The Help Tabloid

Cheap backpacks can be made, but I don’t recommend it. Unless you are extremely skilled at sewing, it isn’t likely to come out like you want. Also, even if you are an expert, it will probably take less of your time to pick up an extra day at work and buy a pack with the earnings.

On the other hand, if you have an old backpack frame, you can make a cheap backpack with it. Remove the old pack, and tie a plain nylon duffel bag to it firmly, with the zipper facing out. Small bungee cords will work for attaching it too. I did this using an old aluminum frame that still had straps and a waist belt, and for the cost of a $15 duffel bag, I had an external-frame backpack that not only held a lot, but weighed just two pounds.

Buying Cheap Backpacks

There are several ways to buy cheap backpacks. The most obvious is to just wait for a good sale. A quicker way is to shop for a used pack online. Try Ebay.com, or go to a backpacking or other outdoor forum that allows people to sell their gear, like whiteblaze.net. The forums are nice, because you can easily ask questions about the pack.

You can also buy used backpacks cheap at rummage sales. Watch the ads for any mention of outdoor gear, and call to see if they have a backpack you might want. You may be able to buy it before the sale starts. Otherwise, start shopping early, and negotiate a bit. I recently sold a beautiful Kelty frame-pack for $15 at a garage sale.

Thrift stores sometimes have cheap backpacks. More often they have day packs, but you never know. I have seen big old frame packs that were rough at thrift shops, and it occurred to me that for a few dollars I could just toss the pack, and use the frame with a duffel bag, as described above.

Another way to keep the cost down is to go light. The lightweight backpacks, unlike other lightweight gear, are always cheaper than the big packs. If you have been thinking about lightening the load, you can save money too. Ultralight backpacks are usually under two pounds and frame-less. You’ll probably use a sleeping pad as a “frame” of sorts. The good news is that they are often on sale for under $100.

Go-Lite has several packs that are near $100, and sometimes on sale for less than that. The list price on the Granite Gear Virga Ultra Light Packer may still be under $100, and I have seen it on sale for under $80. It also weighs only 21 ounces, a bonus for me, as I like the idea of light AND cheap backpacks.

If you’ve been a regular reader of mine, you can probably guess my favorite pieces of backcountry gear. I’ve written about having a good time while bird watching, geocaching, camping, hiking and many other awesome outdoor activities, and I believe more fun can be had if you have the right equipment. Many things are more important than my choices. For instance, if mosquitoes are thick, insect repellent would be a good thing to have. If it’s cold, anything that provides heat would also be nice to have. Rain gear, a first aid kit, sunglasses, food and water are obviously very important, but let’s talk about cool stuff now. I’m talking hi-tech. So what are my favorite backcountry toys?

My favorite piece of backcountry gear are my binoculars. I carry the Nikon Monarch ATB 8 x 42 mm. These are the best binoculars you can own for under $300. I use them birding, hunting, hiking, sight seeing - I use them every time I’m outdoors. As you step into the backcountry, the landscape becomes larger and in many cases more distant. Always have good optics with you.

I won’t be caught off the pavement without my trusty GPS Unit. The Garmin eTrex Vista is in my pack. Having a high quality GPS unit allows me to travel freely on trails or when trailblazing. I know how to navigate with map and compass, and you should too, but that’s my backup plan. My GPS is my first choice in navigation. I use it hiking, hunting, geocaching, trail riding, exploring and sometimes just for the fun of it.

When I’m in the wilderness, I am almost always with some else. Therefore, two-way radios are in order. I happen to use Motorola’s Talkabout T6400. It keeps me in contact with my friends and gives me a lifeline to others with FRS or GMRS radios, should I need it.

Finally, I love my Bushnell Outdoor Camera. It’s a digital camera that is rugged-ized, weather resistant and has built-in digital zoom. Just this past week I took pictures of wildflowers growing out of a boulder, a sunrise, a sunset, my friends, a Coyote, a Praying Mantis and a Harris Hawk.

These are my favorite pieces of backcountry gear. I always have my binoculars, GPS, radio and camera with me when I enter the backcountry. Without them, I’d still have a good time, but with them, I get the most out of my outdoor life. Get Outdoors!!

Chuck Fitzgerald, The Outdoor Guy, has written a beginner’s guide to bird watching call “Learning to Bird.” Visit http://www.birdwatchingebook.com to see just how easy and how much fun Bird Watching really is. Chuck is the owner of Arizona based BackCountry Toys, an online store helping you to have fun in the great outdoors. To get maximum enjoyment out of your outdoor life, visit http://www.BackCountryToys.com where you’ll find great gear and the Tips & Tales e-newsletter, “FreshAir.” (800) 316-9055.

