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Baja 1000 – Explore the legendary race and the series it spawned all year!

The Baja Races have made everything in the culture of Baja California seem so fascinating and exciting. After all, the beach-oriented Mexican peninsula is rugged, adventurous, and romantic, but the Baja Races make a visit there much more than just a vacation destination. It is the location of the Championship Desert Racing Series.

You may be familiar with these races, but this is general information that avid enthusiasts or casual tourists will find really interesting. For me, it took a Santa Barbara antiques dealer, a family friend, to introduce me to this exciting place. You see, Diane Norman, popular owner of Summerland antique shop The French Market, is the mother of a young, six-time Baja Races motorcycle winner, Kendall Norman, who started racing when she was just 11 years old. Through Kendall I learned that the Baja Races are not just motorcycle races but include various types of vehicles. Bikers join racers on “quad bikes,” which are stock or modified 4-wheel vehicles, including cars, trophy trucks, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and dune buggies. These racers compete in one of the series, such as the Baja 1000 and Baja 500, racing “Off-road” on desert trails. While there are patches of road segments, the course is generally natural terrain with loose approximations of 500 or 1000 miles.

The best-known race is the Baja 1000, also known as the Peninsula Run, a point-to-point race that starts and ends at two different locations, traditionally between Ensenada and La Paz, following Federal Highway 1. There are shorter-loop races than they start and finish from the same place, which has traditionally been Ensenada, although circular races have also been held from Mexicali and San Felipe.

Brief history

Now an iconic series, Baja Races began in 1962 when American Honda wanted to test the reliability of its CL72 Scrambler in a long-distance test at Peninsula Run. the publications Earth Globe, Argosy and cycle world praised Honda and the company. In fact, several stories included close encounters with death and danger. Having heard stories of mobsters on the barely paved roads of Baja California between the 1950s and 1980s, and then having my own late-night incident with a wandering cow on Highway 1, don’t fence me, I can attest to the dangers of Peninsula Run.

In 1967, the builder of the Meyers Manx buggy wanted to boost sales and break the 1962 Honda record. road track following the journalist, the Manx broke the record by more than 5 hours. Word got out in the media and from then on it was Buggy vs. Bike, and the competition between four wheels and two grew.

More record-breaking attempts were made during the year and a competitor, Ed Pearlman, organized the National Off-Road Racing Association (NORRA) to officially recognize previous record-setters, establish class designations for the vehicles, and produce an annual Peninsula Run. Naming the event the “Mexican Rally 1000”, the race ran from the fall of 1967 to 1972. Popularity grew with the ABC network wide world of sports televising the 1968 event. Top racers such as Mickey Thompson, Indy 500 winner Parnelli Jones, and movie actor and racer James Garner participated.

The races had a major change in 1973 when NORRA withdrew due to the US recession and oil embargo affecting participating racers. In response, the determined governor of Baja California turned the event over to a Mexican non-profit group who renamed it “Baja Mil” and, in English, the label “Baja 1000” was born! For future racing, racing promoter Mickey Thompson was hired. His Short Course Off-Road Enterprises, known as SCORE, was born, and over 39 years the Baja 1000 SCORE organization expanded into numerous off-road events, all known as the SCORE Championship Desert Racing Series.

The Baja Races have continued to attract top celebrities, including Paul Newman who participated in 2004 at age 80! Racing has evolved into a sophisticated enterprise featuring champion racers, funded by major sponsors, followed by avid enthusiasts, and covered by major sports news outlets. Events still make and break the careers and reputations of motorcycles and vehicles, as well as racers.

All in all, it was worth meeting Baja 1000 champion and Baja 500 racer Kendall Norman as his achievement opened my eyes to the incredible racing that adds so much to the unique character and rugged landscape of Baja California, outside and inside the track. To see one of these races for yourself, target your Baja vacation to the events by checking out SCORE’s year-round online calendar. Generally, the Baja 1000 is in November, the Baja 500 is in early June, the San Felipe 250 is in late February, and the San Felipe Challenge of Champions is in early September. Experience SCORE’s Championship Desert Racing Series and the culture of the phenomenal Baja California peninsula. Go and enjoy the Mexican food, atmosphere and a Baja Race adventure!

