Whether you’re looking to purchase a new home or to sell your current one, the first step is typically to contact a real estate agent. It sounds easy enough until you start to notice the various, sometimes fancy titles that some agents have. Dual agent? Broker? Transaction coordinator? What are all the different types of real estate agents?

To help you navigate these sometimes complicated and confusing terms, we’ve compiled a list of real estate agent titles to help you find a professional best-suited to your needs.

Types of Real Estate Agents

When you’re buying or selling property, you’re most likely going to work with an agent, also referred to as a real estate associate broker or simply a salesperson.

Real Estate Agent

In general, real estate agents monitor the market and look for housing trends in areas such as pricing, inventory, location and more. They can tell you about available houses that you can afford as well as take you on tours of prospective homes.

Buyer’s Agent

This type of real estate agent helps people that are looking to purchase a house with all aspects of the buying process from the home search to the closing. He or she can help you find the right property, deal with the mounds of paperwork, negotiate the offer and also recommend reliable home-related professionals, such as home inspectors, movers and more.

Seller’s Agent

If you’re selling your home, this agent, also sometimes called the listing agent, works with you step-by-step, from home marketing to closing, as you prepare to sell your home. Additionally, they list your home on the multiple listing service. If you’re buying a house, you deal primarily with the seller’s agent rather than with the seller directly.

Dual Agent

This type of real estate agent represents both the buyer and the seller in the same real estate transaction. If a potential buyer doesn’t have a buying agent working with them, they can contact a seller’s real estate agent and tell him or her to submit an offer on their behalf.

Transaction Coordinator

The transaction coordinator or transaction agent helps the real estate agent or broker in processing administrative items for a real estate transaction. He or she manages deadlines, gathers the necessary paperwork, opens an escrow account and makes sure disclosures are properly signed and filled out. He or she simply maintains the transaction between the buyer and the seller and doesn’t represent either party.

Other Real Estate Titles

Realtor

People often use the term realtor and real estate agent interchangeably, but there’s a difference between the two. As mentioned before, a real estate agent is someone who has obtained a real estate license and can help you buy or sell a house. A realtor is a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of Realtors and adheres to the standards and code of ethics of the association. They can either be agents or brokers.

Real Estate Broker

A real estate broker is one step above a real estate agent. He or she has taken real estate education beyond the agent level and passed a broker’s license exam, meeting state requirements to own or manage a real estate company. They can either work alone, unlike a real estate agent, or hire agents to work for them. Some brokers also provide services for buyers and sellers. All agents hired to help buy or sell properties report to a broker.

The broker also handles earnest money deposits – money that the buyer puts down to buy a home and is delivered when the sales contract or purchase agreement is signed, and bears responsibility for the actions of real estate agents under his or her supervision. If you have any issues that can’t be resolved directly with the agent, the next step to take would be talk with the broker.

Real Estate Associate Broker

The associate broker is a real estate agent who has taken additional education classes and earned a broker’s license. He or she could work independently, but they choose to work for a broker or join a larger real estate network.

Did you know about these types of real estate agents? Let us know in the comments.

On the hunt for a house? Let AAA help you with your mortgage.

Fad diets come and go, but healthy eating remains the same. It should come as no surprise that focusing on good nutrition is one of the best things you can do to up the odds of living to 100. Do your best to increase the length and quality of your life by incorporating these foods for longevity into your diet.

How Food Affects Longevity

“We all want to live longer, but the key is living healthy for longer,” says Vicki Shanta Retelny, RDN, writer, speaker and host of the “Nourishing Notes” podcast. She says research on the Blue Zones – places with a disproportionately high number of people who live past the age of 100 – shows that lifestyle factors impact healthy aging.

Of course, there is no magic food guaranteed to lengthen your life. But even during the COVID-19 pandemic, heart disease remained the leading cause of death in the United States. The good news is that you can choose foods that boost your heart health, dramatically improving your odds of a long, healthy life.

“Think of your body like a nice car and food like gas,” says Amy Gorin, MS, RDN and inclusive plant-based dietitian in Stamford, Conn. “You need to fuel your body with quality foods that help every aspect of health, from heart health to bone health and more.”

So, what are the best foods for longevity? Below, Gorin and Shanta Retelny recommend eight foods that help to keep your body running smoothly and ward off life-shortening diseases.  

Fatty Fish

Salmon, sardines and canned, light tuna all contain omega-3 fatty acids, good fats which Shanta Retelny says help “[fend] off inflammation in the brain and cardiovascular system.” In other words, eating fatty fish can reduce your risk of life-shortening heart disease, and possibly even dementia.

Pro tip: Shanta Retelny recommends aiming for at least two servings of fish per week.

Tofu

There are many health benefits to plant-based eating, according to Gorin. “Eating a vegetarian diet can help lower your risk of Type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease,” she says.

But if you’re reducing meat consumption or eliminating it entirely, it’s essential to incorporate plant-based proteins. Gorin suggests tofu.

Pistachios

Nuts and seeds can also help fill your protein quota. Shanta Retelny says pistachios offer the most protein per serving.

“With aging, our bodies become less sensitive to insulin,” she adds. “Eating higher protein snacks like pistachios can help keep your blood sugar in a healthy range.

Arugula

Arugula is a food for longevity because it’s brimming with nitrates. Gorin says research suggests that eating one cup of nitrate-rich vegetables each day can “dramatically lower your risk of heart disease.”

Pro tip: Gorin recommends eating arugula in a salad, like this one with a vitamin C-rich citrus dressing.

Whole-Grain Oats

Are you worried about shortening your life because of high cholesterol? Eat more oatmeal!

Shanta Retelny says the fiber in whole-grain oats helps keep cholesterol in check and your heart healthy. “Oats have a number of beneficial compounds that can fend off inflammation and promote healthy aging,” she adds.

Berries

Both Gorin and Shanta Retelny promote eating berries for longevity. Healthy cholesterol levels help prevent heart disease, and people who regularly eat berries tend to have lower cholesterol.

Shanta Retelny says that wild blueberries pack an especially heart- and brain-healthy punch. “According to the MIND Diet, creating a berry habit at least twice a week can keep your brain healthy and functioning well in your older years,” she says.

Pro tip: Think of berries as more than just a snack. Gorin suggests incorporating them into everything from pancakes to homemade ice cream.

Pomegranates

Pomegranates are packed with antioxidants, which can “fend off damage from free radicals that cause our cells to age,” explains Shanta Retelny. They’re also tasty when pressed into juice – just be sure to get whole-pressed fruit juice for the full benefits.

Pro tip: Shanta Retelny suggested making a longevity-boosting spritzer by combining POM Wonderful 100% pomegranate juice with sparkling water.

Prunes

Research suggests eating five or six prunes per day can help prevent bone loss, and that’s great news for anyone hoping to live to 100.

“Bone health may be a surprising thing to think about when it comes to longevity, but think about hip fractures, for instance,” says Gorin. “Within the first year of injury, they can come with an increased risk of death.”

Pro tip: Gorin suggests boosting your daily intake by blending prunes into smoothies or adding chopped prunes to salads.

In general, cutting down on processed items and incorporating these foods for longevity into your regular eating habits will help you feel better, for longer. Your doctor or nutritionist can also help guide you in the right direction.

Which of these longevity foods do you love? Share your favorite ways to enjoy them in the comments below.

Who invented the car? When did the first car come out? These seem like simple enough questions until you try to define exactly what a car is. Even the Merriam-Webster Dictionary gives “car” only the broad definition of “a vehicle moving on wheels.”

Does your idea of a car include a gasoline-powered engine? Both steam and electric engines predate gasoline. What about wheels – does a car need four wheels? The first patented automobile only included three. You can see how quickly things can get murky.

The truth is, no one person created what we know today as an automobile. Inventors and engineers continually improved on previous designs and technology, dating back hundreds of years.

Who invented the car?

The history of the car most often begins with Karl Benz. The German inventor of Mercedes-Benz fame, filed a patent for a “vehicle powered by a gas engine” on Jan. 29, 1886. His creation was, in fact, the world’s first gasoline-engined automobile.

But Benz’s car was the end product of an idea dating back hundreds of years. None other than Leonardo da Vinci sketched designs for a self-propelled vehicle in 1478. His contraption was powered by a spring that needed to be wound up first. If it sounds unfeasible, think again. In the early 2000s, a team at Florence’s Institute and Museum of History and Science recreated the model vehicle and proved that it did, indeed, work.

