How To Finance A New Acura Dealer Purchase
Once
you have
decided on getting a new Acura, visit
the manufacturers website
for details on what is available and how
to locate the dealers closest to
your location. With this information
you are ready to start getting quotes so that
you can begin the process
of financing your car.
There are a wide range of payment options that you can explore to find the
one that best
suits your circumstances. The main ones are:
Pay cash
This is a quick alternative, but
not many persons are
able to come up with the full payment price for a new car. If you pay for your
car up-front, you may be able to get
an even better deal. Also, ensure that your dealer gives you a good warranty.
Leasing
This option allows the
consumer to
lease the car they want through a
leasing company. Most choose a set period for the lease. This period is normally the length of the
cars warranty. With is arrangement, the leasing company will buy the car and you pay an agreed upon monthly payment.
Generally this monthly payment is less than if you take out a personal loan. Once the lease period is up, the consumer can either opt to
purchase the car for themselves or go into another lease arrangement normally for a newer model
vehicle. As an added bonus, some leasing arrangements take the hassle out of car maintenance as the leasing company is responsible for this.
A loan
Another popular financing option is taking out a personal loan
from a bank, credit union or other financing agency. The consumer will need to make an agreed on monthly payment to the lending agency for the life of the loan. Once the loan is paid off, the car is yours.
Trade-in of your old car
Trading in a
used car can also
help with financing a new car as the funds obtained can be used to make the down payment. Some of these options are easier than others based on your credit rating.
Tracy Andrews
Your Wardrobe: 7 Basic Steps to Success
Does the label make the clothes? The answer is only if you feel like you have to be a name dropper or if you are on a red carpet revealing who designed your gown. There are some in certain social sets who would disagree with this, but the reality is that if you are an average person, it is much more important that you look your best in a style that is appropriate for your lifestyle and body type than it is to have the latest label. When was the last time that someone who you respect for his/her fashion sense told you that you looked great? By keeping seven basic principles in mind, you can look great all of the time. Step 1: Know your body type None of us is perfect so know your measurements and shape. Think about arm, leg and torso length and shoulder, hip, waist and thigh shape and width. Evaluate your overall body shape. One trick we like for this is standing in front of a mirror with someone tracing your shape on the mirror with soap. Ok, so you will have to wash the mirror afterwards but it gives you a great sense of your shape. Finally think about the areas you want to hide or accentuate. Step 2: Be realistic This works for all body types. Wear clothing that fit properly. Squeezing into a smaller size does not make you smaller. It makes you look like you have gained weight and didn't buy clothing that are the right size. On the flip side, wearing baggy, bigger clothing in an attempt to hide things does not work either. You just make yourself look sloppy and larger. Don't buy what you wish you looked good in, but what really does compliment you. Step 3: Just because they make it in your size... ...does not mean you should buy it and wear it. Fashion is only fashionable if you look attractive in it, not because a celebrity is wearing it or it was in all of fashion magazines. Low-rise pants brought this point home more than any fashion trend in recent history. A few years ago, you just couldn't be seen in public if you weren't wearing low-rise pants/jeans. However, 75% (and that is conservative) of the women in this country should not have been wearing them. Now at this point we need to say that our opinion of low-rise pants may not be mainstream with the rest of the fashion industry's opinions but we know what we see. Also bear in mind that there are different styles of low-rise pants and some of this disastrous fashion situation could have been avoided by changing the style of low-rise worn. Low-rise pants make long torsos look longer. The smallest amount of excess weight or flab in the middle is emphasized. Someone with no obvious waistline looks even straighter and less shapely. Large bums look larger as do wide hips. However, everyone rushed out to buy them and we have been subjected to rolls of fat, thongs sticking out the back and worse ever since. Moral of the story - wear a style that flatters not fattens and you will receive many more compliments. Step 4: Know your colors Black is not everyone's best friend. Colors sold in the stores in a particular season may not be yours. Regardless of which method you use to determine the right colors for you, it must be done. If you aren't sure, contact an image or wardrobe consultant for some professional help. It is worth the time and money. I had a client who went from people asking her if she was sick all of the time to people asking her if she was having an affair, all because she changed the colors in her wardrobe. Suddenly it seemed like her skin was glowing, her eyes were shining and she was well rested and ready to take the world by storm. People started to take notice. What do you do