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<title>Latest Articles by bestselfhelp</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/</link>
<description>Articles at Populate.NET</description>
<language>en-us</language>
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<title>Are We There Yet? 6 Easy Games for a Road Trip</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Career/are-we-there-yet-6-easy-games-for-a-road-trip.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Career/are-we-there-yet-6-easy-games-for-a-road-trip.html</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0800</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Nothing makes a road trip creep along more than having a car full of bored children. If you heard "Are we there yet?" a few too many times on your last trip, here are some ideas for fun travel games. 

1. The License Plate Game. This classic will have your children busy looking at cars and learning a little about geography at the same time. Before you head out on your trip, print out a list of all 50 states and give a copy to each of your kids. You can have them compete individually to get the most states, or better yet, work together as a team for a family record. You can give out a new sheet for each leg of the trip or tally up the total license plates for the entire trip.

2. Joke Bowl. Have a "Joke Bowl" on the way to your destination. Before you get started, let your family know that they each need to collect at least ten jokes for the trip. Have one person start out the joke bowl as soon as you see the first green highway sign, and then go in a clockwise direction. The whole group votes on a winner and then that person gets to start out the next time you see a green highway sign. The person who wins the most rounds gets a special prize.

3. Wipe Clean Games. Make your own "wipe clean" games by laminating mazes and word games from activity books. You can even create your own or print them from online. Give your children dry erase markers or overhead projector pens. They can reuse the pages again and again throughout the car trip.

4. Counting Cows. This game is simple to understand but also very challenging. Divide your family into two teams, based on the two different sides of the car. Count all the cows you see along the way. If you pass by a crowded field, you'll need to count really fast! Each person keeps track of their own cow count, and you lose your cows if a cemetery passes by your side of the car and someone else says "All your cows are buried!"

5. Make your own Mad Libs. Before you head out on the road, collect a few short stories and remove some of the words and write down what part of speech those words are. While you're traveling, have your kids call out suggestions and then read back your silly stories.

6. Read a book. Reading a book out loud can make a car trip go a lot faster for the people who are listening. Take along a few short chapter books to read to your children. If your stomach can't handle reading in the car, rent or download a few audiobooks to listen to as a family. ]]></description>
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<title>9 Romantic and Cheap Date Ideas</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Relationships/Dating/9-romantic-and-cheap-date-ideas.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Relationships/Dating/9-romantic-and-cheap-date-ideas.html</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 01 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ If you can't afford the stereotypical date of dinner out at a fancy restaurant, don't worry. There are plenty of things that you and your loved one can do on a very limited budget. 

Whether you're taking out someone special, rekindling the romance with your spouse or planning a night out with another couple, use these ideas for inspiration.

1. A picnic in the park. Few dates are as romantic as the simple picnic in the park. Pack a basket with some strawberries, homemade sandwiches and sparkling cider or wine. Even the most humble meal can be made special by eating it outdoors.

2. A bookstore visit. Go to a bookstore and read each other your favorite books from childhood. Pick out a travel book from a place you'd like to visit and share your dream vacation. There are so many things you can explore together at a boo store that you may want to go back more than once.

3. A walk on the beach. If you have an ocean nearby, be sure to take advantage of the romantic potential of a walk on the beach. Time your walk for early morning or late evening, just as the sun is making its most dramatic show in the sky. You can also visit a beach at night and enjoy a moonlit stroll. 

4. Explore your home town. Go to the local visitor's bureau and see what free events are coming to your area, or what hidden gems are around town that you may have forgotten about. Pretend you're a visitor to your city and see it through new eyes. You'll probably find a lot of free, or nearly free, activities that you never knew existed in your area. For example, many towns have walking maps of historical homes and landmarks. 

5. Make your own game night. Raid the dollar store for a variety of different game pieces and create your own game. Mix up pieces from different games, like cards, dice, game pieces, etc.  Make up rules and then write them down so you can play again in the future. 

6. Explore local arts. Local music shows, art festivals and poetry readings are great ways to support the local arts and have a cheap date at the same time. Look through the Friday newspaper to get in touch with what's going on over the weekend. 

