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Technical knowledge is becoming increasingly more important in modern auto sales training. In the past it was sufficient for salesmen and women to be able to explain to customers how their cars should be serviced and answer general everyday questions such as what the carburetor does.

In fact, even these questions were few and far between because cars driven by gas (petroleum) powered internal combustion engine had not changed much since Karl Benz’s invention in 1885. Yes, various aspects of car design had changed significantly but not the way they were powered. Today we have alternatives.

Staff selling automobiles today must be trained in the differences between the various fuel types: gas, diesel, electric, LPG and whatever else is developed. The days are gone when new developments in automobiles and other vehicles take years to come into production, let alone become available to regular customers.

Potential Questions on Modern Automobile Technology

Here are some of the technical aspects of automobiles about which your sales staff are liable to be asked, and for which they will be expected to have expert knowledge.

• What’s the difference between diesel and gas?
• Is diesel cheaper than gas and are diesel cars harder to maintain that regular cars?
• What’s a hybrid?
• How do hybrid running costs compare to diesel and gas?
• How do I change from gas to electric in a hybrid?
• Where is the nearest electric car charging point to me?
• Will an electric car get me to my work every day for less cost than another fuel?
• What’s a hydrogen cell?
• Are hybrids/electric/hydrogen cell cars easy to maintain – can I fix faults myself?

If you sell vehicles that use any of the above alternative energy sources then visitors to your dealership or car lot will expect you to be able to answer these questions – or questions like them. You can likely think of several more – perhaps through experience!

Importance of a Car Sales Course

Do you have a training course that helps your staff find out where to get this information? Do you teach your staff – or even yourself – these basic fundamentals of modern car technology? Or do you expect them to teach themselves? It is extremely important that your auto sales personnel are aware of each of the above auto fuel options and are able to answer questions about them. But that’s not all they must know!

Another aspect of auto sales knowledge that has changed in recent times is the interaction between prospect and salesperson. Has every member of your sales staff been trained in how to approach and communicate with a new visitor to your lot or showroom? If the first approach and interaction goes wrong, then you can forget about that prospect becoming a customer.

The days are well gone when you could take on a new salesmen or women with little or no sales experience and expect them to learn on the job. Effective auto sales personnel are now well-trained people who understand sales psychology as well as every car on the lot! They can answer questions on hybrids and power cells, and offer advice based on sound technical knowledge.

Sales Staff Auto Sales Training

However, it’s the approach that counts, and how auto sales personnel can interact with prospects that make the difference between a sale to a happy customer and a disgruntled prospect walking off the lot to go somewhere else. A car sales course can make the difference between success and failure, and by sending staff to an auto training course, you can make a significant improvement to your sales figures.

If you are an individual with a desire to make auto sales your chosen career, a recognized car sales course can make all the difference to you as well. By showing a prospective employer your course diploma, you will put yourself ahead of all those applicants without one.

So what is needed by successful car sales staff today – male or female? It is a knowledge of cars and their alternative power sources, and also proper training in how to sell the; how to approach visitors and convert them into new customers; how to retain the customers you have and how to send everybody way so impressed that they will sing your praises to everybody willing to listen! A car sales course can offer most of this – if not all!

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Source by Peter Nisbet

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Have you ever stopped to think about your vehicle’s locks? Most people haven’t unless they find they have locked the keys inside. There’s quite a history to today’s vehicle locking mechanisms and you may be surprised to know just how these locks came to be an integral part of a car’s safety features.

The First Vehicle Door Locks

It was until the 1920’s that locks were installed quite regularly in vehicles. Most vehicles prior to that were only owned by the rather well-to-do. These vehicles were maintained by the employees of the vehicle owner and seldom were a vehicle left alone without anyone looking after it. However, as production number increased, it became more apparent that vehicle locks were going to be a necessity.

Improving the Original Locks

In 1935, General Motors introduced its six cut sidebar lock. By 1959, Chrysler was using the same type of lock on the trunks. However, in 1966, pin tumbler locks replaced both the trunk and door locks. These locks proved to last longer and the vehicle owners had fewer problems with the internal mechanism of the locks.

