The Allstate Blog » Spring http://blog.allstate.com Expert tips and fun facts on protecting your car, home, motorcycle or RV from Allstate Auto Insurance Thu, 23 May 2013 16:00:07 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 6 Wacky Taxes Across the U.S. http://blog.allstate.com/6-wacky-taxes-across-the-u-s/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=6-wacky-taxes-across-the-u-s http://blog.allstate.com/6-wacky-taxes-across-the-u-s/#comments Tue, 17 Apr 2012 13:09:44 +0000 Jen http://community.allstate.com/community/allstate_blog/blog/2012/04/17/6-weird-taxes-across-the-united-states Taxes

Hopefully, by now, you’ve filed your taxes or are putting the finishing touches on them. You may only think about income taxes during this mid-April crunch, but, of course, there are all manners of taxation, and you could be paying for them in places you least expect. Here are six strange taxes levied across the United States.
  1. Jock Tax – You can thank #23, Michael Jordan, for this tax on income earned by athletes, performers and their staff. Created in California in 1991 after the Chicago Bulls beat the LA Lakers in the finals, the Jock Tax is now utilized in many states with professional sports teams. So the next time Linsanity plays in L.A., he’ll be paying a 2 percent “Lincome tax” for his performance.
  1. Playing Card Tax – Go fish! Alabama imposes this 10-cent tax on all decks of cards (specifically those with “no more than 54 cards”) purchased within the state. Retailers are also subject to a $1 to $3 license tax for selling the cards. The next time you want a deck of cards for a quick game of poker or a flashy magic trick, you may want to head to neighboring Mississippi instead.
  1. Flush Tax – This $2.50-per-month tax addition to Maryland residents’ water bills was implemented in 2004 to help protect the Chesapeake Bay waters. Residents are literally sending their money down the toilet since wastewater contributes very little to the pollution of the bay. All and all, it’s a small price to pay for protecting the environment.
  1. Bagel Tax – New York City isn’t trying to weed out its population of bagel shops with this tax. The city has a special tax on prepared foods, so when you have the bakery slice and shmear it for you, it’s considered prepared and taxed as such.
  1. Holiday Taxes – Some taxes have an impact on you year-round, while others may only affect your wallet during particular times of the year, such as Halloween and Independence Day. A six-percent sales tax is levied on fireworks such as sparklers and novelties in West Virginia. And around Halloween you’ll want to avoid Iowa, Pennsylvania and New Jersey if you’re planning on making a jack-o-lantern. The tax only applies if the gourds will be used for decorative purposes, not eaten. Breathe a sigh of relief - your Thanksgiving pumpkin pie is safe!
  1. The Century Tax – This one isn’t a tax levied, it’s a tax break (though you may have to wait awhile to get it)! If you live in New Mexico, are over 100 years-old and not a dependent, you are tax-exempt. I knew there were still some benefits to getting older!
]]> Taxes

Hopefully, by now, you’ve filed your taxes or are putting the finishing touches on them. You may only think about income taxes during this mid-April crunch, but, of course, there are all manners of taxation, and you could be paying for them in places you least expect. Here are six strange taxes levied across the United States.
  1. Jock Tax – You can thank #23, Michael Jordan, for this tax on income earned by athletes, performers and their staff. Created in California in 1991 after the Chicago Bulls beat the LA Lakers in the finals, the Jock Tax is now utilized in many states with professional sports teams. So the next time Linsanity plays in L.A., he’ll be paying a 2 percent “Lincome tax” for his performance.
  1. Playing Card Tax – Go fish! Alabama imposes this 10-cent tax on all decks of cards (specifically those with “no more than 54 cards”) purchased within the state. Retailers are also subject to a $1 to $3 license tax for selling the cards. The next time you want a deck of cards for a quick game of poker or a flashy magic trick, you may want to head to neighboring Mississippi instead.
  1. Flush Tax – This $2.50-per-month tax addition to Maryland residents’ water bills was implemented in 2004 to help protect the Chesapeake Bay waters. Residents are literally sending their money down the toilet since wastewater contributes very little to the pollution of the bay. All and all, it’s a small price to pay for protecting the environment.
  1. Bagel Tax – New York City isn’t trying to weed out its population of bagel shops with this tax. The city has a special tax on prepared foods, so when you have the bakery slice and shmear it for you, it’s considered prepared and taxed as such.
  1. Holiday Taxes – Some taxes have an impact on you year-round, while others may only affect your wallet during particular times of the year, such as Halloween and Independence Day. A six-percent sales tax is levied on fireworks such as sparklers and novelties in West Virginia. And around Halloween you’ll want to avoid Iowa, Pennsylvania and New Jersey if you’re planning on making a jack-o-lantern. The tax only applies if the gourds will be used for decorative purposes, not eaten. Breathe a sigh of relief - your Thanksgiving pumpkin pie is safe!
  1. The Century Tax – This one isn’t a tax levied, it’s a tax break (though you may have to wait awhile to get it)! If you live in New Mexico, are over 100 years-old and not a dependent, you are tax-exempt. I knew there were still some benefits to getting older!
]]> http://blog.allstate.com/6-wacky-taxes-across-the-u-s/feed/ 0 4 Car Care Tips for Extreme Weather http://blog.allstate.com/4-car-care-tips-for-extreme-weather/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=4-car-care-tips-for-extreme-weather http://blog.allstate.com/4-car-care-tips-for-extreme-weather/#comments Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:21:29 +0000 Jody DeVere, AskPatty.com http://community.allstate.com/community/allstate_blog/blog/2012/02/01/4-car-care-tips-for-extreme-weather Extreme weather car care

