1

Preapproved loan

Image: Alexander Mils

Getting a preapproved loan before going to a car dealer is a good way to be sure of how much money one can spend, and it can also reveal any possible credit issues that were not clearly visible.

2

Safety first

Image: Alexandria Gilliott

It goes without saying; safety is always a top priority when buying your new car. When looking at models, go for vehicles with a high safety rating and features like airbags, anti-lock brakes (ABS), and electronic stability control (ESC).

3

Driving habits

Image: why kei

What kind of driving you will do should influence what kind of car you will buy . If you do a lot of city driving with stop-and-go traffic, a fuel-efficient car like a hybrid or electric vehicle could save you significant money on petrol in the long run. Do you need a large vehicle for cargo or passengers, or is a smaller, more agile car for local errands and weekend adventures?

4

Cargo space

Image: Andraz Lazic

And, since we are on the subject of driving habits, cargo space is a crucial feature of whichever car you decide to buy. How much space do you really need? Even if you only need a lot of space a couple of times a year, you will want to have that space when the time comes, so don’t neglect this aspect.

5

Mileage and vehicle age

Image: Wesley Tingey

A simple rule to consider when buying a used car is the average mileage a car is supposed to have, relative to its age. That average is 10,000 to 12,000 miles per year . If the car you're looking at has a lower average annual mileage than that, it could be considered a good mileage.

6

Outside look

Image: Parker Gibbs

A quick inspection on the outside is advisable . Check the body for imperfections like gaps, dents, or discolored paint, inspect the windows for chips and cracks, get under the vehicle, and check the wheel wells and underbody for rust, which could lead to future problems.

7

Test drive

Image: Mira Kireeva

When buying a used car, it is always important to take it for a test drive, even if you don’t have a lot of mechanical knowledge. Pay attention to odd sounds or noises coming from the engine, brakes, or transmission . Test the AC and ensure that it cools quickly. Test the electronics, brake lights, headlights, windshield wipers, and see if the tires are not too worn off. And if you see or hear something that you are not sure about, check with a mechanic before buying.

8

Check for water damage

Image: Caspian Dahlström

Water damage can be a real problem for the interior, the engine, and the electrical system . Pull back the carpets in the footwells and check for moisture or signs of water damage. There are many flood-damaged cars on the market, and most of the time, the signs are concealed.

9

Try all the seats

Image: Wade Lambert

Try out all the seats, even if you probably won’t sit in the rear . Upholstery shouldn’t be ripped or badly worn, particularly in a car with low mileage. Try all the seat adjustments to make sure that they work properly and that you can find a good driving position.

10

Service records and possible crashes

Image: Usman Malik

The past history of a used car can predict future issues . Has it been in a crash? If yes, ask about the extent of the damage and who did the work. Does the car have service records? A good, used car has been well cared for. It should have had maintenance done at the manufacturer-specified intervals.

11

Keep it simple

Image: Erik Mclean

Avoid buying add-ons, extended warranties, or very long car loans , since those usually have higher interest rates and a much higher interest component is paid in the first years than the actual loan.

12

Resale value

Image: Hilbert Hill

Research the resale value of any used car you are interested in buying . The resale value can affect the overall cost of ownership and the financial return on your investment.

By researching its resale value, popularity, demand, and potential for retaining its value over time, you can decide whether to proceed with the purchase.

1

Decoration Day

Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day and was first observed on May 30, 1868, as a way to honor Union soldiers who had died in the Civil War. However, the idea behind it actually came from the South. Mary Ann Williams , whose husband died during the conflict, wrote a letter to a newspaper urging women to set aside a day to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers.

2

The end of May

Decoration Day was instituted by the Army’s commander-in-chief, General John A. Logan , and was quickly adopted by most states. There are several theories about why the date was chosen: some say Logan purposely picked a day that was not the anniversary of any Civil War battle, while others believe he chose it because it’s the time of year when most flowers bloom.

3

National Cemeteries

During the American Civil War, the U.S. Congress passed an act to create military burial places for Union soldiers. By the end of that year, 12 national cemeteries had been established. Today, the National Cemetery System maintains 164 military burial sites, the most well-known being Arlington National Cemetery and Gettysburg National Cemetery .

4

Renaming

The term Memorial Day was first recorded in the 1880s and grew increasingly popular after World War II. However, the holiday wasn’t officially renamed until 1968, when the Uniform Monday Holiday Act moved its observance from May 30 to the last Monday in May.

5

A moment for remembrance

The establishment of Memorial Day weekend has been seen by some as a benefit to the travel, sports, and entertainment industries. Veterans’ organizations have urged that the holiday be returned to its original date, arguing that the three-day weekend undermines its intended meaning. In response, Congress passed the National Moment of Remembrance Act , which encourages people to pause at 3:00 p.m. for a moment of silent reflection and remembrance.

6

Poppies

Several English-speaking countries adopted the poppy flower as a symbol of remembrance for fallen soldiers after World War I. This tradition was inspired by the poem In Flanders Fields , written by Canadian military doctor John McCrae , which describes poppies growing among soldiers’ graves. In the United States, the poppy was originally associated with Veterans Day but is now primarily worn during Memorial Day weekend.