(c) 2012 Elizabeth McMillian

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5 simple tricks to prepare your car for winter

The leaves fall and the nights draw near. Winter is coming! This means exciting times like Halloween, Bonfire Night, and Christmas, but it can also mean unpredictable weather, traffic jams, or dangerous driving conditions.

However, with the quick and simple tricks below, you can easily prepare your car for the challenges ahead and safely enjoy the winter season.

1. Add an emergency kit

Driving in winter presents several challenges. Icy roads make braking slippery, foggy conditions impede visibility and periods of congested roads can make a roadside breakdown more likely.

That’s why there’s never been a better time to add an emergency kit to your car. This could include essentials such as a spare tire (if you know how to fit yours), blankets, a flashlight or high visibility items, and a mobile phone charger and any details of your roadside breakdown cover.

It can also include things that are specific to you or your family, such as medicine, snacks, water, or entertainment. You don’t need to supercharge your car, but a few essentials can help give you peace of mind.

Make sure your roadside coverage is also up to date and that you know the number to call in an emergency.

2. Check (and replace) your tires

Winter road conditions are especially treacherous and are a major contributing factor to the fact that there are often more accidents in the winter months.

One way to help prevent accidents is to make sure your tires are in good working order and replace them if necessary. This may be a replacement that just ensures the integrity and grip of your tires, or it could be a more specific option.

Winter tires, for example, are specifically made to withstand the harshest winter conditions and temperatures. This can be especially important for anyone who lives in more rural or remote areas, or those susceptible to heavy snowfall.

Visit a reputable garage for advice, and consider investing in the safest, most weather-appropriate tires you can afford.

3. Be energy efficient

A great tip all year round, but perhaps especially in winter, is to drive as energy-efficiently as possible. This helps prevent unnecessary wear and tear on your car, but it can also save you money and fuel.

Driving energy-efficiently can mean selecting the right gear, anticipating the road so sudden changes in speed aren’t necessary, reducing wind speeds, and much more. For many drivers, it may even mean making the switch to an electric or hybrid vehicle! The driving range of electric cars is constantly increasing, making them an increasingly popular option.

Regardless of the ways you can improve your driving efficiency, winter is a great time to do it so you can save money and stay safe on the roads.

4. Invest in your lights (or keep them clean)

Excellent lights are a must for the winter season. They must be reliable, effective and, of course, clean!

Add a few minutes to your regular checks and driving routines to clean your essential lights before and after driving. This is so that no dirt or debris accumulates that can obscure them at a crucial time, especially as the sun sets earlier. Falling leaves and frost can also obscure your vision in winter.

Consider investing in new or better lights in preparation for the winter season as well. While there are plenty of other ways to cut back on your car, safety features should never be one of them. Always aim for the best you can afford.

5. Add a winter scent

A simple, fun, and inexpensive way to winterize your car is to add a seasonal scent! These can be hanging scented items, a spray, cleansing wipes, and more.

These items can not only be a great way to make your car feel fresh and hygienic, but they will also make it a joy to drive. On nights when you may be spending more time in traffic than usual, or have family or young children to entertain, a festive scent can help make the space more pleasant.

With the variety of tips and tricks above, you and your car will be ready for a safe winter season!

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How to Make Money Blogging and Running a Legitimate Home Business

Many people around the world are faced with a challenge, whether it’s trying to keep a struggling small business afloat or making ends meet with a 9-5 job. To withdraw with a significant amount of net savings, you have to be very careful. One of the ways to stay on top of the game is to find a very profitable business model that can generate income well above operating expenses to ensure that you have large amounts of net surplus at the end of the day. Blogging Online has proven to be a very viable means of building an online business by attracting a large community or niche and selling your products or services to them.

There are many ways you can make money from your blog, you can place banner ads for affiliate programs, sell your own information products, or advertise a specialized service to others. Before thinking about how to make money from your blog, the first and most important thing is to determine how you will attract your audience to your blog. Driving traffic to a website or blog is the most challenging part of any online marketing business, not only do you need traffic, but you also need to target your niche market that you want to reach.

