In partnership with
Do red cars cost more to insure?
You may have heard the myth that red cars cost more to insure, often with varying reasons why. The truth is, the color of your car has nothing to do with your premium. Insurance companies are more interested in your vehicle’s make, model, age, safety features, and your driving history. What’s not a myth, though — is that people really can save a ton of money by switching insurers. Check out Money’s car insurance tool to see if you could, too.
Hey Kiddo!
Take some time this weekend to take care of the following tasks around your house, to ensure safe, efficient, and healthy living/driving situation. You got this kiddo!
Task 1: Household - Check your roof, Chimney, and Gutters/downspouts for damage, and clean your Chimney.
🎯 Why it matters: Your roof protects against water damage while your chimney protects against fire and carbon monoxide poisoning—both are critical safety systems that require maintenance.
⚙️ The process:
Inspect roof and gutters from ground with binoculars for damage, clogs, and separation
Check inside for ceiling water stains
Hire certified chimney sweep to remove creosote buildup, inspect liner/structure, check cap and damper
Cost: $150-400 for roof inspection (or free DIY with binoculars $30-100), $150-350 for chimney cleaning/inspection
⚠️ What's at stake: Skipping this maintenance risks:
Health & Safety: House fires from creosote ignition (thousands occur annually), carbon monoxide poisoning causing illness or death, ceiling collapse during storms, mold growth from water infiltration causing respiratory problems, smoke and odors backing into home from blocked chimneys
Financial Costs: Minor roof repairs ($200-500) becoming major damage ($5,000-15,000+), foundation damage from failed gutters ($3,000-10,000+), chimney fire losses ($50,000-400,000+), insurance claim denials for lack of maintenance, increased premiums after fire, 5-15% property value reduction, buyers walking away during home inspections
Social Impact: Visible roof damage and overflowing gutters broadcasting neglect to neighbors, excessive chimney smoke or odors bothering neighbors, uncomfortable hosting due to smoky fireplace, damaged neighborhood aesthetics and reputation
Legal Issues: HOA violation notices and escalating fines ($50-200+), potential liens on property, insurance policy violations (some require proof of chimney cleaning), personal liability for preventable losses
💡 The reality: A $150-750 investment in inspection and cleaning prevents catastrophic fires, toxic gas exposure, and tens of thousands in water damage—protecting both your family and your home's value.
Task 2: Automotive - Check your Tire Pressure, Breaks and Tire Treads
🎯 Why it matters: Your tires and brakes are your vehicle's primary safety systems—they determine whether you can stop in time and maintain control in all conditions.
⚙️ The process:
Check tire pressure with gauge ($5-15), compare to door jamb sticker, adjust at gas station ($0-2)
Use penny test for tread depth (Lincoln's head upside down—if you see his full head, replace tires)
Inspect tires for uneven wear, bulges, cracks, or objects
Listen for brake squealing/grinding, feel for vibrations or pulling when stopping
Check brake fluid level under hood
Cost: Free to $15 DIY, or $20-50 for professional tire inspection/rotation (brake inspections typically free)
⚠️ What's at stake: Skipping these checks risks:
Health & Safety: Increased stopping distance causing rear-end collisions, hydroplaning on wet roads with worn treads, tire blowouts at highway speeds, complete brake failure, loss of vehicle control, potential injuries or fatalities in accidents
Financial Costs: Reduced fuel efficiency costing $100-200+ yearly, premature tire replacement ($400-1,200+ per set), minor brake pad replacement ($100-300) becoming rotor/caliper damage ($500-1,500+), accident-related vehicle damage or total loss, medical expenses, increased insurance premiums, emergency towing and repairs
Social Impact: Visible tire damage signaling carelessness to passengers and colleagues, grinding brakes causing embarrassment, passengers declining rides due to safety concerns, damaged reputation for reliability and responsibility
Legal Issues: Traffic citations for insufficient tread or defective equipment ($100-300+), failed vehicle inspections preventing registration renewal, liability in accidents caused by poor maintenance, insurance claim denials, potential lawsuits and criminal charges in severe accidents, HOA complaints about inoperable vehicles
💡 The reality: A 10-minute check costing less than $15 prevents accidents, saves hundreds in fuel and tire costs, and protects you from thousands in repairs or legal liability.
Task 3: Household - Run Cleaning cycles and Check filters on your Kitchen Appliances.
🎯 Why it matters: Kitchen appliances work hard and accumulate grease, food particles, mold, and mineral deposits that reduce efficiency, create fire hazards, and cause premature failure.
⚙️ The process:
Run dishwasher cleaning cycle with cleaner or vinegar, remove and rinse filter
Replace refrigerator water filter, vacuum condenser coils
Clean/replace range hood grease filters (wash metal mesh or replace disposables)
Run ice cubes and citrus through disposal to clean and freshen
Check microwave vent filters
Cost: $40-110 for supplies (cleaner $3-8, fridge filters $20-60, hood filters $10-30, disposal cleaner $5-10)
⚠️ What's at stake: Skipping appliance maintenance risks:
Health & Safety: Grease-caked range hood filters creating fire hazards, bacteria and mold contaminating dishes and food, poor air quality from clogged vents, potential foodborne illness from unsanitary appliances
Financial Costs: 25-35% increased energy bills ($50-100+ yearly) from dirty coils, premature appliance failures requiring compressor replacement ($300-600), dishwasher pump/motor repairs ($150-500+), complete appliance replacement ($800-3,000+ per unit), early replacement of multiple appliances ($3,000-7,000+), property value reduction during sales ($1,000-5,000+), fire damage from grease ignition
Social Impact: Kitchen odors (mildew, rotting food, stagnant water) immediately noticeable to guests, dishes coming out dirty from clogged dishwasher embarrassing during meals, off-tasting water from expired filters, visible grime signaling poor hygiene, uncomfortable hosting situations, damaged reputation for cleanliness
💡 The reality: Spending $40-110 and an hour on basic maintenance extends appliance life by years, prevents thousands in premature replacements, and keeps your kitchen fresh and safe.
⚠️ Disclaimer ⚠️
The information provided in this email is intended for educational purposes only. By using this guide, you acknowledge and agree that you are fully responsible for your actions and decisions while performing the tasks described herein.
The author and publisher shall not be held liable for any damages, injuries, or negative consequences that may arise from the application of the information contained in this email, or its attachments. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the necessary skills, knowledge, and safety precautions in place before undertaking any tasks. Always seek professional advice or assistance if you are unsure about any procedures or actions.
Proceed at your own risk.
Congrats on a job well done! Keeping up on these Proactive Maintenance Tasks will help improve your health & safety, save money in the long run and maintain property values. Keep up the good work Kiddo!
Enjoying DadMinders? Refer a Friend, Get Rewards!