Figuring out what keeps mosquitoes away is in age-old summer conundrum.

No one likes bug bites and getting bitten by mosquitoes is one of the few downsides of summer fun. Not to mention, some mosquitoes can carry disease.

Here’s are the plants, products and DIY tricks that can protect you from itchy, annoying mosquito bites.

Control the Environment

If you find yourself hanging out in your backyard or on your porch during the summer, you have a home team advantage over the mosquitoes. Here’s how to keep mosquitoes away from your yard.

One of the best ways to keep away mosquitoes is to remove any standing water from your property. Your pool is probably fine if it’s chlorinated, but other sources of standing water could be increasing the mosquito population.

Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water, so if you want to keep away mosquitoes, you have to remove and limit their water sources. Common places with standing water include pails, buckets, wheelbarrows, kiddie pools, birdbaths, water toys and ponds. Removing the standing water from your yard is one of the most reliable natural ways to keep mosquitoes away.

Products That Keep Away Mosquitoes

Another way you can control your environment is by buying items that keep mosquitoes away. One of the oldest ways that people have protected themselves from mosquitoes is by using nets and screens. Consider adding nets or screens to your outdoor seating area. If you’re in the market for a new gazebo, try looking for one that comes with mosquito netting already.

A surprising way to combat mosquitoes is to change the lighting in your yard. Yellow-toned bug light bulbs will actually discourage bugs of all kinds from flocking to your yard at night. Porch fans are also an effective way to keep the bugs away without any smells or chemicals.

What Plants Keep Mosquitoes Away?

Put your green thumb to work in the fight against bug bites! There are a range of different plants and flowers that double as natural ways to keep mosquitoes away. Here are just some of the top plants that can help keep your garden mosquito-free.

You’re probably already familiar with citronella candles, but did you know about citronella plants? These plants have a lemony scent that naturally repels mosquitoes. They even occasionally blossom with small, pink-purple flowers. Citronella grass, also known as lemongrass, is also effective in keeping mosquitoes away from your yard.

Marigolds are also known for repelling mosquitoes and other garden pests with their pungent aroma. Fortunately, however, they are still loved by butterflies and bees.

The strong scent of lavender is calming to most humans, but despised by mosquitoes. Lavender plants are a great way to keep away mosquitoes. Mint is another go-to plant for gardeners that want to ward off mosquitoes and other pests.

Surprisingly, catnip is also a plant that can repel mosquitoes, though it has the opposite effect with cats. If you don’t want your backyard to be the neighborhood’s next cat club, you should probably pick another plant.

Staying Mosquito-Free on the Go

You probably won’t be spending every summer night in your backyard. So how can you protect yourself from mosquitoes when you’re out and about? Whether it’s a long camping trip or just a night of outdoor dining, mosquitoes are definitely something you’ll want to avoid.

A good way to keep mosquitos from biting is to dress in long sleeves and pants. That barrier will protect you from most mosquito bites, but it can get uncomfortable this time of year. So what else can you do? Get some good repellent.

Bug repellent is a great way to protect yourself from mosquitoes wherever you go. Sawyer Products Insect Repellent contains 20% picaridin, a safer alternative to DEET. It will also spray on evenly without a greasy residue. OFF! Clean Feel Insect Repellent is also a good choice with 20% picaridin.

However, buying bug repellent off the shelf isn’t the only option. There are some home remedies to keep mosquitoes away. Most home mosquito repellents are made using essential oils, so take care and consult your doctor before using them.

There are also some home remedies that don’t use essential oils. Mosquitoes tend to avoid lemon scents, so mixing lemon juice with water in a spray bottle can be an effective repellent. A diluted mixture of one part hydrogen peroxide and two parts water in a spray bottle can be sprayed on outdoor features and furniture to repel bugs.

Whether you got it off the shelf or made it yourself, be careful with any repellents you use. Remember to protect your eyes and any open cuts on your skin. And don’t overdo it – sometimes a little goes a long way.

Already bitten? Learn how to stop bug bites from itching.

Do mosquitoes eat you up or leave you alone? Do you have any go-to tips or tricks for protecting yourself and your property from mosquitoes? What keeps mosquitoes away? Let us know in the comments below.

This article has been updated and republished from a previous version.

Unless you’re lucky enough to have plenty of cash on hand, buying a car usually means applying for an auto loan. This is something you can do at the dealership, but you’ll do better if you pre-qualify for an auto loan before starting the car-buying process. Here’s how it works and why it’s worth taking the time to do.

What Does It Mean To Pre-qualify for an Auto Loan?  

Getting an auto loan starts by proving to a lender that you’re a good candidate. When you pre-qualify for an auto loan, the lender looks at basic information on your financial profile and uses that to determine whether to grant you a loan.

Learn about AAA auto loan rates and services.

Why Pre-Qualify for an Auto Loan Before You Shop?

When you pre-qualify for an auto loan it gives you the assurance that you’ll be able to get the loan you need when you find the perfect car. This makes budgeting easier and avoids disappointment.

Pre-qualifying also lets the dealership know you’re serious about buying a car. They want to work with people who are planning on going home with a new car, not with people who can’t get a loan or who have no real intention of buying. Walking in with a pre-qualified auto loan gives you credibility with the dealership, so you can be assured of their attention.

Lastly, you’ll often get a better deal when you pre-qualify for an auto loan on your own rather than working through the dealership. Spending the time to research the terms at various lenders gives you the best chance for getting a lower interest rate, which will save you money over the life of the loan.

How Do I Pre-qualify for an Auto Loan?

Getting an auto loan is all about proving that you are a worthy credit risk. A lender won’t give you tens of thousands of dollars for a car if they don’t think you’ll pay back the money. Auto loan pre-approval lets lenders look at your credit history and determine the terms under which they’ll grant a loan. You can make the process easier by making sure your financial information is accurate.

You’ll also want to do some homework on potential cars in order to determine how much money you need to borrow. There are a host of resources that can help in this process. AAA’s Auto Buying Program, for example, lets you compare vehicles, see what others have paid and get special members pricing on actual dealer inventory.

You can apply online, over the phone or in person for AAA auto loans.

Check Your Credit Report

You should check your credit report annually, but this is especially important when it comes time to pre-qualify for an auto loan. Your credit report will show any loans you have, from a mortgage to a credit card, and includes information on current balances and your payment histories. It also shows loans you have paid in full. If anything is incorrect, you should get the information corrected before you attempt to pre-qualify. You don’t want incorrect negative information hurting your chances.

If someone is co-signing your auto loan, then be sure they check their credit information as well. You both need accurate credit reports to ensure you get the best terms possible.

Try our auto loan payment calculator to get an estimate of what your monthly payments will be. 

Auto loan prequalification puts you one step closer to driving home in the perfect car. Find out more about AAA auto loan services.

This article has been updated and republished from a previous version.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.

Entering retirement brings unique financial concerns, primarily ensuring that income lasts a lifetime. To address the risk of outliving savings, you may consider reducing your needs through downsizing or debt payoff before retiring.

It could also help to start planning for withdrawal strategies in retirement. It’s a nuanced process, demanding careful consideration of various factors. Making informed decisions at this stage safeguards against premature savings depletion, ensuring a comfortable retirement.

Thoughtful planning today lays the groundwork for a comfortable and fulfilling retirement tomorrow. You can establish a plan that aligns with your financial objectives by exploring effective retirement withdrawal strategies to maximize income, minimize taxes and create a sustainable retirement.

Retirement Withdrawal Strategies

Understand Your Retirement Portfolio and Prioritize Tax-Efficiency

Understanding your retirement portfolio should be the first step before diving into tax-efficient retirement withdrawal strategies.

Assess your mix of accounts – 401(k)s, IRAs, Roth IRAs, etc. – and consider their distinct tax implications. Taxable accounts, like brokerage, involve paying taxes on realized gains. Tax-deferred accounts, such as 401(k)s, grow tax-free until withdrawal in retirement, with required minimum distributions (RMDs) starting at 73. Like Roth IRAs, tax-free accounts offer tax-free growth, and you’re not obligated to withdraw.

The conventional advice from tax professionals involves initiating withdrawals from taxable accounts, progressing to tax-deferred accounts, and ultimately tapping into Roth accounts, where withdrawals remain tax-free.

Calculate Your RMDs

“You cannot keep retirement funds in your account indefinitely,” according to the IRS website. RMDs are the minimum amounts you must withdraw annually from tax-deferred retirement accounts once you hit the starting age of 72 or 73, depending on your birth year. This rule applies to these types of plans:

• Traditional IRAs
• SEP IRAs
• SIMPLE IRAs
• 401(k) plans
• 403(b) plans
• 457(b) plans
• Profit sharing plans
• Other defined contribution plans
• Roth IRA beneficiaries

Calculating RMDs involves dividing your account balance by the IRS estimate of your life expectancy. You can take multiple withdrawals throughout the year as long as the minimum is met annually. Still, excess withdrawals don’t count toward future RMDs.

Failure to withdraw incurs a hefty 50% penalty on the amount due. Your first RMD is generally required by April 1, the year after you reach the starting age, with subsequent RMDs due by Dec. 31 each year.

Implement a Retirement Withdrawal Plan

Establishing a withdrawal plan can be instrumental in efficiently managing your retirement income. Creating one in an organized manner involves setting a fixed percentage or dollar amount to withdraw regularly, considering factors like:

• Life expectancy
• Amount saved
• RMDs
• Expected market returns
• Inflation

Deciding on the initial withdrawal and the rate over time is crucial to avoid outliving savings. There are several different strategies to consider, including the following:

• The 4% rule involves withdrawing a percentage of your account balance and adjusting for inflation annually.
• Fixed-dollar withdrawals maintain a consistent annual amount.
• Fixed-percentage withdrawals fluctuate with the account balance.
• Systematic withdrawals leave the principal invested throughout retirement.

Whatever you choose, the goal should be to provide predictability and ensure your funds last throughout retirement.

Consider Charitable Contributions

Consider leveraging your retirement funds for charitable contributions if you don’t need all the income your RMDs produce. It can be a powerful way to give back while reducing taxable income.

The law allows tax-free qualified charitable distributions of up to $100,000 ($200,000 for couples) annually, directly from IRAs for individuals in this age bracket, fulfilling their required minimum distribution. This charitable contribution doesn’t count as income, reducing the donor’s tax liability. However, these charitable distributions won’t be itemized as deductions.

By making qualified charitable distributions, individuals can support causes they believe in and strategically manage their taxable income in retirement. Whether saving, reinvesting or contributing to a charitable cause, this approach offers financial flexibility for those fortunate enough not to need immediate funds.

AAA offers a variety of financial services that can help with retirement, including loans, reverse mortgages and more.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.

It’s a milestone moment that fills parents with both excitement and anxiety: Your teen is ready to learn to drive.

Now, how do you choose the best driving school?

Not every parent is up for being their child’s primary driving instructor. With something as important as learning the rules of the road, you want to ensure your teen gets the most effective and safe experience possible.

When looking for quality driving schools for teens, stellar reputation and a history of turning out safe drivers is important, as is a school that provides not only time behind the wheel, but also classroom instruction and covers the fundamentals of defensive driving and risk prevention.

Professional driving schools can also help everyone in the family breathe easier.

“Learning from a professional instructor can help alleviate some of the stress and tension that may arise when learning from a parent or guardian,” said Steven Rossetti, director of driver training for AAA Northeast. “Reputable driving schools, like AAA, offer a well-organized and structured curriculum covering theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary for safe driving.”

AAA Driving School is available all over the country, including locations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Learn more.

Still, driving schools cannot do the job alone. AAA recommends that each student participate in at least 50 hours of supervised driving. Parent or guardian involvement in learning to drive is critical.

How to Choose the Best Driving School

Track record is essential for finding a good driving school for teens. To find the best program for you and your child, AAA recommends the following:

• Make sure the school belongs to a professional national or state association for driver education and safety organizations, such as The American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association and the Driving School Association of the Americas.
• Ensure the school has professional-looking and clean facilities and well-maintained cars.
• The school should offer both classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel training. Classroom lessons should be integrated into driving practice. The course should last at least four to six weeks.
• Confirm that the school has no complaints filed against it, and that it is willing to provide references. You may be able to find this information by checking with your DMV/RMV driver education unit.
• AAA Driving School provides resources parents can use while they are practicing driving with their teens. Check out AAA’s Driver Training School Parent Guide.

Also, don’t forget to register your driver-to-be for lessons way in advance of popular times, such as school vacations and summer break.

AAA Driver Training

AAA Driving School has been in business for more than 80 years and has a national reputation for quality driver training and safety education.

“We wrote the book on how to drive; it’s called ‘How to Drive,’” said Rossetti, and it is used by driving schools across the country. “It is the required curriculum for several states. Additionally, we offer member exclusive pricing and a free membership for full program graduates.”

AAA also encourages students enrolled in the driving school and their parents to sign a Parent-Teen Driving Agreement, that includes rules for teens to follow while learning to drive and driving.

“At AAA Driving School, our motto is ‘Creating Lifelong Safe Drivers,’” Rossetti said.

Enroll in AAA Driving School today.

Interested in becoming a driving instructor? AAA Northeast is hiring. We are offering a $1,500 signing bonus for full-time positions and $1,000 for part-time driving instructor positions. Apply online at AAA Northeast Careers.

