Payless Car Rental Blog

3…2…1…Happy New Year! Every New Year seems to start with a new resolution, but does a New Year mean a new you? Certainly not, but for many it means a time to make a change in one aspect of your life. Remember a New Year’;s resolution should be about you or a cause that you care about.

Stay on track with these Payless Pointers:

*Set realistic goals. It goes without saying that most New Year’s resolutions are easier said than done – especially if you set the bar too high.

*Don’t overload yourself. It’s difficult enough for the average person to follow through on one ambitious New Year’s resolution, so why bombard yourself with three or four? Trying to do everything simultaneously is a recipe for failure. Pick the most pressing issue at hand, and if you achieve one resolution, pat yourself on the back and move onto the second. You have a whole year to reach that resolution, there’;s no need to rush the process.

*Get friends and family involved. The more people you announce your resolution to, the more people there’ll be to pick you up if you fall behind. There’s no shame in seeking support if you can’t accomplish your resolution on your own.

*Lastly, don’;t sweat the small stuff – set realistic goals, and work towards achieving them. Let 2008 be the year to take action.

Happy New Year 2008 from the Payless Family to yours!

Start off on the right foot, and book your New Year`s car rental with Payless. Although the holidays may soon be over, don`t let the aftermath of the festivities bring down your cheery spirit! For many, the New Year is a time when people scout out a resolution and then work hard towards achieving it. One common resolution that never gets old is budgeting expenses.

At Payless we`re doing our share in helping our customers save big in the New Year by offering our two annual staples:

1) To celebrate the New Year, Payless is offering an economy car rental for only $20.08 per day at all U.S. and Canadian Payless locations, from January 2nd-January 30th 2008*.

2) Its back – the New Year has arrived and it`s time to drive for $30 a day! Payless renters near and far have made the $30 day intermediate car one of our most popular rentals! With such a great rate that`s available year-round, hurry, and book your thirty a day car rental today!*

From the Payless family to yours – take care of yourself and others; let Payless Car Rental help you work towards your resolution of saving money and time. Go to PaylessCarRental.com, and book a car from one of our worldwide locations. Still making up for last year`s resolution? No worries, sign up for Payless Perks and save more! Savings on top of savings? This will be one resolution you can check off early – Payless New Years 2008, we are where you`re going!

*Terms and conditions apply. Visit PaylessCarRental.com for full details.

December is a great month to visit Ft. Lauderdale – especially for those snow birds.  The temperature rarely drops below 75 degrees and while the average day`s temperature is at least 80 degrees during this time of the year, there is a constant breeze and the humidity is much lower than the summer months. Beach weather in December is at its best!

For starters, I would recommend visiting the Las Olas area, where the patrons are very warm and friendly, which makes for a comfortable atmosphere.  Rent a sports car, and drive to one of my favorite restaurants, Mango`s.  Every night Mango`s has live music with different local bands performing weekly!  They specialize in several different American food items, including seafood prepared with mango flavoring and seasonings. Don`t go too far, because you will find some of the best spots to go dancing in the Las Olas area.  Many of the restaurants offer live music, such as Blues and Jazz.

Traveling with the whole family?  Reserve your Payless Ft. Lauderdale minivan or SUV now!  Check out the Museum of Art, Ft. Lauderdale – offering some of the finest art that will amaze everyone.   Sports fans will love the International Swimming Hall of Fame Museum and Aquatic Complex, located in the city`s first hotel on the banks of the New River.  The museum`s permanent collection and changing exhibits depict the 1870 to 1930 development of Fort Lauderdale.  On a budget?  Bring the entire family to the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, which features an exhibition hall, theater, and more than 85,000 books, documents, and artifacts that focus on the experiences of people of African descent, all at no cost!

I don`t know about you… but it seems that at around November I`m about to pull my hair out! Whether it was finals in school or end-of-year quotas when I grew up… it seems that all the stress that builds up over the year culminates right around December. That is why every year I ensure that I take the time to visit my family for the December holidays. The holiday provides a nice respite from the stresses of my hectic life and helps me reconnect with family and loved ones that I tend to somewhat neglect during the year. Interestingly enough, within the first few days of relaxing I end up getting sick! Whether it`s the change in temperature (Florida to Minnesota, ouch!) or the fact that my body finally retaliates after the year of abuse it has received. Whatever the reason… fighting a cold is NOT what I want to be doing on my first days of vacation. If you find yourself in the same situation, here are a few tips that I`ve picked up to help nip that cold in the bud!

1.)    Sleep-in! Hey… you`re on vacation and you want to get the most out of it right? Wrong! The worst thing you can do when you get sick is to push yourself harder… this will only increase the severity and lengthen the duration of your cold. Remember… you are on VACATION! You don`t have to put yourself on a time schedule, and you especially don`t have to wake up early. Take the first few days of your time-off to give your body some much needed rest. This will help reinvigorate you AND your immune system.

