financegirl on Jul 22nd 2008 Travel
I just ran the numbers for our “staycation,” and we came in at $999.37 - $0.64 under budget!
While $1,000 might seem a little steep considering we didn’t have to travel a long distance or pay for lodging, we were definitely able to enjoy ourselves for less than the price of a typical vacation (last year’s trip to Florida was $2,662).
I must admit that it’s hard to enjoy yourself when you’re so used to being frugal, but I’m pretty sure I could get used to it… I mean, eating out nearly every meal, visiting all the attractions, ordering a glass of wine with my dinner, not sitting in the nosebleed section at the baseball stadium and theatre… oops, back to reality!
I’ll post some pictures once Snapfish develops the film I mailed in (I can justify a “staycation,” but still can’t get over one-hour photo developing costs! Some day I’ll have enough money for that Canon Digital Rebel XTi…)
financegirl on Jul 11th 2008 Deals, Frugality
If you haven’t heard of Restaurant.com, you should check it out. Today!
Because if you enter the code DELICIOUS, you can get a certificates to your favorite restaurants for half price (expires this Sunday).
Just do a search for restaurants near your ZIP (there were 84 within a 30-mile radius of mine), and select as many as you want. Typically, $25 certificates sell for $10, and $10 certificates sell for $3, so you’ll pay $5 or $1.50. Be sure to check the stipulations of the restaurant - usually for the $25 certificate, you have to spend at least $35 (so, $10 after the certificate), and sometimes it’s only valid for dinner, or on certain nights. The $10 certificate is usually valid for lunch with a minimum purchase of $20.
Enter the code to get them half price, and print from your computer. Voila!
Since our staycation is next week, I bought them for four different restaurants, and also redeemed some Coke Rewards for a $25 certificate.
Thank you, Coupon Mom!
Update: If you shop through the Coupon Mom (here’s the direct link), you can still get your certificates for 40% off.
financegirl on Jun 12th 2008 Travel
If you missed The Daily Show last night, check out this video with John Hodgman on “Staycations” (or as John calls it, “Holistays”).
financegirl on May 12th 2008 Travel
Who knew that taking a vacation in your own city has its own buzzword? Staycation!
According to the Urban Dictionary, a staycation is defined as follows:
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staycation |
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A vacation that is spent at one’s home enjoying all that home and one’s home environs have to offer.
Even though I live and work in New York, I don’t always get to enjoy all it has to offer, what with my work commitments, but I sure did have an awesome time here during my spring staycation.
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Check out the call for digital postcards and videos from your staycation at CNN.
Now I can be cheap and trendy! Just call me the budget travelista!
