5 Things Women Should Know About Their Car

There are at least five (5) general things that women should know and check on their vehicles, before driving and before a problem arrived.

To women, “car matters” are not interesting things especially because their reason is certainly they are uncomfortable to taint their hands, and the bigger reason is lack of knowledge of car maintenance. All are handed over to the men although some of the things are also not known by men.

So what are the five things? Here they are:

1. Fuel (Petrol / Diesel / NGV)A fuel nozzle.

This is the basic point, needless to think. Even those people who do not own a car knew that fuel must be filled for the car to move. But believe me; I know lots of women who never filled the oil into their own tank and even do not know how. My own friend’s wife, according to him, for more than 10 years, he filled the oil full into his wife’s car tank one day before working day started for her use and one week of work. That what happens every week.

Many private vehicles in my country (Malaysia) use petrol but there are also that use diesel and NGV. Make sure of the right fuel. And make sure that you identify the right fuel pump machine at service station.

Remember, it is important that you know how to open the tank cover and pump the oil into it. May be your one day you are forced to pour oil by your own. Don’t let your car runs out of gas in the middle of the street.

2. Water in Radiator Tank

Opened hood of a car, showing the radiator of the car.Open your car hood. Usually hoist switch (hood opener) is under the dashboard on the driver side.

Check before car is started, if not you will scald your hand. Make sure there is enough water. Otherwise, just add tap water.

If you often send car for services, radiator water checking is a basic thing that must be done. Nevertheless, you also have to know to check it on your own; in case there is leakage which caused the water level in radiator to be inadequate. So it is good to check the radiator water at least once a week.

3. Engine Oil, Transmission Oil and Brake Oil

Checking an engine oil level of a car.These are vital. Without enough engine oil, engine may become hot and this will damage the engine. Not enough transmission oil may result an immovable car and not enough brake oil may endanger your life because the vehicle cannot be stopped.

For a quite aged car, make sure you check with more often. Even though you may have sent the vehicle for services in each 3 month or each 5,000 km, do not wait up to you new service time and hope the mechanic to check. At least you must know either its oil is enough or not. Engine oil, transmission oil or brake oil that runs out or ebb quite suddenly may signify there are leaks. This are reasons that such examinations are important, and this would be vital for your own safety.

4. Tyre

A car tyre.You know how to change a tyre? Even though you may not need to change a tyre on your own because you have a car service card or you have a husband who will always helps you or friends who could help, it is good if you yourself know how to change a tyre.

Also make sure the right tyre pressure for your car tyres. Learn how to check tyre pressure and how to pump tyre when necessary.

Knowing basic matters on car as such can make a woman feels more confident and safer when driving.

5. Insurance and Road Tax

Cars on road.Before setting forth for your destination make sure your car insurance and your road tax still valid and legal. Look on your windscreen, does your road is tax still not yet ended? In case it already almost to expire; you can start your insurance renewal and your road tax renewal process. Road tax is renewable as early as two month before its expiry date.

Insurance and road tax are compulsory to enable a vehicle is validly used on road. The matter is only done once a year. Some peoples took leave solely to manage road tax and insurance renewal. Get new insurance from the insurance company, and then go to bank to pay road tax and in the evening go again to bank to collect back the road tax which has been completed.

Now everything you can hand on to insurance company on their website to deal. It is really easy, insurance and road tax can be done at once. Usually within only two working days, road tax already arrived to hand, either in office or at home. No need trouble yourself anymore.

29-03-2009 by Sorli

category: Auto Things

Nine Important Questions to Ask When Choosing a Credit Counselor

If the organization you were working with shuts down, you may be able to work a payment plan on your own directly with your creditors. But if you decide that you need additional credit advice and assistance, or if you are considering working with a credit counselor for the first time, asking questions like these can help you find the best counselor for you.

  1. What services do you offer?
    Look for an organization that offers a range of services, including budget counseling, savings and debt management classes, and counselors who are trained and certified in consumer credit, money and debt management, and budgeting. Counselors should discuss your entire financial situation with you, and help you develop a personalized plan to solve your money problems now and avoid others in the future. An initial counseling session typically lasts an hour, with an offer of follow-up sessions. Avoid organizations that push a debt management plan as your only option before they spend a significant amount of time analyzing your financial situation. DMPs are not for everyone. You should sign up for a DMP only after a certified credit counselor has spent time thoroughly reviewing your financial situation, and has offered you customized advice on managing your money.

    If you were on a DMP with an organization that closed down, ask any credit counselor that you are considering what they can do to help you retain the benefits of your DMP.

