3 Things to Look for in Family Cars

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When it comes to family cars, most people are looking for some specific specs. If you’re not sure what makes a good family vehicle, you’ll want to check out the following five things before you head to the car dealerships.

1. Safety Rating
What is the safety rating on the car you’re thinking of buying? Whether it’s a new car or a used one, you need to check this. Don’t settle for an unsafe vehicle when you have children in it.

2. Fuel Efficiency

Family cars are often used to run kids to soccer games, theater practices and a myriad of other activities, so it makes sense to choose a car with good fuel efficiency.

3. Special Features
Anyone who has driven more than an hour with several children in the car can tell you that it’s a nightmare. Zoned climate control and in-car entertainment can help adults and children stay sane on road trips.

While there are many factors for buying a new car, when it comes to family cars, these three things are very important. You’ll also want to check performance and style, but these are secondary when it comes to a vehicle that can handle your family.

How to Get the Most from Hotel Booking Online

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Hotel booking online has made it possible for anyone to get a great deal with ease. Since accommodation is a large part of your travel expenses, you need to book your hotel with the following tips in mind.

Check the hotel site, plus several booking sites. You never know where you might find the best deal, so don’t limit yourself.

Use flexible dates when possible. When you book your hotel online, it’s easier to check alternative dates and you may end up with much lower rates.

Confirm your booking. It’s possible for wires to get crossed, so to ensure that you really do have a room when you show up, send an email to the hotel to confirm your booking. This may even result in a better room if you mention any special needs that you or your party might have.

Book first, plan later. See a great deal online? Grab it! In nearly every case, you can cancel the hotel room if you find a better deal later, so get it while you can.

Print the confirmation number. You may need to show it to the hotel reception in order to prove that you have actually reserved the room.

Hotel booking online is fast and easy, but if you use the tricks above, you’ll also save money.

Travel Free with Credit Card Offers

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Dreaming of traveling, but just don’t have the cash? Credit card offers can actually make it possible for you to get to your destination for free, and may even pay for your hotel in some cases.

If you know what you’re doing, free flights and hotels are surprisingly easy to get. You just need to keep an eye out for credit cards that are offering sign up bonuses. Often, these involve miles or points that can be converted into airline miles.

The trick is to collect these travel cards and take them up on their offers. This usually requires spending a certain amount on the card within the first month or three. Avid travelers who use this technique will use their card to pay off bills and buy food so that they can be sure they hit the necessary amount, gaining the points.

Once you’ve collected enough points, often through multiple credit cards, you can convert them to airline miles. All you need to do now is book your travel! For anyone who dreams of traveling around the world or even across the country, it’s surprisingly easy to get what you want, when you know how to utilize credit card offers.

3 Secrets to Hotel Booking Online

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Skip the travel agencies, now you can handle your own hotel booking online. If you’re worried that you won’t get the same kind of deals that an agency would, just keep these three secrets in mind.

1. Hotels Book Groups of Rooms
Sometimes, the deal you want is sold out for a specific hotel on the dates you want. Don’t worry, you can keep checking other sites and see if there are other rooms to book. Since most hotels offer deals for a limited number of rooms, there may be other blocks of accommodation that are available and you can find these elsewhere.

2. Contact the Hotel
You should always send an email to the hotel after you’ve booked. This lets them know that you are serious about your stay and reduces the chances of being bumped because of overbooking.

3. Read the Fine Print
Most hotel rooms can be cancelled or rescheduled, but make sure you read the fine print before you book your hotel online. Some have pretty strict rules when it comes to cancellations and if you’re not aware of them, you could end up paying quite a bit of extra money.

With hotel booking online, it’s easy to think you’ve found the best deal, but you’ll want to be a discerning shopper when planning your trip. Make sure you’re getting the best hotel for your needs and budget.

Business Loans: Don’t Make These 3 Mistakes

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Starting a business requires some money and business loans are one of the more popular choices. Unfortunately, many companies make some big mistakes when they’re starting out. Avoid these common problems when looking for a loan.

1. Not asking for the right amount. Do you know what it will cost you to get your business going, down to the penny? While that may be a little too detailed, you should have an extensive, realistic business plan in hand when you request a loan. Too often, this number is guesstimated, which can end up causing issues when you either run out of money too soon or end up paying too much back.

2. Presenting a badly written business plan. If you can’t create a high quality business plan yourself, then you will need to hire someone to do it for you. Remember that first impressions count. No one will lend your business money if you only have a very basic or badly designed plan.

3. Not checking your credit score. Since your score can have a very big impact on whether or not you get a small business loan, you should really make sure it’s decent. If not, spend some time building your rating back up before you try applying for a loan.

These simple mistakes are very easy to make. Take the time to prepare everything correctly, whether it’s online loans or offline ones that you’re looking at.