Roadside attractions are a staple of Americana, from giant balls of twine to palaces made of corn. But do such tourist traps deserve their bad rap? There’s a beauty and earnestness in kitsch that endears these landmarks to me, none more so than the Big Duck.

@aaa_northeast Get ready to meet the iconic Big Duck in Flanders, New York! This larger-than-life architectural marvel will quack you up and leave you in awe!🐥 😎🚘 . . #thebigduck #thebigducklongisland #roadsideattraction #flandersny #newyork #aaanortheast #aaatravel #roadsideattractions #roadtrip #roadtrips #newyorkcheck #aaaroadtrips #longisland #longislandnewyork ♬ original sound – AAA Northeast

The Big Duck in Flanders, N.Y., is a Long Island landmark. At 20 feet tall and 30 feet long, it’s about a zillion times bigger than a normal duck, give or take. Originally built in 1931 by farmer Martin Maurer, the duck advertised the eggs and ducks that were for sale within. The Big Duck is so iconic that the word “duck” is commonly used to describe novelty architecture that resembles the item it’s advertising.

You can’t buy ducks inside the Big Duck anymore, but you can buy souvenirs. I bought a mug and a button before I had to stop myself. The duck is also filled with memorabilia that tracks its journey over the past century. Duck docents within can give you a history of the duck, plus recommendations on what to do nearby.

“Where are you headed?” the friendly docent asked when I arrived.

“Here,” I replied.

“What?” the docent said. “Why?”

The Big Duck is not usually a destination itself, more like a stop on a long road trip. But I was just happy to finally see this icon of Long Island up close and personal. It’s so beloved by the community that there’s even an annual “duck lighting” in which the duck is draped in lights to celebrate the holiday season. It’s a festive compliment to the duck’s eyes, which emit a red glow every night.

When they dig the duck up in 1,000 years, future humans will probably think we worshipped it. And in many ways, they’d be right.

Have you ever been to the Big Duck? What is your favorite quirky regional landmark? Share it in the comments below!

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IN THIS EPISODE

Having a car means the open road is yours to explore. The possibilities for adventure are endless! But, before heading out on a road trip, there are a few things to consider. What are the road trip essentials? What are good road trip snacks? And, how do you even choose where to go?

Travel blogger Lindsey Basara (New England Chickadee) and AAA auto travel manager Adrian Petrie have the key to unlock all those questions. Whether you’re embarking on a multi-day adventure, or just looking for quick getaway, this episode gives you all the tips and tricks for a smooth and enjoyable journey.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

[5:26] – Lindsey’s tips for first time road trippers
[10:11] – Adrian breaks down how to manage your time effectively
[13:42] – How to keep road trips affordable

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TRANSCRIPT

[00:00:01]
Amanda Greene: Hey, what’s going on?

[00:00:02]
Friend: Hey, not much. How you doing?

[00:00:04]
Amanda Greene: I’m all right. Busy. So much going on. Total routine. Not doing a single thing for myself. How about you?

[00:00:10]
Friend: Things are good. I just kind of feel like I’m stuck in a rut though these days. I don’t know how to break out of it.

[00:00:16]
Amanda Greene: Why don’t you go somewhere? Like get out of town, take a day or two, drive somewhere.

[00:00:19]
Friend: That’s not a bad idea actually. A change in scenery might be just what I need. But where should I go?

READ MORE

[00:00:26]
Amanda Greene: Welcome to Merging Into Life, where we navigate life’s milestones one episode at a time, brought to you by AAA Northeast. I’m your host, Amanda Greene.

Ah, the open road. Picture it. It’s just you behind the wheel with nothing but adventure on the horizon. If you’ve ever heard of a guy called Jack Kerouac, you may know the quote, the road is life. Okay, we might not all have that same level of wanderlust in us, but every now and again, a little getaway can go a long way.

Today we’re going to walk you through everything you need to know about planning your first road trip, whether it’s a long road trip across state lines or a quick day trip to that new food truck you keep hearing about. So buckle up because we’re diving into all things you need to know before you hit the road. And of course, we’ll also get into what people often get wrong. Adrian Petrie is going to touch on those dos and don’ts in a bit. But first, I’d like to introduce you to someone who knows a thing or two about road trips.

[00:01:31]
Lindsey Basara: I will absolutely travel an hour for an ice cream. It’s just going to happen. That’s what’s on my priority list.

[00:01:36]
Amanda Greene: That’s Lindsey Basara She’s the driving force behind the blog and Instagram account called New England Chickadee. Lindsey is always posting about her latest adventures. So even when she’s not on the road, she’s thinking about her next trip.

[00:01:50]
Lindsey Basara: I love road tripping. I love travel. It’s something that I’ve always really enjoyed doing.

[00:01:55]
Amanda Greene: I imagine you’d be someone who sits at the kitchen table with your calendar planning your trips for the next five months. How far out are you planning?

[00:02:02]
Lindsey Basara: So, it depends. There are some trips that I’ve definitely planned out just because of things that might be happening during that season, but a lot of them I actually do ad hoc, just kind of where I’m feeling like traveling on a given weekend or on a given day. And a lot of it might even just depend on the weather.

This winter I had a lot of trips planned that involved more snow-related activities, and then I needed to pivot a little bit to actually adjust that because we didn’t have as much snow in New England this year. So surprisingly, it’s a balance between planned trips and then just really ad hoc trips as well.

[00:02:35]
Amanda Greene: What are some of your favorite road trips you’ve done? What are a few that stand out?

[00:02:39]
Lindsey Basara: Oh my gosh, I have so many. I have so many road trips that I love. I would say a couple of my favorites are probably actually with my mom. She’s a huge fan, probably my biggest fan, and I planned out a whole road trip for her to take her in the fall through Vermont to see all of the foliage for places that she had never been to before. And so we started from Western Mass and went up 91 North a little bit and then did a lot of off-roads.

It was just a beautiful, beautiful fall day when we went and the foliage was right at peak. So that’s probably one of my most memorable road trips. Another one of my road trips that really will stick out to me is a much longer road trip that I actually took across country with my husband. We briefly lived out in Colorado. And when we moved back to New England, to Massachusetts, we ended up road tripping all the way across the country.

So that one definitely took a bit more planning because it was about a week long road trip across a whole bunch of different states, but it was my first time experiencing some of the states out west, just the really expansive open landscapes. That’s also one of the road trips that just really stands out in my mind because it was more of those once in a lifetime opportunities that I had, which was great.

[00:03:54]
Amanda Greene: Let’s talk about before you go, the actual planning of a road trip. Maybe it’s your first time. How do you choose your destination?

[00:04:02]
Lindsey Basara: So every time I find something that I like that really excites me, a place that I want to go to, or even my favorite places that I’ve already been to, I have a pin on Google Maps. I have dots covering entire states. In the winter, there’s a lot of really nice seasonal winter lights events that are happening around the area. I might plan a destination specifically to one of those, but then I’m looking to see what are things that I can stop at along the way?

AAA TripTik Travel Planner

Where do I have things already marked on Google Maps that I want to be able to travel to? And for me, when I’m thinking about planning my trip, I like to structure it where I have a variety of different activities. So I generally want to do some type of outdoor activity. Might be a hike. It could just be a nice walk. It could be kayaking or paddleboarding or a bike ride.

I also really like to do something that’s generally like a historical property – even if it’s a statue or a monument – something that’s specific to that location. I also really like to find something like the local bakeries, local coffee shops, and really find a lot of the places that the locals might be going to. So kind of a balance between the active activities and more of the relaxation activities.

[00:05:18]
Amanda Greene: Do you have tips for people maybe who have never done a road trip or haven’t gone on many? What advice could you give them to get them started?

[00:05:26]
Lindsey Basara: Figure out where you feel comfortable traveling for your first road trip. I will go up to about three, three and a half hours, on a road trip one way at least. That’s just what works for me. That’s the right balance for time. But I would say, pick something that’s maybe even only within an hour distance. Pick something that you feel comfortable with first and pick something that you’re really interested in seeing.

What’s a place that maybe you’ve experienced before but you haven’t seen everything that’s there? Another thing, just in terms of getting ready for your first road trip, is packing. Packing for a road trip is something that I continue to refine because there’s always things that I add to my packing list, but I am really big of a mindset where I want to pack more things that I’m going to actually use rather than forget something.

[00:06:14]
Amanda Greene: And since you’re not getting on a plane, you can overpack and stuff as much as you want in your car.

[00:06:19]
Lindsey Basara: Yes, which I love. So for me, I’m always having snacks. I’m having water in my car. I’ll have things just like napkins, utensils if I need to. I also will pack a bunch of seasonal items generally. If it’s the summertime, I might bring just a lawn chair or a beach blanket.

I might even throw in an inflatable tube just because of those spontaneous opportunities that you might encounter on the road. I also want to make sure that I do have just some basics, like a little bit of extra cash, bring an extra rain jacket. So there’s really just a checklist that I’ll go through and make sure I have all of the things that I might need for the road trip.

[00:06:57]
Amanda Greene: I do love a good beach blanket. So I know there are basics that we should always keep in the car, like a flashlight, extra batteries, a first aid kit. Is there anything else we should think of when it comes to safety?

[00:07:09]
Lindsey Basara: I always want to tell somebody where I’m going, especially if I’m going by myself. A lot of my road trips, I do go solo. If my route changes a little bit, maybe I update them. But at least before I head out, I give them the general vicinity of I’m going here, this is where I’m planning to stop, this is about when I plan to come back. That way, folks know where you are in case you have a roadside emergency and you’re in a spot without service or anything.

I’m always planning for what could happen. And I just always want to make sure that the car ready to go too. I want to have a full tank of gas. I might bring a tire gauge just to make sure the tire pressure is good, windshield wiper fluid, all of those things, just so that I don’t need it while out on the road, or can avoid having to stop if i don’t want to

The other thing that you can do is you can either take some screenshots of your Google Maps on your phone if you don’t want to have the paper printed, or you can even download some maps as well too, just to have those offline.

[00:08:08]
Amanda Greene: All great things to keep in mind. You can never be too careful. Another note on the safety front. If you find yourself starting to get sleepy, don’t try to push through it. According to AAA research, 18% of traffic fatalities involve a drowsy driver. So don’t be afraid to pull over and take a break if you find yourself getting tired.

So, you have made it very clear that planning is very important and there is a lot you can prepare. There is a lot you can plan. But what would you say to someone who decides to take a road trip on a whim and maybe hasn’t done all of the preparation? Do you have advice for them?

[00:08:45]
Lindsey Basara: Above all, the road trip is about having fun. Get in your car on a nice day, roll the windows down, put on a fun playlist, and just get out there and explore. That’s really what road tripping is all about, is just experiencing new things, enjoying the ride on the way. I would say there’s absolutely nothing wrong with spontaneous road trips. In fact, I would encourage those as well too.

[00:09:10]
Amanda Greene: As you can tell, Lindsey’s obviously a pro at this stuff, and there’s something so freeing about hitting the road on the spur of the moment. She has me feeling kind of spontaneous, but what are some things I might be overlooking? Let’s talk to another expert.

[00:09:26]
Adrian Petrie: My name is Adrian Petrie, and I’m the auto travel manager here at AAA Northeast. I’m based in Providence, and I’ve actually been with AAA for about 30 years.

[00:09:35]
Amanda Greene: Adrian has seen it all, the smooth rides and the bumps along the way. So Adrian, where do you see people go wrong?

[00:09:45]
Adrian Petrie: The biggest thing they get wrong is the time. They just don’t realize how long a road trip can actually be. We’re so used to going around the United States in an airplane. So you say to somebody, “Oh, how far is it from here to West Palm Beach, Florida?” They go, “Oh, it’s about three hours,” because they’ve only ever flown. I’m like, yeah, but it’s also about 1,300 miles and it’ll take you 22 hours to drive it. And that’s one of the biggest things.

[00:10:12]
Amanda Greene: So what’s your advice for how people should manage their time?

[00:10:15]
Adrian Petrie: If all of a sudden you wake up one day and say, “You know what? I think I’m going to drive to San Francisco and back because I’ve got a long weekend,” that’s not going to happen. So my suggestion is don’t spend all of your time in the car. It will drive you absolutely insane. For me, there’s a big difference between a road trip and a long drive.

During COVID, I had to go down to Florida to visit my in-laws and we didn’t want to fly. So, we get in the car, we start driving, and all you’re doing is you are focused on the destination. And basically all I thought about for the next 22 hours was, am I there yet? Am I there yet? Because it was driving me absolutely nuts. If I had had the time, what I could have done was say, “Well, why don’t I drive for seven hours and stop in Washington, DC? Maybe do some sightseeing. Stay overnight. The next day, drive another six hours and go to Charleston or Savannah. Look at the city. Another overnight. And then I’ve only got a five hour journey on the third day to get to my destination.” And by breaking it up into manageable chunks, it mentally prepares you as opposed to just sitting there with your hands on the wheel going, “Oh, I need to be there.”

[00:11:22]
Amanda Greene: Like Lindsey says, planning stops based on things you’re actually interested in makes the journey way more fun. It’s an important point, and Adrian agrees. Adrian, where do you find the fun spots to stop?

[00:11:35]
Adrian Petrie: So let’s just say you wanted to go to Montreal, but you didn’t just want to drive for three or four hours. So Google great breakfast places or great lunch places or something of interest that would be of either historical interest or just a hobby of yours, and you’ll see them. You’ll see them pop up all over the place. See what is between A and B, not just what is at the end of your journey.

