tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76808137537906407162024-03-19T07:07:50.397-06:00Cheap European Vacations Travel BlogTravel in Europe|cheap international airfares|free airfare secrets|cheap airline tickets|cheap airfare|travel gearJanethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05287089196875877339noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680813753790640716.post-64495741021941689772008-10-18T18:20:00.006-06:002009-03-18T14:46:50.665-06:00TravelI am still writing on this <span style="font-weight: bold;">travel blog</span> and I apologize for my long absence! I'll keep you posted!<br /><br />I am currently planning some <span style="font-weight: bold;">trips to Europe</span> with my family and I am scoping out all the best <span style="font-weight: bold;">airfare deals</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">hostel</span> / <span style="font-weight: bold;">hotel</span> deals. A European vacation takes a lot of planning - especially if you have a <span style="font-weight: bold;">shoestring travel budget</span>, but it can be done.<br /><br />In the meantime, read some of my other travel tips. I will be back in the game shortly with more <span style="font-weight: bold;">airfare secrets</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">travel gear</span> reviews and recommendations.Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05287089196875877339noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680813753790640716.post-81368200296746664532008-10-16T09:23:00.004-06:002009-02-19T17:09:32.766-07:00Travel Blog<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(102, 204, 204);">Hi everyone! </span><br /><br />I didn't want to delete this post completely since that doesn't help with Google rankings... So I am simply editing it instead! Ignore this!!! ;)Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05287089196875877339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680813753790640716.post-43548768062379025302008-10-15T12:48:00.006-06:002008-10-15T14:06:00.529-06:00Good Websites and Other Tools for Your On-the-go Job SearchHere are a list of some websites I ran into that might be helpful to you while you search for a way to make money during your travels:<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.craigslist.org/">www.craigslist.org</a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">(Search multiple cities on Craigslist and not just the one or ones you will be staying in. Often, there are excellent telecommuter opportunities or creative jobs you hadn't thought of.)</span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.telecommute-jobs.com/">www.telecommute-jobs.com</a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">(Try this site too. It seems pretty good.)</span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.teleportjobs.com/welcome.asp">www.teleportjobs.com</a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">(Another telecommuting site.)</span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.mediabistro.com/">www.mediabistro.com</a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">(There are tons of writer and online or freelance opportunities on Media Bistro. Definitely one of my favorites of the group! Free to sign up.)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><a href="http://www.great-adventures.com/know/plan/work.html">www.great-adventures.com</a> (Adventure travel jobs, working abroad, and volunteer opportunities.)</span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.laptophobo.com/">www.laptophobo.com</a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">(This one is cool! Check it out!)</span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.solotravel.org/earning-money-on-the-road.htm">www.solotravel.org</a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">(Some good ideas here.)</span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.hobotraveler.com/">www.hobotraveler.com</a> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">(I always get a laugh - and some tips - from Andy at Hobo Traveler. Somehow he pulls off permanent travel and has been doing it for years, so he must be doing something right.) </span></div><div><br /></div><div>***My absolute favorite resource: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 255, 51);">YOUR IMAGINATION</span></span></span>! Start a web design or copywriting business...a blog...a consulting company...whatever you're good at! Everyone is good at something. </div><div><br /></div><div>Get over the fear of the unknown and take the leap so you can start living. If you want to travel badly enough, you will find a way to integrate your work and finances into your travels. You can do it. I know you can. You will thank me later for saying this. :)</div><div><br /></div><div>Comment on any other ideas you might have - or even if you have something semi-unrelated to add to the discussion. I'd love to hear your thoughts. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Also, if you know of another great job search resource, comment with the link and brief description of the website. </span></div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for reading! And get going with your job search! :)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">"...people don't take trips -- trips take people." -John Steinbeck</span></span></span></div>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05287089196875877339noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680813753790640716.post-27759555631066493532008-10-15T10:56:00.006-06:002008-10-15T13:35:09.242-06:004 Cheap Travel Activities for KidsYou're on a strict budget and you have little kids who easily get bored. What do you do?<div><br /></div><div>Plan ahead and use some creativity - and the trip won't be as bad as you think. Here is a list I compiled based upon some of what works for my son when we travel. These don't always work all the time, but usually they're helpful.</div><div><br /></div><div>1. Buy them an inexpensive digital camera and have them practice using it before you leave so they don't get frustrated when they get there. When you get to the destination, let them take their own pictures. This doubles as a souvenir and an activity to keep them busy. Also, it's amazing to see the world through the eyes of a child. They usually see what we as adults miss. </div><div><br /></div><div>2. Let them read books about your destination before you leave. This way they get interested in the place and might enjoy some of the mainstream attractions more if they saw them in a book and got excited about them first.</div><div><br /></div><div>3. Let them draw a picture of whatever you just saw or toured.</div><div><br /></div><div>4. Let them write about what they just saw - if they're old enough. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">"Remember that happiness is a way of travel - not a destination." -Roy M. Goodman</span></span></span></div>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05287089196875877339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680813753790640716.post-81910762473232755012008-10-13T14:42:00.003-06:002008-10-15T13:08:33.877-06:00Life is a Picnic...in Europe!Here's another tip to save money on food:<div><br /></div><div>Make picnic lunches. They're fast, easy, cheap - and more importantly, they're fun! You wouldn't believe how much fun Alex has when we have a picnic. He gets involved in the whole process of shopping for the food, making it, and of course choosing the spot and eating it. It's exciting to him! And I will honestly admit: it's exciting for us, too! </div><div><br /></div><div>Picnics are a wonderful way to save money while still mixing up the typical meals where you sit at a table and stare at the wall. </div><div><br /></div><div>Also, it doesn't always have to be a sandwich. Bill finds sandwiches to be very boring and I do too sometimes. Plus, Alex isn't fond of cheese. With that said, we rarely eat sandwiches. Usually we have things such as pita wraps, cold baked chicken from the night before, a salad, or soup in a thermos. We also often have the traditional (non-American) Asian foods that Bill makes: ginger chicken, shrimp/chicken/vegetable fried rice, and others. </div><div><br /></div><div>You're probably thinking, "Yuck. Cold fried rice..." If we need to warm something up, sometimes we'll go to a nearby coffee shop or restaurant and buy a small dessert or drink so that we can ask to warm up our food. Usually they say yes. If we're nearby where we're staying or where a friend lives, we warm it up there. <a href="http://europeisaffordable.blogspot.com/2008/09/friends-are-worth-their-weight-in-gold.html">Those friends sure are nice.