Great Travel Tips For 2013

With 2013 upon us, it’s time to start planning the holidays for this year if you haven’t already. The big question of course, is where to go?!?! With many people still suffering from a difficult economy, affordability is key, but with so many fantastic destinations out there it’s also important to spread your wings and sample somewhere new.

Below are some of our tips on seeing wonderful travel destinations in 2013, without breaking the bank:

India

India is an incredible country, with a vast array of beautiful destinations. Many people flock to Agra to see the Taj Mahal in all its majestic glory, whilst others head for the beaches of Goa, many of whom struggle to leave. For those who like to hit cultural experiences head on, Delhi is hectic, manic and runs at a non stop pace, with bizarre, unexpected experiences around every corner. From cows walking down the main road to people spilling out the windows of buses as they pack them to the rafters, Delhi is a pure attack on the senses. Then there is Jaipur, the pink city. This is a beautiful place and far more relaxed (in Indian terms!) than Delhi. Hotels in Jaipur are affordable and food is virtually free if you’re visiting from a Western country, though with no lack of flavor! Whatever you’re looking for from a holiday destination, India can cater for it.

Group Travel

One way to make your travel more affordable is by travelling in groups and on tours with numerous people. This allows tour operators to get you cheaper tickets for entry into events, transport and hotels. Whilst they obviously take a cut, you often find you will save money, and hassle, as well. One great thing to do this for is in specialist markets like choir tours. You can visit incredible places like Vienna and get an insight into incredible places which you would never otherwise get access to. You end up on trips with like-minded people, seeing amazing places that you are interested in and all at the same, if not less, cost than if you tried yourself. If you haven’t tried group travel before then 2013’s the time!

Go Backpacking!

One way to make a trip cheaper is to do everything on a budget! It might sound obvious, but if you go on holiday and travel by bus instead of train, stay in hostels instead of hotels and eat in local eateries rather than tourist restaurants you can save a lot of money and see even more places than you can if you book into a resort for a week. You need to be able to cope with living out of a backpack and not having the nicest amenities at your beck and call, but if you can do that you can have the holiday of a lifetime on the tightest holiday budget yet.

This is a guest post from John: a travel lover and key contributor to Ezee Mobile Insurance who can help you insure your belongings whilst you travel the world.

Affordable Destinations For A Budget Break

Going on holiday doesn’t have to mean breaking the bank and spending all your hard earned savings. Having a budget holiday also doesn’t have to mean visiting the same old places year after year where you know some cheap accommodation or can get budget transport to.

Below are some of our favorite places to go for an affordable holiday, whilst still exploring new places and seeing new things:

Russia

Russia is an incredible country and one which many holidaymakers look on with trepidation. However, there’s no need to anymore as it’s simple to get to and is home to some of the most fantastic cities in the world. Moscow and St Petersburg are the perfect places to visit on a Russian holiday and offer truly unique experiences. Meet a KGB Colonel or even a Russian Cosmonaut! And with a favorable currency and some great bargain deals out there, you can visit on a budget.

Oman

Oman is home to incredible mountain ranges, medieval villages and wonderful people. Not on everyone’s radar as a holiday destination, it really does provide a unique experience which will stay with you forever. Oman holidays capture something enchanting and mystical, and usually totally unexpected. As a middle eastern country some tourists are quite reticent about visiting, though the country is perfectly safe and great deals are available as a result!

Marthinal, Portugal

Marthinal Beach resort is a fantastic place for families to escape to and have a relaxing family holiday. Whilst it is a luxury resort, it is adapting to tough economic times by offering great deals and fantastic value for an amazing service and stunning accommodation. With everything the kids could want from a holiday on offer, as well as plenty for the adults to enjoy, it is a fantastic choice, and now you can stay there even on a tighter budget as they try to attract new visitors.

Don’t settle for a stay cation this year, or even the same old places you always visit. There are loads of options out there for an affordable but adventurous holiday, and these are just a few of our favorites.

This is a guest post from John at Abroad in Spain, a guide to the best destinations and activities for holidays in Spain

5 Fun Places to Get Over the Post Holiday Blues

It’s easy to get down after the holiday period as you head back to work and life returns to normal. So what better way to get over those blues by organizing your next holiday and planning some exciting activities to do?!?

Below are some of our favorite places and activities to do to shake off the post holiday blues:

Marrakech, Morocco

Marrakech is an enchanting city and one which delivers surprises around every corner. There is nothing quite like winding down the alleys of the souks and soaking up all the sights, sounds and smells that you come across. A holiday to Marrakech is the perfect way to make an exciting start to 2013.