[00:11:58]
Amanda Greene: A road trip must be really fun for a foodie because I feel like we’re seeing a lot of shows and a lot of content about fun restaurants all over the country. My husband and I took a road trip a couple years ago and we ended up at some famous grilled cheese restaurants that was world renowned and we had no idea, but people kept telling us, “You have to go here. You have to go here.”

And so it is fun once you start asking around for suggestions along your journey, just to go into it mentally with the flexibility of we’re not just driving toward our destination, we’re going to make the journey there a little adventure.

Stop at some of these tasty destinations throughout the Northeast on your next road trip.

[00:12:32]
Adrian Petrie: Absolutely.

[00:12:34]
Amanda Greene: So, in what feels like an incredible coincidence to me, that grilled cheese place I was just talking about, well, it turns out Lindsey’s been there too.

[00:12:43]
Lindsey Basara: A lot of my road trips, I’m not going to say they’re all planned around food, but I actually almost took a different route at one point because I specifically wanted this grilled cheese sandwich.

[00:12:52]
Amanda Greene: In Ohio?

[00:12:53]
Lindsey Basara: And then we reali–

[00:12:54]
Amanda Greene: Was it in Ohio?

[00:12:54]
Lindsey Basara: Yes.

[00:12:56]
Amanda Greene: Yes! My husband and I took a road trip and we also stopped for this legendary grilled cheese sandwich. I’m pretty sure it had mozzarella sticks inside of it. I mean, they have very creative grilled cheeses. So you planned it partly around food. We happily ended up there, but that’s really funny.

[00:13:13]
Lindsey Basara: That’s amazing. I saw that and I was like, I need to go. But I will absolutely travel like an hour for an ice cream. It’s just going to happen. That’s what’s on my priority list.

[00:13:22]
Amanda Greene: It’s safe to say most people are looking for something fun and different, so keep an open mind and ask around. You’ll find the good spots like Lindsey and I both did. What about the budget? What are some ways we can keep a road trip affordable?

[00:13:37]
Lindsey Basara: I’m asked that question a lot and I will say there’s a lot of things that you can do that are completely free. There’s a lot of public gardens. There is a lot of museums where you can get a library pass to go to them for free or have discounted passes. A lot of times they’ll even offer certain free days. For me, a lot of things that I end up spending my money on are generally going to be the food.

I, as I mentioned, love ice cream. I also love coffee and lattes, so I will pay more for that. I’ll pay $ 10 for an ice cream. I don’t think about it just because I know that’s where my priorities are. So I would say when you’re planning out your road trip, think about what are those top priorities for you. What are those must haves that you’re willing to spend money on?

It might not be an ice cream. It might be something completely different. And start for where you want that budget to be. A lot of the cost is going to come from just the gas associated with it and tolls if you are taking highways, so factor those in, but you can really do a ton of activities for free.

Read: How Much Does a Road Trip Cost?

[00:14:41]
Amanda Greene: So how does planning change for a day trip versus a long multi-day trip?

[00:14:48]
Lindsey Basara: The biggest factor in the overnights or extended trips versus a day trip is going to be where I’m going to actually stay. So for me, there’s another research component as to where it is that is the best place for me to stay, that’s also in a price point that I feel comfortable with, and is going to be a convenient location to all the different things that I’m hoping to see and do in the area.

If I’m planning something farther out, I have the opportunity to look at a whole bunch of different websites, find different discounts. A lot of times they even offer discounts if you are based in New England and you’re staying at a hotel in New England.

Get New England road trip inspiration.

For something like my Colorado road trip, I actually hadn’t booked all of the hotels that we were going to be staying at from the beginning because I wanted a little bit of flexibility in terms of what if I didn’t really get to that location. If I’m going to be staying at a place for maybe a week or so, I want to put a little bit more research into that specific property to make sure that it’s going to be where I want to be in terms of my overall stay too.

[00:15:49]
Amanda Greene: As a rule of thumb, booking in advance is always the safest bet. You know your spot is secure and hopefully you get a good rate. Hotel prices vary based on factors like the day of the week and local events that drive up prices. So booking during off peak times can really save you money. But fear not. If you’re traveling on a whim, sometimes you can find great last-minute deals if a hotel has a lot of vacancies. Just remember, it’s not a guarantee. Do you have any other ideas of how to keep it fun in the car, whether you’re alone or traveling with a group?

[00:16:23]
Lindsey Basara: So if I’m by myself, I love podcasts. I also love listening to audiobooks. I’ve actually gone through an entire audiobook in one day. If I’m with my friends or my husband, we’re generally putting on something that’s super upbeat, that’s a fun vibe. It might be just like a road trip playlist that we’ve created. Even some ’90s throwbacks that we have going in the car. My friends and I always love singing along. I can’t really even count how many Spice Girls we just broke out into.

[00:16:53]
Amanda Greene: When I think of road trips, I picture those sitcoms or the movies where the family is chaotic, but they’re so loving and they’re spending this time traveling in a car together somewhere. And it’s usually the longest distance they’ve ever ridden in a car together and it’s crazy, but people are singing and there’s pit stops. The crazy is inevitable, and I look forward to that because it is its own special kind of experience. What do road trips mean to you? What is your favorite thing about traveling this way?

[00:17:28]
Lindsey Basara: I would definitely say bonding is one of those things, and it’s just being able to be in control of where you’re headed. I love going on road trips where I’ve been to the location before and it’s just a familiar spot where I feel calm if I go there or I just feel like I need that connection. But there’s also road trips where I want to experience things for the first time and I want to be able to maybe see something new in that area that I have never seen before. So it’s that excitement.

It’s like that what’s coming next kind of moment that takes you out of just the day-to-day routine that you have and it creates this whole new experience. If I’m going by myself, it’s sometimes really nice to just be in the car for a little bit by myself, thinking about all the things that have happened during the week, just having that time to recenter and refocus. And then if I’m going with friends or family, it’s nice to be able to catch up and spend that time together. So I love the actual destinations, but I really like the in-the-car part of that as well.

[00:18:26]
Amanda Greene: This has all been such a great reminder that adventure is out there. It’s just a matter of saying yes. Okay, so I’m going to ask you some rapid fire questions. What’s the ultimate road trip snack?

[00:18:39]
Lindsey Basara: Oh, popcorn.

[00:18:41]
Amanda Greene: What’s your one go-to road trip anthem that you shamelessly belt out at the top of your lungs?

[00:18:47]
Lindsey Basara: Oh, I was going to say “Spice Up Your Life” or any Taylor Swift song.

[00:18:52]
Amanda Greene: Do you totally unplug and stay off social media when you’re on the road, or do you post your adventure as you go?

[00:18:59]
Lindsey Basara: Oh no, I post as I go.

[00:19:01]
Amanda Greene: What scenery do you prefer, mountains or coastline?

[00:19:04]
Lindsey Basara: Oh, mountains.

[00:19:05]
Amanda Greene: What’s one road trip that’s still on your bucket list?

[00:19:10]
Lindsey Basara: I have still been wanting to get up to Moosehead Lake in Maine. It’s really far up there for me, but I would love to go up there.

[00:19:19]
Amanda Greene: Lindsey, you are a joy and you, I think, have inspired me and probably a lot of people listening to get out and explore things. So thank you for sharing all of your adventures with us and all of your tips. I’m going to go on to Google Maps, just like you said, and start putting pins in places.

[00:19:34]
Lindsey Basara: Thank you so much for having me. It’s been great talking with you as well.

[00:19:38]
Amanda Greene: So there you have it. For a fun and successful road trip, here are a few things to keep in mind. Planning is great for maximizing the things you want to see, but there’s nothing wrong with going on an impromptu excursion too. Have fun stuff in the car, snacks, music, a picnic blanket, and people.

Long car rides are a wonderful way to reconnect with family and friends. Or take a solo trip and catch up on your podcasts and take some time for yourself. Tell someone where you’re going and don’t rely on cell service. Keep safety in mind. And remember, don’t drive drowsy. It’s never worth the risk.

[00:20:16]
Amanda Greene: Welcome back. How was your trip?

[00:20:18]
Friend: It was so nice. It felt so good just to clear my head and get away.

[00:20:23]
Amanda Greene:That is so great. Sometimes just disconnecting for a minute feels so good. Did you see anything cool along the way?

[00:20:23]
Friend: Oh my god, you know what? I actually stumbled upon this place that had the best grilled cheese of my life.

[00:20:36]
Amanda Greene: Stop it right now. What is going on? Did it have mozzarella sticks inside of it?

[00:20:41]
Friend: Yes, it did.

[00:20:42]
Amanda Greene: Get out of here.

[00:20:46]
Amanda Greene: You’ve been to Merging Into Life where we navigate life’s milestones one episode at a time, brought to you by AAA Northeast with assistance from JAR Audio. I’m your host, Amanda Greene. If you had anywhere as much fun as I did, follow us wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review.

We really want to know what you think. Email us at podcast@aaanortheast.com. And if you want to know the name of that grilled cheese place in Ohio, check out the show notes or visit aaa.com/podcast. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are not necessarily the views of AAA Northeast, AAA, and/ or its affiliates.

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RESOURCES

Plan a Road Trip With AAA Travel

AAA TripTik Travel Planner

Rent a Car

How to Prepare for a Road Trip

How Much Does a Road Trip Cost?

How to Avoid Drowsy Driving on a Road Trip

5 Historic Road Trips in the Northeast

Road Trip Food Stops

Road Trip to Northeast Snack Factories

Road Trip to New England Coastal Towns

New England Chickadee

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Want to Learn More? Drop Us a Note

*The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are not necessarily the views of AAA Northeast, AAA and/or its affiliates.

Once the rhythm of living a no-waste lifestyle at home becomes habitual, you have your go-to spots for refilling bulk items, stocking up, recycling and composting. But what about when you head out on the road?

A road trip is all about freedom and flexibility and having a zero-waste road trip requires some extra planning that you may not have had to do before. But don’t let a little bit of pre-trip legwork stop you. As the saying goes, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

Here’s what you’ll need to bring and think about for a successful zero-waste road trip.

Hydrate – and Caffeinate – With Reusable Containers

If you’re someone who needs their morning caffeine fix or a cup of tea to relax at the end of the day, bring along your own travel mug. Many gas stations, coffee shops and fast-food restaurants will fill up reusable containers. Make sure you know how many ounces it holds to be charged accordingly and bring a lid to prevent messes. Keep in mind that the in-room coffee machine at your hotel may use single-use coffee pods, so it’s better to be prepared.

If you’d rather not chance having your favorite hot drink on the road, coffee lovers can consider packing their own French press and pre-ground coffee and tea enthusiasts can bring enough of their favorite blend and ask for hot water at a gas station. This way, you’re not shelling out extra cash and you know you’re getting what you like. Put your coffee grounds and used tea leaves in a tightly sealed reusable container designated for compost.

While not everyone on the trip might want coffee or tea, everyone will need to stay hydrated, so bring a reusable water bottle for every traveler, pre-filled before you leave. And if you’re planning to do some shopping – whether it’s for groceries or souvenirs – pack your own easy to access reusable shopping bags. They also work well to help keep the car organized on your trip.

Plan to Use Less Plastic When Eating

Like having a good playlist, a road trip is nothing without good snacks. But you’ll find a lot of the places you might typically stop for quick and easy food, like gas stations or fast-food joints, use tons of single-use plastic packaging.

Bring your own reusable containers pre-packed with your favorite snacks, and if you run out, you’ll be set to refill them on the way at a farmer’s market or grocery store. If you’ve got the space or won’t have other options on the way, bring along the full container of your favorite, non-perishable snacks in the trunk and refill as needed.

Don’t forget cloth napkins to help keep you, your clothes and your car clean. And for scraps like apple cores or banana peels, a sealed compost style bin is a must so you can dump the refuse into your compost once you get home or when you see a public composting spot on your travels.

When going out for a sit-down meal, choose a place that uses non-plastic cutlery and dishes or bring your own. If you’re staying at a hotel or somewhere you can refrigerate leftovers, bring your resealable containers with you to the restaurant to prevent food waste and avoid having to deal with any take-out boxes.

If you’re planning to bring along your own perishable foods, pack a well-insulated cooler tightly with reusable ice packs. At hotels, you can nearly always top the cooler with ice as needed from the ice machine. If you’re camping, a big block of ice will thaw more slowly than ice cubes and smaller ice packs. You can also freeze water bottles, so you get a two-for-one benefit: cool food and drinkable water as the bottles thaw.

It’s also worth it to research any farmers markets you may be passing by; they’re great for checking out a local destination, learning more about the area and stocking up on fresh food.

Essential and Earth-Friendly

With all those containers being used and reused on your trip, you’ll need to be prepared to wash some dishes. Be sure to bring along some dish soap and reusable dishcloths for the job.

As for toiletries and other essentials, parcel out what you’ll need from your full-size versions at-home into smaller, earth-friendly, leakproof containers. While a lot of hotels are stocking their bathrooms with refillable shampoos, conditioners and other toiletries, it’s not guaranteed. Bringing your own this way is not only sustainable but helps to save on space and ensures you’ll have your favorite products on hand.  

Learn how AAA Northeast is becoming more sustainable. Visit AAA.com/ESG to read about our environmental, social and governance initiatives and how we are progressing on these goals.

