The Fabuless Life » Lifestyle

Travel to Europe On A Budget

L.Jay — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 20:53:10 +0000

With current exchange rates on the Euro, a vacation overseas may seem financially out of reach. So how can you take a cheap European vacation? If you do sufficient research, it is possible to visit Europe on a budget.

by contributor Vjollca Hysenlika

Traveling to Europe can be expensive–from airfare, to accommodations, to food. However, smart shopping and online exploration can save you big bucks. Your dream European vacation can become a reality, as long as you do your research.
But where and how do you find the great travel deals!? All of it is online, and it involves three clear-cut principles.

Click below for tips on taking a memorable, budget European vacation.

Source: The Digerati Life

Always Travel Off-Season

Traveling to Europe during off-season can save you thousands, and give you the most value for your dollar. It’s best to travel either during spring or fall. Prices are lower, crowds are smaller, and the weather is much more pleasant. For example, airfares are exceptionally affordable April through the beginning of June, and September through November. Booking sites such as www.budgettravel.com offers flights to Europe as cheap as $600. Other sites include www.orbitz.com and www.hotwire.com –they offer great package deals, air and hotel, plus an additional 30 percent discount.

Traveling off-peak is gratifying– you pay less, and have more fun. There’s nothing like enjoying Ireland, Italy or France in the spring. Blossoming trees, beautiful blooming flowers, fresh air, and no crowds, are beyond tranquil… but most of all, there’s endless opportunity to better explore and broaden your travel experience.

Always Focus on Smaller/Less Crowded Cities

When you think Europe you usually consider Rome, Paris, or London, right? Well, there are so many other wonderful places to explore. Smaller cities and countries in Europe offer just as much culture and history, at a much more reasonable price. For example, Eastern Europe is a hidden treasure still waiting to be fully appreciated. Countries such as Albania, Turkey, and Czech Republic have the most amazing beaches, accommodations, and food for a fraction of the price of Western European countries.

Albania, which lies in the Mediterranean Basin, is one of the most dynamic countries in Europe. Its natural beauty, the historical and cultural heritage, are without comparison. Albania provides centuries worth of archeology, Roman ruins, and a great climate. The pristine beaches, beautiful valleys, rivers, and mountains offer an excellent opportunity for adventurous or serene tourism.

Vlore, Albania. Photo by Vjollca Hysenlika

Albania’s climate and landscape allow vacationers a chance to go to the beach, ski, horseback ride, and raft, all in close proximity. Tourist areas across Albania offer extremely cheap beach-view hotels and luxurious resorts for as low as $70 per night. There are an abundance of restaurants offering extravagant and delicious meals for eight Euros per person.

Turkey is another great destination to put on your must-do list. Antalya is one of Turkey’s famous destinations with an attractive and picturesque shoreline. The city provides outstanding beaches, secluded coves, ancient cities, caves, waterfalls and Roman ruins. For the month of May, www.hotwire.com is offering two-week all inclusive package deals, for as low as $1,500.

Other low-priced cities include Lipari (Sicilia), Italy and Prague, Czech Republic. Hotels, food and airfare are a relative bargain for these locations.

Be Your Own Travel Agent

How would you like to go on a Euro trip for twenty -five dollars? You might not believe it, but it’s possible. Save money by doing your own booking on intra-continental travel. European booking sites provide bargain airfares all year long. Some of these sites include www.ryanair.com, www.airbaltic.com, and www.easyjet.com. Plane tickets between most European cities (particularly small cities) are unbelievably low-priced. These bargain flights let you see a different panorama of Europe. Ryan Air is now offering tickets from Turin, Italy to Brussels, Belgium for only $15.

These guidelines are essential when planning a European vacation. Smart shopping undoubtedly guarantees cheaper travel, better accommodations, and a great vacation experience.

Budget Vacation Ideas

L.Jay — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 03:15:41 +0000

Looking for a relaxing getaway that won’t break the bank? Here are four budget vacation ideas that are both affordable and provide plenty of entertainment for families, couples, or even if you’re going solo. Try them out Memorial Day, or any weekend this spring.