</a> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">"All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware." -Martin Buber</span></span></span></div>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05287089196875877339noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680813753790640716.post-55625733381316061092008-10-11T22:14:00.006-06:002008-10-13T10:38:47.198-06:00Hostels: If You're Up For ThemHostels can be a cheap alternative to hotels. I thought I'd remind you of this since most of you are probably already aware of hostels. They work out best for people traveling without children. Some people love them, so if you haven't considered one for your travels, I'd say give it a shot!<div><br /></div><div>Personally, I've only stayed in a hostel a handful of times - and never with my son. It was when I was really desperate/broke and was traveling with friends several years ago. I'm a bit of a germaphobe and don't like hostels too much, so you won't hear me recommending them strongly like a lot of people do. Most of them (there are exceptions, of course!) I've seen or stayed in aren't up to my personal standard of cleanliness. I definitely wouldn't bring my son in one since he tends to touch dirty stuff and then put his hands in his mouth... You know how little boys are. :)</div><div><br /></div><div>One website I like is <a href="http://www.couchsurfing.com/">Couchsurfing.com</a>. This isn't a hostel website, but the concept is very similar. There are people (honest and safe) on there who offer up a couch or even a bedroom for you to stay in for free. Most of these places are cleaner than hostels, too. You get to know each other through the website and can check their references before committing to anything. Most of the time you end up making a friend, which is another advantage. If you read my <a href="http://europeisaffordable.blogspot.com/2008/09/friends-are-worth-their-weight-in-gold.html">other post</a> about friends then you know how hip I am on that idea!! There are even families on there who offer housing for other families. I really do like this option much better than hostels, so check it out. </div><div><br /></div><div>That's it for now... </div><div><br /></div><div>***If I find a good website with a list of hostels, I'll post it in the resources.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">How am I doing so far with the blog? Comments would be appreciated.</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">"When you are everywhere, you are nowhere. When you are somewhere, you are everywhere." -Rumi</span></span></span></div>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05287089196875877339noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680813753790640716.post-7839975578195371992008-10-10T17:06:00.009-06:002008-10-11T22:12:33.948-06:00Exercise Anywhere, AnytimeOkay, so I promised a few posts ago that I would talk about exercise and how gyms are not a necessary expense when trying to save money for your travels. In my opinion, if you're doing the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">right</span> exercises, you don't need a gym or the expensive equipment found in them. You save both time and money by working out at home. <div><br /></div><div>Whether you're at home or traveling, it's still very important to keep up with your health. Exercise is very, very important! And it doesn't have to take more than an hour each time. Sometimes I only workout for 13 minutes and still feel like I just ran a marathon. It's all about <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">efficiency</span>. Not many people have the time to worry about fitting in a workout schedule on top of everything else. You <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">do</span> have 13 minutes a few times a week to preserve your health, don't you? I would hope so...<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.fitfaq.com/13-minute-workout.html">Here's a 13 minute routine I do about 3 times a week.</a> You can do it anywhere - at home, on a beach, at work if you feel the urge....anywhere! I dare you to try it. It's not as easy as it seems! I started doing this one ever since I've only needed to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">maintain</span> my weight. <a href="http://www.fitfaq.com/13-minute-workout.html">Go ahead. Try it!</a></div><div><br /></div><div>If you need to lose weight or desire more defined abs quickly, there's another program I recommend to get it done efficiently - in regards to cost, effectiveness, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">and</span> time. I'll get to that in a few seconds, so keep reading. </div><div><br /></div><div>Are you ready? Read on....</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll give you some background information first. I bought this program on a whim one time while I was trying to lose some of my baby weight. I usually don't buy e-books, but I heard rave reviews about this one. I decided to give it a try since it was affordable. </div><div><br /></div><div>I hesitate to endorse an e-book on my blog, but I think this one is more than worthy. I'm very glad I did buy it and I can honestly say this e-book is worth the money <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">if you implement the tips and exercises into your daily life</span>. Obviously, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">nothing</span> is going to help you if your heart isn't in it and you're not motivated enough to try anything. The inspiration has to come from within; if you have that inspiration, give this one a try. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have even recommended it to some of my friends and family who are interested in losing weight and they have seen results, too. </div><div><br /><a href="http://janfe8027.mikegeary1.hop.clickbank.net/" target="_top">CLICK HERE to buy the e-book.</a></div><div><br /></div><div>One thing I'd like to note is, even though he does many of the exercises with gym equipment, there are smaller alternatives you can use at home. For example, you can buy an inexpensive set of dumbbells and an exercise ball for home instead of going to the gym. All of the exercises are easy to substitute, and yet still maintain their effectiveness. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here's to your good health and good travels! :)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." -Mark Twain</span></span></span></div></div>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05287089196875877339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680813753790640716.post-68375914459982316282008-10-10T16:43:00.002-06:002008-10-10T16:49:09.615-06:00The Diet TheoryI know anytime I've ever tried to restrict what I eat, I do much better overall if I pick a day where I totally blow the "diet". The same principle applies to your travel food budget. The lesson here is: splurge sometimes so you don't slip up the rest of the time. Stay in that nice hotel...for one night. Eat at that expensive seafood restaurant...one night a month (or whatever you feel comfortable with.) Traveling on a budget is about being frugal, but at the same time, it doesn't mean you have to be cheap or deprive yourself. After all, it is a vacation and an experience of a lifetime. Splurge occasionally and don't feel bad - it will inspire you to stay on track with your budget. <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';">"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart." -Helen Keller</span></span></span></div>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05287089196875877339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680813753790640716.post-11791476229693666992008-10-08T21:13:00.005-06:002009-03-18T14:42:11.320-06:005 Airfare Tips You Can Bank OnPlease read the following <span style="font-weight: bold;">airfare tips</span> before you buy your next <a href="http://europeisaffordable.com">international airfare</a> online:<br /><br />1. Buy from the right website.<div>I found <a href="http://lastminute.com">Last Minute</a> to be very reasonable in price. I'm sure there are many others that might be just as good or better. If you know of any, be sure to comment this post so I can add them to the resources list.</div><div><br /></div><div>2. Travel on a Wednesday or holiday.</div><div>For some odd reason, traveling on Christmas Day is cheaper than the day before or after. Why? I don't know, but it is. Same goes for Wednesdays. Try it sometime.</div><div><br /></div><div>3. Stay longer.</div><div>The longer you stay, the cheaper the ticket is. Play around with the dates in any <span style="font-weight: bold;">airfare database</span> and you will see what I'm talking about.