Cats and Coupons

Did you ever go away and want to bring back a souvenir for someone but were running short of cash? If you really can’t afford to purchase souvenirs, there is an alternative. My Mom’s done this a couple of times and depending on where she’s been it’s been nice. Mom travels with her own toiletries. So when she goes away she collects all of the little toiletries and freebies from wherever she goes. Upon her return home she takes all of the items and makes cute little gift baskets with them. It’s a nice little way of bringing the place you went to back to your friend. It’s affordable and fun.Here’s a tip.The best basket my Mom has ever made had Disney products in it.

I returned from my trip to Watkins Glen NY today. The cats seemed rather happy to see me. After we’d been home about two hours, I was checking my email and CJ was cuddling on the couch with his Dad. I heard Rennie start meowing. She persisted for a few minutes and I heard CJ trying to say something. His speech isn’t always the easiest to understand, but in this case we didn’t need to be futures trading experts to be able to tell that he was telling Rennie to “shhh, be quiet”. He’d been feeling a little under the weather since almost two hours before we got home so I guess he just wanted a little quiet. I thought it was pretty funny.

Don’t wait until the last minute to get a passport. Passport processing takes some time. My parents just got theirs and because time was a factor for them they paid some extra fees. If you’re not in a hurry you can spend less by getting regular processing (4 weeks), rather than the expedited processing (2 weeks) my parents needed. Another way to save money is to compare prices on where you get your photos. Passport photos can be taken in my places from professional photographers to department type stores to drugstores. Taking the photos yourself is not advised.

Why is it that most of the ads I see for Las Vegas vacations so inexpensive? I’ve never been to Las Vegas. They have casinos and attractions, and it’s apparently one of the most popular places in the US to vacation. So why doesn’t it cost more? And another thing. I always hear what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. What exactly does that mean anyway? Will those of you that have been to Vegas tell me, is it as affordable as it looks? Is it a fun place to go?

No, not luggage for the cat to travel in. Not luggage to put the cat’s things in either. I’m talking luggage with cats on it. We don’t travel much, and when we do travel it usually isn’t for any length of time. We have a couple of duffel bags and carry on pieces, no Rimowa or anything like that. When we need more than that we borrow a couple of pieces from my parents. Earlier this year I wrote on this blog that I think people with unique looking luggage have an easier time keeping an eye on their luggage because it’s different and stands out. Today I was surfing and I found the coolest looking luggage. It’s luggage with cats on it! It’s called the Cat Tapesty luggage set. I don’t know anything about luggage and I couldn’t tell you how durable it is, but I like it! Do you own luggage? What’s yours look like?

Do you like to camp? Have you not gone camping but think you’d enjoy it? Want to save some money? Now’s your chance. KOA is holding Come Camp & Care With Us Weekend this weekend,  May 9-10. Campgrounds all over the country are participating, so there’s a good chance there’s one near you. All you have to do is pay to camp for the night of Friday May 9 and you’ll receive the night of Saturday May 10 for free.  To learn more about the non profit Care Camps, visit www.koacarecamps.com. To find the KOA nearest you participating in the free night giveaway visit http://koa.com/comecampwithus/list.htm.

One way to save on certain types of travel and vacation is by booking at the last minute. The things that springs to mind here is cruises. If you can travel on less than two months notice you can usually find a deccent special. Sometimes within the last two weeks before a cruise you can get a great special. I know of people that have taken a 5 day cruise for $99 this way. Of course this works best if you’re within driving distance to get to the ship. Why do the cruise lines do this? Because they want the ship full. Make sure you’re signed up for some of the cruise companies specials, as well as some of the big cruise broker specials. Happy sailing!

Luggage can be really expensive. I have this theory to share that I believe not only can save money upon purchasing of new luggage but in lowering your chances of having your bag taken by accident or stolen. Here it is.

