Car-Buying Mistakes and How to Avoid Them!

Buying unnecessary add-ons
Things like rust-proofing, VIN etching or fabric protector are unnecessary. Research features you do want online and print out the info before heading to the dealer. Also, price several different variations in case the dealer doesn't have the exact model you want.

Not enough cross-shopping
On average, people only shop about three vehicles. If someone's shopping a mid-sized car, there are probably at least 10 different vehicles that would meet their exact specifications and needs. In terms of safety, reliability and features, there are very few lemons for sale anymore. Cast a wide net when comparing models online.

Settling for whats on the lot
Don't be impatient. Only5% special-order a vehicle through a dealer and wait for it to be delivered. The others either find exactly what they want on the lot, or settle for something that's not quite what they wanted. There's no reason to do that when making such a large purchase. They can also custom-order exactly what you want from the factory.

Skipping the test drive
The recommended time spent driving the car is half an hour. While on the tour, enter and exit a highway, take it on roads like those you drive every day. Be sure to take competing models for a spin, too.

Focusing on the monthly payment
One of the first questions salespeople ask is, "So, how much were you looking to spend per month?" It's to your benefit not to focus on that number, because doing so can make the final price of the car a moving target. Adding "only $50 a month" to get leather and more power might sound tempting, but it will add thousands to the bottom line.

Buying more care than you need
If you end up buying a V8-powered pickup truck when all you need is a four-cylinder commuter car, well, you are your own worst enemy in that case.

Telling the salesman you have cash
This might seem like a power play, but it is usually not. This let's them know they won't be making any money in the loan department, and could make them less willing to negotiate the price of the car as they seek to maximize their profit. First negotiate the final price of the car, and then tell them you will pay in cash.

Being clueless about financing
Learn your credit score and find out from several banks or credit unions what kind of rates you can get on a car loan before you go to the dealer. Then you'll know if the financing terms that the dealer offers are worth taking, or whether to fall back on another loan.

Negotiating without knowing what you're doing
Before you set foot in a dealership, go online and research the prices of vehicles you're considering. Not just the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP), but the invoice price, which is what the dealer pays for each car. Also look up consumer rebates, direct-to-dealer incentives and dealer holdbacks, which are a percentage of the invoice price that dealers sometimes get back from the manufacturer.

Fumbling on the trade-in
Understand the value of your trade-in before you go to the dealership by looking it up on websites such as MSN Autos or KBB.com. Once at the dealer, negotiate the trade-in only after you have settled on the price of the new car. If a dealer asks upfront about a trade-in, focus his attention back on the process at hand, whether that is selecting the car or negotiating its price.

Found on msn.ca

The Hair-Raising Truth About Straighteners

Do you own a hair straightener? More importantly, do you use it every day? I naturally have curly hair, so a nice straight doo is nice once in awhile!

But here's the truth about straighteners... trichologists say that the damage caused by straighteners can actually make hair frizzier and curlier, setting up a ‘straightener addiction’ cycle that can, eventually, cause hair to appear thin and dull because the hair breaks off due to the heat.

According to a new survey, a third of all women — and one in five men — now owns a straightener! And more than a quarter refuse to leave the house without first ironing our hair.

The evolution of Straighteners...
The started out steel-plated and took 20 minutes to reach an effective temperature. Then in the 90's, Ceramic straighteners started a straight hair revolution and took less than one minute to reach more than 200c. It’s the new technology, however, that's creating the real damage. Hair is very tough, but any heat over 180c will damage the cuticle of the hair — the hard outer protective coating on each strand.

Repeated straightening causes a breakdown in the cuticle. The ‘slates’ start to lift and the rough, uneven surface exposes the cortex, allowing the fibres to unravel. This starts as split ends, but can reach all the way up the hair, causing it to break off.

Sallis says that straightener addiction starts when women use them regularly at a high heat. He explains: ‘Straighteners are easy to use, so women become reliant on them. But too much heat and inadequate protection makes hair dry and frizzy.

Just Throw Your Garbage Down the Toilet! Wait... WHAT?!