</div><div><br /></div><div>4. Join a <span style="font-weight: bold;">courier program</span>.</div><div>There is an excellent courier program (<a href="http://courier.org/">click here</a>) that gives you access to highly discounted airline tickets if you agree to simply deliver a package for one of their clients once you arrive at your destination. Click on this <a href="http://money.cnn.com/1998/05/26/travelcenter/courier/">CNN Money article</a> to read more about them. </div><div><br /></div><div>5. If you're <span style="font-weight: bold;">flying within Europe</span>, nothing beats the <a href="http://europeisaffordable.blogspot.com/2008/10/5-airfare-tips-you-can-bank-on.html">low airfares</a> of <a href="http://www.ryanair.com/">ryanair.com</a>. </div><div><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ryan Air</span> is often much cheaper than taking a train or bus - not to mention more convenient. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>There you have it... My 5 best tips for getting <span style="font-weight: bold;">international airfares</span> on the cheap! Enjoy!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">"He who does not travel does not know the value of men." -Moorish Proverb</span></span></span></div>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05287089196875877339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680813753790640716.post-65292051684122637332008-10-08T17:50:00.008-06:002008-10-15T14:09:06.603-06:00On-the-go Jobs - Part 3<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Be a real estate investor.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div>This one requires building a foundation well before you leave home. Most importantly, you need excellent credit (700+ FICO) to attempt this on-the-go job. The recent crumbling economy requires this and you won't get a loan without a 700+ FICO. Guaranteed. You have to get the cash flow going and work on a system that will allow you to operate remotely and efficiently. (More on this later in a future post). I like real estate investing because it is almost completely passive once you get it going. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);">The Time Is Now</span></span></div><div>With a huge supply of foreclosures on the market, you're bound to find some excellent deals in a very short time. Lower price = higher cash flow. No kidding, right? Just stating the obvious...</div><div><br /></div><div>If your credit is top-notch (720 FICO+) you will have an even easier time getting started using OPM (other people's money). Credit requirements are increasingly tight as the days go by, it seems. The days of no-doc loans have passed.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you need ideas on getting your credit report cleaned up or completely repaired because of past mistakes (bankruptcies, foreclosures, repossessions, charge-offs, tax liens, or anything else) <a href="http://realcreditrepairhelp.blogspot.com/">visit my other blog by clicking here</a>. My husband and I have an inspiring story to share with you, so take a visit to our blog if you feel up to it. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);">Dolf de Roos</span></span></div><div>I own his real estate investment series and I listen to it on my iPod all the time. I think I originally purchased the series on CD at Costco, but you can probably get it on eBay or Amazon as well.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, the point is... This series got me motivated and more knowledgeable about real estate investing. Some of the techniques might be a bit outdated since he made the CDs in the early 2ooo's (2001 or 2002 maybe?), but most of his ideas are fundamental and will never become obsolete. The best comparison I can think of is Dale Carnegie's book <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">How to Win Friends and Influence People.</span> That book will always be a classic and will always hold true. I think much of the same is true about Dolf's teachings. </div><div><br /></div><div>Also, I highly recommend his software program if you need help deciding whether a property is potentially profitable or not. There is no other software on the market that is as effective and straightforward as Dolf's - it's like having an unbiased advisor at your fingertips anytime you need it. You'll quickly make back the money you invest in the software with all of the profitable deals you find because of it. There are plenty out there at the moment, so why not get started? It's not cheap, but on the other hand, it's not expensive considering how helpful and reliable it is. Serious real estate investors use this software and in case you were wondering - yes, it is how they have the edge over the average investor. They immediately know which deals are great and which are mediocre. They pass on the mediocre deals and leave those for the average Joe. REAP truly is a great tool for any real estate investor. Click the link below if you'd like to download Dolf's real estate acquisition software.</div><div><br /><br /><table border="0"><tbody><tr><td align="center"><a href="http://www.propertyprosperity.com/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idAffiliate=276&idProduct=3"><br /><img src="http://www.propertyprosperity.com/store/images/thmb_reap.gif" alt="Real Estate Acquisition Software - Download" border="0" /><br />Click here to order</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><br /><br /></div><div>In summary, real estate investing is not for everyone. It is, however, in my opinion one of the most efficient and financially rewarding as well as versatile options for people on-the-go. If you own, for example, 25 rental properties at $200 USD cash flow per month per property, that's $60,000 of passive income each year - more than enough to travel in Europe!</div><div><br /></div><div>I know what you're thinking... Obviously, getting ahold of the cash or OPM to purchase those 25 properties takes time and creativity, but once you've got them you're in excellent shape. </div><div><br /></div><div>Preparation is the key. I never once said traveling and having the money to do it is easy. On the other hand, though, it isn't hard. You're smart - you'll figure it out! :)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">"The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeing new landscapes, but in having new eyes." -Marcel Prous</span></span></span></div>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05287089196875877339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680813753790640716.post-83222684526017725082008-10-08T17:42:00.002-06:002008-10-08T17:49:09.407-06:00A Word About City RoomsJust like village rooms, apartments in the city are also affordable. These, too, can be found on Craigslist and through local residents. If you have a lot of things you want to do in a particular city, it's indirectly cheaper to stay in a central city location rather than a village simply because you wouldn't need to pay for transportation back and forth to the apartment. If all your attractions are nearby, you'd just walk or bike. It's true the city apartment itself would be more expensive than a village one, but overall you'd be saving money (and time). <div><br /></div><div>All of the previously mentioned rules apply with city dwellings just as they do with village apartments. Don't get scammed and avoid fishy situations. If you doubt the integrity of someone offering you a room, you're probably rightfully worried. Pass on it in that case. Don't ever risk anything to save a few euros; saving money shouldn't be about risking your life. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';">"We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment." -Hilaire Belloc</span></span></span></div>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05287089196875877339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680813753790640716.post-90931207280941329862008-10-06T18:28:00.007-06:002008-10-15T14:05:22.169-06:00On-the-go Jobs - Part 2<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Start a blog.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 102, 255); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div>The beauty of a blog is that you can do it from anywhere. The <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">hard</span> part is marketing it so people actually read it. You can have outstanding content, but if no one reads it you won't make any money. On the flip side, you can have outstanding marketing skills, but if your content sucks no one will even bother with reading it past your first posting - and that certainly won't make you any money. I believe managing a successful and popular blog is an art as well as a science. