One of the more popular methods people like to use is the Internet. There are several sites online that offer car insurance like E-Surance for example amongst many others. Most of these sites are pretty reliable for online auto insurance but they were a bit pricey. I’m only 19 years and I know that car insurance regardless will cost me a lot but after getting a quote on E-Surance, it was around $200 for just PLPD. I’ve searched through some message boards for online car insurance and have found that many people end up paying more for online auto insurance.

I’m not sure the reason for the price being more online but maybe it’s just because it’s more of a convenience since you can objective print your insurance info off right on your computer. Personally I think that local insurance agencies are more capable since I can physically go visit them.

The no name local car insurance companies I personally have never dealt with. In my town I live in Michigan, I have a couple of these places throughout town. I’ve gotten quotes from each one just to see if I could be saving some money and both of them were around $150 a month for just PLPD. There was no scheme I could afford $150 legal then and pay for gas and everything else each month so I decided to pass on these.

I’m skeptical of them anyways since it’s not a regular insurance agency like Station Farm for instance. I’m not entirely sure how many people get their insurance through the local companies but there are some that are reliable and if you can secure one that offers the best rate, then congratulations.

Honestly, I think agencies like State Farm are the best choice for getting car insurance. They are reliable; you normally will have an actual agent instead of just a few people working at a desk each day. I was able to find the best rate possible through State Farm but I figured that I could collect a better deal online or through a lower named station but it was the proper opposite. These places are much more trustworthy and you can find them nationwide.

Bottom line, there are three main ways of getting car insurance but going through an agency in your town like Space Farm is definitely your best option. It’s a national company, reliable, you can physically visit them if there’s a problem and you will have an actual agent to talk to. Online car insurance is a gracious convenient method for anyone that doesn’t have a company like Station Farm around them but it will most likely cost you more.

So, you’re in the market for auto insurance and you want the best rates for you and your partner. Here are some important measures to take into consideration as you and your domestic partner shop around.

Shopping auto insurance online is a convenient way of comparing cost-effectiveness, value and service since there is an abundance of resources at your fingertips. Civil union and domestic partnership laws and guidelines vary by each state, so it is important to first understand how your own state recognizes you and your partner. In California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Unusual Jersey and Vermont, same sex couples can either marry or be treated like spouses; therefore same sex couples cannot be discriminated against when providing insurance.

Even if your dwelling does not distinguish domestic partnerships, still look for a company that recognizes and appreciates pride in your union; this will enable you to perhaps qualify for similar rates equivalent to what the insurer would offer a husband and wife. When all else fails, as an alternative ask your insurer if they offer discounts to cohabitating couples, so that you and your partner can qualify for a reduction based upon this constituent.

Here are some additional tips when shopping for your coverage:

Ask around: Friends, family members and coworkers are likely to offer you consumer advice on the insurer that they employ, if you ask.

Shop around: Get at least three price quotes by calling or accessing comparisons on the internet.

Research: Go to your state’s individual insurance department and commissioner website to view the amount of complaints filed with the insurer.

One Stop Shopping: Inquire about auto insurance in the same place that holds your homeowner’s insurance policy and it is likely that you will salvage a discount for having two policies with the same company.

Discounts: Ask about corporate, pleasant driver and anti-theft equipment discounts.

Convenience: Some online auto insurance companies offer instant quotes, the capability to conception comparison quotes and the convenience of purchasing the policy and printing insurance cards in minutes. In addition they offer the online convenience of making policy changes and filing claims.

But unlike large repair facilities he doesn’t have a staff to handle the more mundane tasks of running a garage. So many times a car is dropped off, an estimate is given, a deposit is collected for parts and the car is repaired. But the owner does not advance back in a timely manner to pick it up. Usually this has something to do with finances and paying for the repairs. Mike spends his time trying to call and collect but the car just sits in his repair bay taking up valuable site and becoming a liability.

Recently Mike took a vacation. Not from work but from accepting new work. He spent two weeks doing nothing but cleaning his property of vehicles. He finished all the repairs that had been put on hold, he took in no new business and spent time collecting for old business. When he was finished there were 5 cars left on the property. These cars had all been there more than 60 days and one almost a year. They were repaired and ready to be picked up. His investment in labor and parts was over $5000. A significant sum of money to a small one man operation.

While visiting Mike one day we talked about these cars and what should be done. So a little bit of research told us that these cars could be declared abandoned and he could take title and sell them at a public sale to recover his costs. Seemed like a lot of work, cost and legal minefields to get through but it was a task he was determined to accomplish. While most states have abandoned vehicle laws and procedures for disposing of them each plot is different and what Mike was able to do only applies to Alabama abandoned vehicles.

The AL statute that applies to abandoned motor vehicles is The Abandoned Motor Vehicle Act, Code of Alabama 1975, Title 32, Chapter 13. The act is designed to protect both current owners of vehicles and also those to who vehicles are entrusted. There are a number of steps involved in getting title to an abandoned vehicle and those steps must be followed in order to complete the transaction and ensure a clean title for the eventual owner of an abandoned vehicle.

The first step has to do with determining whether a car can be declared as abandoned. For a repair facility this means either 60 days after it is left for repair when no time is agreed upon or 60 days after repairs are complete. These days are significant and must be famed by the garage in order to invent sure that the vehicle will be declared abandoned by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

The second step is obtain a vehicle describe from the state that shows the current owner and their address along with any lien holders on the title. Again very important to make sure that this report is obtained from the state and is accurate. Once this information is obtained the owner must be notified or attempts must be made to notify the owner and the lien holders of the vehicle’s location and the costs to recover the vehicle. You must also tell them that it will be for public sale and what date that sale will take place.

