I received this great information from Andrea Woroch this afternoon. Most of us can find things on here that we can take advantage of. Lynn
Hi Lynne,
Spring fever has slowly subsided, but summer fever is swinging into full effect. While summer is always the big travel season in the United States, Americans are changing the way they take vacations. For example, look at the new partnership between Groupon and Expedia. They're following the increasingly popular deal-of-the-day model and offering significant discounts on travel packages that can include airfare, hotels, activities, car rentals and more.
That's not the only way to get to your destination for less, though. Try using these 9 thrifty travel tips to save some money on your next vacation.
1. Discover Off-Peak Destinations
With nearly four-million square miles of land area, the U.S. is a big country. This means there are nearly unlimited places to travel. Destinations in California, like Los Angeles and San Francisco, are some of the most popular spots, but they're also the most expensive. If you think outside the box, you'll find some really cool locations to have a unique vacation without the crowds.
2. Shop at Auctions
Is your heart set on luxurious accommodations, but your bank account doesn't match up? The auctions at travel sites like LuxuryLink.com can help you find accommodations, spa credits, meal vouchers and free drinks for as much as 65 percent below the typical retail price. Auction king eBay also offers a variety of discount vacation packages in their travel section.
3. Go Back to Campus
Traveling with a large group? Often, hotels will offer discounts to large groups, but staying a whole week is still very expensive. Many colleges and universities rent out empty dorms during the summer, which can save everyone a bundle. It generates a little extra money for the college and the price is typically significantly less than hotel rates. If you're traveling with a soccer team or church group, a college campus offers more space and freedom for the kids to play outdoors, instead of running amok around a hotel.
4. Use Discount Gift Cards
Most major travel companies are on board with gift cards. Purchase gift cards at sites like GiftCardGranny.com for serious savings on rental cars and airfare. Discount gift cards for airlines like Southwest usually sell out within minutes, so signing up for email alerts can help put you at the front of the line.
5. Make Your Own Food
Eating out at new restaurants is one of the best parts of traveling, but there's no need to eat out three meals a day. Instead, plan to eat only one meal out. Many hotels and even hostels offer some sort of free breakfast, typically consisting of fruit, cereal and pastries. Also consider booking a hotel that offers a mini kitchenette so you can prepare meals to enjoy in-room or pack as lunch for a day exploring the city.
6. Enjoy Membership Perks
Membership in clubs like AAA or even credit cards can provide some unexpected travel benefits. AAA members can find discounts at hotels, restaurants and local merchants. They'll also hook you up with complimentary tour books and travel maps.
Many credit cards will help with affordable travel insurance, baggage protection, rental car protection and even travel-delay protection. Find out what your card covers before you go so you don't end up shelling out extra cash.
7. Giving Back to Get Away
If rest and relaxation are less of a priority than simply getting out of town, there's always an abundance of volunteer opportunities. Volunteering is a great way to connect with other people who care about the same causes. It also provides a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Sites like VolunteerGuide.org can help you find opportunities all over the world. Many times, food and lodging are included when you commit to a term of a week or two. All you have to do is get there.
8. Find Secret Savings
Travelocity is taking a new approach to finding great hotel prices with their Top Secret Hotels. Give them a little information about when and where you're traveling and they'll give you a list of hotels with ratings and prices. Once you pick one and book your stay -- saving up to 50% off the original price -- they'll reveal the name and details of the hotel you selected.
9. Travel With Apps
Smartphones go where you go, meaning they can help you save while you're on vacation.
If you're taking an old-fashioned road trip, the GasBuddy app can find the lowest prices on gas for every leg of your journey. After fueling up the car, Meal Ticket will help track down coupons and reviews for nearby restaurants.
When you still have work to do before you relax, don't bother paying the ridiculous Internet fees at hotels. The Free Wi-Fi Finder app tracks down local hotspots in 144 different countries.
Please feel free to share these nine easy summer travel tips with your audience.
###
Consumer savings expert, Andrea Woroch, is a media expert source. Andrea has been featured on NBC's Today Show, FOX & Friends, MSNBC, ABC News NOW and many more.
