Going as far back as your first vehicle, you were probably told about the importance of routine auto maintenance. As you’ve gained more experience in handling cars, you’ve probably come to realize that professional care is essential in extending the life of your vehicle.

Visiting your auto mechanic regularly can help you save money on auto care. Below are a few of the benefits professional auto maintenance provides.

Long-Lasting Engine

As a general rule, auto manufacturers recommend an oil change every 3,000 miles or every six months.

Metal shavings and other debris contaminate oil over time. Once the oil becomes dirty, it produces greater friction that causes moving components in the engine to degrade faster. Timely oil changes help keep your engine performing like new for a longer period of time.

Better Fuel Economy

A tune-up includes checking spark plugs, fuel filters, and other components that affect the way a vehicle uses fuel. If you don’t get regular tune-ups, your fuel lines can become clogged with debris or other components may work less efficiently.

If you’re unsure about how frequently to schedule tune-ups for your vehicle, ask a technician at a professional automotive repair shop like American Automotive.

Roadside Emergencies Prevented

When you break down on the road you might have to pay a towing fee. Breaking down at night, on a weekend, or during a holiday often means paying more for labor.

You can avoid this situation by having an auto service center regularly inspect your tires, belts, hoses, and fluid levels. Replacing these components as they wear down decreases your risk of a roadside emergency.

Warranty Stipulations Met

Your vehicle comes with a basic warranty, which you may choose to upgrade for an additional fee.

Every type of warranty requires you to meet certain stipulations, such as getting oil changes on time. When you schedule regular maintenance to meet those requirements, you’ll have warranty protection. If something does happen, this means you’ll pay less out of pocket for the repairs.

Advance Warning for Replacement Parts

An unexpected need for auto service can significantly impact your budget. This is especially true when you don’t have cash on hand to pay for the repairs.

Routine service from a professional mechanic can provide advance warning that your brake pads are wearing thin or your shocks will need to be replaced. Knowing these things ahead of time makes it easier to budget and plan for auto care.

In addition to preventative maintenance, you can save money by getting help as soon as you notice a problem.

If your car or truck is making an unusual sound or handles differently, a visit to your auto mechanic can help diagnose the problem. In most situations, early care will prevent a problem from becoming more serious and more expensive.

You’ve heard the phrase “if you do something you love, you’ll never work a day in your life”, right? Well, what if you could actually make that happen?

Chances are you’re probably passionate about something. Whether it’s writing, cooking, or photography, there are so many opportunities to create cash flow from your passions, especially in this digital and entrepreneurial age.

There are so many success stories about how people have turned their passions into thriving businesses that support their comfortable lifestyles. Just look at the founder of Lean Kitchen; he took his passion for meal prepping and turned it into a nationwide business.

In this article, we’ll discuss how you can turn your passion into a money-making machine. Be warned, it will take some discipline and perseverance, but it’s totally possible.

Get Really Good at It

If you want to make money from your passion, you’ll have to become really, really great at it. You must master this skill and be one of the best you know at using it. No matter what your passion is, there are always things you can learn or practice to improve it.

For example, if you love playing the guitar and want to make money one day with it, you’ll have to spend a lot of time practicing, learning new songs, and becoming an advanced player.

Identify What People Want

So now that you’ve gotten pretty good at your skill and you’re confident you could get someone to pay you for it, it’s time to identify what it is that people are actually willing to pay for. What do people want? How will your skill and passion make someone’s life better?

This involves a bit of market research and tapping into the business side of making money from your passion. Do people want to learn your skill? Then create a course. Do people want to hire you for your skill? Then become a freelancer. Do people want to purchase the product of your skill? Then start an online business or storefront.

The possibilities are truly endless in this situation.

Start as a Side Project

Don’t quit your day job immediately after finding a way to make money from your passion. It’s good to dream big, but it’s also important to start small. You don’t want it to be stressful; you want to keep it fun and actually enjoy working on this project and your passion.

Over time, you’ll start to make more money from your passion the more you learn about what people want, how to market yourself, and really find your niche in the industry. This could take a couple of months or a couple of years. No matter how long it takes, remember to keep pushing and persevere through the challenges – because there definitely will be challenges.

Eventually, you may be able to leave your full-time job and pursue your passion project. In the meantime, stay patient and watch your project grow so you can start making money.

Even with all of the available options for funding your child’s education, you might still want to help them pay for it. And while starting a savings account when they are born is highly recommended, not everyone is able to do so. Whether your child is getting ready to head off to college or just entering kindergarten, there are ways to earn money for their tuition. Read on to learn some of the best side hustles to pay for your child’s education.

Drive for Uber

This is a great way to start side hustling quickly, you can sign up right from your smartphone. Depending on where you live, driving Uber is a great way to make extra money. In fact, in busy urban areas, some drivers have made Uber their full-time job. If you already work a 9-to-5, you can always drive on weekends to earn some extra cash.

Start an Online Business

The digital age is here to stay, so there’s no reason not to make the most of it. Online businesses are another way to make money without ever having to leave home. You can build an online store on Shopify and sell print-on-demand items, or you can try your hand at dropshipping. There are plenty of local manufacturers in the USA, so your customers won’t have to deal with shipping delays.

If you have a certain skillset, you can market yourself and sell courses as well. Teachable and SkillShare allow you to upload courses in your targeted niche. This type of passive income is the perfect complement to any loans you may receive. If you do choose to get a loan, you should look into a low-interest Private Parent Loan. They’re usually more affordable in the long run and won’t affect your child’s credit.

Dog Walking

If you love all things dogs, you can sign up to walk other people’s dogs. You can work on the weekends or whenever you schedule permits. Depending on the company, dog walkers can earn $15 to $20 an hour.

Social Media Management

Running someone else’s social media is another great side gig. Look around your area for small businesses that would benefit from a social media presence. Put together a small portfolio that demonstrates your knowledge, stats and visuals as well. You can even use your own accounts as examples. Pitch the idea and explain how your services can help boost their visibility and eventually increase their profits. You might be surprised how many local businesses are looking for help.

Pet Sitting

Similar to dog walking, there’s a lot of people who need someone to watch their pet. In addition to family and friends, there’s also plenty of companies who are always looking for responsible pet sitters. You can screen the dogs or cats you watch to ensure that they’re a match for you and your family. If you choose to do this on your own, make sure that your clients can provide updated vaccination records prior to drop off. It’s also a good idea to do a meet and greet as well. As much as you love pets, sometimes it’s just doesn’t work out.