Discount Hawaii Car Rentals

There are six unique islands that can leave you with plenty of wonderful experiences. And a visit to each one of the islands is a must. How to visit all these places at your own pace and without getting lost could be something to consider before you journey to Hawaii. Well, all you have to do is rent a car to get you to your destination. You can find all the information over the internet.

Most people choose to travel in luxury cars for a variety of reasons. One can chose to rent an exotic car to travel out of town with that special someone. By renting a luxury car adds flavor to your journey. Some choose to travel in a luxury rental to project a sophisticated persona during their business trip. You don't have to worry about high payments or the daily upkeep of a luxury vehicle. Instead you can just go have fun with the car for one evening.

A good idea is to check affordable rentals available in Hawaii itself. You could make your choice from a number of national and international rental services. Ensure to check with them to see what rates they offer. Some of these rentals offer you a complete range of current rental models to make certain your safety, serenity and comfort while exploring the beautiful Hawaiian Islands.

Also do not forget to check what their rentals policies are, and how does the return policy work. At times many find it more lucrative than going with a nationalized service. The prices quoted for car rentals in Hawaii are as affordable and is one of the practical methods of transport to travel where you want and when you want!

Can You Use a Debit Card to Rent a Car?

Credit Identification is required by every car rental company. You must show that you are financially responsible for the vehicle that you rent. Some companies only take major charge or credit cards, and some take debit cards. Some companies have a cash qualification card that you can apply for, but this process usually takes about 4 - 6 weeks to process. If approved, you would be issued a cash rental ID card and be able to rent with that particular company any time, using cash.

Let's start with the car rental company's definition of a charge or credit card and a debit card.

A major charge card or credit card is one for which you receive a monthly statement and that is not tied in any way to your bank account. Common credit cards that are accepted would be American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and Diners Club.

A debit card (even those with a Visa or MasterCard Logo) is credit covered by your checking account. Your funds are limited to the amount in your account. Any amount you charge with this card is automatically debited from your bank account.

Many car rental companies do not accept debit cards because your financial responsibility for the vehicle would be limited to the amount of money in your bank account.

Many people do not know that a rental company can charge your credit card even beyond your credit limit. For example, if you didn't take the car rental insurance, and wrecked the vehicle, the rental company would, and can, charge the full amount of the vehicle to your credit card! You can imagine the nightmare of trying to pay that balance off!!

With a debit card the rental company has no way to recoup charges like this. For them it would be the same as you handing them a check for the rental costs and then trusting that you would bring the car back in one piece and on time, full of gas!

If a car rental company accepts your debit card make sure to check about any additional information that would be required. Most companies that accept a debit card will also require a credit check at the rental counter and more of a deposit than they require with a regular charge card. Call your rental location directly for information on what the credit check entails. There may also be age restrictions even if the company accepts debit cards.

Note: For most car rental companies, renters under 25 years of age may not use a debit card as Credit Identification at the beginning of the rental. Also, even if a location will accept a debit card from the renter, they may not allow an additional driver to use this type of credit card.

Some car rental locations do not accept debit cards at time of rental to release the vehicle, but do accept debit cards for payment when you return the vehicle.

A prepaid debit card is a one-time use, or reloadable card. You may receive this from your tax return or as a reward or "gift card". These types of debit cards will not be accepted as credit identification. You should check with the rental car company to see if this type of card would be accepted as a method of payment at the end of the rental.

Deposits or Holds at the beginning of the rental

When you pick up your rental, you will be required to leave a deposit on your credit card (or debit card if accepted). Generally, at the time of rental, rental agencies will require a credit card hold of at least the total estimated charges. Your deposit type and amount will vary according to the company you rent from and the individual location.

You must have the deposit amount required available on your card. This amount will be held or frozen until the rental is returned. When you return of the car, all holds will be released, and the actual cost of the rental will be charged, or you may pay in cash.

Note: your bank may take up to two weeks to post the released credit holds.

Using someone else's Credit Card

This is not allowed. At the time of rental, you must present a valid driver's license and credit card with your own name imprinted on it. The name/address on the credit/debit card MUST match the name/address on your driver's license.

Giving your credit car number when making a Reservation.

The majority of rental companies do not require that you give your credit card number when you are booking a reservation.

Most of the time! There are some exceptions.

Credit card information is sometimes required when booking a specialty vehicle (example: 12 passenger van) or a high demand vehicle during a peak rental season (example: renting a minivan in July or August). If a credit card is required to book a vehicle, then you should check to see what the cancellation policy is and if there is a no-show fee.

Also, if you book a prepaid reservation through Hotwire or Priceline, you will have to give your credit card information because you will be paying for the rental up-front.

Carefully read the terms and conditions for these sites. You are often able to get a cheaper rate, but they are non-cancellable, non-modifiable and non-refundable.

For more tips on car rental qualifications, discount codes, coupons, policies and more, please visit my website below.

Car Rental Ratings 2009 (Not the Companies, The Cars)

Now that 2009 is behind me, I took a minute to think about every car I rented, and boy has this been quite a travel year for me. As businesses start to look around and ask the question, "So, Now What?", I have been on the road more than planned. A big part of being a road warrior is knowing how to get from the airport to your real destination. Trains, buses, taxi's, limos and rental cars all can meet the need depending on where you are going.

As an airline pilot twice a month, there isn't a lot of wiggle room. You stand there and wait for whatever the airline told you is your form of travel. If that company doesn't show up, you can take a cab and hope the airline pays you back. As a business adviser and owner the rest of the month, the cost of transportation is part of the fee I charge my clients. Since I own the company I have a lot more flexibility in what I do as long as my wife sees the price after we get paid. My basic plan is easy. If I have more than 8 hours of time to kill or my wife goes with me, then I rent a car. Sadly that is most of the time I travel. I also carry my own portable GPS since I can pre-program the routes or places I want to go before I start the trip.

I start out on Expedia or Travelocity and then book the second cheapest car I can at Hertz or Budget. I have tried other companies in the past and it wasn't worth the hassle to save $3 a day. During 2009, I rented 15 times, and all but once my basic plan worked out. I learned this trick in 2007 when renting from Hertz. If they have an abundance of "premium" cars, you can usually get a great deal at the last second on the upgrade. The flaw is using your "gold" membership to get the one class upgrade. Hertz automatically assigns the upgrade and you get what you get.

In 2007 when Hertz had the Shelby GT350H available, I was chomping at the bit to rent one. The online price was over $300 a day, so I decided to rent the $39 a day economy car. When I got to the counter, I happened to get Todd, a manager of the LAX Hertz counter. I asked why there were so many GT350H Mustangs sitting outside. He said no body was renting them, and the negotiations started. He of course did the right thing for Hertz and started at $299 a day. We eventually settled much lower at a price that made me very happy to rent such a cool car, he even threw in a years membership to the #1Gold program.

The Shelby was an absolute blast to drive, and other than being a little stiff in the suspension arena for my wife, the GT350H was a perfect car for a Southern California work week. Cruising Beverly Hills famous Rodeo Drive shopping district, the Shelby felt right at home. I have reserved an economy car every trip since and all but once got some kind of good deal on the upgrade. I don't know if Hertz and Budget keep customer notes, but I usually buy the gas and return it at about a quarter tank. If I get a cool car I usually will wash it too.

In 2009 the economy rental upgrade plan failed one time. Sure enough it was a vacation with my wife. We selected economy from Budget at the Nashville Airport, and I couldn't talk the guy out of any deals except a Ford Crown Victoria land yacht. We ended up with a Kia Spectra. The spectra had manual windows, a feature I didn't even know still existed on US spec cars. The entire week we joked about driving a "spec" as in the old commercials the car was so small. It was easy to park at least.

Several times in 2009, I ended up with various versions of the Ford Mustang. What was impressive about the Mustangs was the overall quality. Not one had a rattle or drip, and the most recent rental was a Mustang convertible with 24,000 miles on it. Another successful upgrade from a reserved "economy car". We dropped the top and visited my friends at Truspeed in Costa Mesa before running up into Central California then back for a topless tour on the Pacific Coast Highway. My wife joined me on that trip making the convertible all the better.

All of the Mustangs offered a very nice drive for a car guy, and the 2009 models have better seats than the 2008. I can't put my finger on what is different, I just felt better after the 3 hour ride up the central valley on I-5. The multi-layered top on the convertible is just quiet enough to talk on a cellular with a headset at highway speeds which is a nice bonus. Both the GT and the standard Mustang Coupe we rented were quieter than my F-150 at all speeds, never mind easier to park. The GT and GT convertible were met with about the same response at the Shelby GT350H, except no one scratched the Shelby or the convertible. The valet at the Four Seasons added a nice bumper stripe to the Bright Red Mustang GT. All three got the PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) test this year, and the GT convertible is the hands down winner. Cruising PCH with the top down is the quintessential California experience. I got lucky with three trips up the coast in one year.

Our most recent rental deal was an Infiniti FX-35. This time I was willing to pay the $300 a day for an SUV to get up to the Lake Tahoe area for a combination work and play week. The weather up there is very unpredictable so having all wheel drive is a huge bonus. Sorry, I don't buy chains for rentals, to much risk of damaging the car. Sadly there weren't any AWD cars available at all on the web reservations systems, so we selected a mid-sized front wheel drive. At the counter my Hertz #1 Gold reservation wasn't there, my car had been given away since we were late. Max at the Gold service counter was quick to apologize and offer a free upgrade. I asked for an SUV, and he said he couldn't give me an upgrade that far, but would look into it. They did have one SUV that canceled and was ready to go. Max gave us a great price, so we grabbed it an ran like the wind.

