Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Take stock of what you can afford. Pull your credit scores. Open a credit account. Investigate credit insurance. Determine if you can afford extras. See if you have what lenders want.

Answer: Before heading out to make a car purchase, you need to look realistically at your finances. If you have no credit history, that doesn’t mean you’re bad at paying off debts—it just means you haven’t had reason to, and creditors like to see evidence that you can pay your loans. The bigger the cash down payment, the better, because it cuts down on the total financing amount and may improve your chances of getting accepted for a loan.  Look at your checking account and do some budgeting. How much extra income can you take out of checking right now without negatively affecting your bills? Look at your savings account. What money is expendable? If you don’t have much available for a down payment, consider starting a strict savings plan and going car shopping again once you have more money. Lenders are more willing to take you without credit when you can pay at least 20% for the down payment.  Also consider how much you will need to set aside monthly for car insurance, gas, and maintenance. It is helpful to know how lenders are going to see you before you start applying for car loans, especially without a credit history. This may seem counterintuitive if you don’t have a credit history, but you may be surprised to find things on your record. Pull your credit history from all three of the credit bureaus—TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax.  You can find your credit reports in several ways. On the bureau websites, they charge about $40 for a one-time check of all three reports and your credit score, but a law called the Fair Credit Reporting Act requires that the bureaus give you a free report once every 12 months. You can also inquire about a free credit report from your bank. Mistakes on your credit history can affect your interest rate and whether or not you get accepted for a loan, and you can dispute these mistakes. You should submit your disputes in writing to the credit bureaus. Opening a credit account as soon as you decide you want to take out a car loan will help your credit score if you have no history. For example, a secured credit card is useful because it doesn’t require a credit history to apply for. Bring documentation of this credit card to lenders when applying for a car loan. You can purchase credit insurance specifically for covering your loan in a loss of income situation. Credit insurance covers your payments, either partially or in full, in the event that you are unable to pay your loan. This can help protect your credit score against events beyond your control. Credit life insurance, disability insurance, and property insurance are all options available to consumers.  A lender may feel more comfortable extending you a loan if they know you are willing to cover it in an emergency. Consider the monthly cost of these types of insurance. It can be expensive. At the end of the car buying experience, you will be asked if you want to tack on extra expenses like extended warranties and payment protection plans. Make sure you know how much these kinds of extras cost, how much help they are, and if you can afford them.  Extended car warranties can ensure you don’t have to pay for big repairs. The flip-side of this is an extra expense, sometimes over $1,000. And keep in mind that if you are buying a relatively new or used car, you probably won’t even need the warranty since they often only cover major repairs like engine or transmission failure.New cars, as well as some used cars, have warranties that protect the vehicle for years, so extended warranties rarely make financial sense.  Payment protection plans are similar to credit insurance, only they are provided by the dealers themselves. The deal is that if you can’t make your payments, the dealer offers to cover you for a few months.  However, payment protection plans are highly restrictive and the dealer only becomes liable if the purchaser dies, gets seriously ill, or becomes unemployed. Most financial professionals discourage the purchase of payment plans since they are expensive and rarely pay off. Once you’ve reviewed your finances and seen your credit score, think about what lenders are looking for and consider if you have it. Lenders look favorably on people with a mid-range credit score (620-680), higher income, and having been with the same employer for a few years.  If this doesn’t describe you (and it likely doesn’t if you have no credit history) that’s not a deal breaker. There are other ways to get a loan without a credit history. If you don’t have these things, you may want to find a co-signer who does to help prove that you are good for the loan. However, by co-signing on the loan, your co-signer is now legally liable for any payments you fail to make, which can have negative consequences for their credit score or financial health. Make sure both you and your co-signer know the associated risks before signing.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Provide a stable, calm environment for the dog. Be sure to give your dog ample exercise. Give the dog plenty of mental stimulation. Make sure your dog has an appropriate diet. Make sure your dog is comfortable.

Answer: Making your dog relaxed will only happen if all of its basic needs are met and the dog feels safe enough to let down its guard. If your house in chaotic with a cacophony of noise from a too-loud stereo, screaming children, or indeed arguing adults, the dog will pick up on the vibe and find it difficult to relax. Make the home a peaceful place, without raised voices. Also, make sure the dog has a place to withdraw from the activity of the home, such as its crate. It needs a safe place to go if it all gets to be too much. Not having a hiding place or den is very stressful for a dog, as its natural instincts are to hide if it feels threatened. For example, breeds such as the Jack Russell or the Border collie that have a heritage as working dogs, need plenty of exercise. If they are crated for many hours at a time, or left home alone all day, then they are likely to be hyper by the time you come home. Expect to take the dog for long walks to burn off energy, before the dog's mind turns to relaxation. After all, if the dog had nothing to do all day but sleep, rest is the last thing on its mind. Again, a tired mind is one that is ready to relax and a bored mind is more easily distracted. Stimulate your dog's mind by holding regular impromptu training sessions, of about 5 - 10 minutes duration, 2 - 4 times a day. If the dog can concentrate for longer, then great, do that. Also, give the dog puzzle feeders, or put its dry kibble inside a closed cardboard box, so it has to work out ways to get the food and will be stimulated at the same time. Feed a good quality food (meat listed first on the label) that is right for your dog's life stage. If your dog is over energetic, check with your vet and consider switching to a lower protein food. You may want to consider trying a hypoallergenic diet in case the dog's hyperactivity is due to a food intolerance. A dog in pain, such as from arthritis, finds it more difficult to relax and may become snappy. If your dog's character changes, such as it goes from being placid to aggressive, schedule a vet checkup in case there is a medical problem that needs addressing.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Install a home security alarm system. Give the impression that you own a dog. Dispose of boxes from expensive purchases.

Answer:
Alarm systems are one of the most common—and most helpful—forms of home security. Whether you’re home or away, if a would-be burglar attempts to break into your home, the alarm will alert local authorities and send you a notice as well.  A home security system could also scare off a persistent burglar. If a burglar did manage to break into your house, an alarm system could deter them from proceeding. You’ll receive a sticker with your home security system. Make sure to place the sticker somewhere that will be highly visible to potential thieves, like a front window of your house. The sticker alone will make potential burglars think twice. Burglars look for easy houses to rob, and if they're convinced that you have a guard dog, they'll avoid breaking in. You could either get an actual guard dog, or just hang a few "Beware of Dog" signs near the entrance to your yard. Even if you don't own a dog, set a couple of (empty) dog bowls near your front step to further convince potential intruders that you own a dog. If you put the box from an expensive purchase out near your trash cans, it will be very visible. Anyone could drive past and see a plasma screen TV box in your bin and find you have got a new TV set in your home. If the average thief sees you have just gotten new, expensive items (especially electronics), they'll be drawn to your house.  The same thing goes for a computer, stereo, video games console, and any other item that is easily portable and may be expensive. Instead, break the box down fully and put it inside of a large garbage can on waste collection day.