So what kind of "tip" would you, as a front desk representative, be expecting?!
As a former hotel employee as well---and now frequent guest, I must disagree with that aspect of the advice given. Unless it's a very intimate boutique hotel (where the staff is either related or know each other very well), I would be suspicious if a fellow front desk rep told me to be extra nice to a fellow guest---unless they were also sharing the tip (and it would have to be worth my while to do so---money for a can of pop wouldn't cut it). Now, if there were a value-added service item (such as a restaurant only locals knew about, or time spent detailing local information and/or directions), that would be different, but I'd reward the employee who provided the service directly, and almost never in cash.
While we're on the subject, be aware that many attractions and services offer kickbacks for referrals, so don't necessarily believe that the great seafood restaurant you've been told about is necessarily the best one around (especially if you're in, say, Oklahoma or Iowa---far away from fresh sea-anything). I'm amazed at how many times front desk reps have directed locals to the nearest outlet of a chain restaurant in large cities which offer many unique opportunities for dining other than those mentioned to the unfamiliar guest.
As previously suggested, be careful about haggling. You can choose a good room or a good rate, but you can't have both; and as an employee I don't get paid any more for giving you a super deal. (In fact, I can get in trouble for giving away the store, as it lowers the average daily revenue figure, which many larger properties use to determine management bonuses.) Just like you can't expect to pay $2.99/pound for lobster, neither can you get a primo room for a rock bottom rate. If you want cheap, be prepared to stay on the nosebleed floors with an excellent view of the other wing of the hotel, or the parking lot facing the highway.
If you're looking for the best rate, use your membership discounts. The AAA rate is one of the best overall discounts, and many chains partner with AAA to offer special deals various times throughout the year. (But don't claim a AAA discount unless you can prove you're a member---some hotels instruct their staff to verify eligibility, especially when the hotel might otherwise sell out to higher-paying customers.) Other membership discounts to try are Sam's Club or Costco---or see if there are promotions for using a specific credit card (VISA, MasterCard, and AmEx offer various discounts for cardholders at various chains at various times).
Most importantly, do your research and know where you are staying. Often, if there are cheap rooms for the general public at a particular property, there is a reason. The good news is that it might be because it's a business-oriented property and weekends are dead (which makes the deals for those days lively). The bad news is because it might be in an area which is in decay and/or has a high crime rate (and those in the know don't want to stay there)---or the hotel itself is long in the tooth and in dire need of remodeling [read: dumpy]. In one US city of my acquaintance, there are a number of airport hotels located off a busy street with easy access (and escape) which are easy picking for car thieves and auto burglaries. Only there's no "crime wave" discount, since it is near the airport and lodging is always in high demand. In the same vein, if you have to stay downtown or in an area "where the action is", you will also pay for that 'amenity'---if not in the room rate itself, than in parking, or other previously mentioned fees.
Also be aware of what else is going on in the area while you are there. If there is a major convention, seasonal or special event, rooms will be scarce and not inexpensive. The hotel I was working at was in a city subject to a papal visit and as soon as the visit was confirmed, we were taking reservations for the time frame in question at 400% above our average rate, with a 3-night minimum---full pre-payment required. In many areas with such events, hotels in places 1-2 hours away will also fill up and be far above average.
Decent hotel rates can be had, but you have to be realistic and be willing to work a little for them.
We (couple, no kids) buy a turkey tenderloin for Thanksgiving. Its like a pork loin, only turkey. I picked up a 2 or 3 pounder for around 6 dollars. We just roast it in on a rack in a roasting pan. No prep, no waste, no fighting with bones or skin. Just heat and slice. The rounds are also perfect in sandwiches.
The Craigslist idea is really a good one. There are so many arbitrage techniques that can work with Craigslist. You can search Ebay for lots of stuff and then sell them for higher prices on Craiglist or do the reverse. Also, looking for local businesses that have "Going Out of Business" signs or other indications of going under is a great way to find cheap and sometimes free assets to sell off for profit.
The only water I've ever had better than Chicago's was Houston's. I brought a re-filled bottle home with me (pre- 3 ounce rule) once and everyone swore it couldn't be from the tap.
I'm now back in my childhood home of Indianapolis and the water here is so hard that it makes me ill to drink it and my hair hasn't felt clean in over a year.
These sites Actually work directly with retailers to get the codes posted. Very safe and easy to use since they organize coupons by category so you can find a specific deal that meets your needs quickly.