It would take nearly 300 years for a self-propelled vehicle to become reality. In 1769, Frenchman Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot introduced the world’s first steam-powered vehicle. As you can imagine, this early design left a lot to be desired. Steam engines were excessively heavy, causing Cugnot’s creation to weigh nearly 9,000 pounds. As such, the three-wheeled vehicle traveled a measly 2.5 mph and was relegated to use by the French army as a military tractor.

In the 1830s, Scottish inventor Robert Anderson affixed a nonrechargeable battery and motor onto a carriage, creating the first electric vehicle. Over subsequent decades, several other engine types were designed, including one fueled by hydrogen gas.

When did the first car come out?

Benz’s invention didn’t look anything like the gas-powered cars we know today. The three-wheel vehicle was nearly identical to a horse buggy, with a front wheel replacing the equine animal. He knew a four-wheel would be more stable but was dissatisfied with the steering systems available at the time. Benz solved the problem by inventing his own solution: double-pivot steering.

With his new steering system installed, Benz was ready to introduce his four-wheel car to the public. The Benz Velo was unveiled in 1894 at the World Exposition in Chicago. It would ultimately prove to be an unmitigated success. More than 1,200 units were manufactured in total, bestowing the Velo the title of the world’s first production car.

When was the first car made in America?

Around the same time Benz was making history in Europe, brothers J. Frank and Charles Duryea were doing so on this side of the Atlantic. In 1893, the bicycle mechanics from Springfield, Mass., built the country’s first operable gasoline automobile. Three years later, it became the first gas-powered car sold in America.

Competition, however, was close on their toes. By 1909, nearly 500 companies entered the car-making business, though these were all small scale operations. That all changed in 1908 when Henry Ford introduced the Model T. Inexpensive yet reliable, the vehicle made car owners out of more people than ever. The introduction of the moving assembly line in 1913 further reduced the vehicle’s price. When all was said and done, 15 million Model T’s were sold. America has been a car-loving country ever since.

While there is no definite answer to who invented the car, the history of the automobile is always fascinating to explore.

Want to keep reading? Learn how the car has evolved since the Model T first graced the roadways.

AAA members can save on automotive replacement parts and accessories at NAPA.

There are certain experiences to which everyone can relate, and the hassle of removing your car’s registration sticker is one of them. These seemingly feeble stickers are designed to stay firmly attached to your car for a year or more, so getting them off your windshield or license plate is not always the easiest task. And once you’ve removed the old sticker, you’ll need to place a new one in the correct location.

But just like every other task, there are easier and more efficient ways of accomplishing this chore. Here are a few tips on how to remove a registration sticker and how to affix a new vehicle registration to make the process a little smoother.

Why the Need for Vehicle Registrations?

As troublesome as they may be, registration stickers are part of an important system of cataloging every car on the road. This lets authorities know the vehicle’s rightful owner.

By law, every automobile must be registered with a state’s department of motor vehicles. Otherwise, the car is not allowed on public roads. Failure to register your car could lead to fines or having your vehicle impounded.

You’ll need a new vehicle registration any time you buy or lease a new car, move to a new state or when your current registration expires. Each state dictates the length of vehicle registrations, but they generally need to be renewed every year or two.

Unsure about the vehicle registration laws in your state? Click here to learn more.

How to Remove a Registration Sticker

Registration stickers are designed to stay in place for a lengthy period of time, so removing them can require some elbow grease. At the same time, you want to be careful not to scratch or damage your windshield or license plate.

First warm the sticker with a heat gun on low, a hair dryer or by parking in the sun. Heat will soften and loosen the adhesive, making it easier to remove.

Start by freeing a corner of the sticker. Use a plastic razor blade to scrape a corner loose if you can’t do this with your fingers.

As you pull the sticker off with one hand, use the razor blade in your other hand to help separate it from the surface.

As the sticker comes loose, fold it over itself, referred to as 180-degree release, rather than pulling it at a 90-degree angle.

Once the sticker’s off, there will likely be some leftover glue stuck to the car’s surface. You can clean it off with rubbing alcohol, auto glass cleaner or a product like Goof Off or Goo Gone.

Did you know that you can renew your registration at select AAA branches? Find out which DMV/RMV services are available in your state. 

How to Apply a New Vehicle Registration Sticker

Placing a replacement registration sticker on your car isn’t quite as burdensome as removing one. There are, however, a few important details to keep in mind.

• Car registrations expire so you’ll eventually need to replace your sticker. While it may be physically possible to place a new sticker on top of a previous one, this is not advised and many states mandate you remove any old registrations.
• In New York, you must attach any windshield stickers to the lower left-hand corner of the inside of the windshield, to the right of the inspection sticker (if you’re looking at it from the driver’s seat). In Rhode Island and Massachusetts, registration stickers must be attached to your license plate.
• The vehicle identification number must be visible from the outside of the vehicle. To make sure the VIN is visible, ask someone to stand outside the car while you apply the sticker. If you’re alone, try rolling down the window and applying the sticker with your right hand as you look through the windshield from the outside.

Learn about DMV services available at a AAA branch near you. 

Do you have any tricks for dealing with registration stickers? Let us know in the comments below!

When thinking about the worse-case scenarios your insurance is designed to protect, it’s easy to let your imagination run wild with what-ifs.

What if the next big storm causes a long-term power outage?

What if someone breaks into your kid’s dorm room?

And (for the biggest overthinkers) what if a plane crashes into your house?

Some situations may be more extreme than others, but it’s normal to wonder if insurance would help if they ever were to happen.

Insurance policies aren’t exactly written in layman’s terms. Your insurance agent can show you coverages that may be hiding in the details.  

Here are 10 of the more “unusual” things your auto, homeowners or renters policies may cover, including a few you might not have even thought of.  

For all your insurance needs, AAA has you covered.

Lightning Strikes

Lightning strikes caused more than $2.1 billion in insured losses in 2020, according to the Insurance Information Institute. If your home is partially or entirely destroyed by lightning-caused fire, the damage may be covered by a homeowners policy. Electronic equipment such as computers, televisions and refrigerators that are damaged by lightning strikes could also be covered. Lightning also strikes autos, causing fires and damage to electrical systems, both of which may be covered by your comprehensive policy (subject to deductible).

Identity Theft

Millions of people are victims of identity theft every year. With an optional endorsement on your policy, your insurance may cover identity theft expenses up to a predetermined limit. These expenses may include reasonable attorney fees and earnings lost due to time taken off work to resolve the issue.

Safeguard your identity with ProtectMyID from AAA and Experian.

Spoiled Food

If an unexpected power outage occurs, food that spoils in your freezer and refrigerator may be covered under your homeowners policy, but the amount will likely vary from state to state. Some carriers require this coverage.

Student Possessions

If your children are students and live in a college dorm, their possessions may be covered by your homeowners or renters insurance policy. However, an off-campus apartment might not be covered; check with your agent about the specifics of your policy before your student heads off to school.

Here’s what else college students should know about insurance.

Dog Bites

Dog bites and other dog-related injury claims account for more than a third of liability claim dollars, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Your homeowners or renters policy may cover dog-bite liability expenses up to the liability limits. However, dog bite claims from dogs with prior bite history and/or breeds that are classified as vicious may be excluded in some policies.

Read more about how pets are covered by home and auto insurance.

Pothole Damage

If you have collision coverage, damage to your car from hitting a pothole may be covered, subject to deductible. Collision coverage is typically optional, so be sure to contact your insurance agent to ensure you have the coverage you need.

Did you know? AAA Tire & Wheel Program offers protection for wheel damages, dings, lost keys and more.

Tombstones/Grave Markers

Your homeowners policy may cover vandalism or damage to tombstones or grave markers, which are considered to be personal valuables.

Lost Wages

If available in your state, Personal Injury Protection (PIP) on your auto insurance policy can be used to recover a portion of lost wages, if you’re involved in an auto accident injury that causes you to miss work.

Riots

While rare, riots do happen. A homeowners or renters policy may cover damage to your home and possessions caused by rioting. If you have comprehensive auto insurance, damage to your car may be covered as well. Deductible may apply.

Aircraft Crashes Into Your House

Although the chances of it happening are slim, aircraft do occasionally crash into homes and the resulting damage may be covered.

Contact a AAA insurance agent to find out more about your insurance options and what discounts you might be eligible for.

After being cooped up for the better part of two-and-a-half years, we’ve all been itching to stretch our legs outside the confines of our homes and offices. And what better way to find your sea legs than by setting sail on a once-in-a-lifetime cruise to a wondrous and blissful destination.

Norwegian Cruise Line offers such trips to every corner of the world, many of which depart from right here in the Northeast. To get a better idea of what a luxury cruise vacation like this would be like, let us take you through the experience of being onboard the Norwegian Joy as it sails to the turquoise waters, pristine beaches and alluring culture of Bermuda.

