Taxation Representation 2.9.11

So, Tax Day is coming quickly. After you stop groaning, let’s talk about the plus side of tax season: Tax Refunds! Sure, you have to get all your paperwork together and either spend hours poring over those stupid forms that make hardly any sense or pay some nice person who has a degree and years of experience to do it for you. I choose the latter, as it takes very little of my time, energy and money and I get my refund much faster and there’s probably not going to be any mistakes, like there usually is when I do it, even with Turbo Tax for Dummies. One short meeting (or long, since I like my CPA and end up chatting) and a couple of signatures a few days later and I not only know what I should expect to get back, but when I should see it in my bank account, too! What do I do while I’m anxiously awaiting my new fortune? Make travel plans, of course!

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Tax refunds are like an unseen, and super easy, vacation savings fund. If you think about it, you pay taxes all year and you get all grouchy about it, but come tax time, you’ll be seeing it again! You didn’t actively have to set aside anything from each paycheck or do any work. It just shows up again as “free” money. Okay, we all know it was yours to begin with, but since you didn’t actually have access to it, you couldn’t spend it on other things (like shoes or new tires), but now that it’s in your hot little hands, you can spend it on something you want, like a vacation! Of course if you have pressing bills or house repairs, you should use it on those, but if you don’t, by all means, reward your hard work all year with a trip where you can relax and enjoy yourself. You deserve it.

Need other ideas how you can spend your tax rebate or looking for more budget travel tips? Find me on Facebook and “like” Shereen Travels Cheap. Click HERE or on the bar at the top of this blog that says “join me”. We are super close to 500 page members (so hurry to join) and then we’ll be giving away two fantastic Travelon travel bags and if you referred one of the two winners, you’ll receive an iGo multi-charger! You don’t have to live in the U.S. to win, so please join and suggest Shereen Travels Cheap to all your Facebook friends, because the more friends you get to join, the more likely you will be to win one of our great travel prizes!

I usually show you how to make your money stretch further, so let me also show you some great ways to spend your tax dollars and also get the most out of them:

Want someone to take care of everything for you? Why not check out a cruise or an all-inclusive resort? There are many Caribbean sales going on right now. If the sun and surf are calling you, you certainly have time to take advantage of what’s out there. Leave your wallet in your room be completely catered to on a cruise ship or do your own more-active thing in a resort setting.

CheapCaribbean has weekly all-inclusive sales that are super affordable and highly rated. They are all beachfront and offer great amenities and you can purchase as an entire package, so you get airfare and hotel (which includes meals, drinks and most entertainment) all in one place for a low price.

5-7 night cruises are on sale with Carnival Cruiselines from $239 per person. Book early (3-5 months out) and save 20% off. If you’re a past cruiser, you can also get upgrades, discounts, onboard credits and more!

Cruise on a brand new ship and get deep discounts! And I mean DEEP. $379 per person for a 7-night Mexican Riviera cruise just so you can test out the ship and all it has to offer. Expect some kinks, but otherwise it should be smooth (and highly affordable) sailing.

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Hotels.com would like to save you 30% off regular rates if you make a Valentine’s reservation at any of their participating hotels worldwide before February 15 and stay by February 21. 

If that is too soon for you, there is also a Mardi Gras sale with 30% off hotel rates into March. 

Say Aloha to Winter and hello to warm weather and pristine beaches with Travelocity and Marriott’s Hawaii sale. Save up to 50% off hotels and package deals, starting at less than $750 per person with 4-nights accommodation and round-trip airfare. This is a limited time deal, so book quickly. 

Looking to fly out of the country? There are some amazing deals right now, like the fare sale at Lufthansa where you can fly to Europe in March and April starting at less than $200 each way.  This is a great deal and let’s you miss a lot of tourist times and hot or cold weather, barring some freak snowstorm or volcano eruption.  This sale is good through February 15th, so book as soon as you can.

