What are the best 2014 car models? That depends who you ask. These are the top six models named by the respected automotive website Cars.com, for quality, innovation and value. In alphabetical order, and with the reasons for their selection: 2014 Acura MDX: The MDX is the best example of where Acura excels most, which is luxury feel at not-quite-luxury prices, with a bit of innovation thrown … [Read more...]
2014 best buy cars, SUVs, trucks
If you are in the market for a new car, consider these 2014 best buy recommendations from the editors of Consumers Digest. The ratings are published in the December 2013 issues now on sale, and on the Consumers Digest website. The Best Buy recommendations are based on behind-the-wheel driving experience, safety ratings, ownership costs, warranty, price, comfort, cargo space and flexibility, … [Read more...]
5 best 2014 green cars
There are plenty of fuel efficient green cars on the road. But which one is the best? The five models up for the title of 2014 Green Car of the Year award from the magazine Green Car Journal include something for everyone, including clean diesel, high efficiency gasoline, and hybrid/plug-in hybrid power featured in mainstream, sporty, and executive models. The winner will be announced at the … [Read more...]
6 best scenic drives for fall foilage
Mother Nature is giving us her annual technicolor show. Since some of the most beautiful roads in the USA - in national parks such as Yosemite and Yellowstone - are closed because of the US government shutdown, here are six alternative great drives in the USA to enjoy, whether you are a driving enthusiast, fall foilage fan, or both - Mt. Washington Auto Road, New Hampshire - It's called "The … [Read more...]
Best free apps to help you save money
Let your smartphone or other portable electronics help you save money when shopping. ecoXplorer recommends these FREE apps - Forgot your paper coupons at home? No worries. Yowza replaces them by searching for coupons based on your location. Yowza also asks you for your age, so - presumably - I would not get the same coupons as my college-student son or my married daughter who is the … [Read more...]
Best free & cheap travel gear & gadgets
There's no reason to spend lots of money on gear and gadgets to lighten the load and keep you organized when you travel. Here are my favorite free and cheap travel gadgets - Bathroom scale – Instead of paying as much as $25 for a digital luggage scale, you can avoid paying overweight charges by weighing your bag on the bathroom scale. Here’s the trick – stand on the scale holding the packed … [Read more...]
Best July Fourth fireworks + concerts
The Fourth of July and fireworks displays go together like hot dogs and mustard, kids and ice cream. Here are four of the best places in the United States for Fourth of July celebrations: New York City -- The biggest and best, of course, is the annual Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks display, the nation's largest. This year again, the pyrotechnics are from barges parked in the … [Read more...]
5 tips for traveling with an autistic child
Travelling with kids can be stressful enough - all those "are we there yet" questions - without the added stress of a family member with special needs. Here are five tips from National Autism Network to help make summer vacations more fun for everyone - and many of these tips work, too, for family travel with no special needs child. Plan Ahead - Call ahead to the hotel or resort where you … [Read more...]
Indianapolis 500 Pace Cars 1911-2013
Scroll through 100 years plus of Indianapolis 500 pace cars, from 1911 to 2013, with the model name and driver of each one. Even if you aren't a diehard motors ports fan, this is a virtual drive through the history of our love affair with the automotibile. The list of Indy 500 pace cars includes Studebaker, Cord and Duesenberg, which were manufactured in Indiana - the Indianapolis Motor … [Read more...]
Best festivals for spring, summer travel
Whether you are interested in food, wine, history, music or vintage cars, there's a festival somewhere in the world to enjoy. Travel smarter to these spring and summer festivals around the world: Wine -- Most wine festivals are in the fall, around harvest time. New York State's Finger Lakes is beating the crush (pun intended) with the first ever Finger Lakes Wine Month launching May 2013. … [Read more...]