Even though Google Scholar and Manualsonline have sometimes have similar information to library databases, they are not the same. Auto Repair Center,for example, has the same information as in the Chilton manuals. Ask any car mechanic if doing a google search is the same as consulting a Chilton.
Google scholar and Manualsonline have random bits of info. You may find what you are looking for, you may not. The library databases are designed to ensure that you will find what you are looking for.
One of the key steps in making a high-deductible plan work is to ALSO set up a Medical Savings Account (MSA or HSA). Save a portion of what you WOULD have been paying (wasting?) for a low-deduct account, and you will soon have your deductible covered, tax-free, with interest... and it's YOUR money!
But you MUST set up a dedicated MSA/HSA to get the maximum benefits.
A year ago, a dollar was only worth 0.63 Euros but now, it's worth about 0.70 Euros. While the difference in the exchange rate isn't huge, it sure makes a big difference in affordability if one is trying to do international business, study abroad, or plan a honeymoon!
I agree with most of your points here, but I would especially like to comment on the guidebooks part. I agree that most guide books are a bit out of date and not too useful on the what to see what to do part, and so my husband and I have started writing our own, called Tips For Costa Rica . We actually live here in Costa Rica and our idea is to currently update the website for people who have purchased the book, that way if anything changed we'll be the first to know about it (since we're locals) and can inform our buyers asap!
Thanks for the blog here, I hope you like our idea, and feel free to check out our site too!
"First purchase from a new vendor. You may be placing an order to test the capabilities of a new vendor. At this point, it is unclear whether your company will be using this vendor on a long-term basis. Getting entangled in a credit agreement may make it more difficult to break an unsatisfying relationship." This is a really good point, thank you for bringing it to our attention. It seems like common sense but I'm sure many people don't actually sit and think about these things before acting.
Yes and no. Since I started couponing I have been able to make the dollar last alot longer. However, you can not go into a gas station and get 2-3 things for 1.00 anymore. I remember when I was young you were given a dollar and you could get a coke and a candy bar from the gas station. And the sizes of items have decrease but te price is still the same.
i never thought that i'd see someone like this, im guessing you are a INTJ(personality type from a psychological test) ....i am also planning on going into software engineering, and also tend to think through things like this much, but i just try not to show it because some people find it odd....but i also tend to do very well in my writing skills...am i looking to a future similar to yours mr. phillip brewer?? haha that'd be interesting :D
Thanks for the ideas. Pinky and the Brain -- haha! We do have some time to plan while we're saving up the money, so I'll definitely give this some thought!
Americans traditionally worshiped the bigger stronger, farmhand, soldier, factory worker, movie star. Survivability in Industrial America depended on a lot of brawn, some sly thinking capacities and a very strong back, combined with an emotional brutality for enduring very bad conditions, physically, psychologically emotionally, and health-wise! America responded with the toughest breed industrial worker, as the world had never seen before, and ruled the world industrially through his greatness! Suddenly, in less than one generation, "smart" factories in Asia employing only little yellow 89 pound ladies, living in factory dorms, eating factory cafeteria foods, and pooping in slot toilets on the factory floors, aided by electronically driven hydraulics and electrics, exceeded the output abilities of the American master-race industrial worker! and before America could curtail his breeding, America was flooded with his off-spring - at the very time that the Uber-Rich of the world elected to move capital to the Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai markets, and moving American manufacturing to Asia at the same time! It is no mystery that America is flooded with case hardened huge, brawny oafs! They once were our most valued asset, but now, an expensive load on the welfare lines, jobless and pointlessly big and strong! A high energy army of 1950's factory workers with nothing to do except gain weight and die! The West was won long ago, the Armed forces now use sophisticated lady-operated weapons, and a big man with a strong back and a big appetite has no place in the new "American Dream" The paradigm shift was sudden and final, and these folks must live out lives of legacy to a once powerful industrial America that no longer exists!