Skiing in France

As winter continues into January, ski enthusiasts rub their hands together and head for the slopes to soak up one of the most exciting and refreshing holidays that exists. A trip to France to drink in the fresh mountain air and break a sweat on the slopes is a great way to kick off the New Year. Book yourself into an affordable ski chalet inFrance, enjoy the slopes in the day and then get in front of the fire for some top notch après-ski. Perfect.

Hiking in Yorkshire

The Yorkshire Dales are famed for their beautiful walking routes and they are the perfect place to blow out some of the holiday cobwebs and start 2013 with a bang. With flowing countryside, beautiful pubs to stop in for pub lunches or overnight stays, and a wealth of quaint accommodation, Yorkshire is a great stop on anyone’s holiday list.

Golfing in Spain

In the hunt for some winter sunshine, Spain is often high on people’s lists. For golf enthusiasts it usually comes even higher. Spain is full of fantastic golf resorts from the Costa de La Luz to Almeira, and that coupled with the beautiful weather means Spain golf holidays are high on most golfers preferences when choosing where to go. This competition means that it’s also possible to get great deals and stretch your budget even further.

Diving in Malta

Malta is blessed with a beautiful climate which means you can go at almost any time of year and get some sunshine and warm weather. But what many people don’t know is that it is also one of the best places in the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling. Gozo in particular is a fantastic place to go, whether you’re a seasoned diver or want to complete the initial PADI course. The deep blue is certainly a great place to wash away the January blues, and Malta itself has everything a holidaymaker could wish for.

This is a guest post from John at Malta Holidays, a guide to the best things to see and do in Malta.

3 Great Places To Holiday On A Budget

As the world’s economic situation continues to be in turmoil in 2013, holidays are one of the things that can be wiped off the to-do list in order to save some pennies. However, it’s important to get some rest and relaxation during the year, so we’ve listed some places below which you can visit on a budget and still get your holiday fix in 2013!

Thailand

Thailand is a haven for budget travellers. Whilst it may be quite expensive to get there initially, once you are there you can live in relative luxury for extremely low cost. And there is a plethora of great destinations to choose from, whether you opt for the Eastern islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, or head west to the likes of Phuket and Koh Phi Phi. There are plenty of 5 star hotelsin Phuket which are really affordable and will allow you to stay in paradise surroundings without breaking the bank.

UK

The UK might not be the first place that springs to mind when thinking of budget destinations, but as holiday companies and businesses fight to survive in these tough times, they are offering fantastic deals which means you can have a wonderful break without hurting the purse strings too much. From doing all inclusive breaks to going on a bed and breakfast holiday, you can explore the stunning attractions the UK has to offer without worrying to much about blowing a huge budget.

India

India is another country where you can live like a millionaire on a budget. You can go on luxury holiday to India without spending too much money, and see some incredible sights whilst lapping up the pampering. From beach holidays in Goa to visiting world icons like the Taj Mahal, there’s no danger of getting bored, and when you need to rest the legs and sit still for a while, you can be sure that you’ll stay in a fantastic hotel and be waited on like a king. Holidays to India really are the perfect way to soak up luxury on a budget.

So don’t let the world’s economic struggles get you down in 2013, embrace them as an opportunity to travel to new places where your budget goes further and you can still have the holiday of a lifetime.

Unexpected Ways to Save Money on Your Auto

There are ways to save money on motoring that are less well-known than the usual ones of combining auto and home insurance and having the vehicle tuned regularly.

You shouldn't choose a fancier auto if your retirement or debt management will suffer as a result. Experts generally recommend that no more than 20 percent of after-tax income be spent on all a household's vehicles, which includes not only payments for the auto, but gas, insurance, and maintenance. You shouldn't automatically succumb to dealers' offers of “free” gas for a year or a free cruise if you make a purchase. If such lures are presented to you, you should evaluate exactly what benefit they would gain you.

You can reduce the cost of car insurance by improving your credit rating. Statistics have shown a correlation between poor credit and speeding tickets and crashes. Another tip for insurance is to raise the deductible, which will result in a lower monthly payment.

Every year sees lists of the most commonly-stolen autos, and before making a purchase, it's wise to ensure that the model you're considering doesn't feature. A study by the University of Auckland, New Zealand, found that brown cars carried the highest risk of auto accidents causing serious injury. Green and black cars also had higher risks. It has been suggested that this is because lighter cars are more visible. The chance of such an accident involving silver autos was 50 percent less.

Still on the subject of car color, studies have demonstrated that some models and colors are more likely to be stopped for speeding and consuming your valuable time, for instance red sports cars. Car reviews and other informal sources will perhaps inform you of these. In the United Kingdom, it's said that the police play “speeding snooker” - stopping a red, then another color, then another red, and so forth.

You'll save money if you drive your auto for longer, which surveys have shown that more people are doing. The vehicles of today are built to last longer, and you should test this. Some manufacturers offer 10-year warranties.