AAA’s sustainable travel series is written in partnership with Kind Traveler, a women-and-veteran-owned public benefit corporation empowering travelers to make a positive impact in local communities, and contributing writer, Kristin Conard.

This article has been updated and republished from a previous version. 

It seems inconceivable to abandon our beloved animals in an emergency, but a survey by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals found that pet owners often find themselves with no other choice.

About 23% of the 4,000 pet owners polled in 2021 said they had to evacuate their homes because of a disaster or emergency. Nearly half of them left at least one pet behind, and 30% of those who left their pets said it was because they did not have enough time.

While most owners say they would bring their pet with them during an evacuation, less than half have a pet disaster preparedness plan in place to make sure they can see it through.

Animals are helpless in an emergency, which is why it’s essential to have a disaster plan that includes them. Do you know how to prepare your pets for a hurricane or other disaster?

While the safety and security of your loved ones comes first, here are some suggestions from AAA to keep your furry, scaled and feathered family members safe, too.

• Apply a pet rescue alert sticker to your window. These stickers can be purchased for dogs, cats, birds or multipet households. They inform rescuers and first responders there might be animals trapped inside.

• Create an emergency supply kit. This kit should include at least three days’ worth of food and water, medications and medical records (in a waterproof container), garbage bags, a picture of your pet in case you become separated, a leash, crate/carrier and anything else necessary for your pet’s survival.

• Microchip your dog or cat. Even an ID tag or collar can be lost or pulled off. A registered microchip might be the only way to be certain your pet can be identified during a disaster.

• Investigate places for your pets to stay. Because pets are not always allowed in emergency shelters, you should have a list of places your pet can stay in case of a natural disaster. When putting together your emergency evacuation plan for your pets, consider pet shelters, pet-friendly hotels and homes of relatives or friends outside the area where your pet could be sheltered. American Kennel Club Pet Disaster Relief is a great resource.

• Bring your animals inside. When you hear that a storm or disaster is on its way, make sure your pets are in the house close to you. Dogs and cats can get confused and become disoriented during difficult times and might try to run away.

• Contain your pets. Put dogs in a room with the door closed and put cats in a carrier. The sound of thunder or the smell of smoke can frighten animals, and they might disappear under beds or in other parts of the house, making them difficult to find in a hurry.

• Make sure birds and small animals are secure. If you have a bird, try to get it into a cage and make sure their leg band is properly in place. For pets like rabbits, mice, hamsters, lizards and guinea pigs, the best thing is to latch them into their cages, so they can’t escape.

• Establish a buddy system. Arrange to exchange keys and information with a friend who also has a pet. That way, you can check on each other’s houses and pets in case there’s an emergency when one of you can’t make it home.

Pets are an important part of 66% of American homes, according to the 2023-2024 American Pet Products Association’s National Pet Owners Survey. Show them the care, safety and respect they deserve when they need it most.

If you don’t already have a disaster plan in place, it’s important to get one established. Emergencies, especially those that may require an evacuation, like a hurricane, happen fast. Being prepared ahead of time ensures that you and your loved ones can get out of harm’s way quickly and safely. Ready.gov has all the information you need to get started.

Did you know that you can add your pet to your AAA membership? With the complimentary AAA Pet ID Tag Program, AAA can help safely reunite lost pets with their owners. Drop by your local AAA branch to sign up.

Protect your car, home, small business and more with AAA Insurance.

Do you have a pet disaster preparedness plan in place? Tell us in the comments.

This article has been updated and republished from a previous version. 

There are no rules that say you must take your vacation in the summer. In fact, breaking from convention and traveling to Europe during other seasons can mean better weather, fewer crowds and lower prices.

Savvy travelers know that the best time to travel abroad and get the most for their money is during the off-peak times, known as shoulder season. Late fall and early spring reveal a special side of Europe. There’s ample daylight, comfortable temperatures and the chance to visit must-see attractions without waiting in long lines.

Fewer tourists means more time to mingle with residents and get a feel for local culture and make a deeper connection. It’s also a great time to explore a new destination or revisit an old favorite to see it from a different perspective. Enjoy winter wonderlands in northern Europe and warmer weather in the south. And perhaps the biggest bonus is that airfare and other travel costs are more affordable, giving you more value for your money.

Explore Europe on a guided tour with AAA Member Choice Vacations. A AAA travel advisor can take care of all the planning. AAA member benefits include $50 off per person on all itineraries, up to a $75 credit on a pre-purchased optional tour experience and door-to-door sedan service with the purchase of air and more. Learn more.

Here’s a sneak peek at some of the tours available.

Iconic Italy

How does 10 days in southern Italy sound? Book the Rome and the Amalfi Coast tour and revel in Rome’s must-sees: the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and Piazza Navona and the Colosseum. Tour the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basilica, then wind your way along the beautiful Amalfi Coast. You can also explore the ancient city of Pompeii, relax on a beach or go sailing.

If you are looking for another flavor of Italy, the Spotlight on Tuscany tour offers a taste of the nation’s countryside, filled with vineyards and farms. Sip wine and taste cheese on the farm where it is made, take a Tuscan cooking class, and visit the city of Lucca, whose walls date back to the Renaissance. But the itinerary is not all rustics. Enjoy a few of Italy’s most famous cities: Pisa, Florence and San Gimignano.

Explore Tuscany | Explore Rome and the Amalfi Coast.

Picturesque Portugal

What’s not to like about Sunny Portugal? AAA Member Choice Vacation’s 10-day itinerary includes stops in Lisbon, Alentejo, Algarve and the Portuguese Riviera, allowing travelers to experience some of the country’s sunny beaches, fishing villages and historical sites, such as the medieval city of Evora. Explore Lisbon, the nation’s capital, with its distinctive architecture, including St. Jorge’s Castle, a medieval fortress. Don’t miss the Archeology Museum of Carmo and two art museums. And make sure to immerse yourself in the food scene!

Explore now.

Spectacular Spain

The Spain’s Classics tour lives up to its name, taking travelers to many of the country’s major cities to experience Spain’s wealth of history and blended cultures by experiencing its medieval architecture, breathtaking landscapes and exquisite cuisine. In Madrid, ogle the priceless masterpieces at the Prado Museum, which houses the world’s finest collection of works by artists such as Velazquez and Goya. Visit the Moorish city of Cordoba and tour Seville on foot or by boat, and enjoy a flamenco show. Other stops include Granada, Valencia and Barcelona.

Explore now.

The Perfect Pair: London and Paris

London and Paris are the perfect pairing any time of the year, but you don’t want to miss them in the fall and spring. And while nine days may not seem like much time to experience these timeless cities, AAA Member Choice Vacations provides an itinerary that covers all the can’t miss sights and attractions in both cities.

Start in London with a walking tour of the city, past Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. Then it’s on to Buckingham Palace, the official residence of His Majesty the King, to witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony. In the afternoon, see Windsor Castle. Of course, you will have time to explore the city on your own and may decide to visit Covent Gardens or the British Museum.

After that, it’s time to hop onto the high-speed train and say “bonjour” to Paris. Accompanied by a local guide, tour the city and see the Arc de Triomphe, Champs-Elysees, Notre Dame Cathedral and the Place de la Concorde. Or step out on your own and navigate Le Métro to the Montmartre neighborhood, featuring the world-famous Sacré-Cœur Basilica. You’ll also have the chance to see a French bakery in action. Yum!

Explore now.

All AAA Member Choice Vacations Include:

• Expertly crafted itineraries.
• 4-star accommodations.
• Skilled and engaging tour managers.
• Expert local guides with insider knowledge.
• Attraction entrance fees with preferential access.
• Numerous meals full of local flavor.
• Unparalleled sightseeing.
• Enriching cultural experiences .
• Comfortable on-tour transportation and some unique to the destination.
• Hotel-to-hotel baggage handling.

Contact your AAA travel advisor and plan your Europe vacation today!

If you’re seeking an escape filled with rich culture, vibrant landscapes and luxurious accommodations, consider the enchanting possibilities of Latin America and the Caribbean.

When you register by Sept. 30, 2024, you can earn 5,000 Bonus Points for every three qualifying nights completed between July 15 and Oct. 14, 2024, at participating Hyatt hotels and resorts. Plus, save up to 10% with your AAA membership.

Whether you seek relaxation, adventure or a blend of both, these destinations promise unforgettable experiences that cater to every desire and interest. From the historic streets of Mexico City to the pristine beaches of Aruba and the lush rainforests of Costa Rica, your choice of destination starts with the perfect place to stay.

Here are a few options to get your planning started.

Aruba

Nestled along the white sands of Palm Beach, Aruba, Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino is a sanctuary of luxury and tranquility. Perfectly situated for both relaxation and exploration, guests can indulge in the resort’s world-class amenities, including a full-service spa, multiple dining options showcasing local cuisine and direct access to the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean Sea. The island’s rich Dutch heritage is evident in its architecture and warm hospitality, making it an ideal destination for those seeking a blend of beachfront bliss and cultural intrigue.

Mexico City

For urban adventurers, Andaz Mexico City Condesa offers a stylish retreat in the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic cities. Located in the trendy Condesa neighborhood, known for its tree-lined avenues, Art Deco architecture and vibrant nightlife, this boutique hotel seamlessly combines modern design with authentic Mexican charm. Guests can explore nearby attractions such as Chapultepec Park, the National Museum of Anthropology and the historic center, where centuries of history unfold amidst bustling markets and ancient ruins.

Costa Rica

In the verdant landscapes of Costa Rica, Hyatt Place San Jose/Pinares provides a gateway to the country’s natural wonders and eco-adventures. Conveniently located near Juan Santamaría International Airport, this hotel offers spacious accommodations ideal for families and travelers seeking both comfort and convenience. From zip-lining through the rainforest canopy to soaking in thermal hot springs and exploring picturesque coffee plantations, Costa Rica’s biodiversity and hospitality create an unforgettable vacation experience.

St. Lucia

Tucked away on the lush coastline of St. Lucia, Zoëtry Marigot Bay St. Lucia offers adult-oriented luxury in an idyllic tropical setting. Overlooking the Caribbean Sea and nestled within a UNESCO World Heritage site, this resort provides an intimate retreat for couples seeking romance and relaxation. Guests can indulge in gourmet dining, rejuvenate at the world-class spa, and embark on excursions to explore the island’s iconic Pitons, pristine beaches, and vibrant marine life through snorkeling and diving adventures.

Dominican Republic

Set along the pristine beaches of Punta Cana, Dreams Royal Beach Punta Cana invites guests to experience the ultimate tropical getaway. This all-inclusive resort caters to families and couples alike with spacious suites featuring private balconies or terraces, a wide array of dining options and activities ranging from snorkeling in vibrant coral reefs to dancing at themed parties under the stars. Whether lounging by the expansive pools or enjoying water sports along the coast, Dreams Punta Cana ensures an unforgettable Caribbean vacation filled with relaxation, adventure and endless possibilities.

Embrace the spirit of discovery and embark on a journey where every moment promises adventure, relaxation and memories to last a lifetime.

Register now at hyatt.com/5kpoints. Then, go to AAA.com/hyatt to book a stay at a participating Hyatt hotel or resort in the Caribbean or Latin America to earn your extra World of Hyatt Bonus Points from this offer.

Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your puzzle playing experience. Good luck!

The minivan has long been a staple of family driveways and school drop-off areas. Known for sporting a car seat (or two), crumb-covered interiors and cargo spaces stuffed with athletic equipment, it’s the practicality and safety of this perfect-for-carpooling vehicle that makes it stand out.

As electric vehicles start to gain more traction, car brands are beginning to offer more EV and hybrid styles to choose from – including minivans – providing families with energy efficient options, while maintaining the functionality they’ve come to know and love.

Learn about some of the newest and most reliable hybrid and electric minivans on the market today and how they perform.

Why Choose a Minivan?

Minivans are designed to carry extra passengers, usually up to eight or nine people. They often have modular seats that can add an extra row for reconfiguration, increasing seating capacity up to three rows, and large sliding or hinged rear side doors for easy access.

Key attributes of a minivan include:

• Large rear doors
• Additional rows of seating
• More space and legroom
• Higher roof
• Large trunk space

Minivans can be useful alternatives to an SUV or pickup truck, ideal for larger families or storing large items such as work or sports equipment. However, sedans or compact SUVs might be more suitable for those who do most of their driving in the city.

Electric Minivan History

The first electric minivan was released in the U.S. market by Chrysler in 1993. The TEVan model was based on the already successful Dodge Caravan and became a huge hit with consumers.

Decades later, the Nissan e-NV200 became the first electric seven-passenger minivan in 2015, following the introduction a smaller compact EV van in the same range a few years prior.

3 Hybrid and Electric Minivans to Consider

If you think an electric minivan might be the best option for your family, you’ll need to consider the features that work best for your lifestyle. Do you value passenger and cargo space or fuel economy? Does the make and model matter?

These three options are a good place to start.

Volkswagen ID. Buzz

Based on the iconic VW Bus, the all-electric Volkswagen ID. Buzz is set to be released in fall 2024.

Here’s what it has to offer:

• Seven seats
• 91 kWh battery
• 201 horsepower
• Available in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive
• Estimated range of around 260 miles per charge

If you’re looking for a reliable car brand with iconic style, it is a great choice.