I,too, caution against being, well, too cautious when you travel. It defeats the whole purpose of travel. Particularly if you're planning a trip to a place like Europe, I'd view it as no more risky than a trip to your local shopping mall (in fact, less risky)
In my own life - and travels - I've stopped paying what I call the "fear tax"--- all of the extra money we pay (and freedom and joy in life we sacrifice) because of preceived risks and fears, most of which are just that ... "preceived," or rather "conceived" by someone who wants to charge us a Fear Tax.
Of course there are no guarantees of safety in life or in travels, no matter how much extra you pay. The only way to entirely avoid risk is to be dead. That said, I've been traveling solo, often by bicycle, since I was 15 years old. Yeah, I'm a guy, and times were different back then ,,,, but I still do it todat, all around the world, and - you know what? - nothing awful has ever happened. The only time in my life I've ever been robbed was on my home from the office on evening in Washington, DC. Go figure.
I would also suggest to tap into the knowledge of people who have traveled there to get tips and recommendations. If you go to sites like TripNtale you will often find many stories about how some budget travelers manage to travel to several countries in a cost effective manner
Kathi--I hope you don't let being a single mom keep you from really planning the trip of your dreams. You need to ask yourself whether your fears are truly rational or more along the lines of people who are afraid to fly because they *perceive* it to be more dangerous than driving in a car. Indeed, as a single woman you're probably safer traveling around Europe than you would be going about your daily business in most major U.S. cities.
The sorts of petty crime that can be a genuine nuisance (pickpocketing, theft of cameras, bags, electronics, etc.) are pretty gender neutral, and probably most likely to occur in precisely the sorts of "touristy" locations that a package tour will steer you toward.
And having a 14-yo man/boy in tow is an added bonus! You should think of yourselves as a Pinky-and-the-Brain duo--it's the perfect combo for taking over the world! Recruit him to help out with researching destinations, activities, plane fares, housing options, etc.
I've found that an important part about travel is knowing WHEN to travel, HOW to travel, and not being afraid of searching around a bit for some good deals (ie, know how to read a map!). I recommend renting a car, not taking the train, to get to places nobody goes, and not make any reservations! I did this on a European roadtrip several years ago. Before I went, I did some basic research, looking into various hotels in and around the prime cities I'd be traveling to (Dresden, Prague and various cities in Vienna, Switzerland and Bavaria). This would be my emergency list. However, I never had to use it. I would literally just keep driving until around 9pm or so and start checking out the places that are advertised on the side of the road. And there are a lot! I would always get amazing rates. I stayed east of Dresden for 56 Euros. I stayed in Cesky Krumlov for 49 a night. I stayed near Regensburg for 69 Euros... and that room was amazing, it was like a hunting lodge, vaulted ceilings. That was the most expensive place I stayed. If you go online or read in the books, they will always say "you must always reserve your hotel ahead of time!" and then their prices will be 100, 200, 300 Euros. This is complete hogwash. They do this because they know it scares the heck out of people who have never traveled in Europe. And so you call them and they charge you this high price without even considering vacancies. But if you are willing to take a risk a little, do some exploring, and you just walk in unannounced to a guest house or hotel that has a bunch of vacancies at 9pm or 10pm, you'll get a great deal. Guaranteed. However, if you only use the train, only use the most traveled hotels and guest houses, and only travel when everyone in the world is traveling, then you will pay tons of money to do it.
Oh And I did not rub in the armour etch in - I applied it with a Qtip very gently in a thick coating and let it sit for 5 minutes, I also took the lens out of ny eyeglass frame, very simple with an eyeglass tool kit.
I have to agree with the author more so than anyone else here - Lonely Planet is a great resource, and often forms the backbone of my research for things to do and see in most destinations (primarily because it is in English, whereas alot of local written material is written in the local lingo) and also for details on connections between towns or places (so I know whether I have to catch a bus, or a train, or a boat to get from A-B and what the best deals, at least at time of writing, were). I also nearly always double-check those details on websites like WikiTravel, which tend to be more frequently updated than the book (as quickly as minutes after a change in details is found, compared to 3 years or so).
Most of the time, when looking at places to stay, I have just lobbed up and then been able to bargain a rate better than offered for reserved rooms. Also, the few times I have checked out places mentioned in Lonely Planet, they have jacked their prices by as much as 50% of the rates in a book less than 3 years old, and are much less likely to move on price.
