user: INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Your hazard flashers are a great way to let the drivers around you know that you are having an issue and that they should keep clear of your vehicle.  Turn them on by pressing the appropriate button on your dashboard.  In most vehicles, your hazard flashers should be marked with an exclamation point (!) in a triangle.  You should make sure you know where the hazard flashers button is in your vehicle before encountering an emergency so you don’t have to look for it. If you are unsure where to find yours, look it up in your owner’s manual at some point when you are not driving the vehicle. Once you have shifted the vehicle in neutral, you will have only the carried over speed from before disengaging the engine to get you to a safe place to stop, so you should do so as quickly and safely as possible.  In many situations, simply pulling over to the side of the road will do.  If possible, look for a place you can leave the car for a little while, as it will be unfit to drive until it has been repaired. Breakdown lanes, rest stops and parking lots are all better alternatives to the side of the road when available. Apply the brake with your right foot until the vehicle comes to a complete stop just as you normally would.  The disengaged engine is likely spinning a high number of RPMs (Revolutions per Minute) as a result of the stuck accelerator.  Turn it off as soon as you’ve come to a complete stop to avoid causing further damage to the engine.  Holding an engine at “redline” for an extended period of time can cause significant damage to the vehicle.  Redline can be identified by the range of RPMs indicated on your tachometer with a red bar. Your vehicle may have come equipped with an RPM governor that will prevent the engine from being over-revved.  If the vehicle’s RPMs are surging and dropping repeatedly, it is likely because of the governor. In newer model vehicles equipped with a start/stop ignition button, it may not shut off immediately upon pressing the button.  The vehicle’s on board computer may think you are still driving because of the gas pedal being engaged.  In these vehicles, holding the start/stop ignition button for three seconds should shut down the motor.  Vehicles equipped with start/stop ignition buttons are designed to prevent you from accidentally shutting off the vehicle while driving. Holding the button down for three full seconds sends a message to the computer that you want it to override that safety feature. Once you are safely pulled over and the vehicle is shut off, do not start it again or attempt to drive.  The vehicle will need to be towed to a repair facility and repaired before it will be safe to drive again.  If law enforcement arrives and asks you to move the vehicle, explain the issue you had to them and they can help get a tow truck to you quickly. Remember that it is illegal in many places to leave an unattended vehicle on the side of public road, particularly if it is in an unsafe place.

SUMMARY: Turn on your hazard flashers. Look for the closest safe place to pull over. Bring the car to a complete stop and turn off the engine. Press and hold the ignition button for three seconds (if equipped). Do not drive the vehicle until it has been repaired.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: . Once you've got a clear picture of your current expenses (both non-discretionary and discretionary), you'll need to start prioritizing your expenditures. Think about the things that you don't really need, but like to treat yourself on. It's okay to spend occasionally on these personal expenses (in fact, occasionally treating yourself may make you feel more satisfied with your life's situation), but you need to prioritize them and recognize that you may not be able to realistically indulge every week.  If you've gotten used to a certain way of living, it's best to make financial sacrifices gradually so that the transition is easier. For example, if you're used to buying yourself a fancy coffee everyday, cut back over time: drop it to every other day for a week, then twice a week, then once a week.  Bring your own coffee and lunch/snack to work every day instead of ordering out. Just bringing a thermos of coffee and a bagel every day can save you approximately $25 each week, or about $100 every month!  Get a water filter and carry a water bottle with you instead of buying bottled water. This can save you quite a bit of money, depending on how often you buy bottled water. Remember that cutting back doesn't necessarily mean depriving yourself of things you love for the rest of your life. Instead of a daily indulgence, try making it a weekly indulgence; if you had a big weekly splurge, try making it a once a month (or every other month) splurge. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that you can spend more on your indulgences because you enjoy them less often. It's important to stick to your monthly budget and only spend the amount you've set aside for those occasional splurges. If you go into a store without any plan, there's a good chance you'll overspend, no matter what you're shopping for. Seeing in the store that something is on sale, or simply prominently displayed, shouldn't justify throwing your budget out the window.  Always make a shopping list before you leave home, no matter what you're shopping for (groceries, clothing, etc.). You may want to allow yourself to indulge in occasional impulse purchases, but set a limit: allow yourself no more than, say, $10 for things that you didn't put on the list. Make yourself wait a few hours or even a few days before deciding on an expensive impulse purchase. For example, if you go to the store for a new work shirt, think it over for a few days before grabbing a pair of designer jeans that are on sale. Try using cash for your shopping trips instead of a debit/credit card. Carrying cash can help you limit how much you spend, especially if you restrict how much cash you have in your wallet. It's easy to fall into a routine of just running to the store when you need something. But this can cause you to inadvertently overpay for many items, and that excess can add up over the days and weeks of each month.  Compare prices before you commit to buying an item. If you check online, through newspaper advertisements, or in another store, you'll probably find that item considerably cheaper somewhere else. Check for coupons, mail-in rebates, and other discounts at both your usual stores and at their competitors. Also check online, as some retailers offer online-only discounts that won't be applied in stores. If there's an item you want but you can't find an affordable price anywhere, try looking for a closely related item. It may not be the brand or model you wanted, but it will serve the same purpose and probably look just as good. Research items before you buy them. Check customer reviews and look for any problems so you'll know whether an item will be durable enough to last. If you need a new item, like a piece of furniture or an article of clothing, you should certainly compare prices between competing retailers. However, you may not have thought to check at local resale stores. Buying an item used from a thrift store, pawn shop, or some other second-hand store can net you impressive savings while still getting a functional, high-quality piece of merchandise.  Getting things used extends beyond thrift stores and yard sales. You can also borrow many things for free: rent books, movies, and CDs from your local library for free! Remember that an item is still useful and stylish, whether you get it second hand or pay full price for it brand new. The only difference, ultimately, is how much you pay for it.

SUMMARY:

assistant: Cut back on unnecessary spending Learn to be a self-controlled shopper. Get the best deals. Look for used items when possible.