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Make your winter getaway more affordable

Monday, December 14th, 2009

Article By: Elizabeth Rogers

Maybe you can afford an escape after all. Here are some ideas to stretch your vacation budget.

Many Canadians never really experienced a summer this year — and already the cold, rainy, snowy and generally “yucky” season is upon us. Even if you love winter, sunny beaches and warm temperatures still offer a tempting escape. (After all, winter will still be here when you get back…)

But is a winter getaway in the budget this year? You might be surprised. Travel deals are still to be had, and our currency remains strong against the U.S. dollar. This could be a good year to contemplate a winter getaway (sunshine or not).

Here are some tips to help make your travel dollars go farther:

Target the hard-hit areas. We all know that some areas — like Hawaii, Florida and Las Vegas, to name a few — were hit hard by the economic slump. Even though there’s some cautious optimism about economic recovery, some industry experts note it’s not time to return to full price just yet. There are still deals to be had in countries and places that are actively trying to draw in tourists. Watch the news and trends to see what destinations are still offering the deals.

Make it a gift. Do you really want another piece of jewellery or the latest tech toy? Stuff your spouse’s stocking with travel brochures instead. Etiquette experts might object, but it doesn’t hurt to let your friends and family know what you’re planning as well. A travel gift certificate will take you further than a set of body products or a sweater. (Same goes for upcoming events like birthdays or Valentine’s Day.)

It may break with tradition, but a current trend is for families to skip the holiday celebrations and gifts and go away on trip together instead. After all, research shows that experiences, not material things, make us happier in the long run — and you can save the entertaining and decorating costs as well.

Make a commitment (to your budget). Many of us review our budgets and investments at New Year’s, so it’s a good time to make your trip a financial priority. Even if you can’t afford to save much, set aside a set amount each month for a trip, and cut back on other entertainment-related expenses like cable and dinners out.

Even if 2010 isn’t a possibility, it’s never too early to start thinking ahead for 2011. If you don’t already have one, set up a Tax-Free Savings Account so you can keep as much of the interest as possible.

Raise some money. Would you rather have clutter — or cash? If your New Year’s resolution is to get organized or to downsize, look for ways to sell your unwanted items — like online postings and consignment shops. (See 10 ways to sell your stuff for more ideas.) A travel experience can be great motivation.

Use your rewards. You’ve been saving your points for a “rainy day”, so why not use them for snow? Even if you don’t have enough points saved up for a flight, you can still use them to offset other costs like hotel stays, travel insurance, theatre tickets, museum and attractions fees and travel accessories.

Another option: use your rewards for things you normally spend on — like groceries or gas — and then transfer the equivalent amount to your travel savings.

Skip spring break. If you plan to travel to the Caribbean, Mexico or other student and family-friendly destinations, you might want to steer clear in February and March when spring break travellers fill up resorts. Demand for travel and accommodations will be higher, and the atmosphere won’t be as relaxing.

Look at the total package. All-inclusive resorts and cruises are still a popular way to go for many travellers, but make sure you know what is included and what isn’t. Spa treatment and day excursions off the resort may not be covered, but there may be some room for negotiation when you book.

If these resorts aren’t of interest, you can still save money by balancing food and accommodation costs with entertainment. For instance, some pricier hotels and restaurants may be worth the price if they offer cheap transportation options and free museums and activities.

Swap homes. Accommodations don’t come much cheaper than this: you stay in someone’s home while they stay in yours. Thanks to the popularity of this trend, there are dozens of websites like HomeExchange.com and Global Home Exchange help travellers around the world connect. While your winter wonderland might not be someone’s ideal vacation, it is possible to exchange “for credit”. In other words, you travel now and your guests arrive later (though you may need to be somewhere else during that time — like the cottage).

Ditch the hotel. Vacation rentals continue to gain in popularity, and the lower cost is just a part of it. There’s more flexibility for accommodations — from country cottages to urban apartments to full houses you can split with friends — and many argue that “living like a local” is a more authentic experience than a resort or hotel.

However, sometimes you don’t know what you’re getting until you arrive — so take the time to do some research and weigh the pros and cons. Find out as much as you can about the offerings, location, fees and policies of any places you want to rent. (See Save with vacation rentals for details).