Which brings me to a very good, general rule, which was unfortunately missed in the article...
BARGAIN! Dependent on the country, market and product involved, you should realise that in areas tailored to tourists, or if you are obviously a tourist in a country which is economically weaker than home, the first offered price will often be inflated. That is inflated to a point where, as a tourist, and when you compare it to what you could buy back home for the same price it is cheap, but no local would even consider paying that same amount.
The problems which arise from people failing to bargain is that the next tourist may be given an even higher price (as the vendor sees just how far they can inflate the price before losing sales) and for some long-term travellers, the difference between paying US$5 and US$6 a night for a place can be quite noticeable.
These are just my thoughts, but they have been cultivated by six months of backpacking through SE Asia, and so I am not just talking out my rear.
Oh, and Booked Tours, specifically those paid for before you get into the country you are touring, normally end up being massive money-grabs. For the same tour as you may pre-book from the States for US$500, you could probably get the same sights and equivalent travel arrangements for US$250 or less by making your own arrangements and bargaining on the ground. Sure you trade off a bit of security in doing so, but I have also heard of people where the group tour has evaporated partway through and they have been in an even worse situation as they have already paid for the rest of the tour which they are no longer getting...
Well I finally got up the nerve last night to try the armour etch on my spare pair of glasses that were so discolored and foggy from the Anti glare coating. It worked great! However, I had tried toothpaste the weel before and I suggest you do not use toothpaste as it left scratches in the lenses that even armour etch could not get out ofter 4 applications. Just wanted to let anyone with this problem know that armour etch is what works!!
I agree and disagree. I think some guidebooks are better than others. For Europe, use Rick Steves books. He really finds good deals and forums on his site are really helpful. I think when traveling to a new country, it's good to have a few nights in a nice hotel because traveling can be overwhelming, especially in a big city.
And I think when you are traveling and have taken the time to go to a new destination, you shouldn't cheap out on yourself. Sometimes you need to see the tourist traps. My visit to Toledo, Spain was amazing and it is a total tourist trap, but it was just beautiful and I am so glad I didn't miss it.
I really love the Couchsurfing experience, though. I have both hosted travelers and been hosted myself. It's phenomenal.
I really love the slow traveler website - lots of great tips. And a good google search for people's trip blogs will also yield a wealth of personalized resources.
hey wi. we just got a new puppy, i have a cat and an 8 yr old daughter. want to try this organic recipe. our neighbors dog died of poisoning from a lawn care service. with new pup and daughter on the run it's time to go green. ammonia is my concern my pup pulls grass (we are working on it- he's 8 weeks old) do you have pets and kids? if so is it ok to let them on the lawn after it dries or should i water again after appling.i plan to front then back. help i do not want anything to do with commerical anymore and my wi lawn looks awful. lacrosse has sand/clay based lawns 3-6 in. topsoil anything we put on it screams for more but come first wk of dry/hot weather immediately goes dormaint. water barely helps right now. how often have you applied in wi? please reply ammonia pet/child concern. thanks. d in lax
I agree with most everything you wrote. However, I DISAGREE with you comment about where to eat and sleep. I have stayed at many great guest houses and eaten in many great local restaurants after they have been in Lonely Planet (most of these places were in South East Asia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand).
If you stay away from guest houses and restaurants just because they are included in Lonely Planet, you will be missing out on many WONDERFUL places.
I like to visit a mix - some places in Lonely Planet and some not in Lonely Planet.
Good ideas for many people, but. . . In my case--single mom, and thinking of taking my son (14) to Europe-- I think safety and security will trump a lot of this, so I'll have reservations and may tour with a group. I do plan to do a lot of research and follow the spirit of getting the local experience (I especially like the grocery shopping idea). Any other ideas?
Even though Google Scholar and Manualsonline have sometimes have similar information to library databases, they are not the same. Auto Repair Center,for example, has the same information as in the Chilton manuals. Ask any car mechanic if doing a google search is the same as consulting a Chilton.
