Click here to sign up to receive the RCA Newsletter from Nipper and his feisty sidekick, Chipper.
Expert Travel Tips from Nipper and Chipper
Whether you're traveling across the country or staying put this summer, RCA's travel tips will help you capture great vacation memories all summer long.
- Keep the space to a minimum! Put away the bulky video cameras and camcorders that require their own piece of luggage on airplanes and bring along the Small Wonder to capture family reunions, cookouts or the trips to the ballpark.
- Once on the road, roll down the windows and keep the AC to a minimum. If you have the AC on, your gasoline will disappear faster than hotdogs on the 4th of July. You should also pay a visit to the cheapest gas locator.
- Just having music doesn't cut it at the pool. You can listen to music or check out your favorite video clips on your RCA Opal mp3 player.
- Snacks suck the money right out of your wallet on road trips. Save money by buying snacks and drinks at grocery stores rather than gas stations.
- Keep backseat boredom to a minimum with your RCA portable DVD player.
- Kiss the drive-thru goodbye! Avoid the fast food joints when you're traveling. You can save money and create memories by visiting local establishments throughout your trip. Visit www.roadsideamerica.com to find cool places like the Center of the World, a Pink Elephant, galloping Horse Statues and many other unique destinations located in America.
You don't have to take long and distant trips in order to create the best memories. Sometimes they come to you right in your backyard. Just make sure you take RCA with you wherever you're headed this summer!
Back to Top
The Back to School Rules
It's that time again! Early morning bus rides, cafeteria food, remembering locker combinations all can only mean one thing: School is back! Before you start cracking open your books or packing your brown bag lunches, enjoy some of these back to school tips:
Back to School is FUN! Include your child in some of the decision making when buying school supplies. There might be particular designs they want on their folders or backpack. Choosing their own supplies will help excite them about the new school year.
Homework time! Designate a homework area in your home that is quiet and private (NOT around a television) where your child can go and focus solely on getting work done without clutter or distraction.
Get involved - Call your school or organization ahead of time to get schedules and facts for fall sports and clubs to be sure not to miss a big game or event.
The nurse is your friend - If you have medical concerns, meet with the school nurse to discuss proper treatment for your child before the first day of school; especially if medicine should be given at school.
Don't forget your lunch money - School mornings can be hectic and a lot can be forgotten or lost. Create a master list of items to remember and hang it in a place where your child will see it each day before going to school.
Back to Top
Top 5 Tailgating Essentials Straight From the Pros
- Bring a portable stereo – Chances are you’ll want to hear the pre-game analysis and predictions. If not, you’ll definitely want some tunes as background noise. Bring a portable stereo to satisfy these needs. Of course, don’t forget your batteries!
- Bring things to do – It is assumed you will bring a football. Get a set of flags, and invite other tailgaters to join in a little friendly flag-football competition. At any tailgating event, there’s always room for Cornhole or Frisbee or any other game that is easy to setup and tear down in a matter of minutes. It might take a while for everyone to pile out of the parking lot after the game is over. Bring a deck of cards to pass the time.
- Dust off the thermos – As we stroll into autumn, only the crazy (super-serious) fans will be seen shirtless and covered in body paint. Most of us will want to stay warm. Pack blankets, fire up the space heaters (if you have a generator), and load your thermos with hot cider, cocoa and/or coffee in order to keep your blood flowing before game time.
- Give your food a regional touch – (preface: you must bring a grill to every tailgate party, for this is your tailgating altar.) From the south? Looks like BBQ ribs and pulled pork sandwiches are getting washed down with some southern sweet tea. From the Midwest? Fire up the grills and beer batter those brats! Northwest? Grilled fish and oysters sound delectable. No matter the region, there is signature food for every part of the country; bring yours and you’ll be the hot-spot in any stadium parking lot.
- Get a team flag – this is essential. Wave it loud and proud. Need a place to hang it? Get an inexpensive telescoping window washing pole at a bed and bath place nearby and attach the flag to the top. Stick it in the ground (unless you are parked on pavement) and let everyone know that you bleed team colors and this is your territory.
Back to Top
Top 5 Giving Tips for the Giving Season
- Time – Take time and listen to the stories that a needy heart shares. Maybe it’s a child without a parent, a single mother struggling to make ends meet or an elderly shut-in with no one to share the holiday with. Your time is precious - not only to you, but to those who need to know that someone cares.
- Talent – Everyone possesses something unique - a gift that only they can offer. It could be artistic like a painting, a song or a photograph. Maybe there’s a need for a handyman, some yard-work or just a good home-cooked meal. Whatever the need, the most memorable and meaningful gifts are often contrived from that place that is so decidedly you.
- Encouragement - Whether it is the loss of a loved-one or the weight of life, hurt can run deep during the holidays. Words of encouragement take such little effort but can really impact a person’s day. Cards, e-mail, and phone calls are great, but in-person visits are the best conveyance of emotion.
- Hospitality – Open your home and your heart to those around you and you may be surprised at the outcome. The warmth of friendship and fun can turn anyone’s day into something they will remember for a lifetime.
- Money – If you can’t be there to share, offering monetary gifts can sometimes be the best way to help others. Money can make great things happen. It can provide a new toy or coat for a needy child or a hot meal for the homeless. It can benefit a charitable organization. You have an opportunity to brighten someone’s holiday by simply opening your wallet.
Back to Top
5 Tips for a Stress-Free Holiday
It's a well known fact that the holidays are some of the busiest times of the year. Between the shopping, the traveling, the holiday parties and gatherings, the holidays can be stressful! No need to become a Scrooge! Here are five helpful tips to making your holidays as stress free as possible, so you can fully enjoy this time of year with family and friends.
- Shop during the day – 'Tis the season of giving and thankfulness, right!? But how often are the malls peaceful and full of good cheer during the holidays? To minimize stress, get your shopping out of the way during the day when malls are less crowded, people are less rushed and traffic is more drivable.
- Start your vacations early – This is the time of year when we visit with family and friends. It is also the busiest travel season of the year. By scheduling your vacation a day or two in advance, it allows you to feel less stressed and rushed into tying up last minute loose ends before the mad dash to the airport.
- Make Your List and Check it Twice – Remember: you're bringing the yams to the Holiday feast. You're also picking up your mother's uncle, Sal – right after you drop off the coats you're donating to the local shelter that's across the street from the department store that sells the necklace your sister wants. Just take the time to write everything down so you don't miss anything. It relieves stress and feels good as things continue to get checked off!
- Do It Yourself – Can't find the perfect gift? Did you wait until the last minute, and now the stores are all sold out? Tap into your creativity and give some easy do-it-yourself gifts to your friends and family. Not only will they appreciate your effort, but you might get joy out of creating something that is truly one-of-a-kind.
- Get Away – Take a few minutes every day to just retreat. Holidays are naturally stressful, and even a few minutes can help calm your nerves and refill your energy if they're spent being by yourself with some peace and quiet.
Back to Top