Opposites Attract in Marriage and Credit. Here's How

It's often said that opposites attract. It's usually referring to someone's love life. Sometimes it's an outgoing A-type personality that seeks out quiet, shy people to hang around. Or, a slender person looks for a larger companion to date.There are reasons for every situation, from a feeling of safety to a feeling of excitement or even danger. That's all well and good, and opposites attracting is a natural phenomenon that seems to work for many.

An Auto Loan Calculator Could Lead You Astray, and Here's Why

You're credit challenged in some fashion. It means different things to different people. It's a run of late payments for some people, collection agencies calling for others. It may be a bankruptcy or an ex that took you to the cleaners in a divorce settlement. Or, you might have no credit of your own. Yet, when you're shopping for a car, an auto loan calculator is the first tool that lenders offer. That's a problem.

Why Price Doesn't Make it a Used Car Deal

Browsing online or on the used car lots around town, you find plenty of cars you would love to drive. But you're looking for a great used car deal, and none of the options you've looked at are quite as good as you want. You want to pay BELOW the average price.But there are things more important than the sticker price. When you're looking for a fantastic car, you need to look beyond the price tag. Here are five items you should consider when shopping for a used car deal.

Myths about Used Car Dealerships

In the United States, the used car marketplace is a thriving industry. Millions of cars hit the road for the first time every year, and it doesn't take long until it becomes a used car for sale. Some come up for sale privately while others end up at used car dealerships.Where you buy a used car is very likely affected by what you've heard about the buying process. Your father, aunty, cousin, or friend of a friend probably tells you their experience countless times, and that's probably because it wasn't positive. But what you've heard about the difference between private sellers and used car dealerships probably isn't totally true. Where buying privately is often painted as a rosy picture, there's a bigger story than the one you've heard.

How Much Car Can I Afford?

Seldom are you able to go where you want to and do the things you want to do without a car. You need to buy a car, much sooner rather than later. But whether financial matters are your strong point or not, it's quite difficult to know what the lenders are looking for when you apply for a car loan. You find yourself Googling, 'How much car can I afford' in hopes that your magic answer is much simpler than it seems.Unfortunately, for most people the answer isn't clear at all. And to complicate matters, there's other responsibilities in life that get in the way. A mortgage payment that's higher than you wanted, an unexpected insurance deductible or speeding ticket - you hadn't counted on those costs. Cash is tight, but the need for a car isn't going away.

What Do These Warning Lights Mean?

Whether your car is new or has a few years under its belt, issues can pop up. Some of the most common problems on vehicles these days are warning lights. This is how it usually goes:You're driving along the interstate or waiting for the red light to turn green. You hear a ding and immediately look to your gas gauge. It's full, but nearby there's a red or yellow light that's burning a hole in your cornea. You probably don't know what it means right away, and that makes it even worse.At the next opportunity or exit, you pull over and ring up your resident car expert. You quickly find out there's nothing they can do to fix it over the phone, and they suggest you get it diagnosed.But even when you don't know exactly what's going on, you can find out what to keep an eye on while your service appointment is pending. Here are a few details about what those warning lights mean.

Car Repairs that Cost More Than You Think

Is your car getting up there in age? You might not think it's a problem at all. In fact, you're kinda strapped for cash and your credit isn't all that good. Keeping your old, beat-up car probably seems like the best answer right now. The alternative is buying a different car and you don't think that's the best use of your money. All you have to do is stay on top of car repairs and you'll be fine... right?

What kind of down payment do I need to finance a car?

A car commercial comes across the TV screen. In big, bold numbers, the 'low monthly payment' grabs your attention. Can you really buy the car for so little? Of course, what you DON'T see is the fine print at the bottom of the screen. It tells you the payment doesn't include taxes or dealer fees. It also says that X amount is due for down payment.But do you really need a certain amount for a down payment? How do you know if it's a requirement?

Best Trucks for Life in Missouri

In Kansas City, the type of vehicle you choose to drive can exemplify your prairie roots. Whether it's a passenger car, a compact commuter, an all-wheel-drive SUV, or a pickup truck, some things just show how American you really are.A truck is perhaps the best vehicle you can choose for life in Missouri. If you have a cottage by the lake, you can use your pickup to haul your necessities in the spring when you open up and in fall when you shut down for the season. If you hunt, a pickup truck is a great choice to bring big game to your camp or to the butcher for processing. Whether it's fishing or waterskiing, towing a boat is best done with a truck.Check out these 5 pickup trucks that are perfect for life in Missouri.

Is It Worthwhile to Trade In Your Car at CarUP?

You've been considering buying a new car. The one you have right now is getting older, and things are starting to go wrong with it. Wiring is getting old and brittle, the engine is getting tired, and leaks are starting to show up. Your tires need to be replaced soon and your brakes just started to squeal. You'd love to avoid those costly repairs and the upkeep that's looming down the road.It would be great to get a new car and just leave this aging car at the dealership's doorstep. But is it worthwhile to trade in your car, or will you be on the losing end of the deal? Maybe these thoughts will help you decide.