Exchange rates can be confusing. They change everyday and can end up being the difference between a few cents and a few dollars depending on when you change your money. If you can’t ever figure out how much something is in your own currency, having an exchange rate calculator is very important, because it can keep you from overspending. As much as I like the idea that foreign money isn’t real money, I don’t have the luxury to spend whatever I want and then face the consequences when I get home…and if I did, it would probably mean a month or two without heat, cable, phones and water. Those things are kind of important to normal people and since I don’t live in a tent in the wilderness, they are imperative for me to live. (Okay, not so much with the cable, but I’d rather not have to skip my weekly dose of Californication and How I Met Your Mother.) Here are a few websites that show up-to-the-minute exchange rates and also some that can be downloaded as an app to your smartphone, so you can figure out how many Krona are in a Euro and how many Pesos they turn out to be when you travel between countries.

·        www.exchangerate.com

·        www.oand.com  Not only do they offer updated exchange rates 24/7, they have a great (and free!) iPhone app that you can take with you everywhere. Discreetly convert any two currencies, so you always know what you’re paying. If you’re using your credit card, you even see the credit card rate of exchange that will be added to your purchase!

·        Worldmate.com offers a free currency converter app for your Blackberry.

·        Convert over 50 currencies with this free Android app.

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Use FareCompare’s Fare Map for finding the best time to travel anywhere around the world.

Not sure where you want to go, but looking for some ideas? Dohop Away can give you the latest airfare deals from your home airport.

In the coming weeks I’d like to answer some reader questions on budget travel, or just travel in general, as I find that there are many people out there that have similar questions and this could be helpful to a lot of you. If you have a question, please feel free to leave a comment below and I will work on getting them answered in the following blog posts. And, of course, you can always post questions on my Facebook page, which will be answered as quickly as possible.

As you can see I've changed up my page a bit. Now you can find all my sites that I've written for on the sidebar to the right. You can click and go right to my article. I do ask that you take the time to check out the rest of the site while you're there, as they can be very useful for travelers and budgeters alike. There is now a list of my favorite links on the sidebar as well, and you can grab my button, too, if you would like to point others to my blog from your blog or website.

Soon, I will have a guest blog post on Independent Traveler, which is also a great resource for efficient and affordable travel. You might also be seeing me on the Minimus blog. Stay tuned for more info!

Do you have a travel site/blog that you’d like me to write a travel article for? Contact me here and give me details. I’d love to do it!

Creating Your Grab and Go Travel Bag 2.5.11

Do you hate packing or always leave it to the last minute? What if you had your carry-on pretty much packed with all the essentials and then just had to add a few tops and bottoms to be able to take off? I find this to be tremendously helpful when I pack a bag, so much so that I buy travel items to pack and use on my trip throughout the year. Of course, if you go to the same types of destinations each year, then you could probably pack all of your travel clothes as well. . For those of you who do not, let’s look at what you can get away with packing that can be used in any destination.

First thing’s first: Make a packing list. You know what essentials you need to take for each vacation, so make a master list with these on them and then leave blank lines for clothing choices, since each vacation might need a different type of attire. You’re not going to be able to take your Bermuda travel wardrobe with you to Iceland and not freeze to death, so keep that in mind. You might want to make several different packing lists, if you’re the organized sort. I tend to keep mine as a Word doc on my computer, where I can leave all my necessary items on and then delete and replace the rest with travel clothing choices that are appropriate for my destination. If you aren’t sure where to start when making a packing list, follow the list below and then go from there or steal some other ideas from websites like TravelSmith or Independent Traveler, which has packing lists they create for different trips.

Underwear

This seems like a given, but it’s one of those things that if you don’t put it on your packing list, you could easily forget. Keep 5 pair for each traveler in a zip-top bag (for freshness) in your bag, that way there’s no chance that you thought you packed them and then get to your destination without any. Socks can also be packed like this. I’m sure you take the same kinds of socks with you on most vacations (unless your destination is really cold and you need special toe-warming ones), so you might as well add these to your bag while you’re at it.

   

Need some ideas on where to take your newly packed bag or looking for more budget travel tips? Find me on Facebook and “like” Shereen Travels Cheap. Click HERE or on the bar at the top of this blog that says “join me”. We are super close to 500 page members and then we’ll be giving away two fantastic Travelon travel bags and if you referred one of the two winners, you’ll receive an iGo multi-charger! You don’t have to live in the U.S. to win, so please join and suggest Shereen Travels Cheap to all your Facebook friends, because the more friends you get to join, the more likely you will be to win one of our great travel prizes!