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">So how do you make money with a blog?</span></div><div>That's a good question - an honest one indeed. I won't get into the details since I am by no means an expert on the subject. I can, however, point you in the right direction. </div><div><br /></div><div>Yaro Starak, who is a successful blogger and internet marketer, has a very helpful e-book that you can download absolutely free. He is an expert on blogging and making money with blogging. He knows this topic inside out and upside down; you might have even heard of him before. He has done more podcasts on the subject than I can count and he is endorsed by Darren Rowse of Problogger.net as well as multiple other well known and successful internet businesspeople. Yaro is well worth checking out and his program is definitely worth joining. For me, it has meant the difference between earning $8000 a month and earning nothing. </div><div><br /></div><div>I have another blog about finance and his program has been extremely helpful to me! Before joining the program, though, please download the free e-book so you can start implementing his ideas!</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">IT'S <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">FREE</span>! CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO DOWNLOAD!</span></div><br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.blogmastermind.com/affiliates/index.php?af=852696">Click here to download the Blog Profits Blueprint</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.blogmastermind.com/affiliates/index.php?af=852696"><img src="http://www.blogmastermind.com/images/250x250blog-profits-blueprint.gif" alt="Click here to get The Blog Profits Blueprint" width="250" height="250" border="0" /></a><div><br /></div><div>Then, after you've read the e-book... by all means...join his program!</div><br /><br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.blogmastermind.com/affiliates/index.php?af=852696&u=http://www.blogmastermind.com/coaching">Click here to join the Blog Mastermind Mentoring Program</a>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05287089196875877339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680813753790640716.post-29565700433531079832008-10-03T14:52:00.003-06:002008-10-03T15:47:06.395-06:0010 Free (or Nearly Free!) SouvenirsIt doesn't matter what you paid for a souvenir - it's the meaning behind it that counts. You don't have to pay top dollar or anything at all to get souvenirs you will cherish the rest of your life. Avoid the tourist trap so you can save yourself some money. My top ten cheap souvenir ideas are listed below.<div><br /></div><div>10. Collect sand. Europe is full of beaches, so it's easy to find sand. I get some small containers ahead of time and collect sand from each beach I visit, labeling the bottoms as I go along. So far, my favorite part of my collection is the bottles I have from each beach on Karpathos Island in Greece.</div><div><br /></div><div>9. Collect small flowers. Flowers can easily be dried or pressed for scrapbook pages. I love collecting flowers!</div><div><br /></div><div>8. Choose a printed item to collect - and stick with it consistently throughout the trip. Printed items could be anything from napkins to matchbooks. I do this to help me remember restaurants or other places I've visited.</div><div><br /></div><div>7. Create a photo walking tour. What you do here is take your own walking tour through the city based on what you mapped out to stop at ahead of time. Take the pictures as you go along and you will have an instant slide show when (if?) you go home.</div><div><br /></div><div>6. Take pictures of the same item in different locations. For example, I like to collect pictures of unique houses from all over the world. I have over 400 pictures of anything from Queen Anne Victorians in Denver to rustic villas in Italy. Also, my son likes to take pictures of fire hydrants from different countries since they don't usually look the same.</div><div><br /></div><div>5. Collect rocks. My husband likes to do this. Last time we went to California he collected a rock (and labeled it) from each LA suburb we visited. He also did this in Scotland and China. Rocks help remind him of our travels, so I think rocks make very good souvenirs. Just make sure they aren't too big!</div><div><br /></div><div>4. Take pictures of yourself and your travel mates (or have someone help) in front of memorable spots. This souvenir is priceless.</div><div><br /></div><div>3. Keep newspaper or magazine clippings that are in the native language of your destination. You may not be able to read them, but they will definitely remind you of the trip for years to come.</div><div><br /></div><div>2. Keep a journal of the conversations you have with locals and those who are traveling with you. This is fun to read later.</div><div><br /></div><div>1. My <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255);">favorite</span></span> free souvenir is to carry a notebook around with you and as you see something that triggers an emotion - write it down. This could be done with a voice recorder, too. No matter how silly or mundane the thought seems, write it down (or say it into the recorder). You can look back on this journal and know exactly what you were thinking when you first saw the Eiffel Tower, for example. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">"Like all great travellers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen." -Benjamin Disraeli </span></span></span></div>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05287089196875877339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680813753790640716.post-18813650386791721272008-10-03T12:45:00.006-06:002008-10-03T13:17:20.098-06:00If You Can't Stand the Heat, Get Out of the RestaurantYou can save hundreds of euros (500 or more) each month in Europe by cooking your own meals. This tip in itself is one of the keys to pulling off frequent or long term travel. Personally, I didn't realize how much I could save by doing this until we did it at home for one month before we left on one of our trips. We saved over $600 USD that month! <div><br /></div><div>From that moment on, I knew cooking our own meals was the way to go. Never for one second did I feel like I was depriving myself or my family. My husband is an exceptional cook and can whip up a delicious meal with minimal materials. It's also healthier when he cooks, so it really is a win-win situation. </div><div><br /></div><div>Since it seems like a lot of people have trouble thinking of affordable recipes or ideas for quick meals, I will be releasing a free e-book that contains some of the delicious, cheap meals my family makes while on-the-go. None of the recipes require much skill and they are a breeze to prepare. Even my 5 year old can do some of them! Be on the lookout for the e-book so you can have plenty of recipes for your family's adventures. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">"To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries." -Aldous Huxley</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05287089196875877339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680813753790640716.post-81678015242390624762008-10-02T22:37:00.003-06:002008-10-15T14:05:02.338-06:00On-the-go Jobs - Part 1<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Be a travel writer.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 255); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div>I only recommend this one if you think you are a good writer. If you are a traveler first and a writer second, I wouldn't attempt it. I know this doesn't make much sense, but let me explain. Simply having the desire to travel isn't sufficient enough to sustain a writing career.</div><div><br /></div><div>I also only recommend this one if you can stomach the uncertainty involved in pitching to magazines and newspapers. Chances are, they aren't going to be nearly as excited as you are about your latest article. Being a travel writer not only requires superior writing skills, but also excessive patience, self-confidence, and organization skills your mother would be proud of. </div><div><br /></div><div>At this point, if you think you fit the bill and are still interested - go for it with all your might! This job could be the beginning of your travel freedom and the end of your financial worries. </div><div><br /></div><div>David Whitley, a successful travel writer, has a very honest and content rich blog called "1001 Travel Writer Tips" for aspiring travel writers. You can click on the link to his blog on the left side of the screen under the "My Blog List" heading.