The garage owner must also place an announcement in the local paper or in the courthouse that gives study of this sale. The study must be posted twice at least 7 days apart and 30 days prior to the sale. Again the time and dates are very specific and must be followed to ensure a proper transference of title to any recent owner. One the sale is complete there are several other state forms that must be completed prior to transferring title. These forms are not difficult but do require some time to acquire sure that they are done right.

So far Mike has gotten $3600 for his troubles and he still has 3 cars to go. He will recover his expenses and actually not get burned when all is said and done. However, this lesson has taught him one of the great lessons of any business. Sustain good records, make good decisions and follow up on all your current business.

Auto insurance for your teen driver will be expensive but there are steps you can bewitch to reduce the cost of teen automobile insurance. One way to decrease the cost of automobile insurance for teenagers is not popular with most teens – - choosing a vehicle that is not a sports car, not a brand new vehicle, does not occupy a powerful engine and does not have a sound system that would gain an Imax theater jealous. In addition to age and driving history, automobile insurance companies take into consideration the vehicle that the driver will be using when quoting rates. As with adults, the vehicle can affect the insurance rate and teens are base for wanting fast, loud vehicles, which also are a huge distraction for them when driving. Even though it may not be popular with your teen driver, choose a modest, family vehicle for their first car. This will not only lower your automobile insurance (it will still be high) but it could also reduce their risk for an auto accident.

In addition to choosing a vehicle, comparison shopping for auto insurance for teenagers is mandatory to get the best teen auto insurance at the lowest rate. Begin with your current automobile insurance provider and obtain a quote for adding your teen to your policy as well as a quote for a separate auto insurance policy for your teen driver. It is best to obtain quotes for both options, as obtaining a separate policy may be a better value than adding your teen to your insurance policy. Do not forget to ask for specials and discounts from your current company for family insurance coverage and long-standing customers. After you have an insurance quote from your current insurance company, contact several insurance companies and obtain teen insurance quotes to compare prices.

Asking for discounts for the following factors when comparison shopping can also save you money when purchasing auto insurance for teenagers:

1. Taking and passing a Drivers Education Course

2. Excellent Student Discount – discounts for teen drivers who maintain high grade point averages

3. Passing their driver’s examination with high scores

4. Taking a Defensive Driving Class or Accident Prevention Course

Do not opt to reduce insurance coverage to save money – - it is best to pay the runt increase to have full coverage on your teen driver than to save a few bucks and risk lowering coverage. For more information on how to protect your teen driver read the information provided at Progressive.com and Nationwide.com about teen drivers.

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

*While not peculiar to exiguous businesses, starting in 2014 Insurers will not be able to exclude coverage or set their rates based on pre-existing conditions. Premiums will be allowed only to vary based on geographic location, age, and tobacco employ. Some restrictions already in effect include a ban on lifetime limits and a ban on “rescission” (or the canceling of policies already in effect).

finish 2014 each state will have to create what is called Small Business Health Options Programs or “SHOP Exchanges.” The purpose of theses SHOP Exchanges is that they will allow small business (defined as businesses with less than 100 employees) to pool together to buy insurance. According to The Congressional Beget Office this is estimated to effect small businesses about 2%-5% on insurance costs and increase coverage by 3-4%.

*During the remaining three years while the SHOP Exchanges are being created, small businesses that have 10 or less full-time employees that earn less than $25,000 are eligible for a tax credit that is equal to 35% of their health insurance costs. This measure will remain in do for two years from when a business first buys insurance through its state Shop Exchange.

*Also starting in 2014 small businesses with 50 or more full-time employees are going to be required to offer healthcare coverage or face an annual $750 per worker fine. Coverage that is offered has to meet a list of minimum benefits and services and cover up to at least 60% of the cost to employees.

Some other measures to be aware of include the following:

*Part-time employees may be counted toward the 50-employee limit that requires businesses to provide healthcare coverage. Part-time employees will be counted on a pro-rated basis depending on hours worked. This will effectively include more businesses in the group that must provide coverage.

*The fine for not providing insurance may increase from $750 to $2,000.

So while most of these changes do not take effect till 2014 some of them are fairly significant and for most cramped businesses while it may feel like business as usual some big changes are coming. This is especially true if you drop in the group that will have to launch providing coverage and you aren't already. That is a big cost and something that may take 3 years to effectively concept for.

Sources:

The Congressional Budget Office

http://www.cbo.gov/

Facing the fear of filing bankruptcy is unimaginable to most. How and why someone finds themselves in this position are the often asked questions. For some it’s of their maintain doing, while others are forced into it but for many different reasons.

For a couple of years (as my business was having significant issues with volume), it seemed as though I was stranded alone on an island facing an ever so slow rising tide. There was nowhere to run or camouflage. My options were to either stay there and eventually drown, or, I could swim against the tide facing exposure…… but at least I would be swimming towards a distant light.

With me, it was always risk versus reward. That was a philosophical staple of being in business. But now those words represented something entirely different.

In this case, not taking a risk meant staying on the island and sight the water rise. But taking the risk meant dealing with the albatross (although was my livelihood) that was hanging around my neck.

The crushing and continual blows that my business was taking on had left me in dire straights. I decided to take the risk of cleansing myself of all business attachments which would include filing bankruptcy.