Toiletries

Shampoo & Conditioner can easily be bought in travel sizes or put in reusable travel bottles and if they don’t get used for months, it’s not a big deal. I know some people like to just buy these at their destination, but I travel prepared for anything. If I have a layover or get stranded, I would like to keep myself clean.

Soap/shower gel. See Shampoo & Conditioner.

Almost all Deodorant brands generally come in smaller travel sticks. If you can’t find them at your local store, look on Minimus.biz. If they don’t have them, you may need to settle for a similar brand, or take a full-size stick, but those take up a lot of room in a toiletry bag.

Toothpaste and toothbrushes are a travel must. We have a set of travel brushes that we keep in the bag at all times. That way, we don’t risk the chance of leaving them behind on the morning of our trip, because we left them in the bathroom. Travel size toothpaste is available almost everywhere. I have so many tubes, you’d think they gave them away free at the airport.

Hair care products always seem to take up so much space. Here’s how you can make them take up less and leave your everyday products at home. Buy an extra set of combs and/or brushes. If you require a comb or brush, buy an extra one that can pack neatly in your toiletry bag.  Obviously combs pack better than brushes, but if you need one, try to get a travel-sized one or a pop-up brush that takes up almost no room. You can find them in the aisle with other travel-sized items.

   

If you curl, blow-dry or straighten your hair, then consider getting smaller versions of those devices that will take up less space. Conair has some wonderful products specifically for travel that have gotten really good reviews. Or you can look for other brands. Look for folding models. You have no idea how much space you can save in a bag when you buy a smaller hair dryer that has a folding handle or even a curling iron that can retract into itself for easy portability.

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If you wear contacts, keep an extra pair in your bag, with a spare case and small bottle of solution. That is a lifesaver anywhere.

Ladies who wear makeup, can buy a new bottle, jar or powder case when the old one has a few weeks of use left in it and put it in their travel bag. I do this with foundation. It is easy to estimate when you will need to go buy or order a new one, so instead of waiting until the last minute, I get a new one earlier, put the old one in my toiletry bag and am set for my next trip. I also keep a crème blush in my bag, to keep from needing to also carry around a brush, and a spare lip balm. I hate getting to my room and then having to dig around in my purse for half of what I want to put on my face. When you receive a gift with purchase, instead of using the samples, throw the mascara and eye shadow in your bag. They are usually smaller, work just as well and are easily replaceable. (Another plus is that if you toss it at the end of your vacation, you won’t feel like you’re wasting anything and you have less to carry on your way home!)

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Easy 3-1-1 bag: Gather all the things that are liquid, gel, paste and whatever else they make you squish in there now and put it all in your plastic bag next to, or inside, your toiletry bag. That way, when travel day comes, you can just put it on the top of your packed items or throw it in your purse to be able to quickly produce it for security. Nothing is worse than when you see people get to the airport without a bag or all their products in 3 different bags or in their carry-on pocket and you end up stuck behind them in line. Preparation is key to whizzing through security and starting your vacation.

Electronics

Now, I know you will be using all or most of your electronic devices during your daily life, so I’m not suggesting you pack up your laptop and iPod weeks or months before you trip. What you CAN do is purchase an iGo multi-charger (or win one via my Facebook page) and keep it in your carry-on with all your essential tips. That way, when you get ready to leave, you don’t have to hunt down chargers for everything AND you save so much space you wouldn’t believe it.  Imagine having to take only one adapter with you everywhere you go, even if you take twelve electronic devices. I don’t have an iGo adapter for my netbook, but you can buy those, too. They seem to take up the same amount of space, so I just make sure to add that to my list of must-haves on my packing list.

Other Useful Travel Items

I tend to have the same items packed for every trip, so now I just leave them in my travel bag all the time.