Visit A Nearby National Park

A great vacation resource that’s often overlooked, the nearly 400 national parks across the U.S provide fantastic opportunities to experience the outdoors. Certain states offer better selections than others (as well as fewer weather concerns), but many parks offer overnight options that range from free to very affordable. Some of the lesser known, but utterly amazing destinations include Biscayne National Park in Florida (especially if you love snorkeling or scuba) and Isle Royale National Park in Michigan on Lake Superior (where you can take a boat tour around some of the park’s 400 satellite islands, or take a backcountry camping trip).

Courtesy: National Park Service

Click the link below for more great budget vacation ideas.

Take A Trip Into The City

Live in the ’burbs or a bedroom community? A low-cost travel option is right in your backyard. A trip into the nearest big city is an oft-overlooked adventure. Consider it an opportunity to see the sights and do the “touristy” stuff you’ve never done. Check out museums, parks, new restaurants, and enjoy accommodation at a nice hotel. When you can slash your transportation costs, you provide yourself with more money in the budget to spend at your destination.

Visit An Indoor (Or Outdoor) Water Park

This could be one of the best child-friendly vacations around. What kid doesn’t love a water park? Indoor water parks are popping up all over the U.S. and Canada and provide a great experience at very reasonable costs, so they’re available no matter what the season. Most of the indoor parks are in cold weather states, and the competition for business benefits tourists through lower rates. Great Wolf Lodge, for example, owns a chain of 12 indoor water parks throughout the country with rooms as low as $89 for a weekday night.

Road Trip!

How about just hitting the road for a week and see where the highway takes you?

There are lots of “undiscovered” destinations all across the country, so why not discover them yourself? It’s a vacation you can take with your pals, family, or your significant other. In fact, a road trip can be a romantic, old school way of reconnecting, and reducing expenditures. Set out with a particular location in mind, or let the thrill of the unknown be your entertainment, and just start driving. Eat at local diners when you’re hungry; sleep at comfortable motels or inns when you’re tired.

These four options are just a few budget vacation ideas. Where you live will determine what the real possibilities are, so get inspired and be creative!

Baby Wrap Or Stroller?

L.Jay — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 04:50:16 +0000

You may have seen baby slings in the news recently. There have been warnings about potential dangers in some models. But most baby carriers/slings/wraps are perfectly safe, and a godsend for busy mothers. In addition to their utility, they happen to offer an inexpensive option for porting that precious load.

A baby wrap can certainly cost less than most strollers, and the New York Times is declaring the hottest trend in baby transport is “mom and dad”… via the uber-popular slings and wraps.

Apparently New Yorkers are parking their strollers in favor of baby carriers, which place infants close to the body for additional bonding and hands-free maneuvering. Baby expert Dr. William Sears also claims “babywearing” makes for a smarter, calmer, less colicky infant, with better sleep habits. Can your average stroller do that?

Photo By Paul Netto

I love my Moby Wrap and Baby Bjorn, and they are indispensable around the house and for shorter walks. It can be a great workout, and indeed a chance to bond with baby. Carriers, slings and wraps are definitely cost-effective, stylish options for hauling the kids, but at times, nothing beats the convenience of a stroller.

Still, a high-end stroller can cost upwards of three-hundred dollars all the way to one-thousand dollars, while cotton wraps like the Moby start at about $40 and the ubiquitous Baby Bjorns range from approximately $80 to $180. If you are looking for the Cadillac of baby slings, you could invest in organic, fancy silk or cashmere fabric and pay hundreds more. But you can easily find an ergonomic, affordable baby carrier in your price range that won’t break the bank, or your back. You could even make one yourself — like this dad:

Photo by Jennifer Rosenberg

Some sites to find a variety of slings include www.babysling.com and www.theslingstation.com. Babies R Us, Buy, Buy Baby and Target also carry several of the more popular brands online.

Note: The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning against possible suffocation dangers associated with bag-type slings, which can double a baby over. These sorts of slings are distinguishable from the baby wraps and carriers discussed above.

Stay Healthy On A Budget With the Mediterranean Diet

vhnewmedia — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:23:08 +0000

If your reason for not eating right is it’s too expensive, that’s no longer a good excuse. If you plan ahead, you can eat super healthy at a reasonable price on a Mediterranean diet — all in your own home.

