How to Tell If a Car Was Previously Damaged in a Flood

Flooding can do some major damage to a car, even if it’s not immediately visible (once it has been cleaned). Unfortunately, this means that some vehicles that are irreparably harmed may be shipped off and sold in other parts of the country—specifically, places less prone to flooding where buyers may not be aware of this issue.

A vehicle’s mechanical systems, electronics, and/or lubricants may have taken a hit during a flood, but may appear to be in good, working condition. Consumer Reports has put together a guide to help people spot flood-damaged cars before buying them. Here’s what to look for.

Signs of flood damage on a car

So what, specifically, should you look for? Here are some of the most common signs, courtesy of Consumer Reports:

• Inspect the carpets to see whether they show signs of having been waterlogged, such as smelling musty or having caked-on mud. Brand-new carpets in an older vehicle may be another red flag.
• Check the seat-mounting screws to see whether there’s any evidence that they were removed. To dry the carpets effectively, the seats must be removed and possibly even replaced.
• Inspect the lights. A visible waterline may still show on the lens or reflector.
• Inspect the difficult-to-clean places, such as gaps between panels in the trunk and under the hood, for mud and debris.
• Look on the bottom edges of brackets or panels, where grime wouldn’t settle usually.
• Look at the heads of any unpainted, exposed screws under the dashboard. Bare metal will show signs of rust in flooded cars.
• Check to see whether the rubber drain plugs under the car and on the bottom of doors look as if they have been removed recently. That may have been done to drain floodwater.

Lastly, some buyers are aware of and concerned about purchasing a car with flood damage. So if you’re selling a vehicle and happen to live in an area that recently dealt with flooding, the team at Consumer Reports recommends taking your car to a mechanic for a checkup, and requesting documentation of its (non-flooded) condition.

September 14, 2021 by The Frugal Father Categories: Automotive, PSA, Saving Money Leave a comment

How to Make an Emergency Cookie in Your Air Fryer

When it comes to chocolate chip cookies, I am an equal opportunity eater. Give me a hot mass of dough that’s been cooked just long enough to hold its shape, or a thin and crispy disk, and I will be more than happy to indulge in it.

This air fryer cookie requires six common ingredients and about two minutes of your time. It can fill that craving you have, in emergency situations, yet it does not taste rushed. 

To make this air fryer cookie you will need:

• 1 tablespoon of butter (You can use salted or unsalted—it truly doesn’t matter.)
• 1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 pinch of sea salt (Yes, even if you used salted butter)
• 2 tablespoons all purpose flour (I’ve also used self-rising to great results)
• 1 heaping tablespoon chocolate chips

If your butter is coming straight from the fridge, put it in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for about 10 seconds until it has fully softened.

Add the sugar, vanilla, and salt and mix with a fork. Mix in the flour. The mixture will look crumbly but hold its shape when pressed together. Mix in the chocolate chips, then press into an un-greased 5- or 6-ounce ramekin and bake in a 350℉ air fryer for about 10 minutes, until the top is browned (but not burnt).

Let cool for five minutes before eating, because it will be incredibly hot. Enjoy!

August 25, 2021 by The Frugal Father Categories: DIY, Food, Kitchen Leave a comment

Where to Get Free & Cheap Hot Dogs on National Hot Dog Day 2021

Happy National Hot Dog Day! This national holiday comes around every year on the third Wednesday in July and we’ve found you all the hot dog deals so you’re ready.

Here’s where to pick up cheap and free hot dogs on Wednesday, July 21, 2021.

7-Eleven Hot Dog Day Deal

7-Eleven is offering their Quarter-Pound Big Bite Hot Dog for $1 (reg. $2.14) from July 21-31, 2021. That’ll go nicely with their all-summer-long $1 small Slurpee deal.

Dog Haus Hot Dog Day Deal

On July 21-31, get a free Haus Dog when you scan the app at your local Dog Haus or order through the app for pickup or delivery.

Field Roast ‘Hot Dog’ Day Deal

Not a meat eater? From now through Aug. 1, 2021, get a vegan Stadium Dog free with the purchase of any two Field Roast items at Sprouts Market. You can also get two packs of Field Roast Stadium Dogs and get $2.99 cash back through the Ibotta app.

Hamburger Stand Hot Dog Day Deal

Stand has a deal just in time for National Hot Dog Day. Get 5 chili dogs for $5 only July 21 (reg. $1.99 each).

Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes, & Fries Hot Dog Day Deal

Hwy 55 discounts their $1.99 hot dogs to just $0.99 every Wednesday — including National Hot Dog Day, July 21. Limit two per customer.

Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Day Deal

On July 21, 2021, Nathan’s Famous locations are selling hot dogs for just $0.05 (reg. $2.49) from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

And throughout July, Nathan’s is giving away free footlong hot dog kits for six. Enter to win throughout July.

Pilot Flying J Hot Dog Deal

Pilot Flying J is having a National Hot Dog Day sweepstakes on Twitter. Ten lucky winners will receive a $500 Pilot Flying J gift card.

All you have to do is follow @pilotflyingj on Twitter, upload a photo of “you and someone else sharing a moment of togetherness,” tag @pilotflyingj, and use the hashtag #ShareADogSweepstakes. No purchase necessary!

You can also pick up a free hot dog on July 21, 2021 when you use the Pilot Flying J’s MyRewards Plus app.

Sonic Hot Dog Day Deal

Sonic is celebrating National Hot Dog Day a little later this year. On Thursday, July 22, 2021, you can get $0.50 corn dogs all day long. Pair this with half price drinks and slushes all day when you order in the app and you’ll save a ton.

