Unconventional Ways to Cut Your Travel Costs
Don't give up on your summer travel plans due to this economic crunch...there are some unexpected ways the two of you can trim costs and make your vacation more memorable at the same time. Check out these unconventional ways to cut costs:
Swap Homes. Swap your home with another couple in another area. (This idea works particularly well if you live in a tourist destination.) Do some online searches for "vacation home exchange" to get an idea of what's available. Details can be worked out via email or phone and often no money changes hands. Shop carefully and be sure to request pictures.
Check out B&Bs. Bed & Breakfasts offer a unique stay, often at a lower price that you'd find at a hotel, plus most offer a home-cooked breakfast to start each day. Prices will vary, you may have to share a bath (especially at European B&Bs) and a deposit may be required. Many people say this is the only way to travel and savor the culture.
Elderhostels. Is one of you over 55? Consider an elderhostel stay; you'll find over 8,000 elderhostels in all 50 states and more than 90 countries. The stay itself is the focus of the vacation as people from all walks of life gather together to experience educational tours, learn, exchange ideas and explore the world at a reasonable cost. Cost will vary depending on where you travel.
Plan a Volunteer Vacation. If the two of you like the idea of going somewhere and helping others make a better way of life, this just might be the vacation for you. Search for "volunteer vacations" to find options around the world. At home and abroad you spend time volunteering on various projects such as rebuilding homes in New Orleans or planting trees in the Amazon jungle.
Check Out Monastaries and Spiritual Retreats. Whether you are seeking to reflect on your inner self or you'd just like some peace and quiet, you'll find that rooms at monasteries and spiritual retreats may be rented around the world. Most are inexpensive, and some only require a donation. You may also be asked to participate in some of their activities and help with chores but it’s not necessary to share their beliefs.
Using some unconventional money-saving techniques can help you plan a vacation in your budget--and plan a vacation the two of you will never forget!
Labels: vacation budgets
posted by Paris & John /Click for permalink 1:36 PM
Five Fun--And Nearly Free--Ways to Celebrate Valentine's
This Valentine's Day, we're all looking for ways to save money. But remember, the best things in life are free and that includes ways to celebrate your love. Here are five ways to show your Valentine how much he means to you...without spending any more than you would on a typical night at home.
Prepare a special Valentine’s dessert for you and your Valentine. Focus your attention on your loved one’s favorite dessert. If he's a fan of chocolate, you can make a molten chocolate mini cake for each of you. Tiramisu is another easy dessert option. Not the baking type? Make a fruit parfait. Create layers with store-bought pound cake, vanilla pudding, and fresh fruit to make the parfait, crowned with whipped topping.
Spread a blanket on the floor of your living room to create a special dessert picnic for Valentine’s Day. Light candles around the room to set the mood. Place some pillows around the edge of the blanket. Turn on your favorite soft romantic music.
Watch a romantic movie on your picnic blanket after you have enjoyed your Valentine’s Day dessert. Open a bottle of wine and relax as you watch a movie--or a movie marathon--of romantic flicks.
Slow dance with your Valentine after the movie is over. This traditional way to celebrate Valentine’s Day is often forgotten. Who says you have to be at a fancy restaurant to slow dance with the one you love? Place a couple of slow romantic CDs on repeat so that you don't have to end your special slow dance.
Celebrate your romantic Valentine’s Day by giving each other a massage. Who needs a spa for this day of love?
Labels: Valentine's
posted by Paris & John /Click for permalink 12:45 PM
Low-Cost Dating Ideas
Whether you're taking about a night out on the town with a new boyfriend or date night with your husband, you've probably got one big thing on your mind you didn't just a while back: money. Dinner and a movie has taken on a whole new (expensive) turn in today's economy so many couples are looking for low-cost ways to have fun and save money at the same time.
You'll know that money, however, has nothing to do with romance if you've read books by Michael Webb, known as "The RoMANtic." This Oprah expert (who says that Valentine's can be the least romantic day of the year thanks to so many people's insistence on just buying some roses and candy without any romantic thought) offers creative, unique and fun dates in his book
300 Creative Dates.
You'll find an assortment of ideas in this guide. While many of the ideas are quite creative, others are only a good reminder of places that everyone knows about...but forgot or just never realized that they’d make an ideal place for a date. Thankfully the, "I would-have-NEVER-thought-of-that-in-a-million-years!" ideas DO outweigh the date idea refreshers.
