Spring has sprung, and that means it’s time to get crafty. Crafting is the perfect way to ignore spring cleaning, and to bring the bright colors of the season to your home and garden. But what good is a craft if it’s too hard to finish? I’ve seen far too many Pinterest crafts go sideways just because they were too complicated. I needed crafts that anybody could do. I scoured the internet for the best ideas for spring crafts and found three that seemed (relatively) accessible.

Here are my favorite spring crafts, and how you can do them yourself with things you have at home.

Garden Hose Wreath

Inspired by a few similar items I’d seen in home crafting circles, I decided to tackle the garden hose wreath. Putting a garden hose on your front door doesn’t really sound like a cute idea at first. In fact, everyone I told about this craft looked at me with something between doubt and pity in their eyes. No matter how crazy it might sound, the garden hose wreath is cute, charming and simple.

The garden hose wreath is a great way to add some shabby-chic fun to your front door. All you have to do is coil a garden hose into a circle and zip tie it closed. After that, you can decorate it however you choose!

These are the items that I used to make my wreath. I have a cheap pair of gardening tools, a 15-foot garden hose, a bouquet of fake hydrangeas, zip and twist ties, a gingham ribbon and a pair of scissors.

First, I coiled the garden hose so that it was about the circumference of a normal wreath. Then, I took one zip tie and fastened it around the hose in one place. I only used one zip tie for this, because I wanted it to look like the hose was coiled that way naturally. Don’t try to make it look too perfect – that’s not the point.

I made an X with the garden tools and joined them together with a twist tie before tying part of my ribbon around them. I tied the other end of the ribbon around the zip tie at the top of the wreath, so that the gardening tools would hang in the middle. So far it looked good, but the tools were flopping around a little too much, so I zip tied them to the hose to give them some stability.

I selected the flowers that I wanted and grouped them together in little bouquets, before attaching them to the top of the wreath with twist ties. They looked a little naked, so I added a bow with the gingham ribbon at the end.

The wreath looked great, but something was missing. The hose was dry! I grabbed a plastic bag and inserted it into the end of the hose so that it would look like water was spraying out of it. Then, I added one more zip tie to the top of the wreath and hung it on my front door.

Colander Planter

After the wreath, I was ready to move on to my next craft – the colander planter. This craft is actually pretty easy – it’s mostly repotting a plant from one container to another.

Here were the materials I used: some coffee filters, a colander and a new pot of African daisies. Some people like to spray paint their colander with some fun spring colors, but I think it’s more whimsical when it looks like something you just grabbed out of your kitchen.

First, I lined the colander with my coffee filters so that the dirt wouldn’t slough out when the flowers were watered. You can also use landscaping cloth if you have it, but I didn’t want to buy a big bolt of it when I would only be using a little bit for this craft.

This is when I realized that I should have done this craft before I did the wreath, because I could have used that spade.

I put some fresh potting soil in the colander (with my bare hands like an animal), then transferred the flowers from their nursery pot. I smoothed some more potting soil on top, then voila! Even though I made a mess, my quirky colander planter was complete!

Some people turn these into hanging planters by attaching string to the colander’s handles, but I like my colander just the way it is.

Rock Markers

This has got to be one of the simplest crafts out there. Many people use markers in their gardens to identify the types of plants that are growing there. But a cheap and easy way to add your own markers is to paint rocks! Hey, it’s free real estate.

I collected some of the larger rocks from around my yard, then took them to the sink to rinse off the dirt.

This is when I realized that I should have done this craft before I did the planter, because I could have used that colander.

For my rocks, I used a thin coat of acrylic paint – if the coat is too heavy, it will never dry. Garden markers are usually used for fruits and vegetables, but I don’t have any of those, so I made some for my flowers. I also made a ladybug, some robins eggs and a big rock proclaiming the return of spring.

If you don’t feel comfortable trying to paint your plants on the rocks, print out an old scientific illustration of your plant, cut it out and use decoupage gloss to apply it to the rock.

After I was finished painting and the rocks dried, I sprayed them with some sealing spray, since acrylic paints tend to fade outdoors.

Beware, you will get messy! There’s no good way to paint rocks without getting a lot of paint on your fingertips, but that’s half the fun.

Add extra color to your home this spring with flowers from 1-800-Flowers.com. AAA members save 25% on arrangement, gifts and more. 

What are your favorite spring crafts? Let us know in the comments below!

It is not news that cars look very different than they did just a decade or two ago, let alone a century. But it’s easy to take these changes for granted – almost nothing is the same as it was 100 years ago.

But retracing the evolution of car design tells us more than just technological and engineering advancements – there are lessons in history and culture found within the body of a car.

Early 20^th Century

The first automobiles were large and box-like, reminiscent of their transportation predecessors – the horse-drawn buggy, minus the horse. Popular was the “runabout” body style that omitted doors, windshield and windows. Even the first Model T cars adopted this look.

Car design has been heavily influenced not just by engineering and technology but also by prevailing styles. For instance, during the roaring ‘20s, cars took on an art deco look, which had become popular due to its perceived opulence. Cars were adorned with curved runner boards, gleaming paint jobs and enamel finishes.

During this time, paved roads became more common across the country. This eliminated the need for large, rugged vehicles that could traverse uneven dirt roads. In turn, cars became longer and sleeker.

“File:Traction avant.jpg”by Liftarn is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

Pre-War

The 1930s were marred by the Great Depression, but the decade did produce a significant milestone in the evolution of car design. During this time, engineers invented the monocoque, a single-hull chassis. This made cars lighter and more structurally sound. From an aesthetic viewpoint, headlight, runner boards and fenders began to be integrated into the body of the car. This created a sleeker-looking automobile.

“Kaiser’s Frazer”by Hugo-90 is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Mid-Century

Commercial car production dropped off significantly during World War II. But just like the Great Depression, the world’s crises didn’t affect the evolution of car design. In a further attempt to integrate all the exterior parts of the car into a single form, pontoon styling came into fruition during and after the war. The look was marked by a bulbous hood, but it completely integrated such aspects as the runner boards, headlights and fenders into a single uninterrupted form. This continuous flow made the car visually cohesive.

During the middle of the century, European manufacturers began producing smaller, more efficient, compact cars (think Mini Cooper, Volkswagen Beetle). It wasn’t long before European and Japanese imports began to flood the American market. They filled a huge gap, as most American manufacturers continued to make larger models.

The 1960s also introduced Americans to muscle cars. These low-cabin, extended hooded vehicles had significant horsepower. For the first time, Americans had fast, loud cars.

The emergence of foreign imports, coupled with the 1973 oil embargo, forced U.S. manufacturers away from the boat-like designs of years prior. American companies started creating their own lines of compact cars that were affordable and efficient.

Just like in the roaring ‘20s, during this time automobiles took on the look of their surroundings. Bold and bright paint jobs were becoming popular and it wasn’t uncommon to see a shag interior.

Modern Car Design

In the 1980s, car design took a decidedly sharp turn toward pragmatism. Safety concerns began to come to the forefront of the conversation. The result was a somewhat boxy, uninspired look. Toward the end of the century, however, engineers were able to design cars that met safety standards but were also aesthetically pleasing – curves, contours and all.

Not even a quarter of the way through the 21^st century, and we’ve seen car design break wide open, from the smallest to the largest and everything in between.

There have been many car design styles over the years. What are your favorites? Did you drive any older model cars? Tell us all about it in the comments below!

During these challenging times, when countless travelers have had to postpone or cancel upcoming vacations, the AAA Travel team has been working hard to help members reschedule travel plans, navigate new industry regulations and tackle other travel-related challenges.

Donna Goncalves knows this firsthand, and will forever be grateful to Elizabeth Jurlina, an air desk coordinator at AAA Northeast.

Her son, Evan, a sophomore at the University of Rhode Island, was on a semester abroad in Seville, Spain, when COVID-19 began to spread across the globe. He left his home in Rhode Island for his dream trip on Jan. 28. For almost two months, he spent his time teaching children English, going to professional soccer games and exploring.

“It was hard to have him so far away. What kept me in check was I knew he was having an experience of a lifetime,” said Goncalves, a human resources business line manager at AAA Northeast. “I’m so incredibly proud of him; he’s gone through a lot and has been so resilient through it all.”

In March, Evan called home to say his program was ending early, and he had to come home. Knowing that several travel bans were in place, Goncalves reached out to Jurlina for help.

Getting Evan home in the middle of a travel ban was difficult but not impossible. To begin with, there aren’t many flights in and out of Seville, then add a travel ban and airport restrictions. After multiple cancellations and long hold times to speak with airline representatives, Jurlina was able to get Evan on his way home.

