Last Thanksgiving, nearly one million Arizonians hit the roads for their turkey dinners. And now that fewer restrictions from the pandemic remain, this number will likely increase this year.
If you’re planning on jumping behind the wheel this year, here are some things you can do before your holiday road trip. Below, you’ll find auto advice and money management tips to help you arrive safely on budget.
1. Prepare Your Emergency Fund
Most people would rather think about pumpkin pie than a roadside emergency, but any wise driver knows they have to consider any possibility to be prepared. While there’s a good chance nothing will go wrong during your trip, its good practice knowing how you would handle a blown tire or a fender bender.
If you don’t have an emergency fund locked and loaded before you hit the roads, you have a couple of backups to help in case things go wrong.
Insurance:
For severe collisions and extensive damage, you’re going to want to get in touch with your insurance company. You pay monthly premiums so that you can get help covering property damage or medical bills, so it’s in your best interest to have them cover these issues.
Credit:
When it comes to minuscule repairs or out-of-pocket costs, you can put these expenses on a line of credit. An online line of credit can give you the boost you need to get back on the road in time for turkey. You can find a personal line of credit in Arizona by going online using your phone, even if you’re at the side of the road waiting for a tow.
2. Schedule a Tune-Up
You can avoid a preventable breakdown by scheduling a tune-up before you leave for Thanksgiving. This gives your mechanic a chance to spot minor issues before they get so bad, they leave you stranded on the side of the road.
If you don’t have spare cash for this tune-up, ask your mechanic for a financing option. Sometimes, auto centers will let you pay back what you owe in chunks, much like an installment loan.
While insurance or an Arizona line of credit can help you in an emergency this Thanksgiving, these aren’t an option for regular vehicle care, like a tune-up. The AAA recommends putting away about $50 per month for this maintenance, so you can afford yearly emissions tests and oil changes.
3. Drive Safely
Between nasty fall weather and holiday congestion on the roads, you could be driving through some of the worst conditions you’ve seen all year. You’ll want to adjust your driving to reflect the conditions to ensure you arrive safe and sound to Thanksgiving.
Here are some tips that every driver would be wise to follow:
- Give every vehicle around you at least a 3-second cushion
- Always use your indicator when changing lanes
- Slow down when appropriate
- Don’t drink and drive
- Use the sun visor when you need to block out the sun
- Wear polarized sunglasses to reduce glare
- Take regular breaks if you’re driving across the state (or country)
- Accelerate and decelerate slowly for maximum fuel efficiency
Good Luck!
Keep these three things in mind before you head out for the holidays — or any other long-distance trip, for that matter. They’ll help you be prepared for whatever you encounter on the roads.