Getting To and On the Ship

One of the most convenient aspects of cruising from the Northeast is not having to travel far to get onboard. Most major cruise lines, including Norwegian, depart from both Boston and the New York City area. Whether driving or taking mass transit, getting to the ship is a breeze. 

That convenience carries over to the boarding process. Norwegian’s online check-in system allows you to register and submit your required travel documentation days or even weeks prior to setting sail, all from the comfort of your own home. After checking in virtually, you can print your eDocs, which act as boarding passes, and luggage tags. On the day you arrive to the pier, you’ll simply need to go through security and pick up your room key. Less time waiting on line means more time to enjoy your vacation.

COVID-19 Protocols

As of October 4, 2022, Norwegian Cruise Line is allowing all passengers onboard regardless of vaccination status. There is also no testing requirements. However, individual countries may still have travel requirements, so make sure you meet those standards before boarding the ship.

Hand washing and sanitizing stations are located throughout the boat and guests are encouraged to use them frequently. Other safety features include enhanced cleaning and sanitation practices, medical-grade air filters and additional medical staffing. All Norwegian cruises will now also have a dedicated public health officer onboard to oversee day-to-day sanitation and cleanliness protocols.

Should a positive COVID-19 case occur during the cruise, Norwegian will employ contact tracing to identify and notify any passenger who may have been exposed. Isolation and quarantine accommodations are also available should they be needed.

Staterooms

Staterooms aboard the Joy range from four-person inside rooms to six-person penthouse suites. No matter the level, you can expect high-quality accommodations. Inside and Oceanview rooms are the most budget-friendly. Balcony level rooms come with a sitting area and your own private balcony for a front-row seat to epic sunrises and sunsets.

Those wishing to go all-out on their vacation experience can book a Haven stateroom. These suites, located at the top of the ship, are not only the most spacious and luxurious, they come with first-class amenities. These include access to the private Haven lounge and restaurant, 24-hour butler service, white tablecloth in-suite dining, priority restaurant and entertainment reservations, and of course, plush bathrobes and slippers.

Onboard Experience

Dining

Opposed to many cruises that only offer fixed dining times, Norwegian’s Freestyle Dining program allows you to eat when and where your heart (and stomach) desires. This includes both complimentary eateries and specialty restaurants. Of course, if you’d like to make a reservation to ensure your seat at the table, you’re always free to do so.

The Joy has three main dining rooms – the Manhattan Room, Savour and Taste. All are complimentary with rotating menus that change daily. The other free dining offerings are the buffet-style Garden Café and the Local Bar & Grill, serving pub fare and classic comfort foods.

Specialty dining options run the gamut of cuisines, including seafood at Ocean Blue, Japanese at Teppanyaki, barbeque at Q Texas Smokehouse, French at Le Bistro and premium-cut steaks at Cagney’s Steakhouse.

Entertainment

If you don’t have time to make it to a Broadway show in Manhattan before or after your cruise, fear not. The Joy puts on a performance of the hit musical “Footloose” that will make you feel like you’re on the Great White Way. Later in the week, catch a showing of the Vegas-style spectacular “Elements,” featuring music, dance and magic.

The Cavern Club, named after the legendary Liverpool nightclub where the Beatles once played, hosts several performances from, you guessed it, a Beatles cover band. You’ll also find nightly live music played at various locations throughout the ship.

The best part about all these entertaining shows? They are all complimentary!

For the Kids

The Norwegian Joy was the first cruise ship in the world to come equipped with a racetrack onboard. Guests young and old can zip around the two-level go-kart track at up to 30 mph. Complete with a covered race pit, floodlights and race car engine noises piped into your helmet, this may just be as close as you get to competing in a NASCAR race.

For a different sort of thrill, families can compete in the open-air laser tag game on deck 20. Looking for some slightly slower-paced fun? Try your hand at the Joy’s nine-hole mini golf course.

After working up a sweat, the little ones can cool off at the Kids’ Aqua Park or head inside to the Splash Academy for themed activities and parties.

Book your Norwegian Cruise today!

Many assume life insurance is solely a long-term goal and often set it aside until later in life. But with the right approach, your plan could provide stronger financial protection and greater peace of mind, now and for the future. All you need to do is exercise a bit of strategy and forward thinking to get the most out of a policy over the course of its run.

Invest as Early as Possible

Open a new life insurance policy as soon as you can. Younger, healthier consumers pose the least amount of risk for insurance companies and therefore have access to the lowest rates on the market. Moreover, this is the best time to pump some extra money into your policy at little cost, long before you may have any tangible need for financial protection. If you’re interested in starting a new plan, many companies offer a free look period, during which you can review your policy before committing.

Know the Strengths of Your Policy

Not all life insurance plans are created equal. In fact, even a single insurance company could offer a wide range of policy types. For instance, term life insurance, which only remains active for a specific length of time, can work as collateral for loans or to provide protection during a particularly expensive period of life. On the other hand, whole life insurance, which provides lifelong coverage and often includes cash value, is a better fit for individuals facing chronic health conditions or who are looking toward their retirement and estate planning.

Consider Converting Your Plan

As life progresses you might find that your initial plan type no longer serves your needs in the most effective way. Term plans make the most sense early on, providing more affordability and accessibility for younger policyholders who may be lacking any long-term vision for their coverage, but as the years go by you might ultimately find that whole life insurance is the better option. Ensure that you have the ability to convert if you choose.

Be Willing to Switch up Your Strategy

The world of life insurance offers consumers so many customizations that you may find it prudent to not only convert from one plan to another at some point but also to scale the amount you invest according to your needs. Your income, expenses and assets should evolve over time, and accordingly, your life insurance should reflect this. The aim is to sustain your family’s specific financial situation, for better or worse. To truly receive the highest benefit for your money, you need to know how much to buy and when to shift that amount.

Take Advantage of Policy Riders

So much of life insurance centers on anticipating your family’s needs years or even decades in advance. One of the best ways to prevent an unpleasant (and potentially costly) surprise with regard to your policy is to review the available policy riders that your life insurance company may offer. These are the policy extras and considerations that you can apply to customize your policy to meet your exact specifications. Oftentimes, investment in these can save you tons of money down the line, and they go a long way toward sweetening the protection and benefits of your plan.

Consult Professional Assistance

Reach out to a qualified professional to help you shape your plan. Knowing what you might need later in life is a tricky proposition and online tools can sometimes only take you so far. A seasoned veteran of the industry is perhaps best equipped to help you make an informed decision about your life insurance policy. The moves you make now do have long-standing implications for your family and its finances. So don’t be afraid to reach out for help if you feel overwhelmed with all the decisions that lay before you.

How do you get the most from your life insurance plan? Share your advice in the comments. 

Get a life insurance quote today.

Since the dawn of the medium, people have been using podcasts to talk about movies. Movie buffs make some of the nerdiest and most interesting podcasts out there.

“Blank Check With Griffin and David“

“Blank Check” is a podcast about filmographies. Actor Griffin Newman and film critic David Sims examine the films of directors who found success early on in their careers, as well as the films they made after those successes. Griffin and David both have firsthand knowledge of the film industry and they invite you in to learn all about the insider drama behind Hollywood’s biggest successes and bombs. “Blank Check” is effortlessly funny, with ongoing gags like producer Ben Hosley’s growing list of nicknames (Producer Ben, Produer Ben, the Benducer, Our Finest Film Critic and Birthday Benny, to name a few), the quest to spot famous people eating burgers and Griffin’s photographic memory of box office scores. “Blank Check” is almost like a book club for movies, as it encourages listeners to watch the full filmographies of the directors they choose to cover. Recent series on directors like Bob Fosse or Sam Raimi are like little film classes.

“Pop Culture Happy Hour“

This show from NPR is a podcast staple, and it should be in everyone’s subscription list. “Pop Culture Happy Hour,” hosted by arts journalists Linda Holmes, Glen Weldon, Stephen Thompson and Aisha Harris, is a roundtable discussion of the latest in film, television and beyond. They are also occasionally joined by other insiders, NPR personalities and pop culture critics. This friendly chat session feels more like a club than a podcast, and their film and television recommendations have never steered me wrong.

“Black Men Can’t Jump (In Hollywood)”

On “Black Men Can’t Jump (In Hollywood),” hosts Jonathan Braylock, Jerah Milligan and James III exclusively watch movies with Black protagonists and other leading characters of color. As the hosts crack jokes about the movies, they also explore Hollywood’s evolving relationship with race and how people of color are portrayed on screen. They track the careers of Black actors, the kinds of stories that Black characters get to tell and the success (or failure) of the resulting films.

