Six things not to say to a car salesman

By Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNNMoney.com staff writer

In a car-buying transaction, even the nicest, most honest car salesman has interests that are very different from yours.
He's paid to sell you what his dealership has at as large a profit as possible. The better he does that, the more he, and the dealereship, make.

You, on the other hand, want the best car you can get at the best price you can get.

Welcome to capitalism. At some point, you have to negotiate those conflicting interests. As in all negotiations, there are certain things you definitely shouldn't let slip.

Working with Phil Reed, consumer advice editor at Edmunds.com, we boiled down the six things you least want to say when you're shopping for a car.

1. I love, love, love this car

Even if a car has your heartstrings in a white-knuckled stranglehold, never let on. Stay calm and pretend you're looking over a microwave oven.

By admitting that you're smitten, you've given a salesman - and the sales manager and everyone else in the process - the combination to your personal safe.

The salesman will, of course, sympathize and want to help you out. But he'll tell you the sales manager, you see, well... That's a really hot car and we had someone in here just the other day and... He just won't take less than...

They know you're not about to walk away. Bottom line: Cars you're not in love with are usually a lot cheaper.

2. I need to get a car by tomorrow

If there's anything worse than being in love, it's being in desperate need. Letting on that you need a set of wheels immediately is, basically, telling the salesman "I won't be thinking too much about any of this."

He knows you won't be looking too closely at the particulars of the deal and you aren't likely to drive across town to try to get a better price.

It also means you're more likely to accept whatever he shows you from the dealership's inventory even if it doesn't exactly suit you. In other words, you may be presenting yourself as an opportunity to unload a bit of slow-moving inventory.

Even if you really do need a car quickly, act like you have a month to decide. But you would consider buying today if you found a car that really pleases you at a price you like.

3. I need a monthly payment of...

It's understandable that many car shoppers are "payment shoppers." Most of us have no idea how much car we can afford except by looking at how much it would cost us each month.

But saying "I want a payment of less than $350 a month" is like going into a box store and asking for a two-inch box. You'll notice that some dimensions are missing. You could end up with a box that's 12 feet long.

Almost any given monthly payment is possible provided the loan is long enough and the downpayment is big enough. Over the course of, say, seven years, $350 a month can add up to a lot more than $350 a month for three or four years.

To understand how much car you can really afford, you need more than a monthly payment figure. Know what monthly payment you want, for how long and how much you want to pay up front. You also need a fairly good idea of what your trade-in is worth.

To keep it really simple, just figure out what price you can afford for the car -based on your monthly budget and trade-in value - and negotiate that one big number. Talk about downpayment and monthly payment and negotiate the value of your trade-in after that.

4. My trade-in's outside

A salesperson will usually want to know, early on, if you have a vehicle to trade in. If you tell him that you do and that it's parked, conveniently, right outside, he'll ask you for the keys.

That way the used car manager can assess its value while you're negotiating. It'll save time.

Well, he has a point there. But consider the downsides. You've just handed the salesperson your car keys and he's given them off to someone else.

Guess what's going to happen if you reach an impasse in the negotiations and decide it's time to leave. You'll have to ask for you car keys back. And, odds are good, they will have been misplaced.

You'll be negotiating a while longer.

5. I don't know anything about leasing

Even if you're never going to lease a car, you need to know about leasing, if only to know exactly why you're never going to lease a car.

That's because there's a good chance someone will try to sell you on the idea. And they might be right. It could be a good choice for you. But it probably isn't.

First of all, leasing makes sense only for people who know - really know - they will not be keeping a car for more than a few years.

Beyond that, you need to understand the terminology and costs of leasing beyond the monthly payments, the number salesperson will focus on. You need to know how many miles are included in the lease and if there's additional money you need to pay up front or at the close of the lease.

6. My credit's a little spotty

Many people underestimate their own credit rating - and they're the people who are big moneymakers for car dealers. Part of the interest you pay is shared with the dealership, so they might be pleased to confirm your belief that you don't qualify for a low interest rate.

To make sure you're getting the best financing deal, secure your own financing before you start shopping. Having another loan in place - one you can use if you don't like what the dealership is offering - gives you negotiating power. It also lets you know exactly what you qualify for.