The current national economic troubles today leaves minute doubt that many others are, or soon will share my predicament. It’s not the raze of the world, but it may not be easy either.

What they must realize is that they are not alone and that their circumstances have been repeated over and over again.

The purpose of this text is to define the how and why I chose this path.

Pressure

With a debt service that was spiraling out of control, the pressure of filing for bankruptcy as an option was mounting. I felt like I was being choked in a tiny gloomy room with no way out. Trying to claw out of that room and that residence was wearing me down physically and mentally.

Every joyous or entertaining moment I had during this time was chilled by the reality that I was in a situation that I could no longer fix. Facing the fear of filing for bankruptcy was going to be my last obstacle, or so I thought. Except that I would have to find a diagram to deal with the humiliation that would certainly follow.

Bankruptcy would have to be an action of a last resort.

I’ve always been a winner in things that I do and never gave up or succumbed to a challenge. I am a grinder…… always willing to stick with things and persevere through whatever road blocks appear.

Knock me down a hundred times and I’ll get up every time.

But this time things were different.

I would watch my neighbor walk his dog in the early evenings and wonder “what is that like? ” Imagine, I concept, how nice it must be to be able to just go out for a walk with a dog, chat with anyone else that may be out tending to their yard, then go fix dinner without worrying about how I am going to sustain my business afloat for another week.

Certainly my neighbor was living in what seemed like a dreamworld to me.

Unless one has been there, the enveloping pressure of carrying an insurmountable debt load is merciless. At the end, I felt as though I was a punch drunk boxer that had fought one too many fights. But I realized that soon I was going to have to discontinue down on the canvas, as getting up again and again to continue this fight was going to do significant and probably permanent damage.

But if I lost this challenge of saving the business, then what?

First, the embarrassment of facing associates and family was going to be a difficult task. Me, bankrupt? No way? The apprehension of telling those involved would be as challenging as the bankruptcy itself I thought.

I was a winner. I can’t lose…… I don’t lose……. never………I am a grinder!

Next was recognizing that the consequences of filing for bankruptcy were vital. But I also realized that acting on this also provided a solution to a major problem.

Facing reality

I owned a business that had been in operation for 15 years, the first ten of which were mostly debt free. Personally, I had car payments and a mortgage, while all other debts accumulated were business related. My credit score was over 800 until the past year, and had fallen to 750 by the time of filing because of credit usage.

The business I owned was a retail store that at one time had been two stores. Expanding to a two store operation is what began a debt cycle that eventually grew like a cancer, devouring profits, cash dart, and sanity.

As a precursor to the national economic woes, this retail business had trended flat in volume for several years.

The volume during peak months in years past was always enough to terminate a negative cash flow and usually effect some excess cash into the company bank account. However, for the past couple of years, the peak months were no longer supporting the slower summer months.

But lines of credit did. I had become a mini version of General Motors, Chrysler, Ford and millions of other small businesses. Borrow some money now, pay it back later…… except that finally the economy was in the early stages of crashing.

Florida was struck by an abnormal hurricane season in 2004. Four hurricanes struck the state within a six week period during that volatile summer. Each time a storm ventured near or through, business slowed to a halt in anticipation of a devastating strike. Although physical damages to the retail operation were held to a minimum, significant sales volume was lost permanently.

Lines of credit took a hit from this.

Shortly after that summer storm season of 2004 had calmed, expenses began escalating. Liability insurance, fleet insurance, utilities, and fuel expenses all rose dramatically and almost immediately. Increases in both rent and with the rising cost of labor, turned the battle to survive the cash flow issues into a daily struggle instead of a seasonal one.

Still, I went on pursuing the American dream. Credit was readily available, my credit accumulate was rated as excellent, so I set up reserve lines of business credit, just in case they were ever needed. The only difference for me at this point is that now, during the slower summer months, I was no longer getting paid like everyone else was.

I would keep telling myself “that it’s going to get better, it always does“.

But it didn’t get better, it was getting worse and I knew it..

Realizing that I had stepped through this one way door, it was time to face reality. Sure, I could have extended this for a noteworthy time longer, but why?

It was like being tossed around in a clothes dryer.

Inaugurate the door……. jump in, get beat up, feel the heat…….. go round and round and round. Then it stops……so you put in some more money, and the endless cycle begins all over again.

Round and round and round.

The Plan

I had decided in November a year ago to give the business one last and final shot for the upcoming peak sales season. The business had to maintain a certain level through this time, or I would end the doors by the summer. In the meantime, I decided to no longer seek more financing, and that the extended lines of credit currently in hand were going to be the last.

It was during this time that I quietly began researching options in closing the business just in case my hope for success did not prevail.

Selling or transferring the business was out, as the debt load was too high and the assets not worth enough.

That left only one viable option; filing for bankruptcy.

I had a lifetime of perfect credit, was a self-made success, and was well respected by industry peers, employees and other associates.

How could this happen to me? I never cheated on taxes, wages, or payments to vendors. I never lied to anyone because I wanted to hurry the business without ever having to remember what I may have said, or have to look over my shoulder being wary of a bad deed I may have done.

I ran the business in a neat, honest, and straightforward manner. I took care of my employees, many of whom had been employed for 10 or more years. But the business was in a nosedive and it was taking me, the pilot, down with it. The time to bale out was now as eventually it was going to shatter.

A stand up guy always keeps his word to others, so now it was time to sustain my word to both my family and myself.

Now, the anxiety of the fear of failing along with all of the dreadful things that go with it, set in once I had finally established a personal ultimatum in bringing closure to this hell that had shrouded over me. It was a depressing winter to say the least as the national economy was beginning a free fall downward.

