The Super Bowl in New Jersey – Getting There and How to Prepare

This year, the Super Bowl will be taking place on Jersey soil on Sunday, February 2^nd. For some of us, this day is bigger than Christmas – especially for those who live close enough to attend. It's a lot of fun to bundle up, pack a cooler, and root for your favorite team, but if the recent blizzard that hit NJ is any indication of what the weather will be like, you're going to want to dress and drive wisely. Make it a fun and warm-as-possible Super Bowl Sunday by making sure you're prepared!

The Right Ride

New Jersey's weather is unpredictable as you're probably aware. Just last week, the forecast had a high of 54 degrees one day and 14 degrees two days later. Better safe than sorry, we always say. While the players will be worrying about staying warm on the field, you should be making sure that you'll be able to get to the stadium safely and effectively find a parking spot, even if they're calling for snow. Take your family's most cold-friendly vehicle, whether it's a Rocky Ridge Truck or an all-wheel drive SUV. You never know when you're going to have to park on a mound of snow!

As an alternative, you could always take public transportation. It seems as though the Safety Service Patrol is more than prepared for the prospect of snow.

Layers!

It's always better to be too warm than it is to be too cold, and no one wants to get frostbite, so make sure you layer up. The best things to invest in for the Super Bowl are:

·         Wool socks – they stay warmer and drier than cotton.

·         Warm hats and scarves – if it's windy, your ears could get frostbitten and your face windburnt by the end of the game. Express your fandom by getting a hat printed with your team's logo on it!

·         Heat-tech clothing – wear a bottom layer like Under Armor or thermal underwear to prevent the wind from penetrating your clothes.

·         Waterproof outer layer – if it rains or snows, the last thing you want is to be standing around for the entirety of the game in wet clothing.

Overnight Necessities

NYC seems to have big plans for the day and night of the Super Bowl, such as nightlife events and Super Bowl Boulevard. If you think you're going to feel like celebrating after the big game, pack an overnight bag with a change of clothes, your phone charger, and a few extra bucks – you never know if you might want to get a hotel after the game or crash with a friend.

New Year's Resolutions for You and your Car

Shed a few pounds. Hit the gym. Read more. Get more sleep. There are a lot of New Year's resolutions that we make every year, and whether we stick to them or not is up in the air. This year, while you strive to improve yourself, why not strive to improve your car, too?

Too many people have bad habits when it comes to car maintenance. Here at Gentilini, as one of the prominent car dealerships in South Jersey, we see it all the time: people who have gone six months without an oil change; brakes worn down to the metal; dangerously old windshield wipers… you name it. This year, save yourself money on repairs and keep yourself safe with a few car-friendly New Year's resolutions. At the end of the year, you'll see how doing routine maintenance actually saves you money in the long run.

Resolution 1: Keep Tires Full and Happy

How often do you think about your tire pressure? If they don't look flat, then you probably don't. That being said, making sure your tires are fully inflated is budget-friendly. Happy tires make for better gas mileage, better traction (especially in the snow!), and longer-lasting tires. Who wouldn't want that? Visit your local gas station – air pumps and PSI gauges are usually free, so you have no reason not to stick to this one.

Resolution 2: Get Regular Oil Changes

You've probably heard this one time and time again, so we're only going to say it once: get your oil changed every 7,000 miles! Going too long without an oil change can cause engine issues that are way more expensive than the service itself.

Resolution 3: Keep her Clean

Make your car a no-eating and no-smoking zone, and it'll stay cleaner and better-smelling. Who wants to sit in a two-hour commute in a car that smells like cheeseburgers and cigarettes? Not you, and most definitely not your passengers. Plus, eating at the wheel is distracted driving, and it only takes one time to teach you that lesson. Also, make sure to take one piece of trash out of your car every time you leave. It's an easy way to keep it clean without making it feel like a chore.

Resolution 4: Partake in Car Share

If you live in a city and don't drive very often, you could list your car on a car-sharing marketplace. You could make money just by letting someone use your car while you're not! It's an easy way to make a few bucks while doing your part for the environment.

Resolution 5: Get Rid of the Junker

If you've been driving around an unreliable car for way too long, why not make it your resolution to save up for something better? You can trade the junker in for some cash toward a newer, more fuel-efficient, and more reliable vehicle, which will make your daily commute seem like less of a drag.

After-Holiday Car Shopping

With the holiday season wrapping up and all of your shopping done, you may be turning your mind towards your own necessities again. And if you're in need for a new car, this may be the right time to buy. Many people automatically dismiss this idea because they feel that their budgets have already been stretched. However, there are a lot of post-holiday sign and lease deals that can make it worth your while. In many cases, the long-term savings are well-worth the temporary effect on your finances. 

Just like most businesses, annual sales are an important measuring tool for how the year went. As a result, many automobile dealers are willing to sell cars that have been sitting on their lot to increase sales for the year. Dealers will often run special sales in the month of December and will cut prices drastically as the New Year approaches. Start your new car search mid-December and shop around for the best deals. You're sure to score a great vehicle for an amazing price before the ball drops.

Ever hear of a rainy-day deal? For car dealers, there's such a thing as a snowy-day deal too. On cold, rainy, and snowy days, people don't like to venture outside. In the winter, there are months filled with rainy, snowy, cold days and as a result, car sales tend to be low in the winter. When sales are down, you're more likely to score a better deal than when dealerships are selling cars like hotcakes.   

The end of the year and the beginning of the next is also a great time to take advantage of dealerships looking to move 2013 models off of their lots and make room for the 2014 vehicles. Many will feature end of the year clearance sales and give buyers added incentives to get the current model instead of the coming one. 

If you're in the market for a new car, don't wait! Take advantage of the post-holiday shopping season by getting yourself new wheels. Do your research and find dealerships that are offering special sign and drive lease deals. Take advantage of eager car salesman and dealers that are looking to boost numbers. Further, be prepared to visit a few dealers to get the best price for your new car. Don't be afraid to wait until the best deal comes to you.