8 Tips For Buying The Perfect Family Car

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Every family I know needs one thing in particular, a vehicle. In today's world it's not a luxury, it's a necessity, but finding the perfect car for your needs and your whole family is not an easy thing to do. In fact it can be one of the hardest decisions you have to make.

Here are a few things I have learned over the years about buying a vehicle, and hopefully they will help you too. Plus you can find more tips at Cars.com 

1. Safety and Reliability ~ This is the most important thing to consider when thinking about any vehicle you buy. Do your research and find reviews on different styles and companies to find the car you will feel safe driving and having your family members in.

2. Budget, Maintenance, and Insurance ~ You may think putting all three of these together is not the same thing, but they really are. You need to make sure that you can afford  to purchase the car and continue to be able to use it. Again this is where research is so important. Our oldest son bought a car that he thought was going to be his dream car and when it broke down, he found out how expensive his dream really was. The parts that needed to be fixed were so high priced (to say the least the mechanic costs) he ended up selling the car rather than repairing it.

Here are a few questions you need to ask as you do that research.

~ Can you afford to buy new?

~ Should I lease?

~ How expensive are repairs and parts on this model?

~ What are the costs for insurance on this model?

Insurance companies are more than glad to give you estimates on specific vehicles and it only takes a short phone call to your current insurer (if you have one) to find out. Or a few clicks online and you can get a quick quote too.

3. Style, Size, and Seating Capacity ~ How many people are you going to be driving around with on a day-to-day basis? If it is just you and your spouse, a small, two door sedan would work great. If you have a couple of kids, you would need a larger four door sedan, or an SUV or a van. Do you need lots of space for hauling things like sports equipment, instruments, or strollers? Do you take lots of trips where you would need to stow luggage or camping items? Will the car seats for your kids fit in this vehicle? These are all things you need to think about to get what's right for your personal needs.

4. Gas Mileage ~ With today's economy you never know how high gas prices may go, so it's important to get the best vehicle you can that won't break your budget just filling it up. Think about where you will be doing most of the driving. Will it be around town or on the highway? 

5. Who Is Going To Be Diving The Vehicle ~ Your first response to this is probably going to be "duh", but you do need to think ahead. Your kids aren't going to be little forever and one day they will be old enough to get their licence to drive. Are you going to have this vehicle until then and is it the kind they should learn to drive in? What if you love driving a stick shift but your spouse does not? It may seem simple, but it is something to think about before hand.

6. Where You Live In The Country ~ I know, this just doesn't seem to be a big deal, but growing up south of Buffalo, New York, I learned that the kind of car you have can make a world of difference in the winter. Some cars can't handle the snow and ice well. Some rust out on the bottom and the wheel wells quickly. Does the vehicle you are looking at have front wheel drive, rear wheel drive, or four wheel drive? It can make a big difference, so you need to think about it.

7. Appearance and The Extras ~ I often find myself pointing out the colors of vehicles I like to my husband. Some just look nicer than others and aren't what everyone else has. When you can't find your car in a parking lot, having a unique color can really help.

Here are a few other things to think about:

~ DVD players for the kids

~ heated seats

~ navigator system

~ sunroof

~ parallel park assist

~ lane change warning

~ auto brakes

~ bluetooth

~ auto dimming rear view mirror

~ key-less entry

8. Test Drive ~ NEVER purchase a car without test driving it first. One of my friends kept talking about the next car she wanted all the time. She would see it on the road and then talk about it for miles as we drove. The vehicle she owned at the time had to go into the shop for some regular maintenance and the shop loaned her a car for the day to use. It was her dream car! She was so excited to finally get to drive one. Her excitement didn't last very long though. She found out that it was difficult for her to get in and out of, it was difficult seeing out the side windows because you sit so low in the seat, and did not drive well. 

Always, always, always test drive a vehicle before you buy! You never know how a car will work for you until you give it a try.

As my Mom always used to say, "think before you buy". Since buying a car is one of the largest purchases you will ever make, it's very important to follow Mom's rule and visit Cars.com!

Pictures provided by Pixabay.

A Lot Can Fit Into One Small Bag

How often do you think about a first aid kit? Probably not that much, but it is something we all need and think about it a lot when we really need it.