</div><div><br /></div><div>This post is the beginning of a series of posts about specific on-the-go jobs that can finance your European travels without tying you down. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"> "The time to enjoy a European trip is about three weeks after unpacking." -George Ade, "Forty Modern Fables"</span></span></span><br /></div>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05287089196875877339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680813753790640716.post-50440512169878138202008-09-30T22:02:00.006-06:002008-10-01T10:03:28.188-06:00Top 5 Financial Barriers...and How to Overcome ThemMost people would love to travel if given the chance - especially on an ongoing or long term basis. Arguably, traveling is the most liberating, self-discovering experience one can ever have; it makes life worth living again.<div><br /></div><div>The thing that most often stops people from actually traveling... is money. 99.9% of the time, money stands in the way. I know this from personal experience. This post is designed to acknowledge some of the challenges the average aspiring traveling faces and what to do to remedy these challenges to save up some money before leaving on that trip of a lifetime.</div><div><br /></div><div>The following are the top five financial barriers that people face and how to avoid (or better yet, overcome) them:</div><div><br /></div><div>5. Car payments. These types of payments can easily be eliminated. You're going to be traveling, so you probably won't miss the car much anyway. Either sell it and get rid of it completely, or sell it and buy a cheaper used car with cash so you can keep the extra money. If you're caught up on having the latest and greatest car, you will never be able to travel - unless you're a millionaire of course. If you were a millionaire, you wouldn't need to read this blog, though. :)</div><div><br /></div><div>4. Too many monthly splurges disguised as necessities. The little expenses add up...more than you might think. Do you really need to go to Starbucks every morning? Make coffee at home and put it in a to-go cup. I hear Costco sells some killer Dunkin' Donuts coffee.... Also, do you really need that gym membership? You can do quicker and more effective workouts at home with minimal equipment (an exercise ball and dumbbells) or no equipment at all. (More on exercise later). Do you need both a landline AND a cell phone? Cut out the land line and stick with just a cell phone to save yourself $50-$100 USD each month. Do you need to eat at so many restaurants? Cooking at home is much cheaper...and healthier. If you have a system down, planning meals and cooking at home can be quicker and easier than eating out, too. These are just a start, but I'm sure you can think of more.</div><div><br /></div><div>3. Medical bills. Yikes... Medical bills can be worse than the actual injury or illness one might be suffering from. I can relate to this one as my son fractured his ulna about 4 weeks ago. We're thankful the break wasn't that bad and he's doing just fine now with another 2 weeks to go with the cast. What's ailing us now are the bills we received in the mail. Since we're self-employed, we have crappy insurance with a $5000 deductible. The situation is much worse for a lot of people. Medical bills can take a toll on even the most frugal person. One word of advice here is to always make sure you have extra money put aside for these predicaments, and travel insurance is a MUST when you start your trips. To get these bills paid down before you leave, use the money you saved from implementing the ideas in #4 - or get started on one of the on-the-go jobs ahead of time. </div><div><br /></div><div>2. HELOC debt. Yikes again... Same advice here - use the ideas in #4 and get an on-the-go job well ahead of time. Also, you could TRY to sell your house, but in the current market I wouldn't count on it. Another option is to approach a debt consolidation company to help lower the payments and interest. </div><div><br /></div><div>1. Credit card debt. I used to be the queen of credit card debt. I once had over $20,000 USD charged up between several different cards. Obviously I wasn't doing any traveling during this period of time; I think it was during the time my husband worked in an office job and made a crap salary. I just recently got it all paid off, and now I'm ready to travel again with a clear conscience. The strategy that worked for me was to 1) make sure the cards had low interest (or zero interest if possible), 2) start a business, and 3) use the on-the-go jobs to bring in more money than we spent. After a year and a half of plugging away at it, we finally paid it all off. You can too if you budget correctly and don't give up. You may not be able to travel for a year or more, but you <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">will </span>at some point. Traveling debt-free is the only way to do it, and you will be much happier for it. Keep your eye on the goal and you will get there.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05287089196875877339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680813753790640716.post-18895160324779134952008-09-29T20:55:00.004-06:002008-09-29T22:45:05.721-06:00On-the-go Job IdeasSo... <div><br /></div><div>You need to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">try</span> to make money as you travel - not an easy task. The good part is, there are lots of options. It can be local jobs (if you have a workers' permit/visa, of course) or online. The more creative you get, the more opportunities become available to you. You are only limited by your imagination. If you want to make something happen, you will find a way. </div><div><br /></div><div>What types of jobs are suitable for a traveler? This post will focus on a few basic guidelines to help you think of ideas and narrow down possibilities. </div><div><br /></div><div>What you do depends on your expertise - and especially your interests. If you aren't interested in what you're doing, you will get burned out very quickly. Burnout can rain on your parade (I mean travels!) and deplete your funds even quicker. You can only tolerate something so long before you can't stand it any longer. Therefore, the first step in finding an on-the-go job is being honest with yourself about what you enjoy or are interested in. </div><div><br /></div><div>The second step is writing down ideas. A few to get you going include: freelance travel writing (or photography), blog writing, eBay sales, or any job that allows you to telecommute. If you have a good relationship with your current employer and if it's possible that your job could be done remotely, consider asking your manager or supervisor about telecommuting. Another thing (which is one of my favorites) that can be done remotely once you get it going - is real estate investing. Other offline, local ideas include seasonal jobs at your destination, housesitting, English teaching jobs, and anything temporary (such as waiter/waitress jobs). More on each of these individually later. </div><div><br /></div><div>Hopefully this is enough to get a light bulb to come on in your head. :)</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';">"Half the fun of the travel is the esthetic of lostness." -Ray Bradbury</span></span></span></div>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05287089196875877339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680813753790640716.post-25912206338270487702008-09-26T19:15:00.011-06:002008-09-26T20:17:27.627-06:00Let's Go RVingThey do it in America. Why not in Europe, too? It's all the rage these days... Affordable $15 USD per night RV parks dot the map all over Europe, and for good reason.<div><br /></div><div>Let's look at the advantages of RVing in Europe...</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-weight: bold;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">It's Cheaper</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div>It's a car, hotel, kitchen, and restroom all in one. It can be parked at an RV park for about $15-$20 USD per night which allows you to utilize the park's electricity and other facilities. This is SO much cheaper than a hotel (or even a village room) and allows you to cook your own meals - which is another big money saver. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">It's Convenient</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Worried about where to stay for the night? You don't have to be if you have an RV. </div><div><br /></div><div>Want to visit multiple places and need to do it in a timely manner? Don't want to rely on public transportation? Want to just "get up and go?" An RV may be the answer.