7. Travel games. Take a drive without knowing where you'll end up. Make up a list of directions that you'll follow before you leave your house. For example, "turn left at the first yellow house" or "go three miles past the first red sign." 

8. Take a tour. if you have a local food or beverage factory, you have a potential frugal date destination. Call the factory to see if they offer tours and book a date.

9. Volunteer. This date idea is perfect if you and your significant other care about protecting the world and helping others. Decide on your favorite cause as a couple and then look for opportunities to make a difference. Local soup kitchens, senior care facilities and environmental groups are always looking for volunteers. ]]></description>
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<title>Entertaining on a Budget: Simple Tips for a Memorable and Inexpensive Evening</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Culture_and_Society/entertaining-on-a-budget-simple-tips-for-a-memorable-and-inexpensive-evening.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Culture_and_Society/entertaining-on-a-budget-simple-tips-for-a-memorable-and-inexpensive-evening.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Everyone likes to get together with a group of friends, but these days going out to a restaurant together can be pricey. If you're trying to save money and your friends are trying to do the same, try entertaining in your home. 

You don't have to spend a whole lot to have a fun evening in. The next time you want to have some friends over, try out a few of these ideas. You won't spend a whole lot, and the memories you'll make together will be well worth it.

Before you decide on the type of party you'll have, you should spend keep a few simple rules in mind. 

1. Don't be afraid to share duties, whether you split hosting duties with a friend or have other people pitch in with the food and drinks.

2. Borrow what you can. Instead of buying enough place settings, borrow extra plates from your parents or a friend. Need a specialty serving dish? Ask if anyone you know has one.

3. Use creativity instead of dollars. Fun parties do not have to be expensive. Think outside the box when it comes to decorations and games.

With these rules in mind, here are a few of inexpensive party ideas to get your started with entertaining on a budget.

Host a themed potluck dinner.
Having a potluck dinner is a time-honored tradition for cutting down on food costs. You can give this old practice a new twist by creating a fun theme for your potluck dinner. Try having a "comfort food" potluck where guests come up with new twists on old  favorites. A "foods named after people" potluck is a great way to try out a Quiche Lorraine or Caesar salad recipe. You could also create a potluck around a themed ingredient, such as a peanut butter potluck or a lemon potluck. Make sure to provide your guests with a list of recipes that fit within the theme. Since each person makes just one dish, you'll all have a full meal without spending a whole lot of money. Plan an activity or game to go along with your theme, and you're all set for a cheap night in.

Throw an Hors d'oeuvres or Finger Food party. 
If you'd like to prepare the food yourself, but don't want to spend a whole lot of money, try a Hors d'oeuvres party set for late in the evening. Even though hors d'oeuvres are normally served during a cocktail hour before dinner, there's no reason you can't switch up this tradition. Make sure that your guests know that only finger food will be served, and not an entire meal. This way, your guests can eat dinner on their own and then come nibble at the treats at your party. You could also hold a traditional cocktail party in the early evening.

Have a Movie night.
Mix together a movie from your local rental place with homemade popcorn and other movie treats. Make it a double feature for even more fun. You can create a movie trivia game with your computer and printer or play movie bingo with a film you know well. With the cost of food, this type of party can be accomplished for less than $25. ]]></description>
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<title>Online Movie Rentals: How to Save Money (and Time) by Getting Your Movies Online</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Recreation_and_Leisure/Entertainment/Movies/online-movie-rentals-how-to-save-money-and-time-by-getting-your-movies-online.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Recreation_and_Leisure/Entertainment/Movies/online-movie-rentals-how-to-save-money-and-time-by-getting-your-movies-online.html</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 28 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Renting movies is a great way to have some family entertainment time, but don't think that your only option is the local video store. These days there are lots of different options, from receiving DVDs through the mail to watching them instantly online. You can do it all from the comfort of your home. Here's a rundown of some of the latest ways to get movies: 

1. Amazon Video On Demand is a service available through Amazon. With Amazon VOD you can purchase movies and television shows for a one-time fee. The rates for the videos range from $9.99 to $3.99 and there are select titles available for free. What makes Amazon VOD convenient is that your purchases are there for you to watch in the future. With each purchase, you build a video library that you can come back to again if you can't finish your movie right away. There are many different options for viewing as well. You can view your purchases on your computer, on your portable video device, your Tivo, your Windows media player or your Xbox 360. 

