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The High Cost of Traveling to Mexico and Saving Money on Car Rentals

And you thought traveling to Europe was expensive. According to recent reports, the dollar has lost nearly 10% against the Mexican peso since January — meaning that tanning trips to sunny south of the border destinations are becoming increasingly difficult for some Americans to afford. Studies show that the dollar’s value had been stable in Mexico for years, even as it fell against other currencies such as the euro. But now the tide is turning–this week, the dollar traded at its lowest level against the peso in six years. Travel experts worry that the shift could have a significant effect … 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 →

Women and Cars

In a previous blog I shared a recent experience I had with a rental car in Hawaii. I am not a car expert. In fact, I have never attempted to purchase a car without a male companion (either a boyfriend or brother) at my side. Perhaps, I am dealing with the irrational fear of being “taken for a ride” by a male salesperson, regardless I make a general rule never to walk on a car lot without a guy present. The ironic part about this practice is I am more informed about the car I am interested in purchasing than … Continue reading →

A Car (Trip) To Remember

When we travel to Hawaii we typically don’t rent a car (mainly because we are visiting family and they allow us to use their vehicles). But, during our last trip I ended up renting a car for a few days so I could take my daughter on a few overnight trips to the other side of the island. I reserved an “economy” car and received a 2007 Dodge Caliber. Let me begin by saying that I am not in the market for a new car (not to say that I couldn’t use one, it’s just that it is not currently … Continue reading →

Concept Cars—Are They Too Cool For You?

I’ll never forget the day I caught a ride with my boss to a public appearance. (It happened years ago—prior to getting married and having a family.) He was married, the father of two young children, and had just bought a shiny new black VW Beetle. (You know, the one that barely fits two people, let alone a family of four.) As I squeezed into his new vehicle I was overwhelmed by that new car smell, perhaps, it was the fumes that made me blurt out: “Nice car. But, why would a father of two buy such a small vehicle?” … Continue reading →

The Great American Gas Out Fizzles Out

Did you take part in yesterday’s Great American Gas Out? It was a grass roots movement to have all motorists boycott gas stations for one day with the hopes it would somehow have an impact on gas prices. One email I received promoting the boycott had a goal of taking $2.3 billion in oil company profits. Needless to say, gas prices in my area are just as high today ($3.30 a gallon) as they were yesterday. So to the man who I ran into yesterday in the check out line at Wal-Mart who insisted that one-day boycott had exactly zero … Continue reading →

Paying More At The Pump… And For Pizza?

How much are you paying for a gallon of gas these days? According to AAA, gas prices set a record high on Monday, averaging $3.07 for a gallon of self-serve regular in the United States. In Vail, Colorado the price of a gallon of regular unleaded is hovering around $4. The spike in gas has me clutching my pizza coupons very tightly. After all, the high price of gas is bound to create a domino effect that will soon mean we will all be paying more for the pizza we get delivered to our doors via gas guzzling pizza delivery … Continue reading →

Drowsy Drivers

Tomorrow we spring ahead for the start of daylight savings time. This, of course, means that it will still be light out well after many of us have eaten dinner. For some of us it also means it will still be light out as our spouses drive home from work. But, did you know that the start of daylight savings time also means that our roads and highways become more dangerous? According to the National Road Safety Foundation, a non-profit group that provides free driver safety programs for schools and other organizations, the time change throws off our internal clock, … Continue reading →

How To Check Your Email While Driving

Have you ever pulled up next to a car at a red light just in time to see the driver lean over to the passengers seat and whack out a few lines on his laptop? I’ve seen it done many times (and I’m not counting the times that the person I witnessed doing so was related to me) and it never fails to make my heart skip a beat. Bottom line: Drivers who don’t keep their eyes on the road make me nervous. Which is why I was very interested in the news that new technology being unveiled at this … Continue reading →