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Where to Get It</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>The Netherlands-based company BW Campers is an excellent place to start. For longer trips, buying is the way to go - especially since many of BW's partners offer guaranteed buy back programs when you're finished using the RV. They also take care of all the hassles such as licensing and insurance for you. All you have to do is pick up the RV. Visit their website at www.bwcampers.com . There are other companies, too, I'm sure. I'm just more familiar with BW. Look for others if you want. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you live in the US, you also have the option to ship your RV over to Europe. If you already own an RV, this is usually the cheaper way to go. However, you have to deal with insurance and licensing issues on your own. Not fun, but if you do some research it's no big deal. </div><div><br /></div><div>There are also various places you can rent the RV from in Europe, but this is more expensive if you plan to travel for more than a month or two. Check out all your options before you decide, though.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 153, 153);font-size:small;">Real Life Inspiration</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></div><div>I first got the European RVing idea from the lovely family behind the blog "SoulTravelers3." I absolutely cannot believe how resourceful and efficient they are. Can you believe this family of 3 travels in Europe for only $25,000 USD per YEAR?!? I still can't get over it... This proves how affordable Europe can be if you know how to be tactful and creative. You can view their blog by clicking under the heading "My Blog List" on the left side of the screen. It's worth reading!!!! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">"And that's the wonderful thing about family travel: it provides you with experiences that will remain locked forever in the scar tissue of your mind." -Dave Bar</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">ry</span></span></span></div>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05287089196875877339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680813753790640716.post-48737696028501709082008-09-25T17:22:00.006-06:002008-09-25T18:18:28.212-06:00Again, the Money FactorYes, I know. Money. Again. This topic will come up a lot, I'm afraid. <div><br /></div><div>Money may not buy happiness, but it does fund your travels. </div><div><br /></div><div>Most of you are probably wondering how I have enough money to travel so much. First, let me assure you, I'm not rich. Second, I don't travel ALL the time, but I do take vacations quite often. As a side note, my husband and I are seriously considering a one year sabbatical, but we need to do more planning to solidify the idea. That's another topic for another blog...</div><div><br /></div><div>Moving on...</div><div><br /></div><div>It definitely is true that you need more money to travel than to stay at home, but not for living expenses. It's simply for creating a peace of mind in the case of any emergencies that may arise. It's always good to bring too much money than not enough. Easy enough.</div><div><br /></div><div>No?</div><div><br /></div><div>Okay, not so easy indeed. As most of our parents used to say, money doesn't grow on trees. Money is hard to make - especially if you don't have much to begin with, but I've become more efficient over the years in making it. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Have Multiple Sources of Incom</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">e</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>The more passive or mobile they are, the better. My ideal situation is to have 3-6 months' worth of income saved up before I leave - and make the rest of it while I travel. The longer the trip is, (say, like in my family's sabbatical), the more important this becomes. Also, don't hesitate to cut a trip short if you run uncomfortably low on funds.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">On-the-Go Jobs</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>One general guideline that helps me is if it can be done remotely or doesn't need my active involvement (passive is ok) for long periods - it's perfect. Like I said before, plan your work around your travel and not the other way around.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Which jobs? I'll bounce some ideas off you in later posts. Until then, use your creativity.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Pay Off Your Credit Cards</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>I'll close on a sort of depressing note for some people. It needs to be said, though. Sorry.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here goes...</div><div><br /></div><div>I highly advise against traveling (especially long-term traveling or backpacking adventures) if you are in over your head in credit card or HELOC/second mortgage debt. Pay it off. If you can't, don't travel. Clearing your mind and paying off the debt is better than any vacation. </div><div><br /></div><div>Make your own wise judgment before traveling while still in debt. Personally, I wouldn't do it. This isn't a debt management blog, so I'll stop there.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'll be back soon with a suggestion or two regarding on-the-go jobs. See you then!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Comments...?</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">"When preparing to travel, lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money." -Susan Heller</span></span></span></div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05287089196875877339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680813753790640716.post-4242587492111811672008-09-25T13:04:00.006-06:002008-09-25T15:51:33.853-06:00Friends Are Worth Their Weight in Gold (or Euros!)Making friends can benefit people in all walks of life - but today I'm going to emphasize on how this is valuable to travelers. We all know that having friends in general is always a worthwhile and rewarding experience, so I won't reiterate the obvious. Since this blog is about traveling in Europe without going broke, I will stick to how making friends while traveling can help achieve that goal. I don't want to sound unappreciative of friends or like I'm trying to take advantage of people, so please don't take this post that way. I am highlighting the benefits of making friends in the places you travel. Regardless, never underestimate the power of a friend - in your travels and at home. Friends are priceless and I would never put a price on friendship.<div><br /></div><div>With that said...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Get to Know Them First</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div>Mingle with the locals for a bit and don't expect anyone to offer up any help for a few days or more (although they often do on your first meeting!). There are some extremely kind people in this world and many of them are willing to help you right off the bat. Don't expect this, though. You're an adult and should take care of yourself. :) </div><div><br /></div><div>Still, the kindness of strangers amazes me. People go out of their way to help you sometimes, and it touches my heart (and theirs) every time they do. I have been dug out of some hefty situations due to the kindness of strangers. A lot of times they become my friend who I see many more times. Even if I never see them again, I still feel as though I made a lifelong friend. With all of the anger and injustice in the world, it's good to know that most people are still kind and generous - no matter where you go.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 153, 153); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Recommendations</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: normal;">Friends can be the go-to source for a wealth of information on their locality. For me, they have been the reason why I find cheap restaurants (although I usually cook my own food), hidden or discount supermarkets, freebies such as local concerts and the like, and low cost entertainment or attractions. They are also often a reason for me to get into places at a resident rate. </span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: normal;">All of this simply because I know them. Most people are honored to give out information like this. It makes them feel important and helpful. And it saves money to boot. You can't go wrong asking one of your newly-made local friends how you can do stuff or buy stuff cheaper. After all, they <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">do</span> live there and have to stay within their own budgets. Their opinions and suggestions are non-biased. They won't profit from recommending a certain restaurant or place to you, so this is all the better reason to listen to them. Who else better to ask? Plus, they don't even have to be a friend <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">per se</span> for you to ask them general questions. You can ask any local. Go ahead - try it...