Failure

Acknowledging failure was the key component in deciding to terminate the business.

There is no description appropriate enough to describe the empty and lonely feeling one has inside when the words “I am closing it down” are spoken out loud to others who are being impacted by my decision. The labor employed at the store was largely unskilled, and many were dependent on the operational success to maintain their earning levels.

Wrestling with when and how to disclose this to those that matter was something that I carefully considered.

But how could I tell anyone? I was always the one that had the answers, solved the problems of others, and gave advice when it was asked. I was the stand up guy, a person that many people trusted. I was going to let all of them down I thought, including myself.

What will some of these people have to do when there is no longer a place for them to go to work? If I give them advance explore will they abandon the store early to take jobs somewhere else, leaving me crippled to the loss of labor, or, to those that conclude, leave me vulnerable to the temptation of uncontrollable theft? I unexcited had to manage the business to the end.

Or do I unbiased indicate up one morning and say “it’s been nice, but it’s a done deal and the store is closed”.

There was no one to advise me, no one to say that a certain path was the right one to take. I was all alone standing in my hold shadow, facing the failure of a business and now having to utter those fateful words to those alive to.

At least by this point, I tried to tell myself “it was the business that failed, and not me”, and would continue to force myself to remember that through the turbulent months ahead that were coming too soon and way too fast.

In the demolish I decided to do the right thing after all.

I knew that I would lose my own self respect if I did not give the employees as considerable advance notice as possible.

It should be their option as to how long they continued to work there, and not mine. The store was certainly going to face some premature exposure with the public by doing so, but that was the price that had to be paid. I did for them what I would have wanted to be done for me had I been in their shoes.

I was determined to leave the business with my self respect in hand and my boots still on.

I too was one of the casualties. But “I” was not the failure; “it was“.

Of that I was certain.

My hold perception of personal failure was placed on my shoulders solely by myself. Once the decision was made to cease operations, I finally realized that it was just the business that had failed.

Now I had an unenviable but recent challenge to face.

It’s just the beginning

After I had decided to close down, I retained an attorney about one month prior to closing the store. I had done much research during the winter months, and basically understood the process, it’s effect on me, and time frame that the bankruptcy was going to take. I also learned through research of potential pitfalls that lay ahead in case of objections posed by creditors.

Even though I was never completely clear of when I was closing until the date that I finally decided to do so, I had to plan ahead and make determined that I would not be in any kind of violation about the use of business credit.

In my case, I filed both a business bankruptcy and a personal chapter 7 bankruptcy. Filing a business bankruptcy wasn’t absolutely necessary since any creditors of the business would be coming after me personally anyway. But after consulting with the attorney, I felt the cleaner course of action would be to do both.

Filing both meant more money for the attorney but more peace of mind for me.

Preparation for filing included documenting the exact address and account number of everyone that I did business with. Even those vendors that were not creditors being owed money were listed on the final petition. It ended up being an enormous petition.

After several visits with the attorney’s paralegal, along with several corrections, the petition was finally in order to submit to the court.

In the meantime

As if the bankruptcy itself wasn’t stressful enough, I was still unemployed and receiving no income. Everyday was spent either job searching, furnishing more documents for the attorney, or both. The store closed in mid June, and by mid August I unruffled had neither a job nor an official filing date. My spouses’ wages were not enough to aid a family of four, while our savings account was continually shrinking .

The pressure of everything being incomplete was mounting.

It seemed as though mountains were on my shoulders and my knees wanted to buckle. I just wanted to move on with life but couldn’t. I was in limbo, or so it felt. Yet I knew that I had to stand tall, and now so more than ever.

This was my test. My alarm of failure was my personal enemy. And soon it was to be faced head on.

The Petition/341 meeting

By late August, everything finally seemed in order for the filing of the chapter 7 bankruptcy filing. The attorney’s office filed the petition electronically to the bankruptcy court, and within a day of receiving the petition, the court set a 341 meeting of the creditors about four weeks later. In my case, I had two separate 341 meetings; one for the business, and one for the personal filing.

All along, I had heard horror stories about the 341 meetings in front of the assigned trustee despite my attorney’s assurances that the meetings were generally routine.

I arrived early to the meeting for my personal chapter 7 filing and found myself alone in a separate room waiting for my representation and also for those others going before the trustee. I sat there anxious and very apprehensive of having to appear in front of the trustee with a room full of strangers.

What was shocking though was the diversity among those present. I felt especially taken in by the amount of elderly that were filing. I assumed their presence was largely due to unpaid medical bills.

Fortunately, for when the meeting started, I was to be the 5th out of 6 attendees. If the trustee was of the panic sage type then at least I would be prepared.

But once the first person went before the trustee, I immediately felt at ease.

Not because the trustee’s questions were exactly as my attorney had described, but I felt at ease because my new path was officially being set. The road to recovery and removing this big pressure was soon to be station in motion.

When my turn came, the trustee went through the routine questions and had one final question about a joint savings account held by both my wife and myself. He further asked me to provide to his office with savings account statements showing transactions from the previous six months.

No problem, or so I thought.

In Florida, a joint account is considered to be immune from the trustee’s claim, and the legal term is “tenancy by the entireties”. That’s as long as the spouse on the account is not filing nor has any legal connection to any of my debts.

In my case, my spouse was never keen with the business so she would not be affected by my bankruptcy.