Toyota Sienna Hybrid

The Toyota Sienna is a reliable hybrid minivan with great fuel economy and a comfortable interior. The hybrid powertrain helps to deliver excellent gas mileage up to 36 miles per gallon in the city.

Here’s what it has to offer:

• Seats up to eight passengers
• 245 horsepower hybrid powertrain
• Available in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive
• Towing capacity of 3,500 pounds

Boasting a premium interior and smooth handling, the Toyota Sienna is a great option for families. It’s available in six trims which vary in price and extra features. The base trim is built with a nine-inch touch screen, driver assistance features and power sliding doors.

Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

The Chrysler Pacifica is a spacious and fuel-efficient hybrid minivan with plenty of tech and safety features. As a plug-in hybrid with all-electric driving, fuel economy is one of its best advantages.

Here’s what is has to offer:

• Seats up to seven passengers
• V6 engine with two electric motors (84kW and 63kW)
• 260 horsepower powertrain
• Front-wheel drive only

Delivering fantastic gas mileage, the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid returns the equivalent of 82 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving. Gas mileage returns 30 miles per gallon. You can also expect an all-electric driving range of 32 miles – ideal for local commuting.

Renting an EV With Hertz

If you prefer a greener way to travel, Hertz offers a selection of EVs and hybrids. For those new to driving an EV, Hertz makes the process easy by providing information and resources on driving and charging, so you can hit the road with confidence.

If you are on the fence about purchasing an EV, renting an EV for an extended test drive could be also a good way to “try before you buy.”

AAA members get exclusive Hertz discounts, including up to 20% on Hertz rentals.

If you’re heading on an international adventure, there is a lot to think about. Of course, there’s booking a trip within your budget, making sure your passport is up to date and considering what to pack. You might want to brush up on a few phrases in the local language. You may even need to buy converters or adaptors for your electronics.

It’s also a good idea to have some of the local currency in your wallet. Did you know that AAA can turn your U.S. dollars into Japanese yen, Bulgarian lev, Kenyan shilling or the money of dozens of other countries from Australia to Uruguay?*

Let’s take a look at the most common foreign currency exchanges made by AAA members, and where they are going to spend it.

To place an order for foreign currency, visit any AAA Northeast branch at least three business days in advance. You’ll be notified when it’s available and you can return to pick it up.

Top-Booked Destinations

After exchanging their money, this is where AAA members are going most.

The Azores

Comprised of nine volcanic islands in the Atlantic Ocean, the Portuguese Azores offer beauty and rich heritage. Portugal is one of 20 European countries that use the euro. The Azores are marked by breathtaking landscapes, including waterfalls, volcanos, vineyards, fields of blue hydrangeas and pristine beaches. It is also a perfect destination for climbers, hikers and surfers, earning it the name of Best Adventure Destination in the World in 2023 by the World Travel Awards. During your visit, try to spend a day at the World Heritage Site Angra do Heroísmo on Terceira Island, a critical port city dating back hundreds of years featuring a fortress, art treasures and several cathedrals.

Book your Azores Adventure.

Japan

Japan has used yen as currency since 1871, but its history goes back for centuries. The island nation is full of traditions and rituals, making its mark in technology. Visit the ultra-modern city of Tokyo, featuring the latest innovations, arts, music, theater, restaurants and even baseball. Travel to Kyoto, the country’s imperial capital for 1,000 years, and a haven for cultural traditions. The city is home to more than 1,000 temples. Visitors can also experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony at one of scores of elegant tea houses. Take in a geisha performance, one of Japan’s oldest art forms. Japan’s third-largest city, Osaka, is known for its tasty street food and vibrant nightlife. Don’t forget to take a bullet train ride and snap a photo of Mt. Fuji!

Explore the Land of the Rising Sun.

Great Britain

Grab your pounds and get ready to explore Great Britain’s thousands of years of history. You could spend days just touring London, full of ancient architecture and sprinkled with world-famous shops and trendy restaurants. Stop by the Tower of London, a former palace and prison, to see the crown jewels. Not to be missed is Tower Bridge, Buckingham Palace and the London Eye, a giant Ferris wheel, which offers singular views of the city. Outside of London, enjoy the countryside and iconic monuments such as Stonehenge. Travel to Stratford-upon-Avon, William Shakespeare’s birthplace and tour the Royal Shakespeare Theater. Not far away is Glasgow, Scotland’s most populous city, with castles to explore and renowned opera, theater and ballet to see.

Book a Great Britain tour.

Canada

While U.S. dollars are accepted most places in Canada, it’s still good to have some “loonies” in your pocket, and a basic knowledge of French if you go to Quebec Province. For a taste of Europe on the same continent, visit Montreal and Quebec City. Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage treasure, is the only fortified city north of Mexico. Vieux Montreal (Old Montreal) has preserved many buildings and its cobblestone streets dating back to 1642 and its days as a French colony. The bilingual city features cathedrals, museums, outdoor cafes, restaurants with mouth-watering fare and shopping streets that extend for eight city blocks. Explore Montreal’s Underground City, 20 miles of tunnels with 1,600 shops and connections to other malls, hotels and city buildings, designed to shield residents and tourists from the winter’s numbing cold.

If you feel like seeing the Canadian coasts by boat, cruise ships depart from either coast. Book a Norwegian Cruise Line tour of New England and Eastern Canada, to visit the Maritime provinces or head to the opposite coast and sail from British Columbia to Los Angeles or other cities on the U.S. west coast.

Book your trip to Canada.

Mexico

After you convert your dollars to pesos, you’ll find plenty of places to spend them at popular beach destinations, including Cancun, the Playa del Carmen/Riviera Maya region and Tulum. Enjoy soft-sand beaches, deep blue water off the shores of Cancun and Playa del Carmen, perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Playa del Carmen also is known for its restaurants and colorful and unique street art. Visit Mayan ruins in Tulum, the only ones along the coast perched on a 45-foot cliff face. Nearby is Xel Ha, known as the world’s largest outdoor aquarium; a snorkeler’s paradise, it is teeming with fish of every color. 

Make memories in Mexico.

For more information on these and other destinations, contact your AAA travel advisor today.

*Please note, AAA does not conduct coin transactions.

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IN THIS EPISODE

Bringing a new baby home is exciting and nerve-racking, especially when ensuring their car seat safety during those first few car rides. When it comes to car seats, you need to get it right.

Which is the best car seat? How much should you spend? Can you buy a used one? How do you install it? Which side of the vehicle does it go in? There are nuances galore.

Adelle Zocher, AAA Northeast safety specialist, will guide you through everything you need to know.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

[7:06] – How to find a car seat certified technician in your area?
[10:26] – The car seat do’s and don’ts
[11:52] – How to buy a used car seat, and precautions to take
[14:43] – How do you know when it’s time to move your child to a different car seat?

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TRANSCRIPT

[00:00:02]

Amanda’s Daughter: Mom, when can I get a new car seat?

Amanda Greene: I don’t think you’re big enough to move into a booster seat yet.

Amanda’s Daughter: But my friend has one. She’s five. I’m five. Why can’t I have one? And my sister has one.

Amanda Greene: So I’ve looked a bunch of times and I don’t think you’re tall enough yet or something. I don’t know. I guess I can look again.

Amanda’s Daughter: Please. I love you, mommy, please.

Amanda Greene: I’ll check again.

Amanda’s Daughter: Yay.

Amanda Greene: Welcome to Merging into Life where we navigate life’s milestones, one episode at a time. Brought to you by AAA Northeast. I’m your host, Amanda Green. So, as you heard, I’ve been having this conversation a lot with my daughter. At the tender age of five she thinks she’s ready for the free and easy life of a kid in a booster seat.

I’m not against it, but I am for safety. And when I look online, there are different ranges for different seats and weights and heights. This is an important one to get right, but I’m finding it really hard to get straight answers.

I think back to the early days when I was pregnant, somewhere between those two phases of quiet contemplation and panic and fear. There are so many things to think of and plan for, but even at that time I knew there was only so much I could do to prepare.

Buying stuff was one of the few ways. There was the crib, a changing table, diapers, clothes, toys, so much stuff. But I can vividly remember strolling through the car seat section, picking out the biggest and best toddler car seat I could afford because I wanted my baby to be safe and secure like all parents do.

But just like I’m finding out now, there’s more to it than I thought. Even in those early days. There are things to consider past buying the “good” seat, like installation.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), almost half, 46% of all car seats have been installed incorrectly. That’s a lot. And according to the same organization in one year, 325 children under five are saved by car seats. That’s music to the ears of us parents and guardians and probably just about everyone.

We know they work. So join me while we get answers to all the questions around how to use them properly, including the big one at my house.

READ MORE

[00:02:25]

Amanda’s Daughter: When can I get a booster seat?

[00:02:28]

Amanda Greene: Let’s bring in an expert who has installed some car seats.

[00:02:32]

Adelle Zocher: Many, many seats, hundreds and hundreds, definitely hundreds.

[00:02:35]

Amanda Greene: That’s Adelle Zocher, a public affairs specialist with AAA Northeast. She’s seen some stuff because there is no messier place than that of a child’s car seat.

[00:02:45]

Adelle Zocher: All kinds of messes, which people are always, ‘I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. Oh, there’s food.” Listen, you have kids, I understand. No problem. So I’ve seen some gnarly stuff, but people shouldn’t be embarrassed. It’s fine. They’re cars, they’re lived in.

[00:02:58]

Amanda Greene: I think I’d sooner make my browser history public than let someone look in and behind my kids’ car seats, but I’m happy to know this is a shame-free zone. So first things first, what kind of car seats are there?

[00:03:11]

Adelle Zocher: So we have rear-facing convertible seats. That’s that little bucket that we pick up baby in and we click it into the base, which remains in the vehicle. That’s typically our first step.

Then as the child gets a little bit bigger, we’d still like to keep them rear-facing for safety reasons. So they’ll transition into a convertible seat and a convertible seat converts from rear to a forward-facing car seat. The next step would be to turn that seat forward-facing or move up to a combination seat, which is a harness, which then becomes a booster. And from there we transition from that five-point harness seat into the booster seat and beyond.

[00:03:41]

Amanda Greene: So I know a lot of the safety rules and regulations vary from state to state, but are there any general universal rules that people should follow?

[00:03:50]

Adelle Zocher: So for new parents, the NHTSA is a good resource and it’s a .gov. The NHTSA works closely with an organization called Safe Kids Worldwide and Safe Kids Worldwide is actually the certifying body for car seat safety. These two work together to create the curriculum for the technicians to set these guidelines, working with organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics and hospitals all over the nation, to collect data and basically find, where is the misuse? What’s happening here? What do people need? Where are we falling short and how can we fill those gaps?

[00:04:22]

Amanda Greene: Okay, I found the site here. It asks for age, weight, height and then gives a graph of all your options. We’ll be sure to put a link in the show notes for anyone who needs it because that’s really helpful.

[00:04:32]

Adelle Zocher: I would also seek out a technician – so myself, a certified child passenger safety technician. I’m also an instructor, so I certify those new technicians

Personally, in the classes I teach, I see a lot of law enforcement, first responders, so there’s all sorts of people in the community, all sorts of organizations that involve child passenger safety. And a really great start is to find that technician so you can have them help you assist you and show your way around the seat.

My first step, I think if I had no idea, would be to familiarize myself with the types of car seats and then from there maybe, what am I going to buy? And then maybe I’m going to talk to a technician and they’re going to help me get that in the car.

[00:05:09]

Amanda Greene: Are there any particular models you like?

[00:05:11]

Adelle Zocher: The best seat is always the seat that works best for the family, fits their price range, fits their vehicle, can be installed and used correctly every time. And any seat that a person could purchase on the market is going to meet those requirements and be safe for their child.

[00:05:23]

Amanda Greene: So you’re saying when it comes to car seats, it may be isn’t worth splurging on the higher end model?

[00:05:28]

Adelle Zocher: No, I wouldn’t say so. It’s so personal. If you want to splash out on the $400 infant seat, that’s great if that’s in the budget. Or a lot of people get them as gifts. To me – because that’s the seat that they’re going to be doing all that good stuff when they’re little – I always say, if you’re going to get a cheaper seat, do that. Get your use out of that. Let them grow out of that seat.

[00:05:49]

Amanda Greene: Smush Cheerios into it.

[00:05:50]

Adelle Zocher: Exactly. And then transition to that convertible at a little bit later of a date because that’s a seat that could potentially take your child all the way to the end of needing a restraint, right?

AAA Car Seat Safety

[00:06:02]

Amanda Greene: Adelle, this is obviously something parents want to get right, and NHTSA says almost half of all seats are installed incorrectly, but I read that even more seats are misused. What are people getting wrong?

[00:06:14]

Adelle Zocher: Depending on where you look, you’ll see maybe around 60%, sometimes 70% or more of misuse. But that could be something really simple, right? The car seat may be installed correctly, but the harness is not used correctly. If you’ve got a little bit too much slack in that harness, right there is small misuse.

Everything may be done perfectly, but that seat might not be tight enough. It might not be pulled in and ratcheted in. So there’s a misuse right there. They can be very small. But again, the right seat is the seat that is used correctly and works for that family every single time, which is why a tech is such a great resource to go to. Once you do it, practice it a couple times you’ll have it down pat.

[00:06:48]

Amanda Greene: So this is not the time to take the Ikea furniture approach, pulling out the instructions and hoping for the best. This is the time to do it right. So how do we find a tech in our area?

