Save Money While on Vacation

Save Money While on Vacation

Going on vacation often means indulging here and there on purchases. When you travel, you may want to be sure you are spending your hard earned money in the smartest ways.

Here are some suggestions on how to make your next vacation memorable and affordable!

Be flexible – Travelers who are flexible in their departure dates and times can usually find great deals and rates because they have the ability to shop price instead of date.

Pack light – Many airlines now charge extra for baggage fees, especially suitcases. Pack only the necessities.

Use coupons – Coupons aren’t only for getting cents off your brand tissue at the supermarket. Coupon and discount codes are available for just about any purchase – even vacations. Check all travel websites to see if there are any deals and specials going on when booking your trip.

Plan meals – Look into economical restaurants before departing. Know where you’ll be eating and when.

Rent small – If you are renting a car, choose the smallest model that will fit your needs. In addition, there is no need to pay for a large room that you don’t plan to spend much time in.

Consider public transportation – Investigate public transportation options near your destination. Such options may not be as convenient as taxis, but they may be more economical.

Make your next vacation unforgettable!

 

 

Get To Your Destination Faster with some TSA Prep

Get To Your Destination Faster with some TSA Prep

Are you traveling anytime soon? If so, doing a little homework before you travel could save you some serious time at the airport!

For instance, visiting www.tsa.gov the transportation security administrations website can help you learn what items can be packed in carry on and which are best to leave in your check in suit case. You can also learn size requirements for toiletries that are allowed on planes and then find properly sized items in stores.

As a final tip, remember that all carry-on gels, liquids and aerosols need to be placed in a 1 quart, single zip-top, clear plastic bag.

For more information to help make your travel time faster visit www.tsa.gov.

Happy travels!

 

Stay safe this summer with our pool safety tips!

Stay safe this summer with our pool safety tips!

Relaxing by the pool and enjoying the sun is one of the best parts of summer. While you are enjoying this fun filled summer activity, it is important to remember how crucial pool safety is. It is not only important to keep yourself informed but also your children or anybody visiting your pool. In this blog, you will find helpful pool tips from the American Red Cross.

  • Secure your pool with appropriate barriers. Completely surround your pool with a 4-feet high fence or barrier with a self-closing, self-latching gate. Place a safety cover on the pool or hot tub when not in use and remove any ladders or steps used for access. Consider installing a pool alarm that goes off if anyone enters the pool.
  • Keep children under active supervision at all times. Stay in arm’s reach of young kids. Designate a responsible person to watch the water when people are in the pool—never allow anyone to swim alone. Have young or inexperienced swimmers wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
  • Ensure everyone in the home knows how to swim well by enrolling them in age-appropriate water orientation and learn-to-swim courses from the Red Cross.
  • Keep your pool or hot tub water clean and clear. Maintain proper chemical levels, circulation and filtration. Regularly test and adjust the chemical levels to minimize the risk of earaches, rashes or more serious diseases.
  • Establish and enforce rules and safe behaviors, such as “no diving,” “stay away from drain covers,” “swim with a buddy” and “walk please.”
  • Ensure everyone in the home knows how to respond to aquatic emergencies by having appropriate safety equipment and taking water safety, first aid and CPR courses from the Red Cross.

These very helpful and informative tips can help keep your pool time as safe and fun as possible. You can find out more tips on the American Red Cross website, www.redcross.org. You can also go to www.HomePoolEssentials.org to take an online pool essentials course. This course describes steps that home pool owners need to take to prevent any accidents and keep their pool well maintained. Now it’s time to grab your sunscreen and pool float and enjoy the summer!

Hands-free driving is about to have a new meaning!

Hands-free driving is about to have a new meaning!

Hands free driving is about to get a new meaning. One of the first self-driving cars will debut in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania next week. And the company debuting this vehicle is Uber. This past February, the ride-sharing company announced that they would be partnering with Carnegie Mellon University to open its Uber Advanced Technologies Center in Pittsburgh. It is preparing to launch autonomous vehicles in to its fleet by 2020.

“Self-driving cars have the potential to save millions of lives and improve quality of life for people around the world,” Uber said in a blog post on its site, citing a statistic that 94% of car accidents that result in the loss of live involve human error.

Uber`s rival Lyft, is also trying to get in on all of this action. Lyft has released a statement this month that they are currently in the same process. “Executives at Lyft and Uber have said one of the top hurdles to their success is navigating a patchwork of regulations that govern the use and liabilities of autonomous vehicles. Federal regulators are working to help companies figure out how to meet safety standards when designing cars.” This project is still in the early stages for both Lyft and Uber. With all the pros and cons to this, it’s interesting to see what will happen.

Make Safe Travel #1 on your Holiday List

Make Safe Travel #1 on your Holiday List

Fact, the United States Department of Transportation says the Thanksgiving/Christmas/New Year’s holiday periods are among the busiest long-distance travel periods of the year.

