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With depreciation rates and prices on the rise, it can be tough trying to find a good deal on a new car. If your budget is better suited for something a little less than new, a pre-owned vehicle might be what you need. They're less expensive and sometimes run just as nice as a brand-new model. Here are four benefits to going the pre-owned route. A Used Vehicle Won't Depreciate as Fast Despite a new car's flawless state, signing off on the paperwork and earning your title as the owner is already enough to devalue it some. Its resale value could plummet up to 40 percent or more in the first year alone and up to thousands of dollars in the following two to three years. While you won't avoid depreciation with a used vehicle, you won't get that big initial hit like the first owner does, nor will your car depreciate as fast. You Can Avoid Paying Unnecessary Fees Most new cars come with a state sales tax that could peak at thousands of dollars, and that's on top of the initial sale price of the car. The same goes for registration fees, which are usually high during the first three to five years of ownership. However, buying a pre-owned vehicle could omit the sales tax and reduce how much you pay for registration fees. Plus, your insurance premium for a used car will likely be less than what you'd pay for a new car. more A Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle Runs Like a New Car A certified pre-owned vehicle (CPO) is a used car that's been thoroughly inspected and reconditioned, is typically under six years old, and doesn't have a high odometer reading. Its vehicle history report will also show no records of a major accident or major repairs. Because of these requirements for certification, you could end up with a CPO that has little to no cosmetic damage and runs just as smooth as a new car does. Best of all, CPOs come with an extended manufacturer-backed warranty to help cover the cost of future maintenance. Depending on your plan, you might even get extras such as complimentary roadside assistance and special financing deals. Plus, CPOs tend to boast higher resale values than non-certified used vehicles. Sure, you'll have to pay a bit more to get one, but it's still a cheaper alternative to a newer model. You Won't Have to Pay for Amenities You Don't Need When you buy a new car, you're not just getting something shiny and modern. You're also getting a car that's packed with the latest features on the market, which could be anything from a high-tech infotainment system to an advanced head-up display. And while these amenities are convenient during road trips, they're not always necessary. Not everyone will want to spend more on features like wireless charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, or self-parking technology. And what about heated seats, hands-free lift gates, and power moonroofs? These types of perks could add thousands of dollars to a car, but you won't have to spend as much to get (or not get) them on a used vehicle. Unsure about investing in a pre-owned vehicle? This guide can help make the car-buying process a lot easier! Image via tomobrienindy.com

With warm weather on the rise, what better way to cool off than with a visit to a top Indianapolis swimming pool. With both indoor and outdoor facilities catering to residents, going for a swim doesn't have to be limited to summer. Here are four of the coolest Indy pools we think you'll love. The Riviera Club Swimming Pools This massive recreational hotspot is home to 27 acres of indoor and outdoor facilities, including six swimming pools. Two are located indoors, with one being heated and another reserved for juniors. Four are located outdoors, with the main outdoor pool holding the title of Largest in the U.S. The latter also features 15 lanes — with distances ranging from 25 yards to 50 meters — along with slides and a diving tank. Other outdoor pools include a diving pool with three diving boards, a junior pool, and a deep wading pool. The Riviera Club also offers swimming lessons for kids and adults who want to channel their inner Olympian. In fact, the facility served as the training site for a handful of Olympic gold medalists between 1924 and 2004. more Indy Island Pools Located at Raymond Park, Indy Island is perfect for all ages and the go-to spot for affordable summer fun. This indoor facility features a leisure pool that reaches a depth of 3 feet and a 3-lane swimming pool that is 6 feet deep. You'll also find a large spiral waterslide — perfect for older kids and adults — along with deck chairs for lounging in comfort. Oh, and you'll find plenty of water amenities for the kiddos, too, including a playhouse, slide, geysers, and sprayers. Locker rooms and attentive lifeguards round out this facility's extensive list of perks. Krannert Park Pool and Aquatic Center Krannert Park is home to an indoor swimming pool that is accessible year-round and an outdoor aquatic center that's open during the summer. Amenities include everything from a toddler pool and play area to large and small water slides. You can also sign up for swim lessons or one of the many $3 weekly sessions that include water aerobics, water Zumba, and aqua arthritis classes. For even more fun, don't forget to head outdoors to get your fill of the lovely landscape surrounding Krannert Park. You'll enjoy plenty of wooded scenery, a shimmering 2.5-acre pond, 1.6 miles of paved trails, and a variety of sports courts. Thatcher Park Pool The final entry on this list can be found at Thatcher Park. This swimming pool is located indoors and is ideal for swimmers of all ages. It stretches 25 yards and features six lanes, a 12-foot diving well, and a rock-climbing wall. It's flanked by a paved patio area and a large overhead pool cover. The pool is set at 85 to 87 degrees, so it's always a cozy temperature and perfect for a variety of water activities. Much like Krannert Park, this pool offers swim lessons, water aerobics, water Zumba, and aqua arthritis classes, but it also adds kayaking lessons and reserved times for swim team practices. Looking to entertain the family this season? These four Indianapolis swimming pools are your ticket to cool summer fun. Image via Pixabay