2. CinemaNow is another video on demand website that has television programs and movies available to watch. The site offers several different payment options. You can buy videos to watch repeatedly for between $10 and $20. You can also rent them for a lower rate, or purchase a subscription plan. For $29.95 per month, you can have access to their entire video library. You can watch as many shows as you want for the monthly price, or pay just $99.95 for a year's worth of access.
 
3. Netflix was one of the first companies to offer DVD rentals through the mail. For a flat monthly fee, you can rent up to 3 DVDs at a time. You can keep the movies as long as you want and when you return them, Netflix will send the next DVD on your Queue list. You can choose from thousands of movies and television shows and add them to your Queue list. You can organize your Queue list to suit your current tastes. With some plans, Netflix also allows you to take advantage of video on demand for select titles, so that you can watch them instantly on your PC. 

4. Blockbuster Total Access is a mail order extension of Blockbuster's brick and mortar DVD rental stores. When you sign up for the service, you'll have a choice of four different plans. With each plan, you'll have a certain number of DVDs per month and a certain number of in-store exchanges. If you watch a movie and want another, you don't have to wait for the mail to come with the next one. You can take your movie into your local Blockbuster and exchange it for a new one.

If you're a movie fan, these plans will allow you to movies whenever you want them and at a better price than where you'll pay elsewhere. 

Note that the plans listed above are subject to change, so make sure to visit the websites mentioned for the latest pricing and terms. ]]></description>
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<title>Cheap Cruise Deals: Six Tips for Scoring a Good Deal on a Cruise</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Recreation_and_Leisure/Travel/Cruises/cheap-cruise-deals-six-tips-for-scoring-a-good-deal-on-a-cruise.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Recreation_and_Leisure/Travel/Cruises/cheap-cruise-deals-six-tips-for-scoring-a-good-deal-on-a-cruise.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Cruising is one of the best ways to spend your vacation, but it often comes at a steep price. Still, if you know a few secrets, you won't have to pay a whole lot to enjoy a trip to your favorite exotic locale. Use the following tips to get a great deal on the cruise you've been looking for.
There are several different ways that you can save when you are booking. Any one of these options will save you money on your overall cruise costs. 

1. First, you can save money by booking your cruise several months in advance. Most cruise lines offer an "early bird discount." You can get these discounts by contacting a cruise line six to nine months before you plan on leaving. This can also help save your budget because you'll have several months to pay off the balance on your account. Instead of paying one lump sum for your cruise, you can make small installment payments.

2.  You can also save money on a cruise by booking a last minute cruise. Cruise ships don't want to leave the harbor with empty rooms. They will give great bargains in order to get those rooms filled. The closer the departure date gets, the better the price. If you choose your date, start looking a few weeks before the trip. With this method, however, you'll be limited in your cabin choice. You'll have to take what you can get.

3. Another cheap booking method is to take a one-way cruise. These are offered when a cruise ship is changing port cities for the season. You can take the cruise ship to its new destination and then fly back home when you're done visiting there. Call your favorite cruise line and see if they offer any "repositioning cruises." They can last from a few days to a few weeks and have unique itineraries with lots of days at sea.

4. You can save even more money by traveling as a group. Group cruise packages are often less per person than the costs would be if you cruise alone or as a couple. If you can gather a group of eight to twelve people, you can sometimes get a free room. Split the costs among the entire group and you can all save.

5. There are off-season periods for all of the popular cruise destinations. Don't try to travel during the busy times of year. Early May to late September is off-season for Alaskan cruises. European cruises are cheapest before and after summer. Caribbean cruises have the best prices during the month of January. Do a bit of research on the popular times to travel and then plan your trip for an off-peak season.

