If you have planned your vacation to include the furry member of your family, be sure to follow these safety guidelines from Jody Victor.

Jody Victor: For responsible travel with a pet they must be properly secured. In an accident, an unrestrained dog becomes a projectile, risking serious injury to the animal and human passengers. To protect all passengers in a vehicle, it is recommended that pets be restrained by one of three methods. Each type of restraint is available at major pet stores and online supply houses, but there are varying levels of protection and risk.

For crate-trained animals, a plastic or collapsible crate is a natural choice for transportation. A crate offers familiar surroundings, a secure space, and the added convenience of having a place for your dog to sleep once you reach your destination. Unfortunately, many owners make the mistake of loading the crate-and the pet-into the vehicle without restraining the crate itself. Unsecured crates can move during sudden emergency maneuvers and accidents, and the dog might be injured within the crate.

To make the crate a comfy environment, place a towel or crate mat in the crate for the dog to lie on, give the dog some toys to keep him occupied, and make sure your dog has a water supply to stay cool.

An alternative is to secure the animal using a restraint harness that locks into a seat-belt receptacle (the safety of these devices has not been tested). A harness fitted around the animal's chest may allow the pet to move (sit, lay down, look out the window) within the behicle while keeping the animal secure in the seat in case of a sudden stop. Look for harnesses with metal buckles, since plastic may break during a collision.

For SUVs and wagons, you can also install a wire or nylon mesh pet barrier between the rear cargo compartment and the rear seat. But from a safety perspective, this is the least desirable alternative. While the barrier effectivley confines the animal to the cargo area allowing it to stretch and move around, the animal coud fly around during a sudden maneuver or accident if it is not secured.

Before you buy such a barrier, check how it is secured in the vehicle. The installation should be strong enough that it won't become dislodged in a collision, allowing the animal to fly forward and possibly injure rear passengers.

No matter what restraint method you choose, get your animal accustomed to traveling that way before the big family trip. Training, a little preparation, and the right restraint will make for a fun and safe holiday even the four-legged family members will enjoy.

Thanks, Jody! We'll keep it all in mind.

Joe Victor

If you are planning a road trip as part of your vacation this year, will you be taking your dog or boarding them at a kennel? With proper planning, preparation, and training, your dog can enjoy getaways by car with the entire family. I asked Jody Victor to give us some before-the-trip advice.

Jody Victor: There are countless hotels, parks, recreation spots, and even amusement parks across the country that welcome pets. And kids often enjoy having the family dog along for companionship and entertainment.

But taking a trip with your favorite canine might not be so charming if the pooch gets carsick on short rides, or if the animal's only automotive travel experience has involved a visit to the vet's office. Such animals may become panicked or anxious when put into the car. This can result in vomiting, noisy protests, or chewing the upholstery.

If this is a problem, you should plan ahead by desensitizing your canine friend to riding in a vehicle. Take short trips with fun, positive consequences, such as visits to friends and walks in a park, so that your dog learns to associate something positive with a car ride. Get the pet used to traveling restrained - whether by harness, barrier, or crate - to reduce travel anxiety during the big trip and increase safety for all.

If your pet continues to be prone to car sickness, it's probably better to leave it at home. If that's not an option, ask your veterinarian if a medication for anxiety and/or motion sickness would be appropriate. There are both prescription and homeopathic aids that can settle sensitive stomachs or minimize the effects of stress.

Whether you're taking an hour's drive or a two-day trip, you'll need to pack accordingly for your furry traveler. Just as at home, the most important supplies are food and water. Your local pet store carries an assortment of collapsible and disposable bowls designed for the travel enthusiast, and even bottles of water with built-in bowls.

To reduce your dog's anxiety (and chance of destructive chewing) while on the road, give him an appropriate chew toy. There are a number of hollow rubber or plastic toys available that are perfect for stuffing with treats to keep your dog entertained.

Thanks, Jody! We'll be looking forward to more pet travel tips later.

Joe Victor

There is nothing like the beautiful shine, wonderful feeling and glorious aroma of a new car - that's why it's such an emotional purchase - and one not to be taken lightly. I asked Jody Victor to fill us in on how to be financially ready to make the purchase.

Jody Victor: Are you ready to buy a new car? One way to find out is to write yourself a check in the amount you're thinking you can afford for three months (long enough for at least one of life's little emergencies to crop up).

During the three months, make three phone calls: one to your bank, to find out what kind of rates they charge on loans to people with your credit history; one to your insurer, to ask the rates for comprehensive insurance on a model you think you'd like to buy; and one to your local DMV, to see what registration and licensing would cost.

At the end of three months, ask yourself these questions:

How much did it hurt? If you skimped at all on other bills or shorted the amount of the payment, you're not ready.

Would I have enough left over to pay for insurance and licensing fees each year?

Would I pay this much every month for the car that's in my driveway already? Sooner or later, every new car becomes an old car, and you'll feel about the next car just the way you do about your old clunker.

Would I rather have the cash? The typical car payment, $350, adds up to more than $1,000 in just three short months. You might prefer to get a tan in Mexico and limp along with ol' Betsy for another year.

Could I continue to save for another year and simply pay cash? Five grand would buy any of hundreds of reliable used models. Save for two years and you're in new-car territory, if your old car will fetch a few thousand.

If the craving for a shinier car hasn't passed in three months, at least you've begun the shopping process with a few months' worth of car payments and a more realistic idea of the hit your wallet will take.

Thanks, Jody! We'll keep this in mind!

Joe Victor

Would you drive out of your way to save a penny a gallon? Cutting back on driving rather than searching for bargains may be a better way to save money on gas. Jody Victor explains why.

Jody Victor: How far should you drive for a gasoline bargain? That depends not only on the savings at the pump but on your vehicle's gas mileage and how much fuel you plan to buy.

Although a recent survey showed that a significant number of drivers would go out of their way for a difference of just a penny a gallon, that rarely would be worth the trip. With gas prices at $2.80 or more per gallon, traveling just three miles in the average 27.5-mile-per-gallon vehicle would burn about 31 cents worth of gas, more than twice the 15 cents you'd expect to save in filling up a 15-gallon tank.

However, if you can scope out 5-cent-a-gallon savings, the calculation shifts in your favor. Even drivers of the 15-mile-per-gallon Ford Explorer would save about 57 cents on a fill-up by driving three miles out of their way. Interestingly, the driver of a Toyota hybrid electric car, at 44.8 miles per gallon, would save less on such a side journey for a fill-up, only 41 cents, because the Prius has a smaller gas tank (11.9 gallons).

Since the average American driver burns 10 cents per mile at recent gasoline prices - 19 cents for the Explorer and 6 cents for the Prius - you may want to consider whether cutting down on driving might save you more than searching for gasoline bargains.

Thanks, Jody! We'll give it some thought.

Joe Victor