10 Winter Car Maintenance Tips

What are the best podcasts to listen to on a road trip? Read on to find out!There are many things to consider when planning a road trip, but perhaps one of the most important things – short of where you’ll stay when you get where you’re going – is what you’ll listen to along the way. After all, even the most scenic drive can get monotonous after an hour or two if you don’t have something to listen to. And a great story or the perfect tunes can turn even a blah drive into a memorable adventure!For this list, we compiled some of the most recommended podcasts from around the interest, across a spectrum of genres, to help you find the perfect podcast for your taste and trip plan.The Top Podcasts For Road TripsGripping stories, hilarious jokes, fascinating science – if you want to know the best podcasts for road trips, check out this list of recommendations from a ton of different genres that’ll keep you engaged from mile 1 to your destination. Note: The podcasts on this list are generally targeted toward adult listeners and may contain strong language. For kid-friendly recommendations, scroll down!1. SerialSerial made a huge splash when it first came out, paving the way for a slew of true crime podcasts and a resurgence in true crime documentaries. If you missed it early on, you’ll see right away what made the show so popular, with gripping stories and well-put together journalism. Each season covers one nonfiction story. And if you were one of the early listeners, it might surprise you to know that the show has spun off into a whole group of podcasts under Serial Productions, including S-Town and The Coldest Case In Laramie, so if you’re not caught up, there’s plenty of audio content to fill a long drive.2. Against The RulesHosted by Michael Lewis – a journalist perhaps based known for his books Moneyball and The Big Short – Against the Rules looks at fairness and rules in American life through a range of topics season to season. Sports fans might be interested in his seasons focusing on referees, coaches, and sports gambling – all of which are well-researched and totally fascinating. Plus, since each season has roughly 8 episodes around a singular theme, a season can make for a perfect road trip binge.3. RevolutionsHistory buffs who haven’t yet delved into the world of Mike Duncan’s Revolutions are in for a treat. Now up to season 12, Revolutions features – as the name might suggest – a different historical revolution each season (with the exception of the most recent season, which is a fictional account of a sci-fi revolution in the future set on Mars!). The series starts with the English Civil Wars of the 1600s, then looks at the American, French, and Haitian revolutions, among others. Duncan has amassed a huge following for his riveting storytelling, and for road trips, it’s an especially great choice thanks to the bite-sized 30ish minute episodes, making it easy to break up over a long drive.4. Sold A StorySold A Story is one of the most recommended podcasts on internet chat forums, especially in the education space. A mix of journalism, science, and news, Sold a Story reported in 2022 on the low literacy rate among American elementary school students, and ended up, in part, inspiring a change in how we teach reading nationwide. If you’re interested in the science of how we learn and the ways education can be changed for the better or worse, it’s a great listen.5. OlogiesWhile the other podcasts so far focus on single stories over the course of a season, Ologies is made up of episodes that stand alone. Each episode of Ologies focuses on a different, highly specific scientific topic, ranging from cardiology to the sociology of reality TV to erethizonology  – that’s the study of porcupines.Each episode features an interview with an expert, conducted by host Alie Ward. And for road trippers, it’s an especially handy podcast because episodes range in length from around half an hour to over 2 hours, so you can decide how long you want to listen and find an episode that fits.We’re into auto loan refinance-ology.Your vehicle takes you where you need to go, but is it also taking money out of your pocket? Most people are overpaying on their auto loan, thanks to markups at dealerships. You may be eligible to pay less on your monthly payment and get a better rate. All it takes to find out is a few clicks – no commitment required.Get a free quote to see how much you could save.6. Ghost StoryThis 7-episode miniseries podcast combines family drama, the paranormal, and true crime as