The second day’s 341 meeting for the business chapter 7 was with a different trustee. Knowing what to expect this time, I was actually looking forward to going.

All creditors are invited to attend a 341 meeting at which time they may ask questions to the debtor or to object to a debtor’s filing. But rarely do they show up.

Except for mine.

But it turned out not to be a expansive deal as the creditor was the attorney of the former landlord of where the business had been located. Their appearance was regarding some assets left at the plaza. Nevertheless, it had been unexpected.

Waiting game

Once the 341 meetings are finished, the day calendar becomes very well-known. Generally within 60 days of the meeting and if there are no objections from any creditor, the trustee will discharge all debts listed on the petition.

Two weeks after my 341 meeting I received a letter from the trustee requesting more information regarding our joint bank accounts. This time he wanted complete statements showing all transactions of both savings and checking accounts that we held jointly.

One week later the trustee sent me a novel letter.

It was earth shattering when I opened it.

The trustee was filing an objection to my petition in general, citing the fact that we had moved our accounts from one bank to another after consulting an attorney, and because we had the protective clause of “tenancy by the entireties” inserted onto the signature card at the fresh bank.

He claimed I was fraudulent in my petition, and had attempted to hide assets from the court. A hearing in federal bankruptcy court was soon scheduled. I was horrified at the concept of this dragging on and on.

I was tranquil jobless and we were living off our savings account, but now the trustee wanted that too. I thought how unreasonable the trustee was, as we had moved the accounts on the advice of my attorney because we were trying to prevent a potential set off as my former bank had been one of my business creditors.

What was fraudulent about this? My attorney said they would try and get the instruct resolved as he didn’t assume the trustee had aptly reviewed all of the documentation regarding the accounts in question.

About two days before having to appear in federal bankruptcy court, the trustee finally relented after reviewing all of the documentation and promptly canceled the hearing. Thank goodness my attorney proved suitable.

Now the waiting game was nearly over even though the 341 meetings were held well past 60 days.

Since there were no other objections from the trustee or any creditors, I finally received gawk that my bankruptcy discharge was final. It took nearly 90 days from the date of my 341 hearings, but closure was finally in hand.

Advice

There is one thing that I wish I would have handled differently regarding my bankruptcy.

I should have made the decision to close the business and file much sooner than I did. In retrospect, once the business debt had reached a certain level, I should have began the process then. And In my case, at least one year earlier.

If you have the option and are prepared, do not delay. The pressure of mounting debt and either waiting or hoping for a solution can be nothing but torturous. I know this for a fact.

Remember the clothes dryer earlier…..round and round and round.

As far as handling the bankruptcy itself, there isn’t much that I could have done differently. Some roadblocks were encountered, but I stammer any bankruptcy with assets will have those.

The trustee is always going to try to commence the door to any assets they may believe the court is entitled to.

I would advise anyone in financial trouble to do worthy research and know what you are getting into. I was already aware of the process before I ever spoke to an attorney. I had made determined that I was not going to violate any time constraints on the use of lines of credit. This is important.

Be aware that all debts may not be dischargeable. Abuse of credit may be one of those.

Do not play games with hiding assets whether they be bank accounts, vehicles, or boats, and listen to your attorney.

Examine the details of your petition with a delicate tooth comb. Develop sure every creditor’s address and account number are lawful. I had found more than a handful of errors in my petitions, and kept finding them until a week before the 341 hearings.

If you do not understand fully what is going on, ask your attorney. Although the attorney has your best interests at heart, they are not you.

The future

For the first time in a long time, the future is now.

I no longer get calls from telephone solicitors nor an endless supply of credit card offers ( I started getting some recently however) through the mail.

I can go out and chat with a neighbor, fix dinner, and watch the news without worrying about a potential bankruptcy.

During the bankruptcy process, I gained employment after endlessly searching for over four months. I was blissful when I was offered a management position with a national corporation. There are level-headed some financial concerns, but there is now time to rebuild credit and establish new ties in the corporate world.

I no longer carry the weight of the world upon my shoulders, but most importantly, I am not afraid to tell anyone that I had filed bankruptcy. I realized that there was no shame in filing, and that the world serene does exists after doing so.

For that I am grateful.

Erie-LaSalle Body Shop (146 W. Erie, Chicago, IL; 312-337-3903) is a Chicago institution for many reasons. Originally a blacksmith shop, it was transformed into a car repair shop by Gottfred’s stepfather, Ivan Goodmonson, in 1934. In 1976, when Goodmonson retired, he asked his stepson to consume over the business. With a degree in finance from Arizona State University and a background in the restaurant industry, Gottfred took over and has run the body shop with an executive’s eye. Over the past several years his two grown sons, Jim and Jay, have joined him in running the business and their responsibilities have increased as they’ve gained experience.

As it has done for 75 years, Erie-LaSalle continues to offer top-quality service to customers from all over the Chicago metro area. The shop boasts a team of 25 professional technicians, many of whom have been on board for decades-a testament to their skill and experience as much as to the profoundly decent way Gottfred treats them. They’re a team that has succeeded for so long because they’ve mastered the fundamentals of good business: they’re just, prompt, courteous and deliver a high quality of service.

Gottfred describes their mission: “We retract a negative event-a car collision-and give our customers a pleasant, straightforward experience that minimizes the disruption in their lives. We pick up the damaged car and arrange for a car rental. We repair the car, constantly keeping our customer updated as to the area. Finally, we deliver the car to the customer when it’s ready. It can’t get any easier than that.”