The Newer Car Locks and Today’s Car Locksmith

There used to only be a need for a car locksmith to open a vehicle with a simple pin tumbler lock. However, the advancements in automobile locks have made the locksmith industry grow and change, as well. Now there are keyless entry systems, touch pad systems, and even bio-tech recognition systems. As these types of entry systems have become standard on many vehicles, locksmithing has had to take on a whole new meaning.

Many of today’s locks are very complicated and require a lot training to open and repair. Just a few years ago, a locksmith needed a ring of master keys, a couple of special tools, and maybe a wedge to make the task easier. However, today’s locksmiths must be highly trained and even specialise in certain types of locks.

How to Find the Right Car Locksmith for Your Vehicle

You certainly don’t want just any locksmith working on your vehicle. You want one that has experience with your type of vehicle. Not all locks are the same and some will require special tools that only a few locksmiths will have. When you begin calling around, make sure you ask if they are qualified to work on your vehicle. This is especially new with the newest model of vehicles.

Don’t settle for just anyone, or you could end up with damage that is very expensive to replace. Sometimes a car locksmith will have you sign a waiver stating that they are not responsible for any damage. This could be a sign that the company has had problems in the past. Avoid signing this waiver and you may want to contact a different company.

In Closing

Choosing a qualified car locksmith is important if you want to avoid costly repairs. Use only licensed and insured companies and get a quote for the unlock before you allow the work to begin.

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Source by Kaleo Johnson

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Regularly washing the exterior of your car will not only make it stand out as shiny and sleek, but it will also help ensure its longevity. A clean car protects against dirt, salt and other contaminants picked up from the road every day. Anyone who lives in an area with harsh winters can attest what the crud can do to a car’s body- rust! Washing your car several times per month, or even once a week, can keep your car’s body in tip-top shape. Here are some tips for washing your car inside and out.

While a warm, bright sunny day may make your car scream, “Wash me!” contrary to popular belief that really is not the best time to wash your car. Why not, you ask? If a car is not kept cool while suds up, the water can evaporate rather quickly, leaving soap spots. So, your best bet is to wash the car on a cloudy day, or at least in the shade on a sunny day.

Before you start washing your car, you will want to gather all the necessary supplies. You’ll need access to water- usually through a garden hose or pressure washer, a bucket, soap, sponges or soft cloths, scrub brush, glass cleaner, paper towels (or newspapers) and any other cleaning materials you may wish to use. For example, polish, bug cleaner for headlines and windshields, tire cleaner or degreaser, etc. Once you have everything together, fill up the bucket with soap and water, making it really sudsy. Be sure to use a soap that is made to wash cars- shampoo and dish soap really won’t do the job.

Begin with the wheels. It is important to have clean wheels because they are in constant contact with the road, and can be prone to corrosion caused by brake dust. You are riding on your tires, and your safety depends on them. Be sure they are clean! You’ll want to use lots of soapy water and a scrub brush to get them clean. You may also need to use a degreaser. You may need to use some good ‘ole elbow grease to get down deep in the tread to get all the dirt and debris. Once clean, rinse them good. Then, you can also use polish your tires and wheel covers to give a finishing touch.

Next, start on the car itself. Start by hosing down the car to get the surface wet. Then, start with small sections at a time so you can pay close attention to detail. For example, you may want to start on the back left, and clean that area from top to bottom. Then, rinse and move toward the center of your car, working your way all the way around. For the car’s body, you’ll want to use something soft so that the paint job can be protected. This can be a range of materials from large sponges, soft chenille pads, wash mitts and even a sea sponge. During this process, you may alternate from the soft sponge to a scrub brush for the grill area to remove bugs. After you are done with all sides, give the car a final rinse.

Next, although the windshield and windows are all probably shining from the good washing, you may want to take another step to make them shine even more and use a glass polish to clean them. Paper towels work fine, but for a more polished look, try ‘recycling’ your newspapers as a window cleaning rag. They work wonderfully, and leave no lint behind like some paper towels do!

