The Average Life of Car Batteries and 7 Tips to Extend Your Car Battery Life

Car batteries are an essential part of an automobile. From getting your car started to charging your phone on-the-go, batteries provide the zap your vehicle needs to keep rolling. That’s why it’s so important to know when to start considering a car battery change, as well as what you can do to extend its lifespan.

The Average Car Battery Life

On average, car batteries last between 2 and 5 years. One of the most important factors that affects how long a car battery will last is the weather. A running engine under the hood is already producing high levels of heat. Throw in a scorching hot day and you have a severe drain on your car battery, which can lead to an increased chance of a dead battery if you don’t take proper summer driving precautions.

Within 24 hours of driving in hot weather, a car battery will begin to discharge. That’s why the average car battery life in hotter regions is about 2 and a half years, compared to almost 4 and a half years in colder regions. So when estimating how long your car battery life will last, consider the climate you will do most of your driving in.

Regardless of the temperature you drive in, properly taking care of your car battery can help keep it running. Check out the 7 tips below on extending the life of your car battery:

1. Limit Short Rides

Quick car rides prevent your car’s battery from fully charging. Maintain your car’s battery power by driving it frequently and for longer periods. If you don’t use your car often, consider investing in a portable car battery charger. These portable chargers can jump start your battery without another vehicle in case you’re ever stranded.

2. Keep Your Battery Tightly Fastened

A battery that’s not securely fastened could end up vibrating, potentially resulting in internal damage and short circuits. Have your battery terminal checked regularly, especially if you frequently drive on bumpy roads, to ensure it is tightly and properly positioned in the mounting bracket.

3. Turn Off All the Lights When You Exit

Accidentally keeping your headlights and car door lights on can put a heavy toll on your vehicle’s battery. To keep yourself from forgetting, here are some tips – post a note on your dashboard, attach a sticker reminder on your car remote or park in a direction where you must walk past your headlights to get to your destination.

4. Control the Corrosion

Battery terminals corrode over time, but keeping them clean from buildup is a great way to extend the life of your car battery. Scrub the terminals with a toothbrush dipped in a baking soda and water mixture. Then, using a spray bottle with cold water, rinse the mixture off and follow up with a thorough drying with a clean cloth.

5. Test Your Battery Often

Knowing the condition of your car battery matters when you want to maximize its life. Test your battery’s output voltage level with a car battery tester to keep track of how well you’re maintaining it and if you’re due for a new one.

6. Don’t Use Electronics When Idle

Turn off functions like the radio or air conditioner when your engine isn’t running to put less wear and tear on your battery power. Extended periods of idling also can wear a battery down.

7. Care for Your Car as a Whole

Your car is comprised of many parts working together. The battery is just one, so properly maintaining your car is vital for extending its life and the life of your battery.

No matter how well you maintain your car battery, you can’t always foresee when it may die. Learn more about roadside assistance and how it can help you in the event of an emergency.

Millennials and Generation Z: How to Prioritize Finances to Get Ahead

For Millennials, figuring out how and where to save money and invest it is a little trickier than for previous generations.

In many ways this group has the same financial concerns of previous generations. They might be paying off student debt, saving for a house, putting money into retirement accounts, building an emergency fund and even saving for their kids’ schooling. While similar, though, the Millennials’ situation isn’t exactly the same as it was for previous generations.

What ages are Millennials and Generation Y?

Millennials, also known as Generation Y, were born somewhere between 1980 and 2000, the specific years depending on who’s defining it. Right behind them is Generation Z, born after 2000. This group includes anyone from a baby to a high-schooler. Some may be thinking of their future, but they’re probably aren’t doing much to plan for it. But they’ll face the same financial constraints of Generation Y.

How is financial planning different for Millennials?

Combine pension uncertainties with Millennials moving more than previous generations, as well as the prospect of their becoming entrepreneurs or freelancers rather than paid employees, and it makes sense that the retirement burden will fall on them. This, of course, adds more financial pressure than previous generations experienced.