journalist Tristan Redman – who doesn’t believe in ghosts – investigates strange things that happened in his house when he was a teen. While supernatural elements come into play, Ghost Story is ultimately a story about a family facing their own ghosts. Warning that this podcast contains discussion of PTSD and domestic violence.7. Dolly Parton’s AmericaOn the other end of the emotional spectrum, Dolly Parton’s America is one the rare uplifting nonfiction narrative podcasts, and a complete delight. Fans of Dolly, the Dolly-curious, and the uninitiated will all find something to enjoy in this 9-episode “journey through the Dollyverse”  from WNYC, hosted by Jad Abumrad. Released in 2019, Dolly Parton’s America examines Parton’s life – with interviews with the woman herself – along with her impact, her work, and the people who love her.8. The Happiness LabThe Happiness Lab is inspired by the popular course taught at Yale by host and professor Dr. Laurie Santos. It looks at the science of what makes us happy and how to be happy and offers both insights into human behavior and actionable ideas that might just help you live happier. With 7 seasons and roughly 200 episodes, ranging generally from 30 minutes to an hour, you’re not likely to finish it in one road trip (unless that’s one long road trip!, but since it’s episodic rather than narrative, there’s no need to. Few podcasts in the self-help realm or otherwise offer as much potential impact as this fascinating and well-put-together series, so if you’re looking for a self-help option for your road trip, The Happiness Lab is really the only choice.9. 99% InvisibleIf you want a podcast that changes the way you see the world around you, 99% Invisible can do just that. It’s a podcast all about architecture, design, and the thought that goes into names, products, buildings, systems, and so much more. Essentially, it’s about the things we see and interact with every day but might not spend much time thinking about how they came to be. With roughly 700 episodes, the topics have ranged widely, from the invention of dynamite, to the history of Brutalist architecture, to how supply chains work (or don’t), to the naming of a Slovenian beetle. Suffice to say, if you’re interested in how the world is built, there’s something for everyone.10. The SporkfulLast but certainly not least, The Sporkful is a great podcast for cooks and food fans. It features a combination of stories on current events in the food world and interviews about food with chefs, food writers, and people interested in food, from celebrities to relative unknowns – like Weird Al, Chef Bobby Flay, or a Catholic priest who moonlights as a mixologist.Generally lighthearted and always informative, The Sporkful is hosted amiably by Dan Pashman and has around 150 episodes ready for your next long drive – whether that’s a Guy Fieri-inspired road trip or a pilgrimage to a local farm. It’s a great listen for anyone curious about the wide world of eating.Honorable MentionsListened to all the podcasts above already? Just not finding something that sings to you? Here are a few more high quality and well-reviewed podcasts to consider across a wide variety of genres.I Am Not A MonsterSomeone Knows Something Personally: Toy Soldier S-TownThe MothRadioLabRevisionist HistoryCautionary TalesHow Did This Get Made?Who Shat At My Wedding?My Dad Wrote A PornoSmartlessThe Screenwriting LifeEverything CookbooksThis American LifeWait Wait Don’t Tell MeStuff You Should KnowAnd as a bonus, if you just want a delightful half hour listen, check out Towel of Song from CBC’s The Doc Project.Kid-Friendly Road Trip Podcast RecommendationsLooking for some of the best podcasts for children on a road trip? Here are a few popular and delightful options:Story PiratesSmash Boom BestGreeking OutCircle RoundWow in the WorldAmerica’s Test Kitchen for KidsNoodle LoafABC Kids (Australia)And Those Are Some of The Best Podcast Options for Your Next Long DriveThese podcasts are so good, they could inspire another road trip just to listen to them all! Whether you want to learn something or be transported by a great story, there’s something here for everyone. Unless of course you’d rather a good audiobook for a long drive.Road trips can take a long time. Refinancing your auto loan doesn’t have to.When you choose to refinance your vehicle with Auto Approve, we help you find the right deal for your unique situation, then do the paperwork for you. It’s easy – all it takes is a few minutes of your time to help you pay less on your auto loan.Get your free quote now.