Goncalves wanted to hug Evan the minute he arrived on March 17, but she had to wait 14 days to be sure that he wasn’t showing any symptoms of COVID-19. On April 1, she was finally able to give her a son big hug and enjoy a day together with her family.

“Coming from a background working with two major international airlines, I knew the difficulties they were going through,” Jurlina said. “I just had to be patient and stay on the line. I knew what I was able to do to get him home to his family. All the craziness was worth it in the end.”

Evan was not the only student abroad Jurlina was able to reunite with families. She also helped get a member’s son home from Malaysia.

When the time is right, let a AAA Travel agent help you with your next trip. 

Not all podcasts are supposed to be listened to – some of them are just meant to be soothing background noise. When I was struggling with a bout of insomnia a few years ago, nothing I tried could get me to sleep. That is, until I found Sleep with Me, an (unfortunately named) podcast designed to lull its listeners into dreamland. Instead of a white noise machine, some people prefer to listen to the sounds of people talking. There’s nothing that puts me down faster. Here are the best podcasts for relaxation and sleep.

Sleep With Me

As I mentioned above, “Sleep With Me” was the first podcast for sleep I ever found – and it worked like a dream (pardon the pun). Using the moniker “Dearest Scooter,” host Drew Ackerman mumbles into the microphone for over an hour. Sleep with Me seems to work on dream logic itself, since Scooter doesn’t seem to have a script. He’s mostly saying what’s coming to mind. Once, he was trying to learn a new language by watching the Spanish dub of Breaking Bad, and many episodes of the podcast consisted of bizarre plot recaps mixed up with Scooter’s own thoughts and inventions. He also has a spin-off sleepytime podcast, “Game of Drones,” and you can guess what that’s based on. “Sleep With Me” isn’t really about content, though. It’s a story that’s impossible to follow, told in the most mumbly tones possible, and it’ll make your eyelids droop in minutes. Honestly, “Sleep with Me” is magic.

The Empty Bowl

“The Empty Bowl” started as a joke between podcaster Justin McElroy and cereal-reviewer (really) Dan Goubert, but it quickly became an “oasis in a bowl,” a truly meditative podcast about cereal. McElroy and Goubert’s soft, laid-back cereal discourse is paired with a zen-like soundtrack designed to put you at ease. “Breathe and think about cereal,” McElroy says in the first episode, “That’s it.”

LeVar Burton Reads

If you’re familiar with LeVar Burton’s PBS show, “Reading Rainbow,” welcome home. LeVar Burton Reads is sort of like “Reading Rainbow” for grown-ups. In this podcast, Burton hand-picks a piece of short fiction and reads it aloud to you. I say “to you” because it really does feel like a personal experience – there’s nothing like being read to. Burton selects stories from some of the best short story writers, including N.K. Jemisin, Ursula K. LeGuin, Octavia Butler, Ray Bradbury, Haruki Murakami and Neil Gaiman.

Everything is Alive

It’s all there in the title. Each episode, host Ian Chillag sits down and interviews an inanimate object. The interviews are improvised, but everything is true (other than the fact that most inanimate objects can’t talk). “Everything is Alive” is a strangely meditative journey into the quiet dramas happening all around us. “I hope I’m consumed by someone who enjoys it,” says Louis, a can of store-brand cola. Chioke, a grain of sand, appears later on in the series as Chioke, a pane of glass. “The doctors only hear Ringo, but I hear George and Paul and John,” says Scott, a stethoscope. It’s easy to get lost in the world of “Everything is Alive,” because it’s really our world.

Nothing Much Happens

“Nothing Much Happens” is billed as “bedtime stories for grown-ups,” and it delivers on that promise. Host Kathryn Nicolai tells a story two times in a row, going slower the second time to fully lull you into sleep. In the waking world, Nicolai is a yoga teacher, and she seems innately aware of the complex relationship between mind and body. She guides you through the story like an instructor might guide you through a series of poses – it’s like a type of yoga in which you don’t have to move at all. Nicolai’s stories are short and pleasant, with a relaxed mood focused on sensory details. There’s no conflict, not much of a plot. And just like that, you fall asleep.

Meditation Minis

“Meditation Minis” is a guided meditation with hypnotherapist Chel Hamilton – though it (supposedly) doesn’t actually hypnotize you. The episodes are mostly short, usually clocking in at the 10 or 15-minute range. Some episodes are specifically about improving sleep habits, though the meditations cover a wide range of topics and emotions.

Most Relaxing Voices in Podcasting

The following podcasts are not necessarily about relaxation, but the voices of the hosts are relaxing all on their own.

“99% Invisible” – Roman Mars

“Criminal” – Phoebe Judge

“You Must Remember This” – Karina Longworth

“Hardcore History” – Dan Carlin

Do you have any favorite podcasts for relaxation? Tell us in the comments below (if you’re not too sleepy)! 

Looking for even more shows to listen to? Check out my articles about the best history podcasts, the best film podcasts and the best limited-series podcasts!

Reality is pretty weird right now, and sometimes you just need a break. Video games can be the perfect way to escape into a different world for a little while. The best video games for escaping reality are colorful, engaging and relatively low-stress. These are some of our favorites.

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The #AnimalCrossing series has brought smiles to fans around the world. Hear a few players share why they play Animal Crossing, and why they’re excited for Animal Crossing: New Horizons on #NintendoSwitch. Share why you love Animal Crossing with #WhyIPlay.

A post shared by Nintendo of America (@nintendo) on Mar 19, 2020 at 8:03am PDT

Animal Crossing

Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the newest entry in the Animal Crossing series, came out on March 20, right when the world needed it most. In New Horizons, you’re invited to move to a previously deserted island with some adorable animal neighbors. As you live your new island lifestyle, the island grows with you. New businesses open, new neighbors appear and special guests drop by. It’s your job to make the island a paradise for you and your furry friends.

It’s one of the best video games for distracting yourself from reality for a little while.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is available on the Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite. If you don’t have a Switch, check out Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp, which you can play on your smartphone.

Stardew Valley

When your grandfather leaves his old farm to you, you take it upon yourself to move to Stardew Valley and fix it up. Luckily, the citizens of the valley are ready to welcome you with open arms. Grow crops, raise animals, mine for ore and make friends with the locals. You might even fall in love!

Available on most gaming systems, PCs and Macs.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

Breath of the Wild is one of the most universally beloved games in recent memory. With an expansive map full of secrets, hidden treasures and delightful puzzles, it really feels like being transported to a totally different world.

The world of Hyrule is a ruin that’s beginning to recover from a war that began 100 years ago. As Link, your job is to get to Hyrule Castle and help Zelda end it, once and for all. But Link isn’t quite ready for that yet. Breath of the Wild is about exploring an open world, learning from your mistakes and making discoveries on your own. It’s a challenging game, but extremely welcoming to new gamers. It lets you explore, experiment and play your own way.

Available on the Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite.

Don’t Starve

Perhaps the most stressful video game on the list, Don’t Starve is brutal. It’s like Animal Crossing if it was designed by Tim Burton. In Don’t Starve, you wash up on a deserted island and you have to survive.

If you die, you have to start the entire game over from the beginning. How could this be one of the best video games to let you escape from reality? Because it’s so hostile, so difficult, that it boomerangs back around into being completely engrossing. The stakes feel so high, even though you’re just a scribbly little cartoon character trying to survive on a scribbly cartoon island. As you improve and gradually build a homestead for yourself, the sense of accomplishment is unmatched.

Available on most game systems, PCs and Macs.

Untitled Goose Game

“It’s a lovely morning in the village, and you are a horrible goose.” In Untitled Goose Game, you play a goose who terrorizes a small English town. The goose relies on his stealth, his honks and his flappy wings to bother people and steal their things.

Untitled Goose Game is unbelievably silly and charming, allowing you to wreak some havoc in an idyllic setting.

Available on Xbox One, Playstation 4, Nintendo Switch, PCs and Macs.

Night in the Woods

Night in the Woods begins when Mae drops out of college and moves back to her hometown of Possum Springs, which has seen better days. As Mae, you explore the town of Possum Springs, reconnect with your old high school friends and play the bass pretty badly. When Mae sees someone being kidnapped at a Halloween party, she takes it upon herself to investigate – and to unravel the secrets of Possom Springs’ dark history.

Night in the Woods is an incredibly meditative game, with music and visuals that wrap you up in its story like a warm blanket. It exists somewhere between a video game and a coming-of-age novel.

Available on Xbox One, Playstation 4, Nintendo Switch, PCs and Macs.

