It’s the Lease You Can Do

By Catherine Powell

Image courtesy Picpedia

When it comes to car ownership, there are good things and bad things.  Owning a car means you get to sell it somewhere down the road.  Depending on the miles, years and conditions, this can help you recoup some of the money you put into it.  It also gives you the option of driving as many miles per year as you desire.  That’s the good news.  The bad news is that you are also on the hook for everything from routine maintenance and tire replacement to the down payment and sales tax paid when you purchase the vehicle.  This leaves some motorists wondering if perhaps leasing a new car every three years makes more sense than buying.

Should You Pay for Extra Rental Car Coverage?

By Catherine Powell

Image courtesy picserver

With summertime comes vacation time, the time of year when many of my customers jump on a jumbo jet to visit far off places.  It’s also the one time of the year that almost guarantees you’ll elect to rent a car, since you can’t fit the family sedan in the overhead compartment.  That being said, many customers ask me whether they should opt for added rental car coverage that’s offered at the counter of every rental car agency on the planet.  My answer is always the same.  That depends.

Building a Hurricane Bug-out Bag

By Catherine Powell

Image courtesy flickr

Now that hurricane season is here it comes with the added peril of being ordered to evacuate your home as a named storm bears down on northeast Florida.  Having bugged out in the past when a hurricane loomed large, I’ve come to realize that while most Floridians know what to do when it comes to battening down the hatches at home, few understand what it takes when you are ordered to make a run for it.

The Perils of Patios

By Catherine Powell

Image courtesy wikimedia

There’s nothing like a summer barbecue or pool party to entertain young and old alike.  That’s the upside of having a backyard patio.  The downside is that it’s also one of the places that’s most likely to involve an accident likely to send you or yours to the hospital.  Before you, one of your kids or a family member winds up in the emergency room, here are a few facts of which you need to be aware concerning patios.

Summer Scammers

By Catherine Powell

Image courtesy flickr

With the kids out of school and the Fourth of July less than a month away, most families look forward to the summer as the time of year to let down their hair and have some fun in the sun.  Unfortunately, the summer is also one of the times of the year when con men and women choose to turn up the heat on unsuspecting families.  To help you stay a step ahead of these summer scammers, I thought I’d take the time to give you the top-10 scams of the summer.

How to Beat the Heat

By Catherine Powell

Image courtesy flickr

Is it hot enough for you?  Even though we aren’t yet out of May, the temperature has suddenly started acting like it’s August.  With the forecast for the rest of the week being in the upper 90’s, I thought it a good idea to give you a few tips to help you deal with the heat.  Aside from the discomfort all of us will have to endure if we venture outside for more than a few minutes, there are also many dangers that come from being overheated. 

Ready for a Road Trip?

By Catherine Powell

Image courtesy flickr

With the school year nearly finished, many families thoughts turn to going on vacation.  While for some that means packing the family onto a jumbo jet, for others it means taking to the road.  If you’re one of the those who loves to head out with your family on the open road, this week’s blog is for you.  So, buckle up and get ready to learn some tried and true tips to make this a vacation to remember.