Protect Life has a small, yet amazingly filled First Aid Kit that would be perfect for pretty much any situation. What I really like about this kit is how small it is. The bag is only 7½" x 5" x 2" and weighs a mere 15.2 ounces. It's small, but holds a lot!

So what is in this small emergency first aid kit:
Antiseptic cleansing wipes (6 pcs)
Alcohol prep pad (10 pcs)
Butterfly closure strips (10 pcs)
Extra large adhesive bandage (4 pcs)
Adhesive bandage (25 pcs)
Knuckle adhesive bandage (4 pcs)
Fingertip adhesive bandage (8 pcs)
Gauze swab (3 pcs)
1 Disposable cold compress
First aid tape (1 roll)
Cotton tip applicator (20 pcs)
1 Abdominal pad, Disposable vinyl gloves (1 pair)
1 Slim rescue howler whistle
1 Button Compass Liquid filled
1 Moleskin blister relief
1 Triangular bandage
1 Emergency blanket
1 Glow stick
1 Disposable raincoat
1 Scissors
PBT conforming bandage 5 x 3.6 cm (1 roll)
1 CPR face mask
1 Metal tweezers
Eye pad (2 pcs)
Elbow/knee bandage (2 pcs)
Safety pins (4 pcs)
Sting relief pads (2 pcs)

That's a lot of stuff in one small first aid kit. There is enough to handle a camping or hiking trip, to keep around the house, in the office, in your vehicle, and more. It's small enough to not take up a lot of room in you vehicle, a desk drawer or your backpack. Some of the things in it I had not thought of having in a first aid kit, like a glow stick, but now it makes sense to me seeing it in one.

The material the bag is made of is a durable canvas, although it is not waterproof. I will probably stick it in a ziplock bag to protect it from the elements. There are 4 pockets, three of which are see through so you can find what you need quickly. There is a double zipper on the bag and two small handles for carrying. Actually with everything that is in it, you would think there is no more room for anything else, but there is. I plan on putting in a small flashlight, matches, and some pain reliever when we go places. I love that the bag has the extra room for a few more things to personalize it for your specific needs.

This is a very good first aid kit and it has everything you really need in an emergency until you can get to some place for help.It's a good investment to make!

You can purchase the Protect Life First Aid Kit HERE!

This reviewer received the product free or at a discounted price in order to bring you an honest review. No other form of compensation was given. All opinions are those of the reviewer.

Want A Foot Massage While You Shower?

I asked Lisa if she would like to review a bath mat and I thought she was going to jump out of her skin. She said she really needed one and was thrilled to be able to test one out. The following review is from Lisa.

Great product, awesome timing!

The other day I slide in our shower 3 times and almost lost my balance and fell. I told my husband that we really need something to hold on to or something on the tub floor to keep it from being so slippery. Safety is a big issue and I need to think not only of myself, but my family too.

The very next day I was asked by Lois to try a Non-Slip Anti-Bacterial Wear Resistant Bath Mat Shower Rug from MyHomie. I instantly loved the design and knew my young daughter and husband would too. It has blue whales, bubbles, and waves pictured on it. It's bright and cheery and looks great in the tub.

The bubbled and bumpy texture feels nice when standing on it. It's like getting a mini foot massage while you shower. They say the texture is for reflexology and I believe it. I was absolutely surprised and impressed at the slip resistance too!! It did not budge one bit, nor did I. I felt safe the whole time I was in the shower. I know my family will be safe too.

I also learned the bath mat has Isanti-bacterial treatment which is great. The mat is mildew and mold resistant which makes cleaning a breeze and so simple.

Love this bath mat, and you will too! Oh and they also offer one just like it that has river stone images on the mat.

You can buy a MyHomie Non-Slip Anti-Bacterial Wear Resistant Bath Mat Shower Rug HERE!

This reviewer has been compensated with receiving the product free or at a discounted price in order to bring you an honest review. All opinions are those of the reviewer.

How Can $2.50 Save The Life Of A Child?

How many of you have heard of children getting seriously hurt by getting shocked from putting something into an electrical outlet? It happens often, more often than you might think, and about 100 kids are killed each year by electrocution, and many more injuries! There are ways of protecting your kids and grand kids, and one of them is so simple!

The Shock Shutter is an electrical outlet cover with a built in Tamper Resistant (TR) shutter system. These things really work! These shutters only open when something is inserted into both slots in the power outlet such as an electrical cord. When a common household item such as a paper clip, pin, or key is inserted into only one of the slots, the shutters do not open, preventing serious and possibly fatal injuries from electrical shocks.