The weather report is in—and it calls for partly crazy skies with an unpredictable front moving in from the Pacific! Weather across the country this winter, and every year it seems, is behaving just a little strangely. Depending on where in the country you live, if you want to get through our winter months disaster-free, you’ll need to be prepared for anything. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of tips for driving in any “extreme”—take our advice and you’ll be prepared to face nearly anything Mother Nature throws at you.

Hot Weather: Take care of your battery!

Steamy hot days can take a lot out of us, but they can take a lot out of your car battery, too. When the temperatures rise, the liquid inside your battery actually evaporates, and if your battery is more than a couple of years old, you could end up stranded with a dead-as-a-doornail battery that won’t hold a charge—and may not even jump-start! If your battery is three years old or more, consider replacing it right away, because you don’t want to be stuck with a dead car on a hot day!

Cold Weather: Look at your tires!

When temperatures go down, many things can happen, but the one you should always keep at the front of your mind is that the air pressure in your tires will be lower in cold weather than in hot. It’s simple physics, really—cooler air means slower molecular motion, and that causes the air pressure to drop. Invest in a tire gauge and learn how to read it. Tire pressure affects your gas mileage, tread wear, and most importantly—safety. Take care to keep your tires properly inflated when temperatures are cooler and you’ll cruise through the cold weather cool as a cucumber.

Rainy Weather: Take care of your finish!

When storm clouds roll in and darken your day, take care that they don’t blemish your finish, too. This is more than just a cosmetic concern—water is corrosive, and encourages oxidation in the form of rust, which can weaken not only your car’s body but the frame as well, if left unchecked. Not only that, but those little drops of water act like a magnifying glass and can focus the sun’s rays against your finish, actually burning it! It seems counterintuitive, but in periods of heavy rainfall, take care to keep your car washed often and always use a wax sealant, taking particular care with the “flat” areas of the hood, roof and trunk where water is more likely to pool. After a rainy day, take care to displace any droplets left pooling on your finish. Properly guarding against water will preserve your vehicle’s structural integrity and keep it looking shiny, too.

Windy Weather: Focus on Safety

When most people think of driving in harsh weather, they may think of snow or ice. While these hazards are serious, driving in heavy winds can be just as dangerous. You may have felt heavy winds threaten to push your car sideways while driving before. When the winds pick up, take care to focus on driving safely. If you're a habitual one-handed driver (like most of us), drive with both hands during windy conditions to keep more control of the car. Don’t follow anyone too closely, especially tractor-trailers and other vehicles with something in tow. Keep a sharp eye on the vehicles around you, and drive slowly enough to allow plenty of reaction time should the wind topple a trailer or cause a car to swerve.
Guest blogger Jody DeVere is the CEO of AskPatty.com Inc, a website, blog and marketing agency providing automotive education to female consumers.
]]> Extreme weather car care

The weather report is in—and it calls for partly crazy skies with an unpredictable front moving in from the Pacific! Weather across the country this winter, and every year it seems, is behaving just a little strangely. Depending on where in the country you live, if you want to get through our winter months disaster-free, you’ll need to be prepared for anything. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of tips for driving in any “extreme”—take our advice and you’ll be prepared to face nearly anything Mother Nature throws at you.

Hot Weather: Take care of your battery!

Steamy hot days can take a lot out of us, but they can take a lot out of your car battery, too. When the temperatures rise, the liquid inside your battery actually evaporates, and if your battery is more than a couple of years old, you could end up stranded with a dead-as-a-doornail battery that won’t hold a charge—and may not even jump-start! If your battery is three years old or more, consider replacing it right away, because you don’t want to be stuck with a dead car on a hot day!

Cold Weather: Look at your tires!

When temperatures go down, many things can happen, but the one you should always keep at the front of your mind is that the air pressure in your tires will be lower in cold weather than in hot. It’s simple physics, really—cooler air means slower molecular motion, and that causes the air pressure to drop. Invest in a tire gauge and learn how to read it. Tire pressure affects your gas mileage, tread wear, and most importantly—safety. Take care to keep your tires properly inflated when temperatures are cooler and you’ll cruise through the cold weather cool as a cucumber.

Rainy Weather: Take care of your finish!

When storm clouds roll in and darken your day, take care that they don’t blemish your finish, too. This is more than just a cosmetic concern—water is corrosive, and encourages oxidation in the form of rust, which can weaken not only your car’s body but the frame as well, if left unchecked. Not only that, but those little drops of water act like a magnifying glass and can focus the sun’s rays against your finish, actually burning it! It seems counterintuitive, but in periods of heavy rainfall, take care to keep your car washed often and always use a wax sealant, taking particular care with the “flat” areas of the hood, roof and trunk where water is more likely to pool. After a rainy day, take care to displace any droplets left pooling on your finish. Properly guarding against water will preserve your vehicle’s structural integrity and keep it looking shiny, too.