Book Your Hotel for Savings

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Traveling incurs quite a few expenses, particularly when you book your hotel. A place to stay on your journey can be pricey. However, if you are somewhat flexible in your bookings, you can save quite a bit of money.

First, look for any potential discounts online. You can also call the hotel to see if they have a special offer, as well. If you belong to AAA or any other club, check to see if there are discounts available.

Sometimes, you’ll find deals on booking sites when hotel booking online. If you’re a cardholding member of the chain, however, you may be required to book on the hotel’s website. To get the deal on top of your points, you can send the deal link to the hotel and ask to be given the same deal. It may sound simple, but this method allows you to save money.

If you’re on a tight budget, look for better options. The most prominent hotel will usually be the most expensive. As long as you don’t mind minimal amenities or being further from the sights, you can usually get cheaper rooms.

Whether you’re traveling for business or for pleasure, saving money when you book your hotel can be simple.

5 Reasons to Rent a Car on Your Vacation

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A car rental can make your vacation 100x better, no matter where you’re traveling to. Why? Here are a few reasons you’ll want to pay the extra to have a vehicle on your travels.

1. No waiting on public transportation. Sure, a bus will get you where you’re going, but you’ll have to wait for the bus to show up and then deal with multiple stops. A car rental allows you to go when you want and leave when you feel like it.

2. Get directly to your destination. Since public transport will usually drop you off at a stop and not your actual destination, it can be frustrating to walk or take a taxi to where you really want to go.

3. Cheaper for day-long tours. Planning to check out the city? In most cases, it’s far more economical to rent a car than to hire a taxi.

4. Travel early or late. When public transport isn’t readily available, due to the late hour, you can easily jump in your car and drive where you need to be.

5. Haul along your luggage with ease. Whether you want to hold a picnic on the beach or stay the night in another location, a rental car is the simplest way to manage this.

There are plenty of other reasons to rent a car while you’re on vacation, but overall, it comes down to convenience and savings.

Car Insurance Secrets Everyone Should Know

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Car insurance is mandatory, but paying top rate for it is not. In fact, you can save quite a bit of money by simply paying attention to these simple secrets.

1. Some Companies Limit Discounts
Do you qualify for a special discount with your car insurance? If you qualify for more than one, don’t be surprised if you’re only allowed to use one on your coverage. This is pretty standard, so it’s worth asking about.

2. Insure All Cars with the Same Policy
When you insure multiple vehicles, ask if there is a multi-vehicle policy that will give you a discount. More and more companies are offering these nowadays.

3. Don’t Commute to Save Money
Not only does ride-sharing save you gas money, it can also drop your premiums. Why? The concept is simple, really. The more you drive, the more likely you are to have a mishap. Insurance companies will often lower your rate if you don’t commute.

4. Some Safety Features Save You $$
Airbags and car alarms or an anti-theft device can help lower those premiums, too. While not all security and safety options will net you lower rates, ask your insurance company what they give discounts for and consider investing in those additions.

5. Skip the Collision Insurance
Not on all cars, but if your car is old and not worth much, you may not even need collision insurance.

When you compare car insurance policies, always look for potential discounts. You never know.

Medical Insurance That Won’t Break the Bank

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Most people wouldn’t argue that medical insurance is a necessary expense, but it’s also one that not everyone can afford. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce your costs when it comes to keeping your family protected.

Shop around. Doing a few price checks will allow you to find the best deal for your family. Just be sure that you’re comparing the same types of packages and that any price comparisons are for the exact same coverage options.

Set a budget. How much can you actually afford to pay on health insurance? Keep in mind that some things will still need to be paid out of pocket, so you’ll have to deduct those costs from the health insurance budget.

Decide what you really need. Not every family needs the same type of medical insurance. If you’re a married couple, your needs will be quite different from a family with three children. Only purchase the coverage you actually need and don’t let the salesperson talk you into something much more expensive.

Medical insurance is a part of life and perhaps not a great part when you have to pay. However, when you’re sick or injured, knowing that you are protected is a big plus.

Certified Pre-Owned Car Dealerships: Get What You Want for Less

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Many people aren’t able to handle large car payments, so they end up keeping their old vehicle for far longer than they really should. While car dealerships can offer a decent price and a trade-in on your old car, you may find that certified pre-owned is your best bet.

A CPO or certified pre-owned car is a good alternative to buying a vehicle off Craigslist or eBay. Each car has been carefully inspected and refurbished to ensure that it is like new. Then it is certified by the manufacturer.

When you visit car dealerships that offer CPO vehicles, you can expect to get a vehicle with a warranty, just like a new vehicle, though it may be for a shorter time period. In some cases, you’ll be offered special financing options, as well.

Overall, buying a used vehicle from CPO car dealerships is the best way to ensure that you are getting high quality and a guarantee. Not only that, but you’ll be paying considerably less than if you purchased a new car. Whether you are looking for luxury cars, family cars or even hybrid cars, you can find these for less at specialty car dealerships.