This sleek app is powered by a bottomless supply of insights into bedtime routines. It also emphasizes everyone’s varying schedules and needs, so you don’t feel forced into a routine that doesn’t work for you.
And the best part is the way it gamifies sleep to make users want to erase their sleep debt.
This app is less about user experience and more about charts and graphs. AutoSleep monitors all sorts of metrics to help users understand their health and habits to pursue better sleep.
And similar to RISE, AutoSleep tracks debt in a way that helps users plan ahead to stay rested.
Make It Easy
We are almost all more irritable when we’re tired. So next time you’re wondering if you should tap, “next episode,” or load up the XBOX, remember that tomorrow could be easier. And you could be easier to live and work with. So go to bed.
Switching to an EV is More Affordable Than You Think
Gas prices have us asking, “Should I switch to an EV?”
Should I switch to an EV? We’re all wondering about it, especially waiting at the gas pump.
If you can afford the switch, it’s probably worth it. And the good news is that many people can afford the switch now, even if they don’t realize it.
Used car demand and gas prices are at all-time highs, meaning you may be able to break even by swapping your combustion-engine car for an EV.
That means you’ll be saving on fuel costs immediately.
Used Cars Sell for More than New EVs
This doesn’t mean every car owner can sell their car and buy an EV with the proceeds. But 2019 and later model cars sold for an average price of $39,000 in the Carmigo marketplace through the first quarter of 2022.
On average, Trucks and Large SUVs in the same time sold for more than $40,000. So if you’re regretting your recent gas-guzzling purchase, you can probably sell your car for a premium.
Charging Beats Fueling
According to the EPA, a Ford F150 uses 4.5 gallons of gas to drive 100 miles. And the same agency clocked the F150 lightning at 49 kilowatt-hours per 100 miles.
(For this conversation, a Kilowatt-hour is simply a way of measuring electricity. There is a real explanation for the meaning, but I don’t know it.)
So we crunched the numbers ourselves, and fueling is about three times as expensive as charging. That starts to pay for the sticker price differences.
A report from Zeta paints a fuller picture by breaking down the specific price differences for 16 states.
The report also points out that the electric grid is less volatile than the gasoline market, which we wrote about in our article on gas prices.
We are searching for a Software Engineer II to help us enhance and maintain our web app and api. Our engineering team is constantly working to build the tools necessary to support the growth of Carmigo.
The Intermediate Software Engineer will have a unique opportunity to help grow an early stage tech company and will be exposed to our entire tech stack. This position will enhance your leadership skills and push your engineering abilities to the next level.
About the Position: We are searching for a Junior Software Engineer to help us enhance and maintain our web app and api. Our engineering team is constantly working to build the tools necessary to support the growth of Carmigo.
The Junior Software Engineer will have a unique opportunity to help grow a tech company from ground zero and will be exposed to our entire tech stack. We firmly believe that this position will provide unparalleled growth potential for young engineers. This position is not for the faint of heart – A Junior Engineer must be passionate about technology and be driven to make an impact, but if the mentality is there, this opportunity is as good as it gets.
Use an online estimate tool to get an idea of what your car could sell for.
With that number in mind, do a little online shopping to see if any EVs or plug-in hybrids fit in your price range. Keep in mind that the new monthly payment will be offset by significant monthly fuel savings.
If you can’t make it work yet, don’t worry. Electric vehicles are becoming more and more affordable each year.
When you’re ready to trade in those wheels, let us find you the best price for your car and handle all the hassle. You can do the whole thing from your phone, and we’ll even pick it up when it sells.
Gas prices topped $4.60 at the end of May, putting them more than $1.50 higher than last year.
Will the madness ever end, or is $5 gas a new normal?
Will Gas Prices Go Down?
Eventually, but probably not until after the summer. Global production has increased month over month since the end of COVID lockdowns.
Once the summer travel season is over, demand for gas will also decrease, allowing production to catch up with demand finally.
And several executive orders from the White House should begin to show up at the pump in the coming months.
Prices Trending Up After COVID Dips
According to AAA (they watch gas prices closer than anyone), the June 6, 2022, average price for gas in the US was $4.86, which is also the all-time high price for gas in the US. Compare that to $4.61 a week ago, $4.27 a month ago, and $3.05 a year ago.
Pandemic: When we were all locked in our houses during 2020, we quit buying gas. That means oil companies had to reduce oil production to keep their costs down. Plus, lockdown orders mean drilling sites and refineries were already operating at a significantly reduced capacity. Production is only just now returning to pre-pandemic levels.
