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If you’re thinking about a charity car donation I’m going to outline some of the facts you should know. You can receive a nice IRS tax deduction for your old car or used car and help someone in need in the process.

It’s called car donation or charity car donation when you give a charity organization your vehicle – automobile, car, truck, ATV, RV, airplane or any other vehicle which might or might not be in useable condition. In the U.S. charitable vehicle donations provide a great tax benefit for the donor and it’s rapidly gaining in popularity.

First you want to learn the mission of any charity you’re considering. If you have a specific charity in mind for the car donation do some research on it, especially if you’re not sure how reputable the charity is. There are many national and local charitable organizations that advertise in newspapers or on television and openly announce they are looking for car donations. You have probably seen some of these, but are they your best choice?

Sometimes charities will use the car donations themselves in their daily charitable activities – sometimes to transport people. Perhaps they may use it to transport people in need to doctor’s appointments, social worker appointments, hospital tests, etc. More often though the vehicles will be sold at auction or off their car lots to raise money for the charity’s programs or their general fund. Yes it is not common knowledge that many charities have their own car lots. Many Goodwill Industry stores have their own.

Many people do choose to donate their used and unwanted cars in order to help others. If you buy a new car or own a car that isn’t running, you can consider donating the car, truck, or other vehicle. You can also donate boats, RVs, ATVs, airplanes and other vehicles or even real estate depending on what your charity accepts. Your donation is tax deductible which helps you and the organization that you donated the vehicle to.

Day in and out, charities provide services and needed support to people in communities all over the nation. While some may receive government grants or private donations, this is never enough to take care of the many causes they pursue. Charity car donations are a planned part of the non-profit organization’s budget. These vehicle donations can make the difference in the kind of services they can offer. So if you donate vehicles you will help these organizations continue to function

In a nutshell, car donation means acquiring old cars from donors and donating them to charity organizations. There are car donation companies that are intermediaries or links between the donors and the people who benefited from these donations. They are a big help in funding for charities. Some companies even help organizations that do not have their own charity programs. The car donation companies can auction the donated car or other vehicle in the marketplace and the money is given to the charities or the car can be used by the charity organization or be sold on their used car lot.

When you give your car to charity you are given a charitable gift IRS Tax Receipt. The vehicle donations when made to a reputable and bona fide charitable organization are tax-deductible. The IRS allows the donor-taxpayer to claim a tax deduction on the estimated value of the vehicle up to $500. The donor of the car or vehicle must have title, so make sure you have it handy when you start the process.

Make sure to ask if the charity handles the car donations – have their own charity car donation program or pays an outside company to do it. If the for-profit company handles the car or vehicle donations, find out just how much money the charity receives from the sale and how much will go to the for-profit company.

You will see car donation program in just about every major city in every state in the U.S., including California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York and Michigan. There are no laws preventing charities from accepting these types of donations.

Some of the car donation charities you might see are: Target, Purple Heart, Kidney Foundation, Salvation Army, Goodwill Industries and various cancer organizations.

In any case you will greatly benefit for your charity car donation both in claiming a nice car donation tax deduction or benefit and in helping charities continue to operate so they can help people in need.

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Source by Helen Hecker

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If you own a construction company or use farm equipment, you may be paying too much for your diesel fuel. Red dye diesel fuel has the same chemical composition as diesel #2, but red pigment has been added. Red diesel fuel costs less because it can be used for any diesel engine powered vehicle that does not drive on the roadways, and is therefore exempt from state road tax. In California, for example, red dyed diesel fuel is about.40 to.50 less per gallon than diesel #2 due to the absence of the state road tax. Here’s a closer look at the types of off-road vehicles that use red diesel and the businesses that could benefit most from switching to red dye diesel.