Google scholar and Manualsonline have random bits of info. You may find what you are looking for, you may not. The library databases are designed to ensure that you will find what you are looking for.
what are you trying to be like Robert Kawasaki!!!LOL
That's all: BS
Thanks for sharing such great post, it will surly help many people who want such great info about finance.
One of the key steps in making a high-deductible plan work is to ALSO set up a Medical Savings Account (MSA or HSA). Save a portion of what you WOULD have been paying (wasting?) for a low-deduct account, and you will soon have your deductible covered, tax-free, with interest... and it's YOUR money!
But you MUST set up a dedicated MSA/HSA to get the maximum benefits.
Looking at this from the upside..
A year ago, a dollar was only worth 0.63 Euros but now, it's worth about 0.70 Euros. While the difference in the exchange rate isn't huge, it sure makes a big difference in affordability if one is trying to do international business, study abroad, or plan a honeymoon!
Google Scholar - Scientific data on any topic.
Manualsonline.com - Thousands of free manuals
Just to name 2.
I agree with most of your points here, but I would especially like to comment on the guidebooks part. I agree that most guide books are a bit out of date and not too useful on the what to see what to do part, and so my husband and I have started writing our own, called Tips For Costa Rica . We actually live here in Costa Rica and our idea is to currently update the website for people who have purchased the book, that way if anything changed we'll be the first to know about it (since we're locals) and can inform our buyers asap!
Thanks for the blog here, I hope you like our idea, and feel free to check out our site too!
Take care!
"First purchase from a new vendor. You may be placing an order to test the capabilities of a new vendor. At this point, it is unclear whether your company will be using this vendor on a long-term basis. Getting entangled in a credit agreement may make it more difficult to break an unsatisfying relationship." This is a really good point, thank you for bringing it to our attention. It seems like common sense but I'm sure many people don't actually sit and think about these things before acting.
Yes and no. Since I started couponing I have been able to make the dollar last alot longer. However, you can not go into a gas station and get 2-3 things for 1.00 anymore. I remember when I was young you were given a dollar and you could get a coke and a candy bar from the gas station. And the sizes of items have decrease but te price is still the same.
i never thought that i'd see someone like this, im guessing you are a INTJ(personality type from a psychological test) ....i am also planning on going into software engineering, and also tend to think through things like this much, but i just try not to show it because some people find it odd....but i also tend to do very well in my writing skills...am i looking to a future similar to yours mr. phillip brewer?? haha that'd be interesting :D
Thanks for the ideas. Pinky and the Brain -- haha! We do have some time to plan while we're saving up the money, so I'll definitely give this some thought!
Americans traditionally worshiped the bigger stronger, farmhand, soldier, factory worker, movie star. Survivability in Industrial America depended on a lot of brawn, some sly thinking capacities and a very strong back, combined with an emotional brutality for enduring very bad conditions, physically, psychologically emotionally, and health-wise! America responded with the toughest breed industrial worker, as the world had never seen before, and ruled the world industrially through his greatness! Suddenly, in less than one generation, "smart" factories in Asia employing only little yellow 89 pound ladies, living in factory dorms, eating factory cafeteria foods, and pooping in slot toilets on the factory floors, aided by electronically driven hydraulics and electrics, exceeded the output abilities of the American master-race industrial worker! and before America could curtail his breeding, America was flooded with his off-spring - at the very time that the Uber-Rich of the world elected to move capital to the Beijing, Hong Kong and Shanghai markets, and moving American manufacturing to Asia at the same time! It is no mystery that America is flooded with case hardened huge, brawny oafs! They once were our most valued asset, but now, an expensive load on the welfare lines, jobless and pointlessly big and strong! A high energy army of 1950's factory workers with nothing to do except gain weight and die! The West was won long ago, the Armed forces now use sophisticated lady-operated weapons, and a big man with a strong back and a big appetite has no place in the new "American Dream" The paradigm shift was sudden and final, and these folks must live out lives of legacy to a once powerful industrial America that no longer exists!
This story is older than the net...
Thanks for the comments.
