April 11, 2017 • Page 12 shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com Spring CAR CARE Home Improvement The Best Time to Buy Create a Safe and Enjoyable Backyard Play Area a New Car and Other Cost-Saving Tips Shopping for a new car can be an exciting and sometimes stressful process. A vehicle is one of the largest purchases a person will make in his or her lifetime, so choosing an automobile requires careful research and some comparison shopping. According to IHS Automotive, there are more than 250 million registered passenger vehicles in the United States. In Canada, 33,168,805 vehicle registrations were reported by Statistics Canada in 2015. With so many cars and trucks on the road, it’s important for drivers to get a vehicle that meets their needs and fits their budgets. The following are some pointers for prospective buyers looking to save some money on their next vehicles. Wait for model changeover Pay attention to news regarding which vehicle models will be retired or redesigned, as this may indicate which vehicles might be offered at the best deals. The model year should also be considered when looking for a new car. Many buyers are naturally attracted to the newest model year, feeling that if they’re going to pay a lot for a car or truck, they want to do so for the newest available model. Buyers who don’t need the newest model available may find a better deal than those who do. Choose a different body type The National Automobile Dealers Association advises that pickup trucks and SUVs continue to command high prices. Shoppers who look at sedans, compact cars and even luxury vehicles may be able to get a better price than those looking for trucks or SUVs. Buyers should assess their needs and see if a different body style or category of car fits their needs and their budgets. Shop the end of the month No matter the month, waiting until the last week of the month may be a good time to buy. Sales managers and dealerships in general have a monthly quota to meet and are compensated accordingly. Negotiating at this time means shoppers can get a good deal, while salespeople can move vehicles. Choose the right day of the week According to a study by TrueCar.com, an automotive pricing and information website, Sunday is the best day of the week to purchase a vehicle. Buyers can expect to pay as much as $2,000 more for the same vehicle on Friday than those who shop on a Sunday. Monday is also a good day, as there is less foot traffic and it may be possible to wrangle a better deal. Waiting until the end of the day can be advantageous, too. Salespeople may be anxious to close out sales so they can get home at quitting time. Get financing ahead of time Knowing your budget ahead of time and prearranging financing can put shoppers in a better position when it comes time to negotiate. Strong credit scores and decent down payments make certain buyers better prospects for dealerships. It also may mean their purchasing power can translate into better deals. Shopping for a new car can be challenging and exciting all at once. Purchasing at the right time can save drivers money and get them in the car of their dreams. nMetro Creative Connections Homeowners often aspire to have attractive backyards that look like they belong in a magazine. While these can be picturesque and functional for adults, they may not be entirely practical for homeowners who have young children, especially when the majority of the yard is covered with paving stones or concrete. When young children are part of a household, homeowners may benefit by designing yards that are both functional and fun. Incorporating safe play areas for kids is one way to unlock the potential of both big and small backyards. As children run off to enjoy a playground, safety is the last thing on their minds. Kids are most interested in scaling ladders to treehouses or coasting down slides. That’s why adults must take it upon themselves to keep injury prevention in mind. SafestPlayground.com indicates that playground-related injuries routinely result in severe fractures, internal injuries, concussions, and dislocations. In the majority of playground injuries to children younger than age 5, the head and face are affected. Children between the ages of 5 and 9 experience more leg and arm injuries than younger kids. The Consumer Product Safety Commission states 70 percent of children’s injuries occur on home playgrounds. More than 28,000 children are injured each year on playgrounds across Canada, according to Parachute, a national injury prevention organization. When considering playground equipment for the yard, parents need to make safety a priority. The Canada Safety Society advises parents to follow the 5 S’s of Playground Safety: Surface, structures, site, supervision, and safety. • Surface: Parents should assume that children will fall. To lessen the blow of falls, choose playground equipment with a perimeter of six feet of a softer surface, such as sand, pea gravel, rubber pieces or wood chips. This material should be between six and 12 inches deep. • Structure: The structure of HVAC & Electrical Contractors Power Source Electric Residential & Commercial Electrical Contractors Your Heating & Cooling Specialists the play equipment should be built from sturdy materials. Pressuretreated lumber was once the standard, but it’s not adviseable for kids’ playgrounds, as the chemicals used in the lumber can leach and young children may actually bite or pick at the wood. Use cedar or another wood that resists decay. Once the structure is built, inspect it frequently for damage. • Site: Look around the landscape for an ideal place to locate the playset. There should be no tools or other dangerous items are obstacles that children can hit left around the yard. while sliding or swinging. Avoid Backyard playgrounds should overhanging branches and do not be built with safety in mind. Learn place equipment too close to trees the rules of play equipment and or fencing. Try to keep the set out of direct sunlight, which can make yard safety. components heat up and scald nMetro Creative Connections young bodies. • Supervision: Do not leave children alone while they are playing. Prevent children from using the playset in an incorrect manner. • Safety: Follow the directions for installation. Make sure all posts are anchored into the ground securely. Railings should be spaced so that children cannot get stuck TREE TRIMMING, REMOVALS & TRANSPLANTING between them. 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