Browsing Category Budgeting
Accommodations, Booking, Budgeting, Planning
My favorite accommodation-booking sites
There are a lot of sites to choose from when booking accommodations. There are some that I prefer more than others, and I have reasons why. There are a lot of sites like Orbitz, Expedia, Booking.com, Hotwire, Travelocity, etc. There are also a number of vacation rental sites such as Homeaway.com, Airbnb, and even booking through TripAdvisor. There are pros and cons to each, and I’m not saying I’m an expert at all of the pros and cons of the sites. However, there are ones I prefer and use them on a more regular basis. I’d love to hear from you and see which sites you prefer.
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Budgeting, Group Travel, International Travel, Traveling
Hosting a travel party
A great way to get the buzz going about your next trip is to host a travel party. One of my guest writers, Heidi Papworth, hosted one and invited my husband and I to present “tips for traveling” for a few guests. Each guest was planning a trip to a different European country. We shared travel stories and other things we’ve learned to make the most of the trip. It can be a great way to get the buzz going about your next trip or even bounce ideas off some of your fellow traveling friends.
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Booking, Budgeting, Ohio, Transportation
Allegiant Air and Rickenbacker Airport… I’ll Do It Again
Written by: Heidi Papworth
When my brother called me and suggested I come home for the Fourth of July cookout at his place, I told him that I hadn’t seen any money growing on the palm trees out front of my studio apartment. After all, I don’t consider flying home to be cheap. All of my recent trips from south Florida to Columbus have been an average of $400 round trip. All of which included a layover somewhere, that made no sense, and a checked bag packed with about three coats. So when he told me to look into Allegiant Air, which flew in and out of Rickenbacker airport, I was pleasantly willing to book a round-trip and direct flight for under $200!
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Booking, Budgeting, International Travel, Travel Guides
A little bit goes a long way (international edition)
Back by popular demand, we’re going to plan a fake trip. This time, we’re going on an International excursion.
From Central Ohio, the cheapest international destinations are going to be ones in Central America, the Caribbean, or Mexico. You can take an inexpensive cruise to any of these destinations, but you know me… I gotta bump it up one step.
Let’s say we don’t want to go on a cruise, but would like to spend a week exploring another country. I’ve decided to do this trip as a couple, so let’s see how far $2,400 can get. I have chosen $2,400 because I know that the median household income in Ohio is $46,093, and I’m sure that’s based on the fact that many families in Ohio have two incomes. So let’s say that you have $46,093 per year. After taking out 25 percent for taxes, that’s $34,569 a year. That equates to $2,880 a month. Experts say that you should be spending about 1/3 of your income on housing so that would be $865. I would estimate about $300 for utilities. Let’s say you have two $200 car payments, you spend $150 a week on groceries and fuel, you have a $120 a month cell bill. That still leaves $595 for whatever other bills you have to pay. I am guessing there’s at least $200 in there you could save towards travel.
From Central Ohio, the cheapest international destinations are going to be ones in Central America, the Caribbean, or Mexico. You can take an inexpensive cruise to any of these destinations, but you know me… I gotta bump it up one step.
Let’s say we don’t want to go on a cruise, but would like to spend a week exploring another country. I’ve decided to do this trip as a couple, so let’s see how far $2,400 can get. I have chosen $2,400 because I know that the median household income in Ohio is $46,093, and I’m sure that’s based on the fact that many families in Ohio have two incomes. So let’s say that you have $46,093 per year. After taking out 25 percent for taxes, that’s $34,569 a year. That equates to $2,880 a month. Experts say that you should be spending about 1/3 of your income on housing so that would be $865. I would estimate about $300 for utilities. Let’s say you have two $200 car payments, you spend $150 a week on groceries and fuel, you have a $120 a month cell bill. That still leaves $595 for whatever other bills you have to pay. I am guessing there’s at least $200 in there you could save towards travel.
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Booking, Budgeting, Group Travel, Traveling
A little bit goes a long way (couples edition)
Since last week’s post was so much fun, I wanted to try again. But this time… I’m going to take my husband on my trip.
Let’s say we started saving $100 in January, and by the time the fall comes around, we’re itching to go somewhere. For starters, I want to handle the objection, “I don’t have $100 to save every month.” Maybe you don’t, but allow me to help you trim the fat.
Let me give you some examples of things that you DON’T need that equal $100 for a couple:
Let’s say we started saving $100 in January, and by the time the fall comes around, we’re itching to go somewhere. For starters, I want to handle the objection, “I don’t have $100 to save every month.” Maybe you don’t, but allow me to help you trim the fat.
Let me give you some examples of things that you DON’T need that equal $100 for a couple:
- 4 times dining out at $25 a pop (And don’t kid yourself, you know you eat out way more than 4 times a month)
- 2 movie tickets ($22), 1 trip to Jeni’s ($8), 1 trip to Starbucks ($6), 2 Old Navy t-shirts ($24), one trip to Target where things fly into your cart that you know you didn’t need ($40)
- 2 bottles of wine ($20), 4 fast food meals ($28), 1 set of new sheets ($45), 1 impulse grocery item ($7)
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