Tag Archives: low-income

New York Drivers Waste 57 Hours Annually in Traffic

Living and driving in New York City, it can sometimes feel like you’re wasting your life away in traffic. Well, as it turns out, that feeling isn’t completely crazy.

In a recent study by INRIX, New York City is the second worst city in regards to time wasted in traffic. Annually, New York City drivers waste an average of 57 hours, or nearly 2.5 days, in rush-hour traffic. They calculated the time that drivers spent in traffic during rush hour and compared it to the time taken to drive that same distance during times of the day with low traffic. The study results showed that New York City beat out every other city in the United States except for Honolulu where drivers waste an average of 58 hours in traffic.

Now, there isn’t much that New Yorkers can do about rush-hour traffic, but here are a few simple tips to make the trip more comfortable.

Stay entertained: If you have an iPod plug-in, download some podcasts to pass the time. There are podcasts on every subject from entertainment news to history lessons and sports commentary. You can even learn a new language by podcast, and best of all, they are free!
Keep hydrated: Nobody wants to get caught in traffic with a full bladder, but try sipping on water periodically to keep hydrated. Studies have shown that drinking a full glass of water in the morning helps to wake up the body.
Stock up on healthy snacks: Skip the drive-thru breakfast. Instead, leave a box of granola bars in the car, and bring some fresh fruit every morning. Snack on it on the way to work, and you will arrive much more alert than you will with that greasy breakfast sandwich.

Are you looking for a new car? Approved Loan Store can help! Good credit, bad credit, we want to get you into a new or used car! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and check out testimonials by real Approved Loan Store customers here! Also, keep up with the latest auto news by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

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Robert Kirkman, Hyundai Zombie-Proof the Hyundai Elantra Coupe

Zombies have taken over pop culture, and at the forefront of this trend of zombie stories is The Walking Dead comic book series and TV show. Zombie survival books and even this zombie-proof house have been popping up, and The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman has gotten in on the fun by designing the must-have car for the zombie apocalypse.

The car is a tricked-out version of the Hyundai Elantra Coupe. Since Hyundai is sponsoring the car, Kirkman put in a few good words about the car’s safety, maneuverability, and spacious interior, but once he got past the obligatory plug, he showed off some of the features of his zombie-proof car.

First, he added a spiked battering ram to the front. Zombies’ strength is in numbers, and a battering ram “would deflect bodies away from you as you plow through large masses of zombies.” Second, he put blades on the wheels to keep zombies at bay as the car is moving. Thirdly, he designed the car to have metal plates welded on all the windows so that if zombies get too close, they will still have a hard time getting into the car. Finally, he added a guard rail fence around the sunroof and additional headlights mounted on top. With these features, someone could open the sunroof and take shots at zombies, and the lights will give them better visibility.

Putting aside Hyundai’s obvious self-promotion, the concept drawings of the zombie-proof car are pretty awesome. As Kirkman says, he might not know physics and car design, but he does know what you need in a zombie apocalypse. If it looks good on paper, though, it will look even better in real life. Kirkman’s zombie-proof car will actually get built by Hyundai and showcased at the San Diego Comic-Con International next month.

At Approved Loan Store, we have a car for every driver’s needs, from picking the kids up from soccer practice to escaping a zombie mob. Good or bad credit, we want to help you get in the car you need with terms you can afford. Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and check out testimonials by real-life Approved Loan Store customers here! Also, keep up with the latest from Approved Loan Store by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook, following Approved Loan Store on Twitter, and subscribing to Approved Loan Store on YouTube!

Good Driving Made Simple (And Hilarious!)

From the time teenagers turn 14 and apply for their learner’s permit, they are bombarded with driving advice. Turn down the music, pay attention to the road, always wear your seat-belt, and so on and so forth. According to a web comic that is making the rounds online, though, driving is not as complicated as it sounds.

Jalopnik was one of the first news sites to post up the comic/flow chart which is seen below. It seems that driving properly all comes down to one factor, using the passing lane in the correct fashion.

As a frequent driver, I got a kick out of the comic. Yes, driving properly is really more involved than this flow-chart would suggest, but if people used the passing lane correctly, it would go a long ways in improving the roads. I think everyone at some point has experienced the frustration of another driver using the passing lane but not actually passing anyone, so on behalf of all the drivers using the lane properly, we ask that everyone else read this chart and follow it, please. It’s not too much to ask.

Are you buying your first car, or are you a veteran driver looking to trade in for something new? Approved Loan Store can help, even if you have challenged credit! Fill out the secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with the latest car news by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook and following Approved Loan Store on Twitter.