The best video games can help you tune out reality for a little while and experience a totally different world. Have you played any of these games? What are your favorite video games? Let us know in the comments below!

College has never been more expensive than it is today. The average annual cost of tuition and room and board in 2019-2020 was $30,500. And tuition prices are only getting costlier every year, evidenced by the student loan crisis in the United States. Some 44 million people in the U.S. have about $1.3 trillion outstanding student loans.

How can you plan ahead and avoid taking on exorbitant student loan debt? Start thinking about paying for college today.

Saving for College

It’s a falsehood that only the wealthy save for college. Families can begin thinking about paying for college by putting together an education savings budget. For starters, go online and plug in your information into a college savings calculator to get an idea of what you will need to save to pay for a degree.

To save for college many parents opt for 529 plans, which is an education savings account that provides tax deductions. The benefit of a 529 plan is that the money increases tax-free. And you can save for your child, niece, grandchild or anyone in your family. Contribute up to five-years worth of savings without paying gift taxes. Let your family know about your 529 plan so they can contribute birthday or holiday money there instead of buying gifts.

While it’s always better to start saving earlier rather than later, opening a 529 plan for a high school student is also valuable. The plans are sponsored by states, but students can take their money to any out-of-state college. There are no taxes assessed when the money needs to be accessed for college. Choose from either a 529 savings plans, which will grow based on your investment options, or open a prepaid plan that allows you to pre-pay all college expenses.

To enroll in a 529 plan, contact your financial adviser or get in touch with a 529 plan manager.

Mary Maguire, Director of AAA Public Affairs, and Donald Kerr, Senior Manager of Student Lending at AAA, sit down to discuss college planning tips and tricks.

Best College Student Loans

Very few students have the liquid cash to pay for college in full without taking out loans or needing scholarships. Before applying for private or federal students loans, see how much money you can get in scholarships and grants. The best part is: You won’t have to repay scholarships or grants, which makes these funding options ideal. Prepare your child to win scholarships early in their schooling by encouraging them to get good grades and be active in the community.

Your next option – after using cash, grants and scholarships – should be federal loans. Federal loans have flat interest rates and income-based repayment plans. Students who fill out a FAFSA and show that they have the financial need are eligible for Direct Subsidized Loans, which had a fixed rate of 4.53% for the 2019-2020 school year.

The maximum loan amounts under the subsidized and un-subsidized loans are a combined total of $5,500 as a freshman, $6,500 as a sophomore, and $7,500 junior and senior years. The aggregate loan maximum is $57,500 for undergraduate students  and $138,500 for graduate students.

Consider all of your federal loan options before you take out private loans through a bank or credit union. Only turn to private loans once you’ve exhausted all other options. The interest rate on a private loan will depend on your credit score.

Other Funding Options

Also consider tuition waivers that are offered for teachers, veterans and dependents of college employees. To help with the cost of college, students may want to also considering working part-time or enrolling in federal work-study program.

Thinking about the costs of college can be overwhelming. But a college degree should be considered an investment. Getting an education matters, especially in terms of your future salary. The median weekly earnings for a person with a doctoral degree is $1,623; $1,341 for someone with a master’s; and $1,137 for a person holding a bachelor’s degree, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The facts show that when you have a college degree your earnings will be higher than someone with only a high school diploma and your chances of unemployment are lower. Getting an higher education still pays off in the long term.

Still have a question about paying for college? Let us know in the comments section and we will get you an answer from one of the many student lending experts at AAA Northeast.

For more on student lending from AAA, go to AAA.com/StudentLending. 

Everybody loves that new car smell. Not only is it pleasurable to the senses, it also serves as a symbol of pride: It states that you’re a new car owner. However, lurking beneath that satisfying scent are a group of harmful chemicals. These substances, if exposed to for extended periods of time, can cause serious health problems.

What exactly is the new car smell?

We all enjoy the new car smell, but where is it coming from? The answer is chemicals. A lot of chemicals.

There is a plethora of chemicals found in a car’s interior. A study done by the Ecology Center found that there are more than 200 toxic chemicals in vehicle interiors.

Some of these chemicals are known as volatile organic compounds. These substances are in products used to make car parts. For instance, the VOC bromine is found in brominated flame retardants that are added to plastics to make them less flammable. Chlorine is used in polyvinyl chloride, which is in plastics, windshields, lead and heavy metals.

These car parts emit the toxic chemicals through a process known as off-gassing, in which vapors that were previously absorbed are released into the air. While some VOC’s are odorless, those that are not combine to create that “new car smell.”

What are the dangers of the new car smell?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the VOC’s found in car parts have been associated with a host of health issues, such as allergies, impaired learning, liver toxicity, birth defects and cancer.

Serious health issues, though, require prolonged exposure to these chemicals. And as we all know, the new car smell doesn’t last forever. While these chemicals themselves will remain in your car, the dangerous off-gassing process will reduce over time. Experts say most of it will be over within six months.

But the fact that these chemicals aren’t just in any enclosed space but in an enclosed space that has the ability of reaching very high temperatures is another problem. Heat increases the rate of off-gassing. The high temperatures in a car during warm months can therefore increase the concentration of VOC’s and break down other chemicals into more toxic substances.

Looking ahead

The good news is that many manufacturers are beginning to reduce VOC levels in their cars. They are accomplishing this by using different materials, coatings and adhesives in manufacturing. According to the BBC, one such VOC that is being eliminated is the aforementioned polyvinyl chloride. In 2006, it was found in nearly every vehicle interior. By 2012, that number had dropped to 73% with manufacturers stating PVC would decline further. Honda, for one, claims that in 2019, 11 of the 15 Honda and Acura car and light truck models sold in the U.S. or Canada had PVC-free interiors.

Preventing adverse side effects

Since the new car smell isn’t going (completely) away any time soon, there are certain steps you can take to prevent any adverse health effects.

The best advice to avoid any harm from the new car smell is to limit your time spent inside your car, especially early on. Don’t go on long road trips. Don’t sit in your car if you need to kill time. When you are driving, keep your car well ventilated. Keep the windows open if possible.

Also remember that off-gassing gets worse when the car is hot. So always try to park in the shade, and consider using a solar shade and even rolling down your windows if you feel safe doing so.

For all things cars, including driver resources, vehicle buying, maintenance and repair and roadside assistance, visit AAA.com/Automotive. 

There’s never been a better time to get some online shopping done. Check out these online AAA discounts that you can use right now!

1-800-Flowers.com

Reach out to your far-away friends and loved ones with the gift of flowers – or send that gift to yourself! 1-800-Flowers doesn’t just do bouquets, though. You can also order gift baskets, gourmet meals, chocolates, wreaths, fruit arrangements, cakes and so much more. It’s the perfect way to let someone know you’re thinking of them. Save 20% when shopping online at AAA.com/1800Flowers.

Omaha Steaks

Having a hard time getting to the grocery store? With Omaha Steaks, you can get premium steaks and gourmet food delivered. 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. It’s like going out to eat without ever leaving the house. Go to AAA.com/OmahaSteaks for free shipping on select combos and 10% off all items.

Life is Good

Life is Good spreads the power of optimism through its cheerful collection of apparel and accessories, donating 10% of its net profits to help kids in need. It’s hard to feel blue when you’re wearing a Life is Good shirt. Check out their new shirts with slogans like “I Want You: To Wash Your Hands” and “Stay Calm – Stay Cool – Stay Home.” You can save 15% when shopping online with promo code AAALIG15.

Office Depot and OfficeMax

Are you working from home for the first time? Set up your new remote office in style with Office Depot and OfficeMax. Get office essentials, furniture, technology and more. AAA Members can go to OfficeDiscounts.org/AAA-NE to save up to 75% on their best value list of preferred products.

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

As we ride out this time of quarantine and remote work, snacking – and easy access to the kitchen –  is at an all-time high. So, what’s your go-to treat?

Do you prefer to munch on something that’s sweet, salty or healthy?

Leave us some snacking inspiration in the comments below.

Four hundred years is a long time to develop a style of cuisine, so it’s no wonder that New England foods are so well-established and beloved. Let’s dig into the many delicious foods that originated in our region.

The History of Traditional New England Food

Our style of cooking may have entered history when the colonists first arrived, but it borrowed heavily from the Native Americans who were already here and whose education in local foodways was vital to the survival of the colonies. A traditional Thanksgiving dinner that we’d eat today still has traces of that influence, as does a clam bake, which came straight from the Native American style of cooking along the coast of what would become Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Maine.