The Infinity FX is a very solid SUV. I had rented one in 2008 and didn't remember anything about it for some reason. Maybe because we had just purchased a Mercedes ML CDI, or Maybe it was just a one night rental so I didn't get time to really look at the car. I really couldn't say much about that rental in 2008, nothing good, nothing bad. This time was a little different. The newer model FX-35 had a seven speed automatic with paddle shifting capability. The funny part was even when you used the paddles, it would start to shift on its own in 10 or 15 seconds. The dash would read the gear position for about a minute then it would go back to D. Running up the hills to the Lake Tahoe area in AWD due to the snow the FX-35 was shifting constantly. I tried to override it and leave it in 6th but couldn't figure out how.

One of the problems with paddle shifting is everyone has a different way to do it. The FX-35 up shifts on the right and downshifts on the left, similar to our ML. With the ML it takes one shift past the top gear to return to automatic mode. My BMW requires that you move the shift selector to sport and back to return to full automatic mode. I am sure the FX-35 has a way to select Manual and leave it there, but I couldn't find it.

The FX-35 is like a rolling PS-3 with leather seats and seat heaters. Every button I pressed came up with a new toy. Not one button in the car was labeled SAT or XM, yet when I pushed the button marked "Radio AM/FM" 3 times I got XM. That was a sweet bonus. Classic Vinyl replaced the static of Sacramento radio while running up the mountain roads. We figured out the FX-35 also had seat coolers just in case you are thinking of renting one in Phoenix Arizona, mid summer. I don't think my ML has that, I will have to check when it warms up. The range of adjustment for the FX-35 seats was impressive. It took a little getting used to the drivers seat going full back every time you opened the door, and moving forward when you got in. The back seat passengers needed to get out quickly, preferably before you pressed the stop button. Oh yeah, the keyless was a nice feature. I like that on our ML also.

On solid pavement the handling of the FX-35 was crisp and clean with very nice feed back. On slick and icy roads the handling was reasonably sure footed with the exception of dead stop acceleration. Even with the "snow" button on, you could be just a little heavy on the right pedal and get the back end to come loose. This is an odd feature for an AWD vehicle with traction control. The traction warning light would come on just as the back end got loose and you are busy wondering where the thing is going.

The unintentional excitement came on the patchy road where there was a mix of clean pavement, ice and snow. The traction control and anti-lock would get in a fight and the car would pull right or left or get loose even when driving very timidly. Our 2000 Chevy Astro AWD van does better in those conditions. The only thing I saw different on the dash was the "icy" indication. In the heavy snow, the FX-35 returned to normal and tracked very nicely.

The final note for the FX-35 was the fuel economy. For a normally aspirated vehicle it was uncommonly high. The trip from San Francisco to Lake Tahoe to Reno was less than a half tank including a full lake tour on New Years Eve. In Reno I made the mistake of filling it up and washing it. I returned it with nearly ¾ of a tank after paying the $65 tank fee. Maybe that is why Hertz gives me the deals, they make up for it in the gas I buy them.

The only real let down of the FX-35 was finding an oil puddle after we parked it in the garage for two days while riding up to the ski resorts with family.

So here is my Rental Car Ratings for 2009:

Ford Escape ***, Great little SUV, but little and not very powerful. Nice fit and ride. Good for two adults and no kids on a short trip.

Ford Mustang ***, Great car, not to peppy, average MPG

Ford Mustang GT ****, Great car, fun to drive just enough trunk for a week and two people. This car gets on it when you want it too. I started to wonder if Hertz has tracking in the cars more than once.

Ford Mustang GT Convertible ****, More fun to drive, very solid car, easy to operate top and gauranteed to put a smile on your face when cruising a coastline in the sun. Wear SPF 50, you might forget how long you've been out there.

Jaguar ****, Fun to drive, very easy car to get around town in, good trunk room and comfortable back seats for clients. MPG better than expected for such a nice car.

Mercedes C320 **, Nav system is horrible, just like my ML at home. Reasonably quick car, MPG average, fit, finish and ride quality were typical Mercedes.

Infiniti FX-35 ***, Add the fourth star if you need AWD, otherwise there is more fun stuff out there. Great Fuel efficiency, didn't have NAV, used the big NeverLost which is kinda in the way.

Ford Explorer ****, Great AWD vehicle for snow trips when they are available. Just enough room for a weeks worth of stuff for four people. MPG isn't the FX-35 but not to bad either.

Jeep Liberty, ** same size as the Ford Escape, less power, same gas mileage as Mustang GT, and not nearly as fun, very comfortable seats for long drives but the wallet shock isn't worth it.

Kia Spectra *, good fuel economy, poor seats for long drives.

One over all observation. American muscle is still just that, brute strength which always gets a smile when merging or passing on a lightly traveled highway. The Japanese models had the most toys and the best driver to car to driver interface. The German cars clearly still have the focus on the driver to road interface the driver to car interface still needs work. The Mercedes C300 did have excellent road feel, but for the fun the slightly heavier driving Mustangs win.

The one upgrade I haven't been able to talk any Hertz rep out of is a great deal on the new Corvette ZH model. It doesn't matter how many are sitting on the lot in LA, Orange County or Miami, the price doesn't seem to come down to my territory ever.

How to Reduce Stress When Renting a Car From Alicante Airport

Once you've landed at Alicante Airport the last thing you want to do is trek miles to find your hire car with kids and luggage in tow. So for those about to embark on a family holiday the best way to keep everyones' smiles intact and reach your final destination as quickly as possible is to ensure the car hire company you booked with is based within the airport itself. This is also recommended for those who are infirmed or travelling as a large group.

Among the plethora of Alicante Airport car hire companies, only 9 of them are actually situated within the airport terminal. The remaining rental firms are based on the outer perimeter of the airport. This can entail hanging about in the heat waiting for a courtesy bus to pick you up for the short but tedious journey to your car.

The rental firms based within the terminal are Atesa, Auriga, Avis, Centauro, Europcar, Goldcar Europa, Hertz, Record, Solmar and Victoria. At the check-in desks you will find the staff speak good English and despite having general official closing times of 24.00, most stay open to accomodate late arrivals or those delayed. The cars are kept to a high standard and are generally replaced every 6-9months.

Depending on you're particular requirements, each of these companies has something different to offer. If you plan to regularly use car hire at Alicante Airport than firms such as Centauro and Hertz offer loyalty schemes which can result in huge savings and benefits over time. Once you have rented three times through Centauro you can become part of their Gold Club which means the collection process is speeded up, gives you access to special offers, preference over non-members (especially critical during peak periods) and even free upgrades (subject to availability).

Many offer roadside assistance, such as Goldcar Europa who also provide fully comprehensive insurance (invaluable when dealing with unpredictable Spanish driving), and optional features such as child seats, baby carriers, GPS Systems and even in-car DVD players. Most provide cars ranging from the absolutely miniscule through to 7 or 9 seater people carriers but Hertz, Solmar and Atesa - one of the largest car rental companies on the Iberian Penisula with over 25,000 vehicles - also offer industrial vehicles and trucks. Unlimited mileage is also a big bonus if you're planning to really do some sightseeing during your holiday and is offered by several of the companies including Record and Aurigacrown.

There are always deals to be had and many car hire firms have special relationships with certain airlines or will do one off deals from time to time with them, so it pays to ask when booking. Hertz for example works alongside Aer Lingus and Ryan Air to offer cheaper car rentals for their customers.

Hertz Rental Cars - Quality, Value, and Ease at Convenient Locations Worldwide

Hertz rental cars are truly a travelers best friend. They are a life saver, especially at airports, there is nothing worse than having to deal with the hassle of fighting to get a cab at the airport and then the rates are astronomical, in some cases you can get a deal from Hertz rental cars fro two days on a clean, comfortable full size sedan for the same amount of money you would spend on one taxi ride from the airport to your hotel. Plus when you rent a car you have the convenience of being able to go wherever you want whenever you want and not having to depend on buses, taxis, trolleys and shuttles.

The best thing about Hertz is the fact that they have outlets at all the major airports around the US and Canada. You can pick up any of the amazing offerings of Hertz rental cars right from the terminal. In some of the larger airports they even have smaller counters located near the most active gates.

Plus when you buy one of the high quality Hertz rental cars you can use Hertz coupons. Most of the airlines and a lot of the major hotels offer coupons for Hertz rental cars. These coupons can offer you up to half off the rental fee during your stay.

Hertz has thousand of locations all other the world not just at airports. Locations located in shopping area, tourists areas, residential areas, and at train and bus depots. Downtown locations, uptown locations and midtown locations, if fact just about everywhere, you can find a fast, easy and economical Hertz. Every location is staffed with knowledgeable, friendly, and professional agents to help you with your selection from the wide section of Hertz rental cars.

There are many different ways to get great saving and discounts with Hertz coupons. There no club to join or special identification cards needed. All you need is a computer and a printer. Just go to one of the Hertz partner companies and make a reservation for services and then print out the coupon. When you arrive at your rental location just present the coupon to your agent and they will apply the discounts to your rental invoice. That's it, super easy and no hassles, just like everything else with Hertz.

The best thing is Hertz coupons are honored at every single Hertz location all over the world and are good on just about every Hertz rental cars. You can get great savings on top model cars from name plates you trust like Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, and Volvo. If you in the mood for something on the wild side you can even rent a Mustang, The legendary all-American muscle car. Now Hertz even offers a chance at world class luxury by carrying premium sedans and sports cars from the top name in the upscale American auto market, Jaguar.

Its even faster when you make your reservation in advance, that way they can make sure that the car you want is in stock and you might even get additional discounts fro booking weeks in advance. With all these discounts and convenience you, on your next business trip you could find yourself renting a jaguar or mustang for the same price as a four door family sedan, wont that make the trip a little more worth taking.