6. Don't be afraid to consult with a travel agent. Although there is a bit of a belief that travel agents have more expensive rates, a qualified travel agent can find a good deal for you based on your budget. They can be especially helpful if you're going the group route. Instead of trying to organize the arrangements yourself, you can simply let a travel agent do it for you. ]]></description>
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<title>Dinner Fast and Easy: Quick Tips to Get a Healthy Dinner on the Table</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Food_and_Drink/dinner-fast-and-easy-quick-tips-to-get-a-healthy-dinner-on-the-table.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Food_and_Drink/dinner-fast-and-easy-quick-tips-to-get-a-healthy-dinner-on-the-table.html</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ If you think you don't have time to make dinner, think again. With these ideas, you'll be a professional at-home chef in no time.

Plan ahead.
Nothing has people reaching for the take out menu faster than a lack of planning. If you've been trying to plan dinner after 5 pm, odds are that you give up on cooking most days. Make sure to plan at least five meals each week and have the ingredients on hand. If you have enough food to make several different types of meals, you'll be less likely to eat out.

Each morning, decide what you'll make for dinner that night. At this time, you may decide to put any meat that needs to defrost in the refrigerator, and double check that you have all of the ingredients. Review the recipe and figure out when you'll need to start making dinner in order to have it done on time.

Come up with a system for dinner recipes.
Quick dinners are easy when you have a system to follow. Keep your dinners to an easy formula of protein plus carbohydrate plus vegetable and you'll be able to make dinner quickly. This formula can cover a wide range of possibilities: baked chicken, cheesy noodles and broccoli, grilled steak with peppers and onions served with tortillas, sauteed ground beef with Asian vegetables served over rice. The possibilities are endless! 

Save time with frozen vegetables.
Everyone needs more vegetables and serving frozen vegetables are an easy way to get more into your family's diet. Keep a wide variety of frozen vegetables on hand. You can change the flavor with spices, margarine mixed with lemon juice or even Italian dressing. A few minutes in the microwave or on the stovetop with a vegetable steamer and you'll have vegetables for your meal.

Cook some ingredients ahead of time.
Ground beef can be used in many different recipes, from spaghetti to tacos. It takes just as much time to brown two pounds of beef as it does to brown a half a pound. On a weekend, brown and freeze several pounds of ground beef or ground turkey. This way, the next time you cook a recipe that calls for ground beef you'll just have to reheat it. You can do the same thing with chicken pieces.

Keep backups on hand. 
Even the most well planned menu can come undone from time to time. When meetings run late or the family cook isn't feeling well, keep a few frozen meals on hand. Frozen lasagna, skillet meals and other pre-packaged foods are okay every once in a while. You can improve the nutrition of these processed meals by adding more vegetables and serving health side dishes. ]]></description>
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<title>Planning a Girlfriend Getaway: Six Tips</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Career/planning-a-girlfriend-getaway-six-tips.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Career/planning-a-girlfriend-getaway-six-tips.html</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Between the responsibilities of family and work, sometimes a woman just needs to get away! If you've been looking to book some vacation time with your favorite group of gal pals, you're in luck. There are a lot of different ways to enjoy a girlfriend getaway. With a little planning, you could be just weeks away from your next vacation with friends.

1. Before you start planning, figure out what kind of trip you want to take. Are these fellow moms who need some time to be pampered? Are you seeing old friends for the first time in years? Is someone celebrating a birthday? All of these occasions call for a different type of get together. 

2. Take a poll of your fellow travelers to figure out what each person wants out of the experience. Some may be looking for a weekend full of drinks, games and good times. Others may want a relaxing spa weekend. If you're lucky, everyone will be looking for the same type of experience. But if that doesn't happen, you can come up with some activities that will meet everyone's needs. As long as you cover all of the bases, each of the members of your party will get what they are looking for.

3. If your friends aren't sure what they are looking for, offer them some ideas. You could have a craft/scrapbooking weekend, a mountain retreat to a cabin, a few days at the beach, a spa getaway or a tropical vacation, just to mention a few. Send a formal poll out with these options or others to gauge interest for the weekend.

4. Figure out how far you want to travel and how much you want to spend. The price and distance are going to be a big factor in who can come and how far in advance you need to plan the trip. Don't be discouraged if you all can't take the cruise you've dreamed about. You can have just as much fun by visiting the next town over, or traveling by train to a tourist destination. If you're meeting with a group of old friends, it might be better to stay local and visit all of the old places you used to go together.