“How Did This Get Made?“

One of the best film podcasts that deals with bad movies is “How Did This Get Made?” Actors and comedians Paul Scheer, June Diane Raphael and Jason Mantzoukas do a deep dive on the worst movies they can possibly find, asking the same question every time: How did this get made? This celebration of film failures will have you doubled-over with laughter. Stick around for Paul Scheer’s reading of “second opinions” – five-star reviews of the film-of-the-week on Amazon.

“The Bechdel Cast“

On “The Bechdel Cast,” hosts Caitlin Durante and Jamie Loftus watch movies through a feminist and comedic lens. The title is based on the Bechdel test (sometimes known as the Bechdel-Wallace test) which asks viewers to see if a film has two female characters, if those female characters have names and if they have a conversation about something other than a man. It sounds like a low bar, but you’d be surprised at how many films fail to clear it. While Durante and Loftus are truly interested in female representation in movies, they’re not afraid to have fun with their premise.

“Slate’s Spoiler Specials“

“Slate’s Spoiler Specials” is a podcast about films that have just been released in theaters. Unlike other podcasts about new movies, however, “Slate’s Spoiler Specials” does not shy away from spoilers. In fact, it’s all about the spoilers. Slate critics host a discussion about all of the juiciest parts of the newest movie, from unsuspected twists to after-credits surprises. It’s a great way to spend more time with a movie you loved.

What do you think are the best film podcasts? Let us know in the comments below!

Looking for more podcast recommendations? Check out our articles on the best new podcasts and true crime podcasts. 

We’ve all been there before: driving home after work and being blinded by the setting sun. You squint, turn the sun visor down and try to peer through the windshield just to get a glimpse of the road. Truth be told, this is more than just a seasonal annoyance, it can be a serious safety risk.

Just after sunrise and before sunset, the sun can shine directly into a driver’s eyes. The glare can make it much more difficult to see the road ahead, as well as other cars, pedestrians and hazards. While the sun will continue to rise and set, there are some helpful tips to dealing with the glare when driving during these times of the day.

Keep Your Windshield Clean

Your windshield provides your view of the road, so any dirt, debris or smudge can limit your field of vision. This situation is exacerbated during sunrise and sunset. When the sun hits your windshield during this time of day, it highlights all the dirt and smudges on the glass – even those you didn’t know were there. Now, you don’t have to just deal with seeing past the sunlight, but also all the dirt on your windshield. This could create a serious safety risk.

Fortunately, there is an easy way to prevent this: keep your windshield clean. You don’t need to do a thorough wash everyday, just a quick clean once a week should do the trick. And remember to clean both the outside and inside of the glass. A professional-grade product will give you the best results.

AAA Defensive Driving Course

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Turn on Your Headlights

It may seem counterintuitive to turn your headlights while the sun is up. But this tip is not necessarily just for you, it’s to help your fellow drivers. If your headlights are on, so are your taillights, making it easier for the car behind you to see your vehicle. If they can see your car, they’ll be less likely to cause a crash, creating a safer roadway for everyone.

Make sure that your lights are clean. These lights can get cloudy and dirty, creating a much dimmer light.

Break Out the Shades

No reason to reinvent the wheel. If the sun is in your eyes, put on a pair of sunglasses. It’s a great idea to always have a pair stored in your car. You never know when the clouds will part while you’re driving. Ideally, you’ll want to use polarized sunglasses, which have a special chemical applied to the lenses that filter light. The result is a clearer picture and reduced strain on your eyes.

Drivers can also utilize the vehicle’s sun visor. Depending on the location of the sun, the visor may be able to completely block it out.

Drive Slow

The goal of beating sun glare is to get from one place to another safely. So while driving slowly won’t help get the sun out of your eyes, it will help you drive during sunrise and sunset.

Driving at a safe speed is always important regardless of the circumstances, but is even more critical when your vision may be compromised. The slow speed gives you more time to observe the vehicle in front of you, scan the road, watch for hazards and pedestrians, and make any adjustments.

Leave Extra Room

It doesn’t matter how slow you’re driving – if you don’t leave enough room between your vehicle and the other cars on the road you’re more likely to cause a crash, particularly in low visibility. In fact, limited light can negatively affect depth perception. Make sure to give yourself plenty of space to react and maneuver.

Adjust Your Driving Routine

If you’re forced to deal with sun glare on a regular basis, you may want to consider altering your driving schedule if possible. After all, you don’t have to fight sun glare if you don’t have to face it. Are you able to start your trip a few minutes earlier or later? If so, this may help alleviate the problem.

You may instead be able to adjust your route. Although you’ll likely need to travel in the same direction, you may be able to find a different route that has tall buildings or trees that will help block out the sun.

Pull Over

If you can’t drive safely, don’t drive at all. When you find yourself fighting a losing a battle against sun glare, do the right thing and pull over. Find a safe spot, ideally in a parking lot and wait for the sun to move. It may only take a few minutes for the sun to get out of your direct line of sight and allow you to properly see the road.

Following these tips to avoid glare are important for keeping your view of the road clear when driving. If there is something more obstructive such as a crack or chip in your windshield, make sure to have it fixed as soon as possible.

Get more car safety tips. 

Are you planning to buy or sell a home? Maybe it’s your first time. If so, you’re probably wondering what to expect on closing day.

In a nutshell, the buyer pays the outstanding balance on the home along with any closing costs and fees. After signing a pile of paperwork, the seller transfers the property over to the buyer, who closes on the mortgage and celebrates becoming a new homeowner.

Simple, right? Not quite!

There are many steps that need to be taken before the big day. Perhaps most important, a buyer will need to be financially prepared, with ample funds to make a down payment, prove creditworthiness and pay closing costs.

On the Day of the Closing

Typically, the buyer, seller, closing attorney and real estate agent attend the closing. Sometimes the mortgage lender sends a representative to attend, too. Mortgage co-signers need to be present. A buyer’s spouse may also need to attend the closing, it depends on the state.

What You’ll Need

• Government-issued photo ID.
• Proof of homeowners insurance.
• Cashier’s or certified check.
• Personal checkbook (in case of unexpected, last-minute expenses).
• Keys and security codes for the property (seller).

Listen to Our Podcast

For expert advice on the homebuying process, listen to Episode 7 of our podcast, Merging Into Life: Buying Your First Home.

Tune In

One thing you can be sure to expect at closing? Lots of paper. Documents to sign include the property deed, bill of sale, promissory note and closing disclosure. Which paperwork you sign depends on the state you’re in, but you can plan on signing a stack of more than 30 documents.

Ideally, buyers are handed the keys to their new home after the closing. Quite often, the move-in date takes place on the same day of the deed recording. Depending on what city or county you’re in, it may take up to a few days.

Sometimes, a specific move-in date will be set in the purchase agreement. Ask your realtor about your move-in date well in advance of the closing. Also, try to schedule the closing in the morning and earlier in the week so there is enough time to record the deed with the city or county.

Closing Costs Explained 

Closing costs can be substantial. They may include origination fees, appraisals, taxes, surveys, title searches, recording fees, credit reports, attorney’s fees, home inspections and homeowners insurance. Buyers often go into sticker shock when they see the total closing-day bill.

Sellers may also have closing expenses such as utility bills and real estate agent commissions. Closing costs are paid for with a cashier’s check, certified check or wire transfer.

To pave the way for a smooth transaction, AAA Northeast mortgage consultant Louis Alfaia suggests buyers first get pre-qualified for a mortgage. “I recommend buyers start with a mortgage company or bank they trust,” he said.

“You’ll meet with a mortgage loan originator or consultant,” said Alfaia. “They’re going to review your income, your assets and your credit profile. In doing so, they’ll qualify you and tell you what you can finance. Once that’s done and you have your prequalification in hand, you start shopping for your home.”

Learn more about the benefits of prequalifying for a mortgage.

Once a buyer is pre-qualified, they move to the next step – pre-approval. A pre-approval gives the buyer a competitive edge, as sellers know are serious and likely to be approved for a mortgage. Pre-approval typically lasts for up to 90 days, Alfaia said.

He warns buyers not to make any major financial changes leading up to the closing. Examples include changing or quitting jobs, making large purchases or opening a new line of credit.

Sometimes buyers get excited and go out and buy new home items on credit, Alfaia said. This is a big no-no. “If you go out and get a credit card to purchase furniture, it can affect your credit and your ability to repay the mortgage. You’ve just added debt to the scenario.”

Timing Is Key

The purchase and sale agreement is completed soon after the buyer’s offer is accepted. It specifies the final sale price, the closing date, the title company and the terms of the earnest money deposit, which can be used as a down payment on the home. “It’s the actual contractual agreement between buyer and seller, with final terms of the purchase,” said Alfaia.