Hertz coupons are honored in any location around the world. And the best thing about the coupons is that you get to choose from awesome rides like Volvo, Ford, Mustang, and even Jaguar. If you have your coupons with you, you can make your reservations at Hertz by calling them up during their office days or weeks before you need to use the car. This way they can prepare your ride for you and make sure that it isn't already reserved. If I were you, I'd call their office for reservations immediately. Imagine, a couple of Hertz coupons will let you ride a Jaguar!

theexchange.wmv

Years ago... when my kids we're young, they took much interest in the outdoors - especially garden bugs, worms etc. Here is a clip of the "exchange" one bug for another. Now in their 20's - we have a lot of fun looking back at their intense curiosity and fearless strength...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9jfG9F3NCw&hl=en

Preparation For Using Airport Car Rental

Airport car rental is an airport service which provides car to be rented by people. It is offered to make them easier to get transportation. For example, it will be difficult to get car or taxi in the night. So, to face this problem, airport gives service to help them to reach the place anytime and anywhere safely.

It is good for you to plan it earlier. Because you have to be ready to take a bad risk that probably happens to you. Actually, after you have arrived in airport, you will use rent car and start to continue your trips. It will be okay when you have to drive in the night. You do not have to wait for a long time to get transportation.

But, you have to know before you drive, you have to prepare your complete license. When you forget to bring all of them, you will get trouble with the cop. I do believe that you want to get the best trip right?

Be sure that the car is in a good condition, you will be fine to drive it. Just imagine when you get trouble with the car. Ensure yourself. Sometimes, car body cannot be a good standard. Check the machine so that you will know about car condition exactly.

Drive the car in the right way. Obey the rules. When you broke the rules, be ready for the worse thing that will be happened to you. For example, you drive in a high speed that will make trouble in the road. It is bad when you have to get an accident.

Basically, a good car rental at airport will bring you to comfort and coziness. It serves people professionally. Pay attention on car size. You have to make it suitable with you. You just need a small car if you go alone.

You can prepare your insurance to protect you from the worse thing that will happen to you. For example, thieve stoles car or you get an accident on the road. But, it will not too bad when you have good insurance. So, prepare all of the preparation as well as you can.

boy humping dog

Very funny, boy humping dog.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkQKiH6_Cdw&hl=en

Experience The Magic With Car Hire In Southern Spain

Malaga, Seville, Valencia and Murcia; what do these places have in common? The answer is simple; they are just some of the fantastic, picturesque destination in Southern Spain. When travelling to Southern Spain you will quickly realise that there is a variety of activities to do and the area caters for all types of holiday-maker. Whether it is adventure or relaxation you are looking for, Southern Spain has it all.

There is so much to do and see; you need a way to get the most out of your holiday. Tour groups often have set itineraries and tend to stick to them. You may want to spend more time in, for example, Seville then you do in Murcia, but you can't due to the itinerary you have to stick to. One way to avoid this is by hiring a car as car hire allows you to explore places you have more of an interest in.

Seville is one place you should visit when travelling to the South of Spain. It has some amazing monuments to see including the city's cathedral, there are no stairs in the cathedral as they opted for ramps which make for easy accessibility. The Alcazar (Royal Palace) and Torre del Oro (The gold tower) are also monuments that you should try and see when in Seville.

Valencia is situated on the South-East coast of Spain and is Spain's third largest city. Valencia has transformed itself from an industrial city to the vibrant, tourist friendly city it is today. When the city was reformed during the mid-90's, many landmarks were restored such as the Serrano and Quart Towers. As well as these, many museums, monasteries and theatres can be found which will ensure you have a holiday you will never forget. As the city is so large and there is so much to do and see, a car rental is the best way to travel around at your own pace and enjoy the sights of Valencia.

As well as the larger cities, smaller towns like Murcia, Grenada and Cadiz are all worth a visit to experience some Spanish culture. Andalusia offers the most choice for tourists and places like the Costa del Sol are a favourite amongst many tourists visiting Spain each year.

Customize Your Child's Room With Specialty Kids Bedding

There are some things a parent must face when it comes to their child. They are that they do grow up, they will skin their knees at some point and that their bedroom will remain messy 80% of the time. One simple way to get them to keep that room looking showplace straight is to add a set of custom kids bedding and they will want to make their bed just to show it off.

Kids bedding is available in a wide variety of colors, styles and patterns to fit any child's hobbies or career choice at their tender age. There are patterns for astronauts, cowboys, ballerinas, race car drivers and the list just keeps going. For those children that have not already chosen their future career path, there are many colors and pattern mixes sure to please not only them, but you too.

This wide selection of kids bedding may be found quite easily by simply going online. There are many different websites that offer these at greatly reduced prices so that if one style of color just is not enough, multiple sets may be ordered and usually at a discount. The suppliers and manufacturers of this style of bedding offer a large variety of great deals on each of their websites along with many special sales and offers.

The kids bedding sets that will be found include the comforter, pillow cases and matching sheets. More than one variety of bedding set has matching throw pillows with it that go along with the theme. Each of these sets is made from high quality materials and is available in a variety of different thread counts, which is specified in the product description on each website along with full color pictures showing all of the details.

The children do eventually begin to grow up and might just outgrow the style that they had chosen just a short time ago. Not to worry, however, as these same manufacturers have a full line of kids bedding for teens and young adults. These come in a wide range of colors and patterns to match any current decorating desire that you or your child may have.

For those parents that may want to be a little more personal with decorating their child's room, there are available monogrammed bedding sets from more than one manufacturer online. These may be monogrammed with either the child's initials or their full name in the color of your choice. While these are a special order in some cases, many of the more popular names and initials are already in stock and available for immediate shipment.

Bedding sets like these will be something your child will treasure and remember long after they are gone. This will leave a lasting memory of the room they grew up in, had their first sleep over in and left to go to college from. These sets make perfect gifts for nieces, nephews, grandchildren or just about any child you can think of, including your own.

Cheap Car Hire - 7 Tips to Finding the Best Cheap Car Hire For You

Car hire these days revolves around finding the best deal online, booking it with your credit card, and crossing your fingers that the cheap car you have just paid for, is not so cheap it does not work. True, finding a bargain rental car is a fulfilling challenge, however, before you plunge in, credit card in hand, consider the following:

1. The Extras: Every cheap car hire agreement comes with extras. Whether it is a full tank of fuel, a minimum number of days, insurance with excess, baby seats, or delivery costs, cheap car rental is cheap because it is basic. So, make sure you consider the cost of all the extras you will need and add that amount to the final price before you click BOOK NOW.

2. The Alternatives: Sometimes you can get so wrapped up in the joy of finding the lowest price available on the internet, that you forget that for just a few extra dollars, pounds, or euros, you might find a much better deal overall. So do not just settle for the lowest price...compare the three lowest prices you can find, then look to see what you will get for paying just a little more on other websites. In many instances, you will find that online discounts available will even out the car rental price difference and give you a pleasant surprise.

3. Reputation & Service: It is hard to convey the value of reputation and good service, however with car hire, this comes in the form of quality cars that do not break down, 24/7 service and availability, contact details that actually work, and more often than not, a friendly smile as well. When looking for the best value hire car, then it always pays to use a company that will provide you with peace of mind in addition to a car that works. Family-run companies are often excellent examples of this.

4. Your Car Hire Needs: Consider where you will be taking your hire car and for how long you will need it every day. A convertible jeep is wonderful to take to the beach, but not so necessary for shuttle trips along the highway, or shopping trips around town, when a closed top car would be more appropriate and more likely, cost less.

5. Your Personal Needs: There is nothing worse than feeling squashed when you are travelling. If you are travelling with a baby, then the car seat will take up a little extra room on each side; if you are particularly tall, then a compact car may inhibit your ability to drive comfortably; if you are a bit larger in size, especially in hot countries, it may become uncomfortably warm. Additionally, if you like to shop or travel with a considerable amount of luggage, your rental car will need to be able to cope with the load also.

6. Are You Really Getting A Bargain? The saying "A bargain is only a bargain if you need it" is so true. Too often we get caught up with the amount we are saving to see the amount we are spending and what we are spending it on. There is no point renting a car for one week at a better price per day, if you only need it for two days and would spend less overall by doing so at a higher daily rate. Found a price that seems too good to be true? It probably is. Read online reviews to see what other people think about the same company and the quality of their hire cars and service.

7. Be Prepared: Make a list of what you want from your car hire and rental company before you even begin looking online and stick to it. Then find the lowest priced rental that fulfils all the criteria on your list. In this way, you can ensure you get the best cheap car hire available for you!

Western Australia Rental Agreement Contract

In order for you to rent out your property in Western Australia you will need to have a Western Australia rental agreement contract in place. This agreement contract is governed by the Residential Tenancies Regulations 1989 and Residential Tenancies Act 1987. In the Act it will outline the responsibilities of the landlords and the tenants. The Act has a broad coverage of the rental agreement including new rental, renewal, extended, assigned or transferred the lease contract to some one else, Residential Parks rental (Long-stay Tenants) Act 2006, hotels and motels rental, holiday homes, age care facilities including hospitals and nursing homes.

Most landlords when they want to rent out their property they normally engage the services of an agency to do it for them. The agency will assign a property manager on the specify property and the will deal with all aspect property rental. However in some cases certain landlord would like to manage the property themselves.

If you would like to rent out the property yourself then here are a few steps you can follow to get started.

1. Before the tenant can starts moving into your property make sure that your property is properly insured. Although this is not require by the Act but it will save you a lot of headache and $$$ down the track if you have choose the wrong evil tenant whom manage to cause lots of damages to your property.

