With a deep recession looming, the housing market crumbling, the stock market tanking and banks being bailed out left and right, some people may think there's not much to be thankful for these days. But here at InsWeb, we're all about seeing the glass half-full.

Here's what we here at the InsWeb blog are thankful for this Thanksgiving:

Gina: Happy Turkey Day! As I am each Thanksgiving, I am thankful for my family and friends. But this year I'm especially thankful that we are NOT deep frying a turkey, therefore not burning down the house. Pass the sweet potatoes with marshmallows, please!

Matt: What I'm thankful for. Hmm... I must say I am thankful for my family, my fiancée, and my soon to be in-laws (they really are awesome). I'm also thankful that I turned 25 this past year and started saving money on my car insurance. If anyone out there is eating a turducken this year, let me know how it tastes.

Robert: I'm thankful for low gas prices. When gas was topping $4.50 a gallon, I was all-aboard the 'go-green' bandwagon. But with gas prices less than half their peak, I feel like buying a massive gas-guzzling SUV again!

Anyone who bought a Dodge just for the $2.99 gas guarantee will probably be crying themselves to sleep for the next few years. For months I put up with their trash talk, and now I'm paying almost $1.50 a gallon. Take that Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep owners!

Check Out Mailers--Many stores publish what items will be on sale, and how many of the items each store will have. This will also give you a chance to compare different stores' sales.

Coupons--Just like publishing what will be on sale, some stores may print coupons for special Black Friday deals.

Plan Your Attack--If you really want that new plasma TV the store is only giving away 10 of, then plan your day around that store. Also remember you are going for discounts and deals, so save the rest of your Holiday shopping for a less crazy day.

Discounts vs. Junk--Just because something is on sale doesn't necessarily make it a good deal. Make sure you are getting items you really want or need and not just any old thing with an 80% off sticker.

Patience is a Virtue--Stores on Black Friday are extremely crowded. Everyone and their uncle will be there. Plan extra time to do your shopping and don't expect to whip in and out of stores or parking lots (you don't want a car accident). If it takes some time to get through the check-out line with that great deal, please, don't take it out on the poor girl behind the counter--the day's pretty hectic for her, too.

Remember Cyber Monday--Can't handle the insanity of getting up at midnight to shop on Black Friday? Go online. The Monday after Thanksgiving is referred to as Cyber Monday and is the busiest online shopping day of the year. Check out your favorite online sites for sale items and deals on shipping.

Money Saving Tips Part 1: Saving at Home

Money Saving Tips Part 2: The Coupon Phenomenon and the Discount Grocery Store

Money Saving Tips Part 3: The Dollar Store

Money Saving Tips Part 4: The Farmers Market

Parking Lots and Holiday Shopping

My fiancée and I have two cats and a bearded dragon. All of our animals have had some health issues that did get kind of costly. Kiara, our oldest female cat, had a urinary tract infection; Captain Smitherton, our kitten, caught a cold shortly after we adopted him; and Rocky ended up having a calcium deficiency. Luckily, when we adopted Captain Smitherton, we got a free 3 month trial for pet insurance which helped pay for the vet visit as well as a portion of his medications.

Basically, pet insurance works as health insurance for your pet. There are different kinds of policies and some limits will vary from company to company, but they all work in the same basic manner; they pay all or a portion of your vet bill. The pet insurance policy you need is also dependent on the type of animal you have. I imagine it is a little harder finding a pet insurance company that covers bearded dragons.

Also, some companies have restrictions on dog breeds they will insure. For example, certain dog breeds are prone to hereditary diseases, which will make finding pet insurance for them more difficult. Animals with preexisting conditions will also be hard to find coverage for.

As with all insurance policies, it will take some searching around to find the right policy for your pet. But spending a little each month in pet insurance premiums could help you save big if you end up in the vet's office with a sick animal.

The important thing is to make sure your animal will receive the care it needs, and hopefully with the lowest cost to you. My fiancée and I are looking at several different pet insurance providers to see if we can get all three pets on one policy.