Financial advice for Millennials

1. Have a cash emergency fund with three to six months of living expenses. That helps with any unforeseen expenses, such as car or home issues not covered by insurance or job loss. This way an emergency doesn’t cause the person to tap into his or her retirement account, which can trigger adverse tax consequences, or to acquire high interest credit card debt. Once the emergency fund is established, it’s time to tackle other financial issues.
2. Pay down debt. Start with consumer credit cards, as the interest rates on these are usually the highest, often around 18% to 20% ,. Managing student debt is a big concern for this generation. According to the National Financial Capability Study, about 40% of Millennials have student debt and more than a third have car loans. About 30% have more than one type of long-term debt, which might also include a mortgage. That makes debt management a big priority.
3. Start a retirement account. Starting one in your early 20s makes it much easier to reach a retirement goal than in your 40s. Take advantage of an employer’s 401(k) match, if available. That’s free money. With additional money to invest, open a Roth IRA where the money grows tax free.

Think about this: Compound interest works even better for teenagers than for mid-20s Millennials. A $2,000 savings in a Roth IRA, at 7%, will add up to more than $65,000 by the time you’re in your 60s. Wait for 10 years to invest the $2000 and you’ll wind up with about $33,000. Get more facts on Millennials and saving for retirement with this infographic.

While for Generation Z these suggestions might seem to deal with remote issues, high school is a good time to start thinking about finances. Attitudes about money and savings are formed early.

Raise your financial consciousness

Spend an hour a week on your finances, understanding what you owe on loans and living expenses and exactly what money is coming in and going out. If there’s continually not enough money at the end of the month, consider taking a part-time job or adding freelance work into the mix.

Another option: Lower your spending. During that weekly financial time, review your retirement plans and make sure you have the proper insurance in place, such as renter’s insurance.

Though conventional wisdom says to buy a house, that’s not the right decision for everyone.  Buying a house doesn’t make sense in all situations, given the high divorce rate and Millennials moving frequently. Either contingency can make a home purchase problematic and can cause financial losses, especially if the home needs to be sold within the first few years.

When your finances are under control, take a look at your life goals, whether that means taking a big vacation to Europe, saving for an engagement ring or buying a house. Having a clear sense of priorities helps define goals and on how to get going on the path to those goals. Find a financial advisor you trust who can help get you started on the path to financial security.

Why You Need a Financial Planning Date Night

Aside from the yearly reminder sometime before April 15 you need to gather up your financial documents and actually look at them, it’s easy to forget they exist the rest of the year.

One way to keep it at the top of your mind is to schedule a financial date night with your partner. Make it after you’ve filed your taxes; you’ll have a better idea of where your investments stand then, and you’ll be motivated to keep your financial house in order for the rest of the year.

To keep the tax-season momentum going, make a plan about what you need to discuss and analyze regarding your personal finances. Enjoy an evening out over dinner or cocktails to discuss your finances.

Here are some personal finance areas to put on the list:

IRA beneficiaries

Your IRA beneficiaries are not covered by a will. You have to name beneficiaries on the designation form. Each year, it’s a good idea to see who is on that form. Did you name the sibling you’re no longer talking to? Did you forget to remove your ex-spouse after the divorce? Did you have kids in the last year and you want them to receive the IRA proceeds? Would you rather support a charity with a portion of the money?

“You can name a charity as the beneficiary of your IRA, regardless of the account size,” said Dan Mathews, CFP in a post for the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. Talk to your partner during the date night about who you want to receive your IRA, and make any appropriate changes.

Life insurance

 Life insurance protects the living and ensures that your family can survive – and thrive financially — if one of the main providers dies. Life insurance proceeds can be used to pay for housing, school tuition, outstanding debt, household expenses, taxes, funeral costs and childcare.

It’s helpful to analyze your life insurance needs each year, because circumstances can change. Perhaps you’ve moved into a more expensive home or a city with a higher cost of living. Maybe the kids are now in private school. Your income might have increased. All of these affect your family’s financial needs. Talk to your insurance agent about what you should have in life insurance, or check a financial life insurance calculator online.

Disability insurance

 According to the Social Security Administration, slightly more than one in four Americans who are currently 20 years old will be disabled before they’re 67. Disability insurance provides a portion of your salary should you become unable to work due to illness or an accident. Without disability insurance, could you cover your living expenses if you couldn’t work? Check to see if you have disability insurance through your employer. Find out how much it covers and whether you should supplement it.