Accessories should be purchased after the auto itself: such things as roof racks, better wheels, alarms, and sound systems. Dealers frequently tack considerable mark-ups to accessories, so savings of as much as 50 percent are possible, as was the case with a portable NA VI navigation system for a 2009 Honda CR-V LX.

Where possible, you should conduct auto maintenance yourself. Rebuilding the engine or changing the transmission requires much knowledge and experience, but checking tire pressure and fluid levels, replacing lights, jump-starting a auto, and changing a tire, brake pads, or oil doesn't. It would cost from $40 to $75 for one hour of a mechanic's time. The savings from changing the oil yourself can be as much as 90 percent.

Hyper-milling is the adoption of driving techniques that maximize fuel economy. The originator of the term, auto expert, Wayne Gerdes of Clean MPG.com, said it can improve fuel efficiency by between 15 and 20 percent, and people can be found who say the improvement is as much as 60 percent. Some tricks are to wear lighter shoes to allow for increased sensitivity when using pedals, following the slipstream of the auto in front of you, parking strategically to reduce maneuvering and leaving a parking space by freewheeling downhill. There is a community of hyper milers, where people will be all-too-eager to share information.

Tuesday-January 1-New Year!

Happy New Year Everyone! 

Gerry and I took out the skidoo today but after half hour, I was ready to come home. Just too cold for me. Should have had mini gloves under my mitts, and a warmer sweater, and wool socks I guess,but I didn't. I get cold easy though.Always say I need to be living somewhere warm for part of our cold winters. Someday I hope.Is there anyone else that gets away for part of the year, escaping to better weather? I'd love to hear from you!

Erika and her boyfriend came over once we were back, and took out the skidoo next, but I made sure she was dressed with the extras that I didn't take.I had them give us some money for gas for the skidoo-and not that we can't afford it, but to teach responsibility that gas does have to be paid by someone, and if they are using it, something should be paid for gas.

I cut some sausage and cheese up for snacks for tonight, and also have crackers and pickles to munch. 

See by my calendar I have three birthdays to buy for this month. Like to get my cards bought early and not leave gifts till the last minute either.

Sorted through my coupons last night and got rid of all the ones ending for Dec 31st. Now my coupon holder now feels "thin". Going to sort today as well through all my catalogs, magazines and books and recycle the outdated or donate others that we haven't paid much attention to. Other than that, it's a quiet day.

Monday- December 31st

Just wanted to wish everyone a safe evening tonight for those that will be out and about.
Gerry and I will be at home watching "Looper" tonight, and no doubt earlier than 12 to bed.
Took all the decorations down both inside and out, yesterday and today.
Gerry has been off work since December 24th, so enjoying his time off but back to work on Jan. 2nd. We've been sleeping in and living the lazy life.He's also been taking Jake outdoors for his short walks for me, so that's been great, as I hate the cold! (Gerry has 5 1/2 years left till retirement.)

Didn't do any Boxing Day sales as we really didn't need anything. I see Walmart has alot of their Christmas cards, decorations and candy on sale, but the prices have not come down enough yet for me, to tempt me to buy anything.There had been some good buys on food though. I  have alot of bags, wrap, tags, etc for next year so won't be needing to buy any of that this year.

This year I was downsizing my Santa collection and starting to collect angels, but I haven't seen too many of those around. Gerry had got me a mini clock with an angel child and an angel ornament with tea light to start my collection though.

Time to watch the movie though, so once again everyone, have a safe and happy evening, with all our best wishes to you and your family in 2013.

Special Occasion Outfits For Little Girls

There are times in a woman’s life when she looks into her closet and realizes that she has nothing to wear. This can even be true if you are a little girl. Sometimes there are formal occasions, such as holidays, special birthdays, weddings and christening that little girls should wear a special dress.

Beautiful formal dresses suitable for girls can be found at noori dresses. There is a great variety of colors and styles available to choose from so that a little girl can easily match the theme of any special occasions. All of the dresses are made with the utmost attention to detail and quality while maintaining very reasonable prices. At the same time they will age appropriate for little girls while pleasing the developing fashion sense of a little fashionista. There is a great selection of sizes available ranging from newborn fashions to sizes 2-14 and also including plus sizes. Formal wear for little boys is also available and includes tuxedos, vests and ties.

As any style guru is aware of, finding the right accessory completes the perfect outfit. Noori dresses also offers a collection of shoes, boleros and coats which will make any outfit look very smart and well put together. If you are not sure what size your little girl may need you can use they handy size chart or have chat with one of the client service representatives that are always willing to help. 

With Noori dresses, a girl will always have something stunning to wear.