Construction companies rely upon diesel fuel to power their backhoes, cranes, bulldozers, Bobcats and even for their diesel generators. Moving large objects like loads of rebar, soil, and steel beams are no match for large pieces of equipment like these. However, with off road construction vehicles like these, the gas is burned in large amounts. According to the Nebraska Test Laboratory Web site, construction vehicles vary widely in their gallons used per hour depending upon the size of the vehicle.

With the smallest bulldozers using just under 4 Gal/hr and the largest devouring 18 Gal/hr, a day’s work can cost thousands of dollars in fuel costs! For just one large construction vehicle operating 9 hours per day at 18 Gal/hr (at $3.00 per gallon), the cost for diesel #2 would be $486.00 per day. If red dye diesel were used instead, the cost would only be $396.90 for the day at $2.45 per gallon! Savings: $89.10 per vehicle, per day. With multiple construction vehicles in operation, a construction company can save thousands of dollars every day in diesel fuel costs.

Farmers are another type of business that can financially benefit from using red dye diesel fuel. Farm equipment including tractors, bulldozers, harvesters, Bobcats, and diesel powered generators can all use red diesel instead of diesel #2. The Nebraska Test Laboratory states that a new John Deere 9230 tractor uses about 11.5 Gal/hr on average. For multiple tractors and farm equipment running their diesel engine from sun up to sun down, the savings can add up significantly each day! At $3.00 per gallon for diesel #2 versus $2.45 per gallon for red dyed diesel, a 10 hour workday can cost $63.25 less per vehicle!

Though some people use red dye fuel in their diesel engines on state roadways, it is illegal to do so. The California Highway Patrol has paper dipsticks to test for the presence of red dye in consumer vehicles and will fine the driver heavily if the stick comes out of the tank with the classic red hue. Off road farm equipment and construction vehicles can all use this less expensive fuel and business owners can begin saving money immediately. In this poor economy, saving money is more important than ever. Other businesses that can benefit from using this fuel instead are traveling shows that use diesel generators such as road shows, carnivals, and fairs. Start saving money today by switching to red dye diesel!

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Source by Kim Virrueta

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A number of Dodge truck owners are aggravated with frequent mechanical problems that are related to the new technology used in these vehicles. Those vehicles affected include Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins 6.7 diesel trucks for the years 2007 through 2010 and the Dodge Ram 3500 Cummins 6.7 diesel trucks for the same years. A number of product defect law firms have received requests from owners of these vehicles, asking for legal representation and assistance. The problems experienced include stalling, a check engine light that stays on, and many other issues reported by the owners of these vehicles.

Dodge RAM trucks which come equipped with the 6.7 Liter Cummins turbo diesel engine have been causing big headaches for Chrysler, because of defects and needed repairs in the model years 2007 through 2010. A frequent complaint is that the check engine light comes on without any cause and the owner ends up taking the vehicle to the dealership for repairs under the vehicle warranty. Common issues seen by dealers include transmission problems, fire hazards in the engine bay area, faulty computer controls for the engine, problems with the emission systems, and even issues with the turbo components.

There have been a number of technical service bulletins issued by Dodge due to problems with this engine control software, and also some regarding soot accumulations in the turbocharger which is excessive and may result in problems with the emissions of the vehicle. There are lemon laws in place under the product defect liability laws, and if you are the owner of a 2007-2010 Dodge Ram 2500 or Dodge Ram 3500 with Cummins diesel engine and have experienced problems with your vehicle then you may be entitled to receive cash compensation. In addition there are experienced lawyers who will take your case on a contingency basis, which means the lawyer only receives payment if you receive financial compensation.

Dodge issued a Fire Recall Alert concerning 2007 and 2008 Dodge Ram 2500 and Dodge Ram 3500 trucks with Cummins diesel engines. The company received fourteen reports of fires which started in the engine bay compartment. These fires were caused by material used for noise insulation that sagged down and came into contact the exhaust gas recirculation cooler for the diesel engine. The solution to this problem is a simple bracket installation. This recall notice covered more than one hundred thousand vehicles. Another recall for Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 trucks equipped with a 6.7L diesel engine for model years 2007, 2008, and 2009 was issued by Chrysler due to emissions, and this was the Chrysler Emissions Recall J35 Letter. This specific problem affected the Engine Control Module, and the solution was to have this module reprogrammed at a dealer facility.