VLE-B
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Wanted!
We have a great friend who will be in Southwest Kansas in late July. She is interested in purchasing a quilt to take home with her. Do any of you have any to sell or do you happen to know where one can be purchased? If you do, please leave a comment here, email me at slblaus@gmail.com or call me at 620.375.4584.
Thank you sooooooo much!!!
VLE-B
Thank you sooooooo much!!!
VLE-B
Your Comments
I have decided to allow you to post comments whenever you want to on my blog now. (I am hoping that I do not regret this. LOL!) I do ask the following:
1. Please do NOT say things to hurt anyone else. Remember to keep your words soft and sweet.
2. I want absolutely NO cussing or cursing. I have an audience who does not appreciate that. Children also read my blog. My daughters are included in that.
3. Please leave your name when you make comments.
If these guidelines are not followed, we will go back to the old standard.
Of course, if you have comments that you only want me to see, just send them to our email account: slblaus@gmail.com .
Thank you!!!
VLE-B
1. Please do NOT say things to hurt anyone else. Remember to keep your words soft and sweet.
2. I want absolutely NO cussing or cursing. I have an audience who does not appreciate that. Children also read my blog. My daughters are included in that.
3. Please leave your name when you make comments.
If these guidelines are not followed, we will go back to the old standard.
Of course, if you have comments that you only want me to see, just send them to our email account: slblaus@gmail.com .
Thank you!!!
VLE-B
New City Superintendant
In the past couple of months, Leoti's City Council hired Mr. Curtis Kreutzer to be the new Superintendant. What a FANTASTIC job he is doing!!! People all over town are extremely impressed by him and all that has been accomplished by him and the City employees! Stan and I could not be any more happy if we tried.
We live on dirt roads. As you can imagine, we have always dealt with drainage issues, pot holes and ruts. Since Curtis took over, our roads have been GREATLY improved. The ruts and pot holes appear to be a thing of the past. Just a block down from us, the 3rd block of West "E" Street, a H-U-G-E rut always filled up with water on the north side of the street. It took weeks some times before the water was absorbed. After that, we dealt with people getting stuck in it, etc. Just recently, after many years, the City filled it up. It is now level with the rest of the street. Hopefully, problems with that area will be a thing of the past.
I could go on and on about the great improvements that Mr. Kreutzer has brought about in town but I simply do not have that much time. Of course, he was not able to do this all by himself. He has an excellent crew to help him. The City employees are making a BIG difference in seeing to it that yards that are visible to all of us, are being cleaned up around town. I, for one, really appreciate that!
Anyway, the Blau family wants the City's superintendant and crew to know that we appreciate all of the hard work that you are doing for all of us!!!
VLE-B
We live on dirt roads. As you can imagine, we have always dealt with drainage issues, pot holes and ruts. Since Curtis took over, our roads have been GREATLY improved. The ruts and pot holes appear to be a thing of the past. Just a block down from us, the 3rd block of West "E" Street, a H-U-G-E rut always filled up with water on the north side of the street. It took weeks some times before the water was absorbed. After that, we dealt with people getting stuck in it, etc. Just recently, after many years, the City filled it up. It is now level with the rest of the street. Hopefully, problems with that area will be a thing of the past.
I could go on and on about the great improvements that Mr. Kreutzer has brought about in town but I simply do not have that much time. Of course, he was not able to do this all by himself. He has an excellent crew to help him. The City employees are making a BIG difference in seeing to it that yards that are visible to all of us, are being cleaned up around town. I, for one, really appreciate that!
Anyway, the Blau family wants the City's superintendant and crew to know that we appreciate all of the hard work that you are doing for all of us!!!
VLE-B
Last Night's Storm
First of all, I need to apologize for the storm warning that I posted here yesterday. Large hail had been predicted so I wanted dyou all to be able to prepare for it. Fortunately, at least in Leoti, it never arrived. We did receive a great deal of sind and dirt in the very beginning. After that, we received some rain. I would like to be able to tell you that we had a significant amount but I cannot. Here at home, we didn't even have enough to measure. I would say that it definitely amount to less than .10.
