| How to Determine the Fair Market Value of a Vehicle Posted: 16 Jun 2018 05:00 PM PDT Before you donate or sell your car, it's important to calculate its fair market value (FMV). The FMV will tell you how much your car is worth on the private market or for tax purposes. While it's not an exact science, entering your car's details in an automobile industry website, such as Edmunds, will give you the most accurate valuation. You can also browse the local car ads to see what similar cars are selling for in your area. EditCalculating Your Car's FMV - Go to Edmunds (www.edmunds.com) or Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com). On the main page of each site, look for a tab or icon that states "Price My Car" or something similar. After you click on this tab it will take you to a brief form to fill out. The website will then use the information that you supply to come up with a market value estimate for your car.[1]
- These sites will give you an estimate free of charge in most cases. If you choose to list your vehicle for sale on their site, there may be additional fees.
- Enter in the exact year and model for your vehicle. After you leave the main website and head into the used car category, one of the first pieces of information that you'll need to supply will be the date of creation for the vehicle and the model (or type of body) for the vehicle. This information should be listed on your owner's manual or may even appear on the inside of your driver's door.[2]
- If you are uncertain of the year, enter in a date range. If you are uncertain about the model, look up similar vehicles online until you find one that looks that same as yours.
- Provide your car's mileage. Look at the odometer on your car and you'll see a series of numbers that shows the car's mileage. You may need to turn on your car to see this display on newer vehicles. Then, enter in this number where prompted on the FMV website. Put simply, cars with fewer miles are almost always worth more than those with many miles.[3]
- Plug in your zipcode or city name. This information allows the website to tailor your car's FMV to your particular area. This is important because the FMV of a vehicle can shift according to supply and demand. If the demand for your type of car is high in your area, then your FMV will reflect this.[4]
- For example, if you live in a city area, then smaller vehicles may be in demand and could end up with high FMVs.
- List out all of your car's options and amenities. Walk around your car from bumper to bumper and write down everything that makes it unique compared to other vehicles. Many of these options will be for a driver's convenience or comfort, such as power windows and locks. You might also list chrome bumpers/mirrors, AC, window tinting, sunroof, leather interior, sound system extras, and any guidance systems.[5]
- Be honest about your car's condition. It sometimes helps to assess your car in terms of exterior, interior, and mechanical condition. Note any flaws in these separate areas. Then, read over the levels provided by the website and chose the one that most closely fits your vehicle.[6]
- For example, a car that no longer runs might be assessed as "Poor" or "Not Running" in the mechanical category.
- Save or print out copies of your final report. After you've entered in all of the requested information, click the tab on the bottom to get your pricing report. When the report pulls up, read over it. Then, save a PDF to your computer and print out a few copies for your reference.[7]
- Potential buyers might also want a copy of the FMV estimate. This lets them know that your asking price is fair and reasonable.
EditMaking Other FMV Comparisons - Recognize that FMV is different than trade-in value. According to the Internal Revenue Service, a FMV is an estimate of the sales amount that a private seller and buyer would agree to for a vehicle. In contrast, a trade-in value is what a dealership would offer. It's also important to note that the FMV is calculated based on the actions of willing buyers/sellers, not ones under duress.[8]
- Trade-in values for used cars are also often altered by dealers to boost vehicle sales. An FMV estimate is more consistent.
- Enter in reasonable comparison details if you don't know the exact information. If you are looking up an estimate for someone else or if you are researching an older vehicle, you may not know every detail requested by the website. That's okay. Enter in a number of years or a series of options to create a workable value range.[9]
- For example, if you know that the car was made in the late 1990s, enter in 1996, 1997, 1998, and, 1999. Note how the values differ with each year.
- Compare your car to others currently for sale. Look at the automobile listings in your local newspaper. Or, go to a used auto sales website such as www.autotrader.com, enter in your zipcode, and search for similar cars in your area. Make note of the asking prices for cars that are similar to your own.[10]
- For example, if you are selling a 1999 Mustang and see a 2000 model in your local paper, note the price. It's probably a bit higher than your car's FMV, but may be pretty close to it.
EditChanging Your Car's FMV - Adjust your FMV if you take a while to sell your car. Your car's FMV is time-specific, meaning that it can change if you take months or even years to donate or sell your vehicle. Every month or so re-visit the estimate websites and enter in your car's information to get an up-to-date FMV. You may also want to change your car's asking price based on this new estimate.[11]
- For example, you may find that the FMV for a convertible might actually go up during the warmer months, as they are more in demand.