The book includes touches such as 'dating coupons' you can give to your partner to redeem at a later date. Some examples?
- Redeem this for a fruit-picking day at an orchard or berry patch
- Redeem this for a one-hour bike ride
- Redeem this for an evening at a nearby drive-in theater
While there are 300 ideas, you'll get bleary-eyed if you try to digest more than a few dozen in one sitting and some descriptions are a little lengthy (although you'll also find a nice list of bullets with quick and to the point date ideas ready). All in all, it makes a good reference for those looking for date ideas that don't break the bank.
Labels: budget date ideas
posted by Paris & John /Click for permalink 9:07 AM
How to Save Money on Airfare
In these tough economic times, airlines are cutting back on giveaways and tacking on extra fees for everything from baggage to pets. If the two of you are creative in your thinking and willing to put in some time in research (and be flexible in your plans), you can save money and make that dream vacation or honeymoon a budget-friendly reality.
Be flexible. Can you be flexible about your travel dates? The airline you select? If so, you'll have more options that will be easier on your travel budget. Shop, compare then shop and compare some more. Airfares change constantly.
Purchase your tickets in advance. Buying in advance gives you the chance to compare fares and get in on the lowest fares; more often than not, they'll increase as you get closer to flight date.
Fly Off-Peak. Everyone travels on Mondays and Fridays so for the best deal, look at off-peak days.
When's off peak? That depends on your destination. If it's a business destination where business travelers might fill the plane, expect the planes to be packed and at their most expensive Monday morning and Friday afternoon. If it's a leisure destination where travelers often head for a long weekend, look for busy Thursday, Friday, and Sunday schedules. Is it a cruise destination? Expect Saturdays to be busy. If you can, change your schedule to take advantage of low-cost days. You'll also want to avoid holidays when there's peak demand (although you'll find good fares on Christmas Day itself.)
Leave at Off-Peak Times. Not only are off-peak days important, but off-peak departure times are budget savers. If you leave before sunrise or after sunset, you'll find some sunny savings.
Sign Up for Frequent Flyer Clubs. Always take advantage of frequent
flyer offers. You'll often get some bonus miles on
signup then you'll collect miles with each flight (and often have the option of getting more miles with a particular credit card.)
Labels: air travel
posted by Paris & John /Click for permalink 12:51 PM
Reader Tips on Budgeting, Saving On Your Wedding
Less is more! -- Diane
Most of the times getting chair covers with a matching sash for your wedding is not worth it. People are less likely to remember what type of chair they sat on. Hopefully your entertainment is so good that people won't even be sitting for most of the night. :) -- J.M.
Just don't buy things just to buy them! -- NikkiG
Choose what's really important to you - - great photos or beautiful flowers - - and put your money toward that, rather than trying to throw money at every aspect of the wedding! -- SB
To be sure you don't go over budget, budget 10% less than you really want to spend! -- PK
Write out a preliminary budget and make sure to get estimates from all vendors, -- smk
Having a wedding planner is such a MUST. -- Jules
Labels: Weddings
posted by Paris & John /Click for permalink 12:18 PM
Reader Tips on Saving on Wedding Flowers
Buy a bouquet at local supermarket florist. They usually will make it for you for a much cheaper price. -- Eileen T
You can make a beautiful center piece for tables by simply getting some small glass vases and filling with flowers from a local market. Place some petals around base of vase and you are done. Simple is sometimes better. -- Jenn
Labels: Reader Tips, Wedding flowers
posted by Paris & John /Click for permalink 12:16 PM
Reader Tips on Saving on Beach Weddings
In smaller beach towns, you can get away with a beach wedding without having to purchase a permit, particularly if the reception hall is on or near the beach.
Additionally, smaller beach towns are more willing to accommodate you because they don't have the traffic of the larger cities.
Call the local chamber of commerce to inquire as they are often the best source of this information. -- Katie
Labels: Beach weddings, Reader Tips, Wedding locations
posted by Paris & John /Click for permalink 12:14 PM
Don't give up on your summer travel plans due to this economic crunch...there are some unexpected ways the two of you can trim costs and make your vacation more memorable at the same time. Check out these unconventional ways to cut costs:
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