One primary reason for the recent jump in sales is fuel economy. Gas prices have hit record high levels in the U.S., and motorcycles are incredibly fuel efficient. Some models can reach upwards of 150 miles per gallon, making them ideal vehicles to combat record-high fuel prices.

But what most people don't realize is that motorcycles are becoming a major target of auto thieves. If you operate a motorcycle or are planning to buy one, it is crucial that you protect yourself against motorcycle theft by knowing the facts and taking preventive measures to prevent loss.

Motorcycle Thefts

Over 70,000 motorcycles were stolen in 2006, resulting in over $400 million in losses to motorcycle owners and insurance providers nationwide (III). That number was comparable to the 71,000 stolen the year before in 2005.

Supersport model motorcycles have the highest theft frequency of any model at 31.8 claims per insured year, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). They are 7 times more likely to be stolen compared to other types of bikes. With national recovery rates hovering below 30%, it's likely that a stolen bike will never be seen again, so make sure you keep your bike well-protected at all times.

Motorcycle Insurance

Motorcycles are not covered by a standard auto insurance policy. If you own a motorcycle, it must be insured with a separate motorcycle insurance policy. Like auto insurance policies, motorcycle insurance can cover liability, no-fault personal injury protection, and comprehensive and collision coverage. These options vary with each policy, so choose your options wisely to ensure you have an adequate amount of coverage.

How Much Will Insurance Cost?

The cost to insure your motorcycle will likely be far less than that of most passenger vehicles, sometimes less than half. The rate you pay for insurance will depend on many factors. Your motorcycle's engine size, its model year, and the frequency you ride will determine your insurance rate. Some companies offer a discount to riders who have completed a motorcycle safety course, so be sure to check with your insurance agent when purchasing a policy.

The "medical tourism" program charges no insurance deductible, no coinsurance fee and will cover travel expenses for the patient and a companion. Patients are picked up at the airport, provided special meals to prevent food-borne illnesses and follow-up care and rehabilitation are also included.

Knee replacement surgery can run as high as $70,000 in the United States, but hop a plane to India and you can get the same procedure for a cool $10,000. That's a savings of $60,000--enough to buy a brand new 2009 Cadillac Escalade. Or two Ford Mustangs and a diamond engagement ring. Or a two-bedroom home in rural Arkansas. Or--well, you get the picture.

It's not like patients are being sent to a human chop-shop, though. The program, which begins in January 2009, complies with the American Medical Association, using only Indian hospitals accredited by the Joint Commission International. All surgeons speak English, patients can consult with a doctor in India before making the trip and a number of U.S. physicians claim the quality of care is comparable--if not superior--to that of American hospitals.

The idea of looking elsewhere for medical care may seem foreign, but it isn't entirely new. With domestic health care costs skyrocketing, some 750,000

Americans traveled abroad for medical care in 2007--most of them at their own expense. Consulting firm Deloitte expects that number to hit 6 million by 2010.

The arthritis in my shoulder feels like it's getting worse--when's the next flight to Calcutta?

I ended up saving $8.19 on my total produce bill. When looking at individual items the price savings are even more noticeable. Take eggplant for example: it was $1.00 per pound at the farmers market, and $3.49 per pound at the supermarket. I saved about $2.50, or about a gallon of gas (by today's prices), by purchasing just that veggie alone at the farmers market!

Not only were the prices better, but the quality and selection of food at the farmers market was leaps and bounds above the supermarket. They had strawberries and plums which I was unable to find at the store, and where the farmers market had locally grown tomatoes, the store had hothouse tomatoes. The market also had local honey (said to help with allergies), lavender, locally made all-natural cheeses, chestnuts and varietals of apples not available in the stores (pink ladies and galas for example).

And if you are concerned about protecting the environment, buying locally produced foods means less carbon emissions because there is less shipping involved. Plus many of the farmers use organic or natural processes in the fields.

