Tagged With "Money Saving Tips"
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Re: Sea World gives up its killer whale shows
I grow weary of political correctness. Orcas are highly intelligent animals, no doubt -- and have the "cruelty" we expect of intelligent animals (anyone who's seen them hunt a baby gray whale for hours, only to kill it, eat its tongue and let the rest go to waste knows what I mean). I never saw Blackfish, but I do recall at the old Marineland park in Southern California. The park was closed for a number of months, and the orcas got depressed. Listless, didn't eat, didn't look good. Someone...
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Re: Money Savings Tips, for your Big Trip - Part 1
These are all good tips and add up to quite a bit of coin. I've also never had luck with renegotiating cable rates. But I did give up my coffee stop and just brew my own and take it along to work. Works fine for me. Looking forward to the rest of your tips. Thanks, Samantha!
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Re: Money Savings Tips, for your Big Trip - Part 1
Thanks Samantha. All great tips. Some we do now and some (public transit) we do not since we live outside Edmonton and both work in the city. A 15 minute commute would turn into over an hour on transit. We actually just redid our cable subscription, obtained a better plan and updated internet with a reduced monthly cost. With our kids now moved out we are able to save a good bit on our utilities, phone costs and especially food costs. All extra coin for the next trip.
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Re: Money Savings Tips, for your Big Trip - Part 1
And don't forget: use a miles-earning card for everything you DO spend! Between bonuses for new cards and steady use, you can go a long way!
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Re: Money Savings Tips, for your Big Trip - Part 1
Great tips.! Cable companies usually don't reward loyalty and offer their best promotional rates to new people. Netflix, Amazon Prime are good ways to save on cable bills if you can get internet. As far as eating out, I always find it's a question of what I order. I avoid drinks, desserts , and the cost is not bad at all.
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Re: Money Savings Tips, for your Big Trip - Part 1
Thanks DrFumblefinger. Glad you enjoyed the post and the second part will be out this week!
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Re: Money Savings Tips, for your Big Trip - Part 1
Hi there Rob. Since I wrote this post we actually cut the cable and only have OTA and Netflix. Saves us over $100.00 a month. Nice amount to save for our travel adventures! And you are right about the drinks. That is what will kill you. Stay away from them and it should help. Thanks for the comments. Part 2 this week!
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Re: Money Savings Tips, for your Big Trip - Part 1
Yep, it definitely adds up. Thanks for the comment. Make sure to read part 2 coming this week.
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Re: Money Savings Tips, for your Big Trip - Part 1
Thanks for the comment. Glad you were able to get a new contract with your cable company. We had Comcast and they don't care about retaining customers, only getting new ones Such a shame. Thanks for the comment and happy travels.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, July 13, 2015: Gettysburg at dusk
Thanks for the tip, Jonathan. Another interesting stop is to President Eisenhower's home, which adjoins Gettysburg. Like stepping back into the era of MadMen.
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Re: Eat Out at Restaurants on the Cheap
That's a great tip, TravelRob! I've been using the emiles I've generated for frequent flyer miles, but this really does sound like a much better option! Thanks!
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Dec. 17, 2013: Olympic Stadium, Montreal, Quebec
Yes Montreal is great. Wish I could go back more often. The fun thing about these attractions is while they are all near one another, there is also a metro station nearby. Cheaper than the taxi and an experience in itself. This is only the tip of the iceberg...so much more to see and experience.
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Nov 14, 2013 : Guinness Storehouse, Dublin, Ireland
That's a cool photo, Ottoman! Reminds me of the bartender at my local pub. His smile is even bigger if you leave him a nice tip.
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Re: Airbus Survey: 41% Willing to Pay for More Space
Well, so far I've gotten by in what they give me, but I'm old enough to know the difference and might wanna change up someday. And I'd sure rather pay for real estate than baggage space or airline food. Give me one bag free, no soda or peanuts, no movie, no blanket and especially no airline magazine...and hey, I'll spend $50 or so to spread out a couple or three inches! Ever stop to think about those magazines? They're printed on heavy stock, a real weight-bomb, you only read them if you...
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Re: Buddy, Can You Spare 5.3 Million Dimes?
This is a no brainer. The money was left behind by frustrated travelers. It should be used to minimize some of the frustration and indignity imposed on travelers at the TSA checkpoints. Little things would make a big difference in the "reassembly area" : + Buy easy-to-clean sturdy benches for the re-assembly area. + Put footstools in front of benches to help with putting on shoes. + Put baskets under the benches so people can place their small backpacks, purses, shoes, and belts out of the...
