Browse by Tags

• Air travel rule No. 1: Expect the unexpected

  Posted Dec 13 2007, 01:59 PM by Karen Datko
  Filed under: Travel, Spending, Saving, Dining
  Rating:

  This post comes from David Wood at partner blog ConsumerAffairs.com.

  While this year's Thanksgiving travel rush was less troublesome than expected, frustrations of all kinds await travelers not only during the holidays but year-round. Here's a holiday review of frequent mishaps and what you can do to avoid them.

  The epidemic of lost bags is the tip of the iceberg. Flight delays, canceled flights, overbooking and an assortment of other annoyances are common.

  Keeping your cool is only part of the equation. You also must be educated about your rights and the laws and regulations that govern airlines.

  For instance, it's no secret that airlines routinely overbook flights in anticipation of passengers not showing up, and there is nothing illegal about that. Part of the traveling life is the chance of being bumped, and minors are not exempt.   Read More...

  Discuss (no comments) 994 Views Digg this | Email this | Link to this

• You don't have to be rich to travel

  Posted Nov 28 2007, 02:21 PM by Karen Datko
  Filed under: Travel, Spending, Saving, Dining
  Jennifer Derrick is planning her sixth vacation this year and is getting tired of the same old question: "How can you afford to take so many vacations?" She's not rich, she explains in a post at SavingAdvice.com . She knows how to prioritize and plan. "I try not be short with people when they ask me how I’m affording yet another vacation, but it’s difficult when I see some of them drinking coffee from Starbucks every morning, heading out to the movies every weekend, or eating out five meals per week," she writes. Her formula: She doesn't have consumer debt, has part of her paycheck automatically deposited in a separate high-interest savings account, and also throws in rebates, coupon savings and spare change. During the planning phase, she hunts online for coupons and discounts useable at her destination. No five-star resorts or fleabag motels for her. She looks for family-owned hotels and restaurants moderate in price and big on local flavor. Finally, she doesn't buy a lot of junk. She   Read More...
  Discuss (no comments) 555 Views Digg this | Email this | Link to this

• Is it cheaper to be antisocial?

  Posted Nov 08 2007, 05:23 PM by Karen Datko
  Filed under: Housing, Travel, Spending, Dining
  After a weekend flurry of housecleaning, laundry and catching up on The New Yorker, young, hip New York City denizen Madame X pondered a Carrie Bradshawesque question at My Open Wallet : Does it cost less to be antisocial? Like many other things in life, it depends. You'll save a lot on food and entertainment, particularly if, like Madame X, you're uncomfortable eating out and going to the movies alone. On the other hand, traveling is cheaper for two. You can split the hotel bill, and you'll likely eat in a restaurant, rather than overpay so a guy in a white jacket will bring food to your room. Fellow New Yorker Little Miss Moneybags agrees that being social has its costs . Because her vegetarian entrees normally cost less than those of her meat-eating friends, she loses out if everyone decides to split the bill equally among them. But spending money from time to time may actually be good for her, she concludes. "I already lean toward the crazy-cat-woman and frugal-till-you're-just-cheap   Read More...
  Discuss (no comments) 441 Views Digg this | Email this | Link to this