- Clean your car on the inside and out. You can do this yourself or you can take it to a detailing place. If you can remove any imperfections, such as stains on the upholstery, then this will increase your car's value. If you have a few dings on the exterior, buy touch-up paint and make these corrections, too.[12]
- Professional detailing can be costly. Weigh the benefits of a boosted FMV versus the out-of-pocket cost for cleaning.
- Pay a mechanic to assess and fix any mechanical problems. If your car is newer or collectible, take it a local, trusted mechanic and ask them to evaluate it for any issues. Then, decide if the cost of fixing these problems will boost your FMV up enough to warrant the expense. Even making minor repairs, such as replacing the window wipers, might pay off if you can report a higher condition rating for your vehicle.[13]
- If you choose to donate your vehicle for a charity, make sure to get a receipt showing their name, the date of the donation, and the good description of your car. This will make it easier to deduct the FMV of the car from your taxes.[14]
- Only a donation to a "qualified charity" can be deducted from your taxes, according to the IRS. Check the IRS website for a list of approved organizations.[15]
EditSources and Citations
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| How to Plant Seeds in a Basic Seed Tray Posted: 16 Jun 2018 09:00 AM PDT Planting seeds is a great way to start plants indoors for your garden. Using seed trays helps your plants grow easily and with minimal effort. By getting your seeds ready for the spring, you'll have seedlings ready to go outside in no time! EditCreating a Grow Area - Plan to start planting seeds between 6-12 weeks before the last frost date. Actual growing time for seeds will depend on what plants you've decided to grow. Planning around the last frost date for your area will help you determine when to start germinating the seeds.[1]
- Read the packaging on the seeds you are planting to see if additional steps, such as soaking or chilling, need to be taken before they are planted.
- Check the Old Farmer's Almanac for growing dates specific for your region.
- Purchase a cell tray with drainage holes for an easy option. Using a cell tray allows the seeds to grow without interfering with one another. Opt for cell trays that have drainage holes at the bottom if you can. They can be purchased at any gardening store.[2]
- If your cell trays do not have drainage holes at the bottom, use a knife to poke holes in the bottom of each cell.
- Make a seed tray out of a cardboard egg carton for a free alternative. This biodegradable option has perfect sized cells for planting and you may already have one in your home. After you've used all the eggs in a carton, poke a few holes at the bottom of each cell so the soil has good drainage.[3]
- Place the cell tray inside a large, flat plastic tray. The flat tray will make it easier to transport and water your seedlings. Since you'll want your seeds to establish roots, you'll be watering in the flat tray to promote downward growth. The plastic trays can be purchased at any gardening store.[4]
- A baking pan is an alternative that you may already have in your home.[5]
- Fill each cell to the top with a seed starting mix. Seed starting mix is a sterile alternative to potting soil that will help promote germination for your seeds and can be purchased in stores or online. It's okay if you overfill since the mix will set further once it is wet.[6]
- Potting soil can be used, but it may be more coarse and the seeds may not grow as well as they would in a fine seed mix.[7]
- Wet the seed starting mix with a watering can. Push your finger into the soil to your first knuckle and make sure it is damp. Excess water should drain through into the tray underneath your cells.[8]
EditSowing the Seeds - Submerge old seeds for 15 minutes in water to see if they are still viable. If you have old seed packets you are hoping to plant, you'll want to test if the seeds are still good to grow. Some seeds can last for years, but others will have a shorter shelf life. If any seeds float, then they will most likely not grow. If the seeds sink, they should still be good to plant.[9]
- Alternatively, you can run a germination test by wrapping at least 10 seeds in a damp paper towel. Keep the paper towel in a resealable plastic bag in a warm place for 10 days. Check the seeds to see if they've germinated or sprouted. If 5 or more sprout, the rest of the seeds should be viable.
- Poke a deep hole in each cell with your finger. The measurement doesn't have to be precise, so half the length of a fingernail is a good estimate. Be gentle as you press so you don't pack the soil firm.[10]
- Some seeds may need to be set shallower or deeper, so follow the instructions on the seed packages for each plant.
- Plant at least 2 seeds in each hole. This helps make sure at least one of the seeds will germinate in each cell. If both of the seeds start to grow, you can always cut back or remove the weakest looking plant.[11]
- Plant 4 seeds if they are small. This gives more chances for them to grow.
- If you're working with small seeds, pour the seeds into the crease of a folded piece of paper and use a pencil to push the seeds into the hole.[12]
- Cover the seeds with seed starter mix and press it down with your finger. This makes sure the seed has complete contact with the starter mix. Be gentle as you press down. You do not want to push the seed in deeper; you just want to pack the soil closer.[13]
- Label the seeds if you plant more than one kind. Make garden labels for your plants, listing what is growing in the cells as well as the date you planted them. Stick the labels at the end of each row.[14]
- Using toothpicks and masking tape is an easy alternative for garden labels that you can make at home.