5. Along with setting a location and a budget, figure out how the finances will be handled. You can save a lot of money by buying package deals at hotels, rental houses and other common vacation destinations. If you aren't interested in sharing a room together, you can rent a house that has a common area and individual rooms. This way you can each have your own space but still keep costs low.

6. Many different locations and travel agencies now offer girlfriend getaways, women's weekends and other similar packages. These often cover room, board and activities. These packages offer discounts on all of the parts of your trip so that you can save money. Browse through options from different travel agencies to see if something suits your needs. ]]></description>
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<title>Making Reading Fun for Kids: Six Tips</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Family/Parenting/Children/making-reading-fun-for-kids-six-tips.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Family/Parenting/Children/making-reading-fun-for-kids-six-tips.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 17 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Inspiring your child to read is one of the most important things that you can do as a parent. With a love of reading, your child will have a critical tool for success.  

Here are six tips to help get your children to tune out the television and tune into books. 

1. Really explore their interests.
Talk to your child's teacher about recommendations for books that would be particularly well-suited for your children and that might touch on current or future topics of classroom study. What authors have your children enjoyed in the past? If Charlie and the Chocolate Factory was a hit, try James and the Giant Peach next. 

If your children don't have any favorite books already, talk to them about their interests. Your child's imagination might be piqued by a biography about someone in the news. Or you can ask each of your children to pick a favorite non-fiction subject. If your son loves spiders, put that at the top of your reading list. If your daughter is fascinated by jungle creatures, make that the focus of your library trips. Even if you end up finding books about their favorite television or movie characters, it's better than no reading at all.

2. Take time to find the best reading material.
At the bookstore or library, allow your children to lead the way. Give them ample time to explore the sections that interest them.  If they are drawn to comic books, strike a compromise. Let them pick out one comic book if they pick out another book with it as well. Guide them in their book choices based on what you learned about their interests. Make suggestions and see if you can encourage them to pick a wide variety of books, both nonfiction and fiction.

3. Set family reading time.
Instead of sitting down in front of the TV every night after dinner, establish a family reading hour. Turn off the TV and the radio and help your child read. If they are older, listen to them read to you. As your child grows, you'll look back fondly on this time that you shared together. Even as your children grow older, they really benefit from listening to stories read aloud. Reading together at the end of the day also provides you with a great opportunity to connect with your child at the end of a busy day.

4. Engage your child in reading.
Build their comprehension skills by asking them about what they've read. Get their input on the material and you'll be able to build their understanding of what reading is all about. 

5. Encourage reading in other parts of your child's life.
Reading books isn't the only way that your child can get experience in reading. You can play games that involve reading and spelling, such as Scrabble or Balderdash. You can have them help you with day-to- day reading tasks, such as cooking and reading labels at the store. Whatever ways you can add reading into your children's life will go a long way in their reading development.

6. Set a good example.
Reading parents produce reading children. You can't expect your child to take an interest in reading if you don't read yourself. Make it a habit to read the newspaper or take up a novel now and then. If you make reading a family affair, your child will be more likely to follow suit. ]]></description>
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<title>Traveling with Teenagers: 6 Ways to Make it Fun</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Career/traveling-with-teenagers-6-ways-to-make-it-fun.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Career/traveling-with-teenagers-6-ways-to-make-it-fun.html</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 15 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ For many teens, the idea of spending the summer cooped up with their family for a vacation is less than appealing. And that means that you could end up with a surly, snarly member of the family on your trip. But it doesn't have to be that way. It is possible to travel with a teenager and have a good time. With a few simple steps, you'll be able to meet your teen's needs and have a peaceful vacation.

1. When you are planning your vacation, remember what it was like to be a teenager. Sometimes it's easy to forget how embarrassing it is to be stuck with your parents on a road trip. Teenagers crave freedom and independence, which isn't always possible on a family vacation. Once you understand a bit about what your teen needs, you can take steps to meet those needs within reason.