There is an easy test that I like to use when evaluating a GPS, or any type of electronic device. I call it the user manual test. When I pick up a new GPS for the first time, I see how easily I can operate the GPS with common sense alone and without using the manual. In my book, the criteria for a good GPS is firmly based on how easily I can operate the menu options and pick up the functions (http://www.aboutgpsnavigation.com). This is an aspect that some people overlook yet it is perhaps the single most important part of a GPS. The first reason that user friendly functions and menus are so important is that the vast majority of people who buy GPS units are seasonal or occasional users. They are not out there 5 days a week, honing their skills and keeping the idiosyncrasies of their GPS at the forefront of their mind! (http://www.incargpsworld.com) Consequently, most users want to be able to pick the damn thing up and be able to get their hands on accurate information that can make the difference between getting lost, or even a fatal ending to an outdoor adventure.

The second reason that GPS units need to be easy to use is that they are often used by groups such as hunters, fishermen and hikers. This makes it quite likely that some members of the group will not be experienced with your particular model or brand of GPS. In these kinds of circumstances it is doubtful that anyone will want to sit down and read a user manual, that is if you still know where it is! (http://www.gpsbuying.com) So do yourself a favor and get a GPS that makes sense to you without having to go to the book, if for nothing else that from a safety point of view.

The third reason it that if you are willing to spend a couple of bucks on your GPS and choose a top brand such as Magellan or Garmin you don’t need to worry too much about what functions are included. The level of competition between these two companies is so high that neither is willing to put sub-standard products into the marketplace. What will make the difference will be the users ability to take advantage of the functions.

Remember, there is no point having a GPS with several navigation screens, thousands of automatic way-points if you can’t work out how to use them with ease. Happy trails and safe navigating to you all from http://www.thegpscentre.com.

I look forward each day durring the winter. By the end of January I can’t wait for spring to arrive so I start counting the days till Febuary knowing that it brings on the last weeks of winter, Hopefully the groundhog will tell us “Six more weeks til spring”. To some, lamenting the past days of fall with its bright foliage in the landscape, brings a down feeling that the dull days of winter are here. For me I have grown to appreciate each day and look forward to interests in landscapes that are there knowing that many dazzeling displays can be found by careful observation. The days are short and the nights are long. Yet growing plants and enjoying plants are year round activities that bring many quality hours of enjoyment.

Watering plants can be be on your list of things to do. Make it a point to get out and check on your plants. The ground may not be frozen and plants still use water. If the ground is not frozen you can still water if the ground will accept the water. Most plants are dormant so the amount of watering is not as high as in the hotter seasons. Evergreens lose water through their needles in the winter. So if one keeps watering as long as possible into the winter, seedlings and plants will suffer less stress. Winter drying of evergreens is a major stress factor in overwintering.

Snow and ice on your plants can be problematic. Tall thin plants are not as sturdy a plant. They tend to bend under snow loads and may require staking later to train them strait. If your small plants have a light amount of snow covering them you may ease the snow burden by lightly sweeping the snow with a broom. Don’t shake them, they are like babies … they get shaken baby syndrome. If snow or ice is frozen to the branches, allow it to melt rather than attempting to correct. If any branches are broken, you probably don’t need to do anything unless there is a split in the trunk. If the breakage of the plant is sever, the seedling or liner shoud be discarded. The labor to correct is not worth the value of the plant. Also a poor quality seedling will probably be a poor quality mature plant. There is a market for such plants however, we have had many customers who want, ” Charly Brown Trees” or stunted trees for unusual customer needs.

Warm spells in the winter occur. Suddenly, there can be days of warmer temperatures. This should not be a problem. When a warm spell occurs, get out and use some shoe leather and wear out those leather gloves. Its a great to have a break in mid winter and you can prepare for spring. If you have covering on or over the plants, you may need to ventilate. We normally open the doors to our greenhoses and this is usually all that is necessary. Cold frame temps may rise so ventilation will be helpful. Close up as nightfall arrives as the temperature will fall. Note that when sunlight intensity is high, plant tissues become active. Water loss at this time can’t be replaced if the root are frozen. This is called plant desiccation. Also if there many freeze-thaw cycles, the crown of the plant will be heaved up exposing the roots. Root systems have a lower tolerance to temperature extremes and can killed by freezing low temperatures.A common way to prevent desiccation is to screen plants in exposed areas with Burlap .