A tour of the body shop also reveals how professional and intricate collision repair has become. Erie-LaSalle employees are clearly a team of professionals trained to consume complex equipment and technology. They must know, in detail, how a wide range of cars are manufactured so they can repair them to factory specifications. “There are changes every day in this business,” says Jay Gottfred. “Vehicles get more complicated; technology is added; new metals are substituted; different paints are used. Our profession is as much a science as it is an art.”

It has also become a complex business involving many people-customers, insurance companies, parts suppliers. Insurance companies are a major source of referral business. “Since we want to be part of their network, we must adhere to their pricing guidelines. We also work very hard to maintain our excellent professional reputation. Great service, promptness and competitive pricing are important keys to our success.”

Most car owners don’t pay much attention to what goes on behind the scenes in collision repair, so they don’t necessarily understand how much attention Erie-LaSalle pays to professionalism and efficiency. “Technical training is a must if we are to repair cars quickly and correctly,” says Jim Gottfred. “Speed is crucial. We have customers who operate their business from their car and so we must get them up and running as soon as possible.”

For Erie-LaSalle, training is a way of life. The shop regularly hosts evening classes offered by two of the pre-eminent automotive training organizations: I-CAR (the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair) and ASA (the Automotive Service Association). The classes are led by certified instructors and are attended by both Erie-LaSalle technicians and professionals from other collision repair shops and insurance companies. “Hosting the classes reinforces our commitment to having a highly skilled team and an efficiently-run business,” says Bob Gottfred. “It’s not only a good way to network, but it’s a convenient way for our professionals to stay current in their knowledge and skills.” Our customers are really the beneficiaries of our training.”

I-CAR was founded in 1979 and provides an ever-changing curriculum for collision repair professionals. Erie-LaSalle has earned the I-CAR Gold Class Professional designation, the highest accreditation for a collision repair shop. The entire Erie-LaSalle team of repair professionals has earned the Platinum Individual designation, the highest level for individuals.

With a company history spanning 75 years, there are just too many stories and memories to pick a single most memorable one. Gottfred likes to talk about a recent project to totally re-paint a Land Rover SUV. “It was quite an interesting test of our abilities. An owner of a new Land Rover contacted us to see if we would totally repaint the black SUV, transforming the color to a one-of a kind matte satin black. We agreed to take on the challenge and soon we were drop-shipped a crate of aftermarket parts from England.”

Erie-LaSalle installed side rocker pieces, a wing in back and new bumpers. They ordered and applied a special paint, working closely with DuPont. “The project was fun and turned out astounding,” says Gottfred. “When we were done, we parked the Land Rover in front of Martini Park (a lounge across the street). The people went wild.”

Erie-LaSalle has seen more than a few cars of the rich and illustrious come through its doors. Probably the first true celeb was Ralph Capone, Al’s brother. The roster of big names goes on and on: former Today Point To host Dave Garroway, Cubs luminary Ernie Banks, news anchor Ron Majors, former Bears quarterback Vince Evans and NBA star Antwon Walker.

What are the most difficult cars to repair? Limousines, says Gottfred. “Parts are hard to come by and you have to use your imagination to construct stretch panels and door panels.”

The 75th anniversary is an exciting yet humbling milestone for Erie LaSalle. “We all feel very lucky and very fortunate. Personally, I pinch myself everyday. To live in extraordinary River North, working with my sons and my longtime team members is like a dream come proper.” Gottfred’s enthusiasm for his business is matched by his friendly demeanor and gift of gab. He has been keenly involved in the well-being of his community, as demonstrated by his years of service on the executive board of the River North Business Association.

The future holds challenging possibilities. Erie-LaSalle is looking to expand if the right deal comes along. Jim and Jay are taking on greater responsibilities, and they seek the opportunities and challenges in front of them. “It’s a never ending process, looking for better ways to do things, becoming faster without diminishing the quality of our service,” says Bob Gottfred. “It’s a engrossing, competitive business and we’re overjoyed to be among the survivors.”

But the word “survivor” would be an understatement-Erie-LaSalle is one of Chicago’s great small-business success stories. It easily serves as a role model, showing aspiring entrepreneurs the right way to perform a business and maintain it thriving for years and years.

To learn more about Erie-LaSalle Body Shop, please visit www.erielasalle.com.

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In March of 2005, I transferred the title to an alive to buyer and found myself footing it around the city and riding the bus. At the time of this writing, I’m about to celebrate a year of car-free existence, and I couldn’t be happier. Not everyone can handle living without a car, especially those in rural areas or suburban sprawl settings. But for city dwellers like me, people who have ample access to public transit and a choice of pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods, the benefits of living without a car far outweigh the drawbacks.

I see my decision to go carless as not only practical but also political. In addition to saving lots of money, I set an example by reducing the size of my environmental footprint and though-provoking in more socially responsible behavior (at least as I define it). It’s my little activist step in favor of smarter, mixed-use urban development and enhanced public transit. If I sound smug, I suppose I am. Several friends had suggested that my decision would backfire and that “only people in New York City and a few other places can live without cars.” Here I am in Milwaukee, only the nation’s 20th largest city, and I am successfully living without a car – proof that the benefits of this lifestyle choice are not slight to subway cities alone.

Rural New Mexicans or small-town Floridians, for example, may not be able to enjoy living without a car. But people in places like Omaha, Pittsburgh, Nashville, Albuquerque, and Buffalo could all live without cars if they wanted to, even though those are not cities known for expansive public transit. It honest takes some planning, some vision, and some brassy confidence, and the benefits of living without a car can be yours.