Get a Corn Dog for $0.50 and a Large Cherry Limeade for $1.30 — that’s just $1.80 before tax!

Wienerschnitzel Hot Dog Day Deal

On July 21, 2021, get 5 chili dogs for $5 at Wienerschnitzel. They’re regularly $1.79, so you’re saving nearly $4!

These Hot Dog Day Deals happened last year, but haven’t been announced yet for 2021:

Keep an eye out for these restaurants to announce deals for 2021:

• Burger King sold classic grilled hot dogs for $0.79 each through the entire month of July. It was regarded as a bit of a flop, so don’t be surprised if that never happens again.
• Hot Dog on a Stick gave away one free original turkey dog on Wednesday. Had a promotion for $1 turkey dogs every Tuesday in July.
• Love’s Travel Stop had a coupon (barcode from the NHDSC) which could be redeemed on Wednesday for a free hot dog.
• Hy-Vee Gas had an offer for an Eisenberg hot dog for $1.
• Kangaroo Express had a free hot dog for active military and veterans, $0.50 for the general public. Limit 4 per customer. Valid from 4-8 p.m.
• Evos had a BOGO free on their “healthy dog” all week.
• Kwik Trip had $1 corn dogs through National Hot Dog Day.
• Pheasant Lanes had $2 jumbo dogs.
• Portillo’s had a BOGO for $1 on regular hot dogs with the purchase of any entree.
• Quik Trip – buy one hot dog for $1.59 and get another one for $1.

July 21, 2021 by The Frugal Father Categories: Uncategorized Leave a comment

Find Free Food in Your Area With This New Google Tool

Food insecurity has long been a concern for many Americans—a problem exacerbated by the pandemic, which left nearly 1 in 4 households struggling to meet this basic need. There are resources out there for those who need additional support, and now, there’s a Google Map to help people find them.

If you or someone you know needs help putting food on the table, you can use Google’s new Find Food Support tool to search for food banks, food pantries, and school lunch programs in your neighborhood. All you have to do is enter your address and click “Find Support” to populate locations on the map. Tap the blue flags to pull up information about the food bank or school program, including the address, contact information, and operating days and hours.

Note that the Google tool simply aggregates information on more than 90,000 programs, with data provided by Foodfinder, No Kid Hungry, and the USDA. That means some information on the map may be incomplete or out of date. Even if hours are listed, you should call ahead to confirm.

In addition to the map, Find Food Support links out to other resources—including hotlines and benefit programs—for older Americans, families, military members and others impacted by food insecurity.

Another type of local food resource is a community fridge, or “freedge.” These are communal, neighborhood-based refrigerators maintained by volunteer organizers. Unlike food banks and pantries, which often stock a lot of non-perishables in large quantities, freedges are filled with donated leftovers and perishable items (like produce) that would otherwise go to waste.

Folks experiencing food insecurity can access these community fridges for free. There are a handful of maps and resources that track community fridge locations. And if you have the means to donate or start a fridge, we have a guide for doing just that.

Photo by Aaron Doucett on Unsplash

July 1, 2021 by The Frugal Father Categories: Children, Food, Free, PSA Leave a comment

Here Are Some Dad Jokes for You

A Dad Joke is something to be appreciated any day of the year, but as we approach Father’s Day, it’s especially important to honor this specific genre of “humor.” If we can call it that.

What is a Dad Joke?

A Dad Joke (capitalized out of respect) is defined by Merriam-Webster as “a wholesome joke of the type said to be told by fathers with a punchline that is often an obvious or predictable pun or play on words and usually judged to be endearingly corny or unfunny.”

What are your favorite Dad Jokes?

In honor of all our favorite dads on Father’s Day, I have curated for you a collection of the very best (worst?) Dad Jokes I could find. Feel free to bust any of these out during Sunday’s backyard barbecue.

• Why are elevator jokes so good? They work on so many levels.
• Why did the guy get fired from his job at orange juice factory?
  He couldn’t concentrate.
• Did you hear about the cheese factory that got blown up? Da brie was everywhere.
• Why do eye doctors live so long? They dilate.
• Why was 6 afraid of 7? Because 7, 8, 9.
• How do you steal someone’s coat? You jacket.
• I was wondering why this frisbee kept looking bigger and bigger. Then it hit me.
• I went to a zoo once, but they only had one dog there. It was a Shih Tzu.
• What do you call an alligator in a vest? An investigator.
• What do you call a fake noodle? An impasta.
• The police just arrested the worlds tongue twister champion. They say he’ll be given a tough sentence.
• Why does a chicken coop have two doors? Because if it had four doors, it would be a chicken sedan.
• What did the left eye say to the right eye? Between you and me, something smells.
• What do you say to a baby you meet on Rodeo Drive? “Gucci, Gucci, Gucci.”
• Many people think Thor’s brother is intense, but I found him to be low-key.
• How much do roofs cost? Nothing. They’re on the house.
• What do you call a can opener that doesn’t work? A can’t opener.
• Why can’t you hear a pterodactyl go to the bathroom? Because the “P” is silent.
• What do you call a group of rabbits walking backwards? A receding hare-line.
• What do frogs wear on their feet in summer? Open toad sandals
• Where are all the dad jokes stored? In a dad-a-base.
• Why don’t cannibals eat clowns? They taste funny.
• Where did the general put his armies? In his sleevies.
• What’s brown and sticky? A stick!
• What did the father buffalo say to the boy buffalo when he went to school? “Bison.”

I know there’s a Dad Joke you love that isn’t on this list, and I know it’s killing you. Go ahead, add it in the comments; there’s no such thing as too many Dad Jokes (yes there is).

June 18, 2021 by The Frugal Father Categories: Fun Leave a comment