[00:06:58]

Adelle Zocher: Awesome question. That information is available to you on cert.safekids.org, and from there there’s a little tab to click, find a tech, and from there you can put your area. So for me, Connecticut, I’d put in Connecticut and it would list all the technicians and their contact information.

[00:07:14]

Amanda Greene: How about new parents with new babies? Any safety tips for them to keep in mind?

[00:07:19]

Adelle Zocher: Well, one of the things, a lot of people are tempted to put some all sorts of little accoutrements in the seats – little cute fuzzy teddy bear things and like something so they can play with. And then we got the mirror.

We as technicians will not recommend any of that stuff because if it has not been crash tested alongside that car seat, we can’t be sure that in the event of a crash, any of those objects may not compromise the integrity of that seat, how it’s working. Is it tight enough? Might those objects come loose and become a projectile and injure the child or somebody else in the vehicle? We do not know unless it’s been crash tested. So that’s why we don’t recommend aftermarket products like that.

Of course, it’s people’s prerogative. If you want the mirror, if you did your research, that’s something you want by all means. But that’s the reason why.

Another thing, projectiles are a big danger in the vehicle. Something even like a tissue box with those sharp edges going flying through the air as the vehicle screeches to a halt at 50 miles an hour can go flying through that vehicle and could cause an injury certainly to a baby or even an adult.

[00:08:20]

Amanda Greene: I never really considered that and I am someone who drives around with just a lot of stuff in the car because we’re driving from here to there and everywhere. So, limiting the amount of stuff in your car is probably a great tip.

[00:08:32]

Adelle Zocher: Less is more. We don’t want little ones bundled crazy tight. We want them to be able to be harnessed in nice and tight. When we show new parents, I have these little training dolls. A lot of technicians will have these little squishy training doll babies. We put them in the seat and we pull the harness tight, we show them this is where we want it on the shoulders. And I always tell them they’ve been snuggly snuggled up for nine months. They like being cozy and tight. So if they become used to a nice tight, snug fit right from birth on, that’s not ever going to be a problem.

What we want is to not be able to pinch any of that mesh, any of the webbing from the harness. So if your fingers kind of slip over the mesh without pinching a little piece of it, that’s how you know it’s tight enough.

[00:09:12]

Amanda Greene: I’ve had ladies in the grocery store parking lot comment that my kids don’t have a proper coat on in the winter after getting out of their car seat because you’re not supposed to wear a bulky coat, right?

[00:09:23]

Adelle Zocher: Exactly. Say pish posh. This is all by design. It’s exactly what we tell people. Put them strapped in and put that coat on backwards, right? Slip their little arms through, have it on backwards, lay a little blanket over top of them once they’re safely strapped in. But absolutely do not feel bad at all. Parents out there trying to wrestle with kids in the coats, you are doing the right thing by not strapping them in all bundled up.

[00:09:45]

Amanda Greene: Even just like a fleece zip up is better than wearing a bulky winter coat, right?

[00:09:49]

Adelle Zocher: Yes. We just don’t want any compression space underneath. So ,in the event of a crash, we want that harness to be able to restrain the child in the way that it’s meant to. And if there’s a bunch of fabric that’s getting compressed down, then that means there’s space between the child’s body and that harness. So it’s not restraining them as adequately as it should be.

[00:10:10]

Amanda Greene: Are there any other dos and don’ts you have for parents? From a technician’s point of view?

[00:10:15]

Adelle Zocher: We go by good, better, best in terms of practice, right? So good practice is we have a car seat, we’re putting our child in it. We are seeking out information, we’re doing the best we can. You’ll never come to see a technician and be shamed. They’re going to say, “Good on you for trying better on you for coming here and we’re going to get you correct,” and you’re going to leave knowing exactly how to do it correctly and they’ll get you comfortable.

We always make people play around with the seat. We always say, have the families put their hands on the seat, have them practice lifting it up, practice with the baby doll, feel your way around the car. We ask questions like, “Do you park on the street? Are you going to be opening that door where your child is out into the street?” And if so, maybe we’ll put it on this side so that you can be on the curb here and you won’t be having traffic to the side of you.

[00:10:59]

Amanda Greene: You really think of everything.

[00:11:01]

Adelle Zocher: Not every vehicle and every seat is perfectly wonderfully compatible, but that best seat is the one that is installed correctly a hundred percent of the time, used correctly a hundred percent of the time. And that’s another great one for parents every single time. So they see right from the jump, right, that this is something we do. Parents wear seat belts, children are buckled in, and that becomes a habit and that becomes a safe life.

And when we do that, we’re just increasing the likelihood that if, God forbid, we were involved in a crash, that there would be reduction in injury. The incidence of fatalities for children involved in crashes with proper car seat use is reduced significantly.

[00:11:33]

Amanda Greene: I know many parents consider buying used car seats to save money. Are used car seats as reliable as new ones? And also what kind of precautions should you take if you’re going to buy a used one?

[00:11:45]

Adelle Zocher: Please don’t purchase a used car seat unless it’s a transaction between you and someone that you trust implicitly, right? Going online, finding maybe a Facebook marketplace thing, not that the person might not be trustworthy, but you cannot know without a shred of doubt that that seat has not been compromised in any way.

In that process of the crash. The forces being exerted upon where it’s restrained, right, down at those lower anchors or the seatbelt hasn’t compromised the seat in some way.

That being said, if you know the source, trust the source, the seat is not expired. All seats have expiration dates and that’s another thing a technician will look that up. If it’s missing labels. If the straps, any pieces are a little wonky and you can’t guarantee that that seat has not been involved in a crash or compromised, we would not recommend using that used seat.

But it’s a great option. Seats last typically six years, some of them longer. So if you know a trusted source and they say, “Hey, I’m ready to pass this along, still in good shape, there is no problem with that at all.”

[00:12:42]

Amanda Greene: And you could have some peace of mind that, yes, you did it correctly or maybe it just needs a little tightening here or there. This is really good information.

Can you walk us through how car seats help protect kids if there, God forbid, happens to be an accident?

[00:12:59]

Adelle Zocher: Vehicle restraints, they’re meant to kind of counteract physics, right? An object in motion moving. So we need to slow down. We need to ride the crash force down. So in a short stop or in the event of a crash, that seatbelt rides the force down by stopping us.

In a rear-facing seat. The seat itself is what takes on the force of the crash. Small pro-tip, when you do install that infant seat, the bucket seat, we do not want that resting on any part of the seat in front of it, which is why I often have people do it on the passenger side if we need the driver’s seat to be a little further back. Because even if it’s just a small enough gap to pass a hand through, that’s adequate because if the back of the car seat rests on the back of the seat, the seat cannot move.

So in the event of a crash, the seat would move up, rock back and forth and ride the force, the crash down on the seat itself and not the child’s body. When we move forward-facing in the five-point harness seat, the force gets ridden down basically on the child’s body, but it is distributed differently because of that five-point harness. And because we tether that seat in the back of the headrest, the physics of a crash is basically why we would say rear-facing as long as possible because the force of it is on the seat and not the body of the child.

And like we said, they’re top-heavy, they’re a little neck and spine are a little bit weaker as they’re growing and stretching into themselves. And so that’s just all the more reason to keep them rear facing and then five-point harness as long as possible.

[00:14:19]

Amanda Greene: It’s so interesting you say that because my daughter is desperate to get out of her five-point harness and into a booster car seat, but I’m just not sure that she’s ready. How do I know?

[00:14:30]

Adelle Zocher: So state laws vary depending on where you are. The requirements for turning your child forward-facing in that five-point harness seat may be more lax than say Connecticut, where we have pretty strict child passenger safety laws.

But that best practice is always going to be: keep that child rear-facing longer because that offers better protection, superior protection.

When they go forward-facing, let’s try to keep them in that five point harness as long as they can to try to max out in the height and weight requirements of the seat because it’s offering them superior protection. And it’s a hard struggle with kids because they want to get big, they want to ride in the booster, but-

[00:15:04]

Amanda Greene: They see their friend moving up to the next level.

[00:15:07]

Adelle Zocher: Exactly. But each child is so different in how they grow and what their needs are. And ultimately, since we are responsible for their safety, this is just the best thing we can do. Seek out that information. Practice, practice, practice, ask questions, and we will provide that information and those resources and be there for people.

[00:15:23]

Amanda Greene: You have shown us how important it is to get this right. Thank you so much for being here and sharing all of your knowledge.

[00:15:30]

Adelle Zocher: Pleasure.

Car Seat FAQs

[00:15:32]

Amanda Greene: I’ve learned a lot today. We’re talking about child safety here, so knowing this stuff is super important.

Okay, everyone, pop quiz.

In a perfect world, how long should a child stay in a five-point harness safety seat?

If you said until they max out on height and weight requirements and the earliest they can move into a boosters when the state law allows it, you’d be right. Good job, you were paying attention.

Next one. What’s the best way to install a safety seat?

If you said, with the guidance of a technician, you would be correct. One can be found by going to safekids.org/inspection-stations.

Another question for you. Can a parent purchase a used car seat?

If you said yes, that’s correct, but only if you can be completely sure that the seat has never been in an accident. The best way to do this is by buying from someone and trust. And again, get a technician involved to make sure it’s installed properly, still in working order and isn’t expired.

Okay, next question. Big warm winter coats and car seats. Yes or no?

No. Dress your child lightly so they can be buckled snugly in the seat. Ignore the lady at the grocery store in the parking lot who’s commenting that your child doesn’t have a bulky coat on in the winter? They’re fine.

Next one, because I love to be prepared, so I always have a tissue box handy. Things to keep the kids occupied, teddy bears. Is this recommended in your car?

No loose items in your vehicle. They turn into projectiles if you come to a sudden stop. These items have also not been crash tested with your child’s seat. So it’s best to keep the inside of your car as free and clear as possible. Hopefully Cheerios and Goldfish don’t apply.

And last question. When it comes to buying safety seats, do you look for the biggest and most expensive?

According to Adelle, buy the seat that fits your vehicle and your child. As long as you properly install it and can use it properly every single time, it’s the right seat for you.

 And as Adelle says, you don’t have to spend a fortune on a seat that will probably be a little questionable as the months tick by. Speaking from experience, those things can get pretty gross and the car seat suffers the consequences.

So that’s it for today. I want to thank AAA Northeast Public Affairs specialist and safety seat expert extraordinaire, Adelle Zocher.

You’ve been listening to Merging Into Life where we navigate life’s milestones, one episode at a time. Brought to you by AAA Northeast with production assistance from JAR Audio. I’m your host, Amanda Greene. Follow us wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review. We’d love to hear what you think. Send your thoughts to podcast@aaanortheast.com. Talk to you next time.

Hey, so I checked with an expert and she said that until you get a little bit bigger, this seat that you’re in right now is a lot safer.

[00:18:30]

Amanda’s Daughter: Oh, really? Mommy, please?

[00:18:33]

Amanda Greene: Can we agree that since it’s safer to stick with this seat, that we’re going to stay in this one for a while?

[00:18:39]

Amanda’s Daughter: Okay, fine. Whatever you say.

[00:18:41]

Amanda Greene: Love you. Give me a high five.

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RESOURCES

AAA Car Seat Safety

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Safekids.org

Find a Certified Technician

Car Seat Safety Tips for Expecting and New Parents

Parents Urged to Avoid Counterfeit and Used Car Seats

Car Seat Safety

Car Seat FAQs

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Want to Learn More? Drop Us a Note

*The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are not necessarily the views of AAA Northeast, AAA and/or its affiliates.

What’s the best recipe for a summer meal? Take one part fresh-off-the-boat seafood, one part sunshine, add a dash of ocean breeze, a squeeze of lemon and voila! Here are some of our favorite New England clam shacks.

Champlin’s Seafood Deck

Narragansett, R.I.

Located just steps off the docks of Point Judith, where all of the fishing boats full of that delicious calamari come in, is Champlin’s. The first floor is a seafood market where you can pick out your own lobster. The second floor is the Seafood Deck, where you can have it cooked. Champlin’s serves clam cakes, white, red and clear chowder, and all of the traditional clam shack fare. There’s also a shucked-to-order raw bar and an outdoor bar serving up killer mudslides.

Jim’s Dock

South Kingstown, R.I.

Jim’s Dock is closer to Champlin’s by sea than by land. Even though it’s in a different town, it’s a stone’s throw across Galilee Salt Pond Harbor to Point Judith. This BYOB restaurant is as casual as they come, and people regularly roll in from a day at the beach in their bathing suits and shorts. Don’t miss the interesting variations on calamari, and the Point Judith “stuffie” or stuffed quahog clam, a Rhode Island staple.

The Clam Shack

Kennebunkport, Maine

The line can be long at The Clam Shack, which sits right on the bridge over the Kennebunkport River. That’s because a lot of people have tried the legendary fried clams in the over 50 years that the restaurant’s been open, and most come back for more. Order at the window and eat at one of the restaurant’s picnic tables or take it to a spot along the main thoroughfare of this idyllic Maine town. Don’t miss the signature lobster roll served on fresh bread.

Bob’s Clam Hut

Kittery, Maine

Bob’s Clam Hut has been feeding hungry crowds in southern Maine since 1956. Here, the whole belly clams come Bob’s style (breaded then fried) or Lillian’s style (dipped in egg wash, then breaded and fried, so they come out with a lighter texture and consistency), on a roll or as a dinner plate with fries and coleslaw. Combo platters, where you can combine clams with shrimp, scallops, fish or oysters, are where it’s really at.

