Save Money on Gas—Buy a New Car

I’m sure you’ve seen them by now… those new commercials from car companies offering cheap or free gas to anyone willing to buy a new vehicle. With a gallon of regular unleaded gas going for about $4 these days the ads got me thinking about whether the deal really could help save money. For those of you who don’t watch TV on a regular basis there are two major auto manufacturers who are currently offering gas incentives to anyone who purchases a new car in the next few weeks. For example, one commercial claims if you buy a Chrysler, Dodge … Continue reading →

Travel Tidbits: Strap in Your Dog and Hide Your Camels

STRAP IN YOUR DOG I see them all the time, and frankly, my daughter gets the biggest kick when we pass one. I’m sure you’ve driven by a few on the highway yourself. I’m referring to pet owners who cruise down the street in their vehicles with their pets on their laps. Well, the cushy ride might be over for some furry friends if California lawmakers get their way. Earlier this week a bill passed the Assembly banning motorists from holding pets on their laps while driving. Disobey the rule and you’ll be slapped with a $35 fine. The bill … Continue reading →

Saving on Summer Travel: Take the Bus

Not just any bus… How would you like to travel from New York to Washington — and back — for less than the cost of a candy bar and a can of soda? Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? Well, brace yourselves budget conscious travelers—-it’s the real deal. A new company called BoltBus is offering tickets from the Big Apple to D.C. for as low as a $1 each way. The super cheap price is an attempt to lure summer travelers away from trains, planes and their own automobiles. I guess I should inform you that there is … Continue reading →

“Maui No Kai Oi”

In Hawaiian “Maui No Kai Oi” means Maui is No. 1 or “the best.” But these days the popular saying is being used more in relation to the island’s gas prices than its breathtaking views from sugary white sand beaches. Living in paradise comes with a price and my family members (some of who live on the Valley Isle) can tell you that traveling around the Hawaiian Island of Maui is costing them a fortune. According to AAA, Maui is now home to the most expensive gas prices in the nation. A gallon of regular unleaded there has hit the … Continue reading →

Summer Road Trip: Tires

Despite gas prices nearing record levels studies show many families are still planning to hit the road this summer. As such I have decided to write a series of blogs providing tips on how you can stay safe while on driving to your summer vacation destination. Today, I’m focusing on car care–specifically tire care. While it is important to remain vigilant about the condition of your tires throughout the year it is especially critical in warm weather because long trips, heavy loads, high speeds and higher temperatures all put additional stress on your tires. Before you head out on the … Continue reading →

Protecting Your Family While Traveling on Wet Roads

April showers bring… hazardous driving conditions, which could lead to potentially deadly accidents if you are not properly prepared. Common sense tells you that the first thing you should do when you find yourself driving in the middle of a spring or summer storm is to slow down. However, there are a few other simple ways you can protect your precious cargo during the rainy season: WINDSHIELD WIPERS Equip your vehicle with a good set of wiper blades. When was the last time you replaced your car’s windshield wiper blades? Car care experts recommend they be changed at least twice … Continue reading →

The Nation’s Highest Gas Prices and Where You Can Get a Break the Next Time You Fill Up

It is the one place you don’t want to be if your wallet is an empty as your gas tank. I’m talking about Gorda, California. Yesterday it was named as home to the most expensive gasoline in the United States. The lone gas station in the tiny Big Sur town is currently charging $5.20 for a gallon of self-serve unleaded gas. The price jumps to $5.40 if you want a gallon of premium. So why is the price of fuel so high there? The gas station owner says it boils down to location, location, location. The Amerigo Gas Station is … Continue reading →

Does “E” Really Mean Your Car is Empty?

With the price of gas hovering dangerously close to $4 a gallon around here I am tempted to see how just how much farther my car could go once the needle on the fuel gauge hits “E.” Of course, any car expert would give you a laundry list of reasons why this is not a good idea. Still, I must admit there were a number of times in college when I pushed my poor car to its limit and rolled into gas stations on fumes. Which begs the question: Just how far can you drive once you hit “E?” I … Continue reading →

The Downside of Owning a Honda

Honda owners don’t need me to tell them that their vehicles are in high demand… among car thieves. In previous blogs I shared the sad tales of my Honda owner brother’s repeat rip offs. He’s learned his lesson the hard way and is now looking to get rid of his Honda and invest in a new Nissan Titan truck. And not a moment too soon. If you own a Honda or know someone who does then you might be interested in this next true story. Police in Yakima, Washington are currently investigating a case where 11 Hondas were stolen in … Continue reading →

Here Comes the Microcar

I live in a relatively small city in the Upper Midwest portion of the United States far, far away from the cutting edge “left coast” where “green” concept cars are a dime a dozen. Around here people care about the environment, but getting motorists to trade in their gas-guzzling “Ram Tough” 4×4’s for an eco-friendly vehicle that looks like a roller skate on four wheels could be a long time coming. Or is it? The big news around the state came is that motorists are one step closer to being allowed to drive new energy-efficient microcars on local streets. Microcars … Continue reading →