Download and print out 3 copies of the property condition report. The property condition report should contains a very detail description of the property, for example it should describe the state of the oven, the stove, the doors, the ceiling, any damages that already exist before the tenant moves in and etc.

All of the below mention forms are require by law so make sure the tenant have all the require forms.

2. Download the Form 24B - Periodic Agreement OR Form 24A - Fixed Term Agreement and have it signed by you and your tenant. The form only contains general terms however if you want to put any additional conditions to the contract then put into in the addendum form. The addendum forms allow you to put in terms such as routine inspections, water consumption, carpet cleaning, pets, furnished properties, vacation - repairs and cleaning, keys and many other things that you can think of.

3. Download the Schedule 2 - Information for Tenant form and give it to your tenant.

4. Download the Form 1 and 8 - Lodgement of Security Bond Money.

5. Record water and electrical water meter reading before tenants move in (There is no form for this, you just needed to write the meter reading down to a piece and store it safe somewhere so that when the tenant move out you can work out how much to charge them).

You don't have to part with your hard earn money to get these forms. Just simply download it for free at Free Western Australia rental agreement.

Europe - It's Not Just For Daydreams Anymore

A Guide on Planning a European Vacation

Ah, the magic of Ireland. The history of London. The highlands of Scotland. You've heard of them for years, seen them in the tourist commercials, and heard about them in the music. Yet you have never yet visited these dreams. And why not?

It's too expensive, you say. I could never afford a trip to Europe.

Less expensive than a week at Disneyworld, I say! For a two week Ireland vacation in summer (2006), including airfare, rental car, B&B accommodation and trip insurance, I spent about $1600. Yes, that's it. Now, that doesn't include food or souvenirs, of course, but it did include a wonderful vacation to a magical place.

So, how do you get such a deal? Well, it takes patience, research, and the ability to make decisions when you need to. I will take you through, step-by-step, how to get the best deal for a European vacation.

DECISIONS: Who, What, Where, When and Why

WHO's going? You? Your spouse? Your children or parents? Your best friend? A huge group of 20 friends (not recommended unless you want ulcers!) This decision makes a big difference in accommodation and transportation choices.

WHAT to do? Are you interested in touring the whisky distilleries in Scotland? Or the abbeys in England? Or the pubs in Ireland? Your trip doesn't have to have a theme, of course, but it is more fun if you have one - and helps you to plan when your mind is a blank. Perhaps you've seen a movie or read a book set in Yorkshire, and want to tour the area? Or you dance and want to learn step dancing in Ireland? The imagination can take flight here!

WHERE to go, of course, depends on WHAT you are doing. It also ties into WHEN you want to go. Since my most recent trip was Ireland, I will use that as an example, but most of my advice can be applied to any destination in Europe, or even beyond. The decision of WHEN to go will be tied into the destination. For instance, Ireland is much nicer to visit in the summer - but also more expensive; whereas Greece is cooler as a winter destination. The days are longer in the summer the farther you go north - and conversely, shorter in the winter, resulting in much shorter days for sightseeing.

Another part of WHERE includes the character of place - towns and villages, or bustling metropolis? London or Kilkenny? Edinburgh or Ullapool? While each city has its own character, they can be overwhelming at times, and aren't always the best places to stay. A small village used as a base of exploration can be wonderful, and you get more chances to meet the locals.

You might also want to think about WHY you want to go. Do you want to touch the roots of your ancestors? Or experience an ancient culture? Do you just want to get away from the screaming kids? Or make your co-workers jealous? There are many reasons WHY you may want to go to Europe - pick several!

RESEARCH: Find out everything about everything - then throw half of it away

The internet is many things. Addicting, yes; maddening, yes. But it is also incredibly helpful when doing research, especially about places far from your home. Airfare, hotels, cities, beautiful beaches (yes, they exist in the UK) and gloomy castles are all listed somewhere - you just have to find them. The best order of research I've found is airfare first, then itinerary, lodging, and finally ground transportation. The airfares available may define your itinerary somewhat, and the itinerary will define the other items.

Airfare:

There is a reason I look for this first. There is a definite season to vacationing in the UK - summer. While many people do go on the non-'peak' months of July and August, there is indeed a reason why summer is the best. Longer days to see sights, warmer weather, less rain and wind - and more things are open. That also means the airfare is the most expensive, and usually lodging as well.

The shoulder months of May, June, September and October are becoming more popular, as the weather is still nice, and the days aren't incredibly short yet. However, that also means that the airfares are creeping up as they become more popular. I have traveled to southern Ireland in April and it was beautiful - and inexpensive.

When I've decided how much cash I'm willing to sacrifice for a warmer vacation, I start researching my flights. I go to dozens of websites, sometimes daily, to find the best fare. When I got tickets to Ireland in 2006, I found them on Travelocity on a one-day fare sale on Virgin Air. The tickets were non-stop from Miami to London, for $488 including taxes - in June. They were gone within 24 hours, so if I hadn't jumped on them, I would be stuck with the lowest I could find later - $800 a piece.

Also consider flying into one city and out of another. This is great for Ireland, as you can fly into Shannon, explore the west, and end up flying out of Dublin at the end of your trip. Edinburgh, London, and Glasgow are also considerations for this technique. This is called an open-jaw ticket, and usually doesn't cost much more, if any, than a normal round trip ticket.

Here are some of the sites I check regularly for discount airfare:

o Travelocity
o Priceline
o Kayak
o Expedia
o ITA software
o Qixo
o Mobissimo

There are others, of course, but these are the ones I've used most often. Also don't forget to check the airline websites; if you find a great fare on Travelocity for Delta, Delta might have it cheaper, and it is usually better to deal directly rather than through a middleman. Also remember not all sites include taxes in their fare quotes.

When you buy your tickets, check out the cancellation policies. Usually, the cheaper the flight, the less flexible the changes allowed. Make sure you are going before you purchase non-refundable, non-change tickets!

Itinerary:

There is a wealth of information about places, monuments, workshops, battles, and other things of interest. Most cities and towns, even villages, have their own website with tourist information. In addition, many travel agent websites have great information for the intrepid traveler. Even more, there are websites dedicated to those interested in travel, with wonderful forums for those odd questions. Some of my favorites are:

o My own site (see link below)
o Fodors
o IrelandYes
o Flyertalk
o Tripso
o SlowTravel
o Lonely Planet
o Rick Steves

Once you have done exhaustive research of the places you want to see, taken notes to places, planned routes around them, and then throw half of it out. Yes, that's right - you will likely end up with a list of 17 things to see in each city, and you will only have time for half of that, so pick your favorites.

Also, do yourself a favor, and be sure to leave room in your itinerary for free time - wandering around and getting lost, people-watching at a café, or just having a pint with the locals. These are usually the most memorable parts of your trip, leave time for them frequently. You don't want to end up with an itinerary where you are rushing through things so fast you don't see them. Michele at Ireland Yes calls that the Green Blur tour. (I suppose a Scottish version would be the Plaid Blur?)

If you've got the places listed you want to see, look for a pattern. Are they all close to a couple central locations? If so, pick several places and use them as bases of exploration. Can they be strung together in a large circle? Then spend a couple nights in each place, moving around the circle. Plan wisely, and try to avoid criss-crossing or backtracking. Check driving times between places with ViaMichelin and TheAA. Then add about 20% to those driving times - they don't take into account UK and Irish roads. They twist, turn, and wiggle, which keeps speeds down lower than the speed limit! You don't want a day where you are driving 80% of the time, trust me! I try to keep my days to 3 hours of driving at the most, and even that broken up with sites along the way.

Lodging:

Once you have your airfare and itinerary, you know which nights you are going to need lodging for, and where. The UK is wonderfully full of adorable Bed & Breakfasts, and I highly recommend this accommodation choice. The B&Bs in the US tend to be more upscale and expensive than those in the UK, so don't go by their example. Most B&Bs I've ever been in have been comfortable, clean, cozy, and a delight to stay at. They run around $30-$60 a night per person, and include a huge breakfast (more on that later). You will pay higher for city B&Bs, and sometimes shared hotel rooms are less expensive in the larger cities. Do chat with the owners, and get their advice about local sites and attractions.

Hotels, as mentioned above, usually charge by room rather than by person. However, they may or may not include breakfast in the deal, and are usually more cookie-cutter and sterile. They are a place to stay rather than a place to enjoy.

Then you can try the other options, such as youth hostels (not just for youth anymore), camping, caravanning (RV), canal boats, or lodging in old monasteries, colleges out for the summer, etc. There is no end of unusual places to stay. On the Isle of Lewis, you can stay in a traditional black house; near Inverness, there is a converted church set up as a B&B. Get creative!

Once you have decided where you want to stay, make a reservation. Make sure to check the cancellation policies. Most have a day or so required, some a week or even a month. Email is usually an option for communication these days, but some may require a phone call; remember they are at 5pm when it is noon on our east coast, and don't wake anyone up!

Ground Transportation:

So, you know when, where, and why you are going - how are you getting there? Well, my recommendation for the UK and Ireland is definitely for renting a car. While it is possible to use bus and train to get around, and certainly many people do, you can't find the little villages doing this, and getting lost on the way is half the fun. If you are in a bus, you can't make a detour on a whim to go find a hidden castle when you see a sign. You can't always determine how long you stay at one spot; there is much less flexibility.

Now, I know it is scary to think about driving on the wrong side of the road. It gets worse: automatic transmission cars are twice as expensive to rent, and the manual transmission cars make you shift with your left hand (since the driver is on the right of the car). Confused yet? I remember many times trying to grab the stick with my right hand - only to bang it on the door. However, it's not so bad - you get used to it very quickly. It helps to have a designated navigator, as the signage on the islands is different. Signs tend to tell you what the next town is, not what the road is called. That means you should know the major towns on the way to where you are going, or even the ones just past your destination.