Craigslist Ad Offers to Trade Burial Plots for VW Bus

Jalopnik’s weird car listings from Craigslist are always good for a laugh, and yesterday’s bizarre “Found on Craigslist” segment did not disappoint.

On the Houston area Craigslist, a mysterious buyer posted that he was looking for a VW Bus, but he didn’t make a cash offer. Instead, he offered to trade the VW Bus for four “premium” burial plots in Webster, a city about 30 minutes away from Houston. According to the ad, these burial plots are worth about $3000 each or $12,000 for all four plots, but he will “entertain all offers.”

After a quick search, I found out that the burial plots are likely located at the Forest Park East Cemetery, and from the looks of their website, it is a very nice cemetery. Lots of trees and flowers and all. I don’t know how much plots usually run as far as pricing, but like the folks over at Jalopnik, I have two questions. First, why would someone pay premium for a location or view that the deceased won’t actually get to see? Second, why would anyone have four unused burial plots, and who would trade their car for burial plots?

In the strange world of Craigslist, there is usually someone for every offer, but even so, this is a bizarre offer. I am really curious if anyone takes this Craigslist poster up on this trade, and if they do, I want to know what the original poster plans to do with that VW Bus. Jalopnik thinks it is a morbid father who had a change of heart and wants to take his family on a road trip. My guess involves ghost hunters with dream of traveling cross-country and investigating America’s most famous haunted houses and asylums.

No matter what the circumstances, you don’t have to trade burial plots for your dream car. Let Approved Loan Store help you get into a new or used vehicle today! Fill out the online secure auto loan application here, and keep up with the latest auto news by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook and following Approved Loan Store on Twitter.

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Car Shoppers Ready to Buy, Willing to Spend Extra on Perks

Recent reports from Edmunds.com indicate what we have seen first-hand over at Approved Loan Store, which is that car shoppers are eager to buy in 2012.

Thanks to relaxed credit standards, more people are buying cars, but the picture is much bigger than that. Car shoppers are also buying vehicles with more perks and added features, and they are more comfortable considering trucks, SUVs, or other vehicles that go through more gas. They aren’t just looking for cars to get them where they need to go; they want to get the cars that they want.

Over at Approved Loan Store, we get people into every make and model of car every day. Whether you are looking for your first car or your dream car with all the perks, the reps over at Approved Loan Store want to help you get the car you want with the terms you can afford. If it seems too good to be true, take a minute to browse through our customer testimonials. Check out the cars that real people like you have gotten through Approved Loan Store, and hear what they had to say about our service.

“They met my needs, they worked with me and my budget, and everything. They found me the exact car I wanted, and I’m very happy!”

“Approved Loan Store helped me get this beautiful black BMW. Thank you, Jarell and Charles, you were the best!”

“Approved Loan Store helped me get a car, a Toyota 2009. Had a very, very good experience here at the car dealership. Everybody was so nice and kind. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

“I’m driving home in my dream car, a Camaro 2011…They made it happen with no problem. I had a great experience!”

To find out what Approved Loan Store can do for you, fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with the latest from Approved Loan Store by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook and following Approved Loan Store on Twitter.

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Prices on 2011, 2010 Vehicles Projected to Drop in June

Car shoppers who have held off on buying so far this year should strongly consider buying in June.

The National Auto Dealers’ Association, or NADA, released findings today that showed the prices on used cars have consistently dropped from May to June. Depending on the vehicle, consumers can save anywhere from $300 up to $900 on 2009, 2010, and 2011 models. Even better, some of the cars that NADA examined are fuel-efficient vehicles like the 2011 Toyota Prius, and for the majority of car buyers, fuel economy is the most important factor in choosing a new car.

For people looking for a new or used car, it seems like the stars are aligning. Lower interest rates, more loans specifically for those with challenged credit, greater flexibility with the loan length, and now, the price of used cars is dropping. Car shoppers have fewer and fewer excuses for not taking the plunge and getting that new or used car.

If you are looking to get in on June’s lower prices, Approved Loan Store can help! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and keep up with the latest trends in the auto industry by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook and following Approved Loan Store on Twitter!

Free images from FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Car Repair: Avoid This Costly Pitfall

At Approved Loan Store, we are always on the look-out for ways for our readers to save money on their new or used car. Oftentimes, though, we focus too much on the initial purchase of the car and don’t consider other long-term expenses associated with that car like insurance or maintenance. We saw this tip from CBS News today and wanted to share it with our readers so they can avoid this costly car maintenance mistake.