In most cases, a dealership's finance office - working with a manufacturer-affiliated auto financing company - should be able to get you a more-than-competitive rate.

Eleven Great Foods You Aren’t Eating

Maybe you should be eating more beets, left, or chopped cabbage. (Credit: Evan Sung for The New York Times, left Nutritionist and author Jonny Bowden has created several lists of healthful foods people should be eating but aren’t. But some of his favorites, like purslane, guava and goji berries, aren’t always available at regular grocery stores. I asked Dr. Bowden, author of “The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth,” to update his list with some favorite foods that are easy to find but don’t always find their way into our shopping carts. Here’s his advice.
Beets: Think of beets as red spinach, Dr. Bowden said, because they are a rich source of folate as well as natural red pigments that may be cancer fighters.
How to eat: Fresh, raw and grated to make a salad. Heating decreases the antioxidant power.
Cabbage: Loaded with nutrients like sulforaphane, a chemical said to boost cancer-fighting enzymes.
How to eat: Asian-style slaw or as a crunchy topping on burgers and sandwiches.
Swiss chard: A leafy green vegetable packed with carotenoids that protect aging eyes.
How to eat it: Chop and saute in olive oil.
Cinnamon: May help control blood sugar and cholesterol.
How to eat it: Sprinkle on coffee or oatmeal.
Pomegranate juice: Appears to lower blood pressure and loaded with antioxidants.
How to eat: Just drink it.
Dried plums: Okay, so they are really prunes, but packed with cancer-fighting antioxidants.
How to eat: Wrapped in prosciutto and baked.
Pumpkin seeds: The most nutritious part of the pumpkin and packed with magnesium; high levels of the mineral are associated with lower risk for early death.
How to eat: Roasted as a snack, or sprinkled on salad.
Sardines: Dr. Bowden calls them “health food in a can.'’ They are high in omega-3’s, contain virtually no mercury and are loaded with calcium. They also contain iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper and manganese as well as a full complement of B vitamins.
How to eat: Choose sardines packed in olive or sardine oil. Eat plain, mixed with salad, on toast, or mashed with dijon mustard and onions as a spread.
Turmeric: The “superstar of spices,'’ it has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
How to eat: Mix with scrambled eggs or in any vegetable dish.
Frozen blueberries: Even though freezing can degrade some of the nutrients in fruits and vegetables, frozen blueberries are available year-round and don’t spoil; associated with better memory in animal studies.
How to eat: Blended with yogurt or chocolate soy milk and sprinkled with crushed almonds.
Canned pumpkin: A low-calorie vegetable that is high in fiber and immune-stimulating vitamin A; fills you up on very few calories.
How to eat: Mix with a little butter, cinnamon and nutmeg.
You can find more details and recipes on the Men’s Health Web site, which published the original version of the list last year.
In my own house, I only have two of these items — pumpkin seeds, which I often roast and put on salads, and frozen blueberries, which I mix with milk, yogurt and other fruits for morning smoothies. How about you? Have any of these foods found their way into your shopping cart.

Fix a Slow Computer

Is your PC slower now than when you bought it? Do you get error messages when you try to un-install software? Do you have desktop icons that aren't working?

If so, your computer is likely experiencing problems with its registry database, the operating system component that stores information about the system, application settings and hardware. Even if you're extremely careful about how you use your computer and never download questionable material, over time it is inevitable that your system will accumulate unwanted registry entries, errors, clutter and debris.

The most common causes are the installation and removal of software, online games, application crashes and upgrades of software programs. While many errors will go unnoticed, the more errors your computer has, the higher the chances that you'll experience trouble. But there is something proactive you can do to protect your system: install a one-click tool called Advanced Registry Optimizer 5 (ARO 5) that will scan, identify and repair errors.

Not sure if you really need one? Sammsoft, a Washington State software company, offers free trials of their ARO 5 software people can use to check their systems for errors. Click here to begin the download process.

Once the download is complete, just click the "Run" button to install ARO 5. Once installed, the program will do a complete scan and diagnosis of your computer's registry and tell you how many errors are present. It will then fix the first 20 problems completely free of charge.

