Finding Car Sharing Options

City Car Club 

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With the rising price of transportation people have begun traveling economically. Everything from taking a bus to walking, riding a bike, or even car sharing. There are even people who are commuting economically just for the sake of the environment. The concept of the carbon footprint has had quite an impact on the way people travel. Here are a few tips on traveling economically and car sharing.

For those who do not like to use public transportation and travel further than walking distance, car sharing can be a great option. To find a good car sharing option you first must find people who are traveling in the same direction that you are. Co-workers will often carpool together to save money and to have company while having company.

If you can not find anyone who works with you to share a ride with there are other options. Often local classified websites will have a section for commuters. Often commuters will car share with people who work and/or live near their location. Other people may just find a friend or loved one who is either generous or nearby to make the daily commute with.

If you are unable to find either a friend, co-worker, or random chance encounter to help with your travel time you might still have options. Some major cities offer a car sharing program that you can register for at local government or supported business areas. This option will offer you less opportunity to chose someone who you get a long with well, but it can still reduce the cost of commute.

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How to Travel in Comfort on Long Road Trips

Whether you drive a VW Beetle or a spacious Hummer, you want to travel in comfort. You’ll find that the demands of a long road trip begin to wear on you if you aren’t a savvy traveler. Consider these guidelines for making your next road trip more enjoyable.

Make sure your car has had its scheduled maintenance. This includes an oil change, tire rotation, and any seasonal adjustments that need to be made. Taking this preventative step can save you money and headaches down the road.
Avail yourself of rest stops. You can stop at these public places and stay for a while. Unlike stopping at a restaurant or gas station where restrooms may be available only to customers, restrooms are open to anyone. There also might be an area at the rest stop that’s designated for walking your pets. The only drawback is that your food choices are limited to vending machine fare.
Know how many miles it is until the next gas station. On long road trips, it’s easy to forget to check your gas gauge. If you are caught off guard, you’ll want an easy way to find out how far you are from a gas station. A GPS tool can help, as can a handheld device with Internet access.
Have a first aid kit on board. In case you or your traveling companions have a minor accident, it’s best to have some basic supplies on hand. Make sure your kit includes band-aids, gauze, medical tape and scissors, alcohol wipes, and antibiotic ointment.
Healthy snacks. You can quickly lose energy if you’re just stuffing yourself with high calorie and high fat foods. It’s better to snack on nuts, pita chips or pretzels, and fresh fruit than to rely on quick bites you buy at the drive-through.

By thinking ahead, you can make the hours on the road a little more comfortable for you and your family.

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Inexpensive Holiday Traveling- The Why and How

Road Trip!

Image by -Snugg- via Flickr

For some, getting the whole family around the tree for the holidays is a priority. I’m from Utah where the motto is: “go forth, multiply, and prosper.” We did, and now our family is a small planet.

It takes a lot of planning to get us all together, what with jobs, distance, school breaks, and boys coming home on leave from military service overseas. Here are some ideas I found to save you money.

Who knows? You might even get a rebate!

On the Wing

Airfares have never been cheaper. If you’ve accumulated award mileage, and don’t check excess bags, it’s almost like flying for free! Another option is to gift a loved one by redeeming miles for flight vouchers or round-trip tickets. They’re a great stocking stuffer!

If seats are blacked out for the dates you want, don’t give up. Frequent cancellations and the ebb and flow of consumer demand can often prompt airlines to free up previously blocked seats for award travelers. Book directly with the airline and, should schedule delays leave you stuck between connections, it will be responsible for your lodging and meals. That’s meaningful on routes where winter storms frequently create snags.

Online travel sources can offer some super cheap fares to save you even more, but read the fine print. There might be some restrictions.

“Throw Mama from the Train…”

Sometimes it’s more practical to bring the grandparents to you. Some elderly are reluctant to fly, either for health reasons, a negative experience, or anxiety about security and air safety. Instead, why not treat them to the luxury of train travel? Sleeper cars, fine dining and first class can make this an affordable alternative for those who can savor the journey.