Story contributed by Vjollca Hysenlika

For centuries, Europeans have consumed Mediterranean food, and research shows it’s healthier than any other. According to the Patient UK Newspaper, researchers found death rates were lower in Greece and Southern Italy, most likely based on eating habits, while mortality rates were comparatively higher in the US and Finland.

This could be because the Mediterranean Diet is proven to reduce the likelihood of heart disease, cancer, Type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, aging, and it can even drastically lower depression.

Fresh Produce-Photo by Vjollca Hysenlika

Through extensive research and personal experience (I was born and raised in the Mediterranean Basin) I can tell you… If you do your homework you can eat healthier without increasing your grocery bill. My mother’s delicious, healthy, and economical Mediterranean recipes have kept the family physically strong and fit. She continually encourages the method to my brother, sisters, and me—and we rigorously follow her advice because the food is delectable, and the results are incredible.

But how do you do it? Well, it’s really simple—just follow the steps below!

First step: Eat large quantities of vegetables, fruit, legumes, organic salads, fresh herbs, whole grains, and rich olive oil.

I highly recommend purchasing your groceries at your local farmer’s market. Everything is cheaper and fresher there. My mother always says “buy the seasonal products”. For instance, in the spring concentrate on the fruit of the forest (such as strawberries, blackberries, raspberries) cherries, fresh salads and herbs, and most of all, olive oil. She recommends rich olive oil…authentic Italian and Greek stores have the BEST olive oil–made in the Mediterranean Valleys. Besides vegetables, peppers and eggplants are keys to great health. Stuffed peppers and low-fat eggplant parmesan are just some of the delicious dishes you can cook.

Second step: Eat reasonable quantities of white meats, fish, nuts, low-fat dairy produce, and wine (with meals).

Fish and white meats (like poultry) are extremely important in Mediterranean cooking. Fish and poultry, each, should be eaten five to six times a week. Fish can be a little expensive, but I recommend buying affordable fish—Publix and Wal-Mart have great deals on seafood. Low-fat dairy is suggested daily—in small quantities. In addition, wine is essential to have on your dining table—I recommend 1-2 glasses per day. (One of the best parts of the Mediterranean diet!)

Third step: Consume low quantities of red meat, sweets and desserts.

Red meat should be served only once a week. Thin, well-cooked steak combined with fresh vegetables is the ideal. Sweets and desserts should be minimized to two times per week. On the other hand, non-rich desserts and fruity cakes are the healthiest ones. Since the fruit of the forest are in season—it is important you make your own fruity cakes. They are healthy, yet delicious!!

The Mediterranean diet has immense health benefits without sacrificing great taste. If Mediterranean food becomes your lifestyle—there’s a good chance you could live longer and keep your body medication free.

Stay tuned for another post on the low-cost, low-calorie Mediterranean diet recipes!

Source: Italia Living

Four Ways To Get Paid To Go Green

L.Jay — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:55:50 +0000

If you’re daunted by the idea of going green, and how much “green” it might cost you, President Obama wants to help lighten your load.

The economic stimulus package provides billions of dollars for renewable energy products, and the average taxpayer can tap in to some of that money. Here are four ways you can help both the environment and your wallet come tax time:

Solar Power Is Affordable

1. Solar Power

In the past, the government offered to pay 30% for solar panels to be installed on your home, but with a cap of $2000. That cap has been removed, and with an average installation cost of around $40,000 ($12,000 paid for by the government), solar energy has become much more affordable. Many states also have provisions that pay for an additional portion (however others, like Illinois, ran out of funds due to an overwhelming response). The federal tax credit is good until 2016.

2. Hybrid Vehicles

Tax credits are still available for purchasing certain hybrid vehicles. For instance, you can get an $850 credit if you buy a 2010 Murcury Milan, as long as you buy before March 31st of this year. For those looking into alternative fuel vehicles such as the 2010 Honda Civic GX, you can get up to a $4000 tax credit through the end of 2010. For more information, visit www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/taxcenter.shtml

3. Biomass stoves

You may never have heard of these, but a Biomass stove is one that burns plant-derived fuel, such as wood or other agricultural based products. If a certain stove meets efficiency standards, you can receive 30% of the cost, up to $1500. Biomass stoves typically range from $1500 to $4000. The credit lasts through 2010.

