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

No opening umbrellas on the street

Image: Edu Lauton

In Montgomery, Alabama, it is considered an offense to open an umbrella on a street for fear of spooking horses .

This raises questions about whether one should open an umbrella since the main use of it happens in the street.

2

No driving over 2000 sheep down Hollywood Boulevard

Image: Andrea Lightfoot

In Hollywood, California, it is illegal to drive more than two thousand sheep down Hollywood Boulevard at one time .

Apparently, you can drive one thousand and nineteen hundred and ninety-nine sheep, no problem. But not two thousand at one time.

3

No loose cats without tail lights

Image: Pacto Visual

In Sterling, Colorado, cats may not run loose without having been fitted with a taillight . Maybe this originated in some road accident involving a feline but one has to wonder if this is the best method of action. Especially since attaching a taillight to a cat does not seem like an easy thing to do.

4

No educating dogs

Image: Caleb Fisher

For whatever reason, you may not educate dogs in Connecticut . Something must have happened at some point in history serious enough for the local legislators to forbid the Connecticuters from educating their dogs.

5

No leaving the ship, if you are a rat

Image: Joshua J. Cotten

In Tampa Bay, Florida, rats are forbidden by law to leave the ships docked at port. The spirit of the law probably requires ship owners to prevent rats from leaving the ship but, for some reason, the phrasing of the text makes it seem as if it is directed to the rats themselves.

6

No road crossing, if you are a chicken.

Image: Vidi Drone

In Quitman, Georgia, it is illegal for a chicken to cross the road . Quite probably, this law is directed to chicken owners so that they prevent their feathered friends from roaming on the roads and causing accidents. But, still, it should be more clearly stated.

7

No fishing from a giraffe’s back

Image: MARIOLA GROBELSKA

Who in their right mind would attempt to fish from a giraffe’s back , right? Apparently, this exact thing happened in Boise, Idaho, prompting the passing of a law to forbid this outrageous behavior from happening ever again.

8

No flying over the village, if you are a bee

Image: Dmitry Grigoriev

In Kirkland, Illinois, bees are not allowed to fly over the village or through any of its streets . How exactly did the legislators who passed that law expect to enforce it, we honestly do not know.

9

No lions at the movies

Image: Andrew Liu

In Baltimore, Maryland, it is illegal to take a lion to the movies . As it should be. No one should be taking live lions into a movie theater filled with people, ever, anywhere in the world. Not even if the showcased movie is The Lion King.

10

No pant-less horses

Image: Silje Midtgård

As with most of the other examples in this list, this is a law that -hopefully- no one is paying any attention to. Horses are required to wear pants at all times in Fountain Inn, South Carolina. Seriously, how do you put pants on a horse?

11

No laying eggs at night

Image: Anita Austvika

It is unlawful for chickens to lay eggs before 8 AM and after 4 PM in West Virginia. Thankfully for chickens, they sleep at night and are active during the day, which prevents them from breaking the law.

12

No pictures of rabbits in June

Image: Gary Bendig

The State of Wyoming doesn’t allow you to take a picture of a rabbit during the month of June . The reason for this curious law is, perhaps, more understandable than most of the previous ones, and it has to do with avoiding harassment of the local wildlife.

1

In God we trust

Image: Kelly Sikkema

The famous phrase "In God We Trust" hasn’t always been part of our money. It first showed up on some coins during the Civil War , when the country was looking for hope in tough times. It didn’t become standard on all bills and coins until 1955, during another period of strong religious feeling. Today, it’s part of our national identity and one of the most recognized mottos in the world.

2

The all-seeing eye on the dollar

Image: Thought Catalog

That little pyramid with an eye floating above it on the one-dollar bill has sparked plenty of wild theories, but the truth is rooted in history. Known as the "Eye of Providence," it represents divine guidance and watchfulness . The Founding Fathers saw it as a symbol of wisdom and protection.

3

The Secret Service started with cash, not presidents

Image: Collin

When the Secret Service was created in 1865, it had nothing to do with protecting the president. Its original job was to fight counterfeit currency , which had become a huge problem during the Civil War. Back then, nearly one in three bills was fake! The agency did its job so well that it built the foundation for the secure money system we have today.

4

The $10,000 bill that once roamed the banks

Image: Artem Beliaikin

Yes, there really was a $10,000 bill, and it carried the face of Salmon P. Chase, who served as Lincoln’s Treasury Secretary . It was never meant for everyday use at the store, of course. Banks used it for large transfers between Federal Reserve branches. Although it’s been out of circulation for decades, collectors still love to get their hands on one.

5

Fighting fakes with science

Image: Alexander Grey

Counterfeiting has been a problem since the first coins were made, but modern bills are loaded with clever security tricks . Watermarks, color-shifting ink, and hidden security threads help stop fake money before it spreads. If you tilt a newer bill in the light, you’ll see colors shift and patterns appear. It’s not just decoration, it’s actually protection.

6

Paper money doesn’t live forever

Image: Emilio Takas

Every bill has a limited lifespan. A $1 bill lasts about five years before it wears out, while higher denominations tend to last longer since people handle them less often. When a bill becomes too soft or torn, the Federal Reserve removes it from circulation and replaces it with a new one. Check your wallet and see if any of your bills need changing!

7

Tiny text with a big job

Image: Pete Alexopoulos

If you look very closely at your bills, you might spot lines of tiny printed words around the portraits and borders. That’s called microprinting. It’s so small that it’s nearly impossible to copy accurately. Most people never notice it, but it’s one of the details that protects the money from being easily counterfeited.

8

The penny paradox

Image: Annie Spratt

It’s funny to think about, but a single penny costs more than one cent to make. The mix of copper and zinc isn’t cheap , and that’s been true for years. Some even say it’s time to retire the penny, while others can’t imagine America without it. Maybe it’s more than money. Maybe it’s nostalgia that keeps Lincoln’s little coin alive. What do you think?

9

When spare change becomes treasure

Image: Gio Bartlett

Sometimes a coin is worth far more than its face value. The 1913 Liberty Head nickel is one of the best examples. Only five of them exist, and one sold for over four million dollars! Collectors spend years searching for coins like that. It’s part history lesson, part treasure hunt. It may look like an ordinary coin, but it’s really priceless!

10

A woman’s face finally gets her due

Image: Kirt Morris

For most of our history, only men appeared on our currency. However, that’s changing. There are renewed efforts to redesign the twenty-dollar bill and feature Harriet Tubman in it, the fearless leader of the Underground Railroad. Even if it’s not official yet, it’s an important step toward showing the full story of America.