Take Your 2018 Ford on Safari

Are you into the country music scene? If so, the Grand Ole Opry is like a musical Mecca, as nearly all of the genre's most recognizable stars have played on this stage at some point. It identifies as the "place that made country music famous" and has been a popular Nashville attraction for more than 90 years. If you're planning a visit here, use the following tips to make your experience more enjoyable. Book a Backstage Tour (in Advance) The absolute best way to take in all the Grand Ole Opry has to offer is by booking a backstage tour. These guided experiences often sell out in advance, so be sure to book them at least a few weeks ahead of time. On your tour, you'll be led around the backstage area by a knowledgeable guide who imparts various facts along the way. You'll get a glimpse of 18 dressing rooms, all of which have a unique theme. If you're lucky, they might be holding a celebrity or two. If you're there during a show, you might even have the chance to watch right from the side stage. Prepare to Travel If you had dreams of walking from your downtown hotel room over to the Grand Ole Opry, you're sadly mistaken. This music center is about a 20-minute drive from the heart of Nashville. While there are some public bus routes that head in that direction, your best bet is probably to hail an Uber or Lyft. Explore the Opry's Other Offerings The Grand Ole Opry offers more than just nightly shows. If you're staying in the area, you can also check out some of the surrounding attractions, including Gaylord Opryland Resort and Opry Mills. Gaylord Opryland Resort is a Marriott hotel next door to the Grand Ole Opry, making your commute to the show practically nonexistent. With a number of indoor and outdoor water attractions, 9 acres of indoor gardens and waterfalls, and a number of shopping and dining options, this hotel will definitely keep you entertained before and after the concert. Opry Mills is a massive shopping center featuring over 200 stores and restaurants for an entire day of entertainment. Shop for a fancy new outfit for the show you're seeing at stores like Calvin Klein, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store, H&M, and more. When you get hungry, grab some pretzels from the Bavarian Bierhaus or enjoy an upscale dinner at the Aquarium Restaurant. Don't Worry About the Big Names When you're visiting the Grand Ole Opry, you might be tempted to splurge on tickets to see a big star. Unless you're a true fan, there's no real need to do this, as even the underdog performances are stellar. All of the talent that performs at the concert hall is thoroughly vetted, meaning they're at the top of their game. You won't have to suffer through any lackluster performances or feel like you deserve a refund. Visiting the Grand Ole Opry is the chance of a lifetime. If you follow these tips, you'll create memories you'll cherish for years to come. Image via Flickr by tvanhoosear

When it comes to getting a new ride, most people prefer to buy a car. However, this is not the only option available. In the past, leasing was only available to luxury or corporate car customers, but now, anybody with an excellent credit score can lease a vehicle. Due to changing purchasing habits and the rising prices of new cars, an increasing number of people chose to lease over buying. Find out why you should lease your next car. How Leasing Works If you decide to buy a vehicle, you have to pay the entire purchase price either with financing or cash. A lease, on the other hand, only requires you to pay the difference in the price you've negotiated and the vehicle's residual value. The residual value is the expected value of the car when the lease ends. In order words, you'll only be paying for the depreciation that happens over the lease term. At the end of the lease, you can either turn the car in or purchase it. Leasing Payments Unless you're buying a car with a huge down payment or high-value trade-in, you'll almost always get a lower monthly payment with a lease. This is because you aren't paying for the full price of the car. If you choose to lease a vehicle, you could upgrade to a costlier model or add more options while staying within your budget. Leasing a car is also a sensible option if you haven't saved enough for a down payment or don't expect to get much for your trade-in. The down payment you need to pay on a lease depends on the type of car you choose. It usually doesn't exceed a couple thousand dollars. You can even find lease deals that don't require you to pay anything at all at signing. However, similar to other installment purchases, the bigger your down payment, the lower your monthly payments. Warranty Coverage Throughout Lease Term Most leases last for three years, but you can opt for a shorter or longer lease. Since the basic warranty on most vehicles lasts three years or less, you'll most likely be covered throughout the duration of your lease. Some leases come with complimentary maintenance, which can significantly lower your cost of ownership. Tax Savings Leasing a car may also help you save substantially on sales tax. Consult a tax expert to find out how a leased vehicle is taxed in your locality. In some areas, only the down payment and monthly installments are subject to tax. In other places, you need to pay tax on the entire cost of the car. If you have a good credit history, leasing a car is something worth considering. It is easier on your wallet and gives you an option to purchase the car at the end of the lease. With leasing, you can always be driving a car with the latest technologies without having to buy a new car every few years. Image via Flickr by RL GNZLZ

The Ford Fiesta is one of the most sought-after cars among college students. Despite being the smallest and most affordable car from Ford, it excels in almost every department. For 2018, this subcompact car is stylishly designed, sophisticated, and well-equipped, and it checks all the boxes that matter to college students. Discover these three good reasons why you should drive the 2018 Ford Fiesta to college. Affordability Similar to other college students, you probably don't have a steady stream of income. Therefore, the price is a major concern for you when you're shopping for a car. The 2018 Ford Fiesta is one of the most affordable cars on the market. If you decide to get it, you'll be paying low monthly installments and auto insurance costs. In addition, this car comes with a low ownership cost. It has an impressive fuel economy rating of 27 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway, so it'll help you save substantially on gas. Excellent Reliability Another reason why you should buy the 2018 Ford Fiesta is that it's highly reliable. There are few things more than frustrating than having a car that won't start or breaks down when you're trying to get to a class or exam on time. The Fiesta is more reliable than most cars in its segment, so you can expect it to serve you well for many years. Its reliability also means lower maintenance and repair costs, which you'll want to keep to a minimum while you're in college. Roomy and Versatile Cabin If you enjoy going on road trips or driving around with your friends, you'll appreciate the 2018 Ford Fiesta's roomy and versatile cabin. In the front row, it offers 39.1 inches headroom and up to 43.6 inches of legroom, while rear passengers get 37.1 inches of headroom and 31.2 inches of legroom. The front seats can slide forward or backward to adjust legroom in both rows. Therefore, you can rest assured that you and your passengers will ride comfortably on both short and long trips. Additionally, the Fiesta offers ample room for storing luggage, grocery bags, and other stuff. If you need to carry a lot of things on a frequent basis, opt for the hatchback model and get 14.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats. When you aren't using the rear seats, you can also fold them down to increase the storage space to 25.4 cubic feet. The 2018 Ford Fiesta also offers a fun yet composed driving experience, thanks to its adequately powerful engines and sharp and communicative handling. Due to its small size, it's easy to maneuver in tight spaces, making it ideal for urban driving. Also, the car comes with a long list of advanced tech and safety features for enhanced entertainment and safety on the road. If you want to find out if the Ford Fiesta is the right car for you, feel free to schedule a test drive. Image via Flickr by More Cars