If you own one of these vehicles and have experienced any of these problems or others then you should call a lemon law attorney as soon as possible. If your vehicle experienced problems due to a product defect then you could be eligible to receive monetary compensation for all of your time, aggravation, and expense. The Chrysler Group, LLC is the defendant in a class action lawsuit which was started in January 2010, and you may be entitled to be included in the group if you own one of the affected trucks. Unless you contact an attorney experienced in product defect laws you may not even realize you have a case. There is no charge if you do not recover, so you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. An experienced attorney can help you recover the money that you deserve, with no risks involved.

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Source by Seomul Evans

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What is a Commercial Driver’s License?

A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) is a license issued within the United States that enables a person to operate any type of vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 lb or over. A CDL would enable a person to drive vehicles such as: tractor trailers, tow trucks, or buses that are designed to carry 16 or more people.

What are the Benefits of Having a CDL?

Times are in demand for professional drivers. If a person is looking to receive a job there are many opportunities for the person that has a CDL. One advantage of having a CDL is that it can be used in many fields of work. Many people might instantly think of truck driving when they think of a CDL, but there is much more to it than just that. As one example consider a construction company. A contractor would be more interested in you as an employee if you had your CDL because when the circumstance came up where they needed someone to deliver supplies that required a Commercial Vehicle, you would be ready to perform the task. Obtaining a CDL will certainly increase your chances of receiving a job with a prospective employer. There are many fields that require a CDL. When you receive your CDL many doors to employment are opened to you.

What Steps Are Involved In Receiving a CDL?

First a prospective driver must pass three required written tests. The General Knowledge, Combination Knowledge and Air Brake Knowledge tests are mandatory written tests that must be passed to receive your Class A CDL Permit. The permit will allow you to operate a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) on public roads as long as you are accompanied by a person having their CDL. Second, you must schedule a driving test at the testing facility. This test will include a pre-trip inspection, a skills test, and an over-the-road test. Once you have passed all three sections of the test you will be issued your CDL. You can then legally operate a CMV on public roads.

What If I Do Not Have a CMV to Take the Test With?

There are many Commercial Driving Schools around the country which will teach prospective drivers how to operate a commercial vehicle. The training usually lasts 3-4 weeks. There are alternatives to Commercial Driving Schools. If someone has had experience in professional driving or they simply want a CDL to increase their chances of getting a job, they may want to rent a vehicle and receive instruction for one day so that they will be able to get their CDL.

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Source by Shane Goines

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The history of Trailmobile trailers extends back to the end of the nineteenth century. While the brand has been owned under many different companies, it has always been a name that stood for rugged engineering and forward looking innovation. This Trailmobile history will give you an idea of its past, as well as the recent difficulties and rebirth under the ownership of Manac.

Precursor to Trailmobile

The Trailmobile Company can trace its roots back to the time of horse drawn carriages and vehicles. A man by the name of Daniel M. Sechler worked as a carriage maker in the 1840’s and started a couple carriage shops between that time and 1879 when he incorporated Sechler and Company. They quickly became one of the largest manufacturers of carriages in the world. By the end of the century motorized vehicles had begun to be developed, and the company needed to consider a new direction for growth. It was an employee named John Endebrock who realized that there was a future in trailers for the new cars and trucks that were being invented. In 1915, they introduced their trailer as the Trailmobile, which was meant to trail behind an automobile, and changed their name to The Trailmobile Company.

Invention of the Fifth Wheel

One of the great innovations that came from Trailmobile was the fifth wheel engineering for easy coupling and uncoupling of the trailer from the vehicle. This concept was patented in 1919 after several years of Endebrock searching for an easier solution to attach and disengage the semi trailer, similar to how train cars were locked together and then easily separated. Before this invention it took three men and jacks to unhook the trailer. After the introduction of the fifth wheel design, which has changed very little to this day, one man could complete the task.