It also lays out what are known as “closing contingencies.” These include dates by when to have your financing approved and when you’ll need to complete a home inspection. “Once you have the signed purchase agreement, you normally have 10 days to do a home inspection,” Alfaia said.

At least three days before the closing, the lender will provide a closing disclosure that further outlines the terms of the mortgage, he said. This document lists closing fees, monthly payments and total balance due. “It’s like a balance sheet,” said Alfaia.

A final walk-through of the home is scheduled very near to closing day. “It’s usually recommended to have it done the day before closing,” said Alfaia, to ensure buyers are getting the property they signed up to purchase.

Learn about AAA home loans.

Do you have any additional advice on what to expect at closing? Share it with us in the comments.

Get more home buying tips and mortgage advice.

The small Adirondack village of Lake Placid is well-known for its scenic beauty, winter sports and Olympic history. Although many people associate it with winter, Lake Placid is most picturesque and enchanting in fall.

Leaf Peeping

Autumn views are endless in Lake Placid. So, grab your sweater and a camera and take in the scenery on a foliage tour (available on land and water) or on the Skyride Experience gondola ride.

The region has its own foliage report that can help you plan your trip around peak autumn sightseeing.

Outdoor Adventures

Every year, Lake Placid draws in thousands of tourists to enjoy a myriad of outdoor activities.

The tree-lined fairways and epic mountain landscapes at the Whiteface Club make for an especially memorable fall golfing experience.

And from mountains and lakes to valleys, rivers and thousands of miles of trails, Lake Placid is a hiker’s utopia. The Adirondack High Peaks are the biggest summits, drawing in crowds of explorers. But as you plan your adventure you will find there are many other treks with great views and fewer people, like the Mt. Van Hoevenberg East Trail, one of the newest trails in the six million acres of Adirondack Park.

Hit the Town

Post-adventure, there is plenty to do and see outside of the magical terrain.

Head to town and explore the many award-winning restaurants or visit the Lake Placid Center for the Arts, which offers programs in music, theater, dance, art and film, in addition to galleries, exhibitions and workshops to enjoy. At the local shops, you can discover fresh farmers markets finds, fine art and everything in between.

After a busy day, you may also want to wind down with some self-care at a full-service spa, known for custom treatments and local ingredients. Maybe a deep tissue massage after hiking the High Peaks?

Start planning your Lake Placid vacation today.

So, you’re ready to make the switch to an electric vehicle. You’ve done your homework, formulated a price range, even homed in on a few possible models. All that’s left are some test drives and signing on the dotted line, right? Let’s pump the brakes a bit.

EVs may not have internal combustion engines but they do come with the two age-old, car-buying questions: New or used? Buy or lease? Many of the factors that go into these decisions are the same for EVs as they are for their gas-powered counterparts. However, there are some important distinctions that should be taken into consideration.

New vs. Used

Ideally, we’d always like to get behind the wheel of a sparkling new car every time we’re in the market for a different set of wheels. Particularly in the rapidly developing world of EVs, buying a new vehicle ensures you’re driving the best-performing, most technologically advanced model available. But for practical reasons, purchasing a new car isn’t always an option. This is where the used car market comes into play.

The primary benefit of opting for a used EV is the upfront savings. This is no small point, as EVs are known to have high upfront costs. EVs also have fewer moving parts and require less maintenance, so older models will typically be in better shape than used gas-powered cars. Depending on the age of the used car, you could still be covered by the warranties, including the all-important battery warranty. (Not all car companies transfer this warranty to second-hand owners. If looking for a used EV, make sure to ask about this and factor it into your car-buying decision.)

There are some risks that come with owning a used EV. Regardless of the status of the warranty, you will be getting a poorer-performing battery. These lithium-ion batteries begin to degrade on day one and lose approximately 1-2% of their capacity each year. As battery capacity drops, so does driving range and overall performance. Since EVs are still a fairly new technology, there’s not a substantial amount of data on how long a typical battery will last.

Buying vs. Leasing

EVs are at the cutting edge of technology with better-performing cars being introduced each year. Batteries, in particular, are rapidly becoming more and more efficient. You may not want to be locked into a vehicle today when they can get a much-improved model a year or two later. A lease allows you to upgrade every two or three years, promising you’ll always be at the technological forefront. The rapid improvement in EVs also means they undergo steep depreciation. This loss of value won’t be your concern if you don’t own the car.

Leasing allows guarantees that you’ll be covered by the car’s warranties, which will likely outlast the terms of your lease agreement. For EVs, this includes a battery warranty good for a minimum of 8 years/100,000 miles. After the expiration of said warranty, the owner is responsible for any battery repairs or replacements, which can be expensive. By leasing, you’ll get a fresh battery long before your current one degrades any noticeable amount.

Buying an EV has its share of benefits, as well. Long-term, it’s generally a more sound financial decision to purchase a car instead of borrow. At some point, your monthly payments will end and the vehicle will be an asset you own. Lease payments will continue as long as you are in possession of the vehicle.

When it comes to EVs specifically, buying is the only way to ensure you will be eligible for the full federal tax credit, as well as any local financial incentives. Dealerships may pass along some of these savings if you are leasing, but there’s no guarantee.

And just because you purchased the vehicle, doesn’t mean you can’t upgrade. In fact, it may be easier to do so than when leasing an EV. You can always sell the vehicle any time you like. Getting out of a lease agreement early, however, may cost you in the form of termination fees and penalties.

Financing

For all intents and purposes, financing an EV is the same as financing a gas-powered car. When formulating the terms of your auto loan, lenders are going to look at factors such as credit score, down payment and income, not how the vehicle is powered.

On the personal financial side, coming up with a price range for an EV purchase can be a little trickier. EVs are typically more expensive than gas-powered gas in the same class. However, numerous federal and local tax credit and rebate programs can help offset that cost. Owners will also recoup money over the lifetime of vehicle ownership, as EVs are generally less expensive to operate thanks to fewer maintenance demands and zero fuel costs.

Visit AAA’s Electric Vehicle platform for more information on these cars of the future.

The electric vehicle movement isn’t just revolutionizing automobiles, it’s shaking up the business world, as well. For decades, mass car manufacturing has been designated almost exclusively to the major companies. The changing mobility landscape, however, has given upstart companies an opportunity to enter the picture. Several up-and-coming EV manufacturers have done just that and made quite the name for themselves in the process.

But there’s more to the EV industry than just the cars themselves. The country is in desperate demand for substantial charging infrastructure improvements. Private companies have spotted this need in the market and are continuing to build out their own network of publicly available charging locations.

Here are some of the new EV brands you’ll be hearing more of in the future.

EV Manufacturers

Rivian

Even casual EV connoisseurs have likely heard the name Rivian by now. The startup was founded in 2009 and has since picked up a number of big-name investors, including Amazon and Ford.

Rivian made history in 2021 by producing the first commercially available electric pickup truck, beating industry stalwarts such as Tesla and GM. All-in-all, the R1T truck has been well received by critics. According to Rivian, it boasts a driving range of 260-400 miles, 11,000-pound towing capacity and a 0-60 time of as little as 3 seconds. In addition to the pickup truck, the Southern California-based company is producing an electric SUV that should be available later this year, and manufacturing fully electric delivery vans for Amazon.

Lucid

Like Rivian, Lucid made headlines last fall. This time, it wasn’t for production but for performance. In September, the California-based startup announced its debut sedan, the Lucid Air, achieved an EPA-certified range of up to 520 miles. That number is by far the highest of any EV on the market, besting runner-up Tesla Model S by more than 100 miles. (Lucid and Tesla are inextricably linked, as the former is being run by many past executives of the latter.)

Lucid currently offers three trim levels of the Air: the Grand Touring, Touring and Pure. All can travel at least 400 miles on a single charge, but you’ll have to pay a hefty price for that superior performance. The models come with starting price tags ranging from $87,400 to $154,000.

Fisker

Auto designer Henrik Fisker, who styled cars for BMW and Aston Martin, founded his eponymous EV company in 2016. Not long after, the car manufacturer announced it was developing a fully electric, $40,000 luxury SUV. The finish line of that pursuit is finally within sight, with the Fisker Ocean expected to arrive later this year. Touted as the most sustainable SUV on Earth, the vehicle’s most notable feature is a solar roof that, according to Fisker, can produce up to 1,500 miles worth of energy per year.

The upstart EV maker, which has already announced plans for a second, smaller SUV dubbed the Pear, has received more than 40,000 reservations for the Ocean. The base trim has a starting price point below $38,000.

