The TOP-TEN Gifts for MOM!

Mother’s Day comes every year and most of the time we don’t know what we should get to express how much our Moms mean to us. Here is the top-ten things Mothers want for their special day. Stick to the list and you can’t go wrong.

No.10 Flowers

If sending these along to your mom wasn't the first idea that popped into your head, we'd recommend seeing a neurologist. That said, women have an uncanny ability to discern the quality of flowers, so don't think she won't know you opted for the cheapest bouquet you could find. Conversely, by taking the high road and shelling out for the FTD luxury collection, she'll know you've done something special and show her pleasure by placing them prominently in her home for everyone to see.

Why? Though it may seem trite, there's a reason why giving flowers on Mother's Day is popular. Like flowers, being a mom is a beautiful thing, and beautiful things definitely deserve each other’s company.

No.9 Candles

Loved by women for their flattering and soothing light, and mind-clearing aromas, you can never go wrong adding to your mom's candle stockpile. If you opt for this approach, make sure your selection is made from vegetable soy wax like that used in these Pacifica Perfume candles, because they burn better right to the very end.

Why?: A weekend at home smelling a yummy candle is much more appealing than noticing your or the family dog’s lack of hygiene

No.8 Gift card

This isn't the type of gift we recommend every day, but in the case of moms who spend the majority of time shopping for others, receiving a gift card to their favorite shop can often break down their selflessness for a change by giving them the treat to shop for themselves. Don't assume, however, that you can pass this relatively easy gift off without putting some thought into some attractive packaging and a well-written card.

Why? The saying goes "it's the thought that counts," but the fact is letting moms choose their own special gift will guarantee they get what they want.

No.7 Gift basket

This idea may seem better suited for a corporate convention, but not every gift basket is created equal. Packed with her favorite gourmet foods, and useful tools to make cooking them a real pleasure, a customized gift basket from Dean & DeLuca is a very classy gift. However, if you’re really looking to earn good-son brownie points, you should be the one to prepare this gift's goodies for her as an added way to show you care.

Why? Food is meant to be shared with loved ones, so if you play your cards right, she might just let your stomach benefit from your good taste in gift giving as well.

No.6 Home spa treatment

While celebrating all of her accomplishments as a mother, many women find themselves reflecting on all the time that has passed to get here. By giving the gift of home spa products like this pomegranate salt glow scrub from Aromafloria, she can treat herself to a relaxing day at home while marveling at all she has accomplished. More importantly, though, her day of home pampering will also give her skin a more youthful appearance akin to the days when she focused on herself and not her kids.

Why? Every mom needs to be reminded of the beautiful woman she is as an individual, no matter how much you'd rather not think about it.

No.5 Home decor

Men may brush these tokens off as pointless knickknacks, but unique home decor accessories such as this Swan's Island Merino throw are the kinds of gifts that detail-oriented moms love, because they help distinguish and freshen up the sanctuary that is her home.

Why? The old throw rug on the couch has started to resemble the Dead Sea Scrolls and this soft merino wool should provide her comfort even when you're not around.

No.4 Sweet treats

Unless she's in the extreme minority, your mom will always appreciate sweet treats. Chocolate, of course, is certainly a safe bet, but if you're really looking to impress, sending an edible arrangement of her favorite fruit dipped in chocolate takes this gifting concept from the minor leagues to the pros. Made to be as beautiful as they are tasty, they're also great for sharing when the family gets together

Why? Sending over a basket of treats will make her feel great and indulge her sweet-tooth urge she so often says no to.

No.3 Greenery

The process of caring for a living thing is an instinct that typically stays with moms long after they've kicked you out. To cater to this instinct, give her beautiful greenery she can also tend to, such as a gorgeously packaged BloemBox.

Why? Apart from adding color and wonderful fragrance to her home, raising plants doesn’t result in dirty dishes and unmade beds, the way raising you did.

No.2 Perfume

Some moms wear perfume every day, while others save it for special occasions. Regardless of what bucket your mom falls into, giving her a bottle of her own favorite fragrance will save her a trip to the department store and keep her smelling like she prefers. If you’re an inattentive son and don't know what she likes, giving her a bottle of the classic Chanel No. 5 might just save your bacon.

Why? Scent is the most powerful sense attached to memory, so make sure you always remember your mom in the best possible way.

No.1 Massage and spa treatment

Mother's Day gifts are all about making moms feel good, and nothing fulfills that goal more directly than giving mom a massage and spa treatment. Lucky for you, giving this gift just got easier thanks to SpaFinder, since there's no need to struggle with the hassle of finding a local spa. One universal gift certificate is accepted at over 5,000 spa locations and can be used for any service the spa offers.