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Re: Buddy, Can You Spare 5.3 Million Dimes?
Yes, some facilities have no space for reassembly. The least they could do is hand people clear plastic bags for all of their little stuff at the beginning. Toss coins, keys, cell phone etc into clear plastic bag. Toss belt and shoes into clear plastic bag. Slam plastic bags into bin with your luggage items. Grab your plastic bags and luggage items out of bin at the exit and run for your gate, shoeless. At least people would not be fumbling around, trying to get their small odds and ends out...
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Re: Do you Like these Hotel Tipping Tips ?
I just don't know what to think. Does every question to a front office staff or concierge deserve a tip? How many envelopes do I need to carry for three weeks for housekeeping? If you are fortunate enough to get twice daily service do you tip both times? On my last trip because it was low season, we spoiled ourselves with a very nice hotel.... I admit more times than one desperately searching my pockets for change or (gulp) even a five Euro note... I understand that hotel staff does not make...
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Re: Do you Like these Hotel Tipping Tips ?
Remember these recommendations were in essence from the hotel owners. They are trying to have the consumer subsidize the poor salaries many of them pay. I'm a reasonably generous person, and I realize that most hotel employees are not wealthy, but I don't tip at those levels. I usually leave a few bucks for the maid if a good job is done, and for an excellent bit of advice or help will as well. But if I ask the concierge where the nearest bus stop is, that's his job and not worth the five...
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Re: Do you Like these Hotel Tipping Tips ?
You'll find most Europeans are unsympathetic to the American Tipping Rules. If I cant get the Waitress to get my 2nd cup of Coffee when its supposed to be "free refills" then she gets no tip at all. Same as when someone starts to clear the table while I'm still eating my dinner. Reaching across me and my meal with dirty dishes and napkins. No Tip. If I see the meal I ordered waiting to be collected and sitting there for 5 minutes getting cold - No Tip. And she takes it back to the kitchen.
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Re: Do you Like these Hotel Tipping Tips ?
I find that typical of Europeans, Garry. And it makes sense as in Europe most restaurants include an automatic service charge of about 10%. That is not the case in the USA or Canada (with the exception of large parties of 8 or more in some cases). Most waitresses don't earn anything except minimum wage plus tips, so I do tend to tip some for all but the absolute worst of service. But certainly EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE makes me feel very generous, as it does you.
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Re: Do you Like these Hotel Tipping Tips ?
Often the Waitress will have too many tables to serve. Dashing around trying to cope and not doing a very good job at it! Too eager to catch new customers coming in and claim them as "Another Tip" But no time to do "Customer Service"
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Re: Do you Like these Hotel Tipping Tips ?
I'm well aware that there may be many contributing factors to the problem of poor service. But I'm not there to consider the state of the world nor am I there to balance justice among the poor. I just want a decent meal at a decent price. Just as in any job - my own included - people just want me to do my job. Do it well. No excuses. And they show there gratitude occasionally, with a tip. Its the same with me. Good food and good service gets you well rewarded. Shape up or Ship out !
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Re: Do you Like these Hotel Tipping Tips ?
Yes. I get the picture Paul. To be blunt about the experience - I don't care who's fault it is ! Perhaps dining out in the UK is a less frequent event. But when I go out for Dinner I want a pleasant experience. I don't want to hear about other peoples problems. I never get a reduction in the price because the service was bad. And I'm certainly not going to reward it either ! Minimum wage of a waitress in the UK is about = $400 US for 40 hrs. But we still tip for good service !
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Re: Do you Like these Hotel Tipping Tips ?
Before I retired, I traveled quite a bit on business, both inside the U.S. and abroad. I still travel frequently to racing and club events, but almost all are in the U.S. or Canada. That said, here’s my take on tipping: Restaurants – According to the sources I checked, in the U.S. the Federal minimum wage for tipped employees is $2.13. Most states have set higher amounts, but food service workers are still generally paid much lower wages that other ‘minimum wage’ employees. Unless the...
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Re: Do you Like these Hotel Tipping Tips ?
also keeps you from being called unflattering names behind your back. No worries - I find that people don't mind calling me unflattering news to my face Dave B. has given this issue a lot of good thought. My policy in the US is to tip 15 percent for adequate service. I add and subtract 5 percent from there, depending. According to the guidebooks, many servers outside of the US are paid professional wages. In that case, we do not tip, but simply round up the bill. Hope that this is not wrong.
