Monthly Archives: February 2016

Boost Your Gas Mileage

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We all want to save money where we can, and squeezing a few more miles out of your tank of gas is a good way to do so. Here are five do-it-yourself tips to put a few more miles between you and the gas pump.

1. Change your spark plugs

Spark plugs ensure smooth combustion to get your engine going. When they don’t work, those misfires occur more frequently, wasting gas in the process. If your spark plugs are slated for replacement every 60,000 miles, replacing them every 40,000 will boost performance and improve gas mileage.

2. Replace air filters

Air filters capture dirt and dust and let clean air flow into the engine. When they get dirty, older cars (before 1999) can experience as much as a 10 percent loss in fuel economy. Newer models have sensors that detect poorer air flow and cut down on fuel. Doing so hurts pick-up and power. Change your filter at least once a year and check it every time your oil is changed.

3. Keep tire pressure up

Even slightly deflated tires can have a poor impact on gas mileage. Make sure you know the manufacturer’s recommended inflation level and keep the tires at that rate.

4. Lighten up on the pedal

Speed really harms gas mileage. Keeping your speed close to 55 mph and using cruise control reduce aerodynamic drag and save more than a few pennies at the pump. Accelerating hard, particularly in stop-and-go traffic, is also hard on the wallet.

5. Fix the spoiler

The spoiler is there for more than style. It prevents air flow from reaching your car’s undercarriage, which also lowers drag. It also allows more air into your radiator and air conditioner condenser, putting less strain on the electrical system.

The kind of car you drive has a lot to do with the fuel mileage you get and the insurance options available to you. Let the talented agents at the Rodgers-Olver-Polley, Inc. insurance company see if they can save you money on your car insurance today.

Show Your Community You Care by Giving Back

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We all take so much from our community. From the beautiful streets and parks to the community services offered, Honesdale, PA is a fantastic place to live, raise a family and call home. Wouldn’t it be nice to show your community you care by giving back? There are many ways you can do this, and by doing so you can join Rodgers-Olver-Polley Inc. in making sure the community and surrounding area is a special place for all families. 

Community Pick-Up Services

There are community clean-up services conducted annually, typically in the spring, designed to clean up the parks and other local properties within the city. Here, you can bring out the entire family and go to work cleaning cleaning up the area around you. This way, you can put your own special touch on the community while giving back and showing you care.

Help with the Shoveling

Do you have an elderly neighbor who struggles shoveling their driveway and sidewalk during the winter months? It might take a few extra minutes out of your day, but offer to shovel their driveway during the winter. It might not seem like much but they will greatly appreciate it, make life a bit easier on them and will truly put a smile on their face. 

Help the Kids

There really is nothing more rewarding than giving back to children, and there are so many ways you can do that. You can donate time at an after school program, the Boys and Girls Club, sign up to become a Big Brother or Big Sister, offer to help coach a youth sporting team or tutor children who are in need of some extra attention. There are so many ways you can give back to the community by helping the local youth. 

3 Tips for Being the Perfect Housesitter

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Watching someone else’s property can be a great way to break routine, try something different, and help out a friend for a bit. But how do you know what you should (and shouldn’t) be doing while staying in another person’s home? Here are three tips for being the perfect house sitter.

#1: Find Out Expectations Ahead of Time

Keep things absolutely clear from the beginning by finding out about any expectations your host has while they are gone. If they want you to water plants, take the trash cans out to the curb, or even take care of animals, it is important to know ahead of time. In addition, you’ll want to find out about any requests they have for handling landline phone calls or unexpected visitors. Try to cover as many bases as you can to ensure clarity on both sides.

#2: Respect Boundaries

Respecting boundaries is also important. If the homeowner asks that you don’t go in a certain room or have guests over, follow these guidelines. Also, remember your basic manners. Rifling through drawers or looking through the medicine cabinet is generally considered a faux pas of house sitting. Imagine what rules you would want followed if someone was staying in your home and stick with them.

#3: Go Above and Beyond

One of the easiest ways to be the perfect house sitter is by simply going above and beyond. Nobody likes coming home to a messy house, so try to keep the place as neat or neater than it was when they left. Change sheets, put away any dishes, and generally try to make everything look as good as possible before turning your key in to your host.

Homeowners that are looking to hire a house sitter also have one thing they need to consider—insurance coverage. Before leaving town, it is imperative that you have a policy that suits your needs in case an unexpected event occurs while you are away. For your free quote, please contact our team at Rodgers-Olver-Polley, Inc.