Lobster Roll

The lobster roll is a New England food icon. Depending on where you are from, there is some debate on the “right” way to prepare it. Some like it the traditional Maine way, chilled and dressed in mayonnaise, while others prefer Connecticut-style, served warm with melted butter. One thing we can all agree on? The best way to eat it is on a grilled, split-top hot dog bun, waterfront views optional.

Fried Clams

England is credited with inventing the seafood basket – usually fried fish, chips and coleslaw, but New England took the idea to the next level with the invention of fried clams in 1916 by Henry “Chubby” Woodman in Essex, Mass. Add in fried day-boat scallops and perfectly crispy cod, and you’ve got the kind of summer meal people travel thousands of miles for.

Indian Pudding

Back in the days when New England was still a group of British colonies, settlers adapted English-style pudding to local ingredients, namely, cornmeal, abundant in the area, and molasses, which was readily available because of its role in making rum. This slow-cooked pudding isn’t beautiful to look at – it’s basically a pile of brown goo – but add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and it is sweet and simple New England comfort food at its best.

Clam Cakes & Chowder

While every clam shack puts their own unique spin on it, New England clam chowder does not originate from New England. We may love it enough to eat it in every season, but the soup is believed to have come from French or Canadian settlers. Rhode Island clam chowder, made with a clear broth, is all ours. The same goes for clam cakes, invented in the early 1900s by Carrie Cooper, a Connecticut native who later moved to Rhode Island and opened Aunt Carrie’s restaurant in Narragansett to sell her seaside fare.

Johnnycakes

Another New England staple that owes a debt to the Native Americans johnnycakes are cornmeal pancakes that were once ubiquitous on local dinner tables. Cornmeal, and its various preparations, was one of the first foods shared by the Native Americans with the pilgrims when they landed in 1620.Johnnycakes (which have nothing to do with a man named John – the name is thought to have evolved from the Native American word for corn cake, janiken) are not as popular as they used to be, but there are still old-school diners around the region that serve them with eggs and bacon for breakfast.

Boston Baked Beans

How important is this iconic preparation of brown beans baked with molasses and salt pork to Boston? Well, the city is known as Beantown, after all. For maximum authenticity, enjoy with hearty brown bread, some New Englanders may insist, straight out of the B&M can. Inspired by their resemblance, sugar-coated peanuts are also known as Boston baked beans.

Boiled Dinner

Yankee pot roast, defined as such because it’s cooked with vegetables, has a hazy background. While it’s popular in New England, there’s some debate over whether the “Yankee” part comes from its origin or from a joke about the inexpensive dinner’s appeal to penny pinchers. The tradition of boiling corned meat, cabbage, potatoes and carrots came from the Irish, but in Ireland they typically used pork. Irish immigrants in Boston substituted beef, which was more affordable (in America), to create what has become known throughout the country as Irish Boiled Dinner – though truly, it’s a New England food.

Stuffies

Stuffed clams were brought to America by Italian immigrants, but the use of quahogs, and the addition of Portuguese sausage evolved the simple stuffed clam into something definitively New England. Another variation of the stuffed clam, clams casino was invented at the turn of the 20th century at a luxury seaside resort called the Narragansett Pier Casino in Rhode Island.

Boston Cream Pie

The Parker House Hotel in Boston – the first hotel in the city to have hot and cold running water and an elevator, is responsible for three iconic foods: Parker House rolls, baked scrod and Boston cream pie. The latter was invented as “Parker House pie” for the hotel’s opening in 1856, though if you’ve had it you know that the custard-filled, chocolate-topped confection is definitely a cake and not a pie. It’s still served (and shipped nationwide) by what is now the Omni Parker House.

Coffee Milk

Coffee milk is such an integral part of New England’s food traditions that it’s hard to imagine that the rest of the country has barely heard of the stuff. The drink, made with coffee syrup and milk, traces back to the 19th century population of Italian immigrants to Providence and their tradition of drinking sweet coffee with milk. Eclipse and Autocrat, the two most popular coffee syrups, are still made in Rhode Island.

More New England Foods

These foods didn’t quite make the list, but we still love them!

Whoopie pies: Famously made in Maine, the Pennsylvania Dutch also have a claim to this cream-filled sandwich cake.

Chocolate chip cookies: While invented in 1938 at the Toll House Inn in Whitman, MA, this cookie jar favorite is so ubiquitous that we can’t rightly call them unique to our region.

Marshmallow Fluff: Though it’s been made by Durkee Mower in Lynn, MA, for a century, similar marshmallow cremes existed before the factory opened. The fluffernutter, however, invented by a descendant of Paul Revere, is all New England’s.

Anadama Bread: This yeast-risen bread made with molasses and cornmeal was invented in the mid-1800s somewhere on the North Shore of Massachusetts. Despite a drop in popularity, it remains a New England gem.

Fried Calamari: The official state appetizer of Rhode Island is marked by the addition of hot peppers, but the dish itself originated in Europe and became popular in New York around the same time it did in New England. Scientists at MIT did invent the machine that made cleaning squid easier, and therefore more popular.

Del’s Lemonade: They might make the best frozen lemonade around, but they didn’t invent it.

The only thing better than eating New England food is debating which is best. This was a completely subjective list written by a lifelong New Englander. Add your opinions in the comments below!

Need more to satisfy your appetite for New England cuisine? Check out our lists of favorite Rhode Island and Boston foods.

Colorful “thank you” messages to healthcare workers and first responders will soon be seen by motorists traveling throughout Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island.

AAA Northeast recently outfitted one battery service truck in each of those states with an eye-catching blue vinyl wrap with bright yellow text that reads “Thank You Healthcare Workers.” It’s one of several ways the club has expressed its deep appreciation to healthcare workers who have risked their lives to help the community. The club plans to keep the new truck design for as long as the message is relevant during the pandemic.

“Wrapping our trucks was a way to demonstrate the club’s appreciation for all they’re doing to help us through these unprecedented times,” said John Nardolillo, Senior Vice President of Member Services. “Hopefully, every time someone sees our trucks, they will be reminded of the selfless work these extraordinary people are performing and that they will be a reminder to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, so we can control the spread of the virus.”

The club will wrap another three trucks, one each in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York, with a “Thank You First Responders” message.

A Rolling Tribute

The Rhode Island and New York trucks were part of a of a rolling tribute to healthcare workers last week. Roadside service trucks from around southern New England formed a procession past Providence, R.I., hospitals in a show of support organized by the Rhode Island Towing Association.

Mike Krikorian, a driver for Jim’s Towing, played a large part in organizing the event and has since received a great deal of positive feedback. He is planning another event for May 15.

“I’ve gotten a lot of messages through social media from people I don’t even know,” Krikorian said. “Most of them were workers at hospitals who said they were grateful for what we did, and some were even in tears. I didn’t do it for any recognition. I did it for the front-line workers and for the people in the hospital dealing with this.”

AAA Involvement

When AAA manager Eric Richard first heard about the parade from roadside technician Bobby Silva, he thought it was an exciting opportunity to use the newly wrapped truck to show the club’s support and appreciation.

“If the truck puts a smile on the face of one healthcare worker, it’s worth it,” Richard said.

Silva had the honor of driving the truck in the parade.

“I was extremely happy to be able to participate in the event,” Silva said. “Originally about 30 trucks were to attend, and over 80 trucks showed up!”

Service vehicles from tow companies all around southern New England – and one from New York – lined up for more than a half-mile. They ranged from standard-size pickups to absolutely enormous rigs in colors from black and white to purple, yellow and orange.

It was an impressive sight as the trucks took off from the staging area with yellow lights flashing and horns blaring on their way to Miriam Hospital. Watching them circle in front of Rhode Island Hospital and the adjacent Hasbro Children’s Hospital was even more spectacular.

Krikorian led the procession, and Richard, driving the AAA truck from New York, was last, in a fitting conclusion to the event.

A Slice of Sunshine

Put fresh lemon into your water. It punches up the flavor and adds a dash of vitamin C!

Bird Is the Word

Bird-watching gets you closer to nature, keeps you mentally active and may even lower stress levels.

Sky’s the Limit

Stargazing can be peaceful and educational. Add some fun to your night by identifying various constellations.

Get Crafty

Always wanted to give jewelry making, scrapbooking or sewing a try? Now is the time to find a cool project and embrace your inner crafter.

Rise to the Occasion

Try out a new recipe. Baking is a creative and fun way to spend the afternoon – and the end result is deliciously rewarding. Need a new banana bread recipe?

Be a Kid Again

Embrace your inner child and play. Put up a tire swing, throw a ball around, blow some bubbles or hula-hoop – life is short, so have some fun.

DIY: Think Outside the Box

Take some time to upgrade or restore something in your home. A splash of paint and some creative thinking can go a long way.