Some car dealerships are offering dealer service contracts as part of the car loan agreement. While these agreements do vary (and there are some good service contracts available), some of these service contracts are not worth the money. The contracts are usually more than twice the cost of routine maintenance, and even if the car runs into other problems, the contract might not cover the costs.

Once again, these rules do not apply to every dealer service contract, and depending on the circumstances, it could be the right choice for some car buyers. As always, we recommend reading over the agreement carefully, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. This is a financial obligation, and you want to make sure that it is worth the cost.

To learn more about buying and maintaining your car without breaking the bank, like Approved Loan Store on Facebook and follow Approved Loan Store on Twitter. If you’re looking for a fast and easy way to get into a new or used car, Approved Loan Store can help, no matter what your credit! Fill out our secure online auto loan application here!

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Lenders Allocate More Funds to Credit-Challenged Car Loan Applicants

As the country continues to recover economically, lenders are wooing consumers with better rates on auto loans, even for consumers with challenged credit.

According to Experian Automotive, lenders across the country have allocated more money to sub-prime auto loans while also cutting interest rates across the board and relaxing the terms of repayment. Experian Automotive called the trend “good for everyone,” and analysts hope that by relaxing the loan terms, the auto industry will continue boosting the overall economy.

Some have expressed the concern that if lenders relax their standards, unreliable people will get auto loans and won’t make their payments. The funny part about their theory, though, is that late payments are currently at their lowest rate in over a decade even as the industry is lending to consumers with challenged credit. It goes to show you that there are plenty of consumers who have run into problems in the past but are ready to rebuild their credit through an auto loan.

With interest rates down and better terms available, it has never been a better time to buy! Approved Loan Store wants to help you get into a car, no matter what your credit situation. Fill out our secure online auto loan application here, and you will hear from an Approved Loan Store representative in 24-48 hours. You can also keep up with the latest news and trends in the auto industry by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook and following Approved Loan Store on Twitter.

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In China, Buying a Car is Just the Beginning

Earlier this month, USA Today published the story of a Chinese couple trying to get a car. To be more accurate, the couple had purchased a car but were waiting in a lottery to get a license plate. Due to the high population and equally high demand for cars, the government only issues a set number of license plates each month. There is approximately a 1-in-32 chance of getting one of those plates, and without those plates, a driver is out of luck. Besides the restrictions on license plates, Chinese drivers also have a tougher time obtaining a driver’s license. Not only do they have to pass the typical driving and written tests, they also have to pass a physical fitness exam that tests their strength and flexibility.

As I read this article, I thought about all the reasons why Americans who want a car or need a car don’t buy a car. It isn’t the right time, I’m too busy to research the car I want, I’d rather not deal with salesmen…there are a million reasons why potential car buyers don’t get a car. In most cases, no one is standing in their way. They don’t have to pass a physical exam or win a license plate lottery. Ultimately, it is a matter of convenience, and people get overwhelmed by all the car buying advice coming from friends, family, and the media.

This is why Approved Loan Store is different. No matter what your credit situation, Approved Loan Store can make the car buying process simpler.

Step 1: Fill out the secure online auto loan application here.

Step 2: Within 48 hours, you will hear from an Approved Loan Store Representative. They will review your information and set up an appointment with a Special Finance Representative at the nearest Approved Loan Store location.

Step 3: Meet with the Special Finance Representative, browse the inventory, and figure out a payment plan that works for you!

Check out video testimonials from real Approved Loan Store customers online here, and keep up with the latest new and trends from the auto industry by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook and following Approved Loan Store on Twitter.

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As Auto Loans Go Up, Late Payments Down

As lenders are taking a second chance on credit-challenged consumers, lenders are being rewarded with the lowest level of late payments in over a decade.

60-days and higher late payments on auto loans in the first quarter of 2012 were at .36 percent, a 22 percent drop from the last quarter of 2011. It is also the lowest rate recorded since 1999 when TransUnion started following auto loan late payments.

Analysts have been noticing a drop in auto loan delinquencies since February this year, and it is encouraging that there has been a continued drop in delinquencies even as lenders are taking a chance on consumers with less-than-perfect credit. This is exactly why Approved Loan Store exists. We know that millions of Americans have survived tough circumstances in the last few years, but if they get the opportunity, they can make their payments on time and rebuild their credit with an auto loan. All they need is the chance to prove it.

No matter what your credit situation, Approved Loan Store wants to help you get into a car! Fill out our secure online car loan application here, and keep up with the latest news and trends from the auto industry by liking Approved Loan Store on Facebook and following Approved Loan Store on Twitter!

Image(s): FreeDigitalPhotos.net