Texas Production Shortages: According to Newsweek, several disruptions in gulf coast oil refineries drew down US gasoline inventories, causing even higher demand.
War in Ukraine: The Russian invasion of Ukraine has contributed to the increase in fuel costs. War requires a great deal of gasoline, increasing global demand. Plus, the refineries and wells in war-affected areas cannot produce as much. Finally, sanctions against oil-producing countries cause dips in global availability.
A fee is charged to any company with an oil lease on federal lands that isn’t actively drilling
Coordination with congress to incentivize a switch to electric energy
Use of the Defense Production Act to speed the extraction and production of minerals and materials used in electric vehicle batteries.
Pandemic: As long as we can avoid upticks in COVID cases, production should continue to increase. And as more people move to electric vehicles and the travel season comes to an end, demand will continue to decrease.
Is Now the Time to Go Electric?
Eclectic vehicles are definitively less expensive to drive, charge, and maintain than combustion-engine vehicles. And they’re more affordable than ever. There isn’t an abundance of economy options yet, but the entry price to EV ownership has ticked down year over year.
Additionally, newer and popular used car models are selling on the Carmigo marketplace at and above new-car prices. That means you may be able to swap out your current wheels with a much less expensive electric vehicle.
If you snag a qualifying model, you can earn up to $7,500 in tax credits on your 2023 tax return.
If you’re ready to make the switch, Carmigo can sell your car faster and for more money. Seriously. List within a day. Sell within a day. Carmigo is easier. Please read our reviews for proof.
Dashboard lights are terrifying because most of us don’t know what they mean. And even the ones we do know, like oil pressure light, we couldn’t begin to fix on our own.
To be helpful (and to find out for ourselves) we looked at the most common dashboard warning lights
Oil Pressure
Your engine uses oil to keep everything running smoothly. It acts as a lubricant so all the fast-moving metal parts don’t destroy all the other fast-moving metal parts.
Likely, you need to add some oil to your engine or change your oil filter. Both are easy enough to do, and ChrisFix does a great job showing you how on their YouTube channel.
If your filter is clear and your oil is fresh, you may need a mechanic to replace your sensor or oil pump.
Air Pressure in Tires
This is one of the few lights that actually might go away if you wait it out, but that isn’t always advised.
Most people have seen their low air pressure light come on during cold mornings. The air in your tires constricts when it’s cold outside and expands when it’s hot.
If the light is consistent, find an air pump at a gas station or auto shop and fill your tires to the manufacturer’s recommended PSI (find that number on a sticker inside the driver’s door).
You may have a leak if you find yourself refilling your tires regularly. Take care of it soon. Most auto shops can patch a tire fairly easily.
We are searching for a Software Engineer II to help us enhance and maintain our web app and api. Our engineering team is constantly working to build the tools necessary to support the growth of Carmigo.
The Intermediate Software Engineer will have a unique opportunity to help grow an early stage tech company and will be exposed to our entire tech stack. This position will enhance your leadership skills and push your engineering abilities to the next level.
About the Position: We are searching for a Junior Software Engineer to help us enhance and maintain our web app and api. Our engineering team is constantly working to build the tools necessary to support the growth of Carmigo.
The Junior Software Engineer will have a unique opportunity to help grow a tech company from ground zero and will be exposed to our entire tech stack. We firmly believe that this position will provide unparalleled growth potential for young engineers. This position is not for the faint of heart – A Junior Engineer must be passionate about technology and be driven to make an impact, but if the mentality is there, this opportunity is as good as it gets.
Do you see the weird shape with a whale spout coming out of the top? That means you’re out of windshield wiper fluid. It’s probably why your windshield is so dirty.
This is the easiest fix on the list. All you need is a bottle of wiper fluid from your local auto-parts store and a minute or two. Under your hood is a reservoir (that looks like a white plastic bottle). It has a similar whale spout image on the cap. Fill it with the bottle of wiper fluid and you’re done.
Good job. Now clean your windshield. You’ll be amazed at how much clearer you’ll see.
Battery
The battery light means your electrical systems aren’t receiving enough juice. This could mean you need to clean the corrosion off your battery or replace it altogether. Luckily, the employees as just about any auto-parts store will put your new battery in for you, and multiple brands offer an array of options based on your budget and performance needs.