Varmit control is important in the winter. Mice and rabbits feed constantly . Their teeth grow constantly and they love to chew on tender plants. We spread rat and mice bait about every two to threes weeks as long as we see it being consumed. Try and place the baits in a place where its easy to moniter, dry, and accessable only to the varmits. When the snow gets deep mice will feed up higher on the plants. They don’t like to dig in the snow for food. They take the easy to reach food first. Thus tracks in the snow are an important sign to watch for. Mouse damage is usually not correctable. You may not see root feeding damage to stock till spring, so over baiting is the best solution. Care should be taken that the baits are only available to the target varmit. I always ejoy viburnums on walks durring the winter. Ifeel that the Viburnums are an attractive, versatile, adaptable shrubs for any landscape. I especially like them used as hedges or screens and in mixed perennial shrub borders. They also stand alone as specimen plants. They usually are in the form of shrubs, but some species can become small trees. They range in size from the Dwarf American Cranberrybush at 2 feet tall by 2 feet wide, to the Siebold at over 15 feet tall.

We feel that Viburnums are plants that have great winter interest. All Viburnums have white to pink flowers in the spring. The foliage is large, attractive and often textured leaves. Some viburnums have fragrant flowers that are produced in snowball shaped clusters in April. Their flower clusters can consist of pink buds, which develop into white flowers. Some fruits are red and turn black with age usually bitter tasting. Leaves can be glossy, dark green and turn a burgundy color in the fall. Midsummer berries are an important food source for birds. Viburnums have colorful red to purple leaves. Some viburnums can become medium-size trees, especially if they are pruned. Viburnums excel as specimen plants or as anchors in mixed borders. You won’t find a more versatile group of shrubs for hedges or for massing in groups, since viburnums hold their own in every season. Some viburnums, such as Prague viburnum ‘Pragense’, are evergreen. Others, such as leatherleaf viburnum, are semi-evergreen in colder climates, losing their leaves when temperatures dip below 10 degrees.

The great feature of Viburnums is that they are adaptabe. While they would like full sun and moderately watered, well-drained rich soils, they will grow very well in part shade, and in clay soils. Diseases and pests rarely attack them and they don’t tend to have to be spayed. My kids have run over them with brush hogs and they survived. We even sold these plants for a premium. They were better looking than the ones we manually trimmed. Seems you really need to give them a good close hard pruning once in while. Their fibrous root system makes them transplant easily.

In your search for a good, hardy shrub with winter interest consider the Viburnum family.

Viburnums have long been popular garden plants, known for their white, sometimes fragrant spring flowers, and their fall color. But it’s the Asian viburnums that have so far been most noteworthy. Perhaps the most liked viburnums are the Burkwood viburnum (Viburnum x burkwoodii), and the Korean spice viburnum (V. carlesii), both of which fill your landscape with pleasant odors in the spring. Also popular is the doublefile viburnum (V. plicatum f. tomentosum), valued for its layered habit, fall foliage, and clusters of red fruits. Viburnum acerifolium (Maple-leafed viburnum) Although I wouldn’t plant a landscape without viburnums, I have a special fondness for several of our native viburnums. They may not provide the great flower fragrance of their Asian counterparts, but I love them not only for their rich fall colors ,but for that fact they help attract and feed so many of our wild birds that liven up our landscape durring the long winter. In addition, several are great for urban conditions. They require only corrective pruning, and seldom commonly suffer from pests or diseases. I would be hard pressed to say which viburnum I would choose if I could only have one.

Viburnums are moist woodland plants. In nature they are found along steam banks from Long Island to Florida. When you come to our 5275 West Swamp Rd. location ask us to show some in their native habitat that we found along our stream bank. These plants perform well under normal landscape conditions. I especially like the floral display in the spring and these viburnums that bear fruit in the fall. Winterthur has great red leaves and abundant fruit in the fall. This cultivar needs a cross pollinator such as viburnum nudum. If you want things to do in the winter this is when I cut back our viburnums. Pressing issues of the other seasons always leaves my viburnums to stand alone untouched. It is mid winter and I always enjoy trimming back these plants then. I see all the nests that the birds haver built and can work without disturbing their families. It seems to me that it is easier to cut back and trim now for I always feel bad in the summer when I trim out green foliage. When trimming foliage I always guilty cutting greens off of the plants. Wintertime frees me from those demons. You can see more out plants at the following web site http://www.seedlingsrus.com

Blue spruce trees have been reported to be suffering from the Blue Spruce Rust in the Milan Pa. area. This Rust is difficult to control. For this reason alone I would suggest that you NOT plant the Blue Spruces.

