Uniroyal® Tire Offers Tips for a Memorable and Affordable Family Road Trip
GREENVILLE, S.C. - (May 29, 2008) - Summertime is just around the corner and, for many families, that means it's almost time to pack up the family car and head out for a little fun in the sun. But while millions of Americans prefer driving to their vacation destination, peak-season rates and soaring gas prices have many concerned about this year's travel budget. According to family-savings expert, Kimberly Danger, higher prices don't have to keep you from having an unforgettable summer vacation. With a little preparation and some creativity, you can plan an affordable trip the entire family will enjoy.
Uniroyal® Tire and Kimberly Danger suggest the following tips for planning your family's next adventure:
Be Realistic. The best kind of vacation is relaxing-it is something to rejuvenate and exhilarate you. Financially overextending yourself, however, can lead to anxiety down the line. If you're going to be paying for months to come, reconsider. While it may be tempting to put your trip on plastic, the best vacation is one that you can pay for in full when the bill comes.
A few suggestions to make your trip budget friendly:
- Visit family to cut down on hotel expenses
- Use your house as home base for fun daytrips
- Consider church mission trips as a way to see another country
- Travel during off-peak times rather than in the summer
- Travel with another family and share a condo or cabin
Look Ahead for Bargains. If there is a way to spend, there is almost always a way to save. Take a few minutes to research all the ways to get coupons, receive discounts and take advantage of travel packages or promotions at your destination. Consult the website of the local chamber of commerce or visitor's bureau and sign up to receive special offers. Entertainment books are also a great way to save; they offer hotel, event and restaurant discounts by geographic area. Finally, check out Restaurant.com for special deals on local eats. You can typically get a $25 dining certificate for less than $10. Search the database for restaurants in the areas you will be visiting.
Save on Gas. While there is not much you can do about the price you pay for gasoline at the pump, there are a few simple things that you can do to ensure your family's safety while improving your gas mileage.
- Check your tire pressure. A tire that is twenty percent under-inflated can reduce fuel economy by up to three percent. You should properly check your tire inflation pressure once a month and adjust accordingly.
- Follow the recommended maintenance schedule in your vehicle's owner's manual. Simply tuning your engine can improve gas mileage by up to four percent.
- Keep both front and rear tires properly aligned. Improper wheel alignment can reduce fuel economy by up to five percent. If your car has uneven tire tread wear, pulls to one side, wanders or has an off-center steering wheel, it is time to get your wheels aligned. Your local Uniroyal Tire dealer can assess your vehicle's wheel alignment.
Find Creative Entertainment. Regardless of where you go, you don't have to lay down a ton of cash to enjoy your time together. Here are some simple ideas for inexpensive entertainment:
- Hit the pool. Choose a hotel with a pool for easily accessible entertainment. You can even bring along a deck of cards or a game to enjoy poolside or in your room.
- Visit a museum or theater. Do a little research on the venues in the area to which you are traveling. Most major museums in the United States have one day a week or month where tickets are free or greatly discounted. For local theater or events, look for a discount ticket outlet. They sell off unsold theater and event seats last minute at considerable discounts. Goldstar.com and Stubhub.com. are good places to start your search.
- Take a city tour. Many big cities have greeter programs where someone familiar with the area volunteers their time to give guests a guided tour around town-free of charge. Check out the website for the city you are visiting to see if this is offered.
- Create a family tradition. Research shows that families who build traditions are healthier than those who do not. Use traveling as an opportunity to create special traditions-big or small-that you can keep alive on every trip you take. Here are some ideas:
- Bring a little sand back to your yard from the beach
- Write a family poem, story or comic book about each vacation
- Take a picture of the kids by the "Welcome" sign as you enter a new state
- Give each child a disposable camera to use along the way
Choose Inexpensive Souvenirs. If you are like most families, you will want to bring back a memento from your trip. Before you hit the tourist shops and stock up on t-shirts and stuffed
animals, think twice. The best souvenirs are ones that represent the area you've visited, will not
get tossed aside when you get home, and are inexpensive. For savings on souvenirs, check warehouses, outlets, discount stores and dollar stores. They often carry the same merchandise
for a fraction of the price that it sells for in tourist shops. You can also get typical souvenirs such as t-shirts, coffee mugs, magnets and other things at restaurants or coffee shops. Often souvenirs are less expensive there, and they will undoubtedly be more unique than the ones you find at typical tourist stores.
About Kimberly Danger:
Danger is a nationally-recognized consumer advocate and family-savings expert. She is the author of 1000 Best Baby Bargains, a feature columnist for Organize magazine and the founder of www.mommysavers.com, an online resource and forum for women. Danger serves as the spokesperson for Uniroyal Tire's "More Mileage for Your Money" campaign.
About the "More Mileage for Your Money" Campaign:
In 2006, Uniroyal Tire created a public service campaign to help consumers address increasing gas costs and rising everyday expenses. Today, the "More Mileage for Your Money" campaign not only offers easy tips for saving money on gas and automotive costs, but also provides straightforward advice on a variety of family areas. Working in partnership with Kimberly Danger, Uniroyal Tire will offer a series of videos, tips and eBooks throughout 2008 on topics such as family budgeting, organization, summer travel, time management and cooking and shopping efficiently.
"This campaign is a logical extension of Uniroyal's mission to provide good quality, affordable tires to our consumers," said Kaz Holley, Uniroyal Tire brand director. "In partnering with Danger we want to help American families get the most value out of their purchases in many areas, not just tires."
About Uniroyal Tire:
Uniroyal Tire is one of the world's leading tire brands for passenger and commercial cars, pick-ups, light trucks, mini vans and sport utility vehicles. Dating back to 1892, Uniroyal Tire has developed a reputation for providing high-quality, affordable tires including its Tiger Paw® and Laredo® tire series. Uniroyal tires offer just the right combination of dependability, traction and grip in almost every weather condition, and come with one of the industry's leading warranties. Visit Uniroyal Tire online at www.uniroyal.com.
Contact:
Tonya Polydoroff
(864) 458-4511
tonya.polydoroff@us.michelin.com
Lisa Ball
(336) 812-2068
lball@trone.com
Gas Tips Sources: National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Energy, Federal Trade Commission, N.C. Department of Commerce, Car Care Council
|