There's no catch. The company just hopes you'll love the personal version of ARO 5 so much you'll consider purchasing the unlimited commercial system which retails for $29.95.

Four Ways to Add Seven Years to Your Life

By Diana Bocco

1. Get a Pet
Independent research sponsored by several different organizations shows that owning a pet can add up to 7 years to your life. This is because pets provide companionship and help reduce stress levels, which in turn decreases the chances of suffering a heart attack or stroke. Dog owners are also more likely to get daily exercise, an important factor in staying fit and fighting several weight-related diseases. Finally, pet owners are less likely to suffer from depression. Owning a pet forces you to get out of bed every day, even if you don't feel like it. The feelings of unconditional love and companionship are also intrinsically related to counteracting depression.

2. Fight Stress
Stress weakens your immune systems, makes you more prone to illness and addictions and less likely to live a productive, healthy life. If you are suffering from stress, there are ways to deal with it, even if you cannot directly solve the situation that is causing the stress in the first place. To lessen stress, first sit down and analyze the situation you're in and see whether there's anything you can do to take some pressure off, such as delegating tasks to colleagues, asking for a friend's help or hiring a professional to help. Next, find a way to deal with your physical and emotional reaction to stress. Exercise and meditation increase the release of endorphins (the "feel good" chemicals) and improve oxygen flow, releasing accumulated stress. Having a varied list of interests also helps: if you run into problems at work, you could find release by meeting with friends, taking an evening class or exploring your hobbies.

3. Eat Your Veggies
Peer studies published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition show that vegetarians have a longer life expectancy than meat eaters. Saturated (animal) fats increase the chances of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and a series of degenerative diseases. While becoming a vegetarian may not be an option for everybody, there's no reason why you shouldn't try upping your intake of fruits and vegetables while reducing the amount of animal products in your daily diet. To get started, aim for at least three to four meatless meals a week. You can use meat substitutes, such as tofu and beans, or simply focus on complex carbohydrates, salads and healthy vegetable fats such as olive oil. If you are not particularly fond of vegetables, try hiding them in sauces, soups and casseroles.

4. Stop Your Bad Habits and Develop Good Ones
The best way to add years to your life is to avoid doing anything to shorten it. If you smoke, stop. Limit alcohol consumption to no more than one drink a day for women and two for men. Control portion sizes, and eat only when you're hungry. Wear your seat belt, drive the speed limit, and if you must do some bungee jumping, be sure your cord is strong enough and short enough.

Get Paid to Drive Your Car

Companies that pay you to put their advertising on your car, AKA "car skins"?

Paid Ride
http://www.danbon1.paidride.hop.clickbank.net

Ad-wraps
http://www.ad-wraps.com/driversinfo.htm

On The Move Media
http://www.onthemovemedia.com/driver_section.shtml.shtml

Autowrapped
http://www.autowrapped.com/Drivers.htm

Driving Promotions
http://www.drivingpromotions.com/driveapromo.htm

WrapCars
http://wrapcars.com/hiw.htm
There was an error when I tried accessing the sign up page but the
phone number works.

AdvercarZing
http://www.advercarzing.com/signup1.asp

Autowraps (This is the one you signed up for already)
http://autowraps.com/driver_about_us.shtml

AutoMurals
http://automurals.com/
This is a Canadian company, but they apparently sign-up international drivers.

Imsafer.com (free online protection for your kids)

IMSafer lets you know when your children may be in dangerous situations online, and shows you how they represent themselves in their online profiles.

The ability to scan instant messenger (IM) conversations in real time, and look for predator issues, sets us apart from other competing products. We don't seek to spy on your children. The spyware products available create a lot of work for parents as they are forced to read through voluminous amounts of data in the hopes of identifying potential issues. The parents we have spoken with would rather know when their kids are getting into trouble, and that's where we come in.

Another great feature of IMSafer is our reputation system. With our reputation system, we have taken an old idea and applied it in a new way. We are allowing parents to share information with other parents in the hopes that it will help protect other children. Any time IMSafer presents you with a notification in a conversation between your child and someone else, you can vote on the perceived threat level of that other person. That way, when that person talks to another child using a computer protected by IMSafer, we can let their parents know right away. Wouldn't you like to know what other parents think of the people talking to your children?