Loans

The yearly check-in should include a look at your outstanding debts. It’s helpful to know what you owe, whether it’s student loans, mortgage, car loans, credit cards or anything else. How much of your debt are you paying off each year, and is there a way to pay off the loans with the highest interest rates first? Or perhaps you can adjust your budget to cut back on spending, applying that savings to pay off your debt.

Mortgage

 If you’ve had your home for a long time, it’s possible that your mortgage rate is higher than it needs to be. See what you’re paying now and what the current rates are for refinancing. You might be able to save money by refinancing to a different, lower-priced mortgage.

Investments

 A yearly review of your investments will help you understand how your investments are doing and whether you need to rebalance them. Make a spreadsheet to discuss during your date, noting your retirement account balances, investment accounts and available cash. Are your investments diversified? Do you have a good mix of stocks, bonds and cash, depending on your age? Make a plan with your partner about what you need to change in your investment mix in the next year.

Credit report and credit score

 Every year, it’s a good idea to look over your credit report and make sure it’s accurate. You can get a free credit report from all three major reporting agencies from AnnualCreditReport.com. It’s helpful to look at your credit score, especially if you’re planning to make a big purchase requiring a loan, such as a car. This gives you time to make adjustments to improve your credit score.

Going over the finances each year with your partner can be a bonding experience. By making it a date night, you enjoy each other’s company along with some food and drink. Prepare all the paperwork ahead of time to ensure that it will be productive as well, understanding your joint finances and what you can do together to improve your financial future. Visit the Nationwide Bank Resource Center and use our helpful calculators to help you and your partner plan your savings, credit card payments, mortgage and more.

6 Tips for Trading in a Car (and Getting a Good Deal)

Buying a new vehicle is an exciting prospect for car owners. Who doesn’t like the thought of driving away in a shiny new model with the latest bells and whistles? But for some, stepping into a dealership can be daunting. Options seem endless and confusing, and negotiating can be stressful.

On top of that, there’s the issue of what to do with your current car. It’s true that selling a used car yourself is often more profitable than a trade-in. But there are also advantages to trading that car to the dealer, including paying less in sales tax. By subtracting the trade-in amount from the new car price, “You would only pay sales tax on the difference that’s left,” says Lauren Fix, an automotive expert known as the Car Coach.

Once a decision is made to trade your used vehicle, there are a number steps you can take to help get you the best deal from the car dealership. Here are 6 tips to help you get a fair deal on your trade-in car:

1. Stage your car

Some car experts advocate taking your car ‘as is’ to the dealer – they can tell if it’s in good shape regardless. But others believe a thorough cleaning reflects on how you treated the car overall, and can give you an extra edge.

“Stage it,” says Fix. “Get all the junk out of the vehicle. Have the car washed, waxed and vacuumed, because the dealer is going to walk around it and make a determination on its value when you bring it in.” Clean the engine, too, so when you pop the hood you don’t see grime and grease.

2. Fix the dings

Lauren Fix also advises getting small, exterior dings fixed. “You want to make the car look as new as you can,” she says. This goes only for cars with less than 50,000 miles, she adds, because vehicles with high mileage typically go to auction, where appearance is not so important.

3. Have receipts handy

The first step should start when you initially acquire the car: keeping records and receipts. If so, when the day arrives to finally trade your vehicle, you can show the dealer receipts for all the purchases and repair work done on the car. If the dealer questions the condition of a certain engine part or area of the car, you can back up your side with a receipt. “Even though the dealer might throw those receipts out later, it says you took care of the car and ‘here’s proof,’” says Fix.

4. Do some competitive research

Another important step to take before arriving at the dealer is to do your homework. Visit multiple websites and check the value of similar vehicles with the same mileage while monitoring ecommerce sites to follow your car model’s auction price. “Print out that information,” says Fix. “The first offer you get from the dealer is going to be low.” When you counter-offer with a higher price you can say, “here’s the paperwork to back that up,’” she says.

5. Look for promotions

Be aware that a dealership’s offer on your trade-in can be affected by several factors, including current inventory and the likelihood the car will sell. Look for dealers who may be offering special promotions with trade-ins, or visit at the end of the month when sales quotas need to be met. It’s always recommended to get quotes from competing dealerships to find the best deal.