Here's what Shock Shutters can do:
~ Prevent injuries caused by electrical shock from sticking small objects into the slots of electrical outlets
~ Quick and easy to install
~ Does not require shutting off the circuit breaker
~ Can be installed by anyone. No need to hire a licensed electrician
~ It is much cheaper to install than installing TR receptacles
~ Meets NEC’s 2008 tamper resistant recommendation which is now required by most states
~ Made in the USA

Installing the Shock Shutter is quick and easy. I was surprised at how easy it was. Anyone can install The Shock Shutter. You do not need a licensed electrician. The only tool that you will need is a screw driver. Seriously, it's the only tool you need. First you unscrew and remove the existing outlet wall plate. Then you place the Shock Blocker over the outlet and screw it into place. Done! It’s that simple. Takes maybe all of one minute to do!

I was really surprised at how well they work. Now mind you I did not like the idea of testing this out, but I really wanted to know for myself. They work! No shock! No zap! Nothing! I could not put anything in any one of the holes. It just would not let me. but, when I went to plug in a cord, it was easy to push the cord in and it stayed put just like any other receptacle! I am impressed!

No more messing with those small plastic covers or those special plates that cover the whole outlet that don't always stay in and some kids can get out quite easily. These things are secure and will not allow anyone to poke anything in them they shouldn't.

The Shock Shutters come in white or ivory and in two styles, Decor or Duplex. It's easy to find what will work best for your home and style. They even come with a pre-painted screw or screws to make sure that it matches the outlet cover perfectly! And you can not beat the price. They cost only $2.50 each! Considering what they can do to save a child from getting hurt or even killed, that's a tiny price!

You can order your own Shock Shutters in your choice of color and size HERE!

You can learn more by visiting Shock Shutter on their website, Facebook, or Twitter.

This reviewer has been compensated with receiving the product free in order to bring you an honest review. All opinions are those of the reviewer.

Viatek Keep Your Children Safe On Halloween Giveaway

The Viatek Keep Your Children Safe On  

Halloween Giveaway

 Hosted By: Holiday Contest and Sweeps
Co-Hosted By:  Monica's Rants, Raves & Reviews Tales From A Southern Mom My Silly Little Gang  Michigan Savings and More  Here We Go Again,Ready?  Libby's Library  Simply Sherryl  Everyday Southwest  My Devotional Thoughts MumbleBeeInc Deals and Steals

  3 - Winners   Presents The:

The Viatek Keep Your Children Safe On  

Halloween Giveaway

Holiday Contest and Sweeps is proud to team up with Viatek Consumer Products this Halloween to help keep your little ones safe as they head out to trick or treat. to help keep your little ones safe as they head out to trick or treat. This amazing Dynabrite Crank Flashlight requires no batteries and will provide your children with two hours of brightness with just 60 seconds of crank time. Never worry about them getting it wet in the 60 seconds of crank time. Never worry about them getting it wet in the rain as this is completely waterproof.

There will be three winners in this Spooktacular Giveaway with each winner receiving two of the Dynabrite Flashlights to keep your children's path lighted and safe.

DYNABRITE CRANK FLASHLIGHT

 The Viatek Dynabrite TRI-LED Flashlight with CELL PHONE CHARGING DOCK never needs batteries. This product features the latest technology in battery less hand cranking flashlights. Just crank the handle for one minute and get up to two hours of light. This flashlight has three super bright LEDs. Compact and water resistant.

Cell phone charging plug for cell phone adapters

 Magnet to attach to fridge or automobile

 Wrist strap

 Weather resistant

 60 seconds of hand cranking provides two hours of light

 Rechargeable LIR2032 lithium internal battery: 3.6V, 35mA

Has three super bright LED to see anywhere and anytime.

 NO BATTERIES OR BULBS TO REPLACE EVER!

A Big Thank You To Our Sponsor

Viatek Consumer Products

Visit Their Website Today For More Great Products!

Follow Them On Social Media As Well!

