Get free stuff first!

I mean, does this need to be explained? When you’re trying to get your refund check to stretch as much as possible, free items and services are the obvious choice. Autozone offers:

• Loan-a-tool with 100s of tools
• Parts testing
• Battery system testing and charging
• ECM testing
• Battery testing
• Check engine light testing
• Engine light fix finder (in some states)

All of these help make any repair easier and less expensive. Almost all full service garages charge for these services (if they even offer them), so even if your is outside your DIY comfort level you can shave hundreds of dollars off your shop bill just by positively identifying the culprit first and then buying the replacement yourself. Which brings me to my next point –

Buy your own parts

Professional mechanics and dealership shops often buy replacement parts at a discount, then charge you a premium for them on your bill. This way they make extra on the parts as well as just the repair time. Save yourself this extortion by buying exactly what you need yourself and bringing it in to the shop. Yes, they will most likely charge you a flat fee or % to install “outside” parts, but you’ll still come out ahead by bringing them in yourself. And who knows, having all the parts in your hands might just inspire you to tackle that repair yourself…

Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty

If you don’t know the difference between a differential and a torque wrench, you might be shocked to learn just how easy maintenance like an oil change is! Trust me, if an acned teenager at a quick lube place can do it, you can too my friend. Between YouTube, forums, manuals, and handy-friends, there are few common jobs you can’t complete for the cost of parts (and maybe a six pack) alone. Beyond oil changes, new brakes and “tune ups” are some of the most common tax refund projects. You’d likely be shocked to learn just how easy it is to replace brake pads, and rotors are pretty basic too! As far as a “tune up,” let me let you in on a little secret: that phrase doesn’t really have a definition… It generally just means lumping all the basic service items together – air filter, oil, spark plugs, brake fluid, transmission fluid, steering fluid, and maybe maybe valve adjustment. And other than adjusting valves, all of those items are incredibly easy and inexpensive to do yourself.

If you’re still afraid to take advantage of free services, buy your own parts, or get your hands dirty, Autozone has been kind enough to give us a $100 gift card to give away to one of our readers to get them started. Keep your eyes peeled on all our social channels (FB, Insta, Twitter) for that giveaway!

This post is brought to you by AutoZone; the opinions are all mine.

The post The Best Ways to Spend Your Tax Refund on Your Car appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.

When you are busy and oversubscribed, efficiency is the name of the game. You can struggle and spend time figuring out something on our own, or you can turn to experts who can solve it in seconds flat over the phone. Businesses have these experts in the form of consultants. People have them in the form of expert friends. So here’s the 8 people every guy should know to make their lives easier:

• Bartender – Being able to walk into a bar and order with just a nod or “the usual” is truly priceless. Having a bartender friend is your key to getting service, trying great cocktails, and impressing dates. Pro tip: don’t ask for free drinks and always tip your friend large.
• Barber – You gotta look right, and there is nothing more aggravating than trying to explain your look or your hair’s quirks to a new stylist. Knowing someone who knows your style and preferences is key to getting in and out easily and looking fresh.
• Butcher – Picking up some chicken breast or ground beef from the store is fine for everyday cooking and nutrients, but to really pick up your game and eat well you’ve got to find and befriend your local butcher. They will not only get you the best cuts and meats, but they can also talk you through how best to prepare your proteins and get the most out of the inherent flavor.
• Lawyer – Shit happens. Don’t wait till you need a lawyer to find one. Ask me how I know. Just don’t annoy your new lawyer friend by calling them every weekend with drunk questions about whether you can get a DUI while driving a parade float or unicycle…
• Doctor – Once again, not someone you want to try and find in an emergency. Knowing a doctor can keep you from making pointless visits to your general practitioner, and can even save your life from what you thought was just a gnarly mole.
• Personal Trainer – Personal fitness is a realm awash in fervent opinions and few concrete facts. Everyone “knows” what’s best, and you need someone you can trust to steer you in the right direction and correct anything that could potentially lead to injury.
• Mechanic – You should be working on your own car, but there’s a big difference between changing your oil and changing your clutch. You don’t want someone to do the work for you (what’s the fun in that?), but you want a friend with the right tools and knowledge to make it a fun experience rather than an ordeal.
• Accountant – There’s nothing like the feeling on tax day watching everyone run around and panic while you sit back and congratulate yourself on filing your return in January. Having a bookkeeping friend can make this painless, and no one will work harder to find you deductions than someone you’ve got embarrassing stories of.

A word of caution: DON’T live your life on transactional basis. Stay away from just knowing people for what they can do for you, and only contacting them when you need something. We all know that guy. And hate him. Instead, build your own personal A-team – a group of friends where everyone knows what each individual is best at and collaborates to do amazing things.

The post 8 Friends Every Guy Should Have appeared first on FactoryTwoFour.