I recently went through this with my car and now I’m having the same debates with my Moving Trucks. Trade in or fix-up. It’s always tough to say. Below is a few things that make help you of your in this same boat.
When should you start thinking about buying a new car? For many people, that decision is coming later and later. Drivers are keeping their cars much longer these days — eight to 10 years on average, according to AAA. The precise moment varies from case to case and car to car, but there are some signposts along the way to the junkyard.
1. Trade-in value. How important is trade-in or resale value to you? Virtually all new cars begin to lose value as soon as they are driven off the dealer’s lot. After the initial hit — a car might lose 25 percent or more of its original sticker-price value in the first year — the speed of depreciation drops off considerably. But there comes a point — roughly around the five- to six-year, or 50,000- to 60,000-mile, mark — when that value takes another plunge. That’s what you want to watch out for. If you want to get top dollar, you should be thinking about retiring your car sometime before it reaches middle age.
2. Price trade-offs. Would you rather have a monthly payment or face the possibility of occasional (and potentially large) repair bills? Once a new car is out of warranty, you start playing Russian roulette with unexpected expenses. Some cars are more reliable over time. Checking sources like Consumer Reports, J.D. Power and Associates customer satisfaction rankings and government recall data will give you a good feel for vehicle track records. If you keep track of how much money you’re putting into your car for upkeep, you’ll be able to notice any expense trends that scream, “It’s time for a new car.” A $2,500 repair bill for an older car is the equivalent of more than seven months of $350-a-month payments on a new car.
3. Hassle. How willing are you to deal with more frequent trips to the repair shop? The older the car, the more often you’ll find yourself returning for both big repair bills and regular service. For some drivers, maintenance is a labor of love, but for others, it’s just a hassle. And for those who live and die by reliability — especially one-car families and people who need a car for work — the maintenance challenges of an older car might be a bit much.
4. Peripheral costs. Beyond your monthly car payment, consider the “peripheral” costs, such as insurance and personal property taxes. One of the real downsides to owning a new or relatively new car is that peripheral costs can be high. And many people don’t take them into account when considering a new car purchase. Some states levy personal property taxes that can be $1,000 or more annually on a new vehicle. But a car that’s eight or nine years old might cost you next to nothing in personal property taxes. It’s the same story with insurance. New cars cost more because repair or replacement bills are more expensive than for older cars.
5. Newness. This last factor is the most subjective, but it’s no less important in your purchase decision. Some people are perfectly content to drive an older car, so long as it still runs well and is paid off. But others put a lot of stock in what their wheels say about them. And there are people in some professions, such as real estate, where it’s important to be seen in a car that isn’t a faded old beater. It’s hard to say with any precision when a car has grown too long in the tooth — you know it when you see it. But if you consider these factors before you start trolling the dealerships, you’ll be better armed to make the right choice.
Posted in Moving Tips on April 28th, 2011 by We Haul Moving /
Moving can be a stressful transition all on its own, but moving while pregnant takes the cake. There are tips for all kinds of moving dependent on location or timeline, but there are also tips for moving while pregnant that are key to keep in mind.
So while life change is always expected during pregnancy, moving can throw your whole life for a loop. Keeping moving tips for pregnancy in mind while preparing and going through a move is vital. Stay healthy and keep your baby’s health in mind to have a successful, pregnant move.
What is the difference between an affordable move and pricey move? In most cases, the difference is all in how you plan for your moving day. Your movers here at Men on the Move are just like any Michigan moving company. Also, we are more than capable of providing a full-service move. If you’d rather not lift a finger your moving crew can surely pack your entire household up. We can also box up smaller items, wrapping furniture and provide every bit of labor necessary to complete your move.
However; the cost of a truly full-service move is naturally going to be more expensive. Most people prefer to pay as little as possible when hiring movers. If this describes you then you should do your part to ensure the least costly bill.
For a local move, the relocation service provider you hire is most likely charging you by the hour. Therefore; the cost of your move is directly related to how long your movers spend on the job. There are plenty of tasks that you can do prior to your moving day. This will enable your local area professional movers to quickly complete the job you need them to do. If you pack all of your moving boxes on your own, this will save time.
You can even streamline the job by consolidating furniture. Also, anything else going on the moving truck to a designated room close to the front door of your home. If your movers need only collect items from one room in the house, the path between your household items and their truck is short and simple which makes for extremely quick execution of the task at hand.
Saving money on your move is sure to be a goal when you need relocation services. Unfortunately, many people go about achieving this goal the wrong way and suffer the consequences. There are many differences between a professional moving company like Men on the Move and a “rogue mover.” Professional movers like Men on the Move with skilled full-time employees will always charge more per hour than a rogue company which hires temps or day laborers to work your move.
However; by going with the cheapest per hour rates, you’ll receive service which is low in quality and often very costly when all is said and done. The unprofessional workers that a rogue mover will dispatch to your home are not capable of keeping your furniture safe, nor are they motivated to finish your move quickly. Accident prone workers who drag their feet to charge you as much as possible are not ideal for an individual who wants to save money on his or her move!