Find a store that carries luggage that offers a clearance or markdown section. Look for clearance priced or mark downs on luggage, that’s the first way you can save some money. Look for either unique looking luggage or luggage that isn’t terribly attractive or elegant. that is on the unique side. When you find it, if it fits your size needs, buy it. Here’s why. If it’s unique enough, it will be hard for someone else to accidentally confuse it with their own bag. Look at the luggage carousel, it’s full of black and brown bags. I bet you’d notice a pastel blue print case getting picked up. If a bag is ugly enough noone will steal it because they won’t want it. After all, all luggage is for is for carrying and protecting our belongings while we’re traveling. It doesn’t have to look great. If my theory is correct, less luggage will be stolen and less luggage will be taken because it was confused with a similar looking piece, which means you’re saving money by not replacing luggage and belongings.

Let me know what you think of my theory.

A lot of people have asked me where my parents find the travel deals that they do. Here’s how.
Do a lot of research, surfing all of the major travel and deal sites.
Sign up to receive email only specials from relevant sites as well.
Make your flight reservations early for the best deals.
Check out packages and vacation deals. Sometimes they’re worth it, sometimes they’re not.
Check your days. Sometimes adjusting your trip by one day can save a lot of money.
Be flexible with your arrival and departure time.
Check all airports within a reasonable driving distance, not just the closest.
Last, but not least, my Mom’s favorite. Volunteer to get bumped if the flight is overbooked.
Happy traveling!

As many people know, golf balls can be expensive. When my whole family took a big family vacation to Walt Disney World in the late 1980s four of us went golfing. If I recall correctly the most expensive part of the golf outing was the golf balls. We were in Disney so already everything was expensive. We bought a dozen golf balls, with a bunch of Disney characters. I remember we lost about half of them, I don’t know what happened to the rest now. But for anyone going on vacation that wants to try golfing and wants to save some money, either bring your own golf balls or buy them outside of the resort at a nearby Walmart or other discount department store.

The saying is “what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas”. What’s that about? I have never been to Vegas. Yet, many people I know have gone there on vacation. For those that have been there, what is the attraction? I envision hotels and casinos. I’m not a gambler so I the casino part doesn’t do it for me. Is there more? Someone help me out here. I know I see lots of ads targeting people looking for a hotel in Vegas, but there must be more there than low priced accommodations. Anyone?

We went on our first and only cruise in December of 2006, it was a Disney cruise. It was wonderful and we really loved it. We all want to take another cruise, possibly in 2009. We’re interested in caribbean cruises and having never been, I’m wondering what everyone recommends. I’m pretty sure we’ll travel around the same time of year next time, for a couple of reasons. The weather at the end of November and beginning of December is still warm for us New Jersey folks. Hurricane season is officially over. And, prices are much cheaper because there’s less crowds at that time of year. So, please comment me with any recommendations you have - locale, cruise line, anything pertinent. I welcome the input.

Recently we have been discussing our next major family vacation. We know we will be going to Walt Disney World again, probably in 2009. We all want to do another cruise, but when we do that will depend on if we decide to try and do a family trip with my parents and/or a brother. We’re also considering other locations, and one that both my hubby and myself are interested in is New Orleans.

My husband has never been to New Orleans. I traveled to New Orleans with my parents and one brother when I was a teenager. I was amazed by everything I saw there. It’s been a very long time, and I’m a lot older now, so to make sure that some places are still there and some tours still exist we’d be best off going through a place like Trusted Tours and Attractions. When my family was there we walked the French Quarter, saw Jackson Square and the St Louis Cathedral, toured the Garden District and visited the Audubon Zoo. The place I remember most vividly is Cafe du Monde on Riverwalk. That was the first time I had cafe au lait and beignets. They were so good I can still remember the smell and taste. If you’re ever in New Orleans you must stop there.

We’re not going to be able to travel to New Orleans for a while but in the meantime we’re signed up for the Trusted Travel eNewsletter. Everyone who signs up for the eNewsletter is entered into the contest for an iPod Nano, which ends 12/31/07. I have to go make some coffee now, thanks to my little trip down memory lane.

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Do you have relatives coming to visit you but don’t have room for everyone? You could solve that problem by making some Hotel Reservations. Do you have to work over the holiday and have guests that will need something to do? Find them a good car rental deal, give them a map and let them explore. Would you rather plan your own getaway? HotelReservations.com offers more than hotels, they also offer discount deals on both domestic and international flights as well as vacation packages. And, the site says they guarantee you’ll get the lowest rate you can find on the internet.