With new car prices so high and bank loans hard to come by,
the used car lots look pretty attractive. Used cars are often
a bargain and in times like we are experiencing, they offer
a good option. Although there are many good used vehicles around,
caution must be used when shopping.
In hard times, some less honest used car dealers may offer
deals that seem too good to be true. Remember the old
saying…. those deals probably are too
good to be true! There are deals out there however that may be very good. Families
that had two or more vehicles have had to cut back because of insurance costs,
license tabs, maintenance, etc. These “extra” cars are flooding the
used car market and offer some very good deals.
When shopping, be wary, ask to see receipts for repairs
and maintenance or take the car to a mechanic for a
check over before purchasing it. Doing so
would likely
be to your advantage and perhaps the seller may split the cost. It never
hurts to ask because it could save you from a major
repair bill later. Some dealers
sell used cars with a warranty for a set period of time, seek them out.
In days gone by, it was a common practice to barter or
trade. If you had an item you could trade for a service
it would mean two people are able to
save
on one
transaction. Of course the tax man wants to be included in the deal.
Money can be made on scrap these days. The scrap yards
are paying a fair price for various metals. Yards that
deal in auto parts are finding an
increase in
sales of used parts.
As I mentioned in my last column, everything doesn’t have to be new. Some
young people are catching on learning that old sometimes means “better.” I’ve
seen plastic wagons that couldn’t hold up to the old Radio Flyer metal
ones. The same can be said for sleds and toboggans. The plastic products just
don’t perform like the old ones did. A case of newer is not always better.
Now that lots of people are canvassing garage and yard
sales, keep an eye out for garden tools. You may want
to use a few this SPRING
(yes
it is
coming) to plant a garden. If you’re lucky enough to live near a farmers market (like
I am in Port Austin) or if you pass by a road-side stand, you may find it cheaper
to shop there than to do it yourself. The fresh foods are soooooo good, remember
availability of fresh produce is still one of the great things about living up
north.
If you visit a garage sale that has a bunch of used fishing
gear, keep in mind you can use it locally. Watch for
a drop net so you
can catch
your own
bait
or go out and dig some up after a good rainstorm. A fresh caught
fish dinner (any
kind) and fresh picked garden veggies serve as another great reminder
of the wonders of Huron County.
News of added employment with government dollars coming
to our county provides hope to our large number of
unemployed. Wouldn’t it be great to get additional
paychecks issued in return for OUR tax money being invested
in OUR county? If you’re one of those lucky enough to get one of those
new jobs, remember to share the wealth in your home area so more may realize
a return for investments made here.
I can’t say for certain but with all the projects taking place in and around
the Thumb, living here could be a big plus in more ways than we know.
Capt. Fred Davis is a retired charter captain and nationally
published author of boating articles. His “As I See It” appears Fridays in the Tribune
and Boat Smart articles are published in each edition of the Thumb Resorter plus
on line at www.captainfredsboattips.com