Brake
Here is where the dashboard lights start to get scarier. This light could be like a brake pedal or a red exclamation mark and it can mean a number of things, but each one should be dealt with promptly.
Check your brake lights and replace any that are faulty or burned out.
Your parking/emergency brake is engaged. They can cause some problems if you’re trying to drive, so make sure it’s not on while moving.
Low brake fluid can cause extra heat and friction in the breaking process, causing the parts involved to break.
As simple as a brake light may seem, without them you greatly increase your risks of being hit from behind. You can easily fix this one yourself, and Erik the Car Guy has a simple guide.
This week we hit a huge milestone: 400 five-star reviews.
Every person at Carmigo is working to make selling your car easier. It’s what we talk about at work, from the marketing to the tech to the customer service.
Each one of these reviews validates our mission. And the corresponding comments (especially the occasional mixed review) give us an opportunity to tweak the code, adjust the process, or roll out new features.
If you’re one of the 400+ people who have left feedback, even if you were one of the two two-star reviewers or three three-star reviewers (at the time I’m writing this, Carmigo has exactly two two-star reviews and three three-star reviews). Every bit of feedback helped us make our tech better and our customer service team more accessible.
And if you haven’t tried Carmigo yet, give us a shot. It’s always free to list, and you have no obligation to sell unless one of our buyers meets your set price.
If your car broke tomorrow, would it ruin your week? Us too. And the saddest part is, most of us couldn’t even begin to fix our cars. But what if there are some easy car repairs you can do yourself?
Cars are the thing most of us use the most and know the least about.
We’ve got some great news! Many of the repairs we dread are actually easy car repairs. Some you can easily do in your driveway, most for under $100.
Use a Code Reader
We rarely know what our check engine light means, and that’s precisely what makes it so terrifying. But for $50 or less, you can purchase a code reader and get answers from your phone.
Do your windshield wipers almost make it harder to see? Do they drag and squeak?
Your local auto parts store knows exactly what type of wiper your car uses, and you can spend as little as $10 and 10 minutes replacing them. And the kind folks at the parts store will probably even replace them if you ask nicely.
Repair a Dim Headlight
Often dim headlights are caused by a dirty headlight cover. And over time, the sun can cause the plastic in the headlight cover to oxidize, making it hard for the light to pass through.
The Toothpaste Fix
My mother-in-law swears you can fix dim headlights with toothpaste and a microfiber cloth. It sounds crazy, but it works. First, clean your headlight with soap and water. Then, carefully rub a small amount of baking soda toothpaste into the light cover. Once you’ve scrubbed the entire surface clean, you can apply a clear sealant as a protective coat.
DIY Kits
You can also purchase a headlight restoration kit from most auto-parts stores, which includes a step-by-step guide to returning your headlights to their former glory.
Replace Headlights
If your headlight cover is crystal clear, your dim headlights are probably a sign you need to replace the bulbs.
Headlight bulbs are often less than $50 and, with new LED technology, can last for as long as your car.
Replace Engine Air Filter
This fix will make driving a little easier and save you money at the gas pump.
This video from Toolbox Divas breaks the process down step by step.
Here’s the best part: You can buy a new engine air filter for less than $10 in many cases.
Your engine should run smoother, use less gas, and have lower emissions.
Clean Corrosion From the Battery
A corrosion build-up on your battery terminals can keep your car from starting and cause inconsistent driving performance.
But you can fix this with some baking soda and a toothbrush.
First, make sure your car is all the way off. This is VERY important. You don’t want any electricity flowing.
Now disconnect the negative ( – ) battery terminal. Then disconnect the positive ( + ) terminal.
Mix hot water and baking soda, and use the solution and toothbrush to scrub any corrosion from the terminals. Finally, clean with a towel and cold water, and fully dry before reconnecting the wiring.
Replace Your Battery
If a solid scrubbing didn’t bring your battery back to life, you could replace it quickly. This can cost more than $100, making it the most expensive chore on the list, but it is just as simple as cleaning your old battery.
Turn off your car, disconnect the battery (negative terminals first), and remove the old battery. This may also involve unscrewing a protective plate that keeps the battery in place.
Then, plot the new battery in, hook everything back up the way you found it, and voila, it’s as good as new.
Five Simple Fixes For that Pesky Check-Engine Light.
How long has your check engine light been on? Did it come on this morning? Has it been glaring at you for two weeks? Have you played hide and seek with it for the last two years? You can’t wait out that check engine light forever.