To get traffic, various techniques should be employed such as guest blog posting, sharing links with others in a blog community, optimizing your blog through Google search engine, building public awareness by creating a page of fans on social media like Facebook or build a large Twitter following within your niche.

If you want to run a successful blogging business from home, you need to consider all of these things and also consider your startup capital, as you will need to invest to be successful with blogging just like any other traditional business. The main aspects to cover are the hosting costs, the money to create the blog or custom templates, the cost of advertising, whether you use seo, pay per click or solo ads, etc. Creating a professional looking blog and branding yourself are some important elements to consider. You have to present yourself as an authority in the business so that others will follow you and want to learn from you.

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Can GEICO Auto Insurance help when it comes to DUI auto insurance?

DUI car insurance is a pretty significant issue for people charged with drunk driving, DUI, DWI, or other alcohol-related driving offenses. Auto insurance companies, including GEICO auto insurance, will base your rates on a variety of factors, including driving history.

Drunk driving convictions will cause many auto insurance companies to drop you as a hot potato as an insured; others will significantly increase rates. In many cases, it may be better not to disclose a pending case to an insurance company, simply because without a conviction, there is no obligation to do so.

If an accident is involved in the alcohol-related driving episode, it becomes even more complicated when to talk to your auto insurance company and when to talk to your attorney. Therefore, it is critical to consult with a qualified attorney in your area to determine if the insurance company can exclude the incident from coverage. In most cases, when someone has a DUI or DWI and is in an accident, a GEICO auto insurance policy will cover the damages. It’s not absolute, but it’s nice to know that they stand behind your auto insurance policies and can back them up with their strong financial power.

By getting a free, no-obligation auto insurance quote from GEICO Auto Insurance, anyone charged with DUI/DWI can learn the details of their situation while there’s still time to do something about it.

For quick information on some of the top 10 auto insurance companies, click Free advice for the top 10 auto insurance companies.

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Tips for cheap insurance plans

It’s spring, and a young man’s fantasy turns to buying a new car. Well, that may not be the correct quote, but it’s true! But if he wants a new trip, he should buy an affordable insurance plan to protect him.

When you’re thinking about getting insurance, there are two ways you can do it. If you own your own home, you have insurance for that. And you have life insurance. (I wish). So when you’re thinking about getting auto insurance, you may want to integrate everything with the same insurance agent that handles all your other insurance.

But… is that really the best way to get a cheap insurance plan? You may want to check with other insurance companies, as they may offer cheaper rates than your original company.

One way to see how much other insurance companies will charge you is to compare their rates, and you can do this quickly and easily online. By entering your personal details – age, driving history, where you live, as well as vehicle details – you can have dozens of insurance companies provide you with quotes simultaneously.

But getting your quotes online is not enough. After getting these quotes, you still need to do some research on these companies. What are your policies? If you are in an accident, will your rates increase and if so, by how much? Will they be lowered again if a certain amount of time passes without another accident?

If you are in an accident, how long will it take to resolve your case? To find out, you’ll need to visit a few sites: the Better Business Bureau and your state’s department of insurance oversight, which will be able to provide you with these kinds of statistics about the company.

Just because a company has cheap premiums doesn’t always mean that it will actually turn out to be the cheapest company you can choose from!

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What are HHOs in car systems?

The scientific term HHO stands for oxyhydrogen, a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen with a concentration ratio of two parts hydrogen to one part oxygen. Oxyhydrogen is also used in welding torches, but has other uses in a vehicle engine. HHOs in automotive systems are oxyhydrogen gas generators that use water and a catalyst (known as an electrolyte solution) along with an electrical current to produce this gas.

Oxyhydrogen burns along with the main fuel in the engine (gasoline or diesel) and helps the main fuel burn completely, getting more power for the same amount of fuel used by the engine. This additional (gained) power is more than the engine load needs to run optimally, so the engine’s primary fuel can be weakened, while the engine delivers the same torque for that particular load.

When oxyhydrogen (also known as hydroxy gas) is burned, it returns to its original formation before electrolysis took place, which means that it turns into vapor, which is fine droplets of water.

Different types of HHO in automobile systems

There are mainly two types of HHO in automotive systems, comprising of wet HHO cell and dry HHO cell configurations. Both systems produce the resulting hydroxyl gas, but differ in their technical design. Originally, the experimental electrolysis process was carried out under the wet HHO cell design to produce hydrogen in laboratories. The wet cell configuration remains basically the same.