  Facebook , Twitter , Pinterest , You Tube

  

This giveaway is in no way endorsed, associated, or affiliated with Facebook, Twitter or any other Social Media Networking Site. This Giveaway is also valid only in the Continental United States and entrants must be 18+ years of age to enter. This giveaway will end at 12:00 AM (EST) 10/15/2015

 Holiday Contest and Sweeps and The Minister's Wife received no sample of this product for review purposes. Viatek Consumer Products will be responsible  for the awarding and shipping of the Inflatable directly to the winner.

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How Safe Do You Feel When You Travel?

I love to travel and have been blessed to do a lot of it. One thing that has always been a concern for me when I do is money! I'm not talking about the cost of travel (although that can be a concern). I'm talking about the money you take with you when you travel. It gets spent way too fast anyway without losing some of it or having it stolen!

Travel Hardwear has a great way to help prevent stolen money and more with their really neat Money Belt, which by the way, comes with two luggage straps.

A modern money belt is a required accessory for anyone travelling overseas, and even here in the States. No matter how careful you are it is just too easy for pickpockets to steal your wallet or purse in crowded areas. Don't learn the hard way! I have been fortunate to not have anything stolen, but how many times is too many to be prepared and be safe?

Their money belt is made with extra-strong, lightweight, water-resistant nylon ripstop. It's very sturdy and made well! The flat buckle (which is easy to adjust on the elastic band), thin construction and neutral color means no one can see the bulge under your shirt. On the skin-facing side you will find a soft, breathable, itch-free mesh panel, which is soft and comfortable. Two zippered pockets, one small and one large, made with metal zippers plus an internal credit card slot allow for easy organization of your Passport, cash, tickets and credit cards. You can fit quite a bit in this money belt.

Savvy criminals are now using RFID scanning equipment to capture sensitive personal data from your Passport or credit card chips. The high-tech cloth blend of the Travel Hardwear Money Belt has RFID shielding technology woven into the cloth to make sure your identity stays safe. How cool is that? Seriously! This is a wonderful thing and if you are even doubting getting this money belt, stop! It's worth it just for that security!

As a special bonus they include two premium luggage straps when you purchase the money belt. While you may not think you need luggage straps I suggest you give them a try, or at least seriously consider them. These unique colorful straps measure 71" x 2" and are designed to fit any standard suitcase. The straps are easy to adjust so they will not only fit a large suitcase but smaller ones as well. They allow you to easily pick out your suitcase amongst many others and you don't need to worry about someone else accidentally taking yours. They also offer a little more security in keeping your suitcase from popping open with some of the rough handling they go through.

Plus Travel Hardwear has an ironclad guarantee! You ever have an issue with one of their products and they will fix it, replace it or give you 100% of your money back! That's pretty simple!

You may not think you need a money belt, but you should reconsider. Our world is getting more and more dangerous every day, and it's important to do all you can to keep yourself and your things safe. This money belt is just one more small way to help you feel safe when you travel domestically or internationally!

You can purchase your own Travel Hardwear Money Belt HERE!!

We received samples of the products for the purpose of review. No other compensation was given. All opinions expressed here are those of the author.

Master Lock Senior Safety Giveaway

With nearly 50 million citizens age 65 and older living in the United States and Canada, seniors represent one of the fastest growing population segments, but also a demographic commonly targeted for crime. As the senior population continues to increase – it’s expected to nearly double by 2050 in the U.S. and 2035 in Canada – so too does the need for senior safety education. As part of the brand’s ongoing commitment to keep consumers safe through every life stage and season, Master Lock offers its top safety tips for seniors.

1.       Be Alert When Out and About: Property crimes represent the highest share of crimes against those 65 and older – nearly nine out of 10 – according to the National Elder Law Network. Master Lock recommends that seniors be alert and aware of their surroundings when out of the house and to keep valuables protected. For example, always lock cars, even if they’ll only be unattended for a few minutes. Keep packages and valuables out of sight, and always check the area around your car before entering or exiting. When out in public, women should wear their purses close to their body and men should carry their wallet in an inside coat or front pant pocket.

2.       Lock Up Home Safety: Typically a place of comfort and refuge, seniors should never have to worry about safety in their own home. For added protection beyond traditional door and window locks, safeguard sliding glass and patio doors with the added strength of a Master Lock 265DCCSEN Door Security Bar and consider a home alarm system to alert against intruders. Keep doors locked both when you’re home and away, but allow access to a friend or family member in case of emergency by storing a spare key in a trusted key safe, such as the Master Lock 5422D Key Safe.