Next, you can wax/polish your car. This will rally help protect your car from the elements like dirt, road salt, pollutions and other debris. You can actually wash your car with a pre-wax treatment to prepare for this step. Apply the wax to one panel section at a time using a dry cloth. After the wax dries, you can buff it with a towel. One coat is enough to make it shine- but heck, you can add another coat or two of you want to make it really shine! The wax job can last about two months.

While the interior really doesn’t help maintain the car itself, it’s just nice to have a clean car inside out. After you are done washing and waxing, start by vacuuming the floors, mats and seats. You may need to use the attachments to be able to get in all the nooks and crannies. (Crumbs are everywhere!) If you have rubber mats, those can be washed along with the exterior and laid out to dry. Replace them after the car is cleaned inside. Next, wipe down all the interior surfaces with a damp cloth. Then, just like you did the outside windows, do the same for the inside. Some people like to use a polish to make the dashboard shine. Just don’t polish the steering wheel! It’ll make it slippery.

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Source by Michael Walker

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There are different type of car shelters and garages that you can use for protecting your car. Among these car shelters that are common in many places includes portable and instant shelters. There are also different types of garages that are also used for sheltering cars. They include temporary and instant garages. There are advantages and disadvantages of each car shelter and garage.

Portable shelters are among the most common car shelters. They are also referred to as temporary shelters, thanks to the fact that they are easier to move from place to place. The main advantage of these shelters over other shelters is that, they are easier and cheap to construct. Among the materials needed in order for one to construct these shelters includes tents and steel frames, which are readily available in many stores. They are also convenient for they can be moved from one place to the other, just like their name suggests. Nevertheless, portable shelters too have their own shortcomings. Among them is that they fail to protect the car completely. Therefore, cars that are stored under portable shelters are subject to being damaged and destroyed. The other disadvantage that is linked to portable car shelters is that they can easily be ruined by heavy rains and strong winds.

Instant shelters are much similar to portable shelters, only that the former doesn’t need to be a lot of construction work in order to put them up. The main benefits that are attributed to these shelters are that they are efficient and cost effective, for they require less construction work as compared to other shelters. They are also portable thus being easier to move from place to place. Just like other types of shelters that are used for sheltering cars, they also have their own demerits. Among them is that they are less stable, therefore can collapse anytime there is a heavy wind and downpour. They also fail to offer maximum security to vehicles and trucks that are stored under them. Therefore, the vehicles that are sheltered in these shelters are vulnerable to robbery and destruction.

Temporary garages are also used for the purposes of sheltering cars. The benefits of these garages are that, they are easier to put up as compared to permanent garages. They also provide an alternative place for storing cars when a mechanical garage is needed temporarily. However, they also have their own disadvantages with the first one being that they are expensive to construct. In addition to being expensive to construct, they also require a lot of expertise in order to erect them.

Car canopies are also used for sheltering cars and other vehicles. The main advantage is that they provide an ideal way of protecting cars from a wide array of damages. Secondly, they are ideal for preventing vehicle theft and vandalism alongside reducing the costs of car maintenance. The shortcomings are that, they are too expensive to erect, thus hindering many people from using them to shelter their cars and vehicles. They also require a lot of human expertise for one to completely succeed in putting them up.

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Source by Olive A Garcia

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As our technology advances, we discovered better ways to live with great convenience like the invention of different means of transportation such as the car. Almost every American home owns a car nowadays because having one is already a necessity.

In earlier times when there are no vehicles yet invented for transportation, the people uses animals like horses, camels, and even walk by foot to go to places they wanted to go thus it would take them longer periods of time before they reach their destination.

Moving from one place to another by land becomes easier with you having your personal transportation. You can choose whichever road nearest to the place you will go hence saving time having your own car.

Shopping would be more convenient knowing that you have your own time when you will leave from the house and when you go home after buying everything you need unlike in public transportation there are specific schedules to follow. You manage your own time and it makes you freer to use your time with other things.