Stan called me from Southern Scott County this morning. He had just noticed that an irrigated crop of wheat that had looked good just yesterday, appeared to have been mowed down by hail. The dry land crop right next to it, appeared to not have been damaged. Of course, it did not look good because of the drought. At least, it was still standing upright though.
Here in Leoti, many branches from small to EXTREMELY large were knocked down by the wind. Shortly after the storm, we saw a loader from the City that was hauling off a HUGE one. It had been severed during the storm and had landed on a street causing traffic to come to a stop.
If you have larger branches than you can handle on your own, call the folks at City Hall. Their phone number is 374.2341. They may be able to help rid it from your property.
VLE-B
Stan called me from Southern Scott County this morning. He had just noticed that an irrigated crop of wheat that had looked good just yesterday, appeared to have been mowed down by hail. The dry land crop right next to it, appeared to not have been damaged. Of course, it did not look good because of the drought. At least, it was still standing upright though.
Here in Leoti, many branches from small to EXTREMELY large were knocked down by the wind. Shortly after the storm, we saw a loader from the City that was hauling off a HUGE one. It had been severed during the storm and had landed on a street causing traffic to come to a stop.
If you have larger branches than you can handle on your own, call the folks at City Hall. Their phone number is 374.2341. They may be able to help rid it from your property.
VLE-B
Mailbox
People stretched out over the nation receive their daily mail in a mailbox either close to their house or out on a dirt road somewhere. We have been getting our mail here in Leoti for the last 14 or 15 years and we LOVE it. Dick Clark is our assigned mail man and he does an extraordinary job of getting our mail to us prompty and VERY efficiently.
So, it is not his fault when we have not been receiving all of our mail recently. That is the fault of our mailbox that though it had been great for all of those years until just lately when the door kept trying to seperate from the mailbox, LOL, and the fact that we have some little kids in our neighborhood who occassionally play with our mailbox. It just made sense to go out and buy a new one.
One day, we shopped to see what was new and exciting in the world of mailboxes. Honestly, not much had changed in the past decades other than some were considerably larger than they had been in decades long ago. A few had more decorative trim, etc. We had also noticed a mailbox between Garden City and Scott City that was decked out like a giant fish. Home Depot nor Wal Mart seemed to be selling those. LOL! Then, at Home Depot, Stan discovered that they had a mailbox there that would answer all of our needs.
1. It was very large to accomadate packages that we receive a few times every month.
2. It was constructed out of materials that should last in our area such as rain, hail, snow, ice and temperatures over 100 degrees that we have each and every year.
3. And, finally, it came complete with 2 doors. At the end opening, you see just a normal everyday black door that you pull down. No big deal. But once you pull it down, you are immediately facing another door. Only this one is different than the front door. It has an opening in it so that the mailman can slide your mail through it. Above it, is a lock. In order to get to the mail in the box, you need your key to open it. The box comes with 2 of them. Now, if the wind blows the mailbox door open, the inside door will remain closed and children other than our own, will be unable to get our mail out.
We were only able to find secure boxes at Home Depot. Expect to pay about $33.00 for this one. That was in the middle range of pricing. The mailboxes with great decoration cost around $60.00-70.00. You will also need to purchase a post to put it on unless you already have one at home.
I just thought that I would mention this to you just in case you are in the market for a secure mailbox for your home or business.
VLE-B
So, it is not his fault when we have not been receiving all of our mail recently. That is the fault of our mailbox that though it had been great for all of those years until just lately when the door kept trying to seperate from the mailbox, LOL, and the fact that we have some little kids in our neighborhood who occassionally play with our mailbox. It just made sense to go out and buy a new one.
One day, we shopped to see what was new and exciting in the world of mailboxes. Honestly, not much had changed in the past decades other than some were considerably larger than they had been in decades long ago. A few had more decorative trim, etc. We had also noticed a mailbox between Garden City and Scott City that was decked out like a giant fish. Home Depot nor Wal Mart seemed to be selling those. LOL! Then, at Home Depot, Stan discovered that they had a mailbox there that would answer all of our needs.
