To Replace or Repair Your Windshield, That Is the Question

To Replace or Repair Your Windshield, That Is the Question

In the past, when your windshield got some cracks or chips, you had to replace it immediately. Fortunately today, through modern technology, windshields with damages such as these can still be repaired. This allows car owners to save their windshield as well as their money, which they would have spent on a replacement.

However, there are also some limits to the most technically advanced glass repair systems. When a windshield gets severely damaged, it needs to be replaced with new glass.

To repair or to replace the windshield

To know whether a windshield has to be repaired or replaced, the size, site and extent of the damage need to be considered. Most repair shops can fix cracks as long as 3 inches and chips that are the size of a quarter. If the damage goes beyond these sizes, the windshield will require immediate replacement.

There are a number of facilities that allow the repair of cracks measuring up to 1 foot. Therefore, it is best to look around before proceeding with windshield replacement.

Another important factor to consider when choosing between repair and replacement is the site of the damage. When the windshield acquires cracks at its edge, these can easily spread and affect the glass' structural integrity. When they are seen right away, these can still be repaired. In a major of cases, though, it would be best for the windshield to be replaced.

Keep in mind that there are a number of facilities that do not repair chips that are directly in front of the driver's field of view. Repairing chips on the windshield can cause some small distortions in its glass. Instead of compromising the driver's vision, some shops would rather opt for a windshield replacement.

No matter how big a crack or chip may be and where it might be located, it must be repaired right away. When you wait too long for this, dirt can find its way to the area that has been damaged, and this can have an effect on the efficiency of the repair. Damages as a result of accidents and other major impacts can go beyond repair. In these cases, the windshield needs to be repaired.

The cost of repairing a windshield

The cost of repairing chips in the windshield is, more or less, the same across the country. It costs $ 40 to $ 50 to repair a single chip and an additional $ 10 for every extra chip.

The price of repairing cracks is just about the same, but when the crack is more than 3 inches, this requires a costlier treatment.

The costs of replacing a windshield costs much more and varies, depending on the vehicle. Aside from the price of the windshield, the total replacement costs include the molding kit and the labor of installing it.

There is a difference between the price of dealers and independent glass shops. This is because they use different kinds of glass. It is common for dealers to charge more because of the Original Equipment Manufacturer (or OEM) windshield. The kind of glass is the exact same one that was originally installed in the car.

Independent glass shops charge less than dealers because they use windshields coming from suppliers that are non-OEM. Nonetheless, they are made of glass that is similar to OEM windshields in terms of quality, clarity and safety. Non-OEM glass should conform to the safety standards just like OEM glass, if not exceed them. Whenever windshields are replaced, every glass shop advises the use of sealers and adhesives recommended by OEM.

Best Places to Have Your Windshield Repaired or Replaced

There is a variety of options with regards to the repair or replacement of windshields, based on your specific requirements.

Automotive glass specialists

Facilities such as these are experts in repairing and replacing automotive glass such as windshields, rear and side windows. They try to exhaust all efforts to repair and save the windshield before they consider replacing it.

Windshield repair facilities

These are nationally franchised shops that only do windshield repair jobs, such as fixing chips and cracks. They do not replace windshields.

New car dealers

If your windshield has to be replaced, you can go to your local dealer and let them install an OEM windshield. Lots of dealers sub-contract mobile glass services and they do on-site windshield replacement. There are times when dealers also offer non-OEM windshields.

Mobile services for repairing and replacing glass

Instead of going to a facility to have your windshield either repaired or replaced, you can get these services conveniently at home or work, where your vehicle is parked.

General glass services

Aside from repairing and replacing automotive glass, they offer other services like the installation of residential and commercial glass.

Insurance Coverage

Almost all companies that offer automotive insurance cover the replacement and repair of windshields. However, since windshield replacement costs up to ten times more, there is a difference between the coverage of repair and replacement.

When your windshield is replaced, you will be asked by your insurance company to pay the deductible while they pay the cost of replacing it.

The deal is better when your windshield is repaired. Since the cost of repairing a windshield is more affordable than replacing it, a number of insurance companies are willing to forgo your deductible and at the same time, pay for the full repair.

With this kind of arrangement, more customers are encouraged to have their windshields repaired rather than replaced every time they get small chips or cracks. This means considerable savings not only for you, but your insurance company as well.

However, if your windshield badly needs to be replaced, do not hold back. Have a new one installed. It is difficult to see through a damaged windshield and this can make you prone to accidents. The damage may have affected the glass' structural integrity and when this is not replaced immediately, this could further weakened.

To know whether your windshield needs to be repaired or replaced, it has to be carefully examined by a certified glass specialist. In addition to this, before agreeing to any windshield service, verify your coverage terms with the help of your insurance agent.