Clam Box of Ipswich

Ipswich, Mass.

This North Shore food destination has been lining up crowds since 1935, and for good reason: Clam Box dishes out some of the best seafood in all of the Bay State. Choose from clams, scallops, shrimp, haddock, calamari or oysters – and in a nice change from tradition, you can pick onion rings in place of your fries or your coleslaw. Smaller “mini meals” are a nice choice, especially if you decide to add a seafood-only “box” or two for the table.

Larsen’s Fish Market

Martha’s Vineyard, Mass.

Larsen’s, in the tiny fishing village of Menemsha, isn’t really all that close to the ferry landings at Oak Bluffs or Vineyard Haven. Menemsha is part of Chilmark, which is almost as far west on the island as you can get. But the trip out to Larsen’s is worth it, especially at the end of the day, when the sunsets from the picnic tables are spectacular. The menu is small – lobsters, chowder, stuffed clams and scallops, steamers and mussels – but it’s as fresh as seafood comes and really makes the case for life’s simple pleasures.

Costello’s Clam Shack

Noank, Conn.

While you’ll get clam cakes in Rhode Island, you’ll get clam fritters in Connecticut. And if you order them at Costello’s, you’ll get to eat them right on the docks of the Mystic River and look out at views of three states at once. This BYOB restaurant is so close to the shore it offers directions by land and by water. The menu is slightly bigger than your average clam shack – it also has items like fish and shrimp tacos, and several salads – but if you don’t get some Noank-style clear chowder and some fritters for dipping, you’re missing out.

Lobster Landing

Clinton, Conn.

Lobster Landing sits on Clinton Harbor, squarely in the center of Connecticut’s coast, and overlooks the Long Island Sound. The small menu is written on a white board inside the photo-worthy seaside shack, and the owners welcome customers to bring anything they don’t serve. So while you should definitely order some steamers and the restaurant’s specialty hot lobster roll, you could, theoretically, bring a cooler with a dessert tucked inside. Just a suggestion.

Which clam shack completes your summer? Tell us about it in the comments. 

It’s officially summer, which means it’s high time to get outside and start enjoying those perfect weather days. And the perfect way to do so? Planning a picnic, of course.

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Because the whole point of a picnic is to have a relaxing afternoon, keeping the food and drink simple is a necessary element. That’s why, when putting together our menu, we sprung for things that don’t need much prep but come together to make some scrumptious alfresco fare: red onion mascarpone tart, ciabatta slab sandwiches, limoncello mocktails and a store-bought cake refresh.

Here’s everything you need to make it all and plan an idyllic backyard picnic this summer.

Your Shopping List

• 1 loaf focaccia or ciabatta bread
• 1 jar pesto
• 3 small red onions
• Fresh thyme
• Fresh mint
• Blueberries
• 8 oz. mascarpone
• 8 oz. burrata
• 10 slices prosciutto
• Baby arugula
• 1 sheet puff pastry
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 lemons
• Lemon-flavored sparkling water
• Store-bought cake of your choice
• 1 can premade vanilla frosting
• 1 egg

Prep and Cook

Limoncello Mocktails

These refreshing lemony spritzes are ideal for picnicking and easily transportable. First, make the lemon syrup by measuring out your sugar with the following rule of thumb: 3 tablespoons of sugar to one lemon. To make two drinks, we used two lemons worth of peels and 6 tablespoons of sugar. Place the peels and sugar in a glass jar and muddle together for 30 seconds before placing the lid on and leaving it on the counter for about three hours. To speed up the process, add 4 tablespoons of warm water to the mixture and stir.

Once your syrup is ready, add some ice to a mason jar along with a slice of lemon and sprig of thyme. Pour in the lemon syrup to taste. Top with lemon-flavored sparkling water. Cover the mason jar with a lid and gently shake to mix.

Red Onion and Mascarpone Tart

This is the easiest savory tart you’ll ever make.

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Starting with one sheet of puff pastry at room temperature, score 1 inch around the border without cutting all the way through. Then, begin cutting the red onions by slicing longways through the root. Using a mandoline or sharp knife, slice the onion as thin as possible. Repeat with all three onions. Set aside.

Smear the mascarpone with the back of a spoon over the puff pastry, stopping at the 1-inch border. Once the pastry is covered, arrange the red onion slices in straight lines, top to bottom and slightly overlapping each other. Beat one egg with a tablespoon of water to create an egg wash and lightly brush the pastry edges. This will ensure a golden crust.

Sprinkle the tart with salt, pepper, olive oil and sprigs of thyme before placing into the oven to bake for 25 minutes.

Ciabatta Slab Sandwiches

Individual sandwiches take too much time. Simplify the process with a slab sandwich technique using a loaf of either focaccia or ciabatta bread.

Cut the bread in half horizontally and begin topping your sandwich with your favorite ingredients. We used pesto, tomatoes, burrata, prosciutto and baby arugula. Pile it all on before placing the top of the loaf of bread back on and using a bread knife to slice through the loaf vertically to create multiple sandwiches (depending on the size of your loaf of bread and slice thickness, you’ll get about 5-10 servings).

Wrap individually in aluminum foil to maintain freshness until your picnic.

Pinterest-Style Store-Bought Cake

We’ve already used the oven for the tart, so forget baking a sweet treat to bring along. Instead, we opted for a simple store-bought birthday cake and turned it into something worthy of a pin on Pinterest.

First, remove any frosting decor using a knife or spoon. Even out the frosting and fill in any gaps with additional frosting, if needed. Once you have a smooth base, arrange the blueberries in threes by gently pressing them into the frosting. If the frosting is too soft, just stick the cake into the refrigerator for 20 minutes to help it stiffen. Next, snip a few small to medium fresh mint leaves and place next to each blueberry “bunch” to replicate the look of the berries on a blueberry bush.

Now all that’s left to do is pack up your picnic basket and head to the backyard – or any beautiful location you choose.

Click here for more Shop and Cook recipes and videos.

What’s your favorite food to bring on a picnic? Let us know in the comments!

The flashes and booms of fireworks on the Fourth of July are a tradition almost as old as America itself. But – as with any time you are dealing with fire – fireworks safety should be top of mind.

Fireworks History

In the days leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Founding Father John Adams predicted in a letter to his wife, Abigail, that the occasion would be “solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”

As anticipated, fireworks were part of the first organized Independence Day celebrations in Philadelphia and Boston in 1777 and have been representative of the holiday’s festivities ever since. It doesn’t feel like the Fourth of July without seeing sparklers twirling in the dark or hearing the popping and sizzling of firecrackers late into the night.

During your summer celebrations, practice these fireworks safety tips to make sure that the only flashing red, white and blue lights that you see are in the sky, not on top of a police car or ambulance.

Fireworks Safety Stats

Fireworks can cause serious burns and other life-changing injuries to eyes, ears and appendages, and can potentially be fatal.

There were an estimated 9,700 injuries bad enough to require medical treatment and a minimum of eight deaths due to fireworks-related incidents in 2023, according to the latest U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Fireworks Report.

Most incidents are due to amateurs attempting to use professional-grade, homemade or other illegal fireworks or explosives, but an estimated 700 reported injuries were from sparklers.

An estimated 19,500 fires are started by fireworks annually, according to the National Fire Protection Association. And as you might imagine, more fires are reported on Independence Day than any other day of the year.

Fireworks Laws

Connecticut

All fireworks are illegal except for sparklers and fountains, which can only be legally used by people 16 or older.

New York

The sale and use of fireworks known as “sparking devices” are allowed by New York state law in cities and counties where a law has not been enacted against them.

Counties that prohibit the sale and use and of sparkling devices are Albany, Bronx, Columbia, Kings, Nassau, New York, Queens, Orange, Richmond, Schenectady, Suffolk, Warren and Westchester.

Sparkling devices are defined as ground-based or handheld and produce a shower of colored sparks and flames, audible crackling or whistling and smoke. The law limits the size, type and construction.

New Jersey

It is unlawful to sell, possess or use fireworks anywhere in the state without a valid permit. Those 16 years of age or older can lawfully buy, possess and use certain sparkling devices and novelties. Permissible fireworks include handheld or ground-based sparklers, snakes and glow worms, smoke devices and trick noisemakers.

Massachusetts

It is illegal for private citizens to use, possess or sell fireworks, or to purchase them legally elsewhere and transport them into the state. The law prohibits any article designed to produce a visible or audible effect.

Rhode Island

Legal fireworks include ground-based and handheld sparkling devices, fountains, illuminating torches, wheels, spinners, party poppers, snappers, toy smoke devices, snakes and glow worms. Any firecrackers, rockets, mortars or any other device that launches a projectile and/or makes a “bang” are illegal.

Fireworks Safety Tips

Advice from the National Safety Council and CPSC on how to practice proper fireworks safety.

• One of the best fireworks safety tips to follow is to never use fireworks illegally. The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to go to a public show put on by professionals. If you do choose to use fireworks legally, use them away from people, houses and flammable materials.
•  Never light fireworks: indoors, in a container, in your hands or when impaired.
• Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting.
• Never point or throw fireworks at anyone or anything.
• Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear.
• Keep a bucket of water or a fire extinguisher nearby to fully put out fireworks that don’t go off or in case of fire. Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding.
• Do not underestimate sparklers: Sparklers burn at around 2,000 degrees, which is hot enough to melt some metals. They can quickly ignite clothing and children have gotten severe burns from dropping sparklers on their feet. If sparklers are legal where you live, don’t let young children handle, and closely supervise older children.
• Remember that kids imitate adults. Do not operate fireworks irresponsibility in front of children and teach them to understand the dangers.

How will you be celebrating the Fourth of July this year? How do you feel about fireworks? Tell us in the comments.

Protect your home and property with homeowners insurance from AAA. Schedule an appointment to speak with an agent today.

It’s nearly impossible to think about Maine and not have lobster spring to mind. You know, smothered in warm, melted butter with a glass of sparkling wine. Scrumptious.

You can savor lobster in Maine in a variety of ways, though steamed lobster and lobster rolls are among the favorite ways to delight in the sweet and tender meat of this crustacean. You’ll find lobster rolls at restaurants and seafood shacks across Maine, even at McDonald’s during peak summer months.

However, you don’t need to stick to the tried-and-true ways to eat this dreamy delicacy in Maine. You can savor this shellfish as lobster risotto, lobster nachos or lobster grilled cheese. In Bar Harbor, you can even cool off with a scoop of lobster ice cream – what a way to celebrate a hike at nearby Acadia National Park!

So, let’s take a lobster-themed road trip through Maine. Here’s where to stop from south to north to go beyond the usual to get your fix.

Need a ride? Save on Hertz car rentals.

Lobster Risotto

Robert’s Maine Grill, Kittery

For fresh-caught lobster and local craft beers, Robert’s Maine Grill in Kittery Point is the place. They’ve got lobster prepared all kinds of ways, but this is where to stop for mouth-watering lobster risotto with mushrooms, spinach and parmesan that’s finished with a balsamic drizzle. Pair this dish with a state-brewed beer, even a hyper-local ale, like Tributary Pale Ale that’s brewed just 2 miles away at Kittery’s Tributary Brewing Company.

Lobster Benedict

The Chadwick Bed & Breakfast, Portland

It’s easy to start the day off on the right foot when breakfast features eggs benedict with lemon-herb butter, and of course, Maine lobster. It’s not on the menu every morning at The Chadwick Bed & Breakfast in Portland, but it is a guest favorite, so we suspect it’s got a heavy presence in the weekly breakfast rotation.

Lobby Pop

Highroller Lobster Company, Portland

You’ll find lobster prepared a variety of ways at the Highroller Lobster Company in Portland, but one of the hands-down faves is the Lobby Pop. This lobster on a stick is such a fan favorite that the restaurant trademarked the name in 2019. Order yours naked (just warmed lobster in butter) or dipped in corn bread batter and deep fried. They’ve got signature dipping sauces too, like sweet red pepper mayo and lime mayo.  

Lobster Bloody Mary

Taste of Maine, Woolwich

In Woolwich, Taste of Maine is known for lobster, of course, but not just the deliciously edible kind. Travelers and locals alike stop over to snap a photo of the super-size inflatable lobster that sits atop the restaurant. At Taste of Maine, you’ve got almost too many choices when it comes to lobster, but our pick is the lobster bloody Mary that’s garnished with celery, an olive and meat from a massive lobster claw. Notably, Taste of Maine also sells the ”world’s largest lobster roll,” a mouth-watering claim we’d love to independently verify.

Lobster Grilled Cheese

Beal’s Lobster Pier, Southwest Harbor

The lobster grilled cheese is becoming nearly as easy to find across Maine as the ubiquitous lobster roll. For many, Beal’s Lobster Pier in Southwest Harbor is the go-to for this deliciously melted sandwich with cheddar cheese and tomato. The lobster grilled cheese draws in hungry visitors from near and far, all eager to polish off this scrumptious sammie. Need more lobstah choices? On the menu, you’ll also find lobster bisque, lobster bites and lobster mac and cheese, which pair well with a refreshing Maine blueberry mojito.