Many cities in the UK don't require a car to get around in; in fact, having a car is a liability in Edinburgh, Dublin and London. It is difficult to drive, find parking, and expensive. London even has a toll to enter the city centre! Those cities have a good public transportation system, though, especially the Underground in London, so use those instead. Turn in the car before getting there, or wait to rent it until you leave.

Gas (petrol) is very expensive over there. It is running around $8 a gallon right now. Yes, really! The good news is their engines run much more efficiently, and you can usually get around 45 mpg from them. However, filling up a tank can still run you $100! Budget accordingly.

I've gotten decent deals from AutoEurope (a rental agent, you will end up with a company like Enterprise or Europcar for the actual rental) and from Dan Dooley. I would advise against renting from a place you've never heard of, cars can be very expensive - and it is difficult to fight a fraudulent damage claim from overseas. Do be aware that most credit card insurances do NOT cover Ireland, so you will likely be required to purchase expensive CDW insurance for such a rental.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

OK, you've done your research, gotten your tickets, your reservations for lodging, and your car rental. Ready to go? Not yet!

Trip Insurance

You break your leg the week before the trip. Ruined! All your money lost! Not so, grasshopper - if you bought the proper trip insurance. Go to Insure My Trip and compare the benefits of different packages. Find out if your health insurance will cover you on foreign soil. Find out if you need medical evacuation, trip cancellation in case of medical emergency, etc. Compare the benefits, and find one that fits right. For a small investment, you get a great deal of peace of mind.

Paperwork, money, etc.

This should be taken care of before you even get the tickets, but everyone procrastinates. My husband ended up getting his passport the day before we flew out - we were very nervous! Normal processing time for a new passport is six weeks, but please give it plenty of leeway (especially if you've already bought non-refundable tickets!).

US citizens don't need visas for short visits to the UK or Ireland, but if you are going somewhere else, do read up on the requirements long before your flight, and make sure all paperwork is in order.

Right now, the UK is on the Pound Sterling and Ireland is on the Euro. I recommend going to your bank and getting a couple hundred dollars to start out with, and getting more during your vacation from the ATM machine, and/or using your credit card. Shop around for a card with a good rate - many (Capital One is one of the few that don't) add on an extra 3% for any foreign transaction, in addition to the 1% Visa/MC charges. You don't want to carry too much with you, but some B&Bs require cash, and some require prepayment.

Packing

Sure, you've packed dozens of times for vacations. What's the big deal? Well, the new flight carry-on restrictions, for one. Transatlantic flights have new rules, and it behooves you to know them before you are waiting in the security line for your flight.

Carry-on: Most airlines have their carry on rules on their websites. Some have weight as well as size restrictions, and the liquid restrictions are fun. Check before you go! Right now (Jan 2007) any carry-on liquids must be in containers no larger than 3oz (100ml) and they must all fit comfortably in a quart-sized clear Ziploc bag. That includes water, drinks, toiletries, even lip gloss. Prescription medicines must be labeled in the traveler's name, baby formula may need to be tested at the gate. There are several exceptions like this, so check them out.

Checked luggage: Some airlines are now charging hefty fees for overweight luggage, and limit the number of pieces each person can check. Also, any locks on checked luggage can be cut by TSA (airport security). I usually use cable ties to tie mine - if TSA does go into my bag, they will put their own on afterwards, and in the meantime I'll know if someone else goes into my bag.

Don't, don't, don't put valuables or medicines in your checked luggage!!! Cameras, laptops, anything fragile, anything essential, must go in your carry-on. Of course, this makes your carry-on heavy, so some decision making is sometimes necessary. I also usually put one day's worth of clean clothes in my carry-on, in case the checked luggage is delayed or lost.

READY TO GO? Don't forget the smile!

Don't forget to pack the most important thing for any trip - a great attitude. This small item can make the worst disaster into a hilarious story, can take the biggest lemon and make lemonade out of it. After all, how can it be terrible - you're in Europe!

A trip to Europe will be full of wonderful memories, historic experiences, and meeting wonderful folks. Whether you get addicted like I have, or are happy with going once and treasuring the memory forever, you will have an exquisite time.

How to Help Your Kids Build Strong Bones and Teeth

The bones as part of your kid's entire body require a wealthy supply of nutrition in a beneficial very long time; the most crucial phase of bone development happens ahead of the age of thirty-five. Kids who consume meals that assist create the most robust shape early on have got a decreased danger of fragile bones after they grow older. Teeth likewise require particular minerals to grow powerful and also to decrease the risk of tooth decay.

Eating plans elevated in caffeinated and bubbly liquids are main contributors to lowered bone robustness, which can result in fractures and breakable bones.

The most crucial element for creating powerful bones and teeth is often a calcium rich eating habits. Dairy is the top calcium supplement factor, although there are more excellent superfood choices, like scented soy milk or lemon liquid prepared with calcium supplement. A lot of green vegetables, like spinach and broccoli, and the legume group are usually superb sources of calcium.

Kids among the ages of two and eight ought to have a minimum of the equivalent of two mugs of milk each day. Youngsters ages nine and older ought to take three mugs or even more each day.

Milk has been regarded as the de facto standard, but you could obtain much more calcium with the addition of low fat yogurt into a children's everyday dinner plan. The majority of kids enjoy yogurt, and selecting yogurts filled with fresh fruit - or putting your personal - provides your son or daughter a two bottle dietary punch.

Many kids obtain acquainted with eating some meals and set up quite a battle when faced with adjust. In case your children are picky eaters, you really should think of additional nutrition to make sure they are obtaining almost all they require.

"Last Airbender" Extras Get Red Carpet Treatment

A major motion picture with some scenes filmed in Berks County isn't the only reason the red carpet was out in Boyertown Friday night. Ellixson's Tae Kwon Do Academy student perform before The Last Airbender premiere at the State Theatre. Some of these students performed on stage and in the film. I didn't really speak that much, no I didn't speak at all really, said Boyertown's Eric Nice. I wasn't really a fighter I was just a background character who was just running around and screaming most of the time, said Macungie's Braedon Walters. These kids aren't professional actors, but they are used to performing. Yeah, I'm in a movie, said Walters. Yeah most people didn't believe me. Most never expected to be in a feature film seen around the world. I can't believe it, said Nice. It was really cool I got to see M. Night Shyamalan from like me to you, said Chris Zaharia of Boyertown. Four of these martial arts students made the cut because of their instructor, Donnie Ellixson. The whole idea tonight is look for Mr. Ellixson, look for Ben Rosenberger look for the students on the film and try find them, said Ellixson. He owns the Ellixson's Tae Kwon Do academy. In one scene, I think, if you pause it just right you might be able to see me, said Ben Rosenberger of Perkiomenville. It was in the mess hall when all the fire nation soldiers were eating. Even if they don't find themselves on the big screen they say they'll never forget the experience. I can't wait to get the DVD to ...



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdW-5WT1tyI&hl=en

Do You Want to Know About the Terms and Terminology of a Car Rental Contract?

A car rental Auckland agreement or a contract is not just a bunch of papers. It is legal contract that spells out the terms and conditions for your rented vehicle. The contract and its terminology vary from company to company, but there are standard terms which you will find in the contract and are listed commonly in it. Always keep your contract in the glove compartment of the rented vehicle. It shows your legal possession of the vehicle. It is advantageous if you know the industry terms and the method the fee is charged.

Rental Agreement Number: The number which is required if you need to call the location to modify your or extend the length of your rental.
Car Number: A serial number that designates the rented vehicle on the contract.
Mileage In: It shows the value of miles at the pick- up time and the drop off time. It is used to calculate the no. of miles in a day or per rental to determine cost. In case you have limited miles and you have crossed the limit, you will be required to pay the mileage cost. Knowing approximately how far you will drive will allow you to select the company that offers the most favorable mileage terms.
Fuel in or Gas In: This indicated the level of your gas tank at the pick up time. You will require returning the vehicle with same amount of gas. Compare the price with actual gas gauge. Companies that do not charge for the initial tank may ask you to return the car with a full tank. If you don't, you'll be charged the rental company's price for gasoline. It's often much higher than a local station.
Pick up Location, Date, Time
Return Location, Date, Time
Vehicle Inspection Report (This may be a separate sheet): Any dings, scratches and damage to the car rental Auckland . The vehicle will be inspected upon return.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW): Companies may urge you to buy this option. Although they call it "collision damage" coverage, it's not technically collision insurance. Rather, it is a "guarantee" that the rental company will pay for damages to your rented car. By declining the waiver, you accept responsibility for any damages. For example, coverage may be revoked if you damage the car when driving it in a negligent manner, on unpaved roads, or out of the state in which you rented the vehicle. Some companies void their CDW coverage if a driver drinks alcohol or if a non-authorized driver operates the car.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI): It pays a death benefit and a portion of your medical expenses if you're in an accident.
Personal Effects Coverage (PEC) or Personal Effects Protection (PEP): it safeguards your luggage against damage. If your homeowner's policy covers your luggage and other belongings while you travel, you may not need this protection.
Regulations for the vehicle: A Lists of the terms and/or conditions of your rental with regard to the vehicle, its cargo, the use of the vehicle and additional drivers. These terms may include stipulations that you are expected to comply with.
Refundable Charges: Refundable charges may be required when you pick up your rental car. The charge varies from company to company.
Additional Driver Fees: When you share the driving with another person or when a driver is under a certain age (often 25), you need to pay certain amount.
Out-of-state charges: These charges are assessed when you drive the car out of the state in which it was rented.
Others: These include, applicable airport fees, taxes, surcharges, other government imposed fees, personal protection options, LDW/CDW, special equipment and upgrades.