Approximately 90 percent of holiday travel takes place by personal vehicle, followed by air, bus and train. With so many people on the move, the risk for accidents and other incidents increases.

Keep the holidays enjoyable and safe, be sure to exercise caution and keep these few tips in mind:

Schedule a tune-up. Make sure your vehicle is in good working condition. Check the air pressure in tires and get an oil change your car is due. Other cars on the road may kick up salt and other debris from the road. Be sure to top off windshield washer fluid to maintain visibility.

Schedule plenty of time for travel. Expect traffic and leave extra time to get to your destination. Rushing may cause you to increase your speed or make risky choices behind the wheel of your car that may result in an accident or injury. Leave extra time for traveling through hazardous conditions like snow, sleet or heavy rain. Schedule time for bathroom and stretch breaks.
Know multiple routes to your destination. The increased volume or accidents on the roadways can result in detours. Make sure your navigation is up to date and a map in your glove box.

Leave room for emergency supplies. Make available room in your car for a change of clothes, a blanket, snacks and water, jumper cables and a flashlight. Drivers should be prepared for a breakdown. If you are a AAA member, remember the holidays are a time when the local companies have crews on holiday schedule and response time may be increased.

Keep the family entertained. A long trip can seem longer without proper planning. Plan for some activities ahead of time. Games, books, videos/dvds and music can help fill the time. Make frequent stops for bathroom and stretch breaks. Don’t forget to pack food and drinks to keep rest break times to a minimum. “Are we there yet” is not a phrase only used by children.

Take turns driving. If you are fortunate enough to travel with multiple drivers, take turns driving. Spending long periods of time behind the wheel can cause fatigue. If you are driving alone, plan for breaks to rest. Drowsy driving is a major cause of accidents on the roadways.
Secure packages and Luggage. Tie down items on roof racks and in rear cargo areas of SUV’s and vans so they are not moving around freely. In the event of an accident, items that are not secured can be dangerous.

Pack gifts and other items so that the driver’s line of sight is not impeded.

Last but certainly not least, review your insurance coverage. During an emergency you want to be assured that you have rental reimbursement, full glass coverage, towing, medical reimbursement and your course collision. A call to your insurance agent can never hurt. If you are unable to reach them or feel it is time for an insurance review, feel free to call C.H. Edwards, Inc. at 516-249-5200 and we would be happy to assist you.

If holiday travel is on your to do list, remember to make safety a priority.

Happy Holidays from your friends at C.H. Edwards, Inc.!

Written by: Denise Visco

Sandra’s Travel Adventures, April 17, 2015

Sandra’s Travel Adventures, April 17, 2015

11117848_10206154995611441_510403166_nSandra’s Travel Adventures Week #4

We finally made it back to Sevilla and it’s so nice to be back in the warm weather. I only have two days left and I am already dreading leaving. We arrived in Sevilla in the afternoon and were completely exhausted. We made dinner at Jessica’s apartment and then went to a local coffee shop for dessert and to listen to a band from the area. I love the music here and being outside listening to local bands while eating amazing food.

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11119725_10206154994331409_2118520231_nToday is my last full day in Sevilla. We were still tired from all the traveling and woke up pretty late. We went to this restaurant that we’ve been wanting to try for brunch. I had a cappuccino and a sandwich. We then decided that since it was so nice out that we wanted to walk along a near by river. There were many shops along the river which was perfect for all the last minute souvenirs we had to get.

 

 

 

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11160531_10206154995091428_742498062_nWhen then stumbled upon a food stand that had the most  amazing churros and chocolate. I’ve been wanting to try this all trip and it was so good. We then walked through a nearby town by the river and since it was so nice out, there were many people walking around. On our way back we came across another little market that had hand made bowls and plates and things like that. All of the art is so beautiful here. After the market we stopped for gelato. I am defiantly going to miss the amazing food and desserts and coffee here. It’s just too good. After our gelato we walked back to Jessica’s apartment to pack and get ready to leave early in the morning. This has been one of the most amazing trips and I am going to miss being in Europe with my best friends but it’s time to head back to New York.

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             Written by: Sandra Costanzo

Sandra’s Travel Adventures, April 10, 2015

Sandra’s Travel Adventures, April 10, 2015

11131891_10206092737975039_1432720918_nSandra’s Travel Adventures Week #4

Today is the day that we go to Amsterdam! We started our journey with a connecting flight in Barcelona. Since we had a 4 hour connecting flight, we decided to leave the airport and go for lunch in the city. On the way to lunch, we stopped by a market that had all different types of fruits, vegetables, meats and desserts. Everything looked so good. We ended up getting fruit smoothies. Mine was coconut and pineapple and was absolutely delicious. After the market we stopped by a local restaurant that was serving brunch. After lunch we walked around a little more before heading back to the airport. We made it right in time for our flight and then we were only a little over an hour away from being in Amsterdam.