In emergency situations requiring urgent medical help we can use our car to transport patient to the hospital especially if it would take longer time for the rescue mobiles to reach our place. But prior to transport of patient, first aid must be properly given by a trained person. With our car as transportation in emergency situations, we get to help save a person’s life.

Busy people who have work that requires travelling a lot in nearby states would need their own car so they can escape from the toxicity of purchasing a ticket to a train, a bus or booking a flight by an airplane. You can also have pleasure trips to these states together with the whole family and you will have more privacy travelling using your own vehicle for transportation.

When you buy a car, just make sure that the type you buy would be very comfortable to use and fit for your lifestyle. It doesn’t have to be very expensive, as long as it has a good quality. Choose the car that is convenient to drive by you and your family. You may get a second hand car and still a very beautiful one at that. Some used cars may not look so great buy with wonderful working engines just needs a little adjustments or even a new color to make it look new.

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Source by Thomas Glickman

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If you have decided to experiment with hydrogen fuel and would like to build a fuel saver Hydrogen Generator, I would suggest the HHO Dry Cell design. The old water4gas HHO generator design was discarded by the pros long ago, and the hydrogen generators known as wet cells are inferior to the new HHO dry cell design.

Here are a few reasons why the new “HHO dry cell” kits are better than the old water4gas and wet cell designs.

The old wet cell designs had a large amount of voltage leakage around the edges of the stainless plates. What this means is that part of the supplied current was not reaching the plates where the electrolysis process takes place, so you had to deliver more voltage in order to produce the desired amount of HHO gas. You do not have this current loss on an HHO dry design. With the new HHO dry cell design, the electrical current is focused on the dry cell plates, this is how the dry cell produces more hydrogen fuel with the use of fewer amps.

The HHO drycell is usually configured with four or five neutral plates, encased in several negative and positive stainless plates. The purpose of the neutral plate is to help lower the voltage between the positive and negative plates which will make this cell run much more efficiently. This design produces less heat and will form more HHO gas than the old water4gas and wet cell hydrogen generators, using fewer amps.

Another great improvement made with the HHO cell is the size of the unit. You can build an HHO dry-cell that is only 4″ x 4″ that will produce as much HHO gas as an old 6″ x 12″ wet cell. Because of this great improvement in design, the dry-cell-kit can be installed in an area with less available space.

If you are ready to build an HHO generator, don’t even think about buying HHO plans, you can get free plans for dry and wet cells all over the Internet. I have been supplying DIY HHO plans for free, for several years. Stop by HHO Dry Cell and grab a set of these free HHO plans today.

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Source by Robert L. Lee

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If you’re planning to attend a NASCAR race, then you can probably expect to spend a day at the track. There’s nothing worse than being unprepared for any outing, so consider a small checklist to make the day a fun-filled event.

• Be sure to wear comfortable shoes because you will be doing a lot of walking. On a normal day, fans can expect to be at the track for a minimum of five to six hours and, depending on your seat location, there are stairs to climb and you will definitely want to have a comfortable pair of walking shoes.
• Always bring a small umbrella or rain poncho – just incase those storm clouds decide to roll in during race time. If this should happen, the race will likely be stopped until the rain passes over and the track is dried. You’ll want to be dry while you wait for the race to resume. Purchase the smallest umbrella possible and tuck it in a purse or a pocket. There’s no need to carry a large, bulky umbrella around all day – especially if it ultimately isn’t needed. As a race fan, you’re always hoping for a sunny day, but it’s good to be prepared. If there’s a chill in the air, bring a light jacket.
• Remember to bring plenty of drinking water. Bottled water is ideal, convenient and really hits the spot on a hot summer day. Keep in mind that racetracks are large and, as mentioned previously, there is a lot of walking involved. From the time that you arrive, climb the stands and find your seat, fans are looking at a potential 30 minute walk or more. Avoid the temptation to poor the water over your head and save it for drinking.
• A snack is always a good thing to have on hand during raceday. Who wants to leave their seat when a hunger pain hits? Save yourself the time and pack a sandwich or candy bar from home. Don’t forget the hand sanitizer or soap, too!
• Keeping in mind that attending a live event is different than a televised event is essential. Many of the luxuries of watching at home, on television, are absent at a live event. Sitting in the stands will leave you without the commentary, so consider a scanner and headphones. A list of driver frequencies are available at most tracks, which will enable you to hear the spotter and driver communicate with one another during the race.
• Be sure to bring a camera and several rolls of film. If you’re using a digital camera, be sure that you have several brand new back-up batteries incase yours runs down through the course of the day.