Kids Typing Games

What is kids typing games? Some parents who are not familiar with this type of educational software may be wondering whether it is helpful to their kids in terms of improving their skill. In fact, it is not only a tool for learning how to type but it can be used to entertain kids in their learning process so that to avoid boring repetitious tasks.

As you may be aware, various kids typing games can be found on the internet. Some websites require a small license fee for using the software while most of it can be downloaded free! It is no doubt a good way to assist your kids to familiar with the keyboard at their early age. The reason is obvious because most kids like online games.

So, if you are looking for kids typing games, what are the factors that you need to consider? Here is a simple guideline for your consideration.

Hand placement guide - children have to be introduced with hand placement on the keyboard as early as possible even though for those who are below 8 years old may not be able to type at this age. Why must they know the position of the keys? This is because familiarizing with the position of each key on the keyboard is fundamental to learning touch type at a later stage. And they will not be frustrating because of not knowing how to type without looking at the keyboard.

Interactive features - online kids typing games normally come with interactive features. It would be a enjoyable learning experience for kids with this type of feature. Compared to watching television which provides no interactive, this would be a more educational experience.

Lastly, parents must choose games which fit their kids' age and maturity. Otherwise, kids would lose their interest of playing the typing games very soon because it is either too difficult or too easy for them to continue.

Best Places For Fly Fishing in Colorado

Some of the places to fish in Colorado are: Arapaho National Recreation Area, located near Granby, Colorado. This recreation area includes Lake Granby, where you can catch Rainbow, Brown and Lake Trout and Kokanee Salmon, Willow Creek Reservoir, where the best fish to catch are Rainbow and Brook Trout, and Shadow Mountain Lake, best known for Rainbow and Brown Trout through July, and Kokanee Salmon later in the summer. Another place to fish in the Arapaho National Recreation Area is Grand Lake, which is considered one of the best lake trout fisheries in the state with fish caught weighing 20 pounds or more. Rainbow and Brown Trout and Kokanee Salmon can be fished for in this lake. Rainbow fishing is best in the spring.

Another good place to fish is Blue Mesa Reservoir, located near Gunnison, Colorado. You can catch Rainbow Trout, Kokanee Salmon, Brown Trout and Mackinaw here. Another great place to fish in Colorado is Eleven Mile State Park, and Eleven Mile Reservoir. It is located west of Colorado Springs, Colorado. A fisherman can catch Brown, Cutthroat and Rainbow Trout, Mackinaw, Kokanee Salmon and Northern Pike at this reservoir. Another great place to fish in Colorado is Spinney Mountain State Park, located near Eleven Mile Reservoir, also west of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Species of fish that can be caught here are Rainbow, Cutthroat and Brown Trout and Northern Pike. Another place to catch Rainbow Trout, Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Wipers, Walleye and Perch is Horsetooth Reservoir, located northwest of Fort Collins, Colorado.

If you are interested in finding out more places to fish in Colorado, call your local library or outdoor recreation stores, such as Bass Pro Shops, Cabela's, Sportsman's Warehouse, Gander Mountain, or other similar outdoor stores. Ask either the library or your local outdoor store if they have a book called Colorado Lakes and Reservoirs, Fishing and Boating Guide, Copyright 1983-2004, from Outdoor Books & Maps, P. O. Box 519, Castle Rock, Colorado 80104.

You can find out more information on fishing in Colorado at CDW Fishing Information

To find actual guides for Colorado Fly Fishing, so you can get them to show you how to really fly fish, if you are a beginner or novice, go to Fish Explorer Colorado and then click on Field Editors on the horizontal menu at the top.

What is Car Hire Excess Insurance?

If you're hiring a car, you may face a potential financial risk relating to the excess on the policy. Car hire excess insurance is something that offers you protection against it.

Renting a car - something to note

Hiring a car in today's internet world is relatively easy.

Yet there is an issue or two that some hirers may be unaware of.

If you're hiring in the UK and most of the EU countries, your car will typically come with various forms of insurance included in the rental cost.

As a general rule, that insurance will cover third-party liability risks and what's called CDW (collision damage waiver). It's CDW that protects you from the costs of needing to pay for any damage done to the rental car while you have it on hire.

You may, therefore, think that you're fully covered by insurance - but unfortunately you typically will not be.

You may still be liable for costs after an accident arising from:

- the excess - a sum of money that could be as high as £1600, which you'll be expected to pay towards the cost of any claims;
- inadequate third-party insurance levels in the standard cover;
- damage to areas of the vehicle (typically the glass, under body areas and tyres) typically not covered by in-the-price insurance.

You may find the financial risks here to be unacceptably high - perhaps running into thousands.

North America and Other Countries

It's worth keeping in mind that in some countries, most notably the USA, the rental price may include very little, if any, insurance. Typically it is purchased separately from the rental company or a car hire insurance provider.

Your options for car hire excess insurance

The rental company may offer you various forms of ancillary insurance, which they'll sometimes describe as car hire excess insurance or perhaps top-up cover.

This additional insurance typically covers things such as damage to the excluded areas of the car mentioned above and all, or part of, the excess.

It may also increase the level of third-party insurance protection you have available.

Typically cheaper options

You may be able to find the same or even better levels of protection against the excess and other potential additional charges through the online insurance providers that offer car rental excess insurance.

The savings may be substantial over similar products offered by the car hire companies.

Your decision

Taking out additional rental car insurance isn't obligatory but it may be a good idea.

The rental company will typically try to sell it to you at the point you're collecting the car - when you may not be in a position to compare their prices against others.

So researching ahead for car hire excess insurance might be something that could save you significant sums of money. Don't forget to check the small print too, as your cover will be subject to policy limitations, exclusions within the terms and conditions.

Do I Need a Damage Liability Waiver?

When you rent a car, you take on full responsibility for any loss or damage suffered by the vehicle whilst it is in your care. A damage liability waiver partially reduces - or "waives" - your liability for such loss or damage. It is an agreement between you and the owner of the hired vehicle that your liability is partially waived in this way, rather than an insurance policy in the strict sense of the term (though most people will reasonably see it as such). The easy answer to the question of whether or not you need damage liability waiver, therefore, is that is not essential - but you would be landed with full responsibility for any loss or damage that happens to the vehicle, and this could potentially be as much as the replacement value (a lot of money, in other words).

Most rental companies, therefore, will want to protect their investment in the vehicle by insisting that you have an adequate damage liability waiver or its equivalent. Many will include the cost of providing the waiver in the quoted cost of renting the vehicle. Where this is the case, however, it is important not to be misled into thinking that this totally absolves you from any financial responsibility for damage to the car. There are important exclusions usually attached to such agreements.

Damage to the windows or glass, the tyres and wheels, and the roof and underside of the vehicle, for example, are all areas most often excluded, yet these happen to be areas that are among the most vulnerable to damage. Since they are excluded from the damage liability waiver, this means that you could end up paying for the whole repair bill in the event of damage.

It is also important to remember that the damage liability waiver is almost always only a partial waiver. The agreement includes an excess amount excluded from the waiver that remains the responsibility of the hirer of the vehicle. The amount of excess is likely to vary from rental company to rental company and from one country to another - but is still a significant amount. In Europe as a whole, it might be several hundred pounds, but in the UK it is frequently £600 and in Australia, for example, it can be as much as £1,500. Just like the excess on a regular insurance contract, the damage liability waiver excess is the first part of any claim for loss or damage. To take the UK example of £600, this means that if repairs for any damage cost, say £500, the hirer of the vehicle will end up paying the whole of the bill.

Given the size of the hirer's remaining liability under the damage liability waiver, therefore, it is also possible to insure either a part or the whole of the excess, thus reducing the risk. This separate cover for the excess is likely to be sold by the rental company itself, but there are a number of specialist car hire insurers that offer more competitively priced products. Standalone excess insurance from an independent provider, therefore, is certainly worth considering.

Car Rental Lowest Rates Vs. A Good Bargain

Many people approach Car Rental as a lowest-price-possible contest rather than to concentrate on the value of the deal they eventually would get, in terms of what type of car, what's included (air conditioning, automatic gear shift etc') as well as what type of service they are buying.

The thing is, Car Rental market is very competitive one and rates differences for comparable quality and service are relatively small, sometimes as small as $10 to $20. These minuet price differences are going to vanish in the wind when you consider the long lines and lost time at the cheapest renter counter, drop charges for remote destinations, late return fines, and gasoline inflated rates as well as other service charges you didn't think about when you shopped for the "best deal".

Don't get us wrong, we don't like to pay higher prices more than you do. We do recommend to shop around and check the various rates available, especially when it's so easy to do it via the Internet at comparison sites.

All we say here you need to consider other things beside the price and when you compare please make sure you compare apples to apples and not apples to pears.

Things to consider when ordering a rented a car

Who is using the car, are you by yourself on a business trip or you are traveling with the whole family? How much luggage are you going to have, does the car you are thinking about is big enough to have you all plus all your hand luggage and big suitcases? If not, consider to change to a mini van or a car with extra large trunk.

Do you need an Infant seat or a child booster? make sure it is mentioned clearly with your order, usually there is a shortage of these seats and they are provided for extra charge. Check the state laws for where you are traveling.
A new law in Denver for instance, requires Booster Seats for all 4 and 5 year olds who are not 55 inches tall.

Do you actually need the car in the town or city at the first few days? If not, consider to take a taxi, a bus, a train or the hotel shuttle into the city and when it's time for you to go out of town and travel around, then, rent the car from the city location and by that save up to 15% on Air-Port charges as well as on city parking fees.

Are you going to a very warm and humid destination? If yes, it's recommended to order a car with air conditioning, usually the price difference is negligible, the problem is that it's not available in all destinations like in some European countries.