11149185_10206092758415550_1718530389_nWhen we landed in Amsterdam, we were a little nervous since none of us spoke to dutch. We ended up having no problem and mostly everybody spoke english. We then took the bus to our hotel. When we found our hotel, we realized it was right across from the bench that was seen in the film The Fault In Our Stars. We then went into our hotel and put all of our stuff away. We then went to a burger place right near our hotel. After that we were ready to walk around and see the city. Our hotel was right in the middle of 11082744_10206092738095042_2002287513_neverything so we were able to walk everywhere. In Amsterdam there are more bikes then people since it is their primary source of transportation. We walked around the city and stopped in several shops and even came across a restaurant dedicated to all nutella! Of course we had to stop. We got fresh waffles with nutella on top of it. After our scrumptious dessert and adventures around the city, we headed back to our hotel to rest and get ready for the night. We ended up going to a local cafe and got cake and hot chocolate. They had a live band playing so it was nice to relax and enjoy the music after a long day of traveling and exploring.11129330_10206092753895437_1420036885_n

Today is our first full day in Amsterdam. We woke up really early so we were able to get everything done. After a huge breakfast we headed towards the Anne Frank museum. This was the part that I was looking forward to most. We walked through the tour and got to see her actual room and where they lived. It was amazing to have read the book and then actually get to see the places on which she wrote about. There was even copies of her actual diary there. Although her father, Mr. Otto Frank wanted the rooms to be empty

there were still 11118009_10206092745415225_828197769_npictures on the walls of how it looked when the Franks lived there. After the museum we walked backed to our hotel. On the way we stopped in several shops and of course had to stop for macaroons and then french fries. They have the best french fries in Amsterdam and a whole restaurant dedicated to just french fries. We also saw really amazing street art and hung out by the canal for a little bit. After that we headed back to the hotel to get ready for dinner and to go out. We walked around a little bit and decided on a different burger place for dinner. I have never had so many burgers 11121590_10206092755415475_1205462328_nand fries in such a short amount of time but I am not complaining. After dinner we asked the waitress where she recommends us to go out that night. She recommended an Australian bar named CoCos. We ended up going there and had the best time. There were people there from many different countries. We sang a few karaoke songs and ended up having the best time.

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Today is our last full day in Amsterdam. We got up early again to make sure we got all the activities that we wanted to do it. Our first stop was a market. We stopped for Poffertjes which are mini pancakes. They were absolutely delicious and the perfect way to start the day. The market was filled with tons of souvenirs and delicious food.11139612_10206092743295172_1249716061_n

 

11116113_10206092738655056_1036785100_nAfter the market we headed to the Heineken tour. We learned how the beer was made and some fun facts about the history of Heineken. The tour also included a canal ride. We got to see different parts of the city and learn more about the city. It was such a nice day out and the canal ride was the perfect way to enjoy the city. After the canal ride we were on a mission to find the I 11146119_10206092751495377_1004813263_nAmsterdam statue. We finally found it and got to see a little show of street performers doing amazing tricks. We took several pictures in front of the gigantic statue and then headed back to the hotel. We have to be at the airport at 5am so we decided to pack and rest for a little bit. We then decided to go out for dinner and dessert. We stayed there for a while and before we knew it, it was almost time to go to the airport. Amsterdam was so much fun and definitely one of my favorite cities. But for now we are back to Sevilla, Spain.

Written by: Sandra Costanzo

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Sandra’s Travel Adventures, April 3, 2015

Sandra’s Travel Adventures, April 3, 2015

Sandra’s Travel Adventures Week #3Dessert in spain

Today is another bright and sunny day in Sevilla, Spain! We started our day off bright and early with a homemade pancake breakfast.   After our scrumptious breakfast we walked to Triana. This is a little neighborhood near Jessica’s apartment. We stopped at little shops and of course had to stop for coffee and pastries. Coffee and pastries have become my favorite part of the day in Spain. We saw many beautiful churches and walked a long the river. It’s like walking through a postcard. It started to rain so we quickly made it back to Jessica’s apartment.

Before we knew it, it was time to get Spanish coffeeSandra sidewalkready for dinner and the flamenco show. Flamenco is a type of spanish folk music and dance. This was my first flamenco show and it was so much fun. We went to a local bar and it felt like we really got to experience the Spanish culture through music. After the show we were exhausted and headed back to the apartment. Check back next week to hear about the next part of my adventure! We are Amsterdam bound!

Written by: Sandra Costanzo

Sandra’s Travel Adventures, March 26, 2015

Sandra’s Travel Adventures, March 26, 2015

Sandra’s Travel Adventures Week #2  Soccer game

Today is my second day in Sevilla, Spain. We started off the day with breakfast at this local cafe. I got a croissant and coffee. The coffee is amazing here. We then went souvenir shopping, we came across so many shops. I got a few souvenirs and before we knew it, it was time to get ready for the soccer game. Sevilla was playing against Elche. It was a close game but Sevilla won. After the game we went to a local cafe for coffee and gelato. It’s been another fun day in Sevilla!Sandra friends at game

By: Sandra Costanzo