Walking into the dealership with a folder of receipts and research on your car’s market value can help you establish a price for your trade-in up front. “You can make a straight-up deal,” says Fix. “‘I want to sell you this truck for $10,000,’ and put that money into the new car.” This puts the business of trade-in haggling to rest and allows you to focus on your main goal: finding the new car you want.

6. Prepare to walk

Finally, if the deal doesn’t make you happy, don’t be afraid to walk away. “Never be pressured to sign on the bottom line,” says Fix.
These trade-in tips can help you get a fair price for your old car. But what should you look for when buying your next car? Here are some key tips for buying a new car.

Flag Etiquette: When, Where, and How to Display the American Flag

The cardinal rule about displaying the American flag is to do it respectfully.

In 1924, a committee of Army and Navy representatives met with other nation groups to work out a code of flag etiquette, establishing a set of rules for displaying Old Glory.

The code, was approved by the committee on what became Flag Day, June 14.

Congress approved the U.S. Flag Code in 1942, establishing an official etiquette for the handling and display of the U.S. Flag.

The essential rules for displaying the flag include:

• Don’t let the sun set on a flying flag. Flags can be displayed 24 hours a day, however, if they are illuminated in the dark.
• When multiple flags are displayed on a single pole or lanyard, as with state or municipal flags, the U.S. flag should always be on top.
• When flags are flown in a row, the American flag should always be on the observer’s far left.
• When displayed during a parade with other flags, the American flag should always be to the observer’s left. The flag carrier should hold the flag to his or her right side.
• When hoisting a flag on a flagpole, everyone should stand at attention facing the flag. People in uniform should salute as the flag is raised; non-uniformed observers should remove their hats and place their right hands over their hearts.
• All-weather flags can be flown during rain, though they should be taken down in high winds.
• Never dip the flag for a person, another flag or a vessel.
• Don’t let the flag touch the ground. However, the schoolyard myth that any American flag that touches the ground must be burned is false. Soiled flags that are not beyond repair should be laundered and re-flown, flag experts say. There’s even a tradition among some commercial laundries and dry cleaners to do the cleaning for free.
• Don’t fly the flag upside down except in an emergency such as a boat in distress.
• Don’t use the flag to decorate shelves, railings or lecterns. That’s what bunting is for.

There are no limits on the size of displayed U.S. flags, and it’s fairly common nowadays to see flags that could cover most of a football field. But no flag displayed alongside of the U.S. flag should be larger.

Home display

For home display, the standard practice is to use a staff that angles upward from a home’s front wall, though it’s also appropriate to hang the flag horizontally. The staff should be held in place by a bracket or screw.

The homeowner should be careful not to let the flag touch the ground or the floor. The “union,” the field of stars, should always be positioned at the flag’s peak. When the flag is displayed against a wall, the union should be at the top left.

You can fly a flag from your car, with the staff firmly attached to the right side of the car.

Flying at half staff

The U.S. president or any state governor can order flags to be flown at half-staff and set the length of their remaining that way. The rule of thumb is 30 days for the death of a president or former president, 10 days for a vice president, a chief justice of the Supreme Court or the speaker of the House of Representatives.

On Memorial Day the flag should be flown at half-staff from sunrise until noon, when it should be raised to full staff, honoring the nation’s war heroes. Other days on which the flag is typically flown half-staff are September 11, Pearl Harbor Day (December 7), and Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15). However, the flag should not be at half-staff for Veterans Day (November 11), which is a celebratory holiday.

Flag disposal

To retire or dispose of a damaged flag, Section 176 of the U.S. Flag Code says that when “The Flag…is…no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.” Respectfully place the folded flag at the center of a fire, being careful not let fragments of the flag drift away. Then bury the ashes.

Before you do this, however, be sure to check local ordinances about building fires. Also, check the material of the flag; burning nylon or other artificial fibers can create a health hazard. If you have no other option, check with patriotic organizations in your community, like VFW or the Boy Scouts, about leaving the damaged flag for them to dispose of.

Clearly, the rules for using the U.S. Flag are complex, often addressing issues of handling and treatment of the flag in microscopic detail. But the rules are a mark of the seriousness with which Americans treat their bond with their native land and the reverence they have for their national flag.