Before you close that suitcase, there’s just a few more small items to remember. If you have a pit pass, bring along a small notebook for autographs. Consider bringing some cash, but not too much, for a visit to the many souvenir trailers lined outside the track. A final check should reveal that you’ve packed a pair of sunglasses and, if you’re seated high in the stands, grab a pair of binoculars and bring the action up close. After all, if a race isn’t close – what’s the point? Have fun.

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Source by Bob Johnson

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I recently helped a client of mine settle the total loss of her car that had been stolen, and the thought crossed my mind that others might find the information useful. My background before becoming an independent agent in 1996 was as a claims adjuster for a national insurance company. I learned a lot from working in that capacity, and found that most people who were unfortunate enough to have an automobile total loss situation did not know how the process worked, and would blindly settle for whatever figure was presented to them.

Insurance companies often utilize outside vendors to provide a detailed report listing comparable vehicles in the area and their respective asking price. Most of the time these reports are accurate, but sometimes they are not. It is important as an insurance consumer to educate yourself when dealing with the insurance company to settle your total loss. Once you do your due diligence and arm yourself with knowledge, you will be in a much stronger position when the company presents you with their settlement offer.

I am often asked how insurance companies determine the value of a vehicle that has been deemed a total loss. Do they use Kelley Blue Book or Edmund’s guide? The answer is no. California law prohibits insurance companies from using such guides to determine a vehicle’s value, as these guides are national in scope, and the value of your vehicle may be higher or lower than their figures based on the market in your area. Insurance companies have to determine the market value or actual cash value of the vehicle in your specific area. They can do this by searching local advertisements to find comparable vehicles for sale. These can take the form of print ads in the newspaper or online ad sites. The insurance adjuster may also talk to local dealerships to get a quote for comparable vehicles.

Usually the insurance company will come up with 7-12 comparable vehicles, and will list them all and average their prices to arrive at what they estimate to be the actual cash value of your vehicle. They will typically present you with the total loss settlement offer, and hope that you just accept it sign the release. This is where your research comes in handy. When you first suspect that your vehicle may be a total loss, you should start your research. Look on local websites such as http://www.AutoTrader.com that have used cars for sale in your area. Try to find as close a match to your vehicle as you can (i.e. same year/make/model, same or similar options packages, mileage, and condition). Of course you will be trying to find the comparable vehicles with the highest asking price. Try to find 5-10 comparable vehicles that are on the higher end of the price spectrum. Add all the prices up, and divide by the number of comparable vehicles in your sample to get an average.

When the insurance company presents you with their settlement offer, you now have a good idea of whether their offer is fair or is too low. The settlement process isn’t about haggling back and forth like you would with a used car salesman though. The claims adjuster wants to settle the claim as much as you do so that they can get the file off their desk and move on the next one, but they need documentation to put in their file to show how they arrived at the final settlement figure. You can help them by letting them know that you have done your research, and feel that their offer is low. Ask to see their report or research to see how they arrived at the figure they are offering. They are obligated to provide that information if you ask. Then, provide them with your research, and request they add the comparable vehicles that you found to their list, and average them all out. This should increase the overall figure.

Sometimes, as was the case when the insurance company settled the total loss of my wife’s vehicle, the offer is very fair. I had done my research, and determined the actual cash value of the vehicle. When the insurance company called and offered to settle the total loss for significantly more than the figure I had come up with, of course I did not argue with them.