Trailmobile Grows and Changes

The first and second world wars required Trailmobile to manufacture thousands of specialized trailers to meet the military needs of that time. It also established the Trailmobile brand as a trusted builder of quality trailers. Between the two wars and in the years after the company merged with other trucking manufacturers and was sold to different corporations. The name was changed for several years and then changed back in 1944 due to the respected name Trailmobile had developed over the years. Eventually the company came to be known as Trailmobile Canada Limited in the 1990’s.

The Recession Hits

The tough economic times created by a massive recession which began around 2007 had a big impact on the trucking and shipping industries. Trailmobile Canada Limited was not able to weather the storm and was forced to final bankruptcy in 2009. Manac purchased the assets of the company to broaden its number of commercial trailer offerings, and recently the Trailmobile brand has been resurrected with Manac Inc.’s reintroduction of the Trailmobile UltraPlate.

Despite its many changes over more than 100 years, Trailmobile still stands for quality construction and innovation in tractor trailers and dry vans. We hope you have enjoyed this history of Trailmobile trailers.

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Source by Jim McCormack

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You are probably wondering how long the Flowmaster exhaust lasts. As an auto enthusiast in search of a good exhaust system there are a number of parts that the exhaust system consists of and you should look at each one individually.

While there are a lot of different functional parts within every exhaust system, typically, the only part of an exhaust that you are able to see is the exhaust tip. Because your exhaust tips are so vital to the appearance of the rear of your vehicle, you will want to have the best looking exhaust tips that are available out there. Flowmaster exhaust tips look excellent on the rear of any vehicle. Like a lot of Flowmaster products, Flowmaster exhaust tips are designed and made out of stainless steel and made to last.

Now if you are asking “how long does the Flowmaster exhaust pipe last?” you can have a look at the warranty and get a pretty good idea. The aluminized steel is guaranteed for 3 years and the stainless steel exhaust is guaranteed for 10 years. I would really think because of the warranty that you will not have any problems for at least double that amount of time. I have not come across anyone complaining how little time they got out of their Flowmaster exhaust pipe.

Next question is how long does the Flowmaster muffler last? Some of their mufflers are made of aluminized steel and others of stainless steel. These are your options as you go through a website checkout. People have seen these torn up and stuff, but they are not known to rust out and some people have had them on for 20 years and more. And that is just the aluminized steel mufflers. I wouldn’t worry about muffler decay so much.

To go along with the warranty that comes with every Flowmaster product, they also assure you of dependable service when you need it. Car hobbyists absolutely deserve excellent assistance when shopping for great quality auto parts for their car or truck. Therefore, Flowmaster has also put up a round-the-clock help agency to help you with your requests. These groups of technical assistants who have been trained for troubleshooting all types of Flowmaster product concern will be available to help, Monday through Friday.

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Source by Ken Bishop

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Insurance auto auctions are a great way to get a great deal on salvaged cars and trucks. In fact, the company Insurance Auto Auctions is one of the most commonly used specialists in this area with auto auction locations throughout the United States. The company has been around since the early 1990s providing a variety of auto auction services for car owners, car buyers, and car sellers. If you are looking for a good way to get a car at a cheaper rate, insurance salvage deals are a great option!

Salvage vehicle auctions involve several elements – including a facilitation between buyer and seller as arranged by the Insurance Auto Auctions company. Although IAA is one of the more well known companies in this part of the automotive industry, many other companies exist with the same auto salvage specialty.

Automotive salvage occurs when an insurer considers a vehicle to be a “total loss” in insurance terminology. Essentially, this means that the vehicle is of no use to the insurance provider and the insurance carrier. When this happens, the salvaged vehicle can be sold or parted out. Many major insurance companies work with Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc. and similar companies. You will not be surprised to learn that Farmer’s Insurance, and even GEICO are just some of the names on the IAA list of regular clients.

