5 Steps to Getting Your Jeep Ready for Off-Road Fun

Posted on March 14, 2016 by Krissyar

I used to be pretty clueless about what goes into taking a vehicle off-roading – but with 3 Jeeps sitting in our drive now, I feel like I’ve become somewhat of an expert of all things off-road. If you are looking to get started in your own off-roading adventures there are a few things you need to do first to make sure that you – as well as your Jeep – stays safe off road.

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Invest in “Off-Road” Tires. Though most Jeeps come with tires that are slightly bigger than your standard vehicle, they are not made for off-roading. If you use your Jeep for day to day driving such as to work and such and only occasionally go off road, you may want to invest in some all-terrain tires. Also you will need to consider tire size – most Jeeps will accommodate tires up to 31′. If you plan to be an extreme off-roader, or this is your pleasure Jeep, you may want to try a 33 inch tire (and also invest in a lift – see below) to avoid trail damage to the vehicle and be able to negotiate larger off-road obstacles.

Suspension Lift Kit. A one to four inch lift kit is usually enough for off-road fun. Once you choice your tires, you need to get a matching suspension kit. (remember, you can always upgrade or downgrade later). You want to make sure you follow the instructions properly and gently try out your new gear before trying the hardcore off-road experience. There’s nothing worse than hitting a hole and then hearing your back hit crack against the rocks, but you also don’t want to be too high up that you are a ‘drifter in the wind’ and a tight turn would turn you on your side. Experiment a bit to find your perfect height!

Roll Bars. Roll bars aren’t just for looks – it’s a great safety feature for you and your Jeep. The roll bars can help protect you from injuries, and also add more strength and stability to your chassis. You can also get a roll cage if you plan on doing some extreme rock climbing.

Skid Plates. The last thing you want to do is be stranded off road in a place where even a tow truck can’t get to you. Skid plates help cover and protect your vehicle’s undercarriage from the rough terrain of the trail.

Have fun! Sometimes the weight of all you need to do to get your Jeep ready for off-roading can be a bit daunting. But have fun! If you can’t afford to do everything at once, take it easy on beginners trails, and go get muddy! Jeeps are made for fun!

 

This post was sponsored in part by Randall Dodge Chrysler Jeep.

 

 

 

 

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4 Simple Steps to Improve Your Gas Mileage

Posted on March 14, 2016 by Krissyar

The season of travel is almost upon us – which means the price at the pump will start going up. There are some simple steps to make sure that your getting the most fuel efficiency for your dollar.

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Upgrade. No matter how much you love good ol’ vehicle, updating to a newer more fuel efficient car can save you more money in the long run. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation , over the past 10 years vehicles have been made more fuel-efficient than their predecessors. In fact the average car got approx 35.5 mpg in 2013 vs 29.1 in 2003.

Maintenance. Be sure to stay up-to-date with regular vehicle maintenance. Regular oil and filter changes help keep your vehicle running fuel-efficient. Make sure your tires are properly inflated to reduce drag so your engine is working over-time can also help increase your gas mileage. You also may need to replace your tires to help increase your fuel-efficiency as well.

Clean it Out. Did you know that excess weight on or in your vehicle makes your car work harder, and burn more fuel? Remove rooftop cargo containers, excess baggage from your truck and get a smoother ride while saving fuel!

Slow Down. I know it’s hard to fathom, but fast acceleration and hard braking can increase your gas mileage! You could save up to 33% on the highway and 5% in the city according to the U.S Department of Energy. Try to stay under 65 mph and avoid hard braking when necessary.

This post is sponsored in part by Reedman-Toll Jaguar.

 

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3 Steps to Spring Cleaning Your Car

Posted on March 14, 2016 by Krissyar

The flowers are blooming, the weather is warming, and the clocks sprung forward – Spring is almost here! If you are like me, the panic starts to strike (not only about trying to fit in my shorts for the summer) but to get my household in tip-top shape! With spring showers, and baseball practices on the horizon, I always start on the outside and work my way in – which is why my car is one of the first things on my Spring Cleaning ‘To Do List.”

Winters can be harsh – especially on your vehicle. The cold temps, the ice, the snow, and especially the salt – can reek havoc on your vehicle. I’ve came up with some simple steps to get your car ready to shine – both inside and out – for the Spring.

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Car Wash. Simple first step to getting your vehicle ready for Spring is to give it a good washing. This isn’t just running your car through the car wash at the gas station – you need to give your car some TLC. Start by spraying the wheel wells and undercarriage to remove all the salt and grit build-up. Start at the bottom and work your way up – clean every nook and cranny you can find. You’d be surprised where that salt can hide! After you wash and rinse your car, dry your car with a soft fiber cloth. Be sure to clean the inside and out windows with a glass cleaner and a lint-free cloth (I prefer to use paper towels).