The Cost of Flying Now

By Laura Moran
In this recessionary economy getting from one coast to another in comfort, and staying on a budget, isn’t easy. As gas prices continue to rise, U.S. airlines are tacking on fees and raising existing prices wherever they can. That is why it is a good idea to know how much petty cash you’re going to need while you’re sitting in coach just in case you would like to enjoy a Budweiser (BUD) in flight or in some cases, a water.

The good news is there are still some ways to save. For instance, bringing your own headphones on a Delta (DAL) flight saves you two bucks. Here is MainStreet's guide to how some of the top U.S. airlines add up in terms on additional costs. (The "tab for two" is the approximate amount a couple traveling with two bags should bring if they want to eat a meal, with one partner ordering an alcoholic beverage, and then to enjoy some in-flight entertainment (with their own headphones, natch).

DELTA
In-Flight Entertainment: Delta provides complimentary movies, OnDemand channels, and music for guests with their own headphones. For those without, headphones can be purchased in air for $2.
Beverages: Non-alcoholic drinks are complimentary. Alcoholic drinks, which include beer, wine and cocktails, cost $5 or $6.
Snacks and Food: On flights longer that one hour, guests receive a complimentary item from the Snack Basket which includes, cookies, peanuts, and crackers. On flights longer than an hour and a half, guests can purchase items from the EATS All Day Goodies. These items include Dove chocolate bars, Emerald’s nuts, Pringles, or vitaminwater for $3, peanut M&M’s, and Clif Mojo Bars for $2, and animal crackers for $1. On flights longer than a two hours, guests can purchase items from the EATS menu in addition to the EATS All Day Goodies. The EATS menu offers fruit and cheese for $6, a smoked turkey sandwich for $7, a strawberry cheese Crepe for $4, a fried chicken sandwich for $8, a grilled shrimp Caesar salad for $10, and a mushroom pea orzo for $8.
Checked Luggage Fee: Free for the first bag, $25 for a second bag.
TAB FOR TWO: $46 ($21 in cash, the bag fee can be charged.)


SOUTHWEST (LUV)
In-Flight Entertainment: Southwest provides copies of its Southwest Airlines Spirit magazine onboard.
Beverages: Non-alcoholic drinks are complimentary. Energy drinks are $3 while beer, wine and cocktails are $4.
Snacks and Food: On flights shorter than 600 miles in length, guests will be served complimentary peanuts or pretzels. On nonstop flights that are 601 to 1270 miles long, guests will be served a packaged snack appropriate to the time of day. On flights longer than 1271 miles, guests will be served their choice of snacks from the Select-A-Snack box which features three different snack options. While Southwest does not serve sandwiches or meals, guests are welcome to bring their own food onboard.
Checked Luggage Fee: Free for two bags.
TAB FOR TWO: $4 (Cash only, please.)

NORTHWEST (NWA)
In-Flight Entertainment: Complimentary movies are available for guests flying on trans-Atlantic flights.
Beverages: Non-alcoholic beverages are complimentary. Alcoholic beverages cost $5.
Snacks and Food: Pringles, Snack Mix, M&M's, and Twizzlers for $3, a la carte Snack Boxes for $5, fruit and cheese or vegetables with ranch dip for $7, and breakfast, lunch or dinner meals for $10.
Checked Luggage Fee: Free for the first bag, $25 for a second bag
TAB FOR TWO: $50 ($25 in cash, the bag fee can be charged).

JETBLUE (JBLU)
In-Flight Entertainment: jetBlue provides its guests with 100 channels of XM Satellite Radio, 36 channels of DirectTV, movies, and music for free.
Beverages: Non-alcoholic drinks are complimentary. Alcoholic beverages cost $5. (Only credit cards will be accepted).
Snacks and Food: Complimentary snacks like chips, cookies, nuts and crackers are available on all flights.
Checked Luggage Fee: Free for the first bag, $25 for a second bag.
TAB FOR TWO: $30 (Only credit cards are accepted).