7

The flag

The national flag flies at half-staff during periods of mourning. While special instances of mourning can be proclaimed by government authorities, remembrance holidays follow a set protocol. On Memorial Day, the U.S. flag is briskly raised to the top of the staff, then solemnly lowered to half-staff, where it remains until noon. At that time, it is raised again to full staff to honor the nation’s living heroes and those still serving.

8

The Unknown Soldier

One of the focal points of Memorial Day is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery . This symbolic monument was established in 1921 and originally held the remains of an unidentified soldier who died in World War I. Later, unidentified soldiers from World War II and the Korean War were also interred at the site. A permanent military guard stands watch year-round, honoring the sacrifice of all unidentified service members.

9

Memorial Wreaths

Wreaths are a common sight on Memorial Day—but where does the tradition come from? In 1992, Morrill Worcester, owner of a wreath company in Maine, found himself with a surplus of holiday wreaths. Wanting to put them to good use, he donated them to Arlington National Cemetery as a tribute to the fallen—a gesture that soon became an annual tradition. After a photo of the wreath-covered graves went viral in 2005, the nonprofit organization Wreaths Across America was established to help volunteers place wreaths on veterans’ graves across the country.

10

The start of the summer

Even though it is a day of remembrance, Memorial Day weekend also marks the unofficial start of summer . The holiday often coincides with the end of the school year, and the warmer weather encourages families to gather for barbecues and cookouts, attend parades, and visit the graves and memorials of fallen soldiers.

1

Your thumb gets a much-needed break

After years of scrolling through everyone's vacation photos, your thumb has basically been doing cardio. Whether you’re relaxing in a place like the Southern Appalachians or the Pacific Northwest, that overworked digit finally gets to rest . Without service, you'll discover it has other talents, such as turning actual pages in a book or striking a match to start an evening fire.

The first day feels weird, like you've forgotten your wallet. By day two, you'll notice your hand isn't automatically reaching for your pocket every five minutes.

2

Mornings without emails are magical

Imagine waking up without that immediate cortisol spike from seeing 47 unread emails. In a no-service cabin, your morning starts with coffee on the porch and actual bird sounds instead of notification pings.

Your boss's "urgent" request about the quarterly report can wait until Monday. Mother Nature doesn't have Wi-Fi, and honestly, she's doing just fine without it.

3

Conversations get interesting again

Without phones to fact-check every debate, dinner conversations become adventures . You'll actually have to remember things or admit you don't know something. Someone will insist that a movie came out in 1987, someone else swears it was '89, and you'll never resolve it.

The beauty is, it doesn't matter. You're too busy laughing and telling stories to care who's right.

4

You sleep as you did in your twenties

Without blue light blasting your eyeballs until midnight, your body remembers how to sleep properly . The mountain air helps too: There's something about that fresh, pine-scented breeze that works better than any sleep app.

You'll wake up actually rested instead of groggy. No 3 a.m. phone checks, no falling down social media rabbit holes when you should be sleeping—just solid, deep, restorative rest.

5

The stars will blow your mind

City lights and phone screens have stolen the night sky from us. Out in the deep wilderness, with zero light pollution and nothing to scroll through, you'll actually look up. The Milky Way isn't just a candy bar; it's a river of stars you can see with your naked eye.

Bring a blanket, lie on your back, and prepare to feel wonderfully small. You might even see a shooting star, and without your phone, you'll actually experience the moment instead of trying to photograph it .

6

Reignite your relationship with your partner

When you can't zone out on your phone, you have to actually talk to each other . Crazy concept, right? You'll remember why you liked this person in the first place. Without digital distractions, you might have conversations that go deeper than "what do you want for dinner?"

Plus, there's something romantic about being genuinely unreachable together. It's just the two of you against the mountains, like you're the last people on Earth.

7

Boredom becomes interesting

Here's something nobody tells you: Boredom is actually good for you . When your brain isn't constantly entertained, it starts wandering into interesting territory. You might finally figure out that problem at work, or remember a dream you had, or just notice how pretty the light looks through the trees.

Kids used to complain they were bored, and their parents said, "Go outside and find something to do." Turns out that advice works for adults, too. You'll be amazed at what you notice when you're not staring at a screen.

8

Real books make a comeback

Without the internet's constant interruptions, you'll rediscover what it's like to lose yourself in a story for hours . No tabs to check, no notifications to dismiss. Just you and the page.

There's something satisfying about the physical act of turning pages that a Kindle just can't match, especially with a wood fire crackling nearby.

9

Board games don't seem lame anymore

Suddenly, that dusty Scrabble set in the cabin's closet looks pretty appealing. When your entertainment options shrink, simple pleasures expand. You'll find yourself actually enjoying a game of cards or Monopoly.

10

You return home as a better version of yourself

After a few days off the grid, you'll notice something strange: you don't immediately need to check everything you missed. The world kept spinning without your constant monitoring, and that's oddly liberating. You might even keep your phone on silent for a while.

That mountain calm sticks with you, at least for a few days. You'll find yourself less anxious, more present , maybe even a little smug about your digital detox.