What exactly *are* these benefits I am touting? Well, here’s my top ten list:

10. No parking hassles or costs. I never feed a meter. I never purchase parking passes. I never drive around in circles looking for an open spot on a busy street. I never ask a merchant to validate my parking. I fear no meter maids. I pay no parking tickets for carelessly disobeying ordinances. (You get the concept.)

9. See things you never saw before. If you think you’re an observant person as you watch the world from your driver’s seat, you’d be surprised how much you’re actually missing. Little shops tucked on unique corners. Amusing signs. Persistent pigeons. Hidden neighborhood parks. Public transit subculture. When living without a car, you peek at the world around from a different angle and appreciate your city in a fresh way. I don’t say this to be flippantly blithe; I say it because it’s utterly true. Talk to most people who’ve given up cars, and they’ll concur: this less cloistered outlook is one of the intangible but incredibly valuable benefits of living without a car.

8. Extra cash from a sale OR no car payments. While I owned Kabuki Dan outright, many folks lease or make monthly payments on their vehicles. Either way, you’ll gain back money by going car-free. If you own your car and owe nothing, you’ll make money by selling it. If you are mild making payments and can find someone to take them over, then you’ll be free of the contractual obligation and examine more money in your wallet. Why pay all that interest, anyway?

7. Make a smaller environmental footprint in the world. Many of us have seen websites that will calculate how much you consume as an individual when compared to your fellow humans. We Americans notoriously lead the most resource-intensive lives, but it needn’t always be that way. By living without a car, you help reduce emissions, decrease dependence on oil, and relieve urban congestion. Whether you walk, bike, or use public transit, the benefit to Mother Earth (and your fellow citizens) is palpable.

6. No car insurance. This is yet another expense that you can avoid by living without a car. GEICO says you can do 15% on car insurance, but I say you can save 100% by eliminating the need for it. Whether you’re a high risk driver or a agreeable one, car insurance will set you back at least a few hundred dollar a year (and possibly even more). What else can you do with that money?

5. Get some free exercise. I love seeing overweight people go to the gym and then climb into a car, which they then exercise to shuttle their lazy butts around the city before driving through at McDonald’s for dinner. Even if you’re not one of those people, living without a car would develop exercise into your life easily. You can walk and bike on a daily basis in the fresh air. Even when it’s chilly (which is often the case in Milwaukee), there’s nothing like some brisk outdoor exercise. If you’re going to eat at McDonald’s, you might as well collect it.

4. No maintenance costs. I’ve never had to replace my body’s alternator or jump start my own feet! Especially if your car is no longer under warranty, unexpected repairs combined with routine maintenance can add up to hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Why not avoid all that? It’s more than just the money you save – it’s the headache of the whole car repair process you eschew. If the bus breaks down (which has only happened to me once in a year worth of transit riding), it’s not even your responsibility. Just kick attend and wait for the next bus to get you.

3. No gas. I’m really hitting it hard on these economic points, eh? Whatever gas prices are these days – $2.36, $3.25, $2.77 – I don’t pay considerable attention because it only affects me indirectly (through transit fares). Even if you have a fuel-efficient car, you’ll still save by getting rid of it altogether.

2. Support neighborhood businesses. People often ask how I get everything done. You know, errands and whatnot. Well, I tell them that I made a purposeful decision to live in an urban setting where most of the services I need day-in and day-out are within walking distance or a short bus ride. In ten minutes by foot (without even using a bus), I can get to a grocery store, several coffeeshops, a dry cleaner, drug stores, video rental stores, a deli, pizza joints, several doctor’s offices, a post office, bars/clubs, clothing stores, barbershops, florists, public parks, and plenty of other businesses. I have no staunch need for a mall, but I can always assume a bus ride to one. And I don’t just support local businesses because I *have* to; I support them because I care about the neighborhood and want to see a thriving community around me – where the local butcher remembers that I like my chicken breasts butterfly-split and where the video store clerk knows me by name. One of the benefits of living without a car is that your surroundings become even more considerable, and you start caring about the people in your neighborhood in modern ways. It makes for a friendlier lifestyle, honestly. See #9 again.

1. Be part of positive social change. First, public transit is hard to refute. It’s a colorful, practical way to reduce pollution, cut congestion, and design community. And transit continues to get better when more and more people ride it. Second, when you assist transform your community into a pedestrian-friendly one, you encourage planners and developers to avoid yucky urban sprawl and create mixed-use buildings. In short, you become a role model and a participant in a healthy urban revolution. How’s that for sass without gas?

Finally, this wouldn’t be a complete article on the benefits of living without a car unless I addressed a few common questions:

Q: What about the lack of control you have over public transit?
A: With some planning, the “lack of control” is rarely an issue. Usually, it’s a bonus: none of the headaches of driving. When I crawl the bus, I can read a book, balance my finances, or stare out the window blankly. Let someone else handle the traffic.

Q: What about walking or waiting for the bus in winter?
A: I wear warm clothes (layers), scrutinize at bus schedules, and enjoy the crisp weather. Sometimes I’ll be exposed to the elements more than I’d prefer, but those extra minutes of chilliness aren’t a immense deal compared to all the other benefits of living without a car.

Q: What happens when you need to buy something large or you need to go beyond the limits of transit?
A: I have friends with cars who can help out if need be. Otherwise, I save enough money that I can justify the occasional cab ride or even the occasional weekend car rental for $40. When you’re saving hundreds of dollars a month by living without a car, you can afford these “luxuries” from time to time. n the last year, I have only truly needed a car twice. Twice in twelve months!