4. Home Improvements

If you made certain home improvements in 2009 or 2010, you can claim 30% of the cost of the products (including labor on heating and cooling equipment), up to $1500. Energy efficient windows, doors, roofing and insulation all qualify.

Dump Cable, Save Money?

L.Jay — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 20:37:17 +0000

Can you live without cable television? It’s the sort of question that is best answered after putting yourself to the test.

When we recently moved, there was a ridiculous amount of difficulty getting either AT&T or Comcast to come hook up a package including phone/internet/cable. Consequently we were without television for almost a week. Not having any form of television viewing, and not even having the option, is a difficult experience. No one is advocating that. However, do you really need 300+ channels? Ask yourself: How many of these do you really watch on a regular basis?

There were times in my youth when I have been without “expanded” cable, and thrived on a limited channel selection. This was before the digital conversion, and when paying a cable bill was not an option based on my salary and budget. Fortunately, almost every time I moved into a new apartment and connected my TV into the wall jack, I miraculously had a limited number of cable channels available to view. Some might call this “stealing” cable – others would see it as “luck” that the utility company failed to turn off the previous tenant’s connection.

In any event, living without expanded cable was liberating. I spent more time on constructive endeavors and less time vegged out in front of the boob tube.

With the economy the way it is now, it might be time to consider finding other ways to get your TV fix rather than paying an expensive cable bill. Major networks are putting their shows on the internet, and thanks to startups like HULU, viewing television on your computer has become a reality. There is a ton of free video content on the internet (think YouTube), so keeping yourself entertained shouldn’t be a problem if you have a broadband connection. And many networks offer their shows online for free through their websites. Or, if you’re addicted to a particular show, you can often find the entire season on DVD.

Bottom line – think of cost versus benefit. Are you spending close to $200/month on cable? If so, getting rid of it could be a great way to reduce your monthly expenses. That’s cash in your pocket if you’re really not doing that much television viewing anyway.

The only caveat is if you’re a huge sports fan. If you are, the idea of living without ESPN and FOX Sports might be simply impossible. But to watch sports, other local programming, and possibly more, try AntennaWeb to find out what signals are available in your area and what type of antenna you’ll need to capture them. This can help expand your viewing options.

Botax

L.Jay — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 23:56:48 +0000

A lot of cosmetic surgery enthusiasts would be frowning right now, if their face lifts and Botox allowed it. A proposed part of the new health care bill includes a 5 percent tax on elective cosmetic surgery like tummy tucks, face lifts, hair plugs, collagen injections, and any other nonrequired procedures—a proposal known as the “Botax.” The tariff is expected to raise an estimated $6 billion.

Not only are many plastic surgery patients unhappy, but so are their surgeons. Associations including the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons have launched campaigns against the tax, arguing it would hurt their business during a recession, especially since elective surgeries are down already. Industry groups also say the tax won’t target the high rollers Congress is aiming for since one-third of their patients make less than $30,000 a year, 70 percent make less than $60,000, 86 percent make less than $90,000 and only 13 percent make more than $90,000. In addition, an estimated 85 percent of operations are paid for using credit.

Some who are against the tax cite research showing that cosmetic surgery could actually stimulate the economy, by making Americans look better – thus more marketable and productive – through increased attractiveness, self esteem, confidence, and persuasiveness. In fact, a 2005 study by the Federal Reserve of St. Louis found that good-looking people make about 5 percent more money than their average-looking counterparts, who in turn make 9 percent more than people with below-average looks.

Ski Junkie Alert

L.Jay — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:27:10 +0000

If you are a ski junkie, unlike most people, you have probably been looking forward to winter, and major snowstorms.

Some even follow the weather in popular ski destinations like Colorado, where a winter storm warning is currently in effect. The National Weather Service is forecasting snowfall accumulations from 18-36 inches with up to 4 feet possible in parts of Colorado.