NIO

NIO is a China-based EV manufacturer founded in 2014. It is already one of the leaders in electric car sales in its home country, along with companies like XPeng and Li Auto, and has big plans for expanding into other regions around the world. Late last year, NIO announced intentions of selling its vehicles in 25 new countries and regions, including the United States, by 2025.

NIO offers a full lineup of EVs, including both sedans and SUVs, with more models expected in the future. The ET7 and ES8 are its flagship sedan and SUV, respectively.

VinFast

VinFast, established in 2017, is the first Vietnamese carmaker to sell its vehicles globally. The EV manufacturer has eyes on entering the American market later this year. It will do so with two models, a mid-size and full-size SUV, dubbed the VF8 and VF9, respectively.

What’s most notable with VinFast isn’t its vehicles, however, it’s how the company is selling them: Drivers buy the car but lease the battery. The monthly payments are commensurate to the mileage plan chosen. Furthermore, VinFast offers consumers the option of a home charger or access to nationwide public charging.

Apple

It only makes sense that the largest tech company in the world would try its hand at manufacturing the increasingly popular, boundary-pushing technology that is an EV. To be clear, there are currently no known plans of an Apple-branded car coming to fruition anytime soon. But the tech giant’s intention of developing such a vehicle goes back nearly a decade, and just last year rumors circulated that Apple was partnering with Hyundai to produce an EV. While that deal ultimately fell through, don’t be surprised to hear about an Apple car in the very near future.

EV Infrastructure Providers

EVgo

EVgo is the nation’s largest public fast charging network, one that includes over 850 locations across more than 30 states and 60 metropolitan areas. The company claims 130 million Americans live within 10 miles of an EVgo fast charger. Furthermore, it has announced plans to triple its network’s size within the next five years.

Fast chargers can recharge an EV battery in minutes rather than hours. EVgo further distinguishes itself by powering all its locations through renewable energy. To use a charger, drivers can pay as they go or sign up for a membership. EVgo recently partnered with General Motors in a deal that will allow GM customers to receive discounts on charging and exclusive reservations at EVgo locations.

ChargePoint

While EVgo has the largest number of fast-charging stations, its footprint pales in comparison to that of ChargePoint in terms of total locations. The country’s leader in EV charging stations, ChargePoint has roughly 15,000 outposts across the U.S., accounting for some 50,000 charging ports. The vast majority of these, however, provide Level 2 charging, which takes longer to recharge an EV battery than fast charging.

ChargePoint chargers are sometimes free to use if they’re owned by a retail business, such as a shopping mall or hotel. Otherwise, EV owners can pay via smartphone or ChargePoint card.

Blink

Blink is another of the largest owners and operators of public EV charging locations. Since 2009, it has constructed more than 23,000 such locations. Utilizing Level 2 charging, Blink chargers are capable of adding up to 65 miles of range in an hour.

Blink also sells residential chargers to use at home. These Level 2 chargers connect to your home’s Wi-Fi and can be controlled through a smartphone and devices like the Amazon Echo and Google Home.

Visit AAA’s Electric Vehicle platform for more information on these cars of the future.

The fundamental difference between electric vehicles and gas-powered cars is, of course, the source of energy. For the most part, the battery found in an EV provides greater peace of mind than an engine. No more frequent visits to the gas station, far less maintenance, the complete absence of harmful emissions, etc.

But this doesn’t mean batteries come with no considerations. There are several important aspects about these power sources that EV owners need to know about.

EV Battery Degradation

The vast majority of EVs utilize a lithium-ion battery, which provides greater energy density and a longer-lasting charge than other rechargeable batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are also found in your cellphone and laptop. You’ve probably noticed that as years go on, these devices don’t hold a charge as well as they originally did, causing their batteries to deplete much faster.

The same holds true for the lithium-ion batteries in EVs, which have a limited number of charging cycles. EV batteries will slowly lose capacity over time, a process known as battery degradation. Studies have shown that EV batteries typically lose about 5-10% capacity over the first five years on the road.

Healthy EV Battery Practices

While battery degradation is inevitable, there are several steps you can take to ensure your battery lasts as long as possible.

• Don’t Overcharge: EV charging is non-linear, meaning it takes more time and energy to charge the battery’s last 20% capacity. This is extra work is taxing on the battery. Therefore, it’s recommended to charge your EV battery only up to 80%. Many fast-charging public stations will cut off charging or switch to slow charging once a battery reaches that level.
• Avoid Low Charge Levels: On the other end of the spectrum, you’ll also want to keep your battery above 20%. Repeatedly charging from extreme low levels to a full charge can reduce the overall battery life.
• Minimize Fast Charging: Level 3 charging, also known as DC Fast Charging, provides the unique benefit of being able to add 60-80% of a battery’s charge in as little as 30 minutes. However, pressing so much current into a battery in such a short time can strain the battery. You should only use fast charging when necessary. Level 3 is ideal for a quick recharge on a road trip, but Level 2 is kinder to your car’s battery.
• Stay Within a Comfortable Temperature Range: EV batteries do not like the extreme ends of the thermostat. Prolonged exposure to intense heat or cold will not only impact the battery’s efficiency, it could also speed up degradation.

Measuring a Battery’s State of Health

It’s important for EV owners, and especially used-EV shoppers, to know the exact state of a vehicle’s battery. Fortunately, there are several ways to find this information out. Current owners can simply see what the estimated range is after they fully charge their car, then compare that to the range when they first purchased the vehicle. If your EV originally boasted a 200-mile range, for example, but now a fully charged battery only provides 180 miles, the battery’s capacity has dropped 10%.

For a more precise status update, head back to the dealership, where the service department can provide a detailed report on your vehicle’s battery health. Used car shoppers can also get a copy of such a report and will want to examine this document carefully.

Finally, EV owners can look to third parties for status updates. Companies like Recurrent offer automated battery health reports. Shoppers can also utilize this tool to check on the battery condition of a particular EV they have their eye on, simply by plugging in the car’s VIN.

EV Battery Warranties

The good news in regard to EV batteries and their potential decline is that these power sources are covered by a warranty that could very well last the length of the ownership. Federal regulations require automakers to provide an EV battery warranty of at least eight years or 100,000 miles. Some car companies go even further. Hyundai, for example, offers a 10-year/100,00- mile warranty on all its EV batteries, while the Tesla Models S and X come with eight-year/150,000-mile protections.

While the length of EV battery warranties may be similar, they are not all created equal. Some cover the replacement of a battery once its capacity drops below a certain percentage (usually around 60-70%), while others will only protect against a completely failed battery.

Many battery warranties are transferable, allowing used EV buyers to inherit whatever time and mileage remains on the original warranties. However, this practice is not universal. If you’re in the market for a second-hand EV, make sure to learn if the warranty will rollover.

Battery Replacement Costs

If your EV battery has finally reached the end of the road and your warranty has already expired, you’ll need to replace it. The battery is one of the most expensive components of an EV, so a new one won’t be cheap. The exact cost of this repair varies significantly based on car model, but you should expect to pay several thousand dollars. More-powerful batteries, however, could run well into the five-figure range.

Visit AAA’s Electric Vehicle platform for more information on these cars of the future.

Whether you’re looking for a meal you can prepare at home or a snack delivery, these AAA discounts can satisfy both your food cravings and your wallet.

Wolferman’s

Got a craving for baked goods? An indulgent breakfast, brunch or dessert from Wolferman’s should do the trick. Since 1888, Wolferman’s has remained a proud purveyor of gourmet breads and pastries. Try their delicious English muffin sampler, their deluxe ham brunch banquet, their orange cream bundt cake and more.

Save 20% when shopping online.

Harry & David

If you want to send someone a delicious gift, Harry & David is sure to please. They have something for every occasion – or no occasion at all! With options ranging from fruit wreaths to gourmet gift baskets, you can’t go wrong. Try their deluxe orchard gift basket, their Moose Munch popcorn tins or even their gourmet turkey feast.

Get 20% off your next online order.

Save More With Discounts & Rewards

Member-only discounts available on retail, dining, event tickets and more!

View Discounts

Home Chef

Cooking at home can be fun, but going to the grocery store isn’t always. With Home Chef, you don’t have to worry about the hassle of gathering ingredients. This subscription box will deliver all the ingredients and instructions for a perfect meal right to your doorstep. You can create and enjoy meals like crispy Dijon chicken, shrimp lo mein, butternut squash gnocchi and so much more. You don’t have to be a professional chef to make a delicious meal in the comfort of your own home.

Get $110 off your first four boxes.