Bring Small Bills--At farmer's markets you pay at each booth and small change makes the process go smoother and is usually appreciated by the farmers

Bring Bags--Bring cloth bags or reuse plastics to carry all your fresh fruits and veggies

Cart/Wagon--If you plan to really stock-up you might want to bring a cart to haul all your produce

Dress for the Weather--Rain or shine, most farmers markets are open for business so dress in layers

Ask Questions--If the booth isn't too swamped with customers, ask the farmer about the produce. Many are happy to explain how and where the items were grown and the best ways to prepare them

Money Saving Tips Part 1: Saving at Home

Money Saving Tips Part 2: The Coupon Phenomenon and the Discount Grocery Store

Money Saving Tips Part 3: The Dollar Store

I can see it now: "She's got a great personality, an excellent sense of humor and, most importantly, fabulous health insurance."

Or: "I think I'm falling in love with you--what kind of health insurance do you have?"

With health insurance out of the grasp of nearly 46 million Americans, it's no surprise that the uninsured are scrambling to gain access to health insurance. But marriage is taking things too far. Marrying for money has always been popular, buy marrying for access to healthcare benefits? Aren't our standards getting a bit low--is the economy really that bad?

Call me old-fashioned, but I still subscribe to the belief that marriage is supposed to be about love. Marrying for millions of dollars is understandable, but taking a plunge into holy matrimony in exchange for a free doctor's visit is absurd.

Or is it?

On one hand, I couldn't begin to imagine marrying a person for their health insurance. On the other, if I were in constant pain and in desperate need of a life-saving kidney transplant, I'd probably see the situation a bit differently. After all, a good divorce lawyer is always just a phone call away.

These poor souls may be stuck in loveless marriages, but hey, at least they're healthy.

The Freeway Complex Fire is the largest fire of the three. The fire started November 15th and as of today is 75% contained. According to CAL FIRE Incident Information, the fire has burned 28,889 acres.

The Sayre Fire is the second largest of the three burning an estimated 11,213 acres and damaged or destroyed over 600 structures. According to CAL FIRE Incident Information, the fire is 70% as of today. Most of the devastation was at Oakridge Mobile Park where close to 500 mobile homes were destroyed.

The Tea Fire is smallest but perhaps the most talked about because it threatened an area where celebrities live. In fact, "Back to the Future" and "Taxi" star Christopher Lloyd lost his $11 million home in Montecito. Other celebrities with homes in Montecito include Oprah Winfrey, Rob Lowe, John Cleese, and Michael Douglas. The Tea Fire is 100% contained.

There isn't any news yet as to how much the damage will cost homeowner insurance providers. Gov. Schwarzenegger asked the Bush administration to declare Southern California a federal disaster site on fears that many of those affected, particularly in the mobile homes, are underinsured. The fires are a grim reminder to make sure that your home is properly insured with the right amount of homeowners insurance coverage.

Deep frying a turkey can be an advantage if you are pressed for time, since the turkey cooks extremely fast (3-4 minutes per pound according to the National Turkey Federation), but with all that speed comes a higher risk of accidents.

Most recipes call for peanut, corn or canola oil--but just how much oil is necessary? Many turkey frying accidents happen when too much cooking oil is used and spills over the pot, catching fire when the turkey is dropped in. Here is a simple way to figure out how much oil to use:

• Place turkey in pot

• Fill with water until the turkey is covered by about 1/2 inch of water

• Remove and dry turkey (a wet turkey can cause oil to splatter latter)

• Mark water level. Dump water, dry the pot, and fill with oil to the marked level

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said that most deep fried turkey accidents occur while the oil is being heated, prior to even adding the turkey. This means we must be extra vigilant when heating the oil, and turn off the fryer immediately if any smoke shows.