Toddlers are curious and love exploring their surroundings and finding new ways to occupy their time. And while feeling adventurous is perfectly fine at home, the car doesn't leave much room for messing around, especially when it comes to being safe. As you take the reins behind the wheel, keep in mind the following lessons designed to teach your toddlers about proper car etiquette. Distractions Are a Big No-No The last thing you want is to see and hear your kids picking at each other in the backseat or throwing temper tantrums. Both are definite ways to distract you while driving and could cause you to lose focus. Teach your toddler the proper way to call out to you, sans the screaming and yelling. Sudden loud sounds could put your heart and head into panic mode and distract you enough to drift out of your lane. If your toddlers are acting out, pull over to a shoulder and help resolve the issue before getting back on the road. more Don't Play Around With Power Windows Power windows are handy modern creations, but their ability to open and close quickly could make them hazards for kids. They're strong enough to crush small fingers and hands and even strangle a child whose head has gotten stuck in the opening. Toddlers and young children are the most susceptible to these types of injuries, so make sure your little ones know not to mess around with the windows when they're in motion. Always Stay Buckled In Just like your toddlers shouldn't play near the windows, they also shouldn't unbuckle their car-seat restraints while the car is still moving. We know kids are curious and want to explore new things, so they might find it fun to buckle and unbuckle their restraints or even escape their car seats, but seat-belt safety isn't something to mess around with. Explain the importance of staying strapped in the car. Seatbelts restrain passengers so they aren't thrown forward or to the side during an accident — something you'd hate to see happen to your toddler. You can avoid all that by making sure your child is safely strapped into the proper restraints. The lap part of the belt should fit snug across the upper part of the hips, while the shoulder straps snugly rest across the chest and shoulder. Make sure you adjust the straps to fit your toddler appropriately and keep soft toys around to distract them from unbuckling their seatbelts. Stay Safe Outside of the Car, Too It's not only important to teach your toddlers how to be safe and courteous in the car, but also how to be cautious and aware outside. Warn your little ones about the dangers of running off. They could get in the way of other cars and end up in a driver's blind spot. It's also important to teach your kids not to play on the driveway or street, especially behind a parked vehicle. After all, staying safe around cars is just as crucial as staying safe inside one. Knowing and understanding these lessons are great ways to enhance your toddler's safety both in and out of the car. Image via Chrysler.com

Spending summer outdoors gives Indianapolis residents a ticket to some of the coolest community events this time of year. But what exactly is there to look forward to in Indy this summer? Festivals, fairs, and conventions — that's what! Here are four upcoming events you don't want to miss. National Bank of Indianapolis Summer Nights Film Series The National Bank of Indianapolis Summer Nights Film Series is an event to unite movie lovers everywhere. Held from July 26-29 at the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields amphitheater, guests will be rewarded with screenings of Oscar-nominated shorts the whole family can enjoy. Tickets are $12, though members save $4 on admission, and children ages 5 and under enter for free. Be sure to order your tickets in advance to secure a spot! Food and beverages can be purchased on site, and all films start around 9:30 p.m. However, to get first dibs on the best seats in the house, early birds are welcome to arrive when the doors open at 7 p.m. more Gen Con 2018 Are you ready for the largest gaming convention in North America? Gen Con 2018 isn't just something for gamers, though; it appeals to kids and adults of all ages. Here you'll find food trucks and a beer garden as well as events like a film festival, costume contest, art show, and author and artist hangouts. Plus, 500 game companies will be in attendance, debuting of hundreds of new titles. You'll also spot tables and booths that are set up throughout, encouraging gamers to put their skills to the test with the latest board games, card games, and video games. If interested, Gen Con 2018 will be held at the Indiana Convention Center from Aug. 2–5. Indiana State Fair This circus-themed event will be held Aug. 3–19 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. You can expect plenty of amusement park rides and games, a diverse lineup of food trucks and stalls, and live entertainment. The latter includes acts such as country star Hunter Hayes, '90s sibling trio Hanson, and '80s heartthrob Rick Springfield. Bringing the whole family along? Tickets for the Indiana State Fair are just $8 in advance with children ages 5 and under enter for free. Or grab a four-ticket Family Pack for $30 and save a few bucks. Don't forget to snag your Midway wristbands either; they're available for a $10 discount until Aug. 5, give you access to all the rides at the fair, and are a must for the kiddos. First Friday Food Truck Festival This festival features 30 food trucks offering everything from Greek and Mediterranean dishes to tasty baked goods and a lineup that changes from month to month. Family games and prizes are aplenty, and on the Sam Ash Stage, entertainment is provided by music students. Performances range from crafty originals to impressive covers. All events at the First Friday Food Truck Festival will take place at the Old National Centre parking lot on Friday, Sept. 7 from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 at the gate, but children ages 5 and under (and leashed dogs) enter for free. Need plans for the summer? These top Indianapolis events will get your summer started right. Image via Pixabay