By doing your due diligence and arming yourself with information, you will be in a better position to determine if the insurance company’s offer is accurate. If their offer is low, you now have the ammunition to bolster your position and maximize your total loss settlement.

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Source by Todd Payne

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Owning a Harley-Davidson entitles you to a great pride. It is like owning a luxury car or owning a private jet. This is why, even if what you are buying is a used Harley, the excitement is still the same. But before closing the deal, here are the pros and cons of buying used Harley-Davidson:

Pros…

· Used Harley Davidsons are cheaper.

Well, resale value of some Harley models can be as high as its original price. But, there are several models that can buy for less. There are several sites online where you can find cheap but high-quality Harley Davidson models.

· Rare Harleys are Used Harleys

Over a hundred years of motorcycle production has produced hundreds of models, some of them are hard to find while most of them are out of the production line. If you are looking for a particular model of a particular year, you can search for used Harley-Davidson for sale.

· Used Harley-Davidsons are well-maintained

Since owning a Harley-Davidson is like owning a luxury car, outmost care is being practiced by most of its owner. Thus, you rarely see an ill-maintained Harley-Davidson on the road. You also cannot see any ill-maintained Harley-Davidson on an auction site or selling site. This is another reason why some models have prices even if they are old.

· Used Harley-Davidson are customized

If you prefer a unique Harley-Davidson, then a used one can come in handy. There are several used Harley-Davidsons that maintain their original look but most owners prefer to modify some parts according to their personality.

Cons…

· Used Harley-Davidson are customized

This may be an advantage for some but it does not mean that it is not a disadvantage. Since, most owners would want to infuse a little of their personality to their Harley-Davidson, the next owner will inherit what has been changed on the motorcycle. Unless you want to buy used Harley-Davidson regardless of the modifications that have been made, you may have difficulty to give it some of your personal touch. And sometimes, you are paying for the accessories that you really don’t need.

· Some used Harley-Davidsons motorcycles are expensive

Cheap Harley-Davidson can be hard to find. Unlike used cars, some used Harley-Davidson motorcycles are expensive. In fact, rare models are more expensive than other newer models. But don’t be discouraged; there are several models that are less expensive than others.

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Source by Low Jeremy

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Odometer fraud is the criminal act of tampering with the odometer of a vehicle to falsely represent the true mileage of the vehicle. Used car salesmen, mechanics, and individual sellers may commit odometer fraud in an attempt to falsely increase the value of the car and defraud the buyer. Especially during tough economic times, sellers may resort to criminal measures to increase the probability of selling the car and profiting from it. Unfortunately for the offenders, however, discovery of odometer fraud often leads to a combination of serious charges and severe penalties if convicted.

Odometer Fraud, Title Fraud, and Grand Theft

Typically when a person goes through the trouble of turning back an odometer, he or she is not doing it simply for his or her own benefit. The ultimate goal is usually to make the car appear more attractive to prospective buyers and to effectively steal money by charging more for the used car than it is worth. If a person is charged with odometer fraud, he or she will likely also be charged with title fraud and grand theft, which include:

Title fraud: The total mileage of the car recorded on the title is altered so that the buyer or an investigator does not suspect that the odometer has been adjusted

Grand theft: If the amount defrauded from the buyer is calculated to be $300 or more, an offender will be charged with grand theft

Penalties

All three of these offenses are classified, at minimum, as a third-degree felony in the state of Florida. Not only will a convict be listed as a felon, but he or she will also face severe prison sentences and heavy fines, including the following for each third-degree felony conviction:

• Up to 5 years in prison
• Up to $5,000 in fines
• Restitution payments to fraud and theft victims

This means that even a single round of convictions for odometer fraud, title fraud, and grand theft could result in up to 15 years in prison, $15,000 in fines, and thousands of dollars worth of restitution payments to the victims. In addition, a conviction can devastate an offender’s personal and professional life and have lasting consequences for years. A single arrest and conviction can make it extremely difficult to apply for school, secure a loan, apply for or keep a job, find a place to live, and more.

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Source by Joseph Devine