Here are some safety tips from the CPSC for preparing your own delicious deep fried turkey, without burning your house down:

• NEVER leave a fryer unattended

• Place fryer in an open area AWAY from all walls, fences, or other structures

• Never use your fryer IN, ON, or UNDER a garage, breezeway, carport, porch, or any structure that can catch fire

• Completely thaw (USDA says 24 hours for every 4 to 5 pounds) and dry turkey before cooking. Partially frozen and/or wet turkeys can produce excessive hot oil splatter when added to the oil

• Center the pot over the burner on the cooker

• Raise and lower food SLOWLY to reduce splatter and avoid burns

• COVER bare skin when adding or removing food

• Check the oil temperature frequently

• If oil begins to smoke, immediately turn gas supply OFF

• If a fire occurs, immediately call 911. DO NOT attempt to extinguish fire with water

Fire Prevention Week

The Healing Power of the Mighty Chicken

Once the rains start falling you will need clear gutters to keep the water flowing. Clean out gutters by scooping out loose debris, then washing out the gutter with a hose, and finally flushing out the downspouts (or call a service to clean out the gutters). Once they are clear, you might consider installing gutter covers. These covers allow water to flow through, but keep leaves and other debris out, saving you time next year.

Cold Winter months can do a number on exposed pipes. To protect your pipes, wrap and insulate them with heating tape. Check pipes for leaks and cracks so that minor repairs can be made now before major damage occurs.

Winter storm winds can turn fragile tree branches into deadly objects. Falling limbs damage homes, cars or even injure people. Autumn is a good time to check your trees and other landscaping for weak branches. Trim branches that hang over your home or that look like they may snap.

Take advantage of the pre-rainy season to have your chimney and furnace checked. Servicing them once a year can prevent smoke damage to your home. Also don't punish yourself too much by keeping super cold temps--make sure to keep your home temperature at 65 degrees or more to prevent pipes from freezing.

Save money on your heating bills this Winter by checking the insulation in attics and basements. Insulation traps heat, keeping your home warmer. The Insurance Information Institute (III) recommends that attics be 5 to 10 degrees warmer than the outside air to prevent snow from melting and re-freezing--possibly damaging your roof.

We weren't born in barns, so make sure that your windows and doors are properly sealed when closed by checking the weather stripping. Use weather stripping on doors and caulk your windows to prevent heat from escaping in cold months--it will also save you money on your energy bill. This is also the time to put up your storm windows, if you have them.

Did last years storms knock over your fence? Did you prop it up and call it good for the Summer? It is best to make home and yard repairs in the Fall, if you haven't already, so that they don't get worse come Winter. That wobbling fence may stand fine right now, but the first Winter storm could spell disaster--and who wants to go fix the fence in a downpour?

Most standard homeowners insurance policies cover Winter disasters like ice dams, wind damage or burst pipes. Make sure your home is protected this Winter, and all year round, with the best homeowners insurance policy and rate.

America's Research Group, a consumer behavior research corporation, estimates that close to 80% of Americans have given a gift card as a Christmas present within the past five years. Last Christmas season alone, consumers spent over $26 billion in gift card purchases.

But with companies filing for bankruptcy on a daily basis, are gift card purchases safe?

Say, for instance, you were given a Circuit City gift card and you were waiting until the holidays to use it. Oops.

Whether the nation's 2nd largest consumer electronics retailer will honor its gift cards is yet to be seen. But with the financial crisis putting a strain on American corporations, things will likely get worse before they get better.

Leverage, a company that specializes in gift card sales, hopes to remedy the problem by providing consumers with gift card insurance. If you own a Leverage gift card from a retailer that goes bankrupt, the company will transfer the card's balance to another of Leverage's 200 participating stores.

Who in the world could ever imagine a gift card would need an insurance policy?

PETA believes that people who are vegetarians are healthier and therefore should pay less for health insurance than those who like to eat meat. Their one point is that people who eat meat are more susceptible to diseases such as E. coli. Do you remember the spinach E. coli outbreak in September and October of 2006? There were 205 confirmed illnesses and three deaths (FDA.gov).

Also, have you heard about PETA approaching Ben and Jerry's with their novel idea on how to make ice cream? They think it would be better if Ben and Jerry's replaced cow's milk with breast milk. How disgusting does that sound? I have to agree with Ben and Jerry's spokesperson that was quoted as saying "We applaud PETA's novel approach to bringing attention to an issue, but we believe a mother's milk is best used for her child."

