Vacations can be the most relaxing and fun times of our lives, but planning them on a budget -- and then trying to stick to that budget -- can quickly turn any soothing get-away into a travel nightmare. So if you're looking to book your summer ...
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4 Tips For Saving Money While Traveling The World
International travel is something most people never get to do. A flight overseas requires you to have discretionary money most people don't have, not to mention the available time to take off from work.
Then there's the expenses of the trip ...
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How to Get the Most for Your Money on a Gaming Vacation
We all go on vacations for a whole number of reasons. Some just like to get away from the daily grind, while others go on holiday for a specific purpose. Gaming vacations have become increasingly popular over the years, especially with places such as ...
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Stretching Your Money: What Do Hotel Star Ratings Really Mean?
If you've ever searched for a hotel, whether via an online travel agency, a guidebook or simply by looking at hotel websites, you've probably noticed star ratings and deals and promotions with headlines like those above.
But have you ever thought ...
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The Top 8 Budget Vacations for World Travelers
For many people, vacation time means forgetting your worries and visiting sandy sunny beaches, exploring wild life parks, and discovering international culture. But great vacation packages offered by travel agents are usually very costly, which is ...
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What is Tourism Marketing and How Can It Help My Business?
Is your business in the travel sector, offering experiences, or helping customers achieve the vacation of a lifetime?
You would certainly benefit from specific tourism marketing -- but its methods aren't only useful for dedicated travel ...
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Life After Debt: Simple Ways to Avoid a Vacation Debt Hangover
The most dangerous disadvantage of using credit cards while traveling is their inability to prevent a total loss of self-control when it comes to buying souvenirs for you, your friends, and family members. If you aren't careful, that holiday in the ...
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A Lifestyle Review of Historic Princeton, New Jersey
Princeton University recently earned the top ranking among national universities according to U.S. News & World Report -- but there's much more to Princeton, New Jersey, than its academics.
Princeton, the product of a merger between a borough ...
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Does a Furnished Apartment Usually Come with Its Own Bedding?
If you're traveling you obviously want to know how much luggage you need to take. If you're staying in a furnished apartment on your travels this means that you'll need to know what is included in the rental. Do you need to make sure you have items ...
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5 Ways to Save Money on Your Moving Expenses
Moving to a new home is stressful enough without additional financial worries. After all, there are many costs involved in the moving process. For example, you may need to hire housecleaners, long distance moving companies and perhaps even secure the ...
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6 Basic Travel Tips That Help Tourists Save Time and Money
Are you thinking about planning a trip? Then before you book your flight and hotel reservation, make sure you review these basic -- but very useful -- travel tips that savvy travelers use to help them not only save money, but a little time ...
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Tired of Airport Hassles? Try Private Jet Service. (No, Really!)
Think about your typical airport experience: You arrive several hours before your scheduled flight, wait in line, deal with security, grab a stale sandwich from a terminal coffee shop and trudge to your gate -- only to discover your plane is delayed. ...
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How to Experience New York City on a Budget
New York is an amazing city that attracts millions of curious tourists all year long, including New Year's Eve when thousands of revelers crowd Times Square to watch the ball drop at the stroke of midnight.
Of course, New York City is also well ...
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How I Was Bitten by the Expiring Reward Points Scam
Life is full of hassles. Some are really big, like losing a job. Others are more of an annoyance, like changing your place of residence.
Then there are the really irritating ones that make you scratch your head and throw your hands up in complete ...
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7 Retaliatory Fees Travelers Should Be Charging the Airlines
One of the greatest technological achievements of the modern era is, unquestionably, the turbine engine. The invention ushered in the jet age, which bestowed upon mankind the luxury of safe and rapid transcontinental and intercontinental travel at ...
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Bring a Companion on Every Southwest Flight for Less Than $30
I know how hard it is to save money on your vacation. With that in mind, Southwest Airlines has a deal for travelers who want to bring someone with them on every flight they take for the rest of the year and all of next year for just the cost of ...
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How Cheaper Gasoline Ultimately Costs You More
You know, there used to be a guy named Ripley who made a fortune explaining why things aren't always what they seem. For example, a banana tree is not a really a tree at all, but a massive herb that can grow as tall as a four story building.
If ...
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How to Get the Best Travel Deal from Price Comparison Websites
Price comparison websites are a great resource for budget-conscious travelers, with many people skipping travel agents altogether and doing the flight booking themselves. Due to the huge growth in this type of website, there are now more price ...
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9 ‘Oops’ Moments That I Ultimately Paid For (One Way or Another)
Last week I needed to venture into my attic to check on some rat traps, so I grabbed my flashlight to help me navigate my way through the rafters. As luck would have it, the flashlight wasn't working; the last person who used it forgot to turn the ...
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Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? Guess My Rental Car Bill.
It seems like every time I go to Hawaii, I always learn a valuable financial lesson.
I already shared how, during my recent summer vacation there, I was reminded of why folks should always be on their toes when shopping, as illustrated by two sizes of the same detergent being sold at a local supermarket -- and the jaw-dropping price-difference between them.
And although you'd think I'd know better, that wasn't the only financial head-scratcher I came across there.
After I turned in our rental car I was also reminded why you should never ever take a rental car quote at face value.
When I made my rental car reservation I had secured a minivan for the undeniably fantastic price of $282.50 per week, plus $56.50 for each additional day. I know. I couldn't believe it either.
Of course, when I was handed the final bill after turning in the car in perfect condition with a full tank of gas, and exactly 8 days and 3 hours of rental time, I was still caught off guard by final bill.
Here are a few more pieces of information to consider:
I used one of the major rental car companies
I was given unlimited mileage for no additional cost
I refused all rental car insurance
Hawaii sales tax is 4.166%
With only that information at your disposal Are you smarter than a 5th grader?
What was my final rental car bill?
If youre up to the challenge, leave your best guess below and Ill post the answer later this week in the comments section.
Dont be shy; like all of my "5th grader" questions, this is not as easy as it looks.
Last month, our defending champion, Deb, showed just how smart my readers really are after nailing the answer to the detergent price question on the button!
As always, the lucky guy or gal who comes closest to guessing the actual price will officially be crowned the Smartest Person in the Room until the next 5th Grader post!
Good luck!
Photo Credit: Jennifer Murawski ...
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