How windshield repair works

A windshield is repaired by injecting a special resin to the crack or chip by means of a tool attached to the glass. The moment it is injected, the resin is cured then polished. This restores the glass' durability and clearness.

When a windshield gets chipped or cracked, this spreads to the innermost layer of plastic that comes between two glass sheets. There are times when a drill is utilized to create a clean path towards the plastic and the damage is repaired by injecting the resin into it.

Repairing a windshield, just like first-aid, is a preventive measure that keeps losses from becoming worse. The results may be almost flawless in some cases and slightly blemished in others. Whatever the case, windshield repair can effectively prevent the damage from becoming worse.

Chips are different from one other, so some of them will have a better response to glass repair than others. However, a windshield that has been repaired will not be as clear as a newly installed one.

5 Ways To Make Money From Home in 2018

5 Ways To Make Money From Home in 2018

If you want to make money from home pay close attention. In this article I'm going to give you 5 ways you could be getting paid on the internet in 2018.

Have you noticed that in 2017 the term "side hustle" became very popular?

I recently read an article that said over 50% of the work in the United States has some sort of "side hustle" that they use to supplement their income.

With that many people looking to do something on the side, you have to admit that the cost of living is growing faster than the minimum wage.

So let's go over a few of the ways that you could be earning money from home in 2018.

# 1: Become a Social Media Manager

Social Media Managers have become really popular since the explosion of social media over the last decade.

A social media manager is exactly that; a manager.

So if you were to become a social media manager your job would entail sending / receiving friend requests, posting multiple times per day, engaging and reading incoming comments, etc.

You'd think that this is something that anyone could do, but there are many successful entrepreneurs and business owners out there that are gladly willing to pay someone to handle these mundane tasks on their behalf.

If you think you are competent on social media maybe this is just the side gig for you?

# 2: Learn How to Trade Forex and Cryptocurrency

It amazes me how few people have even heard of Forex. Forex is an acronym for Foreign Exchange.

With Forex you are buying and selling currencies just like people buy and sell commodities like corn, coffee, and orange juice.

This is an invaluable skill to learn because when you have it, you can write your own paycheck. Just keep in mind that this is considered the same as gambling in the eyes of Uncle Sam, so you will have to pay some hefty capital gains taxes on anything that you pull in.

Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are not only something that you buy and hold. You can actually trade cryptocurrency as well.

# 3: Join a Network Marketing Company

Although network marketing companies tend to get a bad rap, most people are oblivious to the fact that network marketing is a 100+ billion dollar per year industry.

More money per year is generated from network marketing than from all the professional sports in the United States each year, combined!

A network marketing company gives you the chance to become the CEO of your own organization from day number one.

In Corporate America you typically start off at the bottom of the ladder and are forced to work your way up. In Network Marketing, you start of the top of your organization, but you're responsible for building and training a team of independent sales representatives who have common goals.

# 4: Get Started With e-Commerce

You can also get involved with e-Commerce. You know, things like eBay, Amazon, and even Shopify.

This is where you have yourself a virtual business. You can sell virtually anything that you can muster up from your imagination.

Dropshipping is also a big part of successful e-Commerce selling. Otherwise you'll need your own products to sell and most people do not have that.

e-Commerce is a great way to make money working from home if you're not really a people person and you're not cut out for the sales life.

# 5: Get Involved in Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate Marketing is all about selling other people's products / services.

Virtually every company known to man has an affiliate program of some sort these days. For example, if you refer someone to Time Warner, they will pay you.

By simply sharing products and services that you use every day you can earn a percentage each and every time someone makes a purchase from your individual affiliate link.

Which One Of These Methods Are Best?

While all of the above methods are great, there really is not one that's "best" per se. However, if you plan on making money from home on your computer you're going to need to receive the proper training. Otherwise it could literally take years for you to learn and become a master of online marketing.

Saving Money to Save

Saving Money to Save

Most of the personal finance books and blogs talk of saving money by being a smart and frugal shopper by using coupons, buying one get one free, perusing sales circulars or checking in to the merchants phone apps; but I have yet to read any advice on what to actually do with the amount of money that you save.

If I just merely acknowledged that I saved half-off retail price on a pair of sneakers which is about a $40 savings then that's one thing, but that just keeps the balance on my checking account higher by $40. I would probably just find another item to spend that $40 on since it is technically free right? Get more retail bang for my buck so to speak.

Instead my hack strategy recommendation is to discipline yourself to sweep that $40 you save into your savings account.

Here is an example, I just saved close to $23 on my last trip to the grocery store via coupons, store sales and using the grocery stores club card. The amount that I saved is right on my receipt $22.84. I use my rewards credit card to capitalize on getting some travelers miles which I will pay off as soon as possible when I get home. But while at the grocery store I use my phone to transfer that $22.84 that I would have spent had I paid full retail and that goes fright from my checking account to my savings account.

