Travel & Leisure

Fleas and Ticks Pose Problems for Pets

, when millions of families pack up their cars in the midst of a slumping economy, many will be looking for ways to cut costs. Savings likely won't be found at the gas pump, as analysts predict a typical summer price jump.

But paying for empty calories and saturated fat is not the only option. In lieu of the drive-thru, many families are now bringing food along for the ride. And they're turning to products like California Innovations' insulated coolers to keep their meals fresh. Their collapsible coolers have high-density thermal insulation that keeps food and drinks cold for an entire day of driving. And once the contents are gone, they can be collapsed and stored under a seat to save prec

Helpful Tip for Summer Road Trips

A Helpful Tip for Summer Road Trips

(Nu) - When 39-year-old Tricia Martin was a young girl,

summer vacation often meant a three-day drive from the northwest suburbs of Chicago to Denver. It meant sweating in a station wagon without air conditioning, feeling carsick and fighting with her younger sister. It also meant lots and lots of fast food.

"We'd wake up and have a huge breakfast, stop at McDonald's or Burger King for lunch and dinner," says Martin. "It was the '70s! My parents didn't think about calories, much less trans fat. And gas was so cheap. It probably costs me more to fill up a tank [of gas] than it cost my parents to feed us the whole trip." When Martin hits the road with her husband and two children this summer for their first big driving trip, fast food is decidedly not on the menu. "We eat healthy at home. Why change on a road trip? We'll pack a ton of good food and snacks, and stop at local markets to buy groceries along the way. It should be cheaper, too."

Education is key when considering home ownership

Buying a home is one of the biggest decisions and commitments one will ever make, yet many people are not nearly as familiar with the ins and outs of the mortgage process as they are with their favorite TV show or sports team. Taking time to educate yourself will go a long way in easing t...he stress of buying a home and preparing you for the responsibilities of home ownership.

"Low rates, combined with stabilizing home prices, are creating buying opportunities for those who qualify," says Michael Copley, retail lending senior vice president of TD Bank. "But before you buy, do as much research as possible - research lenders, know the products and make sure you understand the costs associated with home ownership."

How to sell your house online

Even in a sluggish housing market, thousands of properties are still bought and sold on a daily basis. The Internet has made the process of buying and selling homes easier and more streamlined than ever. Many homeowners are foregoing traditional methods altogether, focusing solely on the Web.
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Understanding your credit opens the door to home-buying success

With many signs pointing to the beginnings of a recovery in the housing market, potential home buyers can still find plenty of selection, low prices and low interest rates. If you're thinking of buying a home, now might be the right time, but before you contact a real estate agent or ...apply for a mortgage, your top priority should be checking your credit report to see if your credit is in good shape.

Credit - specifically misuse and misunderstanding of credit - spurred the housing crisis, many experts agree. The consequences have included tighter standards from lenders and the need for borrowers to better understand how to use credit wisely.