When experimenters began using this setup as a fuel saving device, word soon spread and many DIYers began trying to improve the design by using different materials, setup designs, and different catalysts. Wet cell design has improved significantly over the years and has also become more reliable. Through continual research and development, certain enthusiastic designers came up with an entirely new idea to reduce maintenance time associated with wet cell design. Fortunately, the latest design also became much more compact, which was a huge advantage with modern, cramped engine compartments. This became known as the HHO dry cell design.

Wet HHO cell vs. dry HHO cell

We have tested many different designs currently on the market and even ended up creating a HHO product reviews page for these HHO DIY tech guides. We have found that, in general, both designs have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of wet cell design:

  • Easier to clean periodically as a preventative maintenance procedure
  • Easier and faster to change corroded anode plates
  • Does not have many seals that will eventually deteriorate or harden
  • Cheaper to build compared to most dry cell designs
  • No additional external pumps are needed for the electrolyte

Disadvantages of Wet Cell Design:

  • Bulky design that can be a problem to install in modern engine compartments
  • Frequent corrosion of the anode due to oxidation leading to increased cleanliness
  • Anode plates will need to be replaced more frequently due to excessive corrosion.
  • Wet cell design generates more heat in the electrolyte solution
  • More current is needed compared to dry HHO cell design
  • Electrolyte design needs more frequent flushing with fresh, clean electrolyte

Advantages of the dry cell design:

  • Very compact in nature both in width and thickness.
  • Needs less current to operate consistently
  • Heat buildup in the HHO generator is almost non-existent
  • Electrolyte stays cleaner for longer intervals
  • Anode plates corrode much less
  • Terminals do not corrode as they are isolated from the electrolyte
  • Less periodic maintenance is generally needed

Disadvantages of the dry cell design:

  • More expensive to produce or build one as a DIY project
  • More precision is needed to build the design.
  • Each cell is separated by a seal that will eventually harden and start to leak.
  • Preventive maintenance procedures require disassembling the entire HHO generator to pieces
  • An external electrolyte pump is required in most designs

As you’ve seen from above, both wet and dry HHO in car designs have their pros and cons. Depending on the space available in the engine compartment is an important factor to consider before attempting such an installation. Most modern vehicles that seem to have very little available space will probably need the dry cell design for two main reasons: less space required and less frequent maintenance. This allows installation to be placed in even the tightest and hardest to reach areas, if that is your only available option. A common option is to install the dry cell HHO generator in front of the radiator, just behind the bumper or behind the front fender, in the area of ​​the wheel that is covered by a factory plastic fender liner.

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Vox Joe Satriani Big Bad Wah Pedal Versus Boss PW-10 V-Wah Pedal

A large number of musicians, especially guitarists, dream of making it big. Every musician is talented in their own way, but what separates the star from the amateur is a unique sound. Having unparalleled sound is important to the person seeking a rewarding music career. An electric guitar alone will not achieve a unique sound, but with a quality wah pedal, the budding musician can create an unmatched sound that would set them apart from the average guitarist.

There are a number of wah pedals available on the market that will give the budding guitarist that exceptional sound that will set them apart from the competition. Two of the most popular wah pedals are the Big Bad Wah, a collaboration between VOX and world-renowned guitarist Joe Satriani, and the BOSS PW-10 V-Wah. Both offer a variety of options that give the guitarist the flexibility to create an arrangement that is unmatched by any other.

The Vox Joe Satriani Big Bad Wah Pedal offers two modes in one pedal. A simple inductor toggle switch makes it simple for the guitarist to switch between the two modes. In wah one, it switches to VOX mode which produces the classic British tone. On wah two, you toggle Joe Satriani’s original voice and drive controls. To expand the variety of uses for the inductors, the Big Bad Wah has a Drive knob that allows up to 10dB of boost and a Voice switch that toggles between the traditional and classic wah voice.