when your colors are not in the stores? Stock up on base pieces when the season or colors of the year are yours. When the main colors are not yours, you can usually still find accessories to complement your base pieces or check out last year's clearance and discontinued items. Step 5: Build a base You have conquered the major challenges: knowing your body, knowing your colors and not becoming a fashion slave. So now you actually need to build a wardrobe. Your lifestyle will determine where the emphasis lies on the core elements of your wardrobe. However, here are a few suggestions on what you should have. You will need to adjust according to your life, but remember the key to any successful wardrobe is having items that can be mixed and matched with other items. Please note that we are not breaking up the list by summer and winter. Some of your items will be year round and some will be season. Pants:
- 3 pairs of work pants
- 2 pairs of casual pants
- 1 pair of evening pants
Skirts:
- 2 skirts for work
- 1 skirt for weekend or fun
- 1 skirt for evenings or social events
Jackets/Coats: (Where you live determines the weight)
- 2 Blazers or suit jackets for work
- 1 casual jacket for weekend or fun
- 1 evening jacket or wrap
Shoes:
- 1 pair of tennis shoes (sneakers)
- 2 pairs of black, brown or navy (depending on your base color) casual or walking shoes
- 2 pairs of work shoes in black, brown or navy
- 1 pair of stylish boots for winter or sandals for summer
- 1 pair of evening shoes
Tops:
- One week's worth of work tops/blouses
- 2 casual weekend tops and 2 tshirt tops
- 1 evening top
Dresses: Not all shapes lend themselves to wearing dresses. However, if you love dresses, you should have one for work, another for play and a third for evening if you have a lot of social occasions.
Step 6: Think before you buy Unless you are buying a new base piece, don't buy an item unless you already have three things in your wardrobe with which you can wear it.
Step 7: Budget Spend the bulk of your budget on the base pieces. You will thank me later for this advice. Quality base pieces will last and will remain fashionable. Fill in your wardrobe with accessories with the remainder of your wardrobe budget. These items are often the trendier or more seasonable items and have a shorter shelf life in your wardrobe. And for those of you who do not have a wardrobe budget - get one. The easiest way to have an out of control closet or overflowing shoe bin is too just go shopping willy-nilly without a plan. We cannot possibly cover all of the do's and don't of fashion in one article but these seven steps should get you started. It is important to have a plan, make a list of what you have and stick to it. It is even more crucial to know your body, be realistic and wear what was made for you, not what was made for a super-model. Happy shopping!
Indra A Books, author of this and many other lifestyle articles is the owner and founder of ON THE GO 4 U, Personal Shoppers & Concierge Service in the Washington DC metropolitan area. The companys creed is to provide its clients with the ultimate life management experience. In addition to its shopping and concierge services, ON THE GO 4 U also publishes a monthly e-zine and conducts workshops on wardrobe, entertaining and decorating. For more information about the author and ON THE GO 4 U, please visit http://www.onthego4u.net.
2005 Indra A Books for ON THE GO 4 U
Air Supply in Uncasville, CT 7/25-7/28/07 - Air Supply Sweetens Dreams for Four Sold Out Crowds
Uncasville, CT: Air Supply Sweetens Dreams for Four Sold Out Crowds at Mohegan Sun
On July 25th, Air Supply returned to Mohegan Sun for a 4-day engagement in the Cabaret Room. This was Air Supply's 2nd year in the Cabaret Room, having performed in the Wolf's Den for many years prior. The only problem I saw was that they might just need to move on over the the Arena for future performances! Each night was sold out and the line of people hoping for a ticket cancellation or no show got longer and longer. I never thought I'd actually ever see disappointed Air Supply fans.
Excitement was in the air and the first show started late due to the long line of fans still waiting to be seated in the showroom. Graham Russell came out to sing a few songs from his debut CD, The Future, which is set for worldwide release in August. Opting to switch up his set each night, a combination of The Future, Make You Mine and Lace and Leather were sung beautifully before Air Supply took the stage.
During Graham's solo performance each night, he told us a bit about himself, talking about growing up at the edge of Sherwood Forest in England, which he assured us was a real place. That always gets some laughs. Graham also talked about how he wrote Make You Mine in Puebla, Mexico last year and that the reason his CD was called The Future is because when he was young he used to think about his future, so this CD was about his future then, not his future now. Got it?
Not mentioned during this run of shows was a little story Graham told in Ridgefield, CT a few weeks ago. I hadn't ever heard it before and thought it was worth sharing. Graham said that as a little boy, he used to play in Sherwood Forest, which is, of course, most famous for the stories of Robin Hood. He had a favorite rock upon which he would sit and the letters R.H. had been carved into it. For years he always thought it meant Robin Hood, but later realized...and he raised his eyebrows -- and then heard a lot of 'ooohs' and 'ahhhs'. Fate.
