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Is December 31 Really
the Best Day to Buy a
Car?
By: BJ Killeen / Down the Road
I
’m sure you’ve all heard someone say, if you’re going to buy a new
car, wait until December 31. Is this true?
The answer is, yes, and no. The best time to buy a car depends on
many factors.
First is your immediate need for a new car. Is your vehicle looking at
repairs that cost more than it’s worth? Is it still drivable?
If the answer is no, then you need a car asap. Waiting till the end of
the year makes no sense. If the car is still drivable and isn’t going to put
you at risk, sure, you can wait.
Second, is the car you’re looking to purchase a desirable model, one
that is near the end of its lifecycle, or a completely new version? If so,
you may get a better deal on the outgoing version, but you won’t on a
new model - no matter what time of year it is.
A Holiday Genealogy
Journey
By: Craig Smith / Exploring Your Roots
Continuing with the holiday theme, let’s look
at the significance of genealogy during the
holiday season. The holidays are a perfect time to
delve into your family’s history.
As family members come together to celebrate, it’s an opportunity to
share stories about your ancestors. Understanding where your family
came from can help you appreciate the unique traditions and customs
that have been passed down through the years.
Sharing holiday recipes is always a great way to pass down traditions.
In my family, our somewhat non-traditional Christmas Eve dinner
has been passed down since I was a little tyke. To this day, my son,
grandchildren, and great grandchildren have the same dinner every
Christmas Eve.
It’s true that every dealership (as well as every manufacturer) wants
to sell as many vehicles before reporting year-end sale figures. But they
aren’t giving anything away at sub-bargain prices.
It comes back to doing your homework before you buy, just as you
would any time of year.
Yes, there are some decent deals, especially for vehicles already on
the lot, but keep in mind that car buying takes more than a few hours.
If you are doing a trade, they will want to inspect it to make sure the
value is there.
Are your finances in order? Any credit glitch can hang up the deal,
and instead of walking away with a vehicle on the 31 st , you’re out of
luck on January 2.
Plus, expect them to be busy, so patience will be a virtue. It’s smarter
to go to the dealership any time in December when the sales have
already started. They won’t be as rushed, you’ll have time to remedy
any glitches, and you’ll still get a decent bargain.
Good luck and happy shopping!
BJ Killeen has been an automotive journalist for over 30 years.
She welcomes all questions and inquiries, and can be reached at
bjkdtr@gmail.com
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December 2023
Even when we can’t be together, we use FaceTime to share our dinner
every year. I always take the opportunity to explain to the youngsters the
family tradition and how long we have been eating the non-traditional
family meal.
While the holidays are a great time for sharing traditions and family
stories, it is also a great time to start your genealogical adventure. This
is the best time of year to subscribe to online resources such as Ancestry
and MyHeritage.
Many of these commercial genealogy websites offer great discounts
for monthly or annual subscriptions. Subscription discounts range
from 20% - 40% off regular subscriptions.
It is also a good time to sign up for DNA tests. DNA testing will help
discover your genetic roots and connect with distant relatives. Websites
like Ancestry, FamilyTree DNA and MyHeritage offer insights into
your ethnic origins and can help you build a more comprehensive
family tree.
This holiday season, explore your family’s history, traditions, and
recipes, and make new connections with your roots. I should also
mention that researching your family tree can be fun and exciting.
Happy holidays and happy hunting!
Craig Smith is the President of the Clark County Nevada
Genealogical Society. The Society meets on the third Saturday of
each month at the Paseo Verde Library in Henderson. Craig can
be contacted at president@ccngs.org