare to be Different !