Q: How much are transit fares? Is it worth paying for the bus?
A: I only pay about $60 a month for *unlimited* bus rides in Milwaukee. In some cities (like Chicago), that stamp goes up a bit, but it’s still reasonable – usually not more than $100.

Q: What happens when you want to get out of town?
A: Public transit serves the airport and the snort station. I can also rideshare with someone by using Craigslist.org.

Q: Do people contemplate you’re a loser for living without a car?
A: Clear. But I can’t worry about what others mediate when I am doing something that makes sense for me. If people are so car-coddled that they can’t see beyond life with a vehicle, then they’re the ones with a problem. I also remind folks that it was my choice to live without a car and that I still keep a driver’s license.

Q: Do you advocate the benefits of living without a car to EVERYONE?
A: No. Some people *have* to drive based on the nature of their jobs, and some people don’t (yet) live in areas with adequate public transit. However, many Americans do live in mid-sized or large cities with decent transit, and these are the people who should consider going carless.

ADVANTAGE RENT-A-CAR

Advantage Rent-A-Car, located at 5401 North MLK Jr. Blvd., is located inside the Preston Smith International Airport.

Advantage Rent-A-Car can be contacted at (806) 744-8566 or toll free at (800) 574-6000 for more information.

ALL STAR RENT-A-CAR

All Star Rent-A-Car, located at 5901 63rd Suite F (behind Scoggin Dickey), is a flexible car rental company. It is locally owned and operated and it is a member of the Better Business Bureau.

All Star Rent-A-Car gives the option of renting by the day, week or month. They also have low rates on delivery and pick-up and insurance company rates are available. They offer late model cars and vans and they rent to those under 21.

All Star Rent-A-Car can be contacted at (806) 698-8511 for more information.

AVIS RENT-A-CAR

Avis Rent-A-Car offers competitive low rates, free unlimited mileage and they feature GM cars.

Avis Rent-A-Car can be contacted at (806) 763-5433 or toll free at (800) 831-2847 for more information.

BUDGET

Budget has two locations in Lubbock.
•1606 East Regis Street
(806) 763-1661
•5401 North MLK Jr. Blvd. (Inside Preston Smith International Airport)
(806) 763-6471

Budget offers economy through luxury cars, SUV’s, minivans, passenger vans and pickup trucks. Unlimited mileage rates are available. They rent to great drivers who are 21 and over.

ENTERPRISE

Enterprise, located at 5716 Spur 327, offers economy, luxury cars, minivans and more. They have shameful everyday rates, plus weekend, corporate and holiday discounts. They also offer free pick-up from your home, office or repair shop. If your car is damaged or stolen, it may be possible for rentals to be arranged at little or no cost.

Enterprise can be contacted directly at (806) 798-3373 or toll free at (800) 325-8007 for more information.

EXPRESS RENT-A-CAR

Express Rent-A-Car is locally owned and operated. They procure all major credit cards. They offer low rates, daily, weekly and monthly renting, vans, cars, moving trucks, trailers, tow dollies and insurance company rates are available.

Express Rent-A-Car can be contacted at (806) 745-9044 for more information.

HERTZ RENT-A-CAR

Hertz Rent-A-Car offers affordable rates, a full line of specialty vehicles including minivans, sport utilities, convertibles and they feature Ford cars.

Hertz Rent-A-Car can be contacted toll free at (800) 654-3131 for more information.

TRUSTY RENT-A-CAR

Trusty Rent-A-Car, located at 5828 Spur 327, offers many services and vehicles. They find all major credit cards.

Services include lift gates or ramps, rates for local temporary storage, insurance billing to most companies, free customer pickup at home or body shop, insurance rates and body shop specials and cash rentals with application. They also give the option of renting by the day, week or month. Vehicles include cars, pickups, vans and sport utility vehicles.

Trusty Rent-A-Car can be contacted at (806) 744-5080 for more information.

Carrying out a product pre-purchase view is one of the most idiosyncratic strategies of obtaining information about a product. Prospective car insurance buyers carry out this research in order to rep a discerning auto insurance company and coverage. A client should identify a number of auto insurance companies which they have famous as appropriate and display their quotations for the coverage they desire. This is done online as companies provide this tool of quotation on the internet. Once the quotation has been received by the insurance companies, they analyze it and send a feedback to the client. The buyer then reviews the different offers presented by the companies.

The insurance buyer then chooses the appropriate cheap offer from the ones presented. Any discounts offered are preferred. Besides the charges, the clients also dedicate time to enquire on the terms of agreement. It is critically necessary to study and understand the agreement terms for any coverage to be purchased. Cheap rates could only be a trap to very tight and inflexible tough terms of agreement. More often than not, auto insurance companies do not exhaustively give all the required information to their clients pertaining the coverage terms especially if the information is sensitive and could influence the buying behavior of the client. As a buyer, one should be equipped with questions that will direct the insurance company to give out that part of information they hide their clients. For instance, if a client decides to withdraw from coverage, what would the company do?

The reputation of an auto insurance company can be studied from the online information. For example, the period in which the company has been in business can be used to analyze the suitability of this firm. More over, online data bases provide information on any questionable company that may be offering dubious services or products and this is available on specific fraud highlight websites. Licensed companies and their agents are available on specified websites designed to help the consumer of the auto insurance product to establish and differentiate the irresponsible, illegitimate, unreliable, incompetent and illegal companies and agents with the reputable firms.