I,too, caution against being, well, too cautious when you travel. It defeats the whole purpose of travel. Particularly if you're planning a trip to a place like Europe, I'd view it as no more risky than a trip to your local shopping mall (in fact, less risky)
In my own life - and travels - I've stopped paying what I call the "fear tax"--- all of the extra money we pay (and freedom and joy in life we sacrifice) because of preceived risks and fears, most of which are just that ... "preceived," or rather "conceived" by someone who wants to charge us a Fear Tax.
Of course there are no guarantees of safety in life or in travels, no matter how much extra you pay. The only way to entirely avoid risk is to be dead. That said, I've been traveling solo, often by bicycle, since I was 15 years old. Yeah, I'm a guy, and times were different back then ,,,, but I still do it todat, all around the world, and - you know what? - nothing awful has ever happened. The only time in my life I've ever been robbed was on my home from the office on evening in Washington, DC. Go figure.
Stay Cheap!
-Jeff Yeager
I would also suggest to tap into the knowledge of people who have traveled there to get tips and recommendations. If you go to sites like TripNtale you will often find many stories about how some budget travelers manage to travel to several countries in a cost effective manner
Kathi--I hope you don't let being a single mom keep you from really planning the trip of your dreams. You need to ask yourself whether your fears are truly rational or more along the lines of people who are afraid to fly because they *perceive* it to be more dangerous than driving in a car. Indeed, as a single woman you're probably safer traveling around Europe than you would be going about your daily business in most major U.S. cities.
The sorts of petty crime that can be a genuine nuisance (pickpocketing, theft of cameras, bags, electronics, etc.) are pretty gender neutral, and probably most likely to occur in precisely the sorts of "touristy" locations that a package tour will steer you toward.
And having a 14-yo man/boy in tow is an added bonus! You should think of yourselves as a Pinky-and-the-Brain duo--it's the perfect combo for taking over the world! Recruit him to help out with researching destinations, activities, plane fares, housing options, etc.
I've found that an important part about travel is knowing WHEN to travel, HOW to travel, and not being afraid of searching around a bit for some good deals (ie, know how to read a map!). I recommend renting a car, not taking the train, to get to places nobody goes, and not make any reservations! I did this on a European roadtrip several years ago. Before I went, I did some basic research, looking into various hotels in and around the prime cities I'd be traveling to (Dresden, Prague and various cities in Vienna, Switzerland and Bavaria). This would be my emergency list. However, I never had to use it. I would literally just keep driving until around 9pm or so and start checking out the places that are advertised on the side of the road. And there are a lot! I would always get amazing rates. I stayed east of Dresden for 56 Euros. I stayed in Cesky Krumlov for 49 a night. I stayed near Regensburg for 69 Euros... and that room was amazing, it was like a hunting lodge, vaulted ceilings. That was the most expensive place I stayed. If you go online or read in the books, they will always say "you must always reserve your hotel ahead of time!" and then their prices will be 100, 200, 300 Euros. This is complete hogwash. They do this because they know it scares the heck out of people who have never traveled in Europe. And so you call them and they charge you this high price without even considering vacancies. But if you are willing to take a risk a little, do some exploring, and you just walk in unannounced to a guest house or hotel that has a bunch of vacancies at 9pm or 10pm, you'll get a great deal. Guaranteed. However, if you only use the train, only use the most traveled hotels and guest houses, and only travel when everyone in the world is traveling, then you will pay tons of money to do it.
Oh And I did not rub in the armour etch in - I applied it with a Qtip very gently in a thick coating and let it sit for 5 minutes, I also took the lens out of ny eyeglass frame, very simple with an eyeglass tool kit.
I have to agree with the author more so than anyone else here - Lonely Planet is a great resource, and often forms the backbone of my research for things to do and see in most destinations (primarily because it is in English, whereas alot of local written material is written in the local lingo) and also for details on connections between towns or places (so I know whether I have to catch a bus, or a train, or a boat to get from A-B and what the best deals, at least at time of writing, were). I also nearly always double-check those details on websites like WikiTravel, which tend to be more frequently updated than the book (as quickly as minutes after a change in details is found, compared to 3 years or so).