Some good ideas! Budgets are meant to be a structure or a way of controlling expenses. It is supposed to gives us discipline. Personally I think it requires discipline and organization to be successful with budgeting.
Closing at the end of the month is great for residential BUT if this is a rent bearing purchase it is better at the first of the month as you will walk away with cash in your pocket. Since the rent is unearned the seller will have to pony up the rent due for the month and that will far surpass any interest you might have to pay. So the closing date to choose depends on the kind of property it is.
It's been a real kick in the gut to the Fed that the day of the FOMC meeting announcement in November was practically the pivot bottom for interest rates. Bonds are crumbling since then, munis are getting crushed and the 10-year especially - painful. So, mortgage rates have likely seen their best days. The 2011 Tax Deal announcement was the final nail in the coffin - rates spiked practically 50 bps the next day. There's no coming back now. So, it begs the question as to whether QE2 should even continue into 2011 since the tax deal is essentially a $900 Billion stimulus program anyway. Rates aren't coming back down to prior levels unfortunately. Markes are demanding higher interest rates to turn over our debt in the fact of a 90%+ debt/GDP with no end in sight.
For clothes, I separated them into love, like, and accept. Then I further split each pile into fits perfectly and doesn't. Then I split off things that don't go with anything I have.
First I put things that I love and that fit perfectly into the drawers. Then I added things I like that fit perfectly and go with something. Then I added other things that I wear a lot (that go with something but maybe don't fit perfectly). I boxed up things I love that fit perfectly but don't go with anything and things I love that don't fit but are a size I should be. I got rid of everything too big that I didn't love, plus everything else that didn't fit in my drawers. (Then I learned that I should have either waited to do this until my laundry was caught up or left some extra space!)
Another hint I've liked is to box up things you don't know about. You'll enjoy having the space, but everything's still around in case later you realize, "What was I thinking? How could I have put this in there?" Then after a year you can get rid of the box pretty easily, especially if you don't open it.
I have recently decided to give value on birthdays and christmas this year. I have purchased silver 1 once rounds back in June for arround $18.00 each for all of my children and grand children. Along with them I have enclosed a a letter promising them that I will buy it back at twice the price I paid for it if they hold on to it for 2 years. Todays spot price of one once of pure silver is close to $29.00.
This has had some remarkable results. On my grand daughters birthday I gave her 1 once of silver. Her parents have never saved in there lives anything. This gift caught their attention and they started questioning me about silver. Less than 6 months later they have accumulated 27 onces of which I have contributed annother three during Birthdays.
Not only have I given them something of value, but have sparked an interest into what is happening with our ecconomy and saving for the future.
I couldn't find a decent gift for my dad... well, to be honest, I never can. This year, I was able to get a serious of online coupons at Living Social for a web site that scans old photos and film into a digital format. We can scan our own photos, obviously, but we have tons of old home movies that we don't have the equipment to move to digital. I'm hoping that this will help us further preserve some of our favorite memories.
I have been using a checkbook register through Google Docs spreadsheets and it has been working well for me for under a year but I recently came across clearcheckbook.com and it's been a lot better and it's not as visually boring like the spreadsheet I was using but yeah I agree with most of these tips. Thanks
Were Happy Meals expensive back in the mid 80's? My friend and I used to load up our (combined) three toddlers into the back seat - car seats were expensive and not required! - and take them to McDonalds. We didn't buy the Happy Meal because it was more expensive with the toy and bright box. Instead we bought one little hamburger and one little fries and the kids all shared it in the back seat while we drove and talked. She would get a coffee and I would get a Coke. That was a big day out!
Some of my best memories as a child in the 1960's were that my Grandma would cut up brown paper bags and cover her dining room table each time we stayed with her. Then we would draw and color the paper and also do food making activities with her. Her kitchen was always shut off from the rest of the house with no heat so she would bring the potatoes or whatever to the dining room table and we would help - the exact opposite of my parents brand new house with a narrow galley kitchen where kids were not allowed!
I've also snagged Soft Soap body wash too 50% off. One other tip, prior to Christmas, Kohls has its holiday dishes
So what kind of "tip" would you, as a front desk representative, be expecting?!
As a former hotel employee as well---and now frequent guest, I must disagree with that aspect of the advice given. Unless it's a very intimate boutique hotel (where the staff is either related or know each other very well), I would be suspicious if a fellow front desk rep told me to be extra nice to a fellow guest---unless they were also sharing the tip (and it would have to be worth my while to do so---money for a can of pop wouldn't cut it). Now, if there were a value-added service item (such as a restaurant only locals knew about, or time spent detailing local information and/or directions), that would be different, but I'd reward the employee who provided the service directly, and almost never in cash.