Motor coach tours are money-savers, too. Today’s streamlined buses are equipped with comfortable seating, on-board restrooms, and they make frequent stops for refreshments and scenic sites along the way. Senior discounts usually apply, so ask.

Kick it on Route 66

Road trips are an economical option for students and young families. Consider distance, weather, and your car’s reliability.

Don’t spend unnecessarily on tires or costly repairs to make yours more road-worthy. Instead, park that pig and rent something safe and economical.

As a frequent business traveler, I’ve learned that in some cities, renting at the airport can be considerably higher than renting from a branch location in a local business district of the same metropolis. Economy cars go first, so reserve yours in advance. (you’re entitled to an automatic free upgrade, should they run out!). Your usual insurance travels with you, so don’t buy theirs.

I even found an Avis coupon code that entitled me to a cash rebate- which was pretty awesome if you ask me.

Cruise Along

Teachers, retirees, and military can often qualify for travel discounts, even on cruises! On some lines, kids cruise for free! The varied activities, entertainment, and parties on board are always family friendly and age appropriate. Even the moodiest teen will have a ball!

With so many great deals online this season, holiday travel is more affordable than ever! You’ll save cash, and have more time to enjoy your family. Isn’t that what the holidays are all about?

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The Great Joys of the Road Trip

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Image by NR Acampamentos via Flickr

There’s nothing like traveling somewhere you’ve never been. It feels good to just get in the car, hop on a bus, or take a train with a general destination in mind, but nowhere you really have to be. Of course, most people are too tied up with basic obligations to do that. I thought I was, too. After spending weeks trying to plan out a way to use my vacation days, I finally decided that that was kind of silly. Why put so much work into trying to relax? I was basically stressing myself out trying to have fun. Isn’t that backwards?

What I ended up doing was just taking the time off for two weeks with no plans whatsoever and taking enough money from my savings for my basic survival. I looked up a few places I thought I might like to visit on Canada 411, and set off on an adventure to nowhere in particular. I ended up on the outskirts of Calgary. I had never been to Calgary, but two of the three places I randomly selected were within a 10 mile radius, so that’s where I ended up.

The best part of this adventure was experiencing the area like a local instead of like a tourist. Sure, I ended up seeing all the major tourist attractions, but most of my nights were spent in a cheap motel. I hung out at bars shooting pool with the locals, like I was one of them. Well, that might not be the only good thing. The absolute best part for me was never feeling like I had to be contained by a schedule, aside from going home when my vacation days ran out. I’m not a spontaneous person, and that might be why this spontaneous trip was one of the greatest times of my life.

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Carpooling – Hitchhiking Evolution

The days of hitchhiking are over. It is no longer safe for a driver to pick up an unknown person, nor is it safe for a traveler to get into the car with a stranger. After the oil crisis in 1973, ride-sharing became more organized and formal. Groups of commuters were now traveling together to the same destination, usually alternating drivers and car use. This new travel method minimizes the wear and tear on each person’s automobile, saving on gas money, and is saving the environment by having fewer cars on the road.

Many areas have special HOV (high-occupancy vehicle) lanes on highways to encourage carpooling. Single drivers taking advantage of these special lanes can incur fines and may end up with a higher insurance premium. Next time you’re driving down the HOV lane, take a look at the other cars. It might be surprising to see single drivers speeding by, or a mannequin in the passenger seat.

Many carpoolers may not be aware that if they can prove that they ride-share and use someone else’s car, 21st car insurance companies may discount the rate for their car insurance. But, alternatively, there are also other risks that every carpooler should be aware of. Make sure your policy covers every person that is riding in your car. It is wise for carpoolers to up their coverage limits and make sure that the policy includes coverage for every seat-belt in the vehicle.

As gas prices fluctuate and the country becomes more and more environmentally aware, carpooling statistics will continue to rise. Some people may feel carpooling is inconvenient because each traveler must rely on another person, but isn’t that the case with taking the train or a bus? With the right car insurance coverage and a good set of travel buddies, carpooling is a great way to travel.

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