Ten Money Fantasies That Make You Sound Stupid

Many people spend a lot of time thinking and planning for things that are not easy to undertake. Living in a fool’s paradise is perhaps the best one could think of after listening to what they rely on to make their future financially secure. Absurd ideas to build financial wealth make these people suffer later in the years when they realize that they do not have a single financial cushion to fall back on.

However, the fact is the not every book that one writes goes onto become a best seller, and not every novice corporation makes it to the NYSE. Here are the top ten money fantasies that make you sound stupid.

1. I Will Win Money through the Lottery

Your chances of winning lottery are 1 in 175,711,536. This information is enough to make out your chances of winning money randomly. Even if you participate in all the lotteries available to you, you cannot depend on the probability of winning them to spend the rest of your life. It is much better to work towards getting a job that would help earn as well as save money for the rainy days.

2. You Intend To Write the Next Bestseller

Writing the next best seller is what every novice writer aspires to do. There are lots of manuscripts waiting approvals from the editors and literary agents to able to make it big. Even if you able to get published, there are not great chances that you will be able to make big bucks out of it. Moreover, there haven’t been many that have been able to spend the rest of their lives depending upon the money earned through having a book published.

3. I Will Make Big Out Of My Small Business by Taking It to Oprah

Even if you have a flourishing coconut flan delivery service, Oprah won’t be interested to have it on her show. Though it’s a fact that whoever makes it to her show becomes a best seller instantly, you better calculate the probability to make it to the show. In fact, you better create small goals and take steps towards achieving them.

4. Spending More Money

There’s a great difference between buying what you need and what you can afford to buy. Spending cash when in need of something is nothing bad, but spending money thinking that you deserve to spend it is not the right kind of attitude. You definitely deserve all the cash that you earn. However, thinking to spend it the way you want is not right. Sites like, Consolidated Credit can assist with free debt consolidation advice.

5. Planning To Marry Rich

This is good for people who are not able to stand on their own two feet. You can do this, but do not make it your career goal. It is not good when you act powerless in front of your family and friends since it gives them an impression of your incapability to make it on your own. Instead, work towards getting a better job by going back to school. Getting back to school means you can make all the big bucks on your own rather than waiting to hunt a rich person to get married to.

6. I Will Get Richer Through Inheritance

Depending on inheritance doesn’t make you rich forever. Working towards multiplying it will do so. It may also be that the inheritance that you receive goes out to paying for the educational expenses of your children, or even paying out debt.

7. A Rich Relative

There are some people who believe that they can receive large sums of money as gifts from their relatives by helping them in their old age. This is the most imprudent way of expecting to get cash rich instantly.

8. Planning To Become an Actor/ Singer to Earn Cash Overnight

You cannot spend your entire life thinking of becoming the next superstar by uploading a video on a social networking site. Earning riches needs a lot of prudent planning and hard work. Planning to become an actor or singer instantly is not a wise option.

9. Starting Own Business and Making It Big In A Short Period

Starting a business is a risk and risking it by making the wrong moves to make big out of it is foolishness. You should take small steps and plan making it bigger through your long terms tactics.

10. Asking the Government for Help

The government does not issue grants to help people get rich. Instead, it helps people the other way through transparent processes.

Conclusion

Fantasizing about money cannot be substantiated anyways. The fact is that not every other book can become the next fifty shades of grey and even overnight successes are not a piece of cake. However, you can earn substantial sums of money by planning rationally to start a business or even getting other means of income.

Author Bio

AJ writes a weekly column for finance based for newspaper. She loves traveling and writing in his free time, especially regarding finances and getting out of debt. 

Treating Yourself This Holiday Season

This time of the year we are busy running around getting gifts for everyone else, so now is a great time to get something just for ourselves. 

Groupon or Living Social type vouchers are a great way to buy deals on a product or a service at a deeply discounted price. These vouchers have a time limit during which they should be used, it is estimated, however, that between 20%-40% of vouchers are forgotten or simply the buyer never ends up using them. Coup Flip has launched a service that allows people to buy and sell deals, such as unused Groupon or Living Social vouchers. You can shop deals according to the category (such as travel, food and dining, clothing etc) your location or price. The vouchers are guaranteed to be authentic and valid by coup flip. They can be valid for several months and up to a year, leaving you plenty of time to use them.

What if you have a bought a group buy deal with all the best intentions of using it, only to realize that you will not have that opportunity before the deal expires? You can now simply sell deals to another user on Coup Flip, which sets a competitive price for the unused deal. As soon as you resell Groupon or another deal, and the group buy is authenticated you get money back in your pocket. Since there are no fees to use this service it is a hassle free way to recoup your losses.

Right now Coup Flip is running a holiday special with 25% additional discount offered on top of Groupon or Living Social discount. The company is now launched in 40 US cities so a great deal can be found just around the corner. 

Now that is something worth flipping for!