While we're on the subject, be aware that many attractions and services offer kickbacks for referrals, so don't necessarily believe that the great seafood restaurant you've been told about is necessarily the best one around (especially if you're in, say, Oklahoma or Iowa---far away from fresh sea-anything). I'm amazed at how many times front desk reps have directed locals to the nearest outlet of a chain restaurant in large cities which offer many unique opportunities for dining other than those mentioned to the unfamiliar guest.
As previously suggested, be careful about haggling. You can choose a good room or a good rate, but you can't have both; and as an employee I don't get paid any more for giving you a super deal. (In fact, I can get in trouble for giving away the store, as it lowers the average daily revenue figure, which many larger properties use to determine management bonuses.) Just like you can't expect to pay $2.99/pound for lobster, neither can you get a primo room for a rock bottom rate. If you want cheap, be prepared to stay on the nosebleed floors with an excellent view of the other wing of the hotel, or the parking lot facing the highway.
If you're looking for the best rate, use your membership discounts. The AAA rate is one of the best overall discounts, and many chains partner with AAA to offer special deals various times throughout the year. (But don't claim a AAA discount unless you can prove you're a member---some hotels instruct their staff to verify eligibility, especially when the hotel might otherwise sell out to higher-paying customers.) Other membership discounts to try are Sam's Club or Costco---or see if there are promotions for using a specific credit card (VISA, MasterCard, and AmEx offer various discounts for cardholders at various chains at various times).
Most importantly, do your research and know where you are staying. Often, if there are cheap rooms for the general public at a particular property, there is a reason. The good news is that it might be because it's a business-oriented property and weekends are dead (which makes the deals for those days lively). The bad news is because it might be in an area which is in decay and/or has a high crime rate (and those in the know don't want to stay there)---or the hotel itself is long in the tooth and in dire need of remodeling [read: dumpy]. In one US city of my acquaintance, there are a number of airport hotels located off a busy street with easy access (and escape) which are easy picking for car thieves and auto burglaries. Only there's no "crime wave" discount, since it is near the airport and lodging is always in high demand. In the same vein, if you have to stay downtown or in an area "where the action is", you will also pay for that 'amenity'---if not in the room rate itself, than in parking, or other previously mentioned fees.
Also be aware of what else is going on in the area while you are there. If there is a major convention, seasonal or special event, rooms will be scarce and not inexpensive. The hotel I was working at was in a city subject to a papal visit and as soon as the visit was confirmed, we were taking reservations for the time frame in question at 400% above our average rate, with a 3-night minimum---full pre-payment required. In many areas with such events, hotels in places 1-2 hours away will also fill up and be far above average.
Decent hotel rates can be had, but you have to be realistic and be willing to work a little for them.
We (couple, no kids) buy a turkey tenderloin for Thanksgiving. Its like a pork loin, only turkey. I picked up a 2 or 3 pounder for around 6 dollars. We just roast it in on a rack in a roasting pan. No prep, no waste, no fighting with bones or skin. Just heat and slice. The rounds are also perfect in sandwiches.
The Craigslist idea is really a good one. There are so many arbitrage techniques that can work with Craigslist. You can search Ebay for lots of stuff and then sell them for higher prices on Craiglist or do the reverse. Also, looking for local businesses that have "Going Out of Business" signs or other indications of going under is a great way to find cheap and sometimes free assets to sell off for profit.
The only water I've ever had better than Chicago's was Houston's. I brought a re-filled bottle home with me (pre- 3 ounce rule) once and everyone swore it couldn't be from the tap.
I'm now back in my childhood home of Indianapolis and the water here is so hard that it makes me ill to drink it and my hair hasn't felt clean in over a year.
These sites Actually work directly with retailers to get the codes posted. Very safe and easy to use since they organize coupons by category so you can find a specific deal that meets your needs quickly.
There's also CouponCabin.com and NaughtyCodes.com (no, that second one isn't for "adult" sites...)
ever think of keeping it in the GARAGE? the CAR?
Some good ideas! Budgets are meant to be a structure or a way of controlling expenses. It is supposed to gives us discipline. Personally I think it requires discipline and organization to be successful with budgeting.
I have a symphonic WF104.Please help me make it region-free
i have heard of some of these sites before, but i never trusted them... thought they'd give me a virus. so it's ok to look at?