Why? After a lifetime of making you feel good when you needed it the most, treating her to a day of relaxation is one small way of paying her back.

Ways to Save: Thirty Gas Saving Tips

The surest way you can improve your fuel cost problem is to change your motoring habits. Listed below under four categories are 30 effective methods of doing so... no need to buy expensive add-on equipment.

ENGINE WARM-UP

1. Avoid prolonged warming up of engine, even on cold mornings - 30 to 45 seconds is plenty of time.

2. Be sure the automatic choke is disengaged after engine warm up... chokes often get stuck, resulting in bad gas/air mixture.

3. Don't start and stop engine needlessly. Idling your engine for one minute consumes the gas amount equivalent to when you start the engine.

4. Avoid "reving" the engine, especially just before you switch the engine off; this wastes fuel needlessly and washes oil down from the inside cylinder walls, owing to loss of oil pressure.

5. Eliminate jack-rabbit starts. Accelerate slowly when starting from dead stop. Don't push pedal down more than 1/4 of the total foot travel. This allows carburetor to function at peak efficiency.

HOW TO BUY GASOLINE

6. Buy gasoline during coolest time of day - early morning or late evening is best. During these times gasoline is densest. Keep in mind - gas pumps measure volumes of gasoline, not densities of fuel concentration. You are charged according to "volume of measurement".

7. Choose type and brand of gasoline carefully. Certain brands provide you with greater economy because of better quality. Use the brands which "seem" most beneficial.

8. Avoid filling gas tank to top. Overfilling results in sloshing over and out of tank. Never fill gas tank past the first "click" of fuel nozzle, if nozzle is automatic.

HOW TO DRIVE ECONOMICALLY

9. Exceeding 40 mph forces your auto to overcome tremendous wind resistance.

10. Never exceed legal speed limit. Primarily they are set for your traveling safety, however better gas efficiency also occurs. Traveling at 55 mph give you up to 21% better mileage when compared to former legal speed limits of 65 mph and 70 mph.

11. Traveling at fast rates in low gears can consume up to 45% more fuel than is needed.

12. Manual shift driven cars allow you to change to highest gear as soon as possible, thereby letting you save gas if you "nurse it along". However, if you cause the engine to "bog down", premature wearing of engine parts occurs.

13. Keep windows closed when traveling at highway speeds. Open windows cause air drag, reducing your mileage by 10%.

14. Drive steadily. Slowing down or speeding up wastes fuel. Also avoid tailgating - the driver in front of you is unpredictable. Not only is it unsafe, but if affects your economy, if he slows down unexpectedly.

15.Think ahead when approaching hills. If you accelerate, do it before you reach the hill, not while you're on it.

GENERAL ADVICE

16. Do not rest left foot on floor board pedals while driving. The slightest pressure puts "mechanical drag" on components, wearing them down prematurely. This "dragging" also demands additional fuel usage.

17. Avoid rough roads whenever possible, because dirt or gravel rob you of up to 30% of your gas mileage.

18. Use alternate roads when safer, shorter, straighter. Compare traveling distance differences - remember that corners, curves and lane jumping requires extra gas. The shortest distance between two points is always straight.

19. Stoplights are usually timed for your motoring advantage. By traveling steadily at the legal speed limit you boost your chances of having the "green light" all the way.

20. Automatic transmissions should be allowed to cool down when your car is idling at a standstill, e.g. railroad crossings, long traffic lights, etc. Place gear into neutral position. This reduces transmission strain and allows transmission to cool.

21. Park car so that you can later begin to travel in forward gear; avoid reverse gear maneuvers to save gas.

22. Regular tune-ups ensure best economy; check owner's manual for recommended maintenance intervals. Special attention should be given to maintaining clean air filters... diminished air flow increases gas waste.

23. Inspect suspension and chassis parts for occasional misalignment. Bent wheels, axles, bad shocks, broken springs, etc. create engine drag and are unsafe at high traveling speeds.

24. Remove snow tires during good weather seasons; traveling on deep tire tread really robs fuel!

25. Inflate all tires to maximum limit. Each tire should be periodically spun, balanced and checked for out-of-round. When shopping for new tires, get large diameter tires for rear wheels. Radial designs are the recognized fuel-savers; check manufacturer's specifications for maximum tire pressures.

26. Remove vinyl tops - they cause air drag. Rough surfaces disturb otherwise smooth air flow around a car's body. Bear in mind when buying new cars that a fancy sun roof helps disturb smooth air flow (and mileage).

27. Auto air conditioners can reduce fuel economy by 10% to 20%. Heater fan, power windows and seats increase engine load; the more load on your engine, the less miles per gallon.

28. Remove excess weight from trunk or inside of car - extra tires, back seats, unnecessary heavy parts. Extra weight reduces mileage, especially when driving up inclines.