We’ve got good news. It’s probably not as severe or expensive as you think. Especially not if you act now.
Loose Gas Cap
It is possible that you just need a new gas cap. Emissions monitoring systems can trigger the check engine light. A loose or broken gas cap can emit fumes or allow more air in, increasing emissions and decreasing fuel efficiency.
The best news is that a gas cap is inexpensive to replace, can be done by almost anyone, and will ultimately save you money at the gas pump.
This explainer from AutoZone makes it even easier:
Oxygen Sensor
A faulty oxygen sensor has similar implications as a loose gas cap — reduced fuel efficiency and increased emissions. A broken sensor can also cause your engine to misfire and stall.
This is a little bit harder to replace. Still, with a special socket (less than $10 at Harbour Freight) and a new oxygen sensor from the local auto parts store (under $100 in some cases), most people with some mechanical knowledge and access to YouTube can handle the job.
Airflow Sensor
The mass airflow sensor is a lot like the oxygen sensor — but different. The airflow sensor monitors air during the fuel intake process, while the oxygen sensor monitors the air in the emissions process.
You can often purchase these sensors for less than $50, and the friendly folks at O’Reilly Auto Parts even made a step-by-step video for cleaning and replacing yours.
Spark Plugs
Spark plugs are tiny and inexpensive, but they have an outsized impact on your car’s performance. They are the spark that lights the fire of your combustion engine. Without that spark, your car doesn’t drive.
When they begin to wear and go bad, your car will feel rougher when idling and begin misfiring when you try to start it.
You can purchase a new set of spark plugs for as little as $20, and with a socket wrench, some pliers, and a little bit of time, you can do it yourself.
But if you don’t want to do that, your local mechanic should be able to help you for $200 or so.
Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve
This is another $20 and a couple of hours project if you’re decent with wrenches or valves. There are even some reputable guides like this one from New Parts.
But your mechanic will gladly do it for $300–$400.
Catalytic Converter
This is the biggest concern for your check engine light, but catalytic converters usually last more than ten years and 300,000 miles.
Here’s an almost surefire way to tell if your catalytic converter is triggering your check engine light: Does your car exhaust smell like rotten eggs? A failed catalytic converter will also noticeably decrease your car’s acceleration.
Can you replace this yourself? Sure, but only if you’ve got a jack and a great deal of comfort underneath a car. Likely, you’ll have to spend $2,000 or more at your local auto repair shop.
A beloved card game becomes a Pokémon Battleground
Last week David Marshall (one of our developers) posted a link in the group chat: “If anyone needs something to do over the weekend, just pushed a Pokémon-based version of War.”
He took the most straightforward card game of all time, War, and added all the complexity (and cuteness) of PokéMon.
This is a one-button kind of game, so it’s easy for anyone to play. But it’s also the kind of game that hooks you in.
I played it for… well. I’m not going to admit how long I played. But I cruised right past my kids’ bedtime. They were happy about staying up an extra 30 minutes, so it wasn’t a big deal, but…
…
…
Sorry. I got distracted by the game again.
Why Pokémon?
Anyway, I asked David why he made the game — because it seemed like an odd combination. Here’s what he had to say:
“One day, I was walking through the kitchen and saw my wife and son playing War together, and it dawned on me, ‘Hey, I could probably make this game.’ And since my son is such a huge Pokémon fan, it only made sense to combine the two because I knew he would have such a great time with it.”
That’s one of the reasons he loves about being a software developer, creating something new and sharing it with others.
David said spending time being creative is not only something he enjoys but something that benefits the other areas of his life. “I’m a firm believer that we’ve grown too accustomed to consuming rather than creating as a society.”
There’s a lot to consider, but let’s start with what you want to make.
What price should I sell my car for? This is the worst part about selling anything — setting the price.
Every dollar helps, but you don’t want to charge too much and look foolish, or worse, not even sell your car. But you don’t want to get taken advantage of either.
How Much Do You Want to Make
Let’s start with an easy number. How much money do you want to make? A lot, right?
Pick a number that feels realistic but also helpful. Now, keep in mind that in most cases this number is higher than what is realistic in the marketplace (but it’s ok to dream big).
A good question to ask yourself is, “I know it’s not as much as I want to make, but if I could pocket $_,___ from this sale, I would walk away happy.”
Now let’s consider some other numbers before coming back to his one.
