Saturday, June 28, 2008

Unpinching the Pinch

We are all feeling the pinch by the rising gas costs. Some employers have accommodated workers by offering flex time or allowing others to telecommute, many motorists have cut down on their trips or consolidated errand-running, and road trips are becoming a thing of the past (at least the cross-country expeditions). Come to think of it, here in tourist-rich, Southern California I see less out of state plates with the exception of yesterday when I saw an overloaded Honda Odyssey (from Illinois I think) with the roof rack filled, a hitch-mounted carrier loaded to the gills, along with the rear sagging so low that the hitch carrier was a dip away from sparking up the neighborhood and scaring a few bystanders. Next time I'll take pictures...

But let's not forget indirect ways of saving money or at least trimming in other departments to free up more cash to fuel up your vehicle. A one-stop shop with the power to save you money in so many ways: the Auto Club. Being a member has benefits, not only are the insurance rates great, so are the free maps, and towing services are also beneficial. One other aspect that I have neglected was that the AAA card is a ticket to instant savings. Here are some examples of what Auto Club members can save on: 5% off on online orders at Barnes & Noble, members save 8% on purchases of $199 and up at Circuit City, multiple savings offers at Lens Crafters. For entertainment, Southern California members can save on all their favorite teams' selected games, Sea World offers discounts, Universal Studios also offers discounts on tickets, and there are many popular tours that are also discounted for that day trip you've been planning.

I am at my renewal point with my insurance and will do a comparison of major insurers' rates to see if the Auto Club is still the best bet. Stay tuned for those results...

DWD: 10, Miles: 629
Survived a busy movie theater parking lot today w/ large SUV's parked in small spaces!!

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