1. It was very large to accomadate packages that we receive a few times every month.
2. It was constructed out of materials that should last in our area such as rain, hail, snow, ice and temperatures over 100 degrees that we have each and every year.
3. And, finally, it came complete with 2 doors. At the end opening, you see just a normal everyday black door that you pull down. No big deal. But once you pull it down, you are immediately facing another door. Only this one is different than the front door. It has an opening in it so that the mailman can slide your mail through it. Above it, is a lock. In order to get to the mail in the box, you need your key to open it. The box comes with 2 of them. Now, if the wind blows the mailbox door open, the inside door will remain closed and children other than our own, will be unable to get our mail out.
We were only able to find secure boxes at Home Depot. Expect to pay about $33.00 for this one. That was in the middle range of pricing. The mailboxes with great decoration cost around $60.00-70.00. You will also need to purchase a post to put it on unless you already have one at home.
I just thought that I would mention this to you just in case you are in the market for a secure mailbox for your home or business.
VLE-B
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Crystal G. Wright--Scott City
(March 15, 1972 - June 13, 2011)
Crystal G. Wright, age 39, passed away on Monday, June 13, 2011 at the Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas. She was born on March 15, 1972 in Scott City, Kansas, the daughter of Harold D. and Carolyn S. Green Wright. In 1991 she moved from Scott City, Kansas to Goodland, Kansas where she worked as a county employee for Sherman County until 2008 when she moved back to Scott City, Kansas.
Her memberships include the First Baptist Church of Scott City.
Survivors Include her Father - Harold D. Wright of Scott City, Kansas, Two Sisters - Deanna Kennedy of Scott City, Kansas, Brenda Bremer of Scott City, Kansas, Three Nephews - Cody Kennedy of Scott City, Kansas, Justin Bremer of Scott City, Kansas, Kyle Bremer of Scott City, Kansas, and One Niece - Amanda Kennedy of Scott City, Kansas.
She was preceded in death by her Mother – Carolyn S. Wright and a infant Son – Robert David Linsner.
Funeral Services will be held at the First Baptist Church in Scott City, Kansas at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 18, 2011 with the Rev. Kyle Evans presiding.
Interment will be in the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas.
Memorials In Lieu of flowers may be given to the Crystal G. Wright Memorial Fund % Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.
Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday, 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday and 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Saturday @ Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.
Obituary courtesy of Price and Sons Funeral Homes of Garden City, Scott City, Leoti and Tribune.
VLE-B
Crystal G. Wright, age 39, passed away on Monday, June 13, 2011 at the Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas. She was born on March 15, 1972 in Scott City, Kansas, the daughter of Harold D. and Carolyn S. Green Wright. In 1991 she moved from Scott City, Kansas to Goodland, Kansas where she worked as a county employee for Sherman County until 2008 when she moved back to Scott City, Kansas.
Her memberships include the First Baptist Church of Scott City.
Survivors Include her Father - Harold D. Wright of Scott City, Kansas, Two Sisters - Deanna Kennedy of Scott City, Kansas, Brenda Bremer of Scott City, Kansas, Three Nephews - Cody Kennedy of Scott City, Kansas, Justin Bremer of Scott City, Kansas, Kyle Bremer of Scott City, Kansas, and One Niece - Amanda Kennedy of Scott City, Kansas.
She was preceded in death by her Mother – Carolyn S. Wright and a infant Son – Robert David Linsner.
Funeral Services will be held at the First Baptist Church in Scott City, Kansas at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 18, 2011 with the Rev. Kyle Evans presiding.
Interment will be in the Scott County Cemetery in Scott City, Kansas.
Memorials In Lieu of flowers may be given to the Crystal G. Wright Memorial Fund % Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.
Visitation will be from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday, 9:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday and 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Saturday @ Price & Sons Funeral Home in Scott City, Kansas.
Obituary courtesy of Price and Sons Funeral Homes of Garden City, Scott City, Leoti and Tribune.
VLE-B
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