Adequate preparation for your moving day is best complimented by hiring licensed professional area movers. Professional movers may charge more per hour than rogue moving companies, but at the end of the day, your move will have been completed quickly and carefully. Quickness in a moving company ensures that your cost won’t increase due to time spent on the job, and carefulness ensures that you won’t have to pay to replace any broken furniture after your movers have finished the job! Finally, Men on the Move are licensed and accredited by the Better Business Bureau.
Finding a legitimate moving company can be quite a challenge, so we’ve put together some ways to make this feat easier to achieve. The Internet can be a great tool to find a trustworthy moving company, but you have to know what you are doing, otherwise, you may fall prey to a moving scam. Keep these ideas in mind when looking for some reputable movers.
Men on the Move is a licensed and insured moving company with outstanding customer service. We strive to provide the best service possible to all of our customers. Get your free quote today and see what Men on the Move can do for you.
Moving always means money out of your pocket; moving is expensive and it doesn’t usually increase your bank account. Of course, unless you make a profit on a home sale. Still, we move. And we swallow the amount it costs for the benefit it will bring; new start and hopefully, a better life.
Even though you have to spend money to move, there are things you shouldn’t do to ensure that you don’t occur money loss.
My recommendation is that you book your moving company. At least six weeks in advance, allowing yourself time to do a thorough check on their service. Also, this gives you time to shop around and negotiate. Rental trucks, while not as critical to book so far in advance, do become less available during the busy season. This is usually summer and sometimes Christmas, as well. The less time you have to book, the more likely it is that you’ll have to take whatever is available.
Which might mean paying more money or having to take a larger truck than you previously wanted or needed. The rental cost plus fuel cost will add to your overall budget. Give yourself time to negotiate, too. Often you can ask the company for a deal or include extra moving tools. Tools such as a dolly or packing blankets, items that are usually rented out for a fee.
Of course, if you need to move within a short time span, you really have no choice. Just keep in mind that even though time is of the essence, try to get at least three quotes for services so you have some choice.
While many of us can’t choose when we move, there are ways to ensure that your move avoids the busiest and costliest moving season. First, if you have to move during the summer, especially for people with children and wish them to finish off the school year before moving, consider booking your move immediately following your child’s last day.
If you have to move in the summer months, particularly in July, August and early September, try to at least book the move for a weekday which is usually less expensive and easier to find available services, this includes truck rentals, too. Also, depending on how far you’re moving, you may be able to have the company deliver your household goods on a weekday, too. Ask your mover about weekend drop fees.
As previously mentioned, if you do have to move in the summer, try to ensure that you book well in advance. If possible, try for at least 8-10 weeks. This will allow you some room to negotiate and will also ensure that you have more companies from which to choose. Plan early then make sure you follow up with the company, either the mover or rental agency, again at least a month before you move so you know everything is in place. Some moving companies will overbook in the summer months which can leave you waiting for the truck to arrive. This also applies to rental agencies as well.
Some of us just assume that the price quoted is the final price of the service rendered. Sometimes it is and sometimes the moving company has to tack on additional fees for services that they hadn’t anticipated. Make sure you find out ahead of time what services might be needed.
With a moving company, they should ask you if your present home or new home has stairs they need to navigate (this is critical when it comes to high-rise apartments and condos), however, they won’t know if you have adequate parking in front of your old or new home. And if you don’t have enough parking space for the truck, the movers have to use another truck, transfer your things then deliver them to your home. Ask the movers what additional fees might apply.
In the case of a rental, you need to find out if mileage is included and just how many miles are covered. Also, the details of the insurance policy and whether you’re completely covered. Find out before you book it so you know exactly what you’re paying for.
We’ve made some quick moves in the past, usually when one of us has a job offer that doesn’t allow us much time to organize a full-scale move. Regardless of the time you have to move, you should always create a plan; not only will this help organize your move and eliminate stress, but it will also help you save money. There’s nothing more frustrating than realizing at the last minute that you need a specialty service.
To move an oversized item or that the moving company you thought you’d booked is now overbooked and you have to go with a more expensive, last-minute quote. No plans mean more money will be spent on getting things done. If you’re able to create a solid timeline that allows you to research and properly complete all the necessary tasks you have to do, there shouldn’t be too much need to stretch your initial moving budget.
Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, everyone should create and maintain a moving budget; this will keep you on track, remind you of what you’re able to spend and ensure that you have enough money to cover all the needed expenses. This is not to say that your budget won’t need tweaking from time to time, however, it does mean that you have a solid understanding of where your money is going. This will help you in determining where your priorities are, where you can possibly save money or the areas that you feel require additional funds.
By Diane Schmidt, About.com Guide
WONDERFUL move!! Doug and Ron moved my mother’s furniture into assisted living yesterday, Dec. 10, 2010. The move originated in Troy, MI and delivered in Chelsea, MI. I have moved more than 30 times in my life and know the difference between professional and amateur work. Doug and Ron were not only efficient, but also friendly and jovial as they worked!! Thanks a million. The price was incredible and so was the move. I will recommend your company to anyone!
– Katharine –