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For the Month of April 2008 --- Vol. 3, Issue 4


IN THIS ISSUE...




Spring is officially here! And with it comes warmer weather... longer days... and your Economic Stimulus Package tax rebate! Do you know when to expect yours? The tax rebate article below can help you figure out when you'll receive your money. And it provides you some insight into how you can help make sure you get it sooner rather than later!
While you may have to wait a bit for your rebate, the car wash tips below can help you save cash today. The article breaks down the best way to keep your car shining like new and preserving your resale value, while saving money by not paying for unnecessary car wash features.
Remember, this information may be of interest to your friends, family members, and coworkers. So feel free to pass it along to help make their spring a little brighter. And call or email me with any questions.



TAX REBATES MAILING SOON... WHEN WILL YOU GET YOURS?





Timing Is Everything! We all know the deadline for filing your 2007 taxes is quickly approaching. But you may want to be ahead of the curve if you want your tax rebate sooner, rather than later. That's because tax rebates will start going out on May 2... but only to taxpayers who have their returns processed--not just sent--by April 15. The closer it gets to mid-April, the more the IRS gets backed up to process the flood of returns--sometimes taking a couple of weeks to complete. E-filers will get their rebates more quickly, since electronic returns can be processed faster. However, even e-filers should have their returns in by April 10 to be safe.
Would You Like Paper? Or Electronic? Tax rebate checks will start going out on May 2. But here's the deal... taxpayers who chose direct deposit will be first in line. According to the IRS, all direct deposit tax rebates will be wired between May 2 and May 16. Paper checks won't start going out until May 16, and aren't expected to be completed until mid-July.
What's Your Number? The IRS needs some way to determine the order of distributions - but they're not going alphabetically. Instead, tax rebates will be distributed in order of the last two digits of your Social Security number...the lower your number, the sooner you'll receive your payment. For a detailed breakdown of the order, take a look at the IRS's Stimulus Payment Schedule.
About seven to ten days before your rebate is sent, the IRS will send you a notice informing you how much it will be. If you signed up for direct deposit, however, you'll probably receive that information in the mail about the same time your rebate is deposited into your account, since direct deposit transactions are processed so quickly. But you don't have to wait that long to determine approximately how much you'll receive. To calculate your approximate rebate, visit the new online stimulus calculator on the IRS website.
Finally, it's important to remember that the rebate check will not be counted as taxable income and will not reduce your refund or increase the amount you owe when you file your 2008 return. However, if you owe back taxes, the IRS will apply your rebate to that bill and send you whatever is left over.
For more information, visit the Economic Stimulus Package Information page on the IRS website. You can even read detailed answers to Frequently Asked Questions.



AT THE CAR WASH...





"Those Cars Never Seem To Stop Coming... Keep Those Rags And Machines Humming!"~ Rose Royce
With spring in full swing and summer fast approaching, most people want to have their car looking good. Driving a nice clean car just feels good--and it can also help to preserve its appearance and resale value.
What's the Best Way to Clean Your Car... at the Car Wash or at Home?
Believe it or not, an automatic car wash is not only more convenient, but it can also be much safer for your car than washing the car at home. Why? If your car is washed by hand in direct sunlight, the drops of water turn into mini magnifying glasses, which can cause the sun's rays to burn spots into the paint--and this could cost you big when going to resell the vehicle. Additionally, many people use harsh household soap products, which remove protective wax and leave a chalky residue on the surface. Taking this into consideration makes the $8 to $15 automatic car wash fee look pretty reasonable.
Of course, the car wash has a number of "extras" that can add up fast and quickly double the cost of a quick car wash! Before you agree to the "works" package, find out what is included and decide if it is really worth the extra money to have a fresh scent sprayed in the interior, or a spray-on wax applied to the exterior.
Consider These Tips the Next Time Your Car Needs a Shine.
Rust Proof Spoof? Undercarriage rust proofing may be one of the extras you can do without. That's because most new cars were already rust proofed at the factory, and adding a car wash proofing adds little to nothing in terms of true protection.
Wax On, Wax Off. Many automatic car wash machines offer a spray-on wax feature. But, truth be told, spray-on waxes offer little more than a surface-level shine. A hand-applied wax, on the other hand, may be worth the investment because it helps restore precious oils and provides a UV-protective film.
Wash That Grease Away? In most cases, you'll want to avoid having your engine cleaned. The high-pressure water used to perform the engine cleaning can cause serious engine problems in new vehicles.
Undercarriage Cleaning. Rust proofing your car's undercarriage may not be necessary, but you should consider adding an undercarriage cleaning. It washes away residue from the winder and helps prevent buildup that a regular car wash can't reach.
Ring Around Your Tire? Tire dressings are a better investment and more important than they may seem at first. That's because they actually provide a strong cleaning that removes dirt and brake dust that may cause problems if left unchecked.
To Brush or Not To Brush. When it comes to automatic car wash machines, you should always opt for a brushless car wash. Older car wash facilities may still use brushes, which tend to leave light scratches in the paint. They can also remove the clear coat that was applied by the factory to protect the paint.