If my farm were run like a democracy and one man one vote applied for whether we should plant or sell Colorado Blue Spruce, the vote would 100% against the Blue Spruce Tree. The Blue Spruce also known as Picea pungens Engelm is noted for being majestic, stately, with its silver blue color and symetricle form. Its color can range from blue to green. The color variations are genetic traits of the tree. For uniform color from tree to tree one should use grafted cuttings, which command premium prices. The Blue Spruce is widely planted througout the US because it is tolerant to a variety of site conditions. It has good drought, wind, and cold tolerance. The Blue Spruce finds uses such as wind breaks and as an ornamental in landscape designs. Deer don’t prefer to eat these trees unless they are very hungry. Now you would think that this tree would get our vote. But my boys hate to work with these trees because they can be brutal on transplanting. Like wrestling with a porkupine! You can see more of Bill’s plant talk at his web site http://www.seedlingrus.com

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The call of the wild can be seductive. The exquisite beauty of the
wilderness, the incomparable solitude, the simplicity of life on the trail,
and the rush of living a bit on the edge attract thousands of eager
backcountry enthusiasts. Sometimes enthusiasm gets in the way of
wisdom and adequate preparation. Hikers, campers and other nature
lovers can find themselves lost, unprepared or badly hurt. Colorado’s
Mountain Rescue Association reports its teams respond to more than
1,000 search and rescues per year. Victims often suffer from frostbite,
dehydration, shock or severe trauma. Not all emergencies can be
prevented, but many can. Poor preparation, poor judgment and hubris
can be a dangerous combination that can lead to pure misery, injury or
even death. Be wise and commit to the safety rules established by the
experts. The following 10 rules are promoted by the officials of The
Appalachian Club (www.outdoors.org) and the Colorado Mountain Club
(www.cmc.org) :

#1 Alert Others to Your Plans - Be sure to tell family or close
friends where you are going and when you plan to return. Fill out a hiker
log at the Ranger Station in the wilderness area that you intend to visit.
Know who can initiate a search and rescue in the area you are visiting. It
may be the County Sheriff, but in the National Park system it’s the Park
Ranger.

#2 Educate Yourself - There is an ethic of self-reliance in the
backcountry. You have to rely on your own abilities to stay out of a jam,
or get yourself out of one. You must know your own limitations. If you
are heading into a new area, study the guidebooks. Ask around to get
as much information you can on the terrain, the type of experience, the
topography, and any other features you may need to watch out for. Do
not overlook the option of traveling with an organized group with a
knowledgeable leader to give you at least an introduction.

#3 Expect Weather to Change Quickly - In many locations,
weather can be unpredictable and unforgiving. Seasonal changes can
add to this challenge most anywhere. Be sure to check weather reports
before heading out, and if the forecast is dismal, postpone your trip. The
trail will be there tomorrow.

#4 Dress to Prevent Hypothermia - Heed this advice, even if
you are planning a simple day hike. The chief reason that people die in
the backcountry is hypothermia or ‘exposure’ - a lowering of core body
temperature. Jeans and cotton t-shirts become a real problem when
they become wet and hold moisture next to the skin while drawing heat
away from the body. Polypropylene and silk wick moisture away from
the skin and help retain body heat. Next, consider insulating layers such
as synthetic fleece or wool, and an outer shell that protects from wind or
moisture. A hat will significantly help preserve body heat. Loose-fitting
clothing is better than tight fitting. Feet can become cold if your belt or
boots are too tight and impairing your circulation.

#5 Prioritize When Packing - The average survival experience
lasts three days. To negotiate that, you will need some sort of shelter
that provides a windbreak to keep you warm and dry, as well as water to
maintain hydration, a fire starter, a back-up fire starter, and a mirror for
signaling. Do not over-emphasize the usefulness of flares, strobes and
flashlights. Someone may possibly spot them accidentally at night, but
those intentionally looking for you will be searching in daylight. A fire is
more useful. It is reassuring when you are tired, panicky and cold. It can
warm you up, melt snow to keep you hydrated, or to treat a hypothermic
victim with warm liquid. A fire can be a signaling device during the day.
Remember the power of “3″ - three fires in a triangle, three columns of
smoke, three whistles and three gunshots, are the international signal
for distress.