You probably wear one every time you’re in a car, but how much do you really know about seat belts?The very first safety belt was invented in the 1800s, but seat belts weren’t a required accessory in cars until the late 1960s, and laws mandating seat belt usage didn't arrive for another 20 years. And they weren’t exactly popular. In fact, regulations that required the automotive industry to provide seat belts were initially fought by the Reagan administration! Today, however, seat belt usage in the United States is around 92% and seatbelts are believed to save around 15,000 American lives per year.In this article, we’ll take a look at the humble seat belt: how seat belts work, seat belt history, and the safety statistics for seat belt usage today.(And yes, according to AP Style, it’s “seat belt” – two words!)Your Complete Guide to Seat BeltsSeat belts are everywhere. But why do we have to wear them, how do they work, and where did they come from? Read on to learn more about this life-saving device.Seat Belts: Essential FactsLet’s start with the basics. Seat belts are usually made up of:Anchors, the places where the seat belt is securely attached to the carWebbing, the actual fabric belt itself (or belts), usually made from a strong and elastic tightly woven polyesterBuckle(s), the socket and tongue system that secure the webbing around the seat occupantRetractor(s), the mechanism that controls the amount of webbing in use and its fit, sometimes equipped with a pre-tensioner that reacts to sudden pulls and locks the belt in place for safetyGenerally, seat belts are classed by “points” – meaning anchors, the places where the belt is attached to the vehicle. You may have seen a few different kinds of seat belts around. The seatbelts on planes are typically two-point lap belts, variations of which are also sometimes still seen in the rear seats of older vehicle models. These seat belts are attached to the vehicle at two points, one on either side of your hips, thus the name.The most ubiquitous seatbelts in the United States, however, are what are called three point seat belts – think car seat belts with both a lap and shoulder (sash) strap, meeting together at one point with a buckle. These three-point belts – first invented by engineer Nils Bohlin for Volvo in the 1950s – are legally mandated by the U.S., U.K., and Canada, among others, for their improved safety.That said, seat belt types don’t end at three points! If you’ve ever watched NASCAR or fastened a child’s car seat, you might be familiar with 4, 5, and 6-point belts, and some aerial artists even use a 7-point system to make sure they’re protected from falls.How Seat Belts WorkThinking back to physics class, you might remember that an object in motion tends to stay in motion. In an accident, if your car hits something and suddenly stops, your body – if not attached to the car – will continue moving forward. Many of the worst injuries and fatalities on the road come when a person is ejected from the vehicle or hits the dashboard or vehicle ceiling. While seat belts might not be perfect at preventing all injuries, they significantly reduce the risk of serious injury or death by holding a person in place.Interestingly, Nils Bohlin, the Volvo engineer who invented the 3 point seat belt, had previously been employed in aviation as an engineer working on systems for safely ejecting from fighter jets. He applied many of the same principles of motion when he was charged with making vehicles safer.You may be overpaying on your auto loanCar dealerships mark up their prices, leaving you paying more than you need to be. It’s easy to find out how much money you could save with a better rate and lower car payment through Auto Approve. All it takes is a few clicks – no commitment required. Better safe than sorry, right?Get a free quote to see how much you could save.Seat Belt History The First Seat BeltsAs mentioned above, the very first safety belt was arguably invented in the early 1800s. Sir George Cayley, an English aerial pioneer who designed the first successful glider to carry a human being, included a rudimentary harness on the glider. The line, however, from that harness to today’s ubiquitous seat belts is not a straight one. While Cayley may have been the first to think strapping in made safety sense as new vehicles developed, his idea didn’t catch on like wildfire. Seat belts don’t appear again until, separately, a New Yorker named Edward J. Claghorn patented an idea for a harness for taxi passengers in 1885, and it wasn’t until the 1920s that similar devices came into the public consciousness when race car pioneer Barney Oldfield commissioned a parachute manufacturer to create a system to strap him into his vehicle for the Indy 500.Even then, seatbelts remained deeply unpopular. According to AAA, there was a belief at the time that it was safer to be ejected from the vehicle, and car manufacturers worried that too many safety features would imply that their vehicles weren’t safe to drive.For those reasons, it wasn’t until Nils Bohlin invented the three-point belt – much as we know it today, with one continuous belt to protect both the upper and lower body, attached by a single buckle – that seat belts really took off.Seat Belts As We Know ThemBohlin’s three-point belts improved vehicle safety greatly and started to become commonplace in some parts of the world. This expansion was greatly aided by the fact that Bohlin and Volvo decided to give the design for the seat belt away for free, making it available to all vehicle manufacturers in the late 1950s.In 1961, Wisconsin became the first U.S. state to require seat belts be installed in the front seats of cars, and in 1968, some