We’re all looking for ways to put money back into the family budget. Sure, you can eliminate streaming services, cut back on snacks, or eat out less often. But, one of the often-overlooked ways of reducing monthly expenses is to refinance your auto loan. Here’s how to know if a refinance could work for you. You Recently Bought Your Vehicle at a Dealership Did you buy your current vehicle using dealership financing to get special incentives or cash-back offers? Chances are your rate was higher to offset those special deals. As long as today’s rates are lower, you could save money every month. Additionally, by extending the terms of the loan (the total number of monthly payments), you could lower the amount you spend every month. You Have Less than 12 Payments Remaining Paying off your vehicle feels great and can be a boost to your overall financial life with one less car payment. But, if you’re looking for ways to add money back into the budget, refinancing to a longer term might help, even if rates haven’t changed much. That’s because you’ll be spreading out the remainder of what you owe over several more years. In some cases, your monthly payments could be cut in half. Your Credit Has Improved Anytime your credit score improves, it increases your chances of securing a better rate—especially with an auto loan. If your credit score has risen dramatically since you first financed your vehicle, check with your credit union about a better rate and extending the term of the loan. You could see a reduction in your payments. Additionally, you might not spend much more on interest. When to Avoid a Refinance As long as the savings on the monthly payments are worth the cost, refinancing can help with the monthly budget….
By Melinda Myers Tuck them into the garden, pop some in a container or dress up a window box. Then water as needed, add a bit of fertilizer and wait for the color explosion. The showy heart-shaped leaves of caladiums come in combinations of pink, red, white and green. These heat-loving plants provide beautiful color all season long. Best of all, no deadheading is needed. Caladiums can be used to create a stunning garden almost anywhere around your home. These tropical beauties grow well in full to partial shade, and some varieties grow equally well in full sun. Choose varieties that will provide the color, size and look you want to achieve, and that match the light conditions in your yard. Compact caladiums, such as lime and dark pink Miss Muffet, grow about 12” tall and are perfect for lining a pathway, edging a flowerbed or dressing up a container. Florida Sweetheart’s bright, rose-pink leaves have ruffled green edges, and Gingerland has creamy white leaves that are decorated with splashes of green and red. All of these miniature varieties combine nicely with larger caladiums and elephant ears. Step up the color impact with caladium Red Flash. This full-size caladium grows about 20” tall and has brilliant red centers, decorated with pink dots that pop against the large, deep green leaves. Use these anywhere you want a big splash of color in a garden bed or container. Combine caladiums with shade-loving annuals like begonias, coleus, and mildew-resistant impatiens or other summer bulbs like cannas and elephant ears. Visit Longfield Gardens (longfield-gardens.com) for a bit of inspiration and container design ideas. You’ll find simple combinations that provide big impact on a deck, patio or entryway. When planting caladiums directly into the garden, wait until at least two weeks after all danger of frost…
By Bob Tagert This month’s Road Trip is different from the normal overnight drive. We decided to stay at home and tour our own Washington D.C. concentrating on the military memorials in celebration of Memorial Day this month. I have been living in the Oxon Hill and Alexandria area since I was five years old. I have spent 72 years watching our Nation’s Capital change and grow. In fact, there were still a few electric street cars running in the city when I was young. They were removed to make way for buses in the early 1960’s. A few years later construction on the city’s Metro Rail system began and the Metro opened in 1972. I have seen civil rights demonstrations and watched F Street burn during some of those protests. I have attended presidential inaugurations as well as listened to the Beach Boys play on the Ellipse on July 4th. I rode my motorcycle in D.C. in the late 60’s because the countryside was too cold. It was this period of time that I discovered Georgetown. Washington, D.C. has always been the capital of the free world. Unfortunately, that appears to be being challenged today through our own government as well as a few leaders of authoritarian countries around the world. I was in need of some patriotic bolstering, so we thought it was time to walk again over hallowed ground and chart the growth of our beautiful country through the many memorials, museums, and monuments throughout Washington D.C. and the vicinity. Something else has changed dramatically over the last 72 years…there are way more people and traffic. I remembered the old Greyhound Bus Line motto – “Leave the Driving to us” and decided to see about taking a tour with a local company. Rather than book a tour…
