About the Author
Articles by Roberto Cruz
Taylor Kitsch’s 1991 Pontiac Firefly
Canadian-born actor and model Taylor Kitsch has appeared in blockbuster films like “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” “Battleship” and “John Carter.” He starred in the second season of the HBO series “True Detective” and scored his breakout role in the hit NBC series “Friday Night Lights.” Watch him portray Branch Davidians leader David Koresh in “Waco,” aRead More
Bright Ideas for Holiday Home Decor
Who has the best holiday lights in your neighborhood? You do. Or at least you could with these helpful tips from industry experts. Game Plan A good plan helps you avoid surprises – and you certainly don’t want surprises on top of a ladder in the freezing cold. Measure the roofline, windows, trees and otherRead More
Dig Out Your Car Like a Boss
You need your car stuck in the snow like you need to listen to “Macarena” over and over again for three straight days. But if you do find your vehicle caught in a snowy trap, don’t freak out. Here’s what to do. Don’t Get Mad – Get Digging It’s frustrating to find your car buriedRead More
Protect Your ID While Shopping Online This Holiday Season
Don’t let cyber criminals be the Grinch in your Whoville this holiday season.
A Plan for Paying Back Student Loans
College is an incredible experience. You make new friends. You explore new places. You learn how to write a seven-page research paper the night before it’s due. But on a serious note, one thing you might not learn at college is how to manage and pay back the money you borrowed to pay for yourRead More
Shop for Tires With Confidence
When shopping for tires, some drivers will pick the cheapest set available. Others will choose the ones made by the brand with the best reputation. It’s less likely that a vehicle owner will spend hours on research to find the best set to suit his or her vehicle needs. The good news is you don’tRead More
Understanding Extended Warranties
Nobody wants an unexpected car repair bill dropped in his or her lap. An extended warranty is a safeguard against that headache.
How to Vet a General Contractor
Start with these questions as you embark on your quest to find the right contractor for your home renovation project.
Life Insurance 101
No matter how far you are along life’s path, a life insurance policy can help protect those who mean the most to you.
In Alaska, Fiery Fall Foliage is a Breathtaking Contrast to Snow-Capped Peaks
Fall is far from a shoulder season in Alaska. In fact, for those who enjoy travel without the crowds, it could be the best time to visit the Last Frontier. From late August through October, the Alaskan sky shimmers in shades of pink, purple, yellow and blue while the red and gold foliage provides aRead More
Deion Sanders’ 1974 Toyota Celica
One of the best cornerbacks in NFL history, Pro Football Hall of Famer “Prime Time” Deion Sanders has become one of the most electrifying personalities on television. When he’s not on TV as a football analyst, Sanders partners with Stand Together, a nonprofit that helps individuals in Dallas escape poverty, and Prime 5, an initiativeRead More
10 Things to Look For in a Private School
Selecting a school for a child is one of the most important decisions a family makes. For those with the means to pay for education, private elementary schools and secondary schools regularly offer smaller class sizes, a more flexible curriculum and religious studies. A report from EducationNext, a scholarly journal published by Stanford University, alsoRead More
Is Your Battery Zapped?
Car batteries hate extreme temperatures. It’s one reason so many fail in the summer heat. Periodically disconnecting the car battery to clean its terminals with water and baking soda can help extend its life, said AAA’s Car Doctor John Paul. But all automotive batteries will fail eventually. Here are a few signs yours is onRead More
4 Car Repairs to Make Before It’s Too Late
Paying for car repairs is about as much fun as a trip to the dentist. And, like the dentist, some people will go to great lengths to avoid a trip to the shop. But drivers who skip or delay important repairs expose their vehicles to dangerous situations and costlier fixes down the road, AAA’s CarRead More
Don’t Break the Bank on Unexpected Car Repairs
Unless you’re rich Uncle Pennybags, spending $600 on car repairs is a tough pill to swallow. Unfortunately, that’s the going rate for the average car repair bill today, according to new AAA research. What’s more, an estimated 30 percent of Americans are unable to pay the average car repair bill without going into debt, theRead More
Tips on How to Use a Roundabout
Some drivers hate roundabouts. But a circular intersection benefits drivers in many ways. It reduces traffic congestion and lessens the types of crashes that kill or injure people by about 80 percent, according to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials. Of course, all that goes out the window if you don’t knowRead More
Howie Mandel’s 1969 Chevy Bel Air
Canadian-born Howie Mandel is an actor, comedian and television personality known for hosting the popular game show “Deal or No Deal.” After beginning his career in stand up, Mandel starred in the Emmy Award-winning medical drama “St. Elsewhere” before creating the hit animated series “Bobby’s World.” Watch him on the new season of “America’s GotRead More
Keep an Eye on These 3 Car Parts As Your Car Ages
Even the most reliable cars depreciate over time. Here are three parts to keep an eye on as your car ages. Water Pump This part circulates coolant throughout the engine to prevent overheating. It’s a moving part, so it’s prone to wear and tear; in this case, leaky seals, bad bearings and issues with theRead More
Ricky Whittle’s 2005 Dodge Ram
Born in northern England, actor Ricky Whittle is a former model who has starred in hit TV shows including The CW’s “The 100” and “Mistresses” on ABC. His latest show, “American Gods,” based on the award-winning fantasy novel, premieres this month on Starz. What was your first car? My first car was a red 2005Read More
Top Teen Driving Tips from a Teen Expert
Four years ago, Shelby Fix, The Car Coach 2.0, lost a friend in a car crash that involved texting while driving. “It really hit home,” said Shelby, the daughter of The Car Coach Lauren Fix, a nationally recognized automotive expert. Because April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, Your AAA caught up with Shelby, who hasRead More