You may have your eye on that new PlayStation for your nephew. But the holidays are also a great time to buy other big-ticket items from washing machines to kitchen appliances and even cars. That’s when many will go on sale.
If you’re looking to save this season, follow these tips for how to score bigger purchases for less, and how to save for everyone on your list.
The Best Times to Buy
You can usually find the best deals on Black Friday and on Cyber Monday—the Friday and Monday, respectively, following Thanksgiving. These are the times that many items go on sale. (See the next section for specific items.) Similar sales will be found on other major holidays, including New Year’s Day, President’s Day/Weekend, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, and Veterans Day. Small Business Saturday, a relatively new celebration, occurs the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Super Saturday, the Saturday before Christmas, often is a good time for last-minute deals. Finally, Amazon Prime Day and similar days from other retailers can offer substantial savings. That’s good for your budget.
In addition to holiday sales, off-season purchases can save you plenty. Buying an air conditioner at the end of summer, or a snow blower after winter is done, can be cost-effective. You’ll just have to wait until the next season to use it.
Holiday Sales
Some items take center stage during the fall and winter holiday season. These are often popular gift items, but not always. Bankrate reports that December is the best time to make these purchases:
Household appliances: New appliance models typically come out in November. That means sales start on last year’s models to make way for the new ones. This includes washers and dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, microwaves, coffee makers, blenders, toasters, vacuums, humidifiers, carpet cleaners, and more.
Technology: November and December are great times to buy smart devices, tablets, smart watches, and computers, which often go on sale this time of year. Save even more by buying the previous version after the new one comes out.
Exercise equipment: December is a popular time to buy exercise equipment, with January coming in at a close second. Companies often have sales on home workout equipment, from treadmills and ellipticals to rowing machines and exercise bikes, starting Black Friday.
Security cameras: Prices are known to drop on these essential devices just around the time that thieves become active—during holidays. That’s when companies try to get rid of older models to make way for new ones, and often offer discounts.
Toys and games: Retailers start discounting toys and games close to the holidays so that they won’t be stuck with too much stock. However, popular toys sell out fast, so you may need to pay full price to get one.
New vehicles: Car prices drop at the end of the year as salespeople push to make their quotas. The best time to buy a new car is October through January 1. If you miss that window, May is when the new models start coming and dealers look to get rid of older stock.
More Ways to Save
Whether you’re buying a big-ticket item or a meaningful, smaller gift, use these tips to save even more.
Compare prices of an item at various retailers before you buy it. Use apps like Honey and PriceGrabber.
If shopping online, look for free shipping. There’s a free shipping day in mid-December, and many retailers participate.
Many stores offer discount codes during the holiday season and additional discounts for teachers, students, veterans, military families, seniors, nurses, and first responders. Look for or ask about discounts that apply to you.
Don’t wait until the last minute. You will tend to overspend due to the stress of getting something.
Looking for extra cash for holiday gifts?
Some insurance companies allow you to skip payments around the holidays. At California Casualty, you have the option to skip your auto insurance payment for two whole months. (You also have this option to skip in the summer.) Ask your agent for details.
Happy holidays from all of us at California Casualty!
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
You could use an assistant—someone to help with lesson planning and grading, someone to work one-on-one with students who need extra help, and someone who can help lighten the load of your never-ending to-do list. Meet AI, a.k.a. artificial intelligence, the latest trend in classroom support.
What is AI and how can it help?
AI refers to software that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. This includes learning, reasoning, problem-solving, and decision-making. AI can help engage students, create interactive learning experiences, and foster critical thinking skills. It can offer personalized learning geared to student interests and ability, presenting tasks of increasing difficulty with real-time feedback.
A word about AI concerns
AI is not without its concerns. Educators worry about plagiarism and cheating, where AI does the work instead of the student. There are also times that AI is inaccurate because its source is the Internet. That requires teachers to do some due diligence in identifying appropriate tools and discussing expectations and ethical considerations with their students.
How do you help students understand the proper use of AI? Teach a lesson on ethical considerations and appropriate use of AI. For example, it is not okay to use AI to write your essays or do your work. However, it is acceptable to use AI to:
Check your finished paper for grammatical errors.
Brainstorm ideas for an assignment or a project.
Simplify complicated text so that you understand its meaning.
Research a topic as long as you are also planning to fact-check the results.
As an educator, you can help manage the use of AI and address potential misuse.