By Cheryl Burns I’ve often compared having a cat to having a young child—there’s so much love, unbelievable amounts, but also a LOT of work. You feed them, get rid of the waste that results, try to keep them out of trouble, and hear them protest if you dare to close the bathroom door. Most frustratingly, you can’t explain things to them; I’ve tried to tell mine that vet visits and nail trims are for their own good, but they never do seem to understand. Oh, and they often like the boxes better than any gift inside! Moving is among the most stressful events a person faces (says one who has moved at least nine times as an adult and considers herself something of an expert). Even accounting for their love for boxes, can you imagine how stressful it must be for a cat? Often, home is their entire world. This article will provide some tips to help your cats (and all the humans who serve them) cope with a move. Preparing for the Move A few weeks beforehand, get your cat a collar that lists your cell phone number. Update the address when you move. Even if you keep them indoors, a little caution can save a world of tears. If your cat has a microchip, update the information. Talk to your vet. Whenever we travel with our cats, including for a move, we give them gabapentin to help them relax. Several vets have agreed that it’s perfectly safe, though you might want to do a trial run to see how your cat responds to the medication. Identify a vet and an emergency care clinic near your new home so you’re prepared if you need them. If you’ve got a long drive and your cat isn’t used to travel,…
By Lori Welch Brown I love May, and I love my mom, but I don’t love getting bombarded by the ‘what to get Mom on Mother’s Day’ messaging. Gifts are my love language, and my mom passed in 2006 so no flowers to buy, cards to mail, or brunches to plan here. Many of us are now in the mom-less club, and it isn’t fun, especially this time of year. Even though my mom has been gone 18 years (hard to fathom), she is still at the forefront of my thoughts. While many of my memories of her have faded, I’m left with indelible lessons and recollections. I can see a piece of Amish Butterprint Pyrex and time travel back to our little kitchen in Woodbridge. When I catch a scent of lavender, I’m instantly transported to our yard, and there she is sitting on the porch, talking, and smoking cigs with Mrs. S from next door. And, in case you’re wondering—it’s true. You do turn into your mother. I see it in my hands especially. And, like her, I’m a worrier; to my credit, I did give up the smokes in ’08. I’m one of the lucky ones. Even though my mom and I were vastly different, I knew I was loved. I always knew that she was proud of me. And now, more than ever, I’m aware of the sacrifices she made for me and my three older brothers. Everything she did was for us. I’m also one of the lucky ones because I was 39 when my mom died. I was the recipient of her unconditional love on this planet until I was a fully-formed adult. Well—that part is questionable, but losing a parent certainly thrusts you into adulthood whether you’re ready or not. Speaking of adulthood—another…
By Erin Shackleford Aurora is a 2-year-old female dog who is looking for a wonderful, active home. She likes to go on walks and has been working on her “check-in” behavior versus trying to chase all those pesky squirrels. She also likes to take her favorite stuffies for walks too, which is quite adorable. Aurora enjoys playing with toys independently, but hasn’t mastered fetch just yet. She is a fun, playful, social gal who has been waiting too long to find a perfect match. Strikingly good looks and an even better personality… Beatrice is the whole package! This easy going, friendly gal loves to play with toys and solve food puzzles. Her favorite snacks are liver treats, and she’ll dazzle you with her repertoire of tricks (like sit, paw, and down) to secure them. Beatrice is affectionate and will lean into you for pets and attention. At 4-years-old (and 58 lbs), she’s past those puppy shenanigans and is a great combo of active and affectionate. Beatrice has become one of our staff and volunteer favorites because she’s so easy to handle. She’s a great leash walker and knows when to look at her handler versus reacting to other things around her. We do think Beatrice would thrive as an only animal in the home and would make an easygoing, yet adventurous companion, for a variety of people. If you think Beatrice sounds like the bee’s knees, come meet her! Her adoption fees have been generously sponsored! Beau is an 11-year-old male pup who weighs just under 20 pounds. He is pint-sized and portable — ready to fly away with his aerodynamic ears! Even though he could technically be called a senior, this guy is active and inquisitive. He enjoys walks and working on puzzle toys, but knows when it’s time to settle in for the night. Beau would prefer a home where he can be…
By Steve Chaconas As bass fishing electronics costs increase, attempts to steal them are going up. Stolen in as little as 20 seconds, anglers are finding ways to secure them. Ten years ago, most anglers had only two electronics units. A dash and bow unit were flush mounted and difficult to remove quickly. They were a lot cheaper, only $500, and up. Today, boats can have 6 units mounted on accessible brackets, costing up to $30,000! Triton Mercury pro and BASSMASTER Classic Champion Randy Howell protects his Lowrance Electronics. He says losing electronics is detrimental as many anglers depend on data stored to locate and catch fish. It’s almost as bad as losing motors. “Electronics game is how we fish, and we are bound by them. Losing units would make us feel blind, in a lot of trouble.” Service trailers can hustle to figure something out but losing waypoint locations found in practice would be impossible to replace Howell avoids places where thieves might be prevalent, the first step in avoiding theft. He’s been a touring pro for 32 years and is very careful, only staying in houses, cabins, and Airbnb. He checks locations near lakes in good communities. Above all, no hotels. Vinyl wrapped tournament boats and trucks are rolling billboards for sponsors and targets for thieves. Organized theft rings use tournament schedules and target popular motels. Howell says nothing is safe. Even outboard motors have been stolen. Insurance bears the brunt of the loss with $500 deductibles, red tape, and replacing units. “Once it’s gone, it’s gone unless cops catch them right away.” Boat covers discourage or delay would-be thieves. Howell is proactive in preventing electronics theft. Removing them and putting in hotel rooms or locking in boat compartments worked until thieves started breaking into those safe places….