#6 Know Your Equipment - If you are not quite sure how to use
your compass and topographical map, find the appropriate help or
course at an outfitter or in a book by experts. Maps, compasses, and
GPS devices are useless in your pocket. The time to read the
instructions on your emergency fire starter is not when it is dark, you’re
cold, and your hands are shaking. Using your equipment should be
second nature. Survival will be 10% equipment, 10% knowing how to
use it, and 80% will be your own intelligence and attitude.

#7 Stay Hydrated - Drink a minimum of two quarts of water a
day. Hydration is incredibly important in preventing hypothermia and in
maintaining the ability to think clearly. If you lose two percent of your
body’s fluid content through normal sweat and urination, and don’t
replenish it, you can begin experiencing headaches, nausea,
sleeplessness, increased heart rate and decreased muscle strength.
The body cannot generate heat if it’s dehydrated. If you are planning to
get water from a river or stream, bring a water filter or some method of
disinfecting or treating it. Some people boil it. In a survival situation,
keeping yourself hydrated makes drinking any available water worth the
risk. Although water-borne viruses do exist in rivers and streams, you
will probably be rescued by the time that virus makes you sick. Staying
hydrated is most critical.

#8 Feast on Carbohydrates - Carbohydrates provide quick
and sustainable energy. Complex carbohydrates are best, but a mix of
simple and complex carbohydrates is perfectly suitable. Bring foods
such as fruit and granola bars that provide concentrated energy for the
least amount of weight. Proteins, such as beef jerky, are the worst. Your
body needs time and energy to break down proteins, and they can
require a lot of water.

#9 Remain Calm - Keeping your wits about you in an
emergency situation will prolong your life and greatly increase the odds
of survival. Maintaining a positive mental attitude is the biggest
advantage in a survival situation. This is especially important if you
have an injury, a fatality, or someone who is hypothermic or giving up.
These situations will have a debilitating effect on the group. Rescuers
report that they have had people run away from them because they’re in
a hysterical, threatened mindset. Be cool and calm to help you survive.
(Remember, the average situation lasts three days.)

#10 Stay Put - If you become delayed, don’t take off in a
different direction or try a shortcut. Alpine rescuers say that the biggest
problem they have is that people are not where they are supposed to
be. They are often miles from where they said they were going to be. If
you become badly lost, settle down and stay put.

Get Wild…Stay Safe!

Copyright 2005 Karen B. Cohen All rights Reserved.

Karen B. Cohen is a performance and wellness coach living in a college
town in rural Virginia. A lifelong outdoor enthusiast, Karen enjoys a
variety of pursuits in the Upper Shenandoah Valley and the Blue Ridge
Mountains. She is an expert yoga instructor and occasionally leads
yoga hikes near her home. She is available for seminars, workshops
and individual coaching, and can be reached through her latest project
http://www.RockbridgeMag.com

(Karen@RockbridgeMag.com)

Halloween and fly fishing may seem like an odd mix, but not for true anglers. Yep, I’m talking about the ultimate test of your abilities and nerve.

Dracula’s River

Okay, everyone knows the story of Count Dracula. The book is huge and has been turned into more than a few scary movies. The one the frightened me the most was the recent edition in which Keanu Reaves attempted to speak with an English accent. Truly scary. Anyway, the interesting thing about Dracula is that it is based on a real person.

Vlad the Impaler was a nasty man by any definition. By Vlad, I mean the Romanian Prince, not the Angels outfielder that blasts home runs…except in the playoffs to my dismay. With a nickname like “Impaler”, I shouldn’t have to recite his resume, but will mention that he had a thing for long sticks with one end buried in the ground and the other end sharpened to a point. It was very wise to stay on his good side - “Vlad, did you lose some weight?” and so on.

Vlad ruled Romania during his reign and was such an enthusiast for impaling that those in the lumber business look back upon him with sighs of happiness. As anyone knows from the book, Vlad had his home office at Bran Castle in the Carpathian Mountains although he maintained branch offices in London. In fact, the castle stands today and you can spend your hard earned tourist money strolling about the grounds, buying fake fangs, garlic and so on. What isn’t widely known, of course, is Bran Castle was never the home of Vlad, who apparently didn’t care for the overly religious décor and garlic garden in the backyard.

The true home of Vlad the Impaler is Dracula Castle, which sits on the Arges River. The castle is not a hot tourist destination. Perhaps this is because the only things left are a few stones sticking out of the ground. Nonetheless, below the castle runs the Arges River.