  2. Do you offer free information?
    Avoid organizations that charge for information about the nature of their services.
  3. Will I have a formal written agreement or contract with you?
    Don’t commit to participate in a DMP over the telephone. Get all verbal promises in writing. Read all documents carefully before you sign them. If you are told you need to act immediately, consider finding another organization.
  4. Are you licensed to offer your services in my state?
    Many states require that an organization register or obtain a license before offering credit counseling, debt management plans, and similar services. Do not hire an organization that has not fulfilled the requirements for your state.
  5. What are the qualifications of your counselors? Are they accredited or certified by an outside organization? If so, which one? If not, how are they trained?
    Try to use an organization whose counselors are trained by an outside organization that is not affiliated with creditors.
  6. What are your fees? Are there set-up and/or monthly fees?
    Get a detailed price quote in writing, and specifically ask whether all the fees are covered in the quote. If you’re concerned that you cannot afford to pay your fees, ask if the organization waives or reduces fees when providing counseling to consumers in your circumstances. If an organization won’t help you because you can’t afford to pay, look elsewhere for help.
  7. Have other consumers been satisfied with the service that they received?
    Once you’ve identified credit counseling organizations that suit your needs, check them out with your state Attorney General, local consumer protection agency, and Better Business Bureau. These organizations can tell you if consumers have filed complaints about them. The absence of complaints doesn’t guarantee legitimacy, but complaints from other consumers may alert you to problems.
  8. What do you do to keep personal information about your clients (for example, name, address, phone number, and financial information) confidential and secure?
    Credit counseling organizations handle your most sensitive financial information. The organization should have safeguards in place to protect the privacy of this information and prevent misuse.
  9. How are your employees paid? Are the employees or the organization paid more if I sign up for certain services, pay a fee, or make a contribution to your organization?
    Employees who are counseling you to purchase certain services may receive a commission if you choose to sign up for those services. Many credit counseling organizations receive additional compensation from creditors if you enroll in a DMP. If the organization will not disclose what compensation it receives from creditors, or how employees are compensated, go elsewhere for help.
21-03-2009 by Sorli

category: Credit

12 Tips to Protect Yourself from Health Care Fraud

37% of Americans aged 62 –75 ranked fear of fraud ahead of concern for health crises and terrorism!

Health care fraud is not just about losing money, it can make you sick or hurt you. From unsafe drugs sold on the Internet as a “cure” for cancer, to wheelchair billing plots that try to bilk consumers and Medicare out of millions of dollars for unneeded or improper equipment, health care fraud is everyone’s concern!

Health care fraud, errors and abuse costs the US between $80 and $160 billion a year. $1 of every $10 spent on public insurance programs like Medicare and Medicaid is lost to fraud. Health care fraud causes big financial problems for you as well- the most recent estimate is that consumers themselves lose more than $10 billion each year to health care fraud.

Don’t Be a Victim!

Consumers like you play a big role in the fight against health care fraud by reporting errors and possible fraud. Law enforcement is important, but the best protection comes from preventing people from being cheated in the first place. There are 12 simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your family.

Take Action– post the 12 Tips to Protect Yourself on your refrigerator and use them as a daily checklist to make sure you are keeping your personal information and health safe.

12 Tips to Protect Yourself from Health Care Fraud

  1. Only visit your personal doctor, hospital or clinic for medical help. Only they should make referrals for special equipment, services or medicine.
  2. Never show anyone your medical or prescription records without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
  3. If someone calls and tries to threaten or pressure you into something – simply hang up the phone.
  4. If someone comes to your door and says they are from Medicare or some other health care company shut the door…It’s shrewd to be rude!
  5. Do your homework and talk to your health care provider before buying or investing in internet “cure-all” or “miracle” products or services.
  6. Don’t keep mail in your mailbox for more than one day. People steal personal information right out of your mailbox.
  7. Rip up or shred your Medicare or other health care papers and other important documents before throwing them away. Crooks go through the trash!
  8. Treat your Medicare & Social Security numbers like credit cards. If someone offers to buy your Medicare or social security number, don’t do it…it’s simply not worth it.
  9. Remember that “Medicare” doesn’t sell anything.
  10. Follow your instincts—if it seems too good to be true, it usually is!
  11. If you suspect an error, fraud or abuse related to health care, gather the facts and report it.
  12. ALWAYS read your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) or health care billing statement. Your Medicare Summary Notice is the piece of mail stamped “This is Not a Bill” that comes in after you get medical care. Look for three things on your billing statement:
    • Charges for something you didn’t get
    • Billing for the same thing twice
    • Services that were not ordered by the Doctor

Everyone pays the price for health care fraud, errors and abuse, through higher insurance payments, increased costs for medical services and equipment, and greater expenses for Medicare and Medicaid. But more importantly, lives are at stake.
Source: The National Consumer Protection Technical Resource Center

13-02-2009 by Sorli

category: Tips