• Small crank flashlight. You never know when you might need some extra light. These are great, because they are inexpensive and don’t require batteries. I found one at my local Target that’s on a keychain, fits in the palm of your hand and gives enough light off with just a few cranks.
• Pen and paper. Take some notes, play a game, leave a message for the maid. You really can’t go wrong by having this set in your bag. Even if you don’t end up using it, it takes up almost no room.
• Folding, pop-up mesh hamper. I know I’ve sung the praises of these before, but they really are useful. Use as a hamper and a laundry tote for vacations of a week or more. For less than a week, use it to keep all your dirty clothes separate from your clean ones or as a catch-all for your purchases.
• Laundry line. In case you plan to do laundry in your room, or want to save money on dryer costs by bringing back your clean clothes and hanging them to dry in your room. The best ones are the rubbery ones that have a braided line, so you don’t need to bring clothes pins, as the clothing can be held in place by placing them between the plaits.
• Sewing kit. When you only take as many clothes as necessary, you don’t really bring anything extra. It’s imperative that if something happens you can fix it, whether it’s a popped button or an unruly hem.
• Basic first-aid kit. I have a small one that fits in my toiletry bag, but it has all the essentials: band-aids, antibiotic meds, gauze, aspirin, gloves, tweezers…If you fall and break your leg, it won’t help you much, but if you skin your elbow at the pool, you won’t have to shell out $13 on a tube of Neosporin at the hotel gift shop. Great for clumsy people like me or those with kids.
• Anti-bacterial spray and wipes. I like to have both of these on hand. The spray can kill germs on your hands…or anywhere else on your body and in the air and the wipes can be used for the same, on surfaces, to clean up spills or to refresh yourself after a long plane ride. Both are also wonderful if you have kids in tow.
• Compass. Yes, I know this isn’t Boy Scouts, but sometimes, even in a big city, you’re confronted with a map and no real point of reference to where you are. A compass helped us out greatly when trapped in the depths of Kensington Park. The map doesn’t show you trees and benches, so knowing a general direction to head in got us back on track.
• Packable rain jacket. You never know when a downpour will interrupt your vacation, but having a packable jacket can keep you dry and also serve as a light cover-up for a chilly evening, making it more useful and convenient than an umbrella. You can get affordable, lightweight options in a variety of colors. 

             

Creating a Travel Wardrobe

Want to start working on a great travel wardrobe? I have some warm weather and cool weather travel clothing pieces, but lately I've been looking at cold weather destinations and need to stock up on some warmer options. This got me thinking that other people probably want to know what kinds of fabric and brands to look for in a durable and attractive travel wardrobe.

• While cotton is comfortable, it's not always the best option for travel fabric, because it wrinkles and holds odors. Look for items that have soy, bamboo or coolmax. These fabrics wick moisture and are resistant to odors, so if you can't wash your clothes right away, they won't smell up your CLEAN clothes and you can get another wear out of them if you need to. Nylon and rayon are nice lightweight fabrics that are also quick-drying. Wool and fleece are excellent layering fabrics, if you need to keep warm in a cold climate, because they have a tight weave that can be thin and still hold in quite a bit of heat.
• Omni-shield clothing has built-in SPF for sunny locales. Just because your skin is covered up, doesn't mean you can't get sunburned.
•  If you'll be traveling to a destination that is known to have mosquitoes and other bite-y bugs, look for clothing with Insect Shield from ExOfficio. It has built-in bug repellent that can last up to 70 washes.

So, what makes travel clothes better for traveling than your normal wardrobe? This is easy. Travel clothes are made specifically for travel conditions. They are durable, lightweight and super packable. They can also be very versatile and stylish, with great pieces that are made for layering, and are convertible. You can have pants that roll up to make capris or zip-off into shorts. You can buy long sleeve tops that have roll up sleeves to make a short sleeve shirt, so it works for chilly weather or warm weather. There are dresses that can be converted into 20 different styles. Now you can even find reversible clothing, so you can wear one piece two different ways and get more looks out of it. So, where can you find these awesome clothing pieces? Here are a list of my favorite brands.