Try out the AI platforms before you use them in the classroom, so you fully understand them.
Model the AI tool in class for appropriate and inappropriate use.
Get to know your students’ writing so you know their style and voice and can detect when they may be leaning on AI too heavily.
Ask students to personalize their writing with their own experiences. This is something AI is unable to do.
While you may use AI in preparation for instruction, student use generally starts in the upper elementary or middle school years. ChatGPT, for example, recommends age 13 years and up for its program.
AI for Teachers and Students
There is value in AI and teachers appreciate this time-saving tool. Here is a look at some popular AI tools for the classroom. Many of these are paid versions but there are free options, too.
Grading & Assessment
Classpoint AI can create quizzes from PowerPoint slides based on Bloom’s Taxonomy.
Essay Grader can grade an essay against a rubric of your choice in about 30 seconds. It also can detect if an essay was written by AI.
Formative AI automates the grading process and provides insight into student performance. It also generates assessments, including multiple choice, open-ended, and more.
Gradescope offers rubric-based assessments for paper-based and digital student work.
Socrative generates interactive activities from polls to mini-competitions and exit tickets.
Instruction
DitchThatTextbook provides ideas for lesson plans that go beyond the textbook.
Education CoPilot offers lesson plan templates, writing prompts, and handouts based on grade level and curriculum standards.
Nearpod offers interactive and engaging lessons, learning through gamification, differentiation, and formative assessments.
Parlay Genie provides discussion-prompts and higher order questions about a custom topic.
Teachmateai is a digital assistant with a wide variety of resources from report writing to class behavior and management to lesson planning and more.
Differentiation
ChatGPT can generate a passage about a topic at a certain grade level. Use it to create leveled readers for students. (Try Bing Chat as an alternative to ChatGPT; it often cites where it gets information whereas ChatGPT does not.)
Diffit helps you adapt materials to different reading levels, adjust for students with IEPs, and accelerate for advanced learners.
Subject-Specific
Hello History allows students to have lifelike conversations with historical figures.
PhotoMath offers step-by-step solutions for arithmetic, algebra, and calculus, including alternate ways of solving equations.
Soundraw enables students to compose music by genre and speed.
Slides & Videos
Bing Image Creator allows you to produce images from a text description.
SlidesAI produces professional and engaging Google slides from your text.
VideoAnt allows you to annotate a publicly available video with comments and questions for students.
Homework Help
Brainly is the place where students can ask academic questions and get real-time help with homework.
Homeworkai is an app that offers homework help, including simple explanations.
Oddityai provides answers to homework. Students need only upload a picture of the worksheet.
Do you have a favorite AI tool that’s not on this list? Please share it in the comments.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
A motorcycle helmet is more than a fashion statement. It’s what stands between you and serious injury, or even death, in an accident. Not only that, but helmets also offer important protection against flying debris, pesky bugs, gusty wind, noise, and the ever-unpredictable weather.
There’s an art and a science to picking the right motorcycle helmet. Here’s what you need to know.
If you primarily ride on pavement, you’ll want a full-face, modular, or dual sport helmet. If you go off-road, you’ll need a dirt helmet. If you do a little of both, you’ll want to consider a dual-sport helmet that can handle the speed of the highway and the flying debris of gravel roads. You’ll also need to decide how much of your head you want covered. Helmets range from full-face to the top of your head. The more coverage, the more protection your helmet can offer.
Helmet shells are made of a variety of materials. These include hard plastic, carbon fiber, carbon Kevlar, and woven fibers with hard shells. Some materials are more costly than others. Helmets can range from a couple of hundred dollars to thousands. The price also depends on features like built-in communications for riding in a group. Just remember that double the price doesn’t necessarily mean double the safety.
Choose a helmet style.
Full-face helmets cover your entire head and face. They are made to offer full protection for street use, highway riding, and racing. The downside is that these helmets can get hot. They also may have a smaller field of vision than a dual sport helmet. Full-face helmets may be fitted with removable face shields or have vents that open and close to address these issues.
Dirt helmets are designed for off-road use. They are typically lighter than full-face helmets, offering more ventilation. They have a peak like a baseball cap that protects from sun. Instead of a closable shield, they have an opening where you can fit pair of motocross goggles.
Dual sport helmets are where road helmets meets dirt styles. They offer the comforts of road travel with the practical elements for off-road rides. There’s a larger field of vision than full-face helmets. The visor cuts down on sun glare.