sort of belt in the front seat was a federal requirement. But that’s not the end of the story, by far! It might be strange now to think of, but as recently as the 1970s and ‘80s, seat belts were controversial and faced legal challenges in the United States. The Reagan administration tried to turn the tide on regulations requiring manufacturers to include seat belts, revoking the existing regulations. In an unexpected twist, it was insurers who sued to get the seat belt requirements reinstated in the interest of passenger safety. They won their case in the Supreme Court, and seat belts became a required part of each new vehicle produced or sold in the United States.From there, states began rolling out different regulations requiring drivers and passengers to wear their seat belts, starting with New York mandating those in the front seat of a vehicle wear a seat belt or face a fine. These laws were seen by some as government overreach and an infringement on personal freedoms, but as study after study showed that belts reduced the risk of fatalities, head injury, and other serious injuries, public opinion came around.Today, every state except New Hampshire has some sort of law on the books requiring seat belt usage, though details, enforcement, and possible consequences vary.Seat Belt Safety StatisticsFor many people, the biggest question is. Do seat belts actually make you safer? And the answer is a resounding yes.According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, part of the US Department of Transportation, in 2017 alone, seat belts saved 14,955 lives and could have saved 2,549 more.Here are a few more key facts from the NHTSA:Being ejected from a car in a crash is almost always fatal.If you’re not buckled up, air bags not only won’t be enough to protect you, but can do serious injury. Air bags are designed to be used in conjunction with seat belts – not instead of them.Improper seat belt use – using only one part of the belt or placing it under your arm – is less effective and can be dangerous.Most importantly, correctly wearing your three-point seat belt when in a passenger car reduces your risk of fatal injury by 45% and of moderate or critical injury by 50%. These numbers are even higher for light truck drivers and passengers (60% and 65%, respectively).In Short, Seat Belts Make Riding In A Car SaferNow you know so much more about the what, how, and why of seat belt safety! Make sure you buckle up on your next ride, whether it’s a quick trip to the grocery store or an epic road trip, and encourage your loved ones to do the same.Put more money in your pocket for the things that matterFind out how much you can save by refinancing your vehicle with Auto Approve. Getting a quote is easy. 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Looking for ways to save money on groceries? You’re not alone. Lots of people are on the hunt for tricks to spend less this year.Grocery prices are up, and for a wide number of reasons – from supply chain challenges to corporations raising prices to changes in international trade. But the why doesn’t matter when you’re in the check out line – only how to lower your bill.Fortunately, there are many simple ways you can pay less for groceries in 2025, despite higher price tags on many essentials.In this article, we’ve gathered 8 simple tips and tricks you can apply right away to start reducing your grocery store costs.8 Tips For Saving Money at the Grocery StoreWhile not all of these ideas will work for everyone (and there will likely be some things here you’re already doing!), there should be something here for anyone wondering how to save money on groceries in 2025.1. Plan, Plan, PlanThe number one most important thing to do when trying to spend less at the grocery store is plan ahead. Planning allows you to create a budget and stick to it.Make a meal plan for the week and then a grocery list based on that meal plan. Doing this can help avoid unnecessary or splurge purchases and stay on track at the grocery store. Planning for several days in a row can also help ensure you’re getting enough variety, not planning too many expensive items in one week, and not overestimating how much cooking you can handle.Being realistic when planning can help you stay on track. If you know one day will be busy, plan a simple and quick recipe for that day. If you usually get take away several nights a week, choose one night to pick-up pre-made food, or include frozen meals in your planning. Yes, making food from scratch will generally cost less than pre-made or take away options, but you’re allowed to work up to it. It’s ok if you don’t turn into Julia Child overnight – the idea is to make small, sustainable steps toward spending less in the long term!Pro Tip: Finding that your meal plans are still leaving you over budget? The problem might be a too-expensive menu at the foundation. Consider adding more affordable dishes to your recipe rotation.2. Keep Track Of What You HaveBetween 30 and 40 percent of food in the US turns into food waste, including 31 percent at the customer and retail level. That means a lot of us are buying more food than we eat. Obviously, that means there’s room for improvement in how we collectively shop and use the food we buy.The first way to combat food waste is by making sure you know what’s already in your fridge and cabinets. If one dish will only use part of something perishable, make sure your menu for the week uses up the other half of it. If multiple people in the house buy groceries, keep a shared grocery list and update it regularly to avoid double buying. And, to save money, occasionally do an audit – of your fridge, freezer, and dry and canned goods – and make sure to work