Go With the Flow

A couple of simple yoga moves, such as Downward Facing Dog or Hero Pose, can help relax your mind, energize your body and increase flexibility. Take some time to flow through Sun Salutation for overall well-being.

Exercise…Your Brain!

Fun games like crosswords, word searches, jigsaws and other puzzles keep your mind occupied and focused, increasing concentration and reducing stress.

Listen Up!

Whatever your interest, there’s a podcast that covers it. From history to sports, gardening and self-care, new episodes and shows keep cropping up to engage, educate and entertain you. Just explore, choose and listen.

How Sweet It Is

Indulge in dark chocolate. Studies suggest it may lower blood pressure and reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke – plus, it tastes good!

Find Your Green Thumb

From trees and flowers to your very own vegetable garden, planting is a great way to get fresh air and reduce stress. Research some ideas and come up with a plan – then go play in the dirt!

If You Want to Sing out, Sing Out

Singing releases endorphins, which makes you feel happier and more energized. So, pick your favorite song and give your vocal cords a thorough workout.

Breathe It In

Essential oils can bring out positive emotions! Lavender is calming, citrus is uplifting and peppermint is energizing. Dab on your wrist, or add a few drops to steaming water, the shower or a bath. Try a diffuser for your home or car.

LOLOLOL

Laughter relieves stress and benefits your mental health. Who doesn’t love a good chuckle? So, crack yourself (or someone else) up by cracking a joke. After all, laughter is the best medicine.

Escape With a Good Book

Try to fit reading into your daily routine. Reading can sharpen your vocabulary, lower stress levels and improve memory function. Curl up with a book and get lost in the story.

Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

Make a list of places you’ve seen, and the places you want to visit. You will be flooded with good memories of past trips, and excited at the prospect of future adventures.

Put Kindness on Repeat

Say something positive about yourself (and someone else) every day. Write a positive note and hang it somewhere you can see. Being kind can brighten your day and help you stay positive.

Serenity Now

Meditation, even for just five minutes a day, can greatly reduce stress and anxiety levels. Relax, close your eyes – and simply breathe.

Cut a Rug

Not only is dancing fun and easy, it is also good for you! Dance is a great workout and can improve your mood. Make up your own moves or find an online tutorial and learn a specific routine. Swing. Hip-hop. Ballet. The options are endless.

Let It Out

Breathing is a part of life – it’s also an ideal way to help us relax. Start with inhaling a deep breath through your nose, holding it for a few seconds, then exhaling slowly through your mouth. This takes very little time, and best of all, it’s free!

Get out…of the House

Spending just a little time outside every day (especially near greenery) can improve your well-being and mood. Simply walk out of the door for a breath of fresh air – no exercise required.

Take a Video Break

The web seems to offer an unlimited supply of quick, hilarious and cute videos, from pets to blooper reels. Take a few minutes to watch something uplifting or funny.

Get Inspired

Read something uplifting each day. Whether it be a quote, poem or short story, find something that inspires you. Feeling creative? Try your hand at writing a poem or story of your own.

Sit Down for Afternoon Tea

Take a cue from our friends across the pond and relax with a cup (or cuppa). Many herbal teas offer health benefits, including green tea, which contains antioxidants. Why not add a sandwich or scone?

Sound Effects

Choose a soothing sound (many are available for free online) and listen. A gentle stream, a rain shower, a crackling fire, singing birds or beach waves – close your eyes and visualize your happy place.

Put on the Ritz

Wear your favorite outfit with confidence, especially if it’s bright or fancy There’s just something about putting on a gown or tux! You don’t need a special event to feel and look good.

Become One…With the Sun

Watch a sunrise – or sunset. Enjoy the beauty of the “golden hour” (the hour after the sun rises or the hour before the sun sets) to see the sky transform into a marvelous shade of yellow and orange.

What makes you happy? Tell us in the comments. 

With my friends and family living all along the East Coast, my life has been filled with long road trips. Sometimes the road trips are fun – like a carefree, two-hour ride out to Montauk, NY. Sometimes the road trips are grueling – like a snow-barraged, eight-hour slog up to Rochester, NY, in the dark. But through thick and thin, podcasts have always been there for me. But can you find the best podcast for your own road trip?

The best podcast for a road trip is a story-driven podcast. The “three friends talking” podcast format, though dear to my heart, will definitely put the driver to sleep. A road trip podcast should be a self-contained story, almost like a miniseries. You don’t have to fiddle with your phone and pick new episodes every 30 minutes; you can just let the story play out.

Here’s my personal recommendation list for the best podcast to listen to during your road trip.

Dirty John

“Dirty John” is a limited-series podcast by the Los Angeles Times. Reported and hosted by Christopher Goffard, it tells the story of Debra Newell and John Meehan, the man of her dreams … or nightmares. The podcast, told over six episodes, is about five hours total; the perfect length for a weekend road trip. This bizarre story of one man taking over an entire family is mysterious and captivating. While listening to this podcast, I shouted “DON’T DO IT” out loud. Several times.

S-Town

“S-Town” is the red-headed stepsibling of “Serial,” the most popular podcast in the world. Both were produced by “This American Life” and hosted by TAL regulars, but “S-Town” is a podcast unlike any other. This podcast tells the story of reporter Brian Reed, who gets tangled up in the life of eccentric clockmaker John B. McLemore. The story that unfolds after their first meeting is at times gripping, unbelievable and strangely meditative. Although it’s a true story, “S-Town” feels particularly literary, almost like an audio version of “The Sound and the Fury.” As a whole, the podcast is about six and a half hours long.

Missing Richard Simmons

Richard Simmons is – you guessed it – missing. Or at least he’s retreated from public life. Can Dan Taberski, a former devotee, find him? This controversial, intrusive podcast is obviously a labor of love, and the story is full of twists and turns. Don’t know a lot about Richard Simmons? It doesn’t matter. “Missing Richard Simmons” is also about missing Richard Simmons – about his whole life story and what he has meant to people over the years. It’s a three-hour study of alienation, found families, mental health and aerobics.

Heaven’s Gate

Hosted by “Snap Judgement’s” Glynn Washington, “Heaven’s Gate” explores how formerly reasonable people can be led into a cult that demands the ultimate sacrifice. Washington’s childhood of growing up inside a cult gives him a special connection with the survivors and family members that he interviews. With 10 episodes, the story is about nine hours long. By the end of it, you’ll wish it was even longer.

The McElroy Brothers Will Be in Trolls 2

When Justin McElroy learns from his sister-in-law that “YouTube people got to be in ‘Trolls,’ ” he sets his sights on securing roles for podcasters in “Trolls 2” – namely himself and his brothers, Griffin and Travis. This podcast-in-progress chronicles their journey to (hopefully) voicing walk-on characters in “Trolls 2.” It also does an amazing job of parodying the very particular style of prestige podcasts. Their bizarre premise is framed by overly serious narration by Justin, and a reimagined rendition of “In the Hall of the Mountain King.”

Making Series: Making Oprah

“Making Oprah” is a deep dive into the origins of the Oprah Winfrey show and how it still affects our culture. The three-part podcast includes exclusive interviews with the woman herself. The best part of the podcast, however, is learning how the Oprah Winfrey show pulled off the iconic “You get a car!” episode. This is the first installment of the “Making” series, which can currently be found under the name of its current story, “Making Obama.”

Reply All: On the Inside

“Reply All’s” greatest series of episodes is “On the Inside,” parts I-IV, which tell the story of Paul Modrowski. Modrowski is an inmate in a maximum-security prison who somehow manages to run his own blog without any internet access. Imprisoned at 18, he’s been in jail for 23 years at the time of the recording. Reporter Sruthi Pinnamaneni digs deep into Modrowski’s past, trying to find out if he actually had anything to do with the grisly murder that put him behind bars all those years ago. The story is full of unbelievable twists and turns, and the palpable tension between Pinnamaneni and Modrowski will keep your attention glued to this 2½ hour series.

What do you think would be the best podcast for your road trip? Let us know in the comments below!

Are you bananas for banana bread? Banana bread is easy, healthy(ish) and uses up those speckled brown bananas taking up space on your counter. If you’re looking to spice up your traditional recipe, check out these remixed banana bread variations from around the web.

For Chocolate Lovers

Nutella Banana Bread

Swirled with Nutella, this recipe from the blog Broma Bakery looks as delicious as it tastes. The secret to this ultra-moist banana bread is Greek yogurt.

Baker’s tip: If you really love chocolate hazelnut spread, slather onto a warm slice right before eating.