I hope people who do abuse animals are punished to the fullest extent of the law. But I don't want to be punished with higher health insurance costs because I like eating steak or waking up in the morning and having bacon and eggs. I even enjoy the occasional meal of lamb, duck, deer, or rabbit. But eating meat as part of a balanced diet isn't cause enough to raise a person's health insurance premiums.

After gas prices soared over $4 a gallon this summer, oil consumption in the U.S. dropped by 1.8 million barrels a day, or 8 percent, according to the New York Times. Since July 4, gas prices have dropped for 17 consecutive weeks.

The drop in crude oil prices is attributed to weak economic growth, which has reduced fuel consumption across the globe.

Low gas prices are a welcomed sight for consumers, but they're also an indicator of continued economic trouble ahead. The International Monetary Fund has warned that the world now faces the prospect of a simultaneous recession in the U.S., Europe and Japan for the first time in 60 years. The Chinese economy, the main engine fueling global oil demand, is also slowing.

At an emergency meeting in October, the members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) agreed to reduce their crude oil output to stem the price slide. The members of OPEC, including Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela, produces roughly 40 percent of the world's oil exports.

According to GasBuddy.com, the average price for a gallon of gas is below $2 in 16 states. Average fuel prices in Missouri, Oklahoma and Ohio are below $1.90 a gallon.

Under the new health plan, large and midsize companies will be required to provide health-care coverage for employees. If they don't, they will pay a fee into a fund that would create a public health plan similar to "the one that every federal employee--from a postal worker in Iowa to a Congressman in Washington--currently has for themselves." Workers will either continue to get health coverage through their employers or choose the new federal plan.

Along with the public health fund, Obama's plan creates a National Health Insurance Exchange which combines private insurance options with the public plan. The exchange, according to the campaign site, will allow both individuals and small businesses to buy health coverage that is more affordable. The health plan also calls for the creation of a new Small Business Health Tax Credit to give small businesses a refundable tax credit of up to 50% of what is paid out on premiums on behalf of their employees.

And for those Americans concerned they will lose or have to change their current health plan, it was made clear on Obama's campaign site that under his new plan, all people will be able to keep their current coverage--they will simply pay less.

Under President-elect Obama's health care plan, all children will be required to have health care coverage. Parents will be required to purchase health insurance for their children or enroll their children in a public health plan (Medicaid, SCHIP or the new Obama public health plan). Also, insurance companies will be required to cover pre-existing conditions such as diabetes or epilepsy, and preventive services like cancer screenings.

The estimated cost of President-elect Obama's health care plan is $50 - $65 billion a year and will be paid for by rolling back tax cuts for Americans making over $250,000 per year, and through the death tax.

Job Woes and Health Insurance

Struggling With Post-Election Depression? Brighten Up!

More and more people are taking advantage of discount stores, including thrift stores and dollar stores, since the economy has become so shaky. So I decided to get the low-down on just how much I could save buying some of my household items at the dollar store vs. other discount stores.

Like last time, I selected a simple list of typical household items and compared the prices at the local Dollar Tree to the prices at Wal-Mart:

So by buying my household items at the Dollar Tree, I saved myself $14.78. I'd say that was worth it.

It is important to note that not all brands are available at each store. In those cases I tried to find comparable items, or whatever was cheaper! Try store brands--most work/taste just as good as their more expensive counterparts. Even though I wasn't able to find all of my usual brands at the Dollar Tree, most are comparable. (Though I think I'll still spend the extra $1.43 to get Herbal Essence--my curls don't take kindly to random shampoos or conditioners!)

Also, I've heard some people say they aren't sure about buying food from super discount stores like dollar stores, mostly because they are worried about the freshness and quality of the items. So for this experiment I stuck to canned foods and chips and pretzels. Most of the food items I came across had "sell by" or "use by" dates that were still far off. Besides, pretzels are stale to begin with--just kidding (kind of).

Stay tuned for ways to save money on your grocery bill by trying out a Farmer's Market!

Money Saving Tips Part 1: Saving at Home

Money Saving Tips Part 2: The Coupon Phenomenon and the Discount Grocery Store

Don't Have Health Insurance Coverage?

