Cruising for a Bruising!

Wow! It’s been a crazy but wonderful summer! I have so much to share with you about travel and your money. Recently I went on a Carnival cruise to Mexico with my sister in laws, my niece and a family friend. It was a joyous occasion! One of my sister in laws was celebrating her 50th birthday. We had a ball!  We sailed from New Orleans and  I can’t wait to go back to spend more time there!

I have not been on a cruise in several years. To my surprise some things have changed! Do you know that it is mandatory that you pay $10 per day per person for gratuities for the general staff?  I always tipped but I guess too many people didn’t so its mandatory now. The drinks had tips added and some drinks even had taxes added to them.   The average drink ran from $8 to as much as $16.
       
I did learn that you can purchase a bottle from room service at a much higher cost but it may be worth it in the long run. For example a bottle of Absolute that might run $20 normally, would cost $40 from room service. Depending on how you drink it might be more cost effective in the long run.  The ships don’t advertise this choice but it is available.  This year I also travelled to the Dominican Republic to an all inclusive resort.  To me it was like a cruise on land! The best thing was I didn’t have to have money for anything else.  Gratuities and your drinks are rolled into your trip price so I didn’t feel like I was “nickle and dime”d out of every penny.

My Financial Lesson
The first night on the ship they had a “sale” on liqour. They promised the lowest price guaranteed! “If you find it anywhere cheaper, we will match the price”. How would we prove it? You would have to bring a picture or “something”.  Do you know how hard it is to start taking pictures in a store? Especially when they probably know why you’re taking it?

Well as fate would have it some things I bought on the ship were cheaper in Mexico. Some people would say “forget it I just lost money on the deal”. Not me! That attitude can have you lose hundreds of dollars per year! The end result for my venture was a savings of about $ 20.  It may not seem like much but my motto is “a dollar in my pocket is better than a dollar in someone elses.”. I get excited when I save money!  It’s like a game..me agaist them in a battle for my money!  I like a win even if it’s a small one.

Lesson 1- Be diligent about your money. Follow up on challenges that companies make. It might be a little work but the benefit will be yours!

Lesson 2 – on a cruise wait till you get to port to check out the prices so you don’t have to work so hard to save money!

Till next time remember “You are not broke, your finances are broken”

Naomi The Financial Medic

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How to vacation on a shoestring budget!

Summer is here! Kids are out of school.  Everyone loves to get away from the day to
day drudgery and stress.  When we think
about getting away we usually think about the Caribbean, Europe
or someplace exotic.  Then we look at our
pockets and get “depressed”.  So what can
we do?  Is the “good life” only for the
rich and famous?  NO!  Not if you make a few modifications in your
mind, your pockets and your expectations.

            First let’s
look at the purpose of a vacation.  The #1
reason is to get away and relax.  #2 is having
fun with friends and family and #3 is exploring new adventures while expanding
your view of the world by seeing something new.  So why do we need to go far away?  Look in your own backyard!  Like Dorothy in the Wizard of OZ, “There’s no
place like home!”

Where ever you live there is something to see! I am in New York. I often speak
to a lot of New Yorkers who have not seen the many wonders of this city.  How about you? Every city has history, old
neighborhoods, all types of museums etc. State parks are a hidden treasure.
They have camping areas and some have free activities for kids and adults.  Tap into your local Department of
Tourism.  You’d be surprised at the gems
around you.    

            Here are
the top 3 ways to have a vacation on a modest budget.

1. Plan
   for it!  Most banks and credit
   unions offer vacation clubs.  You
   can put a few dollars away each paycheck and get a lump sum in time to
   plan (and pay for) your vacation.
2. Look
   for discounts! Many places offer discounts if you are traveling off
   season. Websites like Kayak.com offer comparisons of websites offering
   deals on hotel rooms, rental cars and packages. Check with your job. Many
   offer corporate discounts on car rentals, theme parks, city sites etc. Organizations
   like AAA and AARP offer discounts on the same even though you have to join
   and pay an annual fee.
3. Drive!
   Save the cost of airline, train or bus tickets and put the money in your
   gas tank.  Especially if you are
   traveling with more than 2. If you do drive, a little preparation goes
   along way.
1. Get
   your car checked by a mechanic. 
   Oil changes, wheel alignments, proper tire inflation etc will help
   in fuel efficiency and safety.
2. Drive
   at a constant speed. Use your cruise control. Gas is wasted with Herky
   Jerky driving!
3. Plan
   your route!  In the age of the GPS
   we tend to forget about maps. Carry one with you in the car.  I have been on the dirt road that leads
   to nowhere following my GPS.

These are just a few suggestions.  What were your best “bargain” vacations?  Share your thoughts. Enjoy the summer!