Most major rental car companies allow for unlimited mileage in the same state, but it's a good idea to check their policy before confirming. Many smaller local independent companies charge mileage after 100-200 free miles per day.

As mentioned before price is not the only factor to consider when choosing a car rental company. If you choose a very small, no-name company, don't expect them to provide you with service across all nation or continent, what would you do if the car is needed to be replaced or serviced for some reason?

Frequent or Preferred Renter Programs and affiliations

Frequent renter programs, Like airlines and hotels, major car rental companies track their customers' rental histories and offer preferential service to loyal customers. Most of the major companies offer frequent renter programs that are similar to airline frequent-flyer programs and hotel frequent-guest programs.

Preferred renter clubs, Most major car rental companies also offer preferred renter programs or clubs (one example is the Hertz #1 Club). When you belong to one of these clubs, you get preferential treatment, including automatic upgrades when those cars are available. You can join these programs at any time, even if you are a first-time renter with that company.

While basic-level club memberships are often free, higher-level memberships (as in the Hertz #1 Gold Club, which allows you to bypass the rental counter) generally come with a price tag. What most people don't realize is that it's often possible to avoid the membership fee by simply writing or calling your car rental company and asking them to waive it. They will do it because the car rental industry is very competitive, and they want your business

If you're still faced with a steep rate, try getting discounts based on your affiliations with organizations like AARP, AAA or others. These discounts are usually not great, but they are better than nothing.

In addition, always check for corporate rates if applicable to your situation.

Car Rental Insurance

Some of the Insurance terms seem to be confusing, let's try to clear them out first.

CDW - Collision Damage Waiver.

LDW - Loss Damage Waiver.

PDW - Physical Damage Waiver.

PAI - Personal Accident Insurance.

PEC - Personal Effects Coverage.

ALI - Additional Liability Insurance.

Many of the Credit Cards have most of these coverage, therefore it's not mandatory to purchase excessive coverage. It's better to check this issue with your travel agent, insurance agent and your credit card company a head of time. Some Car rental companies require that you show proof of insurance.

Also be aware that your personal insurance probably doesn't apply to your rental car when traveling overseas. All this is somewhat complicated and at times confusing because there are no industry standards for terminology and policies vary by locations.

Important things to check and do before leaving the Air-Port

After a long flight and the waiting in lines for your luggage and afterwards for your keys at the car rental counter, it is understandable you just want to take the rented car and drive away to your hotel, but wait! Here is a list of things you must check first.

Start by making a careful check around the car, look for any small dents or scratches, in case you find some, don't be lazy, go back to the office and ask a representative of the rental company to write down all of these dents, ask for a copy of that report. Other wise you might be responsible for damages you didn't perform.

Open the trunk, make sure you have a spare tire, a jack and set of tools, there is noting more irritating than to find out in the middle of nowhere that you don't have a jack when you need to replace a flat tire.

Many car companies will provide you with an extra key if you ask for one. This can come in handy for some of us who are absent minded.

It is recommended to spend some time to get acquainted with the cars' features and switches, make sure you know where the lights switches are, how to operate the windshield wipers, the air conditioner and even set your favorite radio stations as well as set your side mirrors. It might be quiet frustrating to fight with the new switches while driving, when all of a sudden it starts raining.

Make sure you have a map and it's better to spend few more minutes and plan your driving route.

Last but certainly not least, If you have a lot of luggage, don't park the car in the parking lot and go for lunch, in many countries, this is an easy target for
the thieves, It's better to buy some sandwiches and beverages in the air-port, or stop somewhere along the way for refreshing but never leave the car unattended.

In case you are involved in a Car Accident

These are the most important pieces of information to collect from the involved parties: full name, mailing address, telephone number, insurance details, and drivers' license number.

Also try to get the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the accident. Make a note of the vehicle's make, color, brand and license plate number.

Try to pinpoint the exact time and location of the accident. If the police get involved, ensure that you receive a copy of their report. Don't forget to inform your insurance agent immediately and notify the car rental company.
They will let you know about their accident procedure.

If you purchased insurance through the car rental company, they will have to make the claim. If there is damage to the rental car, there will be much paper work to complete

Make sure any involved parties are ok. Any injuries should be taken care of ASAP.

Call the police and/or ambulance (if necessary), and then call the car rental agency. Be as cooperative as possible. The car rental agency will have its own policies regarding accidents.

Exchange information with the affected parties.
Try to record everything on the scene. Your notes should include details of the accident, identification of the autos and people involved, and the names and badge numbers of all emergency personnel.

Take pictures if possible. If you are on vacation, you will probably have a camera handy already.

File an accident report with the police, and report the claim to your own credit card company or insurance company.

When returning the Car

Make all necessary arrangements to return the car on time, that includes looking the location in the map especially if you return the car in a foreign city.

Late return charges are high and arbitrary, secondly, if you are late, you probably won't have the time to fill the car with gasoline yourself and the rental company will charge you exorbitant inflated gasoline rates.

In case you return the car in a city location on Sunday, it might be that the station will be deserted, it will let you in via automated gate, make sure to take the card and leave it over the dashboard, this is your recorded time of arrival.

In addition, lock the car, take the keys plus your rental contract and insert them into the designated box.

Scene Hairstyles For Scene Kids and Teens

If you have seen kids out in the street with different types of hair styles and colors, there is a good chance that you are looking at a scene kid or teen. In this article, we will look at the hairstyle choices that many youngsters, especially scene kids, are choosing.

My friend Laura phoned me the other day in hysterics. Her daughter, Sarah, had just walked in the door with her hair heavily teased and streaked in different shades of purple and pink.

Laura, knowing that I keep up with the youth movement, asked: "What is going on with these kids. Why would Sarah do this with her hair? She was such a pretty girl and now look!"

"Laura," I said, "You must calm down. This look is becoming more and more common with kids and teens these days. It is part of what is called being a scene kid."

"Well," Laura declared, "I simply do not like it!"

Laura is not alone as many parents are shocked when their child embraces the scene movement and begins to style their hair differently than before. The reason that a scene hairstyle can shock parents is that it often looks very different than a traditional haircut.

Let's look at what defines a scene haircut.

The first thing that must be mentioned with this style of haircut is the colors. It would be fair to say that it is not a true scene haircut if it does not have some form of color. This type of hairstyle started out with the kids and teens dying their hair black and then adding some form of blonde streaks to it. However, it is much more than that now, as scene kids have branched out with many colors. The current in style scene hair colors are purple, red, and strawberry.

The second thing that we would look at to identify scene hair is the way that it is done. Scene hair cannot be defined by the length of the hair but rather by what has been done to the hair. One thing that clearly identifies scene hair is that it is puffy and teased. Thus, it will not at all be matted to the head. Layers have also become quite common with scene girls as well as bangs-bangs are always a part of scene girl hair.

The third thing that you will notice is not the hair itself but what is in it. Kids that want to be scene nearly always are putting something in their hair, like a bow. Or, they will wear a headband to highlight and accentuate their look.

The reason that parents get so startled when they see that their child has a scene haircut is because it looks so different. In fact, the scene movement is all about being different and the hairstyle reflects this.

What is the Greatest Entertainment For Children?

After finishing the exams the kids usually prefer a unique enjoyment in their holidays. They need a change, and can amuse themselves by playing toys. This also helps the parents, as the kids will normally engage themselves in doing mischievous things at home. This will be very tedious for them and they will be tempted to scold or beat the children. If the kids are given toys to play with then both the sides will be happy to have a change. Holiday toys for kids are readily available in the market so that the kids can play safely inside the home. But both indoor and outdoor play games are available in the market for the children to have good fun.

Are playing with toys educative? Of course this is very true. It is not only educative, it also helps the kids to develop the knowledge, helps in creativity, develops the vital skills of the children, helps in having social bonds, apart from amusing them.

You can also gift toys to other children. The shops are nowadays arranging the toys as per the requirement. One can buy toys according to his taste, budget and also based on the usefulness of the toys. But the toys purchased should be of good quality because sometimes the children aged between 2 to 5 have a tendency to taste everything they acquire. If the quality of the toy is poor it may prove harmful and sometimes lead to death. Small particles which are removable from the toys should not be given to these kids of this age as they will swallow it. The chemicals used to give colors etc, can be harmful.

So the parents must be very careful in choosing and they should buy the toys according to the age of the child. Moreover they should keep an eye on the children, so that they do not swallow or keep the toys in the mouth.

Some companies sell toys for various games, and even there are play centers, where the children can play boardroom games, and playroom games, which will be a feast. Parents can tell their kids a good story with the help of toys, and can help their children to spend their time effectively in the holidays. They can learn about their gods, their leaders who had fought for their country etc. so the time spent by the children in their holidays will turn useful in all ways.

How to Find a Cheap AIG Long Term Care Insurance Policy

It is certainly possible to find a cheap AIG long term care insurance policy. First, let's learn a little bit more about AIG/American General and see if they may be a smart choice for your long term care insurance needs.

Who Is AIG Long Term Care Insurance Company?

AIG stands for American International Group, Inc. They are a world leader in insurance and also in financial services. They have offices and operations in over 130 countries world wide to serve their customers from all over the globe. American International Group, Inc. or AIG services institutions, companies and individual customers from around the globe with insurance policies ranging from auto insurance to life insurance and financial planning. They also offer retirement services and long term care insurance around the globe. If long term care insurance is new to you, you're probably seeking both information and a secure provider for your needs. Here are some answers to your questions.

What Is Long Term Care Insurance?