Jacques Torres Chocolate

Jaques Torres Chocolate delivers fresh, handcrafted chocolates with premium ingredients. Try a box of assorted bonbons, or even a rich mug of hot chocolate. It’s the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Save 15% online.

Winc

If you’re looking for your new favorite wine, try Winc’s online quiz. It’s only a minute long, and it helps Winc determine your tastes, your palate and your preferences. With a Winc subscription, you’ll get four bottles a month delivered right to your doorstep. You’ll be an at-home sommelier in no time!

Get four bottles of wine for just $29.95, plus free shipping.

Restaurant.com

Choosing a restaurant can sometimes be as difficult as making a meal yourself. But with Restaurant.com you can find a great meal – and a great deal. Check reviews and deals for over 20,000 restaurants nationwide. Want to stay home? They also have takeout options.

Get $25 Restaurant.com gift certificates for just $3.

Omaha Steaks

With Omaha Steaks, you can get premium steaks and gourmet food delivered to you. Shop their selection of filet mignon, strip steaks, top sirloins, ribeyes, T-bones and porterhouses. You can also order other foods, like pork, seafood, poultry, burgers and even wine. With the right cut of meat or glass of wine, you can turn your grill or kitchen into a five-star restaurant. It’s like going out to eat without ever leaving the house.

Receive free shipping on select combos and 10% off all items.

BarkBox

It seems like all the human members of your family are eating pretty well – and your furry companion should too. With a BarkBox subscription, you get a monthly box of new dog treats, toys and chews.

Sign up here and get an extra toy in every box.

For even more delicious savings, check out these restaurants with AAA discounts.

Looking for even more ways to save? Head on over to AAA.com/Discounts.

As we all know by now, it’s an expensive world out there. This may lead you to believe that any vacation exploring that world is going to come with a sky-high price tag. Au contraire. One type of getaway has, by and large, avoided skyrocketing costs and could be the perfect budget-friendly vacation for you and your traveling party: cruises.

Not only have cruise prices remained stable during these inflationary times, that stable price is incredibly low. “[The prices] are some of the lowest that we’ve seen in a very long time,” Chris Gray Faust, managing editor of The Cruise Critic, recently told “Good Morning America.” “Not only are the fares low, but a lot of the cruise lines are putting in a lot of extra value type of things–like, they’re throwing in free gratuities, free Wi-Fi, free drink packages, things like that.” 

All-Inclusive Cost

What makes a cruise so budget-friendly is that the price to book your spot onboard includes travel to your destination, lodging, meals and entertainment. If these were purchased individually, they would cost significantly more than the price of a cruise ticket.

Let’s take a look at an example. Norwegian Cruise Line’s seven-night cruise from New York to Bermuda starts at less than $800 per person. Factor in a round-trip flight and add in a week-long stay at a nice hotel and you’re already well past the cost of a cruise.

And this is without taking into consideration the food and entertainment. Norwegian offers several complimentary dining options onboard, meaning you won’t need to pay for a single meal all week. (You can, of course, pay for a meal at one of the many specialty dining restaurants if and when you choose.) And entertainment? The ships put on several Broadway- and Las Vegas-caliber performances throughout the week. If you were to purchase tickets to such a show on land, it would likely set you back at least $100 per person.

Budgeting Made Easy

Cruises also make it easier to budget accordingly by allowing you to prepay for any add-ons you may want. Drink packages and shore excursions, for example, can be purchased beforehand so you know exactly what you’re paying for each and are not surprised at the end of your trip with massive bill.

Walking onto the ship with all aspects of your trip already paid for ensures that you won’t exceed your budget and provides a peace of mind that will suit you well as you set sail.

Book your Norwegian Cruise today!

If you are looking to trim your household budget, start by examining what you put into your grocery cart.

Food is the third largest household expense, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Practicing smart shopping techniques can equal big savings over the course of several months or years.

At this point in your life, grocery shopping is likely a rote habit, but it may be time to switch it up a bit in the interest of your budget. Before you browse the food aisles, read these grocery shopping tips to save money.

Learning to Budget

It would be nice if savings could simply fall into our shopping cart without any effort. In reality, we must be diligent planners and follow smart grocery shopping tips to save money. Take comfort in knowing that discounts and savings come to savvy shoppers. If you do your homework and create a weekly or monthly budget, you’re bound to spend less on groceries and shopping in general. Take a moment to look at your grocery receipts or bank statements to get an idea of your regular shopping expenses.

Once you’ve got a good picture of your grocery shopping habits, come up with a target savings goal and new weekly or monthly budget. Be sure to take into consideration the number of people in your household and your total income. To help you figure out what you should be spending, the U.S. Department of Agriculture puts out monthly cost of food reports that provide estimates of weekly and monthly spending for different budgets (thrifty, low-cost, moderate and liberal).

Budgeting always starts with a clear plan and goal. How much do you want to save per month? What is your savings goal? Answering these questions will give you a long-term vision to work toward.

Grocery Shopping Tips to Save Money

After you’ve compiled a budget that your family is committed to follow, start implementing smart grocery shopping tips to save money. Here are some ideas to cut out fat in your budget.

Meal plans. You’ll be a smart shopping expert if you plan your weekly meals ahead of your shopping trip. Take stock of the food that’s already in your kitchen and figure out what can be used to make breakfast, lunch and dinner for the week. Create a calendar and write down every meal you’ll make for the entire week. After that’s done, compile a shopping list with only the items you need to make those meals. Planning out your meals for the entire week saves time and money.

Find sales. You can browse newspaper inserts for sales and coupons, and there are also apps to help you find more deals. Free apps like SnipSnap scour coupons for nearby grocery stores, which can be downloaded to your smartphone. To save further, become a loyalty member and look out for rebates. Checkout51 identifies rebates for you when you photograph your receipt. The app collects your rewards and then deposits cash rebates into an account for you. If you “like” your favorite brands on social media or sign up for newsletters, you may find further savings.

Buy generic and bulk. Don’t buy name brand products that immediately catch your eye. We’ll let you in on a secret: Generic store products are often placed in poor shelving real estate. Comb the bottom and top shelves for discounted off-brand items. Bulk items are also a better bargain than smaller packaged items. But remember to always check the price per unit to see if you’re actually getting a deal on a bulk item. To find the price per unit figure out the cost of the item and divide it by the quantity to get the unit price.

Cut your own food. Buying pre-cut meat and cheese at the deli or pre-cut veggies and fruit is convenient but pricier. You’ll pay less if you buy larger cuts of meat rather than deli slices. It’s cheaper to buy whole fruits and veggies and cut them yourself at home.

Don’t shop hungry. You’ve probably heard it before: Don’t shop on an empty stomach. It’s hard to resist that yummy bakery section or other items not on your shopping list when you’re hungry. Grab a handful of nuts or eat a small snack so you’re not distracted by hunger pangs while you shop.

Add things up as you go. Use the calculator on your phone to keep a continual tab of the items in your cart. That way there aren’t any surprises at checkout.

Before leaving the store always check your receipt to make sure you weren’t overcharged.

Do you have more grocery shopping tips to save money? Share your shopping suggestions with us in the comments section below.

To save even more money, visit AAA.com/Discounts. 

Although its moniker and football team are named for its rich history in steel production, Pittsburgh’s industrial past has made way for a modern renaissance. Come expecting urban beauty, a celebration of diversity and a small-town feel that retains the traditions of the past while looking toward the future.

Point State Park

The perfect introduction to the city, Point State Park is located at the confluence of the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers, known as the Golden Triangle. The scenic green space is a National Historic Landmark, remembered for its significance in the French and Indian War and other milestone struggles throughout the mid to late 18^th century. It’s also known for having the nation’s tallest water fountain, spouting water up to 150-feet high!

On the Town

Head to the Strip District for a mile of mom-and-pop grocers, bakeries, restaurants and sidewalk vendors, ride the funiculars up the famous Pittsburgh inclines (the Monongahela Incline is the steepest in the country) and immerse yourself in pop art at the Andy Warhol Museum.

And don’t miss your chance to see inside the University of Pittsburgh’s 42-story Gothic Skyscraper, the Cathedral of Learning. Here you can take a self-guided tour of the Nationality Rooms, 31 classrooms designed by artists and architects that reflect different cultural periods, including Byzantine, Romanesque, Renaissance, Tudor and folk.

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Game Time

Pittsburgh is a sports town. Depending on when you visit, you can see the Steelers at Acrisure Stadium (football), the Pirates at PNC Park (baseball) or the Penguins at PPG Paints Arena (hockey). College teams are also popular, especially the University of Pittsburgh’s Panthers.

If you enjoy adventure travel, recreational spaces abound. Walk, jog or cycle the trails along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail or go hiking in Riverview Park on the city’s North Side.