By Melinda Myers Fill your garden with colorful annuals you and the pollinators can enjoy all season long. Look for outstanding varieties chosen by All-America Selections (AAS), a non-profit plant trialing organization, to brighten your garden, attract pollinators and outperform other varieties on the market. Attract hummingbirds and second looks from passersby with the vibrant bright orange flowers of Canna South Pacific. This compact variety can be started from seed and was selected as a 2018 AAS winner for its vigorous, full and uniform growth habit. Whether it’s spikes of lavender, pink, white or red your garden and container need, you’ll find them in the Salvia Jewel series. Watch the butterflies and hummingbirds stop by for a sip of nectar and the finches feast upon the seeds later in the season. Add more vertical interest and pollinator appeal in the garden and large planters with Asian Garden Celosia. The bright pink blooms hold their color all season long atop sturdy stems 31 to 40 inches tall. Include a few Cupheas, also known as Mexican Heather in containers, borders and mass plantings. FloriGlory Diana has more and larger flowers than its counterparts. The season long bloom of intense magenta flowers made this a winner. Incorporate beauty even in challenging locations with EnduraScape Pink Bicolor Verbena. As the name implies it is tough as nails, tolerating drought, heat and temperatures in the low teens. Use this spreader in large containers and baskets where you can appreciate the soft pink blooms with their darker center. Wow visitors and lure pollinators to your garden and containers with Vinca Mega Bloom Orchid Halo. The bright purple blooms with a white eye stand up to heat and humidity without succumbing to disease. Grow winning varieties of a traditional favorite, zinnia. These low maintenance sun-loving annuals can…
By Alberta Frost Did you know that two thirds of dog owners neglect their pet’s dental hygiene? As a result, 80% of dogs have some form of dental disease by age two. Apparently, cat owners are similarly neglectful as the figure for cats is 70%. These statistics come from the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation. According to Nationwide Insurance Company, a review of their claims data shows that preventive pet oral care can save you money. This is, of course, in addition to contributing to your pet’s overall health and quality of life. I discovered these facts as I was considering whether to schedule a teeth cleaning (and possibly some extractions) for my 11 year old kitty after my veterinarian found tartar on some of his teeth. Cats and dogs have many of the same dental issues as humans – broken teeth, periodontal disease, abscesses or infection, cysts, tumors, misalignment of the teeth/bite, or broken jaw or palate defects. Also like humans, dental health in pets is a key part of their overall health. Left unexamined or untreated, it can cause chronic pain and inflammation, lead to serious disease in other parts of the body, namely the kidneys, liver, and heart; and to life threatening conditions like diabetes and strokes. How do you know if your pet has a dental condition? According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, there are a few things to look for. Bad breath — and no, “doggy breath” is not natural or inevitable. Other signs are broken/loose teeth; extra or retained baby teeth; teeth that are discolored or covered in tartar; abnormal chewing, drooling or dropping food from the mouth; reduced appetite or refusal to eat; bleeding from the mouth; and/or swelling/pain in areas around the mouth. If you see any of these conditions,…
By Erin Shackleford Trixie: Are you looking for a loveable, “snuggable” house hippo? Well, Trixie may just steal your heart … along with your couch and blankets. This queen of comfort loves nothing more than lounging around with people. Her foster pawrent reports that she is gentle, affectionate, and sensitive. Instead of playing with her toys, she really just likes to cuddle up with them. Trixie likes belly rubs and cozy sweaters, too. Trixie is 6-years-old and 39 pounds and is also house trained. She knows some commands and loves to play with her snuffle mat food puzzle. Trixie is working on her leash and walk manners, which is probably the most excitable that you’ll see her. If you think Trixie sounds terrific, email adoptions@AlexandriaAnimals.org or call 703.746.4774, option 2 to set up a meet! Pepe: Tiny, adoptable Pepe packs a lot of personality into a small package. He is 8-years-old and weighs 10 pounds, but don’t try to tell him that. Like many older small dogs, Pepe is a spirited gentleman who has distinct opinions about many things, including when it’s time to eat and when it’s time to sleep. Pepe’s new family will need to know he takes some time to adjust to a new space and understand his limits, but he does enjoy being around people. He likes his leisurely strolls patrolling the neighborhood and likes to receive attention and cuddle up on the couch. If you think he sounds like your speed (which is generally slower), email adoptions@AlexandriaAnimals.org or call 703.746.4774, option 2 to set up a meet! Jack: Just call him Colby Jack, like the cheese. This boy and his goofy, cheesy grin are sure to melt your heart! Adoptable Jack is a 3-year-old, 56-pound male dog who is searching for a family to call his own. He is incredibly smart and is clicker trained. He knows sit and paw, but…
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