• Columbia Sportswear
• ExOfficio
• Patagonia
• Mountain Hardwear
• North Face
• Lolë
• GoLite
• Lucy
• Travelsmith

     

      

As you can see I've changed up my page a bit. Now you can find all my sites that I've written for on the sidebar to the right. You can click and go right to my article. I do ask that you take the time to check out the rest of the site while you're there, as they can be very useful for travelers and budgeters alike. There is now a list of my favorite links on the sidebar as well, and you can grab my button, too, if you would like to point others to my blog from your blog or website.

Do you have a travel site/blog that you’d like me to write a travel article for? Contact me here and give me details. I’d love to do it!

Romantic Getaway on a Budget 2.2.11

With Valentine’s Day just a few days away, I’m sure some of you are racking your brains still for things to buy your Sweetheart. If you had a plan and are totally prepared, why not start thinking about a romantic getaway later in the year or even as an anniversary, birthday or next Valentine’s Day “Wow” vacation? I’m talking, of course, about the most romantic city in the world: Paris. While others may disagree with this title, I think more people than not still want to travel to France to see what they’ve been missing all this time. From the sidewalk cafes to Notre Dame, Paris is really a magical city. There’s so much to see and do that even if you don’t find it extremely romantic, you will find it extremely tourist friendly, with something to see or do around every corner. The only drawback to this great city? Price. Paris can be very spendy if you don’t plan out your trip ahead of time. And don’t let the fact that Euros sound cheaper than British Pounds fool you. Currently, the dollars to Euros exchange rate is 1.36 : 1, meaning 1 Euro = $1.36. Make sure you do the math when trying to figure out your budget. It doesn’t seem like much, but if you forget to add almost 40% to all of your purchases, that is huge!

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So, let’s look at some ways to save in The City of Lights.

Spring, Fall and Winter are good times to travel to France. Anything, but Summer, really. Fall and Winter are going to be the least expensive times and also the least crowded. While shops and museums may be open shorter hours, you will be able to do more than you would in Summer, since tourists are sparse. Another upside: The air will have a chill, meaning you and your sweetie will spend a considerable amount of time snuggled together for warmth.

If you plan to do any real sightseeing in Paris, you should get yourself a Paris Pass. For one reasonable price, you can then skip the lines at many attractions, such as the Arc de Triomphe and the Louvre, and go right in. In fact, over 60 attractions are included with your Paris Pass, making it the most valuable thing you can take with you, besides your passport and loved one. Gain entrance to 55 museums and monuments (unfortunately, the Eiffel Tower is not included), amazing attractions, like the Seine River Cruise, unlimited travel on the metro, buses and RER within Central Paris, an awesome guidebook and coupons for dining and shopping.

Just looking to take a few relaxing days out wandering the streets? Well, that’s a great way to save money, especially since there are so many things to walk around and see without having to pay entrance fees. Stroll the Champs de Elysee, take pictures of the Arc and the outside of Notre Dame, cross the bridges over the Seine, buy a baguette or crepe from a street vendor, enjoy the sculptures outside of the Louvre and on and on. 

One of my favorite memories, which may seem odd, was our trip to Pere Lachaise Cemetery. Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, Marcel Proust and other notable historical figures have been buried here. It’s free to enter and they’ll even give you a map to guide you around. There is a donation box, and I suggest tossing in a couple of Euros, just for being able to walk among the mausoleums, tombstones and memorials. It’s simply amazing, the money and craftsmanship that went into the houses of the dead. We spent around three hours walking up and down the pathways and taking pictures of the magnificent structures and reading about those who were buried there and didn’t even see half of the grounds. It’s definitely a cheap day, but also very interesting. I plan to make another trip when I return. (Kudos to my husband for planning that day and including the cemetery, otherwise I would never have seen it.)

It’s pretty easy to get around town on public transportation. While it’s not as easy as it is in London and other big cities, mostly just because there aren’t as many stops, it’s still a great way to get from one place to another and also get your walking and exercise in once you arrive at your destination. Paris is a wonderful walking city. With everything to see, you won’t even realize how many miles you’ve put on your walking shoes…until you finally decide to sit down and get lunch somewhere. If you don’t invest in a Paris Pass, get yourself a daily or weekly Metro pass. It will save you money from buying each pass individually and make it much easier to keep track of.