Where to Stay

Whether you’re in search of the value and convenience of Super 8 or the style and energy of the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts has options throughout the city.

Perhaps you’d like to wind town at the TRYP by Wyndham in the heart of Pittsburgh’s historic Lawrenceville neighborhood. If you’re headed somewhere else after your stay, Microtel Inn & Suites and Wyndham Garden are both located by the airport.

AAA members can save 10% or more at all Wyndham properties. Book your Wyndham hotel today.

There’s nothing quite like a road trip for getting out and seeing – and tasting – what a region has to offer. It’s not just about the destination but the stops along the way that make the ride special, and that’s especially true of where you choose to eat.

Whether it’s a meal or a quick stop for something sweet, instead of dining at familiar places and chain restaurants, seek out local spots. It’s fun to find the best food in town! Here are a few of our favorite places to stop and eat while road tripping through the Northeast.

Becky’s Diner

Portland, Maine

It’s not technically a law that you must have a lobster roll when you’re in Maine, but it’s definitely an unofficial rule. Located right on the waterfront, Becky’s has all manner of seafood to choose from, including a fantastic lobster roll. Too early for lunch? Don’t worry, you can still get your fix with their lobster omelet.

Bob’s Clam Hut

Kittery, Maine

This isn’t a seafood restaurant. It’s a seafood joint. Although there’s nothing fancy about Bob’s, you’ll find some of the best clams and fried fish in the state at this unassuming building on the side of the road in Kittery. In fact, it made our list of the top 8 clam shacks in the region. The parking lot is tiny, so you may need to find a spot next door, but it’s worth the walk to get a heaping helping of fresh New England seafood. On a sunny day, walk right through the building to the yard out back and enjoy your meal on a picnic table in the sun.

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For more road trip tips and tricks, listen to Episode 5 of our podcast, Merging Into Life: Road Trip Starter Pack.

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Polly’s Pancake Parlor

Sugar Hill, N.H.

Don’t miss Polly’s if you’re making your way through the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Open for breakfast and lunch, this sweet stop is all about pancakes with plenty of maple syrup. You can create your own with a choice of seven batters and four fillings, including blueberries, chocolate chips and daily specials. Make sure you get some of the locally smoked bacon as a side and check out the country store where you can get many of their mixes to-go.

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Red Arrow Diner

Manchester, N.H.

There are several Red Arrow Diner locations in New Hampshire, but our favorite is the original in Manchester. It’s open 24 hours a day so you can get your pancakes, eggs, burgers and pie any time, day or night. Even if you’ve never visited you may recognize the Red Arrow Diner for being a famous stop along the campaign trail for presidents looking to make a big impression for the first national primary. You can see their photos shaking hands with the locals all along the wall behind the counter.

King Arthur Baking Company

Norwich, Vt.

You can find King Arthur Baking products in your local grocery store, or you can go to the flagship location up in the Green Mountains of Vermont. This stop is part shopping experience and part food break. The huge store sells everything a home baker could possibly need for their kitchen, but there’s also freshly baked breads, rolls, sweets, sandwiches and pizza. On sunny days, eat in the beautiful outdoor courtyard and enjoy the fresh mountain air.

Kane’s Donuts

Saugus, Mass.

No matter which donut flavor you try at Kane’s you won’t be disappointed (we highly suggest the creme brulee). There are several locations including one in downtown Boston and on the famous Route 1 that runs all the way from Maine to Florida. Not only are donuts tasty, but a box in the backseat makes for perfect nibbling as you make your way to your next destination.

Frank Pepe’s Pizzeria

New Haven, Conn.

Are you even on a road trip if you don’t stop for pizza and eat the leftovers in the car? Known for their thin-crusted, coal-fired Neapolitan-style pizza, Franke Pepe’s opened its New Haven location back in 1925 now has restaurants throughout the Northeast. A large is enough to feed a family and then some, so order accordingly.

Rein’s Deli

Vernon, Conn.

There’s a little bit of everything at this diner-style restaurant, from must-try pastrami and Reuben sandwiches, to salmon and lox and sweet cheese blintzes. You can even get a little something to-go at the deli counter. And did we mention there’s pie? Good luck picking just one flavor from the case up front. We recommend taking a slice or two for the road.

Becky’s BBQ

Middletown, R.I.

You might not think of Rhode Island as a place for great barbeque, but Becky’s may change your mind. It has all your hickory-smoked favorites from pulled pork to brisket to ribs, along with a list of tempting sides. Finish your meal with a slice of key lime or pecan pie.

Café Ommegang

Cooperstown, N.Y.

Brewery Ommegang is well-known for its wide selection of beers, but did you know it also has a fantastic cafe? This brewery in the woods is an idyllic location for a break from the road while touring upstate New York. Try the chicken and waffles with maple bacon bechamel and raspberry coulis or the poutine with local cheese curds and rich demiglace.

Need a ride? AAA members can save up to 20% on Hertz rentals.

Whether is was fresh off the lot or, more likely, a hand-me-down on its last legs, we all remember our first car. But were we so focused on the freedom of the open road that we failed to notice what other people were driving? What the “it” car ​​​of the time was?

Automobiles have always been a sign of their times, so even if we weren’t behind the wheel of any of these bestselling cars, their popularity says a lot about what the roadways were like when we first started to drive.

Let’s see what the bestselling car in America was the year you started driving with a trip down memory lane.

Note: The following does not include SUVs or pickup trucks, for that would be a decidedly shorter list: the Ford F-series truck has been the bestselling vehicle in the U.S. the past 40 years.

1978-1981, 1983: Oldsmobile Cutlass

General Motors scored a major win in 1978 when it released the fifth generation Cutlass Supreme. This compact model featured a smaller body than previous iterations, which proved to be a hit with consumers. The Cutlass would remain America’s bestselling car into the 1980s. In 1983, the premium Cutlass Supreme model took the top spot. 

1982, 1987-88: Ford Escort

The Ford Escort briefly interrupted the Oldsmobile Cutlass’ reign atop the sales chart in 1982. First released the year prior, the Escort experienced a quick rise to the top thanks to a fuel-efficient engine, a variety of trim packages and a reasonable price. Its success had to be a welcome surprise for Ford  – and a sigh of relief  – as the car was replacing the universally panned Pinto in the automaker’s lineup. The Escort regained the sales crown later in the decade thanks to updated styling and a more powerful engine.

1984-85: Chevrolet Cavalier

The Chevrolet Cavalier appealed to so many people thanks to its versatility. The car was available in five body types: coupe, sedan, hatchback, wagon and convertible, making it practical for lone drivers and families alike. Add in an efficient engine and fair sticker price, and the Cavalier became the car of choice in the mid-1980s.

1986: Chevrolet Celebrity

In somewhat of a surprise, the Cavalier was usurped from its throne in 1986 by its sister model. The Celebrity also came in various body styles, most of which offered ample cabin space for a mid-sized vehicle.

1989-1991, 2001: Honda Accord

The Honda Accord’s ascent to the top of the sales chart at the close of the 1980s was largely symbolic of the decade’s automotive market, which saw Japanese imports carve out a significant stake. Honda’s breakthrough vehicle was popular for good reason. The Accord came with a list of available features other competitors couldn’t rival, including air conditioning, power windows and locks, alloy wheels and a sunroof.

In 1990, Honda introduced its fourth-generation Accord, turning the compact car into a mid-sized sedan. The revamp proved wise as roughly 50,000 more units were sold than in the year prior. The Accord remained incredibly popular throughout the 1990s. It further proved its staying power by regaining its status as the bestselling car of 2001.

1992-96: Ford Taurus

The Ford Taurus began an impressive five-year stretch as the most popular car in America in 1992. The right combination of comfort, safety and value provided mass appeal to the American public. Helping boost sales was a wagon model suitable for families. The car remained a bestseller even in 1996, when a highly criticized styling redesign was unveiled to the market.

1997-2020: Toyota Camry

The Toyota Camry bumped the Ford Taurus to second place in 1997, the year that marked the beginning of the end for any competitors with eyes on the pinnacle spot. With one exception (when the Accord topped the charts in 2001), the Camry has been the bestselling car in America every year since. Much like other models in Toyota’s lineup, the Camry performs above average in just about every category, including performance, safety and, most notably, reliability. 

The car’s popularity continued to grow through the late ’90s and 2000s, peaking in 2007. While sales have decreased in recent years as SUVs and crossovers have taken over, the Camry still beats out all other competitors in its market.

Did you drive any of the cars on this list? Were they worthy of being the most popular in the country? Let us know in the comments below!