Rent your own home. You can take advantage of the vacation rental trend if you’ve got some spare space in your home (and you live in a good location). You can rent a spare room, basement apartment or even your entire home to travellers through listing services like iStopover.com and Homeaway.com. It doesn’t have to be a long term arrangement — you can rent by the night, week or month.

If you decide to give it a try, make sure you know what you’re getting into. Find out what fees are involved, what services you’re expected to provide and how to protect your privacy and valuables. Look into services that handle some of these requirements for you — like collecting payments.

Go last minute. If you’re flexible about destination, and you aren’t fussy about getting the perfect airplane seat or hotel room, this option might work for you. Companies make the most money when tour packages and flights are full, so they may be willing to offer discounts to “put bums in seats” (as the saying goes). Some level of planning and spontaneity is required — but you can still book a week off work and get your vaccinations well in advance (just leave the booking for later). (See Last minute travel deals for tips and resources.)

Invest some time. Don’t expect any quick fixes — finding the right flights, activities and accommodations to suit your budget will take some time and research. Travel companies — and scam artists — know travellers are looking for deals, so don’t assume that prices advertised as discounts are the best prices around. It still pays to comparison shop.

Negotiate. Depending on how the travel market shapes up this year, there’s still some wiggle room when it comes to costs. Even if you can’t talk down the price, you might be able to score some additional perks like meals and spa treatments — or an upgrade to a better room or seat.

Embrace winter. Who said winter getaways were all about the sun? Think hot tubs, in-room Jacuzzis, fireplaces and spa treatments — not to mention beating the crowds at many top tourist havens like New York, London, Rome and Paris. If you don’t mind braving the weather and the long nights, you can take advantage of shoulder or off-season deals. (See When to snag off-season deals for details.)

A winter getaway doesn’t have to be a daydream, but it shouldn’t land you in debt either. A little creativity and some smart budgeting can a long way to making a vacation more affordable this year.

Do you plan to travel this winter? Share your money-saving tips in the comments.

Photo ©iStockphoto.com/ Christian Wheatley

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Tags: 2010, budget, travel, vacations
Posted in ZoomerLife Travel | No Comments »

Food That Will Bring You Luck

Monday, December 14th, 2009

Article By: Elizabeth Rogers

Want to ensure wealth and prosperity in 2010? Add these traditional lucky foods to your New Year’s menu.

Still trying to figure out what to serve on New Year’s Eve? How about serving up some luck? Folklore and custom around the world dictates that eating certain foods can bring wealth, prosperity and abundance in the New Year. Whether you’re superstitious or not, these traditions can add some tasty fare to the table.

Green veggies for greenbacks

Good news for vegetable lovers: it’s tradition to serve up some healthy fare for New Year’s. Many leafy green vegetables are thought to bring luck because they are the same colour as money. Whether you believe this theory or not, these veggies are packed with vitamins and minerals such as vitamins A and C, folic acid, iron and calcium — making them a smart way to start the year.

But how should you prepare them? In the Southern U.S., collard greens are the favoured choice and they’re often boiled with a piece of salt pork or ham hock to temper their texture and bitter flavour. The vegetable may also be served with cornbread (which is the colour of gold) to soak up the broth.

In Denmark, kale is the vegetable of choice and a topping of white wine sauce, sugar and cinnamon is traditional.

If you’re not fond of these bitter greens, try turnip greens, dandelion, Swiss chard or spinach. As an alternative, bend the rules a little and use these greens for a salad. (And it’s okay to sneak in some other colours — after all, money isn’t just green).

Lucky legumes

Greens aren’t the only healthy choice for the dinner table. Legumes are also popular not only because they’re shaped like coins, but they also swell when cooked — symbolizing abundance. Not only are they inexpensive, they’re low in fat and a great source of soluble fibre and protein (not to mention iron and folic acid).

Two particular legumes win favour at New Year’s. The black-eyed pea is another Southern U.S. tradition with the tasty legume and it’s often prepared in a Hoppin’ John (a mixed vegetable and rice dish). On the side, the black-eyed pea is a versatile choice for any menu because it can be made into a loaf, a dip, a bean salad and side dish. (See About.com’s Black-Eyed Peas recipes for ideas).

