Top Ten Tips to Spring Clean Your Vehicle

Organize for Success® Turns 10 

In honor of 10 years of business for Organize for Success®, I will be posting a "top 10" list to this blog each day through Wednesday, May 31st. Each Sunday, my team will randomly select from those who commented on the prior week's "top 10" blog posts for a gift card giveaway and free download of one eBook via OrganizeForSuccess.biz/shop The grand prize for celebrating Organize for Success, LLC's 10 years will be awarded on Thursday, June 1st, randomly selecting from all those who commented on any of the month's "top 10" blog posts as well as those who have subscribed to my eNewsletter for a winner to receive downloads of all 5 eBooks, a pass for my Stress and Time Management online video course as well as a 60-minute video productivity consultation.

In honor of this month being Clean Car Month, today, let's cover my top 10 tips to keep your car clean. Here are ways to spring clean your vehicle inside and out this upcoming weekend:

10. Create a clean slate. Remove everything, throw away any trash and decide what will be kept. Clean everything off from the floor; then, empty the glove compartment, center console, door pockets, trunk and any hidden storage areas.

9. Give the outside of your vehicle a good bath. Roof, windows, tires, wheels, bumpers and everything in between needs to be cleaned thoroughly, particularly to remove any remaining pollen. To clean headlights, smear toothpaste across each plastic lens cover and, then, rub them with a soft cloth; rinse the toothpaste off with cold water and wait for it to dry.

8. Don't forget to clean the inside, too. From the front windshield to the rear windows, including the dash, gauges, floor, seats and every nook or cranny that needs dusting, cleaning, wiping down and vacuuming to be ready for summer travels.

7. Add a trash bag for future purging. Whenever you stop for gas, pull this out and empty it while your gas is pumping.

6. Group like with like. Whether it's pulling all coloring materials together, segmenting off each child's goodies or corralling related materials for technology, cleaning, emergencies and shopping, the concept of grouping similar items applies as much to your vehicle as any other functional space in your life.

5. Contain what you retain. Now that you know which items are being kept, have grouped them with similar items and are planning for putting them back in the vehicle, you can choose which, if any, organizing gadgets or gizmos you will need and, then, put them to good use. It's always good to have a fabric bin of snacks that will hold up equally well in the heat and cold so you are equipped to stave off the early symptoms of "hangry", feeding yourself before getting angry. Additionally, I encourage you to keep another fabric bin full of car cleaning supplies so you can maintain your vehicle's cleanliness throughout your travels.

4. Perform regular maintenance services. The entire weight of your vehicle rests on its tires, not to mention how well your vehicle connects with the pavement as you drive along; make sure to regularly check the condition of your tires. Yet, don't stop there; regularly get your oil and filter changed while checking the battery, charging system, antifreeze level, windshield wipers, engine, brakes, exhaust system and headlamps.

3. Stock your glove compartment. You'll want to make sure a hidden storage space keeps convenient your owner's manual, vehicle registration information, auto club details, accident report form, notepad, pen, flashlight, tire gauge, paper napkins and re-sealable plastic bags for everything from park rocks to wet clothes as well as any items you use frequently.

2. Boost your preparedness. Be ready for emergencies year-round, not simply during winter weather months; make sure you have a kit in the trunk or rear space that includes jumper cables, another tire gauge, flares, reflective tape, a help sign, a screwdriver, pliers, first aid kit, work gloves, blanket, old towel, rags, adhesive remover, jar of water and motor oil. Schedule time on your calendar this fall for adding a winter weather survival kit with candles, waterproof matches, energy bars, large plastic garbage bags, rubber bands, cat litter, a collapsible shovel, an extra blanket, heavy socks, gloves and a warm, winter hat.

1. Adjust your driving as needed for greater fuel savings. I think it's a constant battle to follow these guidelines, but those pennies pinched add up: Accelerate and brake more smoothly, slow down, reduce idling, keep tires properly inflated, avoid adding extra weight to your vehicle, close windows at high speeds and consolidate trips so there's much less stopping.

Which are your favorite tactics for getting or keeping your vehicle clean? Will you try any of those listed here?

NC Auto Expo: Organize for Success in Buying a Car

As explained by ads running in the Triangle right now for this weekend's 2011 NC International Auto Expo, "people love their cars", and isn't Valentine's Day weekend a great time to fall in love with a new ride?!? If you're planning to head to the NC State Fairgrounds to find your next vehicle or just drool over the new Chevy Volt, Maserati Gran Truismo, Dodge Challenger and Aston Martin V8 Vantage, this is a great time to organize your car-buying process.

First and foremost, determine what type of vehicle you'll need and what equipment that vehicle will need to include by analyzing what you'll be doing with your vehicle... Do you need to haul furniture, gardening supplies, business equipment or some other large items in the bed of a pick-up truck or in the back of a SUV? Do you need a vehicle with really good fuel economy, like a coupe or compact sedan, or is towing a priority? Do you feel it's important to be able to check your Facebook newsfeed from your car or sync your MP3 player with your car's radio? Do you desire any bells and whistles, like heated seats, sunroof, navigation, rear entertainment system, parallel park assist or Bose speakers with your AM/FM/satellite radio? Does your extended travel make warranty coverage and roadside assistance important? Do you prefer leather or cloth, 4-wheel or 2-wheel drive and 4-, 6-, 8-cylinder or another option? The more you know with regards to what you like about your current vehicle, what you'd like to change about your current vehicle and what you'll be doing with your new vehicle, then the better prepared you'll be for the process of obtaining a new car, truck, van, SUV or crossover vehicle.

Speaking of this process, thinking about your buying and driving habits will help you determine if it is better for you to purchase or lease your next vehicle... How often do you want a new car? Do you prefer to change vehicles frequently or keep your car "until the wheels fall off"? How much do you drive? Does your annual driving fall within the 12,000 - 15,000 miles per year range allowed with leasing or do you tend to drive more each year? Do you use your car for business purposes, allowing more tax deductions with a lease? Do you worry about your car's resale value? Are you hard on your car and wear down the interior quickly, which might lead to penalties with leasing? Do you prefer to have equity in your investment as you pay off the vehicle's entire cost or to lower your payments by paying off just the depreciation on the car? Still, regardless of which automobile financing option you choose, a greater downpayment will lead to lower monthly payments so it's also a good idea to evaluate your downpayment options before heading out to shop for your new ride.

Then, you must tackle a really difficult task as you determine how much money you can spend... What payment will fit within your monthly budget's constraints? What sort of finance rate will your current credit situation allow you to obtain? There are tons of vehicles out right now that can fulfill both your automotive wants and needs while still fitting within your budgetary constraints, but it is important to be aware of that budget before starting the process of getting a new vehicle.

If you're replacing a vehicle, ensure you get the most money back from that previous investment... Gather together all documents for what maintenance work you've completed because that documentation will increase your vehicle's value. Then, check Black Book Online at http://bit.ly/eB4X6s to get a ballpark figure for the value of your vehicle, keeping in mind the final assigned value will depend on the dealership's assessment. Finally, thoroughly clean the inside and outside of your vehicle so it is in its best shape possible.

Now, it's time for the fun part... Shop online and in-store for the vehicle that you like best and that meets your needs best. Just remember that, although there's a great deal of information on the Internet, nothing can really give you a feel for which vehicle you should buy like sitting in the driver's seat. For more details on the Wake County New Vehicle Dealers Association's auto expo, visit http://www.ncautoexpo.com/, and I'll see you at the Jim Graham Building this weekend.