Open face helmets protect your head and ears but not your face. They provide more visibility and ventilation than full-face and dual sport. There are even some open face helmets that have shields that can be snapped on. The downside is that, without a shield, your face is exposed to the elements. An upside is that you can eat and drink without taking your helmet off.
Modular helmets are a cross between full-face and open face helmets. The chin bar is hinged so that it can be flipped up out of the way. You can drink and it with it on. However, the chin bar must be down when you ride. Modular helmets are good for hot climates where a full-face helmet gets too hot after a short ride.
Dome Helmets/Skull Caps cover just the top of a rider’s head. While lighter and allowing more airflow, they lack serious protection. They don’t protect the ears, face, or chin.
Determine your head shape and size.
The shape of your head is different from the shape of your face, and just like faces, heads have different shapes and sizes. Knowing yours will save you a lot of time when finding the perfect fit.
The three basic head shapes are:
Long oval where the head is longer front-to-back than it is side-to-side.
Intermediate oval where the head is slightly longer front-to-back than side-to-side.
Round oval where the head is about the same front-to-back and side-to-side.
To find out your head shape, take a selfie from above your head or ask a friend to do it. If your head looks long and thin like a wide football, you probably have a long oval. If it resembles a slightly squashed soccer ball, you probably have an intermediate oval. If your head looks more like a soccer ball, you probably have a round oval.
To find out your head size, measure your head with a cloth tape measure:
Start the end of the tape about an inch above your eyebrows.
Circle it around so it goes above your ears and meets at the front, like you are wearing a headband.
That is your side-to-side measurement. Take the measurement in inches as well as centimeters as some brands use the metric system.
Try helmets on for size.
Now that you know your size and head shape, and the type of helmet that you want, you’re ready to try some on. Find your measurement on the size chart. Try different models and brands for the best fit possible. Some may be better for your head shape.
A well-fitting helmet should fit snugly.
Hold the helmet by the chin straps and roll your helmet onto your head from front to back. Don’t pull it straight down onto your head.
Once it’s on, try to roll the helmet forward off your head. You should not be able to do so.
Hold the helmet at the sides and try to move it up and side to side. The helmet should move your scalp and cheeks along with it.
Wear the helmet for as long as possible. There should be no pressure points or hot spots.
After trying it on, take it off and note any red spots or sore spots.
Check the safety certifications.
Helmets in the U.S. must be DOT-approved and manufactured according to safety guidelines. To qualify for DOT certification, they must pass four tests: impact test, penetration test, retention strap test, and peripheral vision test. DOT-approved helmets have a sticker at the back that includes the manufacturer/brand name, model number, and certification number.
Look for organizations like Snell that also test helmets. Snell is a third-party independent nonprofit standard and testing organization. They test in addition to DOT, but manufacturers must pay them to do so. The Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) and the European Safety Commission FIM also do additional testing. The more testing, the more assurance that your helmet meets safety requirements. However, additional testing also can raise the price of a helmet.
Pro Tip: Beware of imposters who sell novelty helmets with fake DOT labels. These helmets will be less than an inch thick and weigh a pound or less. By contrast, reputable helmets weigh about 3 pounds.
When to replace your helmet
Motorcycle helmets wear out after use. You should replace yours every 3-5 years or if your helmet sustains any damage. For added peace of mind, protect yourself with the right motorcycle insurance so that if you do get into an accident, you’re fully covered.
With the right helmet and the right gear, you’re ready to hit the road. Safe travels.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
The nights are getting longer. That means your headlights are more important than ever. Keeping them clean and in good working order will help you stay safe. Follow this guide to keep your headlights shining bright and sparkling like new.
Why are clean headlights important?
You might think that foggy headlights don’t make that much of a difference. In reality, their light can be dangerously dim. Foggy headlights emit only about 20% of the light that new headlights do, according to AAA. Not only is that a problem at night, but cloudy headlights can limit your visibility in rain and fog, too. It is just as important to replace your headlights as it is to replace your windshield wipers.
What causes headlights to wear out?
Most headlights today are made of thick plastic. While these lenses are more scratch-resistant than glass and can last a long time, their surfaces do wear out. The sun’s UV rays cause the lenses to oxidize, which creates microscopic cracks and yellowing. That impacts the quality of light they can emit. A car wash won’t be able to clean this type of damage.