Triple Chocolate Banana Bread

Forget chocolate banana bread with just one times the chocolate, this triple chocolate banana bread recipe variation by Spend With Pennies is deliciously decadent and easy to make. With loads of cocoa, chocolate chips and drizzled with a melted chocolate topping, you really can’t go wrong.

Bakers tip: Be sure to check your chocolate banana bread at 45-50 minutes to make sure it doesn’t over bake. If you aren’t freezing your bread, you’ll want to store it sealed in the refrigerator.

Blackout Chocolate Banana Bread

Described as a cross between your very favorite banana bread and a rich, fudgy blackout cake, Bon Appetit’s take on chocolate banana bread uses unique ingredients like whole wheat flour to amplify the flavor. Topping with lengthwise-sliced bananas makes for an impressive presentation.

Bakers tip: Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper, leaving a generous overhang on the long sides for easy transfer after baking.

For Nut Lovers

Walnut Banana Bread

A Food.com community pick, this Moist & Delicious Banana Nut Bread has over 200 five star reviews. It’s super easy to make and you can substitute pecans for walnuts or simply add both.

Baker’s tip: For added sweetness, add two tablespoons of light brown sugar to sprinkle on top before placing in the oven.

Cinnamon Pecan Banana Bread

Crazy for Crust’s dairy-free cinnamon pecan banana bread recipe is so decadent you’d never know there was no butter. But who needs butter when you have chopped pecans, cinnamon and a delicious cinnamon glaze?

Baker’s tip: Start the banana bread in the blender for easy mixing.

Pecan Coconut Banana Bread

This recipe from Spend With Pennies, packs flavor and doesn’t contain a ton of butter and fat. The crumbly streusel topping is a knockout banana bread variation that takes this one over the top.

Baker’s tip: Make sure to combine until just moistened. Over mixing the ingredients causes a tough & chewy bread.

For Fruit Lovers

Triple Berry Banana Bread With Lemon Glaze Topping

My Baking Addiction’s Triple Berry Banana Bread is a fun, fruity twist bursting with blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and a simple lemon glaze.

Baker’s tip: Top with whipped cream and eat for breakfast.

Strawberry Banana Bread

Packed with fresh, juicy strawberries and mixed with bananas, The Recipe Critic’s Strawberry Banana Bread is sure to be a family favorite.

Baker’s tip: Let cool completely before removing from loaf pans.

Blueberry Banana Bread

Celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis’ Blueberry Banana Bread recipe has over 100 five star reviews and is the perfect combination of banana bread and blueberry muffins.

Baker’s tip: Once warm, top with a little butter and enjoy.

If banana bread isn’t your thing check out these other tasty quick breads:

James Beard’s Zucchini Bread (Epicurious)

Louisiana Pecan Bacon Bread (Taste of Home)

Beer Bread (Food.com)

Pumpkin Bread (Once Upon a Chef)

Irish Soda Bread (All Recipes)

Cinnamon Swirl Bread (Taste of Home)

Lemon Bread (Crazy for Crust)

Key Lime Bread (Taste of Home)

Gluten-Free Coconut Bread (Epicurious)

Bacon Cheddar Quick Bread With Dried Pears (Epicurious)

For more easy meals you can make with what you have, check out these pantry recipes from around the globe.

Are you one of the many who have made banana bread or any other banana bread variations while in quarantine? Tell us about it in the comments.

Have you thought about what you’re going to do with your tax refund? According to a GOBankingRates survey, more than half of Americans plan to save and invest it, while only 10 percent want to use it for a vacation or luxury purchase.

Getting a large sum of money returned to you all at once might feel like a great excuse to treat yourself, but it could also be an opportunity to get ahead of your finances and caught up on debts.

Here’s why you should consider saving your tax return and how you can make it worth your while.

Why Save?

Simply put, it’s your money, so you shouldn’t be in a rush to give it away.

It’s tempting to view your tax refund as free money from the government, but the return is actually the government’s repayment of a no-interest loan you made. In other words, any extra money you’ve given the government via your paychecks is simply coming back to you at a later date. The more money withheld from you during the year, the larger your refund. The withheld amount depends partially on the number of allowances you entered on the W-4 document you submitted to your employer.

Whether your financial issues are big or small, when money that rightfully belongs to you comes back, saving it to pay off important bills or investing it so that it can grow is a more practical choice.

How You Can Save Your Tax Refund

There are all kinds of ways you can save and use your refund to grow financially.

Pay Off Debt

According to ValuePenguin, the Northeast and the West lead the nation in having the highest credit card debt average – over $8,000 worth. A different study shows New Jersey, New Hampshire and Connecticut among the states leading the nation in the amount of student loan debt per resident, ranging from $32,247 to $38,510 on average. Use your tax refund to make couple of payments and get that much closer to being debt-free.

Refinance Mortgage

If finances allow, you can save your tax refund to refinance and reduce the amount of interest owed on your mortgage loan. Just be sure that the amount you’ll save by refinancing exceeds what you would need to pay in closing costs.

Create an Emergency/Rainy Day Fund

According to a recent Bankrates survey, less than 40 percent of Americans would use their savings to deal with emergencies such as a hospital stay or unexpected car repair. More than a third of those surveyed mentioned that they would need to borrow the money, either through a loan, a credit card or family members and friends. The recommended amount to have saved for an emergency is anywhere from three to none months’ worth of wages.

If you don’t need to pay off any immediate debt and your emergency/rainy day fund needs a little padding or you need to create one, use your tax refund to give it a boost. Whether you want to create a separate account for this emergency fund, stash it in your savings or want to store the money some other way, the choice is yours.

Build up Savings Accounts

If you feel that you have your debt and emergency/rainy day fund taken care of, you can also use your tax refund to bolster your savings. Plus, as a AAA member, you have the option to open a savings account. There are several types of savings accounts in which you can invest and put your tax refund in.

Traditional Savings  – This type of online savings account is the most common. If you need to withdraw money quickly it is also the easiest as there are no penalties for early access.

Money Market Account – A high yielding savings account that also gives you the ability to access you funds by writing a check or using a debit card.

Certificate of Deposit – Because you can’t touch it until its maturity date, a CD is a smart way to meet financial goals over time. Use your tax refund as a starting point and watch it grow. CD terms are available from three to ten years.

Contribute to Your Retirement Fund

There are several ways you can contribute to your retirement with your tax refund.

Invest in an IRA

Individual retirement arrangements (IRAs) are ideal for those who don’t have huge credit card debt, already have a set emergency fund and are looking to grow their savings. And IRAs do, in fact, pay off. As you add more it will grow more, but if you withdraw from this fund before you’re 59 1/2 years old, generally you will have to pay a 10 percent penalty (although there are exceptions, per the IRS).

Invest in a Roth IRA

You can also use your tax refund and invest in a Roth IRA. The difference between a Roth IRA and a regular IRA is that a Roth IRA has no up-front tax deduction. The distributions are tax-free and you can access this IRA at any time with no penalty. This IRA makes more sense to use if you expect the tax rate to be higher when you retire than currently.

How do you plan on using your tax refund? Saving or spending? Tell us in the comments. 

Learn more about the ways AAA can help you handle your savings.

In times like these, everyone wants to do their part to help combat the spread of COVID-19. One of the biggest ways you can help out in these uncertain times is by staying home and social distancing. But how are you supposed to keep helping if you’re stuck at home? Well for starters, you can use your phone.

People who want to help those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic can text to donate a one-time gift to a variety of organizations that are helping to keep us healthy and safe. It’s a quick and easy way to contribute.

Here are some of the organizations you can choose to donate to, and the codes that you can use to text them.

American Nurses Association – Text THANKS to 20222

You can text “THANKS” to 20222 to donate $10 to the American Nurses Association to provide direct financial aid to nurses affected by the virus, information deployment and psychological support. At this point in time, nurses are on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19, and they need all the support they can get. The American Nurses Association has created a Coronavirus Response Fund for Nurses to address the needs of nurses and other healthcare workers during the pandemic. Visit their coronavirus resources webpage for more information.

American Red Cross – Text GIVE to 90999

Text “GIVE” to 90999 to donate $10 to the American Red Cross to help those where it’s needed most. The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance and disaster relief. Right now, they’re focused on combatting COVID-19 by keeping up the volume of blood donations and participating in the COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Program, in which fully recovered patients donate plasma to help those who are currently battling the virus.