Windy Weather: Focus on Safety

When most people think of driving in harsh weather, they may think of snow or ice. While these hazards are serious, driving in heavy winds can be just as dangerous. You may have felt heavy winds threaten to push your car sideways while driving before. When the winds pick up, take care to focus on driving safely. If you're a habitual one-handed driver (like most of us), drive with both hands during windy conditions to keep more control of the car. Don’t follow anyone too closely, especially tractor-trailers and other vehicles with something in tow. Keep a sharp eye on the vehicles around you, and drive slowly enough to allow plenty of reaction time should the wind topple a trailer or cause a car to swerve.
Guest blogger Jody DeVere is the CEO of AskPatty.com Inc, a website, blog and marketing agency providing automotive education to female consumers.
]]> http://blog.allstate.com/4-car-care-tips-for-extreme-weather/feed/ 3 Top 4 Prom Safety Tips http://blog.allstate.com/top-5-prom-safety-tips/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=top-5-prom-safety-tips http://blog.allstate.com/top-5-prom-safety-tips/#comments Tue, 26 Apr 2011 20:28:28 +0000 Brendan http://community.allstate.com/community/allstate_blog/blog/2011/04/26/top-5-prom-safety-tips Prom_iStock

With prom season and graduation fast approaching for high school students across the country, now is the perfect time to talk to your teen about prom safety—the importance of making responsible decisions on prom night. And while your teens are probably more concerned with what they will wear and who are they going to the prom with, talking to them about the importance of making safe and responsible decisions on prom night should be your top priority. Here are four prom safety tips you should talk to your teen about before they venture out:

1. Driving Safety

Unless your teen is taking a limo to his or her prom, one of the most important things to discuss with your teen is the importance of driving safety. If your teen is driving, you should remind him or her about the dangers of distracted driving and how to avoid getting distracted by other passengers in the car.

2. Avoiding Illegal Activity

Unfortunately, some teens often partake in illegal activity on prom night, including drinking alcohol. Instead of avoiding this topic, talk to your teen about the dangers related to drinking, why they should not drink, and ways to politely but forcefully turn down an alcoholic beverage. You should also talk to the parents of your teen’s friends to make sure they are talking to their kids about abstaining from drugs and/or alcohol.

3. Staying in Contact

Before your teen leaves, discuss their plans and/or agenda and who they are planning to go with and where they are going after prom. Make sure you have a list of contact information for the parents of the other teens in their party. Also, instead of calling your teen every hour, agree to have your teen text you every hour or so or when they change locations. This way, you will always know where they are without being an “overbearing” parent.

4. Curfews and Other Rules

Unless your son or daughter is sleeping over somewhere you know he or she will be safe (like a friend’s house), you should always set a curfew. Even if it’s a few hours later than their typical weekend curfew, setting up a time when your teen should be home will keep them more accountable for their behavior. Before your son or daughter leaves, you should also discuss the consequences of breaking the boundaries you’ve agreed upon. While it’s important to be understanding and to show your trust, it’s even more important to ensure your child is staying safe.
]]> Prom_iStock

With prom season and graduation fast approaching for high school students across the country, now is the perfect time to talk to your teen about prom safety—the importance of making responsible decisions on prom night. And while your teens are probably more concerned with what they will wear and who are they going to the prom with, talking to them about the importance of making safe and responsible decisions on prom night should be your top priority. Here are four prom safety tips you should talk to your teen about before they venture out:

1. Driving Safety

Unless your teen is taking a limo to his or her prom, one of the most important things to discuss with your teen is the importance of driving safety. If your teen is driving, you should remind him or her about the dangers of distracted driving and how to avoid getting distracted by other passengers in the car.

2. Avoiding Illegal Activity

Unfortunately, some teens often partake in illegal activity on prom night, including drinking alcohol. Instead of avoiding this topic, talk to your teen about the dangers related to drinking, why they should not drink, and ways to politely but forcefully turn down an alcoholic beverage. You should also talk to the parents of your teen’s friends to make sure they are talking to their kids about abstaining from drugs and/or alcohol.

3. Staying in Contact

Before your teen leaves, discuss their plans and/or agenda and who they are planning to go with and where they are going after prom. Make sure you have a list of contact information for the parents of the other teens in their party. Also, instead of calling your teen every hour, agree to have your teen text you every hour or so or when they change locations. This way, you will always know where they are without being an “overbearing” parent.

4. Curfews and Other Rules

Unless your son or daughter is sleeping over somewhere you know he or she will be safe (like a friend’s house), you should always set a curfew. Even if it’s a few hours later than their typical weekend curfew, setting up a time when your teen should be home will keep them more accountable for their behavior. Before your son or daughter leaves, you should also discuss the consequences of breaking the boundaries you’ve agreed upon. While it’s important to be understanding and to show your trust, it’s even more important to ensure your child is staying safe.
]]> http://blog.allstate.com/top-5-prom-safety-tips/feed/ 0