The extremely hot temperatures of North Central Florida can often rob your battery of life. There’s no worse feeling than going out to your car, turning the key in the ignition, and hearing only the click of a dead battery. There are many proactive ways to ensure this situation never leaves you stranded.

First, whenever you bring your vehicle to be serviced at Toyota of Tampa Bay state-of-the-art service center, ask one of our Toyota factory trained technicians to check the charge of your existing battery. If your battery registers at less than 50% charge, Toyota of Tampa Bay has a wide selection of options for you to replace your existing battery.

In between visits to the Toyota of Tampa Bay service center, if you notice your vehicle starts slightly slower or with more effort, this is the sign of a declining battery. It is recommended that you replace your battery as soon as you begin to notice signs of decreased battery life, such as weak headlights, slow cranking or a low charge reading.

Toyota of Tampa Bay’s service center is open Monday through Friday from 7:00am to 7:00pm, Saturday from 8:00am to 6:00pm and Sunday from 10:00am to 3:00pm for your convenience. Feel free to call ahead for an appointment at 866-423-7228, or schedule your next appointment online here.

It was only 12 short years ago that the original Toyota Prius first went on sale, which was a land mark day for Toyota. Since then, the Prius has entered its third generation, adding industry leading technologies along the way, as well as adding hybrid options to an array of Toyota models.

Recently Toyota passed another land mark achievement by selling over two million hybrid vehicles worldwide. To celebrating this momentous occasion, Toyota of Tampa Bay is offering $1,000 in customer cash on every new hybrid in stock. Choose from the third generation 2010 Toyota Prius, 2010 Toyota Camry Hybrid and 2009 Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

But you’ll have to hurry; this celebration will only last through September 30^th, at Toyota of Tampa Bay.

This is the day many parents dread-the day your teen gets a driver’s license. You just want to make sure your son or daughter is as safe and protected as possible on the road! So when shopping for your teen’s first set of wheels, consider the below.

Safety
This is a parent’s first concern when handing over the keys. Put your mind at ease by purchasing a certified pre-owned vehicle. These vehicles are newer, with remaining factory warranties, as well as modern safety features, such as antilock brakes and airbags.

Size
Size certainly does matter when it comes to being protected on the road. A larger car-a four door as opposed to a two door-is bigger and stronger.

Design
Most teens want a sporty convertible to drive to school. This may not be the best choice if you are focused on safety. Also, insurance rates are known to skyrocket when teens dive sportier vehicles.

We’ve all heard the caution: Be careful, accidents happen closest to home. Whether you believe the old adage or not, there are some safety measures that should be considered if your children or pets like to roam the great outdoors that surround your house. Research has proven that there are health risks close to home, particularly right in your backyard. Utilizing the 5 easy fixes below, you can keep your family safe and healthy!

Fence Your Pool - Nearly one quarter of all drowning accidents in the United States happen in a homeowner’s backyard. Whether your pool is built in, or above ground, you should always have a fence surrounding it that is at least 5 feet high. Also, make sure the latch is childproof and cannot be opened without an adult. This is a surefire way to ensure children and animals won’t find their way into your pool when you’re not around.

Toxic Plants – More than 60,000 people in the United States are poisoned by plants each year-a staggering number that might surprise you. Even more surprising: most of these plants can be found in common neighborhoods. Thankfully, most toxins result in nothing more than stomach irritation or an itchy skin rash, but some can be very harmful to pets and children. Do your research before allowing your children to play in the vegetation of a new home.

Standing Water – The tiny pools of water that accumulate in your yard could be dangerous to you and your family. These puddles are prime breeding grounds for mosquitoes. This not only increases the risk of irritating bites but also more serious infections. To keep your family safe, frequently change water in fountains and birdbaths and discard any water pools in buckets or plastic covers.

Hot Coals – It’s quite common to toss coals after grilling-just make sure they are cool to the touch first. Throwing away hot coals are an easy way to start a fire. When you are ready to dispose of coals soak them in cold water and place them in a noncombustible metal container. And, always watch small children around a hot grill.

Weathered Deck - Weather proofing your deck every 2 to 3 years stops the wood from warping and cracking. This reduces the risk of falls and accidents. Inspect your deck yearly to ensure the wood is not split or cracked. Keep your family safe and injury free!

Have you ever put your foot in your mouth when talking to a group of people? You’re not alone. Many people wish that they could go back in time and fix a communication faux pas. Since that isn’t an option, it’s important to be aware of the phrases to avoid in conversations. Commit them to your memory and you’ll be eloquently moving in social circles in no time!

Appearances

Commenting on someone’s appearance can be the one of the trickiest conversations to navigate. Here are some common phrases to avoid:

• “You look tired.”
• “You’ve really lost a lot of weight!”
• “You look good for your age.”
• “I could never wear what you’re wearing.”

These comments sound negative despite their intentions. Instead of the above, try something more open such as “You look great!”

Workplace

When we are work we should always strive to be as professional as possible. This is why we should be careful with our wording so it is not misconstrued. Avoid phrases such as:

• “That’s not my job.”
• “I have a stupid question.”
• “I don’t have time to talk to you.”

Instead of seeming uncooperative, simply ask if the task at hand is a priority and go from there. Also, don’t undermine yourself by lacking the confidence to ask questions – sometimes over communication is the best policy.

Job Interviews

This is when we want to make our best impressions. Avoiding the following statements will help connect with our interviewer and land our dream job.

• “My current boss is an overbearing nightmare.”
• “Do you think I’d fit in here?”
• “What are the hours and vacation policy?”

Try to be as professional as possible by being positive and demonstrating a genuine interest in the company. This will get you farther than bad mouthing and focusing on the minor details.