Most of the time, when looking at places to stay, I have just lobbed up and then been able to bargain a rate better than offered for reserved rooms. Also, the few times I have checked out places mentioned in Lonely Planet, they have jacked their prices by as much as 50% of the rates in a book less than 3 years old, and are much less likely to move on price.
Which brings me to a very good, general rule, which was unfortunately missed in the article...
BARGAIN! Dependent on the country, market and product involved, you should realise that in areas tailored to tourists, or if you are obviously a tourist in a country which is economically weaker than home, the first offered price will often be inflated. That is inflated to a point where, as a tourist, and when you compare it to what you could buy back home for the same price it is cheap, but no local would even consider paying that same amount.
The problems which arise from people failing to bargain is that the next tourist may be given an even higher price (as the vendor sees just how far they can inflate the price before losing sales) and for some long-term travellers, the difference between paying US$5 and US$6 a night for a place can be quite noticeable.
These are just my thoughts, but they have been cultivated by six months of backpacking through SE Asia, and so I am not just talking out my rear.
Oh, and Booked Tours, specifically those paid for before you get into the country you are touring, normally end up being massive money-grabs. For the same tour as you may pre-book from the States for US$500, you could probably get the same sights and equivalent travel arrangements for US$250 or less by making your own arrangements and bargaining on the ground. Sure you trade off a bit of security in doing so, but I have also heard of people where the group tour has evaporated partway through and they have been in an even worse situation as they have already paid for the rest of the tour which they are no longer getting...
Well I finally got up the nerve last night to try the armour etch on my spare pair of glasses that were so discolored and foggy from the Anti glare coating. It worked great! However, I had tried toothpaste the weel before and I suggest you do not use toothpaste as it left scratches in the lenses that even armour etch could not get out ofter 4 applications. Just wanted to let anyone with this problem know that armour etch is what works!!
I agree and disagree. I think some guidebooks are better than others. For Europe, use Rick Steves books. He really finds good deals and forums on his site are really helpful. I think when traveling to a new country, it's good to have a few nights in a nice hotel because traveling can be overwhelming, especially in a big city.
And I think when you are traveling and have taken the time to go to a new destination, you shouldn't cheap out on yourself. Sometimes you need to see the tourist traps. My visit to Toledo, Spain was amazing and it is a total tourist trap, but it was just beautiful and I am so glad I didn't miss it.
I really love the Couchsurfing experience, though. I have both hosted travelers and been hosted myself. It's phenomenal.
I really love the slow traveler website - lots of great tips. And a good google search for people's trip blogs will also yield a wealth of personalized resources.
hey wi. we just got a new puppy, i have a cat and an 8 yr old daughter. want to try this organic recipe. our neighbors dog died of poisoning from a lawn care service. with new pup and daughter on the run it's time to go green. ammonia is my concern my pup pulls grass (we are working on it- he's 8 weeks old) do you have pets and kids? if so is it ok to let them on the lawn after it dries or should i water again after appling.i plan to front then back. help i do not want anything to do with commerical anymore and my wi lawn looks awful. lacrosse has sand/clay based lawns 3-6 in. topsoil anything we put on it screams for more but come first wk of dry/hot weather immediately goes dormaint. water barely helps right now. how often have you applied in wi? please reply ammonia pet/child concern. thanks. d in lax
I agree with most everything you wrote. However, I DISAGREE with you comment about where to eat and sleep. I have stayed at many great guest houses and eaten in many great local restaurants after they have been in Lonely Planet (most of these places were in South East Asia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand).
If you stay away from guest houses and restaurants just because they are included in Lonely Planet, you will be missing out on many WONDERFUL places.
I like to visit a mix - some places in Lonely Planet and some not in Lonely Planet.
Good ideas for many people, but. . . In my case--single mom, and thinking of taking my son (14) to Europe-- I think safety and security will trump a lot of this, so I'll have reservations and may tour with a group. I do plan to do a lot of research and follow the spirit of getting the local experience (I especially like the grocery shopping idea). Any other ideas?