• July 30, 2011 /  Travel

    With the recession, you are having to tighten your belts, manage your money and cut back maybe a bit more than you would like. Getting a little breathing room between paychecks is easier than most people realize, however, and the odds are, you’ve already got the skills required. My full time job personally is just traveling as much as I can.  In order to do what I love, I find odd things to keep my pockets full enough and start saving, Here are some ideas to fund your adventures:

    Good with computers? Most people aren’t and a little extra cash can be made by helping set up home PCs, doing basic system maintenance, and even help people understand the new gadgets they’ve purchased.

    Earning money from your own home is always appealing, and there are more than a few ways of doing it.
    Baking is nearly a lost art, and hardly anyone seems to have the time to create those home-made treats. Offering to bake for local cafes or restaurants can show off your culinary prowess around town, and you can even sell your creations out of your home, or in the office break room.

    Sewing, gardening, and even grocery shopping are all domestic necessities that people will pay good money to avoid having to do. Ironing, laundry, and even picking up clothes from the cleaners could be things you’re doing anyway, so why not make an extra stop or two?

    Be a lifesaver to overworked parents and offer babysitting services to your friends and acquaintances. Extra points for offering overnight services, or looking after kids who may be home sick from school.

    Do you speak another language, have a degree, or even just a unique talent or ability? Turn those qualifications into extra income every month. Check with local schools, you may be qualified to tutor, or even substitute for teachers who can’t make it to class that day. If you’re bilingual, or even just a native speaker who would like to teach English as a second language, giving one on one instruction can be a veritable gold mine.

    And lets not forget about how you’re reading this article in the first place. Your computer is an untapped source of revenue nearly anyone can take advantage of. Websites never stop updating, and will pay for researchers, contributors, and writers. A simple search for freelance writing opportunities can yield a huge opportunity for anyone with a flair for words.
    Don’t be afraid to turn your hobbies and interests into a steady source of income. Earning extra money every month is easier, and more enjoyable than you realize.

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  • July 14, 2011 /  Road Trips, Travel

    A great way to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature in the United States is by going on a road trip.  Thousands of people go on road trips each year and before they do they make sure the go to an insurance quotes blog to research the different strategies for insurance on their rental cars or personal vehicles so that they can relax on the trip and enjoy their adventure.  The top three road trips in the United States are outstanding for their beauty.

    3. Big Sur
    Twisting along precarious curves on Route 1, also known as the Cabrillo Highway, visitors will be enchanted by the amazing beauty of this highway, which lies between the beautiful Santa Lucia Mountains and the great Pacific ocean. Visitors will be amazed at the enormous redwood groves that grow right up to the highway on one side. On the other side of the two lane highway, visitors can watch the antics of sea lions playing on the rocky benches. Make sure and plan a stop at Jade Cove, where beachcombers can find some great precious stones.

    2. Covered and Natural Bridges of Alabama
    This awesome road trip leaves from Gadsen, Alabama on Lookout Mountain Parkway to the first two wonderful covered bridges near Oneonla. Then pass through the vast beauty of William Bankhead National Forest to arrive at Niccalula Falls Park near Gadsden. This is a great place for a hearty picnic in the reconstructed Pioneer Village. Then travel on using Route 75 to arrive at the 220 foot single span Horton Mill Bridge. Leaving from this remarkable bridge take Route 160 and visit the Old Easely Bridge and Swan-Joy Bridge before visiting the nation’s longest 385 foot natural bridge known as the Nedar Covered Bridge. Next travel on to visit the city of Cullman and its Ave Maria Grotto, a great place to stop and stretch your legs. Then travel on through the pretty rural resetting to visit the well preserved sixty foot high, 147 feet long Natural Bridge of Alabama at Haleyville. By following this route, visitors will be able to visit six covered bridges and two natural bridges.

    1. Acardia National Park Loop
    Visitors on the Acadia National Park loop will be amazed at the views of the Atlantic Ocean that can be seen right from the road, especially at sunset. Two great opportunities exist on this 27 mile drive. The first is a climb up Gorham Mountain where visitors will be amazed at the sonic boom of the waves hitting the rocky shoreline. The second great opportunity is the secluded Sand Beach which is just 300 yards long. Sand Beach makes a great opportunity to enjoy a romantic picnic in an atmosphere that you wish you could take home with you.

    From east to west, north to south, many great road trips exist in the United States of America. Choose one today and enjoy. However, first, before going on any road trip, make sure you have a license by passing the dmv written test or drivers test. Road trips are an amazing way to enjoy natural beauty and recharge your batteries.

     

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  • June 2, 2011 /  Travel

    Almost as important as planning your wedding, is planning your honeymoon. This is usually a once in a life time trip, one that will also create memories to last a lifetime. So, when choosing a honeymoon, it’s necessary to think about more than just the destination.

    To start off, pick a location. Be it Tahiti, or Fiji or, the Alps, or a tour of Europe, figure out where you want to go. Now make sure your significant other also wants to go to your chosen destination. If not, try to negotiate; if one person is miserable, the other person will end up that way too. So, if you want a Bali honeymoon, but your partner hates swimming, find out if there are other activities that would interest them. If he, or she, loves hiking, or golf, or visiting museums, they will still be able to enjoy themselves in Bali.

    After you’ve chosen where to go on your honeymoon, start looking at finances. Will you need to save up? If so, start putting aside money as soon as is possible. If you’re on a budget, chose the things most important to you. You might want to stay in a three star hotel, rather than a nicer one, but spend more on activities, like surfing lessons, or ski rentals, depending on where you are. Also, consider the cost of food; decide if you want to eat cheaply on some meals to be able to splurge on others. Making these choices before hand will save you from having credit card bill fights later.

    Try to find a package deal; there are many vacation bundle websites, and travel advisers are also a great help. By bundling the cost of the hotel, plane tickets, and car rental you can save a great deal of money.

    Make sure that you have credit cards available, along with cash; if you are going out of the country, make sure you have a way to change currencies. Depending on where you are going, traveler’s insurance should also be considered. Also, make sure that you own, or purchase, clothing appropriate for your destination. If you only own cold weather clothes you will melt going to a tropical location, or freeze if you go to a mountain resort with only warm weather clothing.

    By doing these things, you can be sure that the memories you create on your honeymoon, which will stay with you forever, will be wonderful. Also don’t forget the snowboard.

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