You can use an online estimate tool to get an idea based on model, trim, age, and mileage. There are plenty of these tools online, and most are similar with their pros and cons.
Many factors play into this estimated value, which you can read about in our Green Light post.
As of writing this, the market is at an unprecedented high. We’re seeing some newer SUV and truck models selling for more than they were initially worth new.
These models are in such high demand that there are waiting lists for the new models. Because of the lack of supply, many buyers are willing to pay more for a similar model used model.
But, as new car production continues to tick back up, used cars will be in lower demand and fetch lower prices.
Carmigo is an auction platform that is designed to bring a network of dealerships to you instead of requiring you to shop your car from lot to lot.
Because an auction requires each new offer to be higher than the last, attracting more bids means attracting more money. And a lower starting price attracts more bids.
Consider auctioning your car, and setting the initial price lower than you would if you were selling it privately. Because of the persuasive factors involved in auctions (which you can read about here), buyers are also more likely to bid on listings that already have lots of bids, so setting the price low can actually trigger a higher sale price.
Now that we’ve considered your car’s value, the market trends, and the initial offering price, you have a better idea of what you can realistically expect to sell your car for.
Let us know when you’re ready to start a bidding war on your car and try to get you to that “dream big” number.
To determine the best time to sell your car you need to consider two elements: your equity and the used car marketplace.
Basically, you get more money when your equity is higher and the market is hotter. But the real trick is finding the time when those two elements are working together.
If the market is hot, but you still owe a lot of money on your car loan, you may not make as much as you will once the market has cooled down and you’ve paid down the note.
Sometimes the market is so hot that equity doesn’t matter. Like this year. So far in 2022, people have been able to sell their used cars for more money than the original “new” sticker price, which is almost unheard of.
Kelley Blue Book serves as a great reference point for understanding your car’s value. But to understand the best time to sell your car, it’s helpful to be able to plan ahead by identifying market trends.
And the KBB estimate can lag behind the marketplace from time to time. Often, when market conditions change, sellers are the last to know. So keep that in mind when using estimate tools. We don’t want you to have unrealistic expectations for your sale, or worse, sell your car for less than market value.
Average Car Sale Prices
If you’re going to sell your car, you want to make sure you’re getting a competitive price. So take a look at what other similar cars in your area are being bought and sold for.
Supply and Demand
When buyers have lots of cars to choose from, they can pay less. And when sellers have lots of cars they need to sell, they’re willing to sell for less. When there are fewer cars, buyers are less picky and sellers can charge more.
In addition, a reduction in new car supply can cause an increase in used car demand (which can then reduce used car supply and increase used car prices).
Equity is the value of your ownership stake in an asset. More simply, how much you can get paid for something you own.
So once you’ve estimated your car’s value in the current market, you can subtract any loans or liens from that amount to find your equity.
What Do You Owe on Your Car Note?
Call the bank that holds your auto loan and they’ll be able to tell you exactly how much you’ll owe if you pay in full. You may owe extra fees for early payoff.
Since your lender is likely holding the title to your car until the loan is paid in full, you’ll need to pay this off immediately when selling your car.
Other Considerations?
Are there any other liens against your car? For instance, did you use your car to secure a personal loan from your bank or a cash-for-title loan? In the same way you checked your car note’s payoff amount, see how much it will cost you to pay off these loans. These will also have to be paid when you can sell.
Now add up everything you owe, and subtract it from your estimated sale price like so:
Estimated Market Value – (Car Note + Lien) = What You’ll Make
And there you have it, how much you could make if you sell your car today.
The reason we look at the current marketplace instead of a traditional estimate of your car’s value is so we can project into the future.
If your final price is lower than you want, see what the market trends are. If new car manufacturing is up, and used car prices are starting to fall, it may be time to sell.
However, if you see used car demand is going higher, make a few more payments and see if you can squeeze a few more dollars out of your car.
This sleek app is powered by a bottomless supply of insights into bedtime routines. It also emphasizes everyone’s varying schedules and needs, so you don’t feel forced into a routine that doesn’t work for you. 
Gas prices have us asking, “Should I switch to an EV?”
Will Gas Prices Go Down?
Air Pressure in Tires
Check Engine Light
Washer Fluid
Battery
Brake
Photo by 
Last week David Marshall (one of our developers) posted a link in the group chat: “If anyone needs something to do over the weekend, just pushed a Pokémon-based version of War.”