Your basic health insurance is designed to cover well and sick doctor visits as well as some emergency and surgical procedures. But what happens after your insurance has met its obligation financially if you still need care? It's not uncommon for injuries and illnesses to result in a lessened ability for patients to take care of their daily living needs. While this need is most commonly associated with the elderly, younger accident victim or suffers with both acute and chronic diseases often find them selves in this position too.

While Medicare will kick in full payment for up to 20 days and partial help for up to 80 in come cases, you need to ask yourself if your current financial situation can cover the rest. So what might that be?

How Much Can I Expect To Pay For Long Term Care Without Additional Insurance?

The cost of long term care can be budget breaking. In today's market a person without long term care insurance can expect to pay over $1,000 per week and upwards of $54,000 a year. In years to come these cost will continue to rise. Paying these costs out of your own pocket can lead to financial ruin rather quickly. With long term care insurance you can save yourself from these outrageous medical costs. Also, consider the potential headaches it will save your loved ones if you already have this plan in order.

I Am On A Tight Budget; Does AIG Have A Plan For Me?
AIG has long term care insurance plans to fit every budget, income and lifestyle. By purchasing your policy earlier in life you will have lower premiums since you are not a high risk for needing long term care insurance in the near future. With AIG long term care insurance they can help you to customize a long term care insurance policy that is right for you. With each plan you can pick the amount of coverage you wish to have that will fit into your budget.

What Do You Mean By Picking The Amount Of Coverage I Want?

Picking the amount of coverage means that you can decrease the amount of medical expenses your long term care insurance policy will cover. For instance one day of long term care in a facility cost about $150. You can choose for your policy to only cover up to $100 of the fee for the medical care at the facility, more or less. Of course you will be left to cover the rest but at least you will have some medical expense coverage and protection.

You can also choose to lower the amount of days your long term insurance policy will cover your medical expenses. For instance, you can choose to have up to 6 months of long term care medical expenses covered instead of 3 years. Lowering the amount of coverage your policy will give you will also lower your premiums and offer you a more budget friendly option. AIG long term insurance company is there to help you pick and customize a long term care insurance policy that not only offers you coverage but is also affordable.

Cooking School For Kids

There is nothing like a home cooked meal when it comes to families sharing time together. However, these days life is extremely busy and many children just don't have the time to see their parents cook, or even join in. This is why cooking school for kids is a great way to teach children these necessary life skills. More importantly, however, they can provide a fun opportunity for the whole family!

Kids cooking schools and classes are just like adult versions, except for the fact that they are designed with a child's perspective in mind. They will often teach some of the most basic skills, making fun meals such as pizzas, desserts and more. They are a great way for kids to learn together - and the best thing is that they get to eat what they cook!

There are a number of different cooking classes for children available to choose from. Many of these are one-day events, where children get a great experience for cooking on their own. There are often events that allow parents and children to cook together, proving an excellent bonding opportunity and a great way to escape the traditional family television time and get a little more active. These kind of cooking classes are also a great treat for a birthday party where the whole group can cook together.

There is no doubt that cooking is an important skill to teach a child from a young age. Some children might not be interested in anything you do in the kitchen, but cooking schools for kids are a great way to inject a little excitement into this activity.

Under 25 and Want to Rent a Car?

Renting a car can sometimes be both easy and confusing. Every rental company has there own set of rules so it is important to ask questions and also pay close attention to the lingo in the rental agreement.

Generally speaking though, when someone decides to rent and they are under the age of 25 there is usually a surcharge. Surcharge vary from company to company. Some companies might even do a DMV check to see what kind of driving record the renter has, specially for luxury brands such as BMW's, Benz, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Maserati etc.

The reason for the surcharge is the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says drivers who are younger than 25 are significantly more likely to get into accidents than older drivers. After age 25, the per-driver crash rate declines dramatically and continues to drop until the driver reaches 85

I know you might be saying, well, I have a clean driving record why should I have to pay more? Unfortunately for now that is reality. Look at it this way, people who live in high crime neighborhoods might have to pay more for insurance coverage because of demographics even though the insured has a clean driving record.

But, there is hope! Here is how you can save. If you have your own auto insurance, you may decline the rental company insurance. There is usually four different levels of optional protection you can purchase, CDW, SLP, PAI, and PEC.

In most cases when you have full coverage auto insurance or in some cases in certain states just liability insurance coverage provide sufficient coverage. It is important to verify with your insurance carrier your coverage and what it will and will not cover while renting a car or van or any type of rental vehicle.

So shop around! Do your research, read the rental agreement. Ask questions if you are unsure. Finally, if you have auto insurance, depending on the type of coverage you have can definitely save you money although you are under 25 years of age. Do not pay for something you already have.

Kids - Grade Improvement Guide

A kids grade can easily be improved with a little extra effort and this grade improvement guide. Grades not only affect self esteem, but they can be the facilitators to having success in adolescent and adult life. A good grade in 6th grade science can be the building block to 11th grade honors science which could lead to a recommendation letter from a science teacher which could lead to being accepted to a major university. Here are a few tips to improve those grades:

1. Talk to their teacher

Teachers hate giving kids poor grades because not only does the student suffer, but it is a poor reflection on their teaching. Most teachers will be willing to provide some individual attention to help get you child caught up to the rest of the class. Also ask about extra credit opportunities to help bring up previous poor scores. Sometimes an extra book report or a trip to a local museum can bump a grade up as much as 10%. My kids have even gotten extra credit for staying after school and cleaning the chalkboard!

2. Figure out their learning style

Is your child studying in silence? That could be a big no-no if they are an auditory learner. A kids grade can be greatly improved by first figuring how they learn material best. There are three common ways that students absorb information: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. Visual learners often find outlines, notes, videos, and highlighting text helpful in learning material. Auditory learners might find it helpful to record a lesson/lecture and play it back during studying. Whereas kinesthetic learners absorb material by doing and experiencing things. Try using field trips, memory games, and flashcards to stimulate them.

3. Get a tutor

Tutors are widely used because after school is over because it provides a way to keep learning after school is over. Some parents attempt to tutor their child themselves, but have you ever tried to remember how to do matrix equations or add chemical formulas? What is hard for a 16 year old can sometimes be twice as hard for a 40 year old. Usually the school or your child's teacher can give some good recommendations of local tutors. They are often college students who are looking to make an extra few bucks and are more apt to remember the material than us adults. Another great resource are online tutors where your child can get help in virtually any subject.

Don't Rent A Vehicle Until Your Read This

If you are renting a car or other vehicle, the process will be the easiest and smoothest if you have a credit card to use for the transaction. Some car rental companies won't even rent you a vehicle if you don't have a credit card for payment. If the car rental company does allow you to rent without a credit card, you may have to pay a large cash deposit to cover any potential damage to the vehicle you are renting. If you are using a travel agent and do not have a credit card, ask your agent about using pre-paid vouchers to pay for your vehicle rental. A voucher is typically easier to use than cash when renting a vehicle.

Be aware that a large part of your credit line on your credit card may be tied up while the rental vehicle is in your possession. The car rental company may place a certain amount of money on hold on your credit card for possible additional charges such as late return fees and damage fees. The charge won't be processed unless you incur those additional expenses. But because that money is on hold you won't have it available to you for other purchases so you may want to use for other purchases such as your hotel.

Your driving record may be a factor when you rent a vehicle. Not all car rental companies check driving records but some do. If your driving record doesn't meet the car rental company's standards they will not let you rent from them. To prevent this from happening check with the car rental agency to see if they check driving records and what their standards are.

Twenty five is the magic age when renting a vehicle. If you are at least twenty five years of age you will not incur additional fees to rent a vehicle. If you are between the ages of eighteen and twenty five you will likely be required to pay more money for renting your car than a twenty five or older driver. If you are under 18 years of age you will not be able to rent a vehicle in the US. Although those rules may not seem fair, it is just the way it is in the car rental industry

Rental car companies will offer you various optional insurance and waiver options, but you may already be covered. Before you go to rent a vehicle, check with both your personal auto insurance agent and with your credit card company. You may already have protection if you have an accident, lose, or damage your rental vehicle. If you do have protection, you shouldn't need to purchase the collision damage waiver or CDW offered by the car rental company because it will be a duplication of coverage you already have.

If you do purchase a CDW, keep in mind that it is not insurance but an agreement between you and the car rental company stating that you will not be liable for loss or damage to the rental vehicle as long as you comply with conditions stated in the agreement. Those conditions are common sense ones such as not driving while under the influence of alcohol, not driving the vehicle off-road, and not allowing an unauthorized person to drive the vehicle. A CDW will almost always not cover you though for personal injuries or damage to personal property sustained while using the rental vehicle. If you are renting overseas though, you may not have a choice of whether or not or purchase a CDW. Some countries require you to purchase it.

If you are renting a vehicle overseas you may need to obtain an international driving permit. Check on this before you show up at the overseas rental car counter.

After you get to your rental vehicle walk around the outside of it and inspect it for any possible damage. If you notice damage such as a dent or noticeable scratch report it to the lot attendant right away and get it noted on your rental agreement so you won't be liable for that damage. I learned this lesson the hard way. On one of my first rentals I noticed a dent in the vehicle, told the lot attendant about it who told me not to worry about it. I didn't insist he write anything on my rental agreement stating the damage was already on the vehicle when I picked it up. When I returned the vehicle the rental car company wanted to charge me for that dent. I eventually got my money back but it took time me quite a bit of time and frustration to get those charges reversed.

If you find you are going to return your rental vehicle more than 4 hours late, call the rental company and arrange for an additional day's rental. Although most companies allow you a one hour grace period before they start to charge you additional money, the hourly rates can quickly add up to more than the cost of an entire day's rental. Usually when you get to the 4 hour mark, renting the vehicle for an additional day is cheaper than paying the hourly late fees.