In 2007, 45.7 million U.S residents did not have health insurance coverage; that's roughly 15% of the population. Those who don't have health insurance coverage will collectively pay $30 billion out of packet for medical costs. People who don't have health insurance coverage often skip checkups and wait until there is a serious problem before seeking help, leaving them to pay hefty medical bills.

If you have health insurance coverage through your employer but have noticed the benefits have decreased or the amount you pay has increased, it could be beneficial to research individual health insurance policies. With the soaring health insurance costs, employers are finding it harder to provide health insurance and are either passing costs on to the employees, or cutting health insurance benefits on the whole. Hopefully President-elect Obama's health insurance plan will help alleviate some of the health insurance costs.

If you have lost coverage because you lost your job, then you will need to look into individual health insurance plans. There are a wide variety of individual health insurance plans ranging from COBRA, HSAs, HMOs and PPOs. With health insurance it is wise to research the different individual health insurance options that are available to you. You can compare health insurance quotes by using InsWeb's online health insurance quote form.

Many car insurance companies are very willing to work with military personal to make the transition to and from active duty as easy as possible. If you or a family member is an active service member, talk to your car insurance carrier about Emergency Deployment discounts, or overseas coverage, should you need it. Some car insurance companies recommend that you cancel your auto coverage before you deploy, and they make it easy to reinstate coverage when you get back. And if you are a veteran, you may be able to get discounts on your car insurance rates, so talk to your carrier.

So on this Veterans Day, say thank you to a Vet--they deserve it.

According to the Ecology Center, an environmental advocacy group based in Michigan, the new-car smell might be toxic. The group rated over 200 vehicles sold in the U.S., and found that the fumes in new vehicles may cause "allergic or other acute reactions or even long-term health impacts such as birth defects, impaired learning, liver toxicity and cancer." The report was posted on HealthyCar.org.

New car smell comes from chemicals sprayed on plastics and foam in steering wheels, seats and dashboards. Car seats for children are also a culprit of toxic gaseous fumes. As new vehicles carry an average of 250 pounds of plastic, they have been cited as a major source of in-car air pollution and a serious health danger.

The new-car smell is so popular that imitation new-car smell air fresheners are available on the market. But these products contain artificial leather odor and the harmful chemical compounds aldehydes, esters and ketones, and might be more toxic than the real smell.

The average American spends an hour and a half in the car each day. Sucking in toxic fumes for that amount of time can't be healthy. However, asking someone to give up the new-car smell is asking a lot.

In the end you have to ask yourself: Is the new-car smell worth a little bit of cancer-causing fumes? Maybe so...

Gene Simmons of Kiss insured his freakishly long tongue for $1 million. Decades ago, Dolly Parton insured her bust for $600,000. It's even rumored that singer Tom Jones had his chest hair insured for almost $7 million.

The practice of insuring body parts isn't new--it dates all the way back to the silent movie era. Betty Grable insured her legs for $1 million. Bette Davis took out an insurance policy against weight gain. And Hollywood dancing sensation Fred Astaire insured each of his legs for $75k (far undervalued if you ask me).

Notable celebrity omissions from yesteryear: Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Anna Nicole Smith, Paul McCartney and John Lennon.

Today, over-coverage by 24-hour media outlets has pushed the monetary stakes even higher.

Fresh off her on-set feud with troubled singer/actress Lindsay Lohan, Ugly Betty star America Ferrara insured her winning smile with Lloyd's of London for a cool $10 million. Supermodel Heidi Klum, wife of soul singer Seal, insured her legs for $2 million.

Most ridiculous of all is Bruce Springsteen, who insured his voice for a measly $1 million. The voice of "The Boss" worth only one million? What's next, Jessica Simpson's 'you know what' insured for just 100k?

Why aren't Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, George Clooney, Angelina Jolie, Oprah Winfrey or Tom Cruise on this list? I wonder how much Kobe Bryant's shooting hand is worth, or Yao Ming's height...?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that drowsy driving causes at least 100,000 police-reported crashes and kills more than 1,550 Americans each year. According to the National Sleep Foundation's 2008 poll:

• 32% of all respondents surveyed report that they have driven drowsy at least once per month during the past year.