Pro Tip: You can help limit your headlights’ exposure to UV rays and slow the yellowing process. Park in a cool, dry place that is away from direct sunlight. Consider aprotective cover for your vehicle. Park your car inside whenever possible.
Every vehicle is different, and some methods work better than others.
There are a variety of ways to clean your car’s headlights. You can do many of them with supplies you already have around the house. Depending on your vehicle, you will find that some methods work better than others so feel free to experiment.
How to Clean Your Headlights
Start with a clean surface. Headlights pick up dirt, grime, and dust. Before you dive into the deep cleaning, you want to remove that debris. Here are several ways to do so. (You just need to choose one method for the initial clean; you won’t want to do them all.) Remember to wear latex gloves to protect your skin.
Soap and water: Use car wash soap that is made for plastic headlight lenses. Mix one part of the soap with two parts of water. Put the mixture in a spray bottle. Spray it directly onto your headlights and then wipe it off with a microfiber cloth.
Use a specialized cleaner such as bug-and-tar remover. Spray it on your headlights. Let it sit for a few minutes, and then wipe it off with a sponge or microfiber cloth.
Try rubbing alcohol. Dip a soft cloth into the alcohol and then gently scrub the headlights. Rinse with water.
Protect your vehicle’s paint. It’s a good idea to cover the painted finish around each headlight so that you don’t damage your car’s paint. Use a tape without a strong adhesive. Painter’s tape works well.
Method #1: Using a Restoration Kit
You can buy headlight restoration kits at your local auto shop. These kits come with sandpaper that help you to gently remove the microscopic cracks.
Start with the roughest piece of sandpaper in the kit.
In between sanding, keep headlights wet using water in a spray bottle.
Repeat with the next coarsest sandpaper and continue to the finest one.
Clean your headlights with soap and water. Use car soap made for headlights.
Seal with a clear coat if the kit includes one.
Method #2: Vinegar and Baking Soda (or Toothpaste)
Common household supplies like vinegar and baking soda are effective cleaners. Alternatively, you can use toothpaste with baking soda. Just make sure the toothpaste does not have flavor crystals which can scratch the surface. Here’s how to use them to clean your headlights.
Mix up a paste of baking soda and vinegar. Use two-parts distilled white vinegar to one-part baking soda. (You also can use toothpaste without the vinegar instead.)
Apply the mixture using a microfiber cloth. Rub it on each headlight. Then let it dry.
Wipe it off with a clean microfiber cloth.
Rinse with water.
Method #3: Window Cleaner or WD-40
Chemical agents like glass cleaner and WD-40 also can do the job.
For window cleaner, spray a generous amount onto your headlights. Let it soak in. Then, use a microfiber cloth to wipe it down.
For WD-40, apply it with a clean, soft cloth. Rub it firmly in a circular manner. Rinse with car soap and water when you are done.
Apply a car polish using a clean cloth to help protect the surface.
Method #4: A Quick and Temporary Fix
You can help fill in the microscopic cracks and scratches with petroleum jelly or olive oil.
Put a coin-sized amount petroleum jelly or olive oil on a microfiber cloth.
Rub it into your headlights.
Do not rinse. The thin layer will coat your headlights but will disappear the next time it rains.
If you cleaned your headlights and it didn’t help:
Check their alignment. Consult your owner’s manual on how to adjust your headlights or bring them to a professional.
Check the inside if the headlight. Dissemble your headlight and use car soap and water or glass cleaner to clean the inside. Make sure to completely rinse and wipe away any liquid. Any residue can be heated by the powerful bulbs.
How to Change Your Headlights
Most new cars have LED headlights which can last the lifetime of the vehicle. However, if you have an older car, you will need to change your headlight bulbs. There are different headlight setups, with the most common being the twist and lock and the spring clip. Check your owner’s manual to see which one you have. Remember to replace bulbs in pairs. If one bulb went out, chances are the other is likely to go out soon.
Directions
Make sure your car is turned off. Open the hood.
Disconnect the negative ground cable from the battery.
Look for the headlight connection. Disconnect the wires from the headlight bulb.
For at Twist and Lock:
To pull the bulb out, you will need to push the tab and twist the headlight counterclockwise.
To install the new bulb, you will need to put it in and twist it clockwise until it locks.
For a Spring Clip:
Press the spring to release the bulb. Then pull it out.
Put the new bulb in and lock it in place.
Reconnect the wires to the headlight.
Reconnect the negative ground cable to the battery.
Close the hood.