EditCaring for Your Seedlings - Cover the tray with plastic wrap. Plastic wrap will help keep the moisture in the tray for longer and create a humid environment that promotes germination. Leave small openings on the sides of the tray so air can still circulate to your seeds.[15]
- You can also purchase a humidity dome from a gardening store for the same effect. If the dome has an air vent, keep it open for air flow.
- Fill the flat tray with of distilled water. The cells will soak up water from the tray so you do not have to water your seeds from the top. Check the levels of the water in the tray daily.[16]
- Fill the tray back to of water when levels are below deep.
- If you overfill the tray, the roots of your seedling may become waterlogged and develop rot.
- Store the tray in a warm area. Sunlight is not essential for seeds to grow, but it will not hurt them either. Keep the tray in the warmest area of your home. The soil temperature should stay above for most plants to successfully germinate.[17]
- Soil temperature can be measured with a soil thermometer placed at the same depth as the seeds.
- Move the tray to a sunlit area once seedlings sprout and uncover them. Once you see sprouts in your cells, move your tray to a windowsill or an area with about 6 hours of indirect sunlight. Remove the plastic wrap or humidity cover so your seedlings can get full exposure to the light.[18]
- Turn your tray 180° every other day so your seedlings do not grow crooked.
- You can also keep seedlings under grow lamps so the plants will grow evenly.
- Always follow the specific directions on the seed packages since they may vary from other plants.
EditThings You'll Need - Cell tray
- Plastic garden tray
- Watering can
- Seed starting mix
- Plastic wrap or humidity dome
- Garden labels
EditRelated wikiHows EditSources and Citations
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| How to Get Rid of Gas Posted: 16 Jun 2018 01:00 AM PDT While gas is completely normal, excessive bloating, belching, and flatulence can be uncomfortable, painful, and frustrating. If you experience persistent problems, try to figure out which foods give you trouble, and cut them out of your diet. Exercise can stimulate your digestive system, and a gentle walk after meals could help reduce gas buildup. There are also lots of medications for gas. Since they work in different ways, you'll need to choose a medicine that's designed to relieve your particular symptoms.[1] EditChanging Your Diet - Try to keep track of which foods cause your symptoms. If you routinely experience gas pains and bloating, keep a log of everything you eat and drink. When you have symptoms, check your log and note foods that might be giving you trouble. Then see if cutting those foods from your diet helps.[2]
- For example, you might pass gas excessively and feel bloated after eating a big bowl of ice cream. Limiting or cutting dairy products could provide relief.
- Foods affect people differently, so try to find out what's causing your issues. You might find that all common gas-causing foods give you trouble, or that 1 or 2 items cause your symptoms.
- Cut 1 food group at a time from your diet to find the culprit. The most common gas-causing foods contain hard-to-digest carbohydrates, fiber, and lactose. Try cutting dairy products from your diet for a week, and see if your symptoms improve. If you're still gassy, try avoiding beans, broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage.[3]
- If you still experiencing gas, try reducing your fiber intake. See if cutting down on whole grains and bran helps.
- Avoid items that contain sorbitol, such as gum, candy, and soft drinks. Sorbitol is an artificial sweetener that causes gas. While sorbitol can make you gassy on its own, products that contain it often cause or worsen gas in other ways.[4]
- For example, carbonated beverages cause gas, and soft drinks that contain sorbitol can be even harder on your digestive system.
- Swallowing air can cause bloating, and you swallow more air when you chew gum and suck on hard candies. You might be even more gassy if your chewing gum or candy contains sorbitol.
- Stay away from beans, vegetables, and fruits that cause gas. Beans and some fruits and veggies contain carbohydrates that are hard to digest. Avoid or eat less broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, apples, pears, prunes, and prune juice.[5]
- Fruits and veggies are an important part of a healthy diet, so don't cut them out entirely. Instead, go for options that are easier to digest, such as lettuce, tomatoes, zucchini, avocados, berries, and grapes.
- To make beans easier to digest, soak them in warm water for at least an hour before cooking them. Be sure to discard the soaking water and cook them in fresh water.