I make it a habit to earmark these savings whether I save $2.25 or $100+ when it comes to money and savings, small amounts no matter how small you may think will eventually add up to tangible results. This strategy has enabled me to really "beef up" my savings account and it is a painless way to save as well.

To be able to do this you will need

1. A checking account as well as a linked savings account preferably from the same bank or credit union

2. Your bank or credit union must have online banking so you may transfer money from your checking to your savings. Ideally if your bank has a phone app that allows transfers then that is even better. You do not want to wait that long to make your savings transfer; do it while the feeling of victory of saving money is still fresh.

Think of it as a score-card for showing how much you save on purchases.

How to Turn a Website Into a Money Machine

How to Turn a Website Into a Money Machine

Making money online requires four major elements.

1) A product or service that people are willing to pay for.

2) The technology infrastructure to enable prospects to find and interact with your business online.

3) Traffic bringing prospects to your site.

4) Converting those prospects into customers and collecting their money.

While all four elements need to be in place and working together in order to make money, the technology infrastructure is the most critical element because it supports the other three and creates the leverage that enables individuals to make five, six and even seven figure imports from their home based businesses.

The biggest misconception about the technology needed to make money is that having a website is enough. Nothing could be further from the truth.

A website is simply the first, albeit the most important, element required to make money. Typically a website consists of a hosting account (where one leases space on a web server), a URL or web address, and a few pages of information or sales copy about the product or service being offered.

However, to turn a website into a real online business requires the addition of a number of software applications to manage the various business functions required including: autoresponders for building a list, multimedia to improve sales and conversions, split-testing to measure and improve conversions , traffic tracking to optimize advertising and traffic strategies, credit card processing, and monitoring and reporting of critical business metrics.

Generally these are purchased as stand alone applications and added to a basic website in order to create a real online business. The total cost of all the additional technologies required is in the range of $ 2,000 to $ 4,000.

The major drawback to this approach is the time it takes to operate the online business, as it takes a great deal of time to jump from application to application to gather the operating data required to make operating decisions.

The solution to this problem is to retain a software engineer to connect, integrate and develop displays for the most important operating information. This can easily cost an additional $ 20,000 to $ 30,000.

The objective being to reduce the amount of time spent dealing with the technologies so more of your limited time can be invested in driving traffic and learning the important conversions skills required to convert prospects into customers.

Alex Mandossian, the uber successful Internet marketer said it best.

"The secret to making money online is Simple.

Do not spend any more than 10% of your time dealing with the technologies so you can spend 90% on traffic and conversion because that's where the money is made online. "

Then he finished with most important point.

"There's no money in learning and managing the technologies, unless you want to be a webmaster."

This means that you either need to hire a professional webmaster to set up and manage the technologies required to operate your online business (so you can focus on getting traffic and converting it into customers) ... OR you need to get one of the integrated applications that provide all the technologies ready to go.

Not only do these applications combine all the technologies into one easy to use application that let's you focus on traffic and conversion, but they cost 80% to 90% less than purchasing all the technologies separately.

Bottom line, the best way to turn your website into a money machine is to purchase one off the shelf. It's far faster, much cheaper and will make you a lot more money.

Please visit www.YourFirst50K.com [http://www.yourfirst50k.com] for more information & to receive your FREE copy of my ebook titled "How to Make Your First $ 50,000 Online"

A Checklist For Your Auto Maintenance

A Checklist For Your Auto Maintenance

Auto maintenance is the most important duty that a vehicle owner has. Any proud car owner can tell you that. If you want your car to live a long life and perform well, then you want to ensconcing regular maintenance checks are key. Other than ensuring a lasting life for your vehicle there are also many other reasons to do timely car maintenance. Keep reading to understand why auto maintenance is important. You can also find below a list of the things that go on your checklist to make better keep tabs on this process.

The first and most important reason is safety. Any fault in the car such as worn out tires, faulty brakes or engine issues may not be obvious to the owner until it is too late. Regular maintenance helps get this out of the way and ensures your safety. A well-maintained vehicle also gives better performance and reliability. With regular check-ins at the auto shop, your visit for repairs will reduce. This makes things easier and more cost-effective. ESPecially because of preventive maintenance costs less than actual repairs.

As the old saying goes, "An once of prevention, is worth a pound of cure." In other words, take care of your vehicle and it will cost you much less to own in the long run. Also, it is much easier to plan and budget for maintenance than it is for when a breakdown occurs at the worst time and causing you to be very inconvenienced. Not to mention the expense that was not planned and usually at a much higher expense.

Regular maintenance also keeps the car looking fresh and stainless. Dents, scratches, faded paint are also things that can be taken care of during a regular maintenance routine. A well-maintained car is indeed much easier to sell. If you would like the option of being able to sell your car at a good price to be open, then auto maintenance will do that for you.