The BOSS PW-10 V-Wah Pedal offers similar capabilities via a series of 3 knobs that control type, wah range, and drive. The Type knob allows the guitarist to choose between 8 different modes. The 8 modes on offer are UNI-V, which models vintage Uni-vibe, VOICE, an advanced BOSS Humanizer, MO-WAH, which models Morley Bad Horsie, VO-WAH, which models VOX V846, CBY-WAH, which models JMI Crybaby , BASS MIX – a wah effect suitable for bass players, ADVANCED which is a new BOSS original, and CUSTOM which allows the guitarist to create their own wah effect.

Two features really set the BOSS PW-10 apart from the Big Bad Wah. The BOSS PW-10 uses an infrared sensor in the pedal that does not produce a clicking sound when pressed. This also eliminates the need to clean a switch internally to ensure maximum performance. Also equipped on the BOSS PW-10 is Digital Memory 3 conveniently accessed via a heel switch for the guitarist to easily switch between their favorite modes.

Any of these unique and modern wah pedals will appeal to a variety of players. Depending on individual tastes and player preferences, these wah pedals can easily find a home in a player’s own musical gear. Each wah pedal features a unique sound, both offering traditional operation that even a new guitarist will find easy to use and adjust. The Boss PW-10 may be more preferred due to the infrared sensor and its silent feature. The flexibility and options that Vox offers will appeal to musicians who prefer a wide range of options.

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Financial troubles Plague Electric car maker Tesla

Electric car maker Tesla Motors has received a lot of attention in the press over the past year when the automaker launched its magnificent Tesla Roadster, an all-electric sports car that can go from zero to sixty kilometers per hour in just 3.5 seconds. . After numerous delays, a transmission swap, and management changes, the Roadster finally went into production earlier this year.

Now the California-based automaker finds itself struggling to survive, with rapidly dwindling bookings putting pressure on the company like never before. Yes, with just $9 million in the bank, Tesla is struggling to survive even as demand for its $109,000 far exceeds supply.

Even rich people hold on to their money tightly.

Will Tesla be able to weather its current financial crisis? That remains to be seen given the worldwide slump in car sales. Even wealthy individuals, the kind of drivers who can afford the Tesla Roadster, are carefully considering their purchases, especially in light of the recent financial bloodbath on Wall Street that sent stock prices tumbling and wrecked Americans’ wallets. from all financial strata.

For its part, Tesla is reacting in various ways. Elon Musk, the CEO of the company, is investing ten to twenty million dollars of his own money in the company and has plans to lay off up to 20% of the company’s workforce. In addition, he is closing a satellite office in Michigan, moves the company hopes will buy him some time while it seeks additional financial backing.

Production delays hit Tesla’s results

According to Forbes magazine, Tesla has raised $147 million from investors so far, with about $55 million coming from Musk, the automaker’s founder. Delays in shipping the Roadster have hurt the company’s financial picture, as only fifty cars have been shipped so far. Production has finally ramped up with Tesla saying up to ten Roadsters are now being assembled a week. A small amount, but then we are talking about a small operation.

If Tesla can hold out for a few more months, additional help in the form of grants from the US Department of Energy and aid from the State of California should start to kick in. Also, with plans to build a midsize electric car in a new California factory in the next few years, Tesla’s franchise expansion should attract more investors to what many expect will be the largest small electric carmaker in USA

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Christmas Gift Guide for Digital Cameras – Get the Top 10 Christmas Gifts Now – Canon Powershot?

One of the most desired items or gifts this Christmas are digital cameras. And why not, when today’s digital cameras are sleek and stylish devices that will allow you to capture moments in time and keep them forever? If you’re thinking of getting someone this special gift, you’d better do some research first. Below is a list of the Top 10 Digital Cameras – Christmas Gifts for 2008. We hope it helps you narrow down your options when shopping for a digital camera as a gift. Good luck!

1. Canon PowerShot A590IS 8MP Digital Camera with 4x Image Stabilized Optical Zoom – this beauty here can capture images in such detail that they can be used to make 16×22 inch prints. The 8 MP CCD is one of the best on the market. Add to that a 4x optical zoom with Image Stability, Face Detection Mode and an Easy Mode for Beginners, and you have a great digital camera for the perfect Christmas present.