what you already have into your menu.You’ll pay less at the store, and you might find a new recipe or combination of things you like!3. Buy What You’ll UseOn a similar note, you can avoid food waste (and tossing hard-earned dollars in the trash!) by buying only what you need and know you will use. If you’re someone who (like your humble blog writer) can only really plan 3 or 4 days out before you start getting restless, don’t buy 7 days of groceries knowing you’ll likely deviate from your plans. Buy 3 or 4 days of ingredients and make another trip later in the week. If two smaller trips can work for your schedule, you’ll be more likely to use what you buy – and, as a bonus, your fruit, vegetables, dairy, and proteins will be fresher when you get to them.This also applies to buying in bulk or buying smaller containers of things. Buy what you’ll use. That means, if you know you use a lot of something and you can get it cheaper per unit by buying in bulk, do it! If you know you use only a little of something in the course of a year, buying a smaller package might make sense. While it’s true that buying in bulk usually saves money, when things are tight, if you almost never use balsamic vinegar and just ran out, it’s ok to pay $5 for a small bottle instead of $9 for one twice the size – sometimes holding onto $4 now is more precious than paying one less dollar in six months or a year.Buying 6 giant bottles of olive oil might mean paying less for olive oil by volume, but if it costs $70 that you can’t now use on other things, have you made the right choice for your budget?4. Look Out For DiscountsThis is a simple solution, but no less effective!There are tons of ways to get discounts on food. You can join store membership programs that allow you to collect points or qualify you for member prices. You can shop weekly sales and collect coupons. And you can join programs designed to combat food waste to connect you to stores with excess products or food they think will expire before it sells, like Olio, FlashFood, and Too Good To Go.Leaving a little flexibility or using weekly sale flyers to make your meal plan can help you pay less for your ingredients and meals.Looking for another way to put more money in your pocket?Consider refinancing your vehicle with Auto Approve. Many people are paying more than they need to on their monthly car payment, thanks to dealer markups and volatile interest rates. Discover how much you could save on your monthly car payment in just a few minutes.Get your free quote now.5. Don’t Be Afraid To Get GranularPrice comparing every item you shop might feel maddening at first, but if you’re not putting a lot of thought into the brands you choose or how much of something you buy, now’s a good time to start. While 70 cents here and 30 cents there might seem too small to be worth considering, you can shift your total costs for the year significantly by making those small choices over and over.Sure, sometimes the extra dollar comes with a huge jump in quality, but in many cases, store brands and generic brands are essentially identical to their pricier counterparts. If you have wiggle room, it’s generally best to pick your battles so you never feel like you’re depriving yourself. Financial psychologists suggest that using up too much self control on little things can make you more likely to splurge on something bigger over time.Pro tip: If you go looking, most grocery stores have a scale for customer use in the produce aisle, so if you want to get extra nitpicky, you can start weighing your fruits and vegetables to make sure you stay under budget.6. Branch Out From RoutineAnother way to save money at the grocery store is to look for lower cost options in new places. This can mean trying a vegetable or protein you haven’t made before from your regular store, or trying out new stores. Price comparing your favorite items at competitor stores can help you find deals – and so can branching out to specialty stores. Try visiting local markets that tailor to specific international or regional cuisines, retailers’ cooperatives, or small stores and markets that work directly with local producers. You might find that there are things that cost much less there, and you might find new affordable ingredients that excite you!7. Buy Local & SeasonalOn a similar note, while farmers’ markets have a reputation for organic produce and higher prices, you can sometimes find great deals on produce when dealing directly with the people that grow and harvest it. Keeping track of what’s in season and abundant can give you a clue as to what’s likely to be most affordable.Plus, with prices to import goods from other countries potentially fluctuating, you can avoid sticker shock by keeping track of what’s grown in your area and planning to buy and eat what’s readily available and unaffected by any potential shifts.8. Never Shop Hungry!Last but certainly not least, this is old wisdom, but it holds true. Don’t go to the grocery store hungry! Simply don’t do it! It’s a recipe for coming home with a pile of unplanned snacks and a half baked dinner plan.And Those Are The Best Ways To Save Money on GroceriesNow you know how to save money at the grocery store – all that’s left is to put these tips to work. Did you find something in here that inspired you to get creative with your menu planning and shopping?Get more money for groceries with Auto Approve.If you want a little more wiggle room in your food budget, consider an auto refinance. Auto Approve helps you find the best possible rate for you. Then, once you choose your new loan, we handle the paperwork – it’s easy.It only takes a few minutes to find out how much you can save.Get your free quote now.