Feeding America – Text DONATE to 50555

Text “DONATE” to 50555 to donate $25 to Feeding America, which provides meals to families in this time of need. With school closures and job disruptions, more people are turning to food banks. Feeding America’s response to the current crisis is to implement emergency food boxes, drive-through pantries and more long-term means of support. They have also launched a COVID-19 Response Fund, which raises both money and food supplies to support food banks and those in need. They’re also making sure that children who once relied on school meals still have access to food. In addition to food, Feeding America distributes household items like personal hygiene products, diapers and cleaning supplies.

Oxfam America – Text OXFAM to 20222

You can text “OXFAM” to 20222 to donate $20 to Oxfam America. In response to COVID-19, Oxfam America will be leveraging their expertise in water, sanitation and hygiene while advocating for the most vulnerable. Oxfam is working with their partners in over 50 countries (including the US) to limit the impact of COVID-19 on people and communities that are especially marginalized. Oxfam America works directly with these communities to help them access information, clean water and food assistance.

Save the Children – Text SAVE to 20222

Text “SAVE” to 20222 to donate $10 to Save the Children, which provides meals when schools are closed, supports mobile meal trucks, food banks and other community feeding programs. Save the Children also provides educational toys, books and worksheets to help kids cope with the added stress and make up for lost time in the classroom. With more than 1 billion children out of school worldwide (and over 30 million out of school in the US), children who rely on school as a safe place and a source of food are at risk. Supporting Save the Children can help alleviate the special ways that the pandemic affects the lives of children. Save the Children is training healthcare teams on how to protect themselves and others to prevent the spread of COVID-19. They are also supplying personal protective equipment to those on the front lines.

The World Central Kitchen – Text FOOD to 80100

You can text “FOOD” to 80100 to donate $10 to the World Central Kitchen to provide meals to families in this time of need. World Central Kitchen is dedicated to providing meals in the wake of natural disasters, collaborating with local chefs and food suppliers. In response to the COVID-19 crisis, World Central Kitchen launched #ChefsForAmerica to help both local communities and struggling restaurants. At time of writing, they’ve served more than 750,000 fresh and healthy meals to food-insecure communities, healthcare workers, children and the elderly. They even opened a “café” at the Mount Sinai field hospital to support frontline medical staff.

United Nations Foundation – Text WHO25 to 501501

Text “WHO25” to 501501 to donate $25 to the United Nations Foundation (in partnership with the World Health Organization) and the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund. The United Nations Foundation supports the United Nations’ causes in humanitarian activities. In partnership with the World Health Organization, the United Nations Foundation’s COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund supports WHO as it coordinates efforts across the world to prevent, detect and respond to the virus. This includes equipping healthcare workers with personal protective equipment and accelerating efforts to develop vaccines and treatments.

If you have the ability to donate, consider some of the causes and organizations listed above. They are each, in their own way, doing their part to protect and support all of us. One short text on your phone could mean a mask for a healthcare worker, a hot meal for a child or access to water and soap for a vulnerable community. Besides, it’s an incredibly easy way to donate to a great cause.

Staying home and not breaking quarantine is half the battle. But if you want to help out even more, texting any one of these organizations to donate some money is a great start.

Which of these organizations interests you? Let us know in the comments below!

Coronavirus has had ripple effects across the globe. If you’re in lockdown and dreaming of all of the local places you’d planned to visit soon, you’re not alone. Bring the sights, sounds and flavors of the Northeast to your home on a virtual field trip. 

Stream a Stage Show

While the lights are currently out on Broadway – and other stages across the region – innovative performers have put their work on the internet for people to watch.

Broadway HD is a streaming service with an extensive library of recent and historical shows. Play-PerView offers virtually ticketed, one-night-only livestreams of star-studded dramatic readings that benefit charity.

The Boston Symphony Orchestra is offering BSO at Home programming. Every week features a new theme, complete with playlists and historical performances, as well as youth and family concert lessons.

New York’s Metropolitan Opera and Jazz at Lincoln Center are also livestreaming performances nightly.

ACT of Connecticut is streaming a Friday evening Happy Hour that has live chats with Broadway stars.

In Rhode Island, The Wilbury Theatre Group (which won the 2018 National Theatre Company Award from the American Theatre Wing) is livestreaming dramatic readings and acting classes.  The Gamm Theatre is offering Brush Up Your Shakespeare classes with artistic director Tony Estrella.

Town Hall Theater, in Middlebury, Vt., is streaming “The Quarantine Sessions,” a series of short videos, as well as online classes for teens. 

See Iconic Attractions From Afar

While this is the time of year that the Mount Washington Cog Railway opens up for the season, those plans are on hold for the moment. You can still travel to the top of the Northeast’s tallest peak, though, on a virtual field trip to the Mount Washington Observatory, and experience a little bit of the country’s most extreme weather. 

You can watch this livestream of a covered bridge in Vermont’s Mad River Valley, or explore the farms that feed the state’s locavore movement from live cams and conversations with farmers. While Ben & Jerry’s factory tours are currently shut down, you can take a virtual tour of its Flavor Graveyard where the “dearly de-pinted” are remembered.

Take a virtual tour of New York’s Niagara Falls State Park, or this five-minute virtual tour of New York City that gives you the beginner’s highlights. If you want, you can take a deep dive of the city’s museums using Google Arts & Culture.

Wild Virtual Field Trips

Just because we can’t visit right now doesn’t mean that the area’s zoos and aquariums have shut down. All of the marine biologists and zookeepers who care for the fish and wildlife in places like the New England Aquarium in Boston, Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut and Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, RI are still going to work every day.

Since we can’t go, these places are offering virtual field trips. New England Aquarium does a Facebook Live session with sea creatures every day at 11 a.m., as does Mystic, which has livestreams and also has live cameras in the penguin enclosure. Roger Williams Zoo hosts Zoo School every Tuesday and Thursday at 2 p.m. In New York, the Bronx Zoo website also has virtual visits with animals, and the Queens Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo and New York Aquarium all offer live cams.

Get a Taste of the Region

In a perfect world, we all would all be able to visit New Hampshire and Vermont for maple sugaring season, which is when the maple trees are tapped and millions of gallons of sap are cooked down into the best maple syrup you’ll ever taste. It happens every March and April, and it’s one of the most New England things you can experience.

While events like New Hampshire’s Maple Sugaring Month were canceled due to COVID-19, you can still order freshly made maple syrup from places like Fadden’s General Store and Maple Sugarhouse in North Woodstock, NH; Brower Road Sugar House in Gloversville, NY; Hilltop Boilers in Newfield, Maine; and Moose Mountain Maple in Underhill, VT, which is aged in rum barrels.

There are lots of other ways to bring the Northeast’s signature flavors home too. Vena’s Fizz House, a cocktail supply shop in Portland, Maine, has recipes online and ships its products, like Vena’s Maine Pine Syrup, so you can make libations at home. Red Apple Farm in Phillipston, MA ships its fresh cider doughnuts to order. Champlin’s Seafood in Narragansett, RI does the same with live lobsters and clam boils. Zeb’s General Store in North Conway, NH will mail you its own specialty foods, like jams and pancake mixes, as well as New Hampshire pine incense if you really want to recreate the atmosphere of the White Mountains. And if you check Goldbelly, you’ll be able to find New York City’s signature foods, like bagels from Russ & Daughters and pastrami from Katz’s Delicatessen.

While you’re exploring, check out these virtual tours that will take you even farther.

And remember, when it’s time to start planning real trips again, AAA Travel is here to help.

Tell us which of these virtual field trips you’ll be taking in the comments below. 

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Nothing quite beats a good old-fashioned board game. Although these tabletop games may not be as popular in today’s digital world as they were before, they can actually be even more appealing as an unplugged respite from the deluge of phones, televisions and tablets. During times like these, fun family board games can be great ways to spend quality time with loved ones. It also doesn’t hurt that they’re great entertainment when stuck indoors.

These 10 board games are bound to provide endless hours of fun for all members of the family.

Monopoly

It’s a well-known fact that Monopoly never gets old. And if you have kids, there’s never a bad time to introduce your kids to the game. If you’re really looking for a time-killer, try Monopoly Longest Game Ever. This version has more properties than any other Monopoly game and has multiple features that make it difficult for players to run out of money.

If you don’t think your kids have the attention stamina for such a feat, go the opposite direction with Monopoly Speed. Hasbro claims it can be played in under 10 minutes.

Scrabble

Looking for a more highbrow board game that is as educational as it is entertaining? Try the world’s most popular word game. Take turns forming the highest-scoring words you can find and then tally up the points at the end.

The game is suitable for children age eight and older. But like most classic board games, there is a junior version.

Operation

Cavity Sam needs your help! In this fun family game players take turns using tweezers to remove funny ailments including a charlie horse, funny bone and butterflies in the stomach. You collect the money if you can take the ailment piece out without getting buzzed. The player with the most money at the end wins.

