Issue Date: July 18, 2004
When your car needs a doctor
Grouse all you want, but keeping your car repaired and maintained is a fact of life. So how do you find a reliable and honest repair shop?
Look for good signs. Is the facility neat and organized? "It will never be hospital-clean, but it shouldn't be chaotic-looking," says Martin Lawson of the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence. Check the certification of the technicians -- the more ASE-certified technicians, the better. And award bonus points for Little League sponsorships and Kiwanis Club plaques that tell you a bit about the owners' principles. There's no rule of thumb that says independent repair facilities are better than national chains or vice versa, experts say. It comes down to the individual shop. Also, get referrals from friends who have cars similar to yours.
Build a relationship. Road-test a new repair shop by having your oil changed or your tires rotated there. How you are treated when you're not spending a bundle indicates how you will be treated when you have a bigger job. Ask for estimates in writing, and require written permission if the shop needs to go beyond that. Note: "It's reasonable to expect a good-quality repair shop to charge you for diagnosing problems, not just fixing them," says Sandra Kinsler, editor in chief of WomanMotorist.com. "Now that cars have so many computers, the repair shops need to buy special equipment." Charges generally run $20 to $45, but some shops will refund the money if they do the work, she says.
Get your old parts back. If you're having parts replaced, ask that only brand-new or refurbished parts be put in your car, Kinsler says. And always get your old parts back. "The technician is more likely to actually replace them if he has to give you the old ones back," she says.
Jean Chatzky is the author of "You Don't Have to Be Rich" (Portfolio, $23.95). Eric Dash contributed to this report.
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Diabetes update
Those who suffer from Type 1 diabetes have antibodies in their system that have destroyed the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas, leading to the disease. Researchers at Harvard and the University of Wisconsin have found that some children of Type 1 diabetics have evidence of the antibodies early in life, before age 5.
In their study, researchers looked at 1,610 offspring of people with Type 1 diabetes. Some of these children had what are called islet autoantibodies, and those with multiple islet autoantibodies were at very high risk of developing diabetes within a five-year period.
The study results confirm what clinicians have suspected for some time: Those with the genetic predisposition toward diabetes have immune system problems that are destroying the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas long before the illness appears. It's hoped that research like this can lead to earlier diagnosis by identifying those with the highest risk of developing diabetes.
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Eat beans for health
Why it's good for you: Risk of colon cancer decreases when you eat lots of green vegetables, many studies have shown.
Three-Cheese Green Bean Casserole
1 pound frozen green beans, French-cut (or cooked fresh green beans)
1/2 cup fat-free cottage cheese
1/2 cup (about 3 ounces) chèvre (soft goat cheese) with garlic and herbs
1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cook frozen beans per package directions; drain.
In a blender, mix cottage cheese and chèvre. Combine beans, cheese mixture and almonds; turn into a 2-quart casserole. Top with Parmesan and pepper.
Bake 20 minutes, then brown under broiler 3 minutes. Serves 6.
Per serving: 161 calories, 9g carbohydrates, 10g protein, 10g fat (3.4g saturated), 2g fiber, 205mg sodium.
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Discount dining on the road
Want to save 10% to 30% off meals when traveling this summer? Check out these options:
If you don't mind eating dinner early, get deals and reservations for off-peak hours at www.dinnerbroker.com. It's free and covers nearly 50 cities and regions, including some pretty trendy restaurants. Discounts are pre-tax and -tip, and may not cover alcohol.
Restaurant.com sells discount certificates for a wide range of eateries around the country. A certificate good for $25 generally will run you $10, although the price rises and falls according to consumer demand.
For $49 a year, Rewards Network promises up to 20% cash back on your entire bill at certain restaurants. No membership cards or coupons -- pay with a credit card, and the "reward" is applied back to it within 10 days.
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