According to the 4th annual Canadian Water Attitudes Study, an online survey commissioned by RBC and Unilever and endorsed by the Canadian Partnership Initiative of the United Nations Water for Life Decade, almost 3/4 of Canadians admit to flushing items down the toilet that they could get rid of elsewhere.

In British Columbia it's most often dead pests that are flushed while other Canadians get rid of food, hair and cigarette butts. Albertans are most likely to admit to using the toilet as a general garbage disposal unit.

Canadians claim to care about conserving water, yet knowingly engage in water wasting activities, including using fresh, clean water to dispose of garbage.

However, Canadians do seem to know about the quality of their water. 80% know the water in their toilet is just as clean as the water coming out of their faucet and 75% are aware that nearly half of water used in the home is flushed down the toilet.

Tidbit... A toilet uses 6-20 litres of clean fresh water for every flush; the higher amount is almost equal to an office water cooler container!

So if it's yellow... let it mellow! And use the garbage can for pete's sake!

I've Got Some Catching Up to Do!

According to a survey of 2,000 people on an on-line dating site....

Before the average woman finds Mr. Right, we have to go through this checklist!

• 22 kisses from different guys

• 4 long-term relationships

• 5 heartbreaks

• 6 bad dates

• 6 one-nighters (ironically the same as the bad dates)

• 4 times being cheated on

• 1 love met on-line

• 3 long-distance relationships

• 3 getaways with different men

I don't know about you, but I have a few things to get done before I meet Mr. Right!

By contrast, this is the average mans checklist...

• 23 kisses from different girls

• 6 heartbreaks (more then ladies!)
  

• 10 one-nighters
  

• 5 times being dumped

How to Help Japan

Several Canadian branches of international development agencies have opened their lines to accept donations to help rebuild parts of Japan after the country was devastated by a massive earthquake and tsunami on March 11.

Avoid online donation fraud. Take care to donate to a reputable organization.

Humanitarian Coalition
Under the banner of the Humanitarian Coalition, four aid agencies — CARE Canada, Oxfam Canada, Oxfam-Québec and Save the Children Canada — have joined together to raise funds for Japan relief operations.
Phone: 1-800-464-9154
http://humanitariancoalition.ca/

Oxfam Canada
http://www.oxfam.ca/node/3003

CARE Canada
http://www.care.ca/main/index.php?en&japanearthquake

Plan Canada
Plan International has sent emergency response teams and has a warehouse of emergency kits on standby.
http://plancanada.ca/Page.aspx?pid=3369

World Vision Canada
World Vision sent in emergency assessment and will remain to help with rebuilding.
http://www.worldvision.ca/give-a-gift/Pages/Pacific-Tsunami.aspx

Salvation Army Canada
Salvation Army Japan sent emergency team to Sendai, the hardest hit city, to assess damage and plan its next aid effort.
http://www.salvationarmy.ca/2011/03/11/the-salvation-army-in-canada-will-allocate-75000-to-the-earthquake-relief-effort-in-japan/
Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY (725-2769)
By mobile text "QUAKE" to 45678 from most mobile carriers in Canada to make a $10 donation

Canadian Red Cross
The Canadian Red Cross is also encouraging Canadians to support relief, evacuation and emergency response efforts with donations to its Japan Earthquake/Asia-Pacific Tsunami fund. Wireless users can text ASIA to 30333 to donate $5 to relief efforts.
Phone: 1-800-418-1111
http://www.redcross.ca/article.asp?id=000043&tid=016

Doctors Without Borders
Medical and logistics teams from Doctors Without Borders were racing to the worst-hit areas in Japan's Iwate and Miyagi prefectures by helicopter, as roads are blocked by flooding. The organization relies mainly on donations to support field operations for medical assistance.
Phone: 1-800-982-7903
http://www.msf.ca/news-media/news/2011/03/msf-continues-to-assess-in-quake-and-tsunami-devastated-areas/

Federal government
Canadians can also find out how to provide assistance to Japan through the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade website, where there is a list of experienced humanitarian organizations.
http://www.international.gc.ca/humanitarian-humanitaire/canadians_help-aide_canadien.aspx?lang=eng#organizations

Which Canned Foods are Better Then Fresh!