And finally, all of us are aware that vehicles can emit harmful gasses. A car that has its engines, automotive fluids, and emissions checked regularly causes less harm to the environment. Of course, there is always the option of purchasing hybrid automobiles that are environmentally friendly. Few automobile companies such as Tesla, Ford, and Toyota offer this.

Below is a basic checklist for your auto or car maintenance. The table below may not be an exhaustive list. The list can be printed out and used to check with at the auto maintenance workshop before picking up your vehicle. Remember, a well-maintained vehicle means a happier and safer driver behind its wheels.

Items on your checklist

Mark as done / not done

Engine lights

Lights

Tire pressure and condition

Windshield washer fluid

Air filter

Transmission fluid

Battery and cables

Belts

Exhaust

Fuel filter

Hoses

Oil filter

Power steering fluid

Chassis lubrication

Wiper blades

Polish

Antifreeze

Spark plugs

Steering and Suspension

How Can You Change the Way You Drive to Save Money on Gas?

How Can You Change the Way You Drive to Save Money on Gas?

Most people would say that a dime is not worth very much. That is, a dime does not look like much, except when you apply it to the rising cost of filling your car with gas. Increasing the price per gallon by a dime multiple times in a month has quickly added up over the last year or two. Everyone has been feeling the strain of that increase. Every person is looking for ways to save on the cost of gas, but you can make significant savings simply by changing the way you drive on a daily basis.

Change how you drive

Many people do not know that how they drive can save them money on gas. Most of the time, we're just worried about not being late to work or getting the kids to practice when they need to be. Everyone knows that city driving results in lower gas mileage than highway driving. Why is that? Stopping for red lights often uses up gas because it means increasing acceleration to get going again, therefore, using more gas. The faster you try to get your car to go after stopping at a red light, the faster you will use up your gasoline. If you consciously make an effort to accelerate slowly after being stopped, you'll save yourself a bit of gas and probably will not get to where you need to be any later.

Some people are better than others at anticipating what the car in front of them is about to do, especially if they're used to driving in heavy traffic. Many people who work in the city but live outside of it become accustomed to the changes in traffic patterns, including going faster as traffic becomes thinner or braking suddenly when it gets heavier. By anticipating what is going on ahead of you, you will be able to be able to avoid sudden stops and starts. You can simply lift your foot off the gas pedal to decrease your speed. A gradual slowing as well as starting will help you to save on your gas.

Getting passed on the highway can be frustrating to a lot of people, but it can be an economic decision for saving gas. By constantly keeping your foot pressed on the accelerator, you are forcing your car to go faster. Yes, that will allow you to pass someone, but you are burning up gas more quickly than you need to do. Most likely, you will not get to where you're going more than a few seconds faster anyway. You do not need to overtake other vehicles on your way to work each day. You'll still make it there in about the same amount of time.

Change how you fill up

When you stop at a gas station, there are things you can do as well to save a little money here and there. For example, choosing your filling station wisely will help you to save money. Do not go to a place simply because it's on the right side of the highway as you're going home, but choose the place that offers the cheapest prices for gas. Yes, you may have to use a little extra gas to get there, but in the long run, you'll come out on top by making the most economic choice. A few cents does help when it comes to buying gas.

The time of day you stop for gas will also make a difference in the gas that you pump. Just like your fingers on a hot summer day after a jog, gas expands in warmer temperatures. So by filling up your tank early in the morning, you are actually getting a bit more gas for the same amount of money. Also, by filling up the tank slowly, you are preventing air from getting mixed in with your gasoline. Try to take your time as you fill up the tank and you may just see an improvement in your gas mileage.

Although alternative sources for fuel will probably be the best bet in the long run for our environment and on our wallets, for now we must do what we can to make wise decisions at the gas pump. By being conscious of the way you drive and fill up your car, you can do what you can to save your money and have your day be less affected by the price of gas going up another dime.

Making Money From Your Computer

Making Money From Your Computer

Making money from your computer may be one of the best jobs because you can do it anywhere there is a Wi-Fi connection. When you go to the beach and you notice people with laptops you can be pretty sure that they are the ones making money from their computers. You shouldn't feel sorry for them because they are working instead of enjoying the sea and the sun, because unlike most people, they can practically afford to live there. This can be you too because working from your computer does not require you to have excellent computer knowledge.

One thing that you should keep in mind about making money from your computer is that it will take some time for you to begin earning a lot, and you should be patient. If you quit, instead of moving forward, you will not make even a single cent. So actually, the most important quality that you need to posses if you want to be successful in making money online is patience.

The internet is getting more and more important. You can even buy your next home online or at least find it there, you can play games, shop, order food, study, and basically almost anything you can think of. Buying airline tickets and registering at hotels that are on the other side of the globe has never been easier. You should take advantage of the fact that people spend their money online all the time and start making money from your computer as well.