Known in antiquity as the Ordessus, this is the spot where Vlad did some of his top-notch impaling and supposedly tied a unique fly or two. Even after all these years, the fish remain influenced and it takes a brave angler to hit the spot.

Body armor, garlic and a shield are not typical equipment for fly fishing. If you’re going to fish with Vlad, however, each is a must. The fish are odd. The locals with missing fingers and hands will fill you in. The “Impaler Pike” is known to react to being hooked by accelerating towards the angler and leaping from the water in the direction of one’s nether region. The Arges Cutthroat, of course, needs no description, but the Big Macks definitely give rise to the need for garlic. Finally, the Vlad Muskie can be caught, but an older gentlemen with only one ear suggested this isn’t necessarily a good thing. All and all, one doesn’t so much catch a fish below Vlad’s castle as survive the experience.

You may be wondering about the best flies to use in such circumstances. The old stand by Woolly Bugger? Perhaps a Clauser’s Minnow? Nope. According to locals, just nip a finger, rub the blood on a hook and off you go!

Happy Halloween From Nomad Journals!

By the way, you really can fly fish on the Arges below Vlad’s true castle. No armor needed, but garlic keeps the mosquitoes off.

Little blood suckers.

The law requires liability insurance for all drivers and vehicles. This means that if you are involved in a serious accident, and it turns out that it was your fault, your insurance company will pay out any claims that are made against you. Extra coverage on your own vehicle, called comprehensive insurance, is optional.

Insurance companies based on a number of risk factors will calculate the price you pay for this insurance. Basically how it works is the more they feel you are at risk of crashing, and the more they think the resulting crash will cost them, the higher the premium you’ll pay.

Assessment

Common factors that will be to assess the premium are the value of the car you’re driving, the safety of that vehicle, the coverage you want, will there be deductibles or limits etc.? How much you’ll drive the car, how your driving record stands, how long you’ve held your license, your age, and if you are young, also your sex.

The premium is then calculated. Usually there is a flat per car, per year rate that everyone pays, regardless of other factors. The other factors will then alter this rate, generally upwards. So if your car is especially fast or dangerous your rate will be increased by a set amount. If it is very old, your rate goes up. If you’ve had one or more accidents in the past, your rate will go up. If you’re young and male, your rate will go up. The more of these factors you satisfy, the more your rate will be going up.

Discounts

As a sales enhancement, many car insurers offer a “low estimated future mileage” discount to customers who predict that the car’s mileage will be below some stated limit during the next premium period. There is no verification involved and no additional charge if the car is subsequently driven more than the stated amount. This arbitrary discount tends to foster customer belief in the mistaken idea that “miles” are just one of many classification factors used to raise or lower prices from the territorial base rate. In fact, odometer miles (which insurers do not use) are not a factor but a metric - the only valid basis for measuring each car’s consumption of insurance protection in on-the-road use.

The best way to save on car insurance is to shop around, keep a good clean driving record, drive safely, and choose reliable cars that are not known for their power and speed.

Joseph Kenny is the webmaster of the insurance site www.insure121.com/ where you will find information, news and links to the leading providers of car insurance in the UK.

The teenager shopping for car insurance is at a decided disadvantage. Car insurance rates are based on age and driving experience as well as driving record. The best way for teenage drivers to work their way into better rates is stay on their parents policy in order to gain driving experience and a driving record. There is a good chance that after three years and a clean driving record that a preferred policy from the parent’s insurance company can then be issued on the teen drivers that want to have their own car and pay for their own insurance. There are numerous discounts for the young driver today. Drivers training education is the most common discount. The drivers training course normally consist of 30 hours of driving with an authorized instructor along with 6 hours of classroom work. Some companies give discounts for good students that carry a 3.0 grade point average in high school or college. There is also a resident student discount available by some insurance companies. The student has to live over 100 miles away from home to receive this discount.

Age Rating Tiers - Most insurance companies have age rating tiers on young drivers. The ages from 16 to 21 is one tier and the rates are the highest in this time period. The next age tier begins at age 21 and ends at age 25. The rates drop significantly at age 21 and again at age 25.

Vehicles Make a Difference - The younger the driver the higher the rate. The rates are very high for young drivers on newer vehicles that require collision and comprehensive coverage. Older vehicles that only require liability coverage as a minimum state requirement is one way to cut costs for the teen driver. Utility vehicles like pick-up trucks receive a small discount and the teen driver can take advantage of that discount also. The teen driver needs to stay away from high performance vehicles and sports cars because the rates will be very high and these cars may not qualify for standard car insurance.

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