Canned salmon

Not only is this fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, it's actually better for you when canned because it’s packed with the bones intact, meaning more calcium for your bones and teeth. Also, some of the fat is removed, making it a healthier option.

Canned pinto beans

There is virtually no difference between the nutritional value of canned and fresh pinto beans; both require cooking for similar amounts of time. The canned beans are much more convenient and can easily be added to soups or stews. They’re a good source of folate and manganese, relatively high in protein, and rich in vitamin B1 as well as a slew of other minerals.

Canned tomatoes

Scientists have been talking about ketchup being a healthy part of your diet for a while now, and this is mainly because lycopene, the antioxidant component of the tomato, becomes more potent when heated. Thus, canned tomatoes are a high source of lycopene and are also rich in vitamins A and C while containing no fat or salt.

Canned smoked mackerel

Although cooked mackerel is generally healthier for you than smoked (as it doesn't contain any of the nitrates associated with this method of cooking), we’ve gone for the smoked because it is infinitely more versatile and delicious. Canned smoked mackerel is high in protein and omega-3 fatty acids and is very inexpensive.

Canned sardines

Like salmon and mackerel, sardines are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. They are often packed in a tomato sauce, which is great for its lycopene content, but often this sauce has high levels of sodium as well. Instead, go for a low-sodium option packed in water. Sardines are sustainable and inexpensive, and they contain high amounts of vitamin B12 (second only to calf liver), which promotes heart health.

Canned kidney beans

Like pinto beans, kidney beans require long cooking times. Thus, there is little difference between those cooked for long periods of time for canning and the dried ones you cook at home. They are high in fiber, iron and memory-boosting B1, release their energy slowly (meaning no sugar spikes), and contain a relatively good amount of protein.

Canned pumpkin

Go for natural canned pumpkin flesh, which is low in calories, high in fiber and fat-free. It contains over 500% of your RDA of vitamin A, 8% of magnesium, 10% of vitamin C, and 10% of iron (among others, including beta-carotene). As canned pumpkin has less water than the fresh variety, some of these vitamins and nutrients are actually more concentrated.

Canned clams

These shellfish are high in protein and zinc -- critical for the well-being of your immune system -- and rich in iron (containing far greater quantities than found in red meat) and selenium. They are also high in omega-3 fatty acids and are a good source of phosphorous, manganese and potassium. They do contain a bit of cholesterol, but nowhere near the quantities found in prawns.

Canned chicken

It might not sound massively appealing, but a can of cooked chicken is a versatile ingredient that is packed with protein and incredibly low in fat for a relatively low calorie count. Chicken is high in selenium as well as cancer-preventing B-vitamin niacin. It also contains B6, which is important for energy metabolism.

Found on askmen.com

Rude Karaoke Moves

1. Don't boo or hassle the performer...ever.
   


2. Applaud at the end of a tune. Even if they tripped and knocked themselves unconscious for a few seconds, forgot how to read, and displayed the musical ability of a dead fish. You should be kind since you may deliver a sub-par performance someday yourself.
   


3. Upstaging someone else by joining them onstage or wrestling at the mic uninvited is bad behavior. Respect the rights of others to own their solo moment, unless they issue an invitation.
   


4. Never throw a diva tantrum on karaoke DJ. If your track hasn't come up in the rotation, don't yell or whine. It's okay to ask when you're coming up, especially if people who showed up after you are going on before you. But throwing a drink in their face will surely not get you on the list.
   


5. Handle the songbook and the karaoke mic carefully. You are usually using the personal property of the karaoke DJ.
   


6. Cursing over a karaoke mic is ridiculously rude. Profanity doesn't need to be cranked up through a 350 watt speaker.
   


7. Singing while you are drunk is only fun for you. (Though I bet you will wake up the next morning without that happy memory of your time on stage the night before.) Taking a shot before you sing in order to build up a little karaoke bravery is an honored part of the process, but if you can barely stand up to perform then you probably ought to stay seated. As a general rule, If you're going to drink till you fall down don't sing karaoke!