- Work on cutting fatty foods from your diet. Do your best to avoid greasy, high-fat foods, which can slow digestion and cause gas buildup. Examples include fatty cuts of red meat, processed meats (such as bacon), and fried foods. Swap these for leaner, more digestible items, like poultry, seafood, egg whites, and easy-to-digest fruits and veggies.[6]
- Chew your food thoroughly before swallowing. Larger particles of food are harder to digest, so chew your food until it's liquefied. Additionally, the more you chew, the more saliva you produce. Saliva contains digestive enzymes, which break down your bites and make your meals easier to digest.[7]
- Take smaller bites and chew at least 30 times, or until the food feels like a mushy paste.
- Take your time when you eat and drink. Scarfing down food and gulping drinks sends more air into your digestive system. Swallowing air is a common cause of gas, so do your best to eat slowly and take smaller sips of your beverages.[8]
- Additionally, try not to talk while eating or chew with your mouth open. You'll swallow less air if you keep your mouth closed as you chew.
EditStaying Physically Active - Exercise for 30 minutes daily to improve your digestion. Regular exercise gets your blood pumping, engages your core muscles, and can improve your overall digestive health. Upright aerobic exercises are your best options, so walk, jog, run, or ride your bike daily.[9]
- Do your best to breathe in through your nose while exercising, even if you're winded. Remember that swallowing air through your mouth can lead to gas and cramping.
- Walk for 10 to 15 minutes after eating. Regular exercise is important, but a light walk after meals is especially helpful. Walking will help send your meal smoothly on its way down your digestive tract. Hard exercise could make you nauseous, so be sure to stick to an easy pace.[10]
- Limit the amount of time you spend lying down. While your digestive system still works while you're lying down, gas passes through your system more easily when you're sitting up and standing. To prevent and relieve gas buildup, avoid lying down after meals. Do your best to lie in a horizontal position only when you go to sleep.[11]
- Your sleeping position can also affect gas buildup in your digestive system. Try to sleep on your left side. This can improve digestion, reduce acid buildup, and help gas pass more easily through your body.[12]
EditTaking Medications for Gas - Take an antacid for heartburn pain in your upper abdomen. If you experience pain and burning in your upper stomach or chest area, you might be suffering from heartburn. Try taking an over-the-counter antacid about an hour before eating. Avoid taking an antacid with a meal.[13]
- Use any medication according to the label's instructions. Talk to your doctor before taking an antacid regularly if you have kidney or heart disease, are on a low-sodium diet, or take any prescription medications.
- Choose a foaming agent for stomach gas. Simethicone is a foaming agent found in brand medications such as Alka-Seltzer, Gas-X, and Mylanta. These medications might be your best option if you experience bloating or gas pains in the middle of your stomach area. However, they don't have any effect on intestinal gas, or pain and bloating in your lower abdomen.[14]
- Take a medication that contains simethicone 2 to 4 times a day after meals and at bedtime, or according to the label's instructions.[15]
- Go with an enzyme medication for intestinal, or lower belly, gas. There are several types of enzymatic medicines that can relieve intestinal gas by helping you digest sugars more easily. Medications that contain the enzyme alpha-galactosidase, such as the brand Beano, help your body process gas-causing beans, fruits, and vegetables. If dairy products give you trouble, try taking a digestive aid that contains lactase, such as Lactaid.[16]
- Most enzyme digestive aids should be added to food just before you take the first bite. Follow the directions on your product's label if you use a digestive aid.
- Heat can break down enzymes, so only add digestive aids after food is finished cooking.
- Try taking activated charcoal pills for intestinal gas. A typical dose is 2 to 4 tablets with a full glass of water about an hour before eating and again after a meal. While there's mixed evidence about its effectiveness, activated charcoal might help relieve intestinal gas, or bloating in your lower abdomen.[17]
- Consult your doctor before using activated charcoal if you take any prescription medications. Activated charcoal can affect how your body absorbs medicines.[18]
- Discuss prescription medications with your doctor. See your doctor if you can't manage persistent stomach problems with nonprescription medications and dietary changes. Tell them about your symptoms, diet, and bathroom habits. Depending on your specific issues, they might recommend a prescription-strength antacid, simethicone product, or laxative.[19]
- Talking about digestive issues and bathroom habits can feel embarrassing. Remember that your doctor is there to help you. Being honest will help them come up with the best treatment plan.
- Avoid taking over-the-counter pain relievers, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, for gas pain. These medications can irritate the stomach and worsen gas pains.[20]
- See your doctor if you experience severe pain, have unexplained weight loss, find blood in your stool, or have less than 3 bowel movements per week. Painful or chronic gas can also indicate an underlying medical condition, such as Crohn's disease or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).[21]
EditSources and Citations EditQuick Summary
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