Operation may not lead your children to a medical degree but it will keep them engaged and maybe even improve their fine motor skills.

Clue

Colonel Mustard in the dining room with the candlestick.

With endless possible outcomes, the classic “whodunit” game never gets old. The fun family board game has been updated with new rooms, weapons and guests. But you can always just stick to the classic original version.

If the idea of having your child try to solve a fictitious murder isn’t appetizing, try Clue Junior where players are on a mission to solve the case of the missing cake.

Mouse Trap

If you’re hoping to get your children interested in the sciences, give them some first-hand engineering experience with Mouse Trap. The game revolves around the eponymous Rube Goldberg machine. Players race around the board trying to collect cheese wedges, all while avoiding getting trapped.

The game is suited for two to four players and children age six and up.

Guess Who?

In this classic guessing game, players choose a mystery character and then use yes or no questions to try to determine their opponent’s character. After each question, you can knock down the eliminated characters on your board. When you believe you know the identity, you can take a guess. But be careful – if you guess wrong, your opponent automatically wins.

Guess Who? is a two-player game so if playing with the whole family you might want to consider creating teams.

Courtesy of Mattel

Apples to Apples Junior

Apples to Apples is a hilarious card game of crazy comparisons. In each round, one player (the judge) plays a green, adjective card. The other players then select a red, noun card that best suits that adjective. The judge decides which pair is best fitting (or funniest, or crowd-pleasing). It can be as serious or as silly as you like.

The junior version is suitable for children ages nine and up. There’s also Apples to Apples Kids if you’re playing with an even younger crowd.

Spontuneous

Who doesn’t love bursting into song? In this fun family board game, all players write down a series of random words. In Spontuneous, players take turns announcing one of their words. The rest of the group then has to belt out a line of a song that uses that particular word. First player to do so wins that round.

The game can accommodate up to 10 players, so it’s a great choice for a large group. And don’t worry – singing talent is not required.

What games has your family been playing lately? Let us know in the comments below?

Codenames

In Codenames, players are split into two teams and 25 cards, each with a different code name, are laid out on the table. All the cards belong to one of the two teams. One player on each team, the “spymaster,” knows which codenames belong to their team. The spymasters take turns giving one-word clues to their teammates to try to get them to guess the right codenames.

Not only is the game fun, it’s played quickly so you can play many rounds in one game night.

Busytown Eye Found It

If you’ve got little ones around (ages three and up), we’ve got you covered. Busytown is based off the animated world of the same name created by children’s author Richard Scurry. In this game, players race around the big, colorful game board searching for hidden objects.

Looking for a different kind of family fun? Try these coloring pages.

For a lot of drivers, picking sides in the manual vs. automatic transmission debate is an easy call.

The domestic auto market has skewed heavily toward automatic transmissions in recent decades. Many drivers prefer the ease of driving vehicles with automatic transmissions, and the fuel economy ratings of automatic transmissions have caught up with those of manual transmission vehicles.

But there are those who still enjoy the experience of driving a standard. It’s why so many high-end sports cars come with a stick.

“It’s just more fun to drive standard. To make a perfect shift without missing a step, it’s Zen-like,” said John Paul, AAA Northeast’s Car Doctor.

Here’s a look at manual vs. automatic transmissions.

What’s a transmission?

Both manual and automatic transmissions connect a vehicle’s wheels with power generated in the engine. A transmission houses several gears in a gearbox. These gears leverage engine power based on need. Whether it’s driving uphill at low speed or on flat terrain at high speed, a transmission uses a gear configuration to maintain a safe, functional engine speed.

It’s the same principal as any multi-geared bicycle.

What do you mean by engine speed?

Engine speed is judged by revolutions per minute. It refers to the rate at which the engine crankshaft is moving. You can track RPM by looking at the tachometer. It’s the gauge on a vehicle’s dashboard that isn’t the speedometer. Take the number the needle indicates and multiply it by 1,000 to get an idea of how hard your engine is working.

Are certain RPM better than others?

Yes. There is a reason the top numbers of rpm gauges are highlighted in red. Operating an engine at such speeds – sometimes referred to as redline speeds – for extended periods of time is dangerous, and can lead to engine failure. The ideal operating range for most engines is about 2,000 to 3,500 RPM, or somewhere above two and below four on your gauge.

What does this have to do with transmissions?

A transmission maximizes your vehicle’s performance without forcing your engine to operate at unnecessarily high rpms.

Does my car have an automatic transmission?

Does your vehicle have a clutch pedal to the left of the brake?

No.

Then yes, you have an automatic transmission.

And what exactly does that mean?

Drivers don’t shift the vehicle’s gears. It’s done automatically through a (very) complex process. For introductory purposes – this is Car 101, after all – automatic transmissions are controlled primarily through hydraulic pressure and, in most vehicle models 10 years old or younger, a computer.

What’s a manual transmission?

Manual transmissions require drivers to shift gears with a clutch pedal and shifter. As a vehicle’s rpm rise, drivers facilitate a gear switch by stepping off the gas pedal, pressing down on the clutch and shifting one gear up or down before reapplying the accelerator and simultaneously disengaging the clutch.

Sounds complicated.

It’s not so bad once you get used to it, though convenience is one of the biggest reasons automatic transmissions have come to dominate the domestic auto market.

Is it as complicated to explain as automatic transmissions?

It’s simpler. Here’s a quick explanation.

A vehicle with a manual transmission has a flywheel connected to its crankshaft. It also has a clutch disc, which rotates with the flywheel when pressed against it.

The clutch disk is connected to the transmission’s gearbox through a gearbox shaft.

When the flywheel and clutch disk are connected, spinning together, the gearbox shaft does so as well.

When the clutch is pressed, however, a pressure disc disengages the gearbox shaft from the flywheel and clutch disc, cutting off the flow of energy from the engine to the transmission.

This temporary disengagement allows drivers to change gears using the shifter.
Once the clutch is disengaged, the pressure disc allows the gearbox shaft to reconnect with the clutch disk, but energy must be ready to turn the mechanism, which is why you must simultaneously reengage the accelerator when disengaging the clutch.

Are there any types of vehicles that are more likely to have a manual vs. automatic transmission?

High-end sports cars are where you’ll most likely find manual transmissions these days, though they remain quite popular across makes and models in Europe. If you’re traveling abroad and plan to rent a car, it’s a good idea to find out before you travel if your vehicle is a standard.

I know someone who had to get his vehicle’s clutch replaced. Is that rare?

Nope. It’s common, and something about the manual vs. automatic transmission debate worth noting. A clutch is a wear and tear item and its life depends on how a driver treats it. Someone who regularly brakes hard will wear down a brake pad more quickly than someone who gently applies the brakes. Someone who is constantly missing gears while shifting will likely need a clutch replacement at some point in a vehicle’s life while more experienced drivers who operate smoothly may never need a replacement.

My vehicle has a shifter but I don’t have to use it.

You’re talking about a direct shift gearbox, also known as a DSG transmission or, in some cases, a manumatic, and another part of the manual vs. automatic transmission discussion. In place of a clutch pedal, vehicles with such DSG transmission use an electronically controlled dual clutch.

By dual clutch, you mean two clutches?

Yep. Dual clutches have two clutches that are activated based on whether you’re in an even- or odd-numbered gear.

Why would I use a shifter if I don’t have to?

Some drivers prefer DSG because it enables quicker shifting. Drivers looking to maximize fuel long held manual transmissions in high regard. In recent years, however, fuel economy ranges have moved closer.

So there’s manual, standard and DSG transmissions. Anything else?

Yes. Continuously variable transmissions, or CVT. These are automatic transmissions that use belts and pulleys. They’re popular in Nissans, and increasingly popular in Subarus. The idea of CVT is that there is an infinite number of positions that can be leveraged to ensure ongoing performance while limiting engine stress.

What does transmission fluid do?

In an automatic transmission, transmission fluid is used for lubrication and generating hydraulic pressure that helps signal when it’s time for a gear change. In CVT and manual transmissions, fluid is primarily used for lubrication.

Do I need to get my transmission fluid replaced?

Like any fluid, you should follow your owner’s manual suggestion on the best time to get your fluid replaced.

I’ve heard transmission work can be expensive.

It’s true. No matter manual or automatic transmission, transmissions can be hard to reach and the systems contain many parts. It’s not unusual to see transmission repairs costing $1,500 or more, depending on the issue.

Any other questions about the difference between manual and automatic transmissions? Let us know in the comments.

Learn more about AAA’s automotive services.