2. Canon PowerShot SD1100IS 8MP Digital Camera with 3x Image Stabilized Optical Zoom (Blue) – another 8MP digital camera from Canon, this one comes in a fancy blue colour. The same features are present, with the added technology of motion detection to reduce blur. Another great addition from Canon.

3. Canon PowerShot SD790IS 10MP Digital Camera with 3x Image Stabilized Optical Zoom – the beauty of this digital camera comes from the fact that it is perfectly designed. But beauty is not all it has. Its amazing 10MP CCD can capture images for poster prints, and it has face detection, motion detection and image stabilizer technologies to boot.

4. Canon PowerShot SD1100IS 8MP Digital Camera with 3x Image Stabilized Optical Zoom (Silver) – fourth place in the list of the 10 best digital cameras – Christmas gifts for 2008 is another Canon digital camera. It is the same as the SD1100IS digital camera, but it comes in a silver color that will appeal to your friend who likes elegant silver design. All features remain unchanged, of course.

5. Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (Black) – This digital SLR camera is perfect for those friends of yours who are serious about photography, but at the same time want the ease of use of a digital camera. Equipped with a 12.2 CMOS sensor, a huge 3.0-inch LCD screen, and powerful lenses, this digital SLR camera is the perfect choice.

6. Kodak EasyShare C713 7 MP Digital Camera (Pink) -Kodak’s offering is ranked #6 on this list of Top 10 Digital Cameras – Christmas Gifts for 2008. This digital camera definitely turns heads with its pink design. It’s not all about looks for this one though. It also comes with 7MP resolution and 3x optical zoom. You can also take VGA video with audio. It’s a fun and stylish camera for your fun and stylish friend!

7. Canon Powershot SX10IS 10MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide-Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom – 10.0 MP resolution alone is great. Add to that a 20x optical zoom with image stabilizer and a movie mode, and you have a great all-purpose camera for your loved one.

8. Canon PowerShot SD880IS 10MP Digital Camera with 4x Wide-Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom (Silver) – Canon once again proves its worth as the leader in the range of digital cameras. This time, it’s this 10 MP beauty with image stabilization and face detection that has earned a spot on our list. It is a great point and shoot camera with many special features that will make your friend fall in love with it.

9. Canon PowerShot SD1100IS 8MP Digital Camera with 3x Image Stabilized Optical Zoom (Pink) – this pink version of the SD1100IS digital camera is ideal for sophisticated ladies. It’s classy, ​​it’s stylish, and most of all, it doesn’t lack any of the features that every other Canon SD1100IS digital camera has. In a word, it is perfection.

10. Canon PowerShot SD770IS 10MP Digital Camera with 3x Image Stabilized Optical Zoom (Silver) – last on our list of the 10 best digital cameras – Christmas gifts for 2008 is another Canon camera. You could never go wrong with this one. It has everything that the higher versions have (SD1100IS and SD880IS, for example) except that it does not have the Wide Angle option. Still, it’s a great camera for your friend or family member who is just starting to love photography.

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Auto Insurance Tips: 5 Auto Insurance Tips to Save Money

Here are some great tips that could save you money on auto insurance.

1. Increase your deductible

One way to save money on car insurance is to increase your deductible. A higher deductible will result in a lower premium. Just remember that you will have to pay the deductible in case of an accident. So don’t raise it so high that you can’t afford it if you were ever in an accident.

2. Take a road safety course

Did you know that taking a Driver Safety course could save you money on your policy? Many companies offer discounts to customers who complete an approved driving course. See if your insurance company could offer you a discount for this.

3. Choose your car wisely

You may not be in the market for a new car right now, but when you’re thinking about buying a new vehicle, choose wisely. Don’t just look at the price tag on the vehicle when you go shopping. Certain cars are more expensive to insure than others, so you could end up paying a lot more in auto insurance than you expected if you buy that nice sports car instead of the four-door sedan. Cars that are more likely to be stolen or have parts that cost more to replace will be more expensive to insure. Keep this in mind when you decide to buy a new car.

4. Drive less

You may be wondering how driving less will save you money on auto insurance. Well, many companies offer discounts to people who meet certain low mileage requirements. Start carpooling to work or school. Not only could it save you money on car insurance, but it will also save you money on gas!

5. Compare quotes from various companies