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Re: Do you Like these Hotel Tipping Tips ?
I certainly understand GarryRF's comments completely. A guest has a right to expect a good quality meal with good service. That should be part of the dining experience. That said, because I was raised and have lived in Canada/USA my life, I have a sensitivity to food service employees not being paid well and being stressed by their employers. So I tend to follow Dave B's guidelines (thanks for outlining these, Dave!) If I see a waitress is trying hard, I'll leave the 15% tip (and don't come...
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Re: Hotels.com: Most mobile bookings are last-minute
That actually makes a lot of sense. The beauty of smartphones and the like is their ability to let you get things done at the last minute -- complete with price comparisons, etc. I know that a lot of hotels offer deep discounts the last day if they have a lot of spare inventory, but you're taking a risk at a busy time in a busy place. I tend to be more of a planner and to save my travel time for traveling and not looking for hotels. But to each his own.
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Re: 1000's Drawn to North Dakota
I have not done that, Rob, but I do have some friends in North Dakota. The wages are good, but before anyone makes the jump there, be sure you understand the cost of housing and such. Apartments and homes are in short supply and expensive. But as you pointed out, so is labor. So if you can share an apartment with someone and are willing to work more than 40 hours a week, you can save a nice stash of cash. Don't just go. Educate yourself. There are excellent job opportunities in the Dakotas,...
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Re: Heather in Bloom - North York Moors.
A most amazing and lovely landscape (with tip of the hat to its Scottish counterpart). When is a good time for a tourist to see the heather in bloom? I know some folks that would plan a trip just to see these colors.
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Re: Heather in Bloom - North York Moors.
Early to mid august would be the prime time to visit and view.
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Re: Is your airport bin clean enough? Maybe not.
Is anyone surprised that airports are a health hazard? How about those rubber gloves all the security people wear for protection - protecting themselves from us and passing it all along with every touch to our passports, our belongings and (save me!) a pat-down. And PHeymont felt duty-bound to remind us. The only thing worse is not going.
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Re: HOW YOU CAN SAVE THE ASIAN ELEPHANT
Thanks for sharing these thoughts. Elephants are highly intelligent animals, probably smarter than dogs for example. Wild elephants in Asia are having a hard time because of loss of habitat and conversion of their normal range to agricultural land. Most do not have ivory tusks so unlike their African cousins, they are not slaughtered for their teeth. In Sri Lanka I visited the elephant orphanage in Pinnawala a number of times, which I've previously written about on TravelGumbo at this link .
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Re: TSA Fee Hike Set to Begin Next Week
Some good news .Congress capped TSA fees to $11.20 per round-trip .The legislation passed the Senate unanimously on Thursday and is waiting to be signed by the President.This is estimated to save consumers 60 million a year. Read More- http://www.usatoday.com/story/...rlines-a4a/19942045/
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Re: Americans Leaving Half Their Paid Vacations Ununsed
Sadly, they do translate widely. Among the factors I'm aware of listening to students, parents and friends: 1. People with very little vacation (only a week in many cases) either choose to work for needed extra money, or are trying to save it to take more next year. 2. Job pressure keeps some people working; some are afraid they'll lose jobs by taking what they've earned, while others are promised other compensation. 3. Biggest reason of all: Not enough money to go anywhere!
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Apr. 27, 2014: Painted Ladies in San Francisco
Many Victorian buildings that survived the 1906 earthquake were destroyed in the fires that followed. Those, like these, that escaped both were largely located west of Van Ness Ave, the line at which fire fighters dynamited buildings, creating a fire line to save at least part of the city. I'm glad these were saved, PHeymont, or the City would be a very different place, wouldn't it. Thanks.
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Re: Prague's Jerusalem Synagogue: Where Gumbo Was (#129)
My apologies to the three Guessers who correctly identified Where Gumbo Was...when I wrote the blog, the guesses were not in yet. When I updated it with the congratulatory paragraph, I apparently failed to save it, and the older version went "live" this morning. Again, my apologies to Jonathan L, TravelingCanuck and PortMoresby, all regular (and often successful) participants. .....PHeymont
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Re: New York Taxis Debut App to Compete with Uber
Anything that pushes back at Uber is generally fine with me, but there are a few side issues here...starting with the "aging taxi fleet," which is actually newer than it's been in many years. The NV2000 boondoggle (and that's what it is) started with the previous mayor, Bloomberg, who decided that all owners should be forced to use the same cab..and then chose the NV2000, which does not, and cannot, meet ADA standards. For it to be wheelchair accessible requires an aftermarket conversion...