29. Car pools reduce travel monotony and gas expense - all riders chip in to help you buy. Conversation helps to keep the driver alert. Pooling also reduces traffic congestion, gives the driver easier maneuverability and greater "steady speed" economy. For best results, distribute passenger weight evenly throughout car.

30. During cold weather watch for icicles frozen to car frame. Up to 100 lbs. can be quickly accumulated! Unremoved snow and ice cause tremendous wind resistance. Warm water thrown on (or hosed on) will eliminate it fast.

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Receive an extra boost on your next vehicle purchase at Credit Cars

To show our apprecaition, we are giving our Facebook Likers and Twitter Followers $250 off the purchase of your next vehicle. Don't miss out on this opportunity. Check out this eCoupon and take advantage today!

 

The 2005 Chrysler 300 is on display today at Credit Cars

Start off your week with something special. You can make a statement with the 2005 Chrysler 300. Stop by today and enjoy a test drive!

Click here to learn more

What do the richest people in the world drive?

What would you drive if you have 50 billion dollars in the bank? I think most people would commission to have a flying car built or at least that is what we might have done. Beauty can be found in the ugliest cars, believe it or not. Some of us wouldn’t trade in our 5 or 10 thousand dollar car for the world, simply because we love it. Of course, most billionaires are very boring and stick to the traditional Bentley, Rolls, Lambos, Ferraris and Maseratis, but there are a few on our list that will surprise you.

When you’re done reading this article and your net worth is still under a billion dollars come in and check out some ‘real life’ vehicles. There are definitely some you may fall in love with, whether you’re wealthy or not.  CLICK HERE to schedule a test drive, a service appointment, or just to check us out. Also head over and LIKE our Facebook page for some special offers and some pretty sweet content! http://www.facebook.com/creditcarsfl

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1.       Carlos Slim Helu is the world's richest man, according to Forbes. The Mexican telecom giant drives himself to work in his Bentley Continental Flying Spur. But don't let his modest driving habit fool you: the price tag on the car is more than most houses at about $300,000.

 

2.       Bill Gates' Porsche 959 Coupe is one of only 230 in the world. It took a federal law signed by then-president Bill Clinton to allow the billionaire to drive the car because there was no crash-test rating. The price for such a car? $225,000 when new, they now go for well over $400,000.

 

 

3.       Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Alsaud, member of the Saudi royal family, drives a Rolls-Royce Phantom. The entry level version of the prince's car costs $246,000, while an upscale version a royal would surely need is a cool $447,000.

 

 

4.       Billionaire Larry Ellison, founder of Oracle, is famous for his many cars. Among his most prestigious is this McLaren F1. In 1998, the car was declared the fastest ever to hit the road and its invention is seen as revolutionary. Production of the cars stopped that year and now they can fetch up to $4.1 million each.

 

5.       Nike founder Phil Knight has a $120,000 Audi R8. Knight, however, went for a bolder approach and got a black model with a contrasting silver sideblade. A Nike employee snapped his car, seen here, at the company's headquarters in Oregon.

This is how to teach teens the perils of distracted driving

A European group called Responsible Young Drivers wanted to showcase the dangers of texting while driving, and got ad agency Publicis to help them out. The result: a two-minute spot that put trainee drivers in Belgium with an instructor who said part of their driving test would be to avoid an obstacle while texting a random sentence that he'd dictate.

Since nothing beyond a cone or two was hurt in the making of this video, we'll admit we laughed. That said, the message is clear.

Almost everyone is guilty of using their phone while driving. Please watch and share this video. Maybe we can cut down on the 1.2 million accidents caused by texting and driving and the video is pretty funny

And FYI, a driver training instructor in Belgium doesn't need to wear a seat belt on a closed course... though maybe it wouldn't be such a bad idea.

Come drive this 2009 Mitsubishi Galant TODAY!!

This is a very exceptional 2009 Galant and it is priced great! Click HERE to schedule a test drive and to view the rest of our inventory. We work with all credit issues and help you build for the future. Below is the full Edmunds review on the 2009 Galant.

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What's New for 2009

The 2009 Mitsubishi Galant gains a face-lift (with a new grille and taillights), loses one trim level -- the DE -- and gains two: the Sport Edition and Sport V6. The 230-horsepower V6 returns, featured under the hood of the Sport V6. Later in the model year, Bluetooth connectivity and a rearview camera are slated to be offered.

Introduction

Quick, without using Google, name the bass player in U2. Unless you're a big fan, you probably didn't know it was Adam Clayton. Of course, everyone knows about his bandmates -- Bono and the Edge. Within the midsize family sedan segment, the 2009 Mitsubishi Galant is like Adam, while the Accord and Camry are like, well, you know who. Sadly, in today's world, there is justification for the Galant's "out of sight, out of mind" existence.