2.)     C is for COLD: There have been a few recent studies that bring into question whether mega-doses of Vitamin C really helps lessen the duration of the cold, but placebo effect or not… I still take mom`s advice. I especially love the chewables… takes me back to the days when all it took was a hug from mom to start feeling better. Another great alternative to bottled Vitamin C is to take a few oranges and squeeze them into a cup. There is nothing like fresh-squeezed orange juice… as those of us lucky enough to be surrounded by orange groves know!

3.)    Re-VITA-lize: If you don`t already take a multi-vitamin, get one. The junk food we eat each day does not have all the vitamins and minerals recommended. I choose a slow release capsule, so that I don`t just flush it out of my system at one time. It has been recommended that men purchase multi-vitamins that don`t contain iron, and women get supplements that contain iron, but ask your doctor what would be best for you.

4.)    Herbology: I`m not talking about the class that a certain popular wizard takes, but I am talking about a few natural herbs that have been known to strengthen the immune system and shorten the duration of a cold. Two that I have found work wonders are elderberry and Echinacea. I have found that by making Celestial Seasonings Echinacea Complete Care mixed with honey and lemon helps, and a nasty tasting elderberry syrup called SambuGuard work wonders. Be careful when using herbs, especially those with allergies.

5.)    Zap it with Zinc: There are several different products that contain zinc gluconate in them. Zinc gluconate has been clinically tested and has been shown to reduce the length and severity of colds. Though some of the products taste leave something to be desired… it is much better than being sick for your entire vacation.

There are plenty of other cold remedies out there, but I just outlined a few that have worked for me. As with any health advice, check with your doctor to ensure that the advice you take is right for you. Let`s hope that this holiday season is cold free… but if you do get a cold, take some holiday warmth and cheer and call me in the morning!

Aspen/Snowmass and Vail are World Class resorts, and are great for the experienced, families, and even first timers.  Steamboat and Telluride are also phenomenal mountains.  Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Keystone and Winter Park are also great mountains, and a little closer to Denver than the others, making the logistics of a quick weekend trip less stressful. 

Colorado is known for its World Class skiing and snowboarding for three reasons…Snow, Snow and Snow.

This year should be another great season, Vail had a foot of new snow last month, and it’s only November!

Payless offers a wide selection of vehicles to accommodate all travelers, ranging from economy cars through luxury 4X4s, minivans and much, much, more.  Denver International Airport is elevated 5,280 feet above sea level.  The top of Vail pass is 10,600!  When visiting Denver, I would definitely recommend four wheel drives throughout the entire winter season.

There are many activities in Colorado outside of skiing.  Snowmobiling is becoming increasingly popular.  The Hot Springs in Glenwood Spring is a ‘must do’ experience.  Imagine relaxing luxuriously in 104 degrees of natural water during a blizzard.  Downtown Denver offers many attractions with outstanding accommodations.

We encourage you to come enjoy the wonders of Colorado, and to rent from Payless of course!

Summer has come and gone, and the fall season is upon us. Thanksgiving is celebrated each year on the last Thursday of November, and it is a time that we come together as families and take inventory of what we have to be thankful for. During this time of reflection and excess, it is important to remember those who are less fortunate than us, and to give thanks by giving to those in need. By giving, you not only recognize your blessings, but you also foster an environment of change… not only in yourself but in those around you. Here are some ways of giving back this holiday season:

1.) Food Drives: This is one of the easiest ways to give back, and only requires you picking up a few canned goods during your regular run for groceries. Buy a few extra canned goods and drop them off at a collection center, and they will distribute the food to families in need. Though not thought of, hunger is prevalent in America and 12 million children experience hunger. This number has grown 10% in the past decade. By giving to food drives you can help eliminate hunger.
2.) Soup Kitchens: Donating your time to soup kitchens is much more intensive, but also much more rewarding than simply dropping cans off at a collection center. Many churches and organizations have centers that distribute hot food to those in need, and are always in need of volunteers to help. Volunteering for such activities not only helps the organizations and people involved, it also gives the volunteer a new perspective on what they have to be thankful for.
3.) Charitable Organizations: Another great way to help give back to the community is to find a charitable organization that speaks to you, and to make a charitable contribution. It’s easy to forget that charities can only exist with donations from people like you and me, and even a small donation can make a difference. Save change here and there, and then donate it to the charity of your choice… remember, every little bit helps.

There are so many more little things we can do to give back to our community. Americans have so much to be thankful for, and it is easy to forget that there are people in our country that need help just to get food on the table for their family. This holiday season why don’t we give thanks by giving back?

Payless has joined the fight against breast cancer, and for the month of October is dedicated in spreading the word to all.  One story that particularly hits close to home is that of Cheryl Clinton, a Payless Car Sales employee, who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 31.  Cheryl has been so kind to share her empowering story about her fight against breast cancer.

The day I found a small lump in my breast, I scheduled an appointment with my OB doctor. I was told it was probably a cyst and my doctor ordered an ultrasound. The ultrasound results determined it was a cyst. About six to nine months later I noticed the lump was larger. Alarmed, I scheduled another appointment with my OB doctor, who again told me it was still probably a cyst, but ordered another ultrasound because I felt uncomfortable. During my visit for the ultrasound, I was given a mammogram and was scheduled for a biopsy.