The lentil’s green colour in addition to its shape makes it a favoured choice. It can be served on its own as a side dish (as it is in Germany and Brazil), or as part of a main dish. In some parts of Italy, this legume is served with sausage — another lucky food. People in some countries even combine it with sauerkraut.

Meaty rewards

With legumes on hand, meat isn’t necessary for a New Year’s feast but there are a few choices according to custom. One of the most common is pork, and it’s associated with wealth for a couple of reasons, depending on the country. Its fatty meat is linked with wealth or “fat wallets”, and pigs root forward — symbolizing progress. Roast pork, ham, sausages, roast pig and even pig’s feet are some of the many choices served around the world.

Fish also makes the list — with carp being the choice in Germany, boiled cod the favourite in Denmark and herring served as a midnight snack in Poland. The scales are lucky because of their resemblance to silver, and consuming fish is thought to ensure a good catch throughout the following year.

But beware… some meats are thought to bring bad luck. According to cooking website Epicurious.com, chickens, which scratch at the ground backwards, which could cause people to dwell on past regrets. Other winged foul will “fly away” with your luck, and lobster will cause setbacks because the crustacean moves backwards.

Long strands, long life

Forget the potatoes and try noodles for a long life. The Japanese custom is to serve long ooma noodles — but you’d better be careful not to break them as you slurp! In parts of Europe, sauerkraut is served instead, but long strands of cabbage are preferable to guarantee longevity.

Sweet success

Yes, desserts and sweet treats can bring you luck too if its shape resembles a coin or a ring. In the Netherlands, olie bollen (donut-like pastries filled with apples and raisons) are popular, while Italians treat themselves to chiacchiere , fried balls of pasta dough drenched with honey and sprinkled with sugar. Donuts are popular in Hungary and Poland, while sweet breads or cakes are served in Italy as a symbol of hope. Benné wafers, made from sesame and cheese, are also served in many African countries or in African American communities.

Sweets of any kind can be served to promote “sweet success” in the future.

Hidden treasures

Some traditions dictate that not everyone gets the luck on New Year’s — and ironically it’s a matter of chance who gets the nod. It’s tradition in many parts of the world to serve a loaf of bread, cake or dessert with a special treat inside it. The person who gets the treat — whether it’s a nut, coin or other trinket—is said to have luck for the New Year.

In Greece, vasilopita (a cake with a coin baked inside) is served at midnight in honour of St. Basil, whose memory is celebrated on January 1. The head of the family slices the treat, setting aside a piece for St. Basil or for the poor. Simply participating in the observance is thought to bring a year full of happiness and health.

Or perhaps a pudding would suit your taste? In Sweden and Norway, rice pudding is served with a whole almond hidden inside.

When the clock strikes 12

Sometimes it’s not about the food so much as when you eat it… For some, it’s important for a lucky food to the first consumed in a New Year. For others, simply having food on the table at midnight means there will be enough food throughout the year. In the Philippines, it’s customary to gather seven different round fruits for abundance.

In Spain, it’s tradition to eat 12 grapes — one for each stroke of the clock at midnight. Eating 12 grapes in as little as 12 seconds is a challenge, so be sure to buy small ones if you plan to try this tradition!

And if you thought staying up until midnight was a challenge, consider that in some countries the celebrations last until the first sunrise of the New Year. In Japan, that’s when the celebrations begin in earnest.

Menu planning

The entire menu doesn’t have to be these lucky foods — you can use one or two or as many as you like. The trick is to eat well, but to create a balanced menu that doesn’t focus on heavy, rich foods. If you want to stray from this list, look for the essentials: colour (green, gold or silver) and shape (round or coin-shaped).

For ideas and instructions, check out:

- All Recipes.com: New Year recipes section.

- Epicurious.com: New Year’s Eve Recipes.

- Fabulous Foods.com: Lucky New Year’s Eve Food Traditions from Around the World.

So will any of these foods help us get over our current economic woes? Perhaps not, but they’re fun traditions to follow nevertheless.

Additional sources: 123NewYear.com, Mealtime.org