• Among those who drive, more than one-third (36%) have nodded off or fallen asleep, even just for a brief moment, while driving a vehicle.

• 2% of those who drive have had an accident or near accident due to drowsiness while driving in the past year.

Not surprisingly, those who drive and sleep less than 6 hours on workdays are significantly more likely than those who drive and sleep 8 hours or more on workdays to have had an accident or near accident due to drowsiness while driving in the past year (4% vs. <1%).

If you're feeling tired while driving, the best thing to do is to pull off the road in a safe rest area and take a nap for 15-45 minutes. Caffeinated beverages can help overcome drowsiness for a short period of time. However, it takes about 30 minutes before the effects are felt. The best prevention for drowsy driving is a good night's sleep the night before your trip.

Hopefully you were able to take advantage of the extra hour of sleep and are able to get a good night sleep. After all, a good night sleep can keep you awake on the roads.

Symptoms include sadness, hopelessness, loss of interest, difficulty concentrating, insomnia and other symptoms related to depression.

Mental health professionals recommend that patients follow these simple strategies to relieve post-election depression:

• Acknowledge your anger and resentment. How have you dealt successfully with other disappointments in your life?

• Reach across the aisle. Nothing is solved by holding onto grudges. If life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

• Choose to make peace with yourself and your country. Be positive and put your personal feelings aside. Life must go on.

   

Those tips may help, but I've composed my own list, which I find a bit more practical:

• If you're not a Democrat, turn off CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, CNBC, or any other 24-hour news network for the next few months; it's going to be Obama-mania. Sporting events, reality shows and classic film make for good non-political TV alternatives. If you must watch a news program, do so with the sound turned off and your eyes closed.

• If you're a Republican, you probably hate life right now--but don't get too down in the dumps. You have Sarah Palin, and she's still awesome.

• Do not move to Canada, France, or any other foreign country. People in those countries don't always speak English, and struggling to learn a foreign language could increase your stress level tremendously, which may only make matters worse. Another reason to stay: December 25 is right around the corner, and if you left the country this close to Christmas, how would Santa Claus find your house?

   

If these tips don't relieve your symptoms, consider seeing a therapist.

The increase in traffic deaths is attributed to an increased number of drivers heading to polling places in areas with which they may not be familiar.

When you're contemplating important national issues such as the economy, healthcare, energy independence, immigration, foreign policy, social issues and taxes, it's easy to let your attention drift away from the road. But keep focused. Finding your local voting location is important, but not when it jeopardizes your personal safety of the well-being of others.

Election Day driving safety tips include wearing a seatbelt, keeping a safe speed, watching out for an increased number of vehicles and/or pedestrians, minimizing driving distractions and abstaining from alcohol consumption.

But today isn't all about doom and gloom: there are plenty of Election Day freebies to sweeten the deal.

Krispy Kreme donuts is giving a free star-shaped donut with red, white and blue sprinkles to any customer who mentions the promotion. Ben & Jerry's ice cream offers a free scoop of ice cream between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. And you can get a cup of free Starbucks coffee on Election Day if you vote.

Even better, if you live in North Texas and need a tattoo removed, today's your lucky day. A medical clinic is offering free tattoo removal consultation for tattoos up to 4 x 4 inches in size. Here's the catch: you must bring in a voter registration card or an "I Voted" sticker. Apparently it's true: everything's bigger in Texas--even free Election Day goodies.

So when you find your local polling place and cast your vote, make sure you take full advantage of the numerous Election Day freebies.

In September, we tried to determine if Democrats are more patriotic than Republicans; in terms of which parties buy more American cars. Then in October, we let you know what kind of cars the candidates drive. Also in October, we highlighted Obama's and McCain's health insurance plans. And finally, we rounded it up with the candidate's plans to fix the housing crisis.

No matter what information you use, hopefully not basing your decision solely on what cars the candidates drive, make sure you get out and vote tomorrow.