David DeFranza's blog
About David DeFranza
A freelance writer interested in using a frugal lifestyle to make more travel possible.David DeFranza's profile
Posted 6 weeks 2 days ago by David DeFranza
Lifestyle
I had written off Europe as a possibility for the budget traveler long ago. I did it with great difficulty, because I know from experience there is nothing like the food, history, and atmosphere of Europe. Still, a strong euro and expensive flights seemed to offer no other choice. That is, until I read about a deal to be made on Sunday.
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Posted 7 weeks 2 days ago by David DeFranza
DIY, Art and Leisure
At the same time nostalgic and alluring, nothing epitomizes travel so much as the postcard. Whether decorating your home, revisiting old memories, or making new friends, a little fun with postcards is a great way to get in the spirit of travel and stimulate your mind into leading you on an imaginary trip.
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Posted 8 weeks 21 hours ago by David DeFranza
Cars and Transportation
Low cost airlines are finally taking hold in the United States, offering a greater range of route options and discounts. At the same time, concerns over security, environmental impact, and safety have increased. All of this attention has overshadowed some amazing developments in low cost bus line expansion and improvements. Here are a few reasons you should consider the bus.
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Posted 8 weeks 6 days ago by David DeFranza
Cars and Transportation
Frequent flier programs are great, right? I mean, who doesn't like the idea of one day earning a free flight? The only trouble is that most people fly infrequently and use a variety of different airlines, making the achievement of an award almost impossible. Fortunately, there are several tricks for maximizing miles and using them in creative ways to get the most benefit with the smallest credit.
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Posted 11 weeks 22 hours ago by David DeFranza
Lifestyle
The urge to save money is a defining characteristic of the budget traveler. But is there ever a time when it is actually a good idea to spend money? If it will healthfully support the local economy you are visiting, or help accomplish some of the personal goals of your trip, then yes, spending, within reason, is a good thing.
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Posted 12 weeks 3 hours ago by David DeFranza
Budgeting
To save money for your vacation you crafted a detailed budget and stuck to it. Now, with your bags packed and ticket in hand, you are ready to put all the of preparation and planning into action and enjoy your travels. When you leave the airplane, it is easy to forget the months of work that made this experience possible. This is a good thing. But, if you are a budget traveler, you cannot forget to pack the budget.
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Posted 12 weeks 6 days ago by David DeFranza
Shopping, Lifestyle
I used to be afraid of bargaining. The thought of haggling over a price, or even asking for a discount, was embarrassing. Then I began visiting countries in which haggling is expected. I was forced to adapt. At first it was frustrating, then tiresome, but eventually I learned to embrace the process of bargaining. Once I did, I realized that haggling had taught me a lot.
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Posted 13 weeks 3 days ago by David DeFranza
Lifestyle
With growing fears of recession and a dramatically weakening dollar, the scales of reason seem to be tipping more and more in favor of staying at home. I say: don't worry about it.Here are eleven options for free or very cheap travel through volunteering.
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Posted 14 weeks 1 day ago by David DeFranza
Cars and Transportation
The Groundhog predicted that we will have to endure six more weeks of winter. This means more snow, ice, and cold that can reduce your car's efficiency by up to 50%. Fortunately, there are a few simple things you can do to make winter driving safer and more efficient.
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Posted 14 weeks 3 days ago by David DeFranza
Lifestyle, Budgeting
Bring up class and most people start to get touchy. Unfortunately, it's an unavoidable reality when traveling. Different groups of travelers define themselves and others by class. It sounds nasty, but it is not all bad. In fact, these largely self imposed class divisions are something you can use to make your trip planning more effective.
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Posted 15 weeks 3 hours ago by David DeFranza
Cars and Transportation
By 2009, passports will be mandatory for all US citizens traveling abroad. If you were planning a trip to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean, this could mean a rather substantial additional expense will be added to your vacation. However, if flying is not in your itinerary, a new option could save you almost 50% on your application fees.
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Posted 15 weeks 4 days ago by David DeFranza
Cars and Transportation
I am going to come out and say it: there are no secrets to finding a bargain ticket every time you fly. However, by understanding how the system works, you can develop a deal finding strategy that can dramatically cut down the overall price of your flight.
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Posted 16 weeks 9 hours ago by David DeFranza
Frugal Living
Travel allows you to escape your mundane surroundings and see the world from a new perspective. Unfortunately, the cost and time commitment makes frequent trips impossible for most of us. What if there was a way to experience the excitement and discovery of travel without leaving your hometown? There is and these four walks will show you how.
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Posted 16 weeks 4 days ago by David DeFranza
Cars and Transportation
'Hypermiling,' a set of driving techniques for maximizing a car's fuel efficiency, received a lot of attention this summer. However, the idea of driving 50 mph, rolling through stop signs, and doing circles in parking lots to slow down did not have mass appeal. Now that the buzz has died down, we can remove the 'hype' to find a set of simple techniques useful to all drivers.
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