3.       Secure Personal Items in a Group Home Environment: Misplaced or stolen belongings are a frequent complaint of nursing home residents. Keep valuables safe by storing them in an easy-to-use, locked safe that only you and a trusted companion know the combination to. Small items, such as credit cards, jewelry or cash, fit in the portable Master Lock 5900D SafeSpace, while larger items, like documents or memorabilia, can be stored in a fire-resistant safe from Sentry Safe.

4.       Protect Against Identity Theft: Mature consumers (ages 50 and over) represent the largest demographic of identity theft victims, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Why? Consumers in this age group typically have more assets than younger consumers, making them ideal targets.

Reduce your risk by never carrying your social security card; shredding documents that contain any identifying information; keeping personal information such as bank statements, Medicare statements and social security numbers in a locked safe; and storing credit card numbers in a safe location for easy retrieval if they’re lost or stolen. The Master Lock Vault – a free, digital safe deposit box – is a secure, reliable location for storing credit card numbers and digital copies of important documents for easy access from any smart phone or computer.

5.       Think Twice Before Divulging Personal Information: Seniors are also major targets of fraud, such as telemarketing scams, according to the American Association of Retired Persons. Follow the general rule of thumb that if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Never rush into signing anything, and never give your credit card, Social Security, Medicare or bank account details to anyone over the phone. When in doubt, check with the Better Business Bureau or police.

For more safety tips and products, visit the Master Lock website at www.masterlock.com; or the Master Lock Facebook page at www.facebook.com/masterlock. 

The Giveaway

One lucky winner is going to receive a Sentry Safe. To enter just fill out the giveaway tools  form below. Open to the US only. Giveaway will end 3/2/15. The winner will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to reply. Thanks again to Master Lock for offering this fantastic prize.

Entry-Form

The Minister's Wife Stamps and Saves did not receive samples or compensation for participation in this giveaway.

The X-Shade 1300W Power Inverter Is Something To Give To Someone You Love!

If you've ever been frustrated because you didn't have power, you're not alone. This is a pretty common problem; whether you're out camping, your vehicles stalled, or there's a power outage in your neighborhood (winter is coming), we've all experienced a time when we wished we had electricity. In times like these, most people wait for the situation to fix itself, you know, those professionals we all pay way too much for when they come to help. If you are a person who just waits for things to get fixed or for the power to come back on, don't read any further. This product is not for you!

However, if you're a person who prefers to take matters into their own hands, and prefers to be the person people rely on because you're always prepared for anything, then this power inverter is the kind of product you need to have on hand! In less than 30 seconds, this inverter turns any vehicle into a mobile power generating station.

Here are a few specifics for you:
+ 1300W 12V DC to 110V AC Power Inverter with modified sine wave, which is more than enough to jumpstart any 110V AC power device.
+ 12V car battery cable with clips, so you can connect to your vehicle right away.
+ Cigarette charging cable, so you can immediately have power in your vehicle for low power draining devices, like smartphones, laptops, or handheld video games.
+ USB port so you can charge any USB device, without the purchase of adapters.
+ Fully grounded AC outlet, so you can prevent shortages.
+ AC outlet is for US or European plugs.
+ Internal cooling fan that keeps the inverter cool over time.
+ Attention grabbing alarm that lets you know when the battery has low power, so you can have an advanced notice prior to the device shutting down.
+ Auto-shutdown that prevents inappropriate use, like running more than recommended duration or voltage.

This is one of the handiest little things to have around. My husband has a large one that is super heavy and works great, but it really isn't the kind of thing that is great to travel with or to use in your home . it would take up a huge chunk of the floor space in our bathroom if I needed it there.

This Power Inverter is small enough to be easy for me, or any woman to use without having to have a lot of knowledge of mechanical things. It works by powering off your battery or someone else's, or it plugs into your cigarette lighter. It is super easy to figure out and super easy to use. It comes with everything you need to use it, clear instructions and a sturdy box to store it in.

At first I didn't think it would really be that great to have, but after thinking about it I realized how wonderful having a small supply of electricity with me all the time is a very good idea. When I think of the hours I have spent waiting for someone to jump my car for me, it is well worth having!!

I really think this would be a great gift to give to someone you love and want to keep safe!

You can purchase the X-Shade 1300 Power Inverter HERE!!

I received a sample of the product for the purpose of review. I was not compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own.