</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: normal;">What about guidebooks if you're shy? Don't be shy... The Europeans will shake the timidity out of you before you leave, so don't worry about that. Back on topic: guidebooks give me nightmares and make me max out my AmEx card anyway.... Just look at what most of them recommend: hotels! A big no-no in my experience. Locals are MUCH better than guidebooks. They are the ultimate living guidebook!<br /></span></span><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 153, 153);">Housing</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div>I have had friends (and even acquaintances) offer me very cheap places to stay. I say very cheap because it's even cheaper than the village rooms I referred to in my last post. Some of them are even so kind as to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">insist</span> I stay for FREE. Some of them won't take my money, and that's okay. Take them up on it, but don't overstay your welcome. Move on ASAP so you don't burden them. Oh, and buy them a gift for their hospitality whether they charge you to stay there or not! A couple bottles of wine or other similar gift fits this situation nicely. Even better is if you brought any items in your luggage that symbolizes where you're from (Colorado in my case). They love getting items like that because they're unique and reminds them of your friendship.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-weight: bold;">Say Goodbye to Language Barriers</span></div><div><br /></div><div>If you have a local friend, you will no longer need to play Charades with other locals who don't speak your language. This makes getting around a lot easier and saves a load of time. </div><div><br /></div><div>Also, this friend can help sharpen your skills and lead you that much closer to learning his or her language. Eventually you will be able to speak enough yourself to not need their help anymore. This reminds me of the Lao Tzu quote: "Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime." </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 153, 153);">Safety</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Another important thing I would like to mention is how making a local friend can provide you with increased safety. By hanging out with a local, you blend into the scene more and don't become such a target for thieves and other criminals. This also goes with the theme of my blog, which is saving money. If your money doesn't get stolen, you save money. Right? Friends help you to not blatantly and unknowingly scream out, "I'm a tourist! I have all my money on me right now! Look! Here's a laptop, too!" They also probably know the places to avoid as well.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font-weight: bold;">Transportation</span></div><div><br /></div><div>I've had numerous friends give me a ride to places, so this is much cheaper than paying a taxi or renting a car. It's even better/cheaper than taking the bus and saves you more time than riding a bike or scooter. I always offer to reimburse them for gas - sometimes they accept, but mostly they don't. Usually it's free for me even though I beg them to take some gas money. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>One final thought I have is that I am not the best traveler. Fundamentally, I am a writer. Obviously I can't rely on friends to dig me out of steep situations or help me every single time I need it, but they haven't failed me yet along with my common sense. As with many things - careers and such, it's not necessarily <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">what</span> you know so much as <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">who</span> you know. Those in the corporate world know what I'm talking about. What you know will make you <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">wiser</span>, but who you know will help you through the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">present</span> so that you have the opportunity to obtain that wisdom. </div><div><br /></div><div>These are my initial thoughts. I might add a spin-off post on this very important topic later! There is so much to say about it, so I will build upon it as my blog grows.</div><div><br /></div><div>Comments anyone?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">"I met a lot of people in Europe. I even encountered myself." -James Baldwin</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05287089196875877339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680813753790640716.post-62596097482015950042008-09-24T21:26:00.011-06:002008-09-25T14:58:11.651-06:00Be One of the Village PeopleIt may take a village to raise a child, but I'll argue that it also takes a village to raise a traveler! <div><br /></div><div>There's no doubt in my mind that housing eats up the biggest portion of everyone's travel budget. Just because finding a place to stay is the most expensive part of a trip doesn't mean you can't use your creativity to save some money. More importantly, it's completely possible to stay within a strict budget - much like the one you probably have at home.<div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Never, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Ever</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> Stay at a Hotel</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div>...unless you have to, of course. It's one thing if it's late and you are too tired or can't find a cheaper place because it's an odd hour. It's entirely another thing if it's daytime and you have access to a computer or did adequate planning before you left home. Staying in a hotel for your whole trip is the fastest way to the poorhouse when you get back (or even smack dab in the middle of your vacation). Don't do it...unless you're <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">desperate</span> - and even so, only for one night. Trust me on that...</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);">Village Rooms (Apartments)</span></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>First, I will say this is my absolute favorite way to bunk when I travel. Some may call it living on the edge, but I call it "my key to a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">longer vacation</span>!"</div><div><br /></div><div>Ditch the city and stay in a village! In every single one of the picturesque villages I've been to, there has always been a vast amount of locals with open invitations for me to stay in either a room in their house or at an apartment (or house) they own nearby. </div><div><br /></div><div>It's always cheaper than a hotel. Much cheaper. They often give discounts of 10% or more if you stay more than 3 days. In these situations you also have more room to haggle with the price a bit (without coming off as cheap of course)!</div><div><br /></div><div>Village apartments are more fun as well, in my opinion. They're quaint and give you a real sense of what life is like in the village. You can stay at a chain hotel anywhere. These village homes are one of a kind. It's not an opportunity I like to pass up. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Hang Out in the Village or at the Port Where Ferries Arrive or Outside the Airport</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div>A lot of times, people will be walking around with signs that say "Room available" - or its equivalent. Or they might ask people they know are tourists. This is a quick and easy way to get a place to stay. Not to mention cheap. Did I mention cheap?</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);">Craigslist and others..</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153);">.</span></span></div><div><br /></div><div>Often times you can find an apartment or room to stay in before you even leave for the trip. You can also hit up a coffee shop or a place with free WIFI (if you bring a laptop or handheld device, obviously) and scan Craigslist for potentials to check out before nightfall. Craigslist is always full of ads offering housing in every major European city - this truly is an amazing resource. There are also travel sites and websites such as weather.com that have vacation home listings. Just do a google search and you will find plenty of listings. </div><div><br /></div><div>Look around a bit and decide after you've seen several ads. Make sure to email or call the person/business to get an idea of the rates or to see if they offer discounts for longer stays. If they have a website (if it's a business), even better! If you're in a hurry to find a place, I would definitely call.