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Re: Gumbo's Pic of the Day, Sep 15, 2015: Pit Lane, Mdina Grand Prix
I was having lunch in Mdina. Our waiter was a boy about 8 years old. He asked if I'd ever seen a train. "Of course I have. Maybe 4 a day" "When I save enough to leave Malta I want to see a train" he said. Then he asked my Mother in Law if she was my sister. She slipped him a few dollars. He'll soon have enough - I thought - to see a train - even at 8.
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Re: Las Vegas Celebrates the Chinese New Year!
There are only a few destinations where all the family over in the US and us English can meet. Vegas, Florida and New York. So we all went to Vegas to meet up. Walking along the strip towards NY,NY. 9 Fine Irishmen looked like an attractive bar - so in we all went. They had real "Pint Glasses" - 20 ounce. Not the 16 ounce we've had to suffer ! But after a few minutes we were frozen. They do love AC in Vegas. Too much like Ireland. Freezing cold. So we moved outside and sat in the shade...
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Re: No place like home? 41% of Americans stayed there!
You're certainly right about the prioritiess and affordability; I've never understood, for instance, couples who put off having a glorious honeymoon in order to pay for a fancy wedding. Or who save for years for a big trip instead of camping with the kids while they are young... At the other end, though, there are lots of people who've had very hard times the last few years, and may be cashing in vacation time for home repair or mortgage payment. And as for the 20 days (4 working...
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Re: Channel ferries: more than a nostalgia trip
A timely post, PHeymont. Trying to simplify a proposed trip to the UK and Portugal, and also slip in a bit of Spain along the way, I'm seriously considering the ferries from the south coast of England to Bilbao & environs, then train down to Portugal. I'm sure it will save me money, as opposed to trains, using the ferries, most of which I wasn't aware of until I took a good look at the broken lines showing ferry routes on Google maps.
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Re: Visiting Cuba.
Hi HistoryDigger. We always get the leader of the Animation Team - he organises the shows and dancing inside the hotel. He knows all the local places of interest. Obviously It depends on which region you'll be visiting. He'll organise a 12 seat Hyundai van for the day 8 - 4pm. Including gas and driver it costs us around $200 equivalent. (Divide that by 10 in the group) Lunch in a restaurant another $15 each. Nice tip for the driver when you start off and he'll be your friend for ever ! The...
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Re: Where in the World is TravelGumbo (#110)
I really, really don't mean to spoil the fun, knowing that whenever someone says that he does in fact exactly that. However I'll use the occasion to share a very useful tip for anyone: Google Picture Search. it allows you to search for any picture on the web and it will find similar pictures or - like in this case an exact match. You can either paste in the direct url of the picture or download a copy and later upload it again. If the website doesn't allow that (which really makes no sense...
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Re: SeaWorld: No more dolphin riders
All the wildlife films I have seen show that the incredibly intelligent Dolphins enjoy interaction with humans. Neither cruel or unethical. Folks should focus on mans inhumanity to man if they want to save the world from oppression.
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Re: Will passengers be weighed like baggage?
Definitely part of the dehumanizing of travel. We're going to be weighed like luggage, and not treated as individual beings. Personally I like the idea of my plane having a little extra fuel and not just the exact amount needed. What if there is a stronger than anticipated headwind? What if landing is delayed because of traffic congestion at the destination? Would we then land on a field or road to save a few bucks? It seems this might just be an academic exercise anyway. I read in the...
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Re: May 5, 2016: Liverpool Homes That Were "Saved" by World War II
Maybe it jumped in - hoping to save that sexy little number next door from drowning DrF ?
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Re: May 4, 2016: The Pend Oreille River Valley, Washington
If I'd been 10 seconds faster, PHeymont, that top photo would have had a bald eagle sitting on the tip of the pine tree to the left. Just flew away as I put the camera to my eye. But maybe that would have been too perfect.... Northeastern Washington state and the Idaho panhandle are really beautiful and not that visited.
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Re: Museum find: GE's 'missing' electric car
I have some friends with a Prius, and their greatest fuel efficiency comes when driving in the city, not on the highway. Paradoxical, but it shows how good the braking is at building up a charge. Good to know there is a backup generator. While the hybrids save on fuel, they also cost thousands of dollars more than their non hybrid counterparts. For an average consumer, it takes many years to recapture that extra cost for the hybrid on fuel savings, if they ever will. And there's the issue of...