Percentage salvage auction sales are more common these days as such companies work hard to get a piece of the action! When a salvaged car is sold at rock-bottom prices, the insurance agency provider is very interested in obtaining rights to at least a small percentage of the insurance auto auction. Since this practice has become more common in recent years, more and more insurance agents and their representatives are seeking percentage shares with companies like Insurance Auto Auctions.

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Source by Costas Peppas

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Sometimes, moving is something that is necessary. Everything has to be packed up in order to be taken to the new destination. It all has to be loaded in a moving vehicle of some sort only to be unpacked when it reaches the new location. After everything is taken out of the building, you look back at it with sadness because of the fond memories you have, but that is something you must leave behind. Well, you’re at least leaving the neighborhood behind.

You stand there watching how these guys are putting the building on the back of an 18 wheeler and you can’t wait until it is delivered to the new location that your company acquired. There is more land and more steel buildings to be delivered to the location. Not too many people can move to a location that is ten miles away from them and actually take the building with them.

Depending on the size of the steel building, it can be moved in pieces and put together at its final destination. Sometimes a steel building may be like a storage container that is used as an office. Whatever the reason, there is a process to moving a steel building. It may seem like a mystery to some as to how it is possible to move something so large and so heavy, but the process is rather easy at times.

It doesn’t matter if the building is new and just being built or is an existing structure that needs to be moved, it has to be divided up into pieces. When it is a new building, the pieces are built, shipped to the building’s destination, and then assembled there. If the building is an existing structure, then it will be divided into the same pieces it was in when it arrived brand new. After this occurs, the following steps take place:

• The pieces are lifted by a building jack apparatus. The buildings are usually built with slots in which the building jack apparatus can be inserted.

• The jack then lifts the building up to a predetermined height, but instead of it being lifted onto the truck, the truck backs up under the lifted building. The jack then lowers the building onto the bed of the trailer.

• When the building meets its destination, the same method can be used to lift the building off of the trailer bed or the trailer bed may be hydraulic and can carefully slide the building off of the back of it. This step depends on whether or not that piece of the building can stand on its own. This process is repeated for all of the pieces. Depending on the size of the building, it can take several trucks to move the building.

However, when moving a steel building that has already been in place for a while, it is necessary to employ a company that has the trucks, the manpower, and the proper tools to move a steel building. Usually, those who actually manufacture them can provide moving services for people who need to move steel buildings, but such services do come with a cost. It is more or less going to depend on how many pieces need transported and the size of the building. These factors will determine how many trucks are needed, what tools are needed, and how many people need to be involved in the moving effort. It can be quite extensive. At least if anyone has doubts about a steel building being able to be moved, you can contradict them by telling them that you know the basics of how it is done.

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Source by Amy Nutt

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A felony conviction is usually seen from an employer’s standpoint a huge deterrent. It often causes other less qualified individuals get hired over you because of your conviction. It can even reduce the amount you’ll be paid because the employer knows that you’ll have trouble finding a job no matter where you go, causing you to get hired at a “discount.” Below is a list of jobs that statistically aren’t affected by having a criminal record. This list includes both white collar jobs such as an office clerk, medical assistant, and sales person as well as blue collar jobs such as a mechanic, plumber, and construction worker.

Top 6 Blue/White Collar Jobs for Felons:

6. Running a hot dog stand. Don’t underestimate the earning potential of this occupation. If you’re starting your own hot dog stand, the investment cost is very minimal and with some hard work can produce a pretty substantial salary. A descent location can produce about $100 per day in profits after deducting expenses and an exceptional location can produce upwards of $250 per day. Some of the most successful stand owners in New York City earn over $100,000 per year.

5. Working as an ice cream truck driver. Similar to running a hot dog stand, this has the potential to become very lucrative. If you plan on starting your own ice cream truck business it’s recommended that you work for someone else first so that you can learn more about the expenses involved and the hot spots in your area.

