To save money on #gas on a #summer #roadtrip, make sure your vehicle is in good operating condition, Forbes says. Keep it tuned up and change the oil as recommended in the owner’s manual to help it burn #fuel efficiently; inflate the tires to the proper pressure before you leave. Plan your route on a map and give up on making good time; instead, set the cruise control to a modest speed to maximize miles per gallon. If you own a gas-guzzler for cruising around town, consider renting a more efficient car — especially a hybrid. And once on the road, look for cheap gas prices on apps such as Google Maps and GasBuddy. #TravelTips
Tag: planning
Decide Whether to Fly or Drive on Your Summer Trip
Although #gasoline prices have surged, short trips in the car may still be the most economical #summer #vacation option for many #travelers, Fortune says. Some 87% of those traveling for the Fourth of July opted to drive, choosing destinations close to home to save money. If you’re eager to get away for a few days and deciding whether or not to drive, run the numbers on your itinerary. “The more people in your car, the more driving makes sense,” says TravelPirates. “The closer you live to a beach, national park, mountain town or cruise port, the better the numbers look.” #TravelTips
Budget to Make Your Summer Trip a Reality
Four out of 10 consumers won’t take a #summer trip this year, according to Current, with 52% saying they can’t afford it. Maintain flexibility to avoid skipping a much-needed adventure — schedule for late August and September, when travel demand starts to ease, or “let the deal decide your destination” to get the best price. Consider locations that require less than single tank of gas to get to, or plan a short break of just a few days rather than a week or two. Estimate the total costs and create a daily spending target, building in a 10% buffer for unexpected expenses. #TravelTips
Keep Your Travel Costs in Check
#Airfares are ticking up due to increases in #fuel costs related to the Iran War, making many people scale back on their #summer #vacation plans to avoid overspending. Overall #travel costs are up 11% from 2025 and airfares are up 6.9%, according to NerdWallet, so plan ahead to keep costs in check. Book airfares sooner than later, or fly using airline points and miles. And when budgeting, factor in increases in the prices of all travel needs, including lodging, rental cars and even meals. Do some grocery shopping and bring snacks from home rather than dining out for every meal. #TravelTips
Marking the Milestone of Graduation
May and June are #graduation season. The academic calendar is coming to an end, and those in their senior years of high school and college will make the transition out of their respective schools and take the next steps in their lives. Many schools and families take note of middle and elementary school graduations, too.
The first thing on the minds of many #graduates and their #parents (after the ceremonies) is a #celebration. Graduation parties tend to be low-key, multigenerational affairs, gifts optional. If you plan one, ask the honoree what kind of gathering they would like to have, who should be on the guest list and what kind of refreshments might be served, says Emily Post.
However you #elebrate, graduation marks important milestone in life. The end of high school and college often carries bittersweet connotations, because the student will soon be saying goodbye to friends, accepting more adult responsibilities, and perhaps moving and/or entering a profession for the first time. Many will be seeking meaning or a new goal in life.
The reason many ceremonies are referred to as commencements is that while graduation is the end of one phase, it’s also new beginning — the culmination of years of work and a window into the great unknown. It can be an unsettling and emotional period; be prepared to help your gradate (or yourself) cope with new and unfamiliar demands.
One thing you can do to get the graduate’s next phase off on the right foot is to help them #edit and store the artifacts of those school years. With few exceptions, your high school grad isn’t going to need most of souvenirs of the previous four years for college or career, and college grads won’t need dorm-room trappings following them to their next homes.
Encourage your #grad to weed through their documents and keep the essentials — transcripts, writing samples, portfolios — in digital formats to save space. They can return textbooks and #organize #keepsakes in bins or boxes, PODS says. They can get rid of #clothing that won’t suit their next phase, along with extra appliances, dinnerware and other furnishings. Anything that doesn’t make the cut can go to ClothingDonations.org with a #free #donation #pickup.
Graduation is a milestone — and all milestones are an opportunity for reflection and goal-setting. #Decluttering can help graduates recognize and appreciate where their journey has taken them and move forward to the next big thing. Congratulations to all the grads!