TommyLog – Strong Work Ethic

Ok kids, for today’s TommyLog I want to first congratulate Clara on getting her first job. How exciting is that?!?! I could nto be more proud of her and her accomplishments. I actually am very proud of all my kids and everything they have accomplished.

When I was 12 years old I got a job a a newspaper carrier for the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle early morning newspaper. With the exception of a time while a freshman at college and my full time mission, I have been gainfully employed ever since.

Which leads me to talk about strong work ethic and how blessed I am that Clifford kids have such a great work ethic.

TommyLog TECH – Finding Your Dream Car with the DROID Turbo #VZWBuzz #AD

Hey kids, for today’s TommyLog Tech, I’m on location in the front seat of my new 2015 Honda Pilot and I want to talk about how the DROID Turbo helped me with my buying decision. Here are Tommy’s Top apps for helping you on your car buying quest.

True Car pricingThe first app I want to tell you about is the Kelly Blue Book or KBB App. This app just an indispensable tool for helping you know what your current car is worth.  Before you can start looking for a new car, it’s nice to know the value of your current ride. For that I turn to the Kelly Blue Book or KBB app. The KBB app will guide you through a series of questions to build an estimate of the value of your car on trade. You start off buy entering your zip code, and then picking out the exact model and options on our vehicle. You next have to dig really deep and pick the condition of your car. This can be hard, but you MUST BE FAIR with your evaluation. Setting the wrong expectation on the condition of your car will only hurt you, either with a lower trade in at the dealership or frowns from the seller if you set your price to high. You have to choose Fair, Good, Very Good or Excellent Condition. You may think you car is in showroom condition, but unless it has been professionally detailed and is in perfect working order and absolutely flawless- excellent condition is not what you should pick. Be honest and fair about your condition, it will only help you in the end.
Cost to Own
Now that you know what your trade is worth, it’s time to start looking for a replacement. Do you want new or used? What options are most important to you? Leather seats? Sun roof? Six Speed manual? The best apps I found to conduct your research are the Cars.com app, Autotrader app, and the Edmonds app. I especially like the Edmonds app as it has the “True Cost to Own” calculator. This tool looks at the total cost of ownership over the next 5 years, taking into consideration things like fuel cost based on EPA mileage, insurance, repairs, and depreciation. Never overlook these types of things when picking out your next car or truck.

So you’ve picked out the perfect match and are ready to take the plunge. Did you pick out a new car and want to see what others paid for the exact same model?  To help here, you want to download and use the True Car app. The way this app works is this:  Local dealers are part of the True Car network and the prices they paid for their vehicles are reported back to the True Car app. You can look in your area to see what others have paid for the exact same vehicle and then, loaded with this good information, you can now feel confident as you talk pricing with your sales person at the local dealership.

SirusXM AppNow that you have your new or used vehicle, my BONUS app is one that I just love. I’m a HUGE SiriusXM satellite radio fan. I spend at least an hour a day in front of the windshield and most times I’m listing to SiriusXM. I just love 80’s on 8, Classic Rewind channel 26, and Ozzy’s Boneyard channel 38. With the SiriusXM app, regardless if I’m in the car or on the go, I can always be tuned into my favorite music or talk radio.

So there you have it kids, my favorite vehicle research apps for my DROID Turbo and they are all totally Tommy approved.  Knowledge is power and when buying a vehicle, you need all the power you can get!

For more information on how to get your very own DROID Turbo by Motorola, Here’s a link http://www.verizonwireless.com/smartphones/droid-turbo/

Click here to get my fav car apps.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kbb.mobileplatform&hl=en

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.autotrader.android&hl=en

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cars.android&hl=en

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.edmunds&hl=en

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.truecar.mobile.android.consumer&hl=en

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sirius&hl=en

[DISCLAIMER — I’m one of the cool kids who has been asked to play with and test technology for Verizon. They asked me to test and share my thoughts. All my words are original and my own.]

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TommyLog – Families Are Forever!

Hey kids, this TomymLog goes out to a friend on Chicago who lost her son at week 24 of the pregnancy. I am so sorry for your loss! There is really nothing that can do to take away the pain you feel, But I do got this—  I know for 100% fact that families are forever and some day you will be reunited with your son. A loving Heavenly Father wants families to be together. This I know is true!

Please take a moment to donate the the March of Dimes as they fight to help moms have full-term pregnancies.

If you want to help, please do so –>  http://www.marchforbabies.org/JacquiLiberman

TommyLog – Good Friends Listen!

Hey kids, for today’s TommyLog I want to talk about one of the attributes of a good friend. Their listening skills. Last week I was called upon to be THAT friend, to be able to listen and soak in and just let someone vent. I’m thankful I was ready and able to take the phone call and that I was able to be there in a time of need.

I’m pretty sure if people had better listening skills, can you imagine what a better place this world would be?