Like our buddy Adam, the Galant is fairly competent at what it does, though it's certainly not a standout like that extroverted singer and innovative lead guitarist. Peppy performance, a comfortable cabin, respectable handling and good crash test scores are all key strengths of this Mitsu, yet a few key shortfalls prevent it from garnering that spotlight status.

While a few of its competitors boast interiors that might be confused for those of an entry-level luxury car, the Galant's use of some low-grade plastics and silver painted controls cheapen it. Furthermore, the Galant is lacking in terms of features, as a telescoping steering wheel, an auxiliary audio jack and stability control are not available.

The Galant's age -- the current model generation was redesigned five years ago -- isn't doing the car any favors, either. In an attempt to stir up renewed interest, Mitsubishi has given the Galant a new, chrome-edged grille and Lexus-like taillights and added two new trim levels for 2009. Dubbed Sport Edition and Sport V6, these versions (which include two-tone interiors and sporty flourishes such as a rear spoiler) fill the gap between the rather basic ES and the performance-themed Ralliart.

The new face-lift and trim levels aren't going to raise the 2009 Galant's fortunes much. Yes, it's still a decent choice for a daily commuter or sport-oriented family sedan. But if you want a true segment leader, the Bonos and Edges of the family sedan world are going to be better choices.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2009 Mitsubishi Galant is a midsize sedan available in four trim levels: ES, Sport Edition, Sport V6 and Ralliart. The base ES comes with 16-inch steel wheels, air-conditioning, a tilt steering wheel, full power accessories, cruise control and a six-speaker sound system with a CD/MP3 player. The Sport Edition adds 17-inch alloy wheels, heated side mirrors, a sunroof, automatic climate control, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a power driver seat and heated front seats. The Sport V6 is equipped similarly but has a V6 engine and an upgraded Rockford Fosgate audio system with a six-CD changer and satellite radio. The Galant Ralliart trim level has the Sport Edition's features plus 18-inch alloy wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, larger brakes, exterior styling enhancements, leather seating, beige interior accent stitching and aluminum pedals. The Ralliart offers the option of a navigation system, the only Galant trim to do so.

Powertrains and Performance

The front-wheel-drive Galant line offers a trio of engine choices. The ES and Sport Edition are powered by a 2.4-liter inline-4 engine that makes 160 hp and 157 pound-feet of torque. A four-speed automatic with manual shift capability is standard on both trim levels. The Sport V6 features a 3.8-liter V6 with 230 hp and 250 lb-ft matched to a five-speed automatic with manual shift capability. The Ralliart gets a 3.8-liter V6 with 258 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque.

In performance testing, the Ralliart went from zero to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds -- putting it at the head of the pack along with the V6-powered Toyota Camry, Chevy Malibu and Nissan Altima. Fuel economy estimates range from 20 mpg city/27 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined for the four-cylinder trims down to 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway and 20 mpg combined for the Ralliart.

Safety

All Galants come with antilock disc brakes, front side airbags and full-length side-curtain airbags. The Ralliart comes with traction control. Unlike most of its competitors, the Galant does not offer stability control.

In National Highway Traffic Safety Administration crash tests, the 2009 Mitsubishi Galant earned an impressive five out of five-star rating for its protection of occupants in both frontal and side impacts. Frontal-offset and side-impact crash testing conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety resulted in the highest possible overall rating of "Good."

Interior Design and Special Features

With a cascading center stack, blue backlighting, white-faced gauges and metallic accents, the Galant's cabin is stylish in a contemporary way. Large controls for the climate and stereo systems are easy to use, and work in conjunction with a display screen located high on the center stack. Unfortunately, the Galant suffers from the typical Mitsubishi trait of some subpar interior materials quality. Most plastics and other surfaces just don't match the refined look and feel of the Galant's main competitors.

On the upside, seating front and rear is roomy and softly cushioned. Some folks may wish for firmer support, which the Ralliart supplies. Trunk capacity, at 13.3 cubic feet, is about one or two cubes less than the competition, but the opening is wide. And although there is a ski pass-through, the rear seats do not fold down.

Driving Impressions

On the road, the 2009 Mitsubishi Galant is one of the more fun-to-drive family sedans. The Ralliart's V6 delivers plenty of power for passing and merging on the highway. Pushed around curves, the Galant maintains a flat, predictable stance and feels smaller than it is. A surprising amount of road feel is communicated through the driver seat and the steering. Although the steering is a little vague on-center, it is quick and responsive. None of this entertainment comes at the expense of ride quality, which is smooth, forgiving and ideal for weekday commutes.