If you’ve accumulated more miles than you can expect to use before they expire, or if you have a favorite charity you want to help by donating those miles, there are ways to do it:

1. Mileage giveaways are usually called guest flier programs. If you want to give once or frequently, keep up on the ever-changing rules. For latest information, check websites of United Airlines Charity Miles, American Airlines Miles for Kids, Northwest Air Cares, Delta Sky Wish Charities, Midwest Airlines Miracle Miles, southwest.com and and Continental OnePass. There are also websites that give information on the entire donar process, including smartertravel.com and frequentflier.com.

Don’t be a fat cat couch potato
A new medical report from an university health group studied several hundred subjects on the lifespan difference between people who exercise regularly and those who don’t. They say they’ve found that those who get up, get out and get physical live an average of 15 years longer than the sedenatary people.

So, why the heck are you sitting there right now at your computer and then going over to the couch to watch the latest reruns of “I Love Lucy”? Or those endless no-talent talent shows? And if you watch infomercials or home shopping channels all the time, it may already be too late. 

Just because you've logged a few extra decades, doesn't mean you can just loll there on the couch. Get up, get out and travel

Off-season vacations are cheaper

Despite what the ads say, there’s really no such thing as a totally all-inclusive resort. All-inclusive means you’ll get the basic meals and lodging for one price, but other features usually cost extra. They may include a variety of taxes, tips, alcoholic drinks, spa treatments, upscale dining, excursions and other add-ons.

That said, and if you’re aware of what you may have to pay extra, all-inclusive resorts can be great bargains. Those single-pay vacations can also be more convenient when you need to put out just one price at the beginning, because you don’t have to dig for money ten times a day, as is required on all other kinds of vacation travels.

Road trips with your dog can be a pleasant or troublesome experience. It all depends on how you prepare and conduct your own and the dog’s behavior throughout the trip. Here are some helpful tips that can make the journey pleasant for both the driver and the dog.

1. For at least a week before the long trip, give the dog familiarization rides of an hour once a day. Prepare a comfortable sitting area in the passenger or rear seat area. If the dog is nervous, leans out the window or wanders throughout the car during your test drives, firmly put the dog back in the intended seat. When the dog complies, speak cheerfully and do some reassuring petting until the dog knows to stay in place during the long ride.