Pregnancy and Babies

Unfortunately, this is one of the most common communication faux pas. Stay away from the following blunders to evade socially awkward moments!

• “Are you pregnant?”
• “Are you planning on breastfeeding?”
• “Were your twins natural?”

The best advice in these situations is to keep your mouth closed. If you do know that a woman is pregnant use discretion when asking questions to respect her privacy.

Singles

It’s often uncomfortable for a single person to be surrounded by couples. In order to make them feel as positive as possible, steer clear of the following:

• “I never liked him anyway.”
• “How can someone like you still be single?”
• “You’re never getting married?”

Sometimes the best approach to a conversation is bringing up common topics instead of putting someone on the spot.

Are you riddled with the stress of making important decisions? Or, do you simply wish that you could tap into your creativity or willpower? No matter the reason why you want to increase your current thinking level-you can! The good news is, you just have to tune into some of the principles that will help you think better in no time.

Thinking under pressure: When we are under pressure, it seems our brain completely turns off. Of course, this isn’t the case, but we can become preoccupied with outside factors. Trust your instincts when under pressure. Instead of analyzing every detail, just trust yourself.

Insight: Most of our insight arrives when we are not dwelling on a problem. Insight is generated by activity in the brain’s right hemisphere. The mind is more capable of tuning into that hemisphere when it’s stress-free. So instead of worrying, take a long hot shower or a relaxing stroll. Let the ideas come to you naturally.

Pay attention to your mistakes: If you are willing to learn from your mistakes, you will certainly become a more successful person. When you have a fumble, try to figure out what you could have done differently. Since brain cells figure out how to get things done by knowing what was done wrong, you’ll be one step closer to thriving in any situation.

Memories: It is good advice to be wary of your memories. The reason is because the memory may not be all that truthful-moments are tweaked and situations altered. Trust your instincts instead of a foggy old memory.

Alternative point of view: A simple trick to readjust your thinking is to turn around your point of view. Thinking of something in the alternative will spark your brain to filter the world to what it already believes. Try it next time you play poker: think of your opponents’ points of view and then change yours to fit theirs-you might just win!

It’s no secret that kids know more about gadgets than adults. Fortunately, the adults are the spenders. This allows us to make the right decisions when purchasing the latest gadgets. Below are some safe and reliable choices for our kids.

Cell Phone

Nowadays, if your son or daughter is a teenager, they have a cell phone. But the younger generation is catching up fast! When is the right age to buy our child a cell phone? Experts suggest allowing a kid that is going to school a cell phone for emergencies only. Many plans, such as Verizon’s Chaperone plan and Sprint’s Family Locator, allow you to control minutes, texts, and game time-for a very reasonable price.

Computer

If kids don’t have a computer of their own, they definitely use one at school or at friends’ houses. Kids as early as kindergarten are savvy computer users. When a child is old enough for a computer of their own, be sure to stick to safe sites and supervise their on-line time. As they grow, look into kid-safe software that limits children to pre-selected sites.

Playstation, Xbox, Wii

Contrary to what kids will tell you, not everyone has a portable gaming device. If you do decide to add this entertainment to your family, be sure to keep the system in a highly visible spot so you can monitor the games being played. Also, when purchasing games for your children check the ESRB rating to be sure the game content is appropriate for your children’s age.

Television

It is true that everyone has a television, and kids from two years old and up watch it. Start your kids on educational programs when they are younger. Add as a special treat when they are older. Just make sure you know what they are watching-many shows feature violence.

Digital camera

This is one of the most kid-friendly gadgets-as long as it’s not your camera. Today, many toy manufacturers are coming out with digital cameras for kids. They are less breakable and less expensive. Kids will have a ball taking pictures and instantly seeing their photographs!

The new school year is now in full swing, so is the sports season! Friday night football games are accompanied by the costs of uniforms, equipment, team fees, and traveling costs. Sports costs for kids can roll upwards of $1,000 a year-that is a whooping chunk out of our checking account. However, we still want our kids to stay in shape and learn team spirit, so keep in mind these money saving tips while shopping for the new athletic season.

Equipment

A logical way to buy equipment is to buy used. Many retailers carry high quality and barely used gear. You can save as much as 40% off of brand new equipment. The best part: your little athlete will never know the difference.

Travel Costs

When planning an overnight trip for an away game, plan ahead and look into hotel accommodations through sites such as Priceline.com. Check before you arrive to ensure the hotel offers a free continental breakfast and a refrigerator to store easy-to-eat items and sports drinks to keep your team energized.

Contributions

Your kid can help cover the cost of uniforms and entry fees by coordinating team fund raising events. Car washes and bake sales are popular as well as successful.

It’s hard to believe there is an upside to our current volatile economic climate. But, in fact, this is a great time to take advantage of great deals on houses, cars, and other items. Economists see our market turning as soon as 2010. They also suggest not waiting to buy something you need-bargains are out there. Below is a list of things to buy before the economy improves.

Big spenders

Buy a house: prices are down, interest rates are dipping, and a bill passed by Congress includes a credit for first-time home buyers.

Buy a car: prices are low, financing is agreeable, and rebates are aplenty due to excess inventory.

Buy diamonds: the price of diamonds have dropped significantly making it an ideal time to purchase a sparkler.

Consumer goods

Buy a TV: larger flat-panel TVs are more affordable than ever.

Buy furniture: demand has considerably decreased and resulted in excess inventory, lower prices, and great deals.

Buy clothes: since consumers are being cautious of their spending habits, clothing retailers are cutting prices to reduce inventory-the perfect time to buy the expensive suit you’ve been eyeing.