Now on to the good stuff. Sweet Dreams. I'll tell you a funny story, but I'll be brief. Last September I went to Vegas for the Labor Day shows. Graham went to one of the cafes in the hotel and I walked up to him so I could ask him a question. Of course, I was naive and an Air Supply newbie and didn't know better! I asked if there was any possibility of them doing a full version of Sweet Dreams, because what they had been playing was the River poem/Sweet Dreams combo and while I thought it was great, I really wanted to hear Sweet Dreams in its full glory as it was my absolute favorite song. Graham's reply was painfully tactful as he said, 'well, the thing is, we've been playing it for 26 years and we are doing this version right now'. I told him I have loved it for 26 years and loved this version too, and I quickly backed away, tail between my legs.
Fast forward 11 months and guess what is back into the set list? None other than a very mostly traditional version of Sweet Dreams! As Graham stepped off stage from his solo performance, the lights went dark and the screens behind the stage turned a brilliant yet subdued red. All was quiet. Then suddenly, Jonni quickly ran onstage, pressed a button (very funny), and out played, da da da da da da da da, da da da da da da da da.... Ok, you'll have to fill in your own tune there, but it was the opening to Sweet Dreams. We then heard a brand new poem from Graham and as the last words echoed into the darkness, Air Supply walked on stage. All was dark, Graham stepped to the front of the stage, the spotlight hit him and wham! "This is the time, when you need a friend, you just need someone near. I'm not looking forward to the night I'll spend, thinking of you when you're not here." Spotlight Russell: "How many times will I think about the things I'd like to do? Only that I'm so glad I fell in love with you, and I'd do it again, if I could." Oooooh, my heart sank! The audience was mesmerized. THIS is what I had waited for and I just sat there a grin on my face, a warmth in my soul. Sweet Dreams!
As Sweet Dreams came to a close, the key shifted and Russell suddenly belted out "Young Love, so strong, has never been a part of me..." Wow! What a great combination! Russell continued to sing the chorus to Young Love and the medley of poem, Sweet Dreams and Young Love softly faded. Not a group to miss out on opportunity, the band switched gears quickly and rocked the house with Even The Nights Are Better and swiftly followed with Just As I Am.
For anyone who thinks Air Supply is sappy, too much about love songs and old, let me tell you that they are W R O N G! Air Supply rocked the house with these three powerful and energized numbers! I thought the new opening with Even The Nights was hot, but now Air Supply has gone and added a whole new dimension to the beginning of their concert. What better way to capture the audience than with forceful, strong and blissful vocals backed by rockin' guitars, drums and keys? It's no wonder there isn't a seat available in the house!
Air Supply played all the favorites, singing Chances, Here I Am, The One That You Love, All Out Of Love, Making Love Out Of Nothing At All and Lost In Love, among others. There were many special moments, and laughs throughout the four shows. The lighting was spectacular and if you ever have the chance, ask the crew where the best place to sit for the best sound is. Air Supply crew members Brett and Nate gave us some great advice, which was to sit right back near the sound booth. Mohegan Sun's Cabaret Room is quaint and everyone has a great seat. So for two nights, we chose to sit at the back of the room, right in front of the sound booth, and what we heard was incredible. Balance, power and clarity. It was like listening to a recording and we absorbed every note. Thanks guys!
Each night's performance in Mohegan Sun's Cabaret Room was more energized than the night before. Air Supply shows get better and better each time I see them and just when I think I've gotten a little tired of the same set list, Graham, Russell, Jed, Jonni and Mike do something different to keep it fresh! Oddly enough, I recently commented to Graham that I liked one of his new shirts and he said, "Ooh, you're not paying attention!" Sorry Graham, but me not pay attention? That's just one thing you can't accuse me of! New shirts, boots, haircuts, songs, drum beats, oohs, and jokes. We are all paying attention and embrace the variety.
Thanks again to Russell, Graham, Jed, Jonni, Mike, Sparky, Brett, Moe, Nate and Mark for giving us that extra something special at the Mohegan Sun. You surprised us all and we were all thrilled to be a part of the experience. My dreams were sweetened and I can't wait for more.
Cheers!
Betsy Hijazi attends Air Supply concerts and writes reviews and posts video clips on her blog at http://www.AirSupplyBlog.com http://www.MySpace.com/ASFanBetsy and http://www.YouTube.com/ASFanForLife
