It’s May. Memorial Day and the end of the school year are in sight. Suddenly, you’re thinking about a summer vacation. A little advance planning — and some insider tips — can save you a lot of money. Whether you’re booking airfare, a car rental or a hotel room, there are questions you should ask first.

If you’re like me, you waited until the final days of the tax season to file your returns. And if you’re like me, you’re thinking there ought to be ways to keep your finances organized throughout the year to avoid the mad scramble as April 15 approaches.

Q: Is a VPN the safest way to use an unsecured (public) Wi-Fi connection? Are there other ways to stay safe? Are there any free VPNs out there for personal use? — Kevin

Coffee, Irish whiskey and cream.

Arizona has the ‘Stupid Motorist Law’ for people who continue to challenge the forces of nature with their vehicles. It’s about time we had the ‘Stupid Hiker/Camper Law’ for those who think they can outwit nature/happenstance with their personal abilities. These folks are obviously lacking in common sense and make themselves a liability to the tax payer. I sincerely hope (these people are) held accountable and made to pay monetarily for their ‘stupid’ indiscretions.

Valley homebuilders used December 2012 to take steps for future projects, while also seeing a 30 percent increase in new home sales for all of 2012, compared to 2011, according to a recent report.

This stage adaptation of Doreen Cronin’s picture book recounts a humorous barnyard protest against the working conditions at Farmer Brown’s.

Once the results from baseball’s 2013 Hall of Fame voting were released, the howls began.

Microsoft is making the claim that you can’t trust Google anymore because they only show search results for those that are willing to pay. Is this true?

One trip to Chandler Fashion Center, a call to Ticketmaster, two online transactions and several stops at East Valley mom-and-pop shops in the bag, and my Christmas shopping is complete.

Q: Are extended warranties on computers worth buying? — Tim

With so many people now upside down on the value of their homes vs. the balance of the mortgage, they are simply walking away and leaving the homes in the care of the lender. A recent report estimates there is now a three-year surplus of homes. That greatly reduces the ''new home market,'' which cannot compete with the price of an existing home.

A Nuclear Regulatory Commission report said more employees at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station need regular training on the plant’s Severe Accident Mitigation Guidelines, and that training exercises are rare.

A Nuclear Regulatory Commission report said more employees at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station need regular training on the plant’s Severe Accident Mitigation Guidelines, and that training exercises are rare.

Triple-digit temperatures are no match for summer concert season at Chandler Center for the Arts.

No matter your taste, the coming Valley arts season is sure to offer something to satisfy. Venues all over town are set to burst with a wide array of theater, dance and music offerings throughout fall, winter and early spring.

It’s the dawn of a brand-new Camaro sports coupe, one of the most eagerly anticipated cars of the new model year. And why is the auto world licking its chops? Largely because it looks so much like the 1968-’69 models that are still considered the highwater mark by just about anyone who loves Camaros.

A company that grew with two owners who never met each other.

If you haven’t heard by now, cooler air mixes better with fuel to provide more horsepower and torque.

A car cover is great for protecting your investment and reducing maintenance costs, but it tends to take up a lot of space when it’s being stored in your prized possession.

Gov. Janet Napolitano turns 50 on Thursday, so the Tribune sat down with the two-term Democrat to talk about tennis, baby boomers and her political future.

With gas prices hitting all- boat and trailer are level when time highs, the folks at hooked to the vehicle.