Photo courtesy of Brad Jennings

Find delicious places to eat on a budget! This one is so easy, I wish I had the options last time I was there. Food can really add up, especially if, like me, you didn’t do your homework and assumed there would be amazing food everywhere you turned. Unfortunately, it wasn’t so. Check out these options for finding and booking meals in Paris and saving money while doing it!

• TopTable.com: Not only can you make reservations online with TopTable, but you can see diner reviews, menus, get big discounts and accrue points for each reservation you complete to earn your way to a free dining certificate. Even if you’re already in the city and want to have lunch in an hour, make your reservation just to get the points credited to your account when you check in.
• Groupon: Sign up for this deal-a-day site and get emails each day with the new deal. It can be entertainment, dining, personal services, shopping or more. The point is, there is plenty that Groupon has to offer that might be relevant and useful to your trip. Many of the selections are 50% off, so already that’s a significant saving on one aspect of your travel day.

• KGB Deals: Another great deal-a-day site like Groupon. I've seen many great deals for dining in Paris. 

Get a vacation rental instead of booking a hotel room. This is especially good if you’re planning to spend a week or more in Paris. Weekly rates are cheaper than nightly rates and can offer significant savings over hotel rates. I think I’ve raved about the pros and cons of these enough, so just check out these links to find some awesome deals.

Win a week long trip for 2 to Paris from CityPASS, Facebook and Nile Guide.

So, you didn’t already plan a getaway or buy a gift and you can’t put together a trip to Paris in a week and a half? What’s that? You’re not made of money? Don’t worry. Most of us aren’t, which is why this blog exists. So, for those of you that need a little help to stretch your budget, these deals are available and might be able to keep you out of the doghouse (unless you’re lucky and Valentine’s Day isn’t a big deal in your house and your Sweetie is happy with a kiss).

Spend a few days in Las Vegas. Sure, Vegas doesn’t scream ROMANTIC, but there are plenty of things you can do there that can up the love vibes:

• Book a table for two at The Eiffel Tower Restaurant inside the Eiffel Tower at Paris Las Vegas for a fantastic French meal and view of the lights of Vegas. You can almost forget you’re not in Paris.
• Score two tickets to the Cirque du Soleil Beatles show Love playing at the Mirage. You can find tickets on discount through BroadwayBox.
• Ask the hotel to add a bottle of champagne and some chocolate covered strawberries to your bill and have them waiting in your room when you get there.
• Check out a steamy show like Folies Bergere, Fantasy, X Burlesque, Striptease or Crazy Horse.
•  Stroll through the streets of Paris and New York inside both Paris Resort & Casino and New York New York. Stop to buy a baguette or sit at a sidewalk café to sip a cappuccino.
• O solo mio! Take your significant other on a gondola ride through Italy at the Venetian. 
• Find a room at a respectable hotel on The Strip with Orbitz from $49/night.

Purchase a lovely bouquet of flowers through your preferred Frequent Flyer program. You may get a discount, but you’ll definitely earn miles towards your next trip. (Hint: Search for coupon codes on ev'reward and retailmenot.)

Keep the love going. Celebrate V-Day a few days later and book a beautiful fireplace room at the Carmel Resort Inn in Carmel-by-the-Sea (Carmel, California) outside theSan Francisco area for half off regular rates. Stay for just $59 per night, including breakfast. Book by February 8 for weekday stays from February 15 through March 31. Hurry! Rooms are selling out fast.

Get up to 50% off romantic getaways, like beach resorts, from Orbitz, plus free nights, incentives and more!

Make restaurant reservations wherever you are with OpenTable or TopTable. Find discounts and earn points toward future dining.

As you can see I've changed up my page a bit. Now you can find all my sites that I've written for on the sidebar to the right. You can click and go right to my article. I do ask that you take the time to check out the rest of the site while you're there, as they can be very useful for travelers and budgeters alike. There is now a list of my favorite links on the sidebar as well, and you can grab my button, too, if you would like to point others to my blog from your blog or website.

Do you have a travel site/blog that you’d like me to write a travel article for? Contact me here and give me details. I’d love to do it!