Lobster Ice Cream

Ben & Bill’s Chocolate Emporium, Bar Harbor

Ice cream and lobster may not sound like the world’s best combination, but when the line at Ben & Bill’s Chocolate Emporium in Bar Harbor snakes out the door, you may give this pairing a second thought. Interestingly, this flavor was created some years ago as a joke, but the flavor was so popular that it earned a permanent spot on the menu. This curious flavor, which blends butter pecan ice cream with buttery lobster, can be ordered in a cup, a cone or a lobster tail.

Lobster Taco

Langosta, Bar Harbor

Everyone loves Taco Tuesdays, but you can get lobster tacos every day of the week at Langosta, a Mexican taqueria and cantina in Bar Harbor. The lobster tacos feature chilled lobster, Mexican corn, lime mayo and a savory cilantro sauce. Even better, each order comes with three lobster tacos. If that’s not enough luscious lobster for you, start off your meal with the lobster queso and chips. Yum-o. There’s also a lobster burrito on the menu. When in Maine, as they say.

Lobster Nachos

Bar Harbor Lobster Pound, Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor Lobster Pound in Bar Harbor is first and foremost a lobster restaurant. They’ve got fresh-caught lobster all over the menu, from lobster rolls to steamed lobster to lobster bisque. Also, lobster nachos, which sounds like a lobster-rific way to start any meal, though many of us are good to go with nachos as the meal. Get ready for warm house-made tortilla chips topped with 6 ounces of lobster, mango salsa and lobster bisque-infused cheese. All we can say is OMG. Delicious.

What’s your favorite place to eat lobster in Maine? Share your recommendations in the comments.

Few events disrupt a road trip – or the average day – as much as a blown tire. And while you can’t always avoid running over a nail, there are ways to keep your tires in optimum condition and ensure you arrive at your destination safely.

Knowing when to replace tires is not something all drivers are aware of, but old or worn tires can be dangerous. In 2021 alone, there were 622 fatalities from tire-related motor vehicle crashes in the U.S., according to the most recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

One way to ensure uninterrupted travel and your safety is to examine tires thoroughly and maintain them regularly.

Signs of Tire Damage

In the Northeast, tires usually have a lifespan of about five years.

The pressure monitor system light on your dashboard is a sure sign to take your car to a professional to check for punctures or other issues, but some warnings are not as obvious.

Here are a few more signs that your tires may need repair or replacement.

• Worn tire tread – The tire appears smooth or has very few ridges. Improper alignment, overinflation, underinflation or a damaged suspension can also cause uneven wear, affecting tread in one area more than another. Uneven tire wear or cupping can also take a toll on the steering mechanism.
• Slipping and stopping – Wheel spin when the car accelerates or skids when braking are “obvious signs that a tire’s tread has exceeded its useful life,” said Joseph Klis, co-founder of AAA Approved Auto Repair facility Klis Brothers at North Shore Firestone in East Northport, N.Y.
• Sidewall cracks, bubbles/bulges and breaks – These can be caused if a tire scrapes against a curb or a foreign object.
• Dry rot – This occurs when the tire loses moisture, and the rubber becomes dry and brittle. This is due to UV exposure, hash chemicals, high temperatures and age. 

Find a AAA Approved Auto Facility near you.

Tread Lightly

Many drivers wonder at what tread depth to replace tires. Tires are measured in 32nds of an inch with new tires having about 11/32nds. Although tires are considered worn out at 2/32nds, AAA recommends replacement at 4/32nds of tread life.

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Watch the the video above to learn how to easily measure your tread depth with a quarter.

“The reason is stopping distance in wet weather,” according to John Paul, senior manager of traffic safety for AAA Northeast. “A tire with 4/32nds of tread stops from 60 mph in up to 60 feet shorter distance, the length of a tractor trailer, than a tire with 2/32nds.”

Key Tire Maintenance

Knowing how often to change your tires depends on how well you care for them.

Some of the biggest tire care mistakes are not regularly rotating tires, skipping routine alignments and incorrect tire pressure. In addition to regularly checking your tread, you should also be keeping up on these maintenance tasks.

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Tire Pressure

Drivers should inspect tires once a month to ensure they are properly inflated to the recommended pounds per square inch. You can find this information on the driver’s door placard. Always check tire pressure with a gauge when the tires are cool. 

You should also keep a closer eye on your tires in cold weather and check them at least twice a month. When the temperature decreases by 10 degrees, a car’s tires can lose between 1½ and 1 pound of air pressure. 

Fully inflated tires improve gas mileage, make driving safer and help tires last longer.

Tire Rotation

The main purpose of rotating tires is to ensure that the best tire treads are on the front of the car. It ensures proper handling, performance and tire wear. It is critical for the vehicle owner’s safety. Refer to the vehicle’s owner’s manual for mileage recommendations. Typically tire rotation is performed between 5,000 and 7,000 miles but it can vary based on the vehicle and types of tires. 

Tire Alignment

Wheel or tire alignment is critical to a car’s suspension and helps to maintain tires. Alignment refers to angling the tires onto the car to maximize contact with the road. When the wheels are not in alignment, they wear unevenly, and the car can pull to one side. The alignment should be checked generally every year or 12,000 miles or at the first signs of tire wear or uneven handling. 

“Alignments can only be set on a balanced tire,” notes Klis. “A tire with uneven wear will continue to wear on that poor pattern even with an alignment and would not be well-spent money.”

When to Repair and When to Replace Tires

Even if a tire isn’t flat, any damage is reason to consult a tire care expert for a more thorough inspection.

“Tires should only be repaired within the tread area, never on the outside edge or sidewall,” according to Paul. “Punctures larger than one-quarter inch should not be repaired but the tire should be replaced instead.”

Rather than just plugging a hole, a mechanic should remove the tire from the rim, inspect it for damage and then repair it with a combination of a plug and a patch.

“Generally, once the tire is repaired properly it is safe for use,” Paul said. “At the same time the tire should be rebalanced, and the tire pressure monitoring system-wheel sensor should be inspected.” 

Not all tires can be repaired, Paul added. “Specific repair limits should be based on recommendations or repair policy of the tire manufacturer and/or type of tire service,” Paul explained. “And never repair a tire that has an existing, improper repair. The tire must be replaced.”

You may be wondering if AAA replaces tires during roadside assistance calls. AAA can install your spare tire if you have one. A technician can also inflate your tire if needed. If your tire needs more extensive repair or replacement, AAA will tow your vehicle to the nearest approved repair facility.

Don’t Forget Your Spare

If your vehicle is equipped with a spare tire, don’t forget to have the air pressure checked regularly. If your spare is mounted under the car, it is also a good idea to periodically service the mechanism that lowers and secures the tire. Learn more about how to care for your spare.

How do you care for your tires? Tell us in the comments.

There’s lots more to Connecticut than picturesque fall foliage and charming small towns (although we do love it for that, too.) The Constitution State has so much to offer to both out-of-state visitors and locals alike – and all within a budget, too.

These are our top 20 things to do in Connecticut for $20 or less.

Need a ride? Rent a car.

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Harkness Memorial State Park – Price Varies

This park’s 237 acres of pristinely maintained gardens, beaches and historical buildings can be enjoyed all year round. Walk the stunning grounds, have a picnic, tour the Roman Renaissance Revival-style mansion or simply take in the panoramic views of Long Island Sound. Free for in-state registered vehicles. $15 for out-of-state on weekends and $10 on weekdays.

Avery’s Beverages – $13.50

Just like its founder 100 years ago, Avery’s is still handcrafting and bottling small-batch craft soda in the trademark red barn on Corbin Avenue. Try one of its classic flavors like cola and ginger ale or test your bravery with a “Totally Gross” flavor like Toxic Slime. You can even make your own flavor on a visit to the mixing room. If you’re looking for a fun, cheap thing to do in Connecticut, this is it.

B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill – Free

Every Sept. 1, B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill opens just in time for the fall season. Good thing, too – it’s the perfect autumn activity to experience. As the last remaining steam-powered cider mill in the country, you can watch an apple pressing demonstration while you eat an apple cider doughnut and sip on either iced or hot apple cider. Is there anything more fall coded?

The Book Barn – Free

The tagline for The Book Barn says it all: “A bibliophile’s bliss.” We’d have to agree, seeing as you can browse more than 500,000 books between their three locations. If it’s your first time, we recommend visiting the Main Barn as your introduction. From the multiple buildings with books stacked to the ceiling to farm animals, roaming cats, water features and more, there’s enough to keep any book lover happy to stay for a lifetime.

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Buttonwood Farm Sunflowers – $3 donation

The Sunflowers for Wishes event held at Buttonwood Farm is an annual tradition with lots of heart. Every year, 14 acres of sunflowers are planted for guests to pick for a $3 donation – 100% of which goes to the Make A Wish Foundation of Connecticut, which grants wishes to children with critical illnesses.

Coventry Farmer’s Market – Free

Beginning at the start of June, the Coventry Farmer’s Market sets up shop each week on the grounds of the Nathan Hale Homestead and offers an enormous array of locally grown, locally produced and locally made goods. Every week has a different theme – like Strawberry Fest, Farm-to-Table, Dog Day, Sweet Treats and many more.

Cruise to Thimble Islands – $18

The Thimble Islands weren’t named so for their small size, but it’s fitting, anyway. An archipelago of 365 tiny islands in Stony Creek Harbor, the Thimble Islands are both beloved for their beauty and seclusion and revered for their folklore – namely, the claim that the infamous Captain Kidd buried his treasure there. Take a 45-minute cruise around the Thimbles to see them all up close.   

Dinosaur State Park – $6

See where dinosaurs literally walked 200 million years ago. As one of the biggest sites for dinosaur tracks in North America, Dinosaur State Park acts as life-size diorama of the Jurassic age and offers an up-close look at footprints, fossils, interactive exhibits and over 2 miles of trails for hiking and exploring.

Gillette Castle State Park – $6

A castle in Connecticut? Yes, really! Built in 1919, Gillette Castle was the home of William Gillette, an actor best known for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes. Today, you can take a guided tour of the castle’s unconventional interior, walk the beautiful grounds and check out the quarter-scale railroad that circles the 122-acre property.

Liuzzi Gourmet Food Market

Liuzzi Gourmet Food Market is a fifth-generation family-owned marketplace, better known as an Italian wonderland. Besides all the delicious sights and smells, visitors can enjoy browsing the high-quality products, including cheese, meats, grocery items and – perhaps best of all – the bakery where fresh focaccia comes steaming out of the oven.

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Lobster Landing

As a Connecticut staple, Lobster Landing is beloved for a reason. Enjoy a variety of delicious fresh seafood set against the most charming, no-frills seaside hut as a backdrop (complete with an askew “o” in “Lobster.”) Admittedly, the lobster rolls are more than $20, but the rest of the menu stays under budget, from a $4 hot dog to lobster bisque for $9 and change.

Norwalk Oyster Festival – $15

The 46^th annual Norwalk Oyster Festival is happening Sept. 6 to 8 at Veterans Memorial Park. The event is sure to be a hit with carnival rides, an arts and crafts sale and plenty of food offerings for every taste. That’s right, you don’t have to be an oyster fiend to attend; the International Food Court serves up a variety of cuisine that includes Mexican, Columbian and Italian.

Olde Mistick Village – Free

A perfect activity for families (including the furry members) is a stroll around Olde Mistick Village. It’s one of the best free things to do in Connecticut. Chock full of quaint shops and restaurants, the village offers plenty to do from exploring a “haunted” book shop, to trying some homemade fudge or even picking your wizard house.

Pratt Street Salsa Socials – Free

It’s time to get your salsa on! Happening once a month through September, the Pratt Street Salsa Socials are events where everyone gets in on the fun. The music will be playing – you just have to start dancing!

Saville Dam – Free

Looking straight out of a storybook, Saville Dam sits at the top of the Barkhamsted Reservoir and is surrounded by picturesque tree-dotted hills. The castle-like structure is a great place to take in the views, have a photo op or hike the 22-mile scenic trail loop that encircles the sparkling reservoir.

Talcott Mountain State Park – Free

Hikers will enjoy the moderately difficult climb to the summit of Talcott Mountain where they’ll be greeted by the impressive Heublein Tower. From the top, 360-degree views include Mount Monadnock, the Berkshires and even Long Island Sound.

Terrain

As a cafe and garden shop, Terrain is a plant-lover’s paradise. Wander through the incredibly curated space that inevitably distorts the line between indoor and outdoor. Cafe fare boasts seasonally inspired dishes, coffee and tea, sweet treats and more.

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Try the famous local pizza – Price Varies

A visit to Connecticut simply wouldn’t be complete without sampling some New Haven-style ‘za. Famous for its extremely thin crust and coal-fire bake, you can’t go wrong. Make a trip out to Wooster Street to try both Sally’s Apizza and Frank Pepe’s where small pizzas go for about $18 on average.

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art – $20

Prepare to be wowed by the almost 50,000 works of art here at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art. As the oldest operating public art museum in the country, the museum houses many collections from Greek and Roman antiquities to African American arts and textiles. Works are distributed among five connected buildings, so we recommend reserving a good chunk of time to see it all.

Yale Peabody Museum – Free

After four years of major renovations, Yale’s natural history museum is back and open to the public once again. Enjoy exhibits all about our world’s past and present, including the halls of dinosaurs, minerals, earth and space.

Find more things to do in the Northeast for under $20.

What are some of your favorite activities in Connecticut under $20? What did we miss? Tell us in the comments!