2. Let your teen help with the planning. The first step to letting your teen experience independence is to allow them to get involved with the planning process. Get his or her input on where you'll go and what kind of travel arrangements you'll make. Make sure your teenagers understand that this is a collaborative process and not an opportunity for them to get everything that they want. Let them choose something small, like a rest stop along the way or a specific tourist destination. They'll feel more involved and like a part of the family this way and they'll appreciate being treated in a mature fashion.

3. Continue the group decision-making process when you hit the road. Consult with them on restaurant choices, or get input on vacation souvenirs. Include your teen in major decisions and they'll stay happy throughout the course of the trip.

4. Allow your teen a bit of freedom and space on the trip, especially when you are walking around in public. Allow him or her to walk a bit behind you and physically separate from the family. Nothing will embarrass a teen more than being joined at the hip to parents. You don't need to completely let your teen loose to allow them to feel freedom.

5. Try not to embarrass your teenager while you are out and about. What may have been seen as funny behavior a few years ago is now probably mortifying to your teen. Don't try to pull them out of their shell if they want to sit in the corner and listen to their iPod. They need this time away from the family, especially when you're all in close quarters during a family vacation.

6. Give your teen something to be in charge of during the trip, like the photography or video equipment. Most teenagers like electronics and giving them these responsibilities will keep their minds on getting a task done and away from sulking. No matter what duties you give to your teen, make sure it's not babysitting. This is their vacation too and they don't want to spend the whole time taking care of younger siblings. 

You can't ensure that your teen won't sulk and detach the entire time (he or she is a teenager after all! But with these tips, you'll be able to enjoy your family vacation a little more this year. ]]></description>
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<title>Discount Rental Cars: 8 Ways to Save</title>
<link>http://www.populate.net/Career/discount-rental-cars-8-ways-to-save.html</link>
<guid>http://www.populate.net/Career/discount-rental-cars-8-ways-to-save.html</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 -0700</pubDate>
<description><![CDATA[ Renting a car when you're on vacation or while you're waiting to get your car repaired can cost a lot of money if you are not careful. 

If you need to rent a car, follow these tips to make sure you're getting a great deal: 

1. Pick the right size of car.
If you only have a family of three, you don't need to rent a full sized SUV. Larger cars are more expensive to rent. Rent the smallest sized car that you can get away with. 

2. Pick the right type of car.
Although many people look at renting a car as an opportunity to get a luxury vehicle, the budget savvy traveler will choose more carefully. Just like when it comes to purchasing a car, renting a luxury car is more expensive than renting an economy car. And you'll pay through the nose if you decide to rent a sports car! Stick with a basic car and save money.

3. Consider renting for an entire week.
By doing a cost comparison of rental rates, you may find that renting a car for an entire week is a better option that renting for just four to five days. Compare the daily rental rate to the weekly rate. Often times the weekly rate is a better deal. Double check the company's policy for turning in the car early, just in case you need to do so.

4. Comparison shop.
If you have a choice of car rental companies, make sure to shop around. Get similar quotes from each car insurance company and find the best deal on the type of car that you need. You can also search prices online through travel sites. Sometimes, you will find the cheapest prices directly at the rental company's website. Look for online coupons at secondary sites that will save you even more. 

5. Look for package deals.
If you are renting a car for your vacation, you may save money if you book your flight, hotel and car rental all at the same time. But don't assume that a package deal will equal a better rate. Do the math to make sure that you'll be saving.

6. Talk with your car insurance company.
Your regular car insurance company may offer discounts on car rentals. In addition, they may also insure you while you are driving a rental car. Read your policy carefully or call your car insurance provider to make sure that you'll be covered while you have a rental car. If you are, this means that you won't have to buy the daily insurance from the car rental company, which can save you a lot of money.

7. Look at your credit card benefits. 
Most people don't realize that a lot of credit cards come with car rental benefits. You can receive discounts on car rentals or rental car insurance through your credit card. Call your credit card company to find out your benefits regarding renting a car.

8. Try to find discounts through other memberships.
Several other membership groups offer discounts on car rentals. If you are a member in any type of large group or club, check to see if you have any rental car benefits. ]]></description>
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