Halogen Bulbs
Note that classic cars may use a sealed-beam halogen bulb. You can’t replace these bulbs. You must replace the entire headlight housing.
Make sure your car is turned off. Open the hood.
Disconnect the negative ground cable from the battery.
Find the headlight housing and unplug the wires for the blinker and headlight.
Disconnect any electrical connections from the back of the housing.
You will need a screwdriver to loosen the bracket on the housing and remove it.
Replace it with the new housing.
Reconnect the housing to the headlights and blinker.
Reconnect the negative ground cable to the battery and close the hood.
Your car is one of your greatest investments. Keep your car well maintained and protect it with the right insurance. Safe travels.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
Are you more likely to encounter a vehicle fire in an electric vehicle or a gas-powered one? The answer may surprise you. We’re breaking down the risks of each, and sharing important tips to help keep you safe from a car fire no matter which type of vehicle you drive.
Fires happen in all types of vehicles.
Despite articles circulating on the Internet, there is no government agency tracking fires by the type of vehicle. So, we don’t have a clear idea of which type of vehicle is more prone to fires: gas, electric or hybrid. You’re more likely to see a fire in a gasoline-powered engine than an EV or hybrid, simply because there are more of those vehicles on the road.
We do know that less than half of one percent (or 0.04) vehicles catch fire in any given year. Even though that seems like a low percentage, consider that there were more than 200,000 vehicle fires in the U.S. in 2018, as reported by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
What causes vehicle fires?
Engines produce heat, and when heat connects with a spark or a flammable liquid, a fire can start. Here’s a quick overview of how fires typically happen in gas versus electric vehicles.
Gas-powered combustion vehicles
Fuel system leaks are the most common causes of fires in gas-powered vehicles. Gasoline is highly flammable and can catch fire from a single spark. Gasoline at a high enough temperature can ignite by itself.
Electrical system failures are the second most common cause of gas-powered car fires. The electric current produced by a standard lead-acid battery, along with faulty or loose wiring, can produce sparks. Those sparks can ignite a fluid leak or hydrogen gas buildup.
Flammable fluids can cause fires if their lines, hoses, or containers are damaged. These fluids circulate through your gas-powered engine, and include oil, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, engine coolant and gasoline or diesel. An overheated engine can sometimes cause these fluids to seep out of their designated areas. The anti-lock brake system also can leak brake fluid that can cause an electric short, which can lead to a fire.
Exhaust-related fires can come from catalytic converters. These parts can be so hot that they can ignite grass under your vehicle. Catalytic converter fires usually occur if your car’s engine doesn’t burn fuel properly, and extra stuff winds up in the exhaust. That causes your catalytic converter to work too hard to burn off those extra pollutants.
Crashes can cause fires, even though most vehicles are designed with crumple zones that protect the engine, battery, and gas tank. Even so, a crash can cause fluid to leak, and create heat and smoke, which are the ideal conditions for a fire.
Electric vehicles
Batteries can cause fires in electric and hybrid vehicles. This can happen if the battery is overcharged, damaged, or has a faulty design. The battery is short-circuited, causing a chemical reaction that results in flammable, poisonous gases. This can even happen when a car is not being driven.
Crashes can damage the battery. If the coolant surrounding the battery leaks out, it can quickly heat up and cause a fire. A crash can also compromise the battery so that it short circuits and heats up. Manufacturers have included safety features such as automatic shutoffs for batteries during a crash, and coatings that help fire from spreading.
EV Car Fires: Much Tougher to Control
Lithium-ion batteries provide their own fuel source, and as a result, can burn for hours on end. They are sometimes hotter than gasoline-powered fires, and therefore harder to cool down. If you call 9-1-1 for a car fire involving an electric or hybrid vehicle, make sure you mention that fact. There are specialized fire extinguishers and firefighting techniques for electrical fires.
Signs Your Car May be in Danger of Catching Fire
Older vehicles may have wiring or other issues that can lead to a fire. However, any car could be at risk. If your vehicle exhibits any of the following signs, take it to your mechanic immediately.
Quick drops in fuel levels or oil levels
Wide ranges and changes in your engine’s temperature
Get everyone out of the car and at least 100 feet away.
Call 9-1-1.
Don’t go back into the vehicle for any reason.
Don’t open the hood. A burning car can explode at any moment.
Your car is one of your greatest investments. Keep your car well maintained and protect it with the right insurance. Safe travels.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