</div><div><br /></div><div>Avoid scammers at all costs!!! I cannot stress this enough! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Never</span> - I repeat <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">never</span>, wire money, use Paypal, give out your credit card number, or mail cash to someone for a "deposit." Never do that, because those are scams. The only case in which I would send a deposit to reserve a room is when 1) they have a professional website, 2) they have a valid phone number that they answer in the name of the business, 3) they are registered to do business in that particular country, and 4) I'm traveling during a busy season where finding a place might be highly competitive. I never give deposits to online individuals offering me a place to stay - it must always be a business.</div><div><br /></div><div>Usually (except during busy seasons as mentioned above), the legit offers will not ask for a deposit until you arrive and actually see the place. I try to stick with those, or the alternative that I mentioned in the previous heading about hanging out at the port, airport, or village itself. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>This may not be the way most people travel to Europe and it may not be glamorous with all the five star hotel hype, but it's a big reason why my travels are possible. I honestly don't feel like I'm sacrificing anything by rooming this way and I have loads of fun interacting with locals. I have even made tons of friends along the way by doing this. In Europe, making friends is inevitable and maybe necessary if you want to stay within your budget...more on that later. </div><div><br /></div><div>Comment away! I want to know what you're thinking!!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';">"It is not down in any map; true places never are." -Herman Melville</span></span></span></div></div>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05287089196875877339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680813753790640716.post-27302070960983653492008-09-24T20:02:00.008-06:002008-10-15T14:30:39.486-06:00List of Resources to Assist in Your Travels<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Miscellaneous: </span></div><div><br /></div><a href="http://www.thesecret.tv/">www.thesecret.tv</a><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.craigslist.org/">www.craigslist.org</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.bwcampers.com/">www.bwcampers.com</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.laptophobo.com/">www.laptophobo.com</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.solotravel.org/earning-money-on-the-road.htm">www.solotravel.org</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.hobotraveler.com/">www.hobotraveler.com</a></div><div><br /></div><div>---</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Airfare:</span><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><a href="http://www.asaptickets.com/">www.asaptickets.com</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.edreams.com/">www.edreams.com</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.courier.org/">www.courier.org</a></div><div><br /></div><div>---</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Housing:</span></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.couchsurfing.com/">www.couchsurfing.com</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.tfthostels.com/">www.tfthostels.com</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.hostelsclub.com/">www.hostelsclub.com</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>---</div><div>Job Search:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.telecommute-jobs.com/">www.telecommute-jobs.com</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.teleportjobs.com/">www.teleportjobs.com</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.mediabistro.com/">www.mediabistro.com</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.great-adventures.com/know/plan/work.html">www.great-adventures.com</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.craigslist.org/">www.craigslist.org</a></div><div><br /></div><div>The list will grow as I mention the resources in my posts... </div><div><br /></div><div>Stay tuned.....</div><br />On another note: Here is a cool Asian blog! Click below.<br /><a href="http://travelerfolio.com/" target="_blank" title="Travel Blog with fascinating photos in Europe, USA, China, Vietnam, Malaysia"><img src="http://travelerfolio.com/travelerfolio/uploads/travelerfolio2.gif" alt="Travel Blog with fascinating photos in Europe, USA, China, Vietnam, Malaysia" width="150" height="24" style="border:0px;padding:0px;" /></a>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05287089196875877339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680813753790640716.post-40423789320413879772008-09-24T13:49:00.004-06:002008-10-08T21:30:57.789-06:00The Mindset is What Matters Most<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Money, money, money...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div>I can just hear the ABBA song playing in your head...over and over again. Lack of funds is the #1 reason (not fear) why most people never take the plunge to travel. You know how it is. As you're running over in your mind where you would go on your travels and how wonderful it's going to be, you run face first into the brick wall affectionately known as reality. Suddenly you remember the stack of bills you have to pay: the rent and the car payment and credit cards galore.</div><div><br /></div><div>Yikes. Well, that puts you in your place, doesn't it? Forget traveling, you say - you just need to get by.</div><div><br /></div><div>Right?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Wrong. </div><div><div><br /></div><div>Think outside the box and it can be done. Plan your work around your travels...not the other way around. The key here is to get yourself in the mindset. The traveling will follow. Don't let negative people, places, and things get you down. Keep your eye on the goal and use your creativity to the utmost degree. Think, speak, and dream travel.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>One resource that I highly recommend for inspiration is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; ">The Secret.</span> It is a movie as well as a book and is available on Amazon. You can also read about the basics of it for <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">free</span> on the website at <a href="http://www.thesecret.tv">www.thesecret.tv</a> . </div><div><br /></div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Zs4pDgFDhjUeVGVC0dzzIxK88lpF6PDjKltqpUCaxBr2qrSemJ15QJIn8Z5liDhinn19NMpZQkC0YODf-DLlLPzfbGtr7IfJ8_iOv2Bvzy3N2xLhP3r8BD48ZwjAp6I7Qr-LdiRtbx92/s320/summary.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5249689905392152722" /><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">"A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving." -Lao Tzu</span></span></span></div></div></div>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05287089196875877339noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680813753790640716.post-39700834762126431942008-09-24T12:59:00.002-06:002008-09-25T14:59:00.236-06:00Hello!Welcome to my European Travel Blog. <div><br /></div><div>I hope the tips I'm about to share will be of some value to you - and maybe even inspire you to take your own vacation (or as I prefer, a "staycation"). For me, it's not just about getting away; it's about living life to the fullest. Some time ago, I consciously made the decision that I had no other option but to travel. It was the only way I could truly be happy. Once I made that decision, I began using my creativity, trials and errors, and research skills to financially make this a reality. My life has never been the same since I began traveling. I have never regretted doing this, and neither will you. For those who are passionate and avid travelers like myself, read on to find out how you can travel to Europe affordably and as close to stress-free as possible. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 102, 102);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman';">"The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." -St. Augustine</span></span></span></div>Janethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05287089196875877339noreply@blogger.com0