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer I cried because I was afraid; I did not know of the magnitude of the cancer.  All I could do was say a prayer, dry my eyes, and walk out on faith.  Sometimes it is difficult to talk about it without getting teary eyed; NOT because I am depressed or sad, but because I am extremely overjoyed with the blessings of life.

I was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer (negative lymph nodes) at the age of 31 years; nine weeks before my wedding date (08/11/07).  Imagine that, going for cancer treatment and planning a wedding.  Just to keep the days straight, and prepare myself for what’s to come, my husband started a daily wellness chart to make us aware of my “good days” and the inevitable bad days (nausea).  I also lost my hair, which was difficult to deal with, but fortunately my hair stylist specializes in alopecia/chemotherapy. She supplied me with a special wig called “lace front wig” and no one can tell the difference. To date, I feel great, look great and I’m treasuring everyday.

It’s true; this experience has changed my outlook on life.  As a person, I have a greater appreciation for the important things in my life; my husband, family, and friends.

The type of Alaska hunting trip varies throughout the entire state. Alaska is an enormous state - so take at least a week to enjoy your surroundings! Deer hunting is popular in Southeast Alaska’;s coastal rainforest, whereas musk ox hunting is practiced on the tundra of western Alaska. South Central Alaska is famous for sheep hunting, and the world-famous Kodiak is known for Alaska bear hunting. If you are interested in Alaska moose hunting, you will want to head for the hills of the Interior. Alaska moose hunting was once the primary method of supplying meat to the mining camps.  The best Alaska bear hunting areas are found in the tidal areas through the panhandle of Alaska.  Although hunting in Alaska can be an exciting experience, there are inherent dangers associated with the sport. These include, but are not limited to dangerous game, early winter weather, and distance from any viable source of help.

If you’re not a fan of hunting, check out the Alaskan Federation of Natives (AFN) in Fairbanks, Alaska. The AFN is the largest statewide Native organization in Alaska. The mission of AFN is to enhance and promote the cultural, economic, and political voice of the entire Alaska Native community. The AFN is something everyone should experience for themselves; enjoy your next trip to Alaska, and learn how to protect, retain, and enhance all of the lands owned by Alaska Natives, along with promoting for programs that instill pride and confidence in individual Alaska natives.

The smell of hot dogs and stale peanuts fills the air, the crowd grows silent in anticipation and the pitcher throws the first ball of the game! Baseball has been capturing the attention of the American public since the first recorded game in 1846. Since then, the game has evolved to what it is today, and the fans excitedly cheer for their home team in hopes that they`ll make it to the “holy grail” of games… the World Series.

For those who don`t know, the World Series begins after the regular season ends, the first Sunday in October (or the last Sunday in September), eight teams enter the post-season playoffs. Six teams are division champions; and the remaining two “wild-card” spots are filled by the team in each league that has the best record.  The World Series, is the best-of-seven game series played between the champions of each league. The team belonging to the league that won the mid-season All-Star Game receives home-field advantage in the World Series.

The 2007 World Series, the 103rd edition of Major League Baseball`s championship series, is scheduled to begin play on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 and will take place between the winners of the 2007 American League Championship Series and the winners of the 2007 National League Championship Series in Major League Baseball.

Whether you`re rooting for the National League, or the American League, the World Series is a fun time when family and friends can gather together and watch the best of the best!

After an extremely hot and humid summer up here in the northeast, everyone will be happy to welcome in the fall. It is a special time of year with plenty of activities taking place.

The major league baseball pennant races are heating up as we quickly approach September. In the National League, the Mets are in first place. Over in the American League, the Yankees who are my favorite team have gained substantial ground on the arch rival first place Boston Red Sox. They are also in range for the wild card as they try to keep pace with Seattle. A subway series would be nice once again with the Yankees hopefully winning their 27th world championship.

The Jets and Giants kick off their NFL seasons on the 2nd weekend of September. New York and New Jersey are very intense football markets where every weekend sports bars, restaurants, cafes etc. are loaded with fans watching the games all day long. Most wives, including mine dread this time of year.

The 80th annual San Gennaro Feast begins on September 13th and lasts for almost 2 weeks, will bring well over three million people to the streets of Little Italy. Whether its sausage and peppers, pizza, zeppoles, cotton candy or carnival games, this event attracts people from all over.
The NYC Marathon takes place on November 4th. This event defines the spirit of New York and also New Jersey as people line the streets through the 5 boroughs of NYC to inspire and cheer the runners on.
Lastly, September is a beautiful time of year for people to travel to upstate New York and New Jersey to go apple picking, pumpkin picking, and wine tasting, as well as to watch the fall foliage. There are endless numbers of farms, orchards, and vineyards on both sides of the Hudson River for people to visit.

It is truly the comfortable weather that makes all of these activities plus so much more a very enjoyable time of year.

Jimmy Scott
EWR