I was glad you posted a yoga posture (full lotus), but "practice with care" is an understatement to those who are not familiar with yoga. In the Bikram sequence, Full Lotus has mindfully been placed at the end of the sequence after the body has been fully warmed up. Because of this, I would not recommend performing full lotus as part of a 5-minute exercise plan. Otherwise, great suggestions- very helpful!
We save money by not traveling during the holidays. We prefer to visit family during calmer times when flights are cheaper, the airports are less crowded and we're less likely to get sick.
We have done the driving instead of flying thing. When we fly, we buy tickets as far in advance as we can when we see a sale or good price. We also stay with relatives or book a hotel through a website that will get us 50% off the hotel.
Because the airfares are usually so expensive, I try to save money by NOT buying food or drinks at the airport, by NOT checking bags. I also try to do cheap things like enjoy the Christmas decorations and illuminations.
I was looking to see if anyone had rice cooked in milk using the double boiler! and served with cinnamon, sugar and butter. One of my favorite comfort foods!
I spend time looking for the best flight deals and I fly carry-on only so I don't pay baggage fees. Finally, I try to pack my own book and snacks so I don't pay the exorbitant airport prices for reading materials and trail mix. :)
Live near your parents and family and don't travel over the holidays! (Yes, you might have to take a pay cut, yes, it might not be the place you want to be the most, but possible babysitters, close relationships between generations, and the ability to stay home during the holidays is absolutely lovely.) Besides, vacations can actually be vacations, not relative visits.
We don't have to travel far. Usually Christmas is either at my sister's or my brother's house and they each live about 20-30 minute away, depending on traffic. The one thing we make sure we do is gas up the vehicles a few days before the holiday to avoid spikes in price & the long lines.
Follow-up note: Just closed on refinance through new HARP program (with same bank that previously turned me down for the original program). Entire process from first phone call to closing was just over 90 days. With this new HARP program I did not have to pay ANY fees and did not have to go through the appraisal process. I will be saving about $450 per month. I believe this new HARP program only goes through until the end of 2013, so if it sounds like it might be for you, you should start checking it out now. I don't think you have to go through the same bank you have your mortgage with now, but it did seem to make it easier.
I was glad you posted a yoga posture (full lotus), but "practice with care" is an understatement to those who are not familiar with yoga. In the Bikram sequence, Full Lotus has mindfully been placed at the end of the sequence after the body has been fully warmed up. Because of this, I would not recommend performing full lotus as part of a 5-minute exercise plan. Otherwise, great suggestions- very helpful!
I only have to drive to our Christmas events, but we do send a few gifts through the mail, so we don't spend money on gas in delivering.
We save money by not traveling during the holidays. We prefer to visit family during calmer times when flights are cheaper, the airports are less crowded and we're less likely to get sick.
We have done the driving instead of flying thing. When we fly, we buy tickets as far in advance as we can when we see a sale or good price. We also stay with relatives or book a hotel through a website that will get us 50% off the hotel.
Because the airfares are usually so expensive, I try to save money by NOT buying food or drinks at the airport, by NOT checking bags. I also try to do cheap things like enjoy the Christmas decorations and illuminations.
We drive and stay with family.
Love Carrie's stuff!
You are welcome! :)
I was looking to see if anyone had rice cooked in milk using the double boiler! and served with cinnamon, sugar and butter. One of my favorite comfort foods!
I spend time looking for the best flight deals and I fly carry-on only so I don't pay baggage fees. Finally, I try to pack my own book and snacks so I don't pay the exorbitant airport prices for reading materials and trail mix. :)
I research RetailMeNot.com for coupon codes before booking!
We pack super light so Mom, Dad & toddler can all share one suitcase (and one airline baggage fee)!
Stay home and cook dinner for guests.
We usually try to avoid it if we can but generally carpooling, not flying, and doing the crab-walk to get to where we need to go are all helpful.
We drive istead of flying
My family is across the country so I have to travel by plane, but I use Kayak and Bing to see when I should buy my tickets.
I save on travel by staycationing.
I watch for cheap fares as soon as they become available and grab them!
Live near your parents and family and don't travel over the holidays! (Yes, you might have to take a pay cut, yes, it might not be the place you want to be the most, but possible babysitters, close relationships between generations, and the ability to stay home during the holidays is absolutely lovely.) Besides, vacations can actually be vacations, not relative visits.
We don't have to travel far. Usually Christmas is either at my sister's or my brother's house and they each live about 20-30 minute away, depending on traffic. The one thing we make sure we do is gas up the vehicles a few days before the holiday to avoid spikes in price & the long lines.
Follow-up note: Just closed on refinance through new HARP program (with same bank that previously turned me down for the original program). Entire process from first phone call to closing was just over 90 days. With this new HARP program I did not have to pay ANY fees and did not have to go through the appraisal process. I will be saving about $450 per month. I believe this new HARP program only goes through until the end of 2013, so if it sounds like it might be for you, you should start checking it out now. I don't think you have to go through the same bank you have your mortgage with now, but it did seem to make it easier.
We drive instead of fly.
We travel with family giving us more time together and making it extra special.
I drive home instead of flying, and carpool with my boyfriend. 7+ hrs in the car goes by much faster that way too!
I love how travelling for long periods of time is far less expensive than trying to maintain a balanced "settled" life.