Posts Tagged ‘car rental’

Bailing out banks, bailing out the auto industry, and now the U.S. Treasury just opened the door for financing more companies - who’s it going to be next? Through their broad guidelines on aiding the ailing auto industry, the Treasury just made it easier for more companies to get their cut of the bailout funding.

The new guidelines basically allow officials to provide funds to companies that are deemed to be important to making or financing cars. In short, this means that they can use money from the Troubled Asset Relief Program to fund loans above and beyond those already committed to GM, GMAC and Chrysler.

The scary thing about all of this is that it leaves the door wide open for other industries that will be able to make just as good of a case as to why they need the money. This could include industries such as those that make automotive parts in case they are unable to collect on the money owned by automakers. As the government begins funding more and more industries, the question is, where will the funding stop?

The guidelines for the government aren’t binding, so that leaves President-elect Obama plenty of room to decide who gets the money. Originally, the bailout was designed to buy assets from banks, but it has spiraled into so much more.

Currently, the treasury has provided $6 billion in aid to GMAC (the financing arm of GM) and up to 17.4 billion for GM and Chrysler - all from the $700 billion bank rescue fund.

The guidelines state “Treasury will determine the form, terms and conditions of any investment made pursuant to this program on a case-by-case basis. Treasury may consider, among other things, the importance of the institution to production by, or financing of, the American automotive industry.”

Since the Treasury decided to strike up a deal with GMAC, they’ve opened up a whole new can of worms. And the Treasury is claiming it is part of a broader program that will assist the industry in becoming financially viable.

We’ll just have to wait and see what comes of all this and who ends up getting a piece of the funding. At this point, it could be anyone.

For more information about how to rent a car, contact Image Rent a Car today!

Being a Good Houseguest is Key for a Successful Family Visit

Whether you’re visiting family during the holidays or staying at someone else’s house any time during the year, it’s necessary to be a good houseguest. For those traveling with a baby or small child, it’s even more important to be considerate of your surroundings. Here are a few tips and suggestions to ensure you’ll be invited back again:

- Make your hosts aware of any nighttime routines. If your child has a tendency to cry out at two in the morning or you have to wake up for feedings multiple times during the night, it’s nice to let others in the house know about these habits. That way, they can shut their door the night before so the noise won’t wake them. If nothing else, it will make it easier for them to go back to sleep after waking up to any noises.

- Rent a car if you traveled by plane. Your hosts have already gone out of their way to provide a place for you to stay. By renting a car, you can drive yourself to and from the airport without inconveniencing them and you’ll also have more independence throughout your visit.

- If you have a baby or small child, be sure to pack all of the necessary dinnerware, snacks and food. After each meal, sweep up the mess and make sure the area as clean as possible. It might be a good idea to bring a plastic tarp or tablecloth to place under your child as they eat to avoid any spills on carpet.

- Have your host give you an inservice on using their washing machine. With all of the extra towels, wash cloths and not to mention your own clothes, laundry can build up quite quickly while you’re away. If you learn how to work the washer early on during your stay, you won’t have to burden your host with additional chores.

- Find out where the outdoor garbage is located. Again, this is something for parents with babies to take into consideration. No one wants dirty diapers in their indoor trash…especially people who don’t have children. Find out where the outdoor garbage cans are stored so you can dispose of the diapers as needed without overfilling wastebaskets. It wouldn’t hurt to bring along some extra plastic bags as well.

Just a few kind gestures will go along way, and by simply planning ahead you’ll be well on your way to a happy home-stay.

For more information on car rentals, contact Image Rent a Car today!

If you have been tasked with planning a birthday celebration, graduation, bachelor or bachelorette party, hammering out all of the details can be a difficult and stressful experience. If you’re planning a party with multiple destinations or would like to spend an entire weekend celebrating, finding transportation for the entire group should be top priority. Your best bet for an extended celebration might be renting a large van for the group to commute around town during your stay. Or, if you’re just needing transportation for an evening, you may consider a shuttle service. 

Whether you are planning a trip out of town or looking to stay in your hometown to celebrate, there are so many options for group activities. Obviously, your activities will depend on your location, but here are some popular ideas:

• Paintball is a great group experience that’s sure to be a lot of fun. Of course, if this is a bachelor or bachelorette party, make sure it’s not too close to the wedding as those paint pellets sure sting and have the potential to bruise! If you are concerned about the pain or bruising that goes along with paintball, another similar option is laser tag.
• Scavenger hunts can add to an evening’s festivities. If you’ve hired a shuttle service, make a stop at a restaurant, planned activity, a couple of night clubs and then back to the hotel. Pre-arrange to have small gifts or slightly embarrassing activities planned for the person-of-honor at each location.
• Head to a karaoke bar and sing the night away with your friends. Just keep in mind that some karaoke bars are frequented by regulars and there is an etiquette that is followed by audience members and singers. Sit back and listen to a few of the songs before hopping on stage and belting out your favorite tune.
  Who doesn’t like a good go cart ride every once in a while? Find a local race track and bring out that competitive spirit. Many race tracks also have arcades and other entertainment nearby, so when you think you’ve had enough racing, head to the other attractions with the group.
• Play a sport - whether it’s football, hockey or golf, nothing is more fun than getting the group together and exerting some energy while you’re at it. Try finding something that everyone in the group can play. Or, plan an alternate activity for those who aren’t interested so they can still have fun while the rest of the group is participating in the sporting activity.
• If you’re interested in traveling to another city for your celebration, New York City parties are high on the list of top cities. Whether you party in Manhattan or The Hamptons on Long Island, New York City is a happening place and offers a lot to partiers with nightclubs for every taste, party boats, and more. New York also has more restaurants per capita than any other city in North America. If you decide that New York is your destination of choice, hire a shuttle service to take you around town and you won’t have the added stress of driving in the Big Apple.

Once you’ve selected your destination and decided on your activities, the bulk of your work is complete. Since you will have a large group, it is always smart to contact restaurants, nightclubs or attractions in advance to ensure that you don’t need to make reservations. If you’re planning an extended weekend celebration, you’ll also want to find a place to stay that will fit the entire group. House rentals are always a good option or you can reserve a block of rooms at a hotel. You’ll also need to line up your transportation, whether it be renting a van or hiring a shuttle service. If you are planning a van rental, be sure to designate a driver in advance to ensure the safety of you and your guests.

While it may seem like a lot of work now, it will all pay off in the end. Planning the party is the hard part, but once it’s done, you can sit back and have a blast!