Just came back from updating my May’s budget. I must say that I am terrible when it comes to sticking to budget. I tend to spend more than I should when there is money in my purse.
As a matter of fact, I have already been over my planned budget due to some out-of-pocket expenses like motorhome towing service charge and personal expenses.
Urgh, I am thinking how I can cut down on my personal expenses like weight loss powder and diet pills so that the amount can be ready for any unexpected expenses!
But I need them to help me lose weight. No, please don’t tell me to exercise or control my diet to save money! They don’t work, okay!
Starting now, grab any good flight deal that you come across online or in the newspapers! 
It’s likely that planes are to be full over Thanksgiving and there aren’t as many last minute deals this year.
Due to the recession, many airlines have to reduce the number of unprofitable flights in order to save money. That’s why there are fewer flights this Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year.
What about next year? Well, it depends on the economy, right?
What do you think of when I mention Europe? Most people think of things like bull fights in Spain, fine wine in France, historical sites in Rome, a good soccer brawl in the UK and so on.
But with soaring gas prices, costly flights, plus weakening dollar, a European trip seems practically unaffordable. The truth is that, you can still explore not only Europe’s rich treasure trove of art and history, but its contemporary and vibrant city life.
The best way to save money and control costs is searching for European vacation package offers or all-inclusive vacation deals online. If two-star Dublin Hotels or three-star Paris Hotels are fine with you, you’ll find a good number of affordable packages.
If possible, search for Paris Hotels, Rome Hotels, Dublin Hotels or Barcelona Hotels that include breakfast and fill up fast and early.
Europe is a very diverse place. You will find much that is familiar to you in the UK and Ireland but a lot that feels very different in Rome or Barcelona. Do take time to enjoy the cultural differences and remember, that’s why you’re going in the first place!
Category: Thrifty Travels
|
Tags: bull fighting, cheap vacation, costly flights, Europe, France, historical sites, Rome, save money, soaring gas prices, Spain, vibrant city life |
Comments off
I love collecting promotional products such as pens, mugs, key chains, t-shirts, umbrellas, tissue boxes given out by doctors, sales executives, bank managers or travel agents. Do you?
Most people like me are after freebies these days because this is good way to save a little money.
Even if you are on vacation, ask if there are any coupon books available when you check into the hotel. Often you can find a lot of good savings in these little books like two-for-one meals, discounts on shows, and dinner coupons.
Category: Save Money On Vacations
|
Tags: coupon books, dinner coupons, discounts, freebies, good savings, key chains, mugs, promotional products, save money, shows, t-shirts |
Comments off
Vacation home improvements and renovations are notorious for going way over budget. Here are tips on how you can save money on your vacation home improvement bills.
1. Go for the Small Jobs. Small jobs like a quick coat of paint or refinishing a floor can actually have a major positive impact on your vacation home and often offer a much higher return on your investment than, say, refinishing a wall or installing a brand new floor.
2. Work with What You Have. Instead of breaking the bank with new materials, always try to work with what you already have. Remember, power washing, sanding and re-staining a porch can make it look great again and for a lot less than it would cost to build a completely new one.
3. Get Three Quotes. When hiring a contractor or any laborer, shop around for at least three quotes. You can compare your options and get a much more realistic and accurate viewpoint of the marketplace and your pricing possibilities.
4. Buy Home Furnishings at Manufacturer-Direct Prices. As directbuy charges membership dues to join, you can purchase brand-name merchandise at manufacturer prices without traditional retail mark-up.
5. Try to Reuse Old or Salvaged Materials. Someone’s old bathtub could be your antique dream. Check salvagers, scrappers, flea markets, and even antique shops for unique items that can be salvaged and reused.
It can be tempting to ignore the cost of food while you’re on vacation. After all, you would spend money on food at home anyway. However, if you don’t plan ahead, you can end up spending a lot more during your vacation. Here are 6 simple ways to save money on food while you’re on vacation:
1. Weigh the Value of a “Free Breakfast”. You may find that paying more to stay at a hotel that offers a “free breakfast” isn’t worth the extra money, compared to a less expensive hotel that offers no breakfast. This is especially true when the complimentary breakfast is basically just pastries, because your kids are likely to be hungry again by 10:00 AM.
2. Bring Your Own Breakfast Foods. This is the easiest meal to eat in your hotel room. Stock up on cereals, bring your own bowls, spoons, and dish soap, and all you’d need to do is buy orange juice and milk. more…
Category: Save Money On Vacations
|
Tags: breakfast foods, complimentary breakfast, expensive hotel, food, free breakfast, hotel room, kids eat free, pastries, save money, snacks, vacation, water bottles |
Comments off