This could be a good time to buy that season ski pass, if you plan on multiple trips to mountain resorts. The Epic Pass offers unlimited access to Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Heavenly (Lake Tahoe) and Arapahoe Basin, without any blackout dates.

The Epic Pass is on sale at www.epicpass.com through November 22 for $599.

Similarly, the Colorado Pass offers unlimited, unrestricted skiing at Breckenridge, Keystone, and Arapahoe Basin with an additional 10 days at Vail and Beaver Creek (some restricted dates apply). The price on the Colorado Pass has gone up $10 this season, to $459 for adults and $219 for children.

Season passes offer a pretty good deal when you consider the price of a one-day lift ticket is usually around $60. But it only make sense if you are addicted to powder – and of course, we’re talking about the ski resort kind!

Calorie-Burning Foods

L.Jay — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 01:29:50 +0000

With the holiday eating season approaching, you may not have to invest in a pricey gym membership to keep the pounds off. Instead, you can try harnessing the power of certain superfoods to keep your waistline fabulessly slim. And, be sure to watch the recession-beating workout video posted here on The Fabuless Life.

There are certain foods that are said to rev up your metabolism, or quell hunger, thus helping you lose weight without jumping into one of those extreme dieting fads. You can add these items as part of a regular balanced healthy-eating routine.

I though I’d list a fabuless few to give folks some ideas as the holiday eating season approaches:

Cinnamon

One-quarter to one teaspoon of cinnamon a day will help sugar get stored as energy, not fat. You can add it to cereal, oatmeal, or your morning latte.

Green Tea

Green tea is another commonly recognized food to help burn fat. Some suggest multiple cups a day, but that sounds excessive. You can still reap the benefits of the caffeine and catechins contained in green tea by drinking it at least once a day.

Green Tea

Coffee

Like green tea, coffee is a powerful weight loss stimulant. But like any stimulant, it’s easy to have too much of a good thing, so proceed with caution. The caffeine in coffee kicks your metabolism into high gear and jump-starts lipolysis, the breakdown of fat.

Hot Coffee Burns Fat

Chili Peppers

Chili peppers aren’t normally hanging around your average home, but if you are indulging in Thai, Mexican or Indian food, be sure to eat some if you see them on the side. They’re packed with a metabolism-boosting compound called capsaicin, which makes chili peppers spicy, and also increases your body temperature somewhat, giving your metabolism an extra calorie-burning boost.

Chili Peppers

Citrus Fruits

And last but not least, a personal favorite of mine – citrus fruits, including oranges, grapefruit, lemons, and limes. Foods that contain vitamin C help metabolize fat faster and make losing weight less difficult apparently by reducing insulin levels and promoting weight loss.

I have found that adding several squeezes of lemon juice to cold water offers not only a refreshing drink, but a hunger-reducing, fat-burning jump start toward healthy eating. It’s a weight-loss tool I swear by. Several cool glasses of lemon water during the day will quench your thirst and keep you looking and feeling fabuless.

Lemon Water For Weight Loss

Cookie Diet Part Deux

L.Jay — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 23:04:10 +0000

Okay, when I posted my version of the cookie diet, I had no idea there was actually a cookie diet out there. But thanks to my mother, who is a voracious consumer of news and keeps me informed of the very latest on a daily basis, I have heard about a diet that’s based around eating cookies.

But before you get too excited, these are special cookies that are sold as part of a dietary plan by a Dr. Siegal, and some are calling the regimen half-baked.

Dr. Siegal's Cookie Diet

Cookie Dieters drink water and eat six specially developed 90-calorie cookies a day, whenever you feel hungry, followed by a 500-calorie dinner of lean protein and vegetables. The plan was recently featured on Good Morning America. You can watch the story here:

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/cookie-diet-lose-weight-dr-siegals-plan/story?id=8837084

While the cookies look okay, anyone with a good sweet tooth knows looks can be deceiving when it comes to sugary delicacies. Plus, as another fad diet promising quick weight loss, who knows how long-lasting the effects will be. After all, Dr. Siegal’s diet is restricted to 1000 calories a day, a difficult level to maintain. As always, the best plan is to just eat healthy, cut out excess fat and sugar, and get moving! (Oh, and see my other post on a better way to get your cookies, and stay trim too!)