Happy Christmas dudes!
Time to open some of the good stuff we've been keeping for special occasions? Cheers!
Closing at the end of the month is great for residential BUT if this is a rent bearing purchase it is better at the first of the month as you will walk away with cash in your pocket. Since the rent is unearned the seller will have to pony up the rent due for the month and that will far surpass any interest you might have to pay. So the closing date to choose depends on the kind of property it is.
Looking for guidance on upcoming last minute vacation with Family to Universal Orlando ...
It's been a real kick in the gut to the Fed that the day of the FOMC meeting announcement in November was practically the pivot bottom for interest rates. Bonds are crumbling since then, munis are getting crushed and the 10-year especially - painful. So, mortgage rates have likely seen their best days. The 2011 Tax Deal announcement was the final nail in the coffin - rates spiked practically 50 bps the next day. There's no coming back now. So, it begs the question as to whether QE2 should even continue into 2011 since the tax deal is essentially a $900 Billion stimulus program anyway. Rates aren't coming back down to prior levels unfortunately. Markes are demanding higher interest rates to turn over our debt in the fact of a 90%+ debt/GDP with no end in sight.
Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten. IOW, quality doesn't cost; it pays.
Very cool idea. Definitely gives them incentive which results in a lesson.
Unsubscribe from things that aren't working out.
For clothes, I separated them into love, like, and accept. Then I further split each pile into fits perfectly and doesn't. Then I split off things that don't go with anything I have.
First I put things that I love and that fit perfectly into the drawers. Then I added things I like that fit perfectly and go with something. Then I added other things that I wear a lot (that go with something but maybe don't fit perfectly). I boxed up things I love that fit perfectly but don't go with anything and things I love that don't fit but are a size I should be. I got rid of everything too big that I didn't love, plus everything else that didn't fit in my drawers. (Then I learned that I should have either waited to do this until my laundry was caught up or left some extra space!)
Another hint I've liked is to box up things you don't know about. You'll enjoy having the space, but everything's still around in case later you realize, "What was I thinking? How could I have put this in there?" Then after a year you can get rid of the box pretty easily, especially if you don't open it.
I have recently decided to give value on birthdays and christmas this year. I have purchased silver 1 once rounds back in June for arround $18.00 each for all of my children and grand children. Along with them I have enclosed a a letter promising them that I will buy it back at twice the price I paid for it if they hold on to it for 2 years. Todays spot price of one once of pure silver is close to $29.00.
This has had some remarkable results. On my grand daughters birthday I gave her 1 once of silver. Her parents have never saved in there lives anything. This gift caught their attention and they started questioning me about silver. Less than 6 months later they have accumulated 27 onces of which I have contributed annother three during Birthdays.
Not only have I given them something of value, but have sparked an interest into what is happening with our ecconomy and saving for the future.
Great article! Not too many alternatives to this cycle in American culture other than making financial independence our number one priority.
I couldn't find a decent gift for my dad... well, to be honest, I never can. This year, I was able to get a serious of online coupons at Living Social for a web site that scans old photos and film into a digital format. We can scan our own photos, obviously, but we have tons of old home movies that we don't have the equipment to move to digital. I'm hoping that this will help us further preserve some of our favorite memories.
I read recently that Quicken aka Intuit bought out Mint.com. So I guess if u use that program you should expect the same kind of service.
I have been using a checkbook register through Google Docs spreadsheets and it has been working well for me for under a year but I recently came across clearcheckbook.com and it's been a lot better and it's not as visually boring like the spreadsheet I was using but yeah I agree with most of these tips. Thanks
You have very good suggestions, especially considering how little a $1 is worth.
Were Happy Meals expensive back in the mid 80's? My friend and I used to load up our (combined) three toddlers into the back seat - car seats were expensive and not required! - and take them to McDonalds. We didn't buy the Happy Meal because it was more expensive with the toy and bright box. Instead we bought one little hamburger and one little fries and the kids all shared it in the back seat while we drove and talked. She would get a coffee and I would get a Coke. That was a big day out!
Some of my best memories as a child in the 1960's were that my Grandma would cut up brown paper bags and cover her dining room table each time we stayed with her. Then we would draw and color the paper and also do food making activities with her. Her kitchen was always shut off from the rest of the house with no heat so she would bring the potatoes or whatever to the dining room table and we would help - the exact opposite of my parents brand new house with a narrow galley kitchen where kids were not allowed!