4. Entry level office clerks. Typically this position doesn’t require a background check to get hired and provides reasonable compensation. There is normally room to move up in a job like this, to an office manager, and eventually to a regional office manager.

3. Private Detective. The pay for this job is actually very good and most of the time they will gladly accept felons, especially the non violent offenders.

2. Truck Driving. If your schedule is flexible and you don’t mind driving for long periods of time, this is one of the highest paying jobs that you can get that does not require a college degree. Most start out at around $40,000 per year and with experience you can earn up to $60,000 per year.

1. Doing surveys online. These types of websites are often scams, but there are some very legitimate and honest ones out there. Keep in mind, any survey site worth it’s salt wont have any kind of paid membership what so ever. These sites wont make you rich but it’s a great way to earn money in between jobs and to supplement your income once you find a job. The great thing about these sites is that they don’t discriminate based on your record and add are a great way to keep your self occupied while your job searching.

When your applying for jobs always choose small companies over large corporations. Small companies are much more likely to provide jobs to convicted felons as they don’t have strict policies in place that ban this type of hiring. You should be keeping your self busy while waiting to hear back from any potential employers so you don’t get discouraged. Doing paid surveys are a great way to stay productive and since your earning money it’s something you can feel good about doing.

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Source by Steven Yon

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The end of the year in an organization is often a time of reflection and evaluation. As I look back over the decisions I have made over the past 12 months, I evaluate them to see how they have affected our company and what I might do differently. As I reflect, I am paying attention to that voice in my head that is tempted to blame our failures on other people (or organizations) while taking complete credit for our successes. If I want my team to work together effectively, I have to resist this impulse to assign blame or credit.

I recall an incident that occurred in my life several years ago that is emblematic of this tendency to blame other people for the unfortunate events that happen in our lives. I was in my car at a green light waiting for a pedestrian to pass so that I could turn right at a street corner. Suddenly a truck hit the back of my car. It was a US Post Office truck driven by an employee who proceeded to back up and drive away from the scene of the accident. Given that those trucks have a large identifying number on the back, this was not such a great idea. I wrote that number down and followed him straight to the post office where I told a supervisor what happened. The supervisor left to get the official paperwork. As the two of us stood looking at the back end of my car, he actually said to me in a accusing tone of voice: “Well, I hope you’re happy. You just made me lose my job.”

I remember that situation and his comment whenever I am tempted to blame someone else for the consequences of my own actions. To avoid that, I find it useful to ask myself: How have I contributed to this outcome? What would I do differently if I could do this over? The next time I face this problem what will I do?

When we lead teams, we can help them develop this habit of taking personal responsibility for their part in a difficult outcome. The trick is to do it without blaming them or ourselves. We can lay the foundation by talking through the issue or challenge with phrases such as:

• As I think about what happened, I can see that I contributed by….
• We all share responsibility for this outcome. For instance, I wish that I had….
• The next time we handle this challenge, I plan to….

And we can also help our employees and co-workers take ownership of their part by asking questions such as:

• Looking back, how do you think you played a part in this?
• If you could do it over again, what would you do differently?
• What steps do you plan to take the next time you face this situation?

When people make clear statements that demonstrate that they are taking at least partial ownership of a challenging situation, we can reinforce their positive behavior by making statements such as:

• I really appreciate your ability to look at this challenge objectively.
• I think your assessment of this situation is right on target.
• I trust that you will succeed next time. These are great ideas.
• Thank you for talking this problem through so that we can work together to get better results.

As we model taking ownership and responsibility and as we recognize this same level of personal responsibility demonstrated by others, we reinforce a positive cycle that paves the way to healthy, collaborative teamwork.

So what will it be? A team that is at the mercy of lunkheads in other departments? Or a team that is confident in its ability to meet any challenge? It’s your choice.

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Source by Cynthia Clay