Interior ‘Bath’. I honestly avoid looking in the backseat of my car whenever possible – especially during the winter. My son is just a mess pot, and the snow and mud and salt from the winter only highlight his ability to make everything dirty!
The first thing I do when I am cleaning the inside of my car is to remove all the excess ‘junk’. The toys, the water bottles, the extra pair of shoes, and whatever else has gotten lost under or in the seats. Secondly, vacuum! Vacuum the heck out of the floor mats, the seats, even the trunk. Move seats up and back (or even out if you can) to make sure you get every bit of dirt and grim out of the vehicle. You also might want to use cleaners particular to your cars interior – like upholstery, leather, plastic, etc. I’ve found a ton of these products at the Dollar Store. I would also suggest getting a can of compressed air (you know, the kind you clean your computer and keyboard with) so you can get the little icky dust and dirt specs out of the console, vents, and other small crevices.

Maintenance. Besides just looking nice, you want to make sure that your car will run nice too! Making sure to do some ‘spring maintenance’ is a great idea to keep your vehicle in tip-top shape. Make sure to check all your fluids (oil, coolant, washer fluid, etc). Check and replace wiper blades (I’ve noticed after winter I almost always need to replace my wiper blades). Rotate tires (or switch from your winter to your all-season tires). And also make sure to make an appointment for service maintenance based on your vehicles mileage.

 

This post is sponsored in part by Reedman-Toll Subaru.

 

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Eating Healthy on the Go with Healthy Choice Simply Cafe Steamers

Posted on March 12, 2016 by Krissyar

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Alright so as much as I’d like to be like these Stepford wives, I am by far not even close. I don’t have the perfectly clean house, always dressed to the tee, healthy made-from-scratch meals on the table when my husband gets home, or those healthy snacks sitting on the table when my kids walk in the door from school. In fact I’m usually not home when my husband or kids get home, and most of the time I’m struggling to throw a quick dinner together before we have to make it to my son’s baseball practice, or my daughter’s band concert.

For awhile I thought that healthy eating on a regular basis would cost me a ton of money, and I would spend my entire Sunday meal prepping for the week and never getting any time to just rest. But as I started to look into quick and healthy food options, I started to realize – this might just be easier than I thought.

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My Dad actually was the one to introduce me to Healthy Choice Simply Cafe Steamers. He had been eating healthy and working out trying to have a healthier lifestyle for awhile and he would count his protein, carb and calorie intake and found these to be a perfect lunch or quick dinner. I found a great deal at Sam’s Club and actually stocked up so that I could grab them for a quick lunch at work, or my daughter’s could eat them after school when I wouldn’t be home in time to make them dinner and get them to their practice in time. They are now a staple on my grocery list – and I have to admit, sometimes we fight over our favorite ones (like the chicken fried rice pictured above).

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The mornings are always a big rush for me – so being able to throw a cafe steamer in my bag and go – well it guarantees that I have a healthy lunch option, and I’m not ordering pizza or picking up a burger because I didn’t plan ahead!

The Healthy Choice Simply Cafe Steamers are made with 100 percent natural proteins and no artificial ingredients. The steamers are steamed to transform simple ingredients into vibrant, crisp veggies and juicy proteins that are delicious!

The Simply varieties are part of the Cafe Steamers line and the first and only meal that features an tray-in-tray steam cooking method that keeps the ingredients separate during the heating process to unlock freshness. There is nearly a dozen meals to choose from, all with less than 310 calories and more than 18 grams of 100-percent natural protein. Some of the flavors include meatball marinara, chicken fried rice, grilled chicken & broccoli alfredo, chicken & vegetable stir fry and grilled pesto & veggies.

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Healthy Choice is the only major brand in the frozen meals section that can call 100% of its products “healthy” as approved by the FDA. Find Healthy Choice Café Steamers in the freezer aisle at grocery stores nationwide for the manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $3.29

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Thank you Healthy Choice for sponsoring this post. Visit your local retailer to pick up your own Healthy Choice Simply Cafe Steamer or Original Cafe Steamer meal today!

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Posted in Fitness/Health | Leave a comment

Luvs LOVES Ibotta! Get a $5 Rebate with Your Purchase

Posted on March 11, 2016 by Krissyar

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Luvs and Ibotta.

Earlier this week I shared with you some of my favorite money saving apps you can download right to your phone, the only way I have time to ‘coupon’ anymore. Well I have some exciting news – Luvs in partnership with Ibotta is offering a limited time $5 rebate on any boxed variety of Luvs diapers, 54 ct box or larger! 

  Luvs is the official diaper of experienced parents. When parents choose Luvs over Huggies Snug & Dry, they get outstanding superior overnight protection that locks away wetness 2X better, and they turn diapers into dollars by saving up to $150 per year. 

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Here’s how to get your $5 rebate!!

  • Follow these four simple steps to unlock the Luvs Diapers $5 rebate offer through Ibotta:
    1. Download the free Ibotta app, available on iOS and Android. Search “Luvs” and you will find the offer!
    2. Go shopping for your Luvs diapers at any participating store.
    3. Verify your purchases by scanning product barcodes and submitting a photo of your receipt.
    4. Save money and earn cash back! Your $5 cash back rebate will be deposited into your Ibotta account within 48 hours.

Luvs diapers are available in sizes newborn through 6, and can be found at mass, discount and grocery stores where baby care products are sold.

Posted in Money Matters, Parenting | Leave a comment