Top 5 Ways To Save On Air Travel

Tips on Saving on Airfare When Traveling

If you have a trip planned, airfare can take up a large part of your budget. With airlines increasing their rates on flights, it’s even more important to look for ways to save when you’re traveling.

1. Shop Around for Cheap Flights - One of the first things you can do is shop around for your airline ticket, especially if you’re used to flying with one airline. Check out the prices of each air line to get the best rates. The more you shop around for a flight price, the better your chances at getting a good rate.

2. Be Flexible On Trip Dates - When you’re looking online, many websites now let you search within one or two days before and after your desired departure and return dates. You may be able to get a cheaper flight that arrives one day sooner and returns one day later than you originally planned. Look at flights that depart and return on Tuesdays, Wednesday, and Saturdays since these are the least traveled dates. If you find a lower airfare by adjusting your departure dates, make sure the discount won’t be negated by the cost of staying in a hotel an extra night or two.

3. Fly Into a Nearby Airport - You can also save money by flying into a nearby airport. Many airlines and online travel agencies now allow you to search for flights at airports within a certain range of your destination. For example, if you were planning to visit Cincinnati you could fly into the Dayton, OH airport which is only 60 miles away.

4. Book Your Flight Early - Make your flight reservations early, especially for major events, like the holidays. The closer you get to the event or holiday, the higher your airplane ticket will be.

5. Make Online Reservations - Buy your ticket online. Many airlines and travel agents charge you a booking fee for booking your flight over the phone. Not only that, many flight specials are only available if you purchase them online. Be careful and only purchase flights from trusted website to avoid a scam.

6. Fly First Class - If you look hard enough, you may be able to find a first class or business fare that’s cheaper than coach. As the flight’s departure date nears, airlines sometimes mark down un-purchased first and business class seats to attract buyers. From the airline’s perspective, selling a cheaper first class seat is better than letting the seat go empty or “giving” it away to someone using frequent flier miles. When you search for flights, include first class seats in your search and compare the two. If you’re flying on business and your company’s policy disallows first class bookings, ask your manager or travel department if an exception can be made when the first class fare is cheaper.

7. Book at the Last Minute - Though it’s often wiser to book your flight in advance to get the lower rate, sometimes those last minute flights give you the best deal. As departure dates approach and seats are still available on a flight, the airline marks down rates dramatically to sell more tickets. You often get a good deal on certain flights if you book them on the Tuesday – Friday before they depart.

You can get a good rate on airfare by looking around and being flexible about your flight location and dates.

Source : http://www.simpledebtfreeliving.com

Prom Checklist

To be more in control of your prom preparation, Have this checklist on hand.

* Dress - Order early. The dress may take up to 8 weeks to arrive.

* Alteration - Dress fits are rarely perfect. Take it to an alterationist if necessary.

* Accessories - The following are your basic accessories. Shoes make them comfortable, Hose Obviously, Bra For the open back/strapless dress, Gloves Not really necessary, Purse For your purse kit, Jewelry According to taste

* Purse Kit - Do not go without a purse, build your purse kit.

* Appointments - Did you make them all? Here's the typical ones. Hair Do it professionally / Manicure It helps / Pedicure Open-toe shoes? / Waxing I would, you should / Tanning Totally optional / Facial Also optional

* Your Date - Make sure he's got all the following together. Tux Order it at leat 4 weeks ahead / Corsage Order at least 2 weeks ahead / Plans All thing's he's taking care of

* Transportation - Limo or whatever.

* Tickets - You've got them, right?

* Pre-Prom - All your plans are finalized?

* Post-Prom - All these plans also finalized?

* Parents - Talk to parents, relax them.

* Friends - talk over all plans, including partying & driving, with friends.

* Date - Talk to him so knows what to expect from you and/or your parents.

Source : http://www.promdress.net

Summer Vacation Plans

Now is the ideal time to start thinking about your summer vacation.

1. Compare Prices - Check out the best price offer by the different travel agencies for there vacation packages

2. Getting there - The good news is that discount airlines are expanding their destinations and routes.

3. Get a discount on vacation rentals - You may want to consider a vacation rental if you're staying more than two or three days. In a vacation rental, you can get an entire house. And the discounts may even be better.
You may be able to barter your talents for a discount too. For example, if you're a photographer or a writer, you might offer to take photos or write a description of the vacation rental. If you tell the rental owner that you'll provide referrals to your friends, he/she may also give you a discount.

4. Do your hotel homework - This summer, you'll want to make sure you do your homework. Check out different hotel promo offers. You'll be able to find special deals, read about other people's experiences and check out what the hotel has to offer, like its proximity to shopping or transportation.
You can also go to www.travel.yahoo.com and click on your destination city and read reviews from other customers. Another good web site here is www.travelpost.com. And if you just want to read up on the best and worst hotels, referred to as "hotel heaven" and "hotel hell," check out www.hotelchatter.com.

5. Take to the seas - Today cruise discounters, cruise-only booking sites, booking sites and last-minute web sites are all fighting for your cruising budget. And since cruise lines are all about loyalty and customer service, you'll probably have more leverage if you're dissatisfied.

Affordable Vacation Trips

Traveling to any vacation spot can be very expensive, but here are some ways to help you save some cash when going.

* Don't go during peak season. - Try to plan your trip where your days do not fall on peak season. An example of peak season would be around Christmas time.
* Stay at a value resort. - There are resort that offer a value rates for an off peak season.
* Restaurants. - Check out some of the restaurant's menus before you leave to go on vacation. That way you will know what is going to be in your price range.
* Bring snacks with you. - Buy some waters and snacks that you can bring with you instead of buying them in the parks/ resort.
* Use the bus systems. - For local transfor use the local bus system so it will be easier for you to go around.

How to Select a Graduation Gift

By: eHow Holidays & Celebrations Editor

Research has proven that most graduates have big-ticket gifts in mind, but it's best to stick with what you can afford while providing a thoughtful or practical gift the graduate can use and enjoy.

Step1 Choose one of the top five gifts requested by graduates, if you can afford it: a car, money, a vacation (preferably to Europe), a computer or new clothes (especially professional wardrobe items for graduates entering the business world or starting the job-hunting process).
Step2 Buy a book. Choose something pertaining to the graduate's field of study, or something fun to read now that school is over.
Step3 Consider a gift basket filled with gourmet food items. For a college-bound high school graduate, fill a basket with college necessities such as notebooks, textbook highlighters, stationery, stamps, a prepaid phone card, etc.
Step4 Make a photo album filled with the graduate's memories. Include photos, his or her graduation announcement and program, and clippings and memorabilia from high school or college years.
Step5 Give jewelry. An elegant pair of earrings for a young woman, or a watch or gold tie tack for a young man, make lovely gifts.
Step6 Give a gift certificate to a music, clothing or book store if you're not sure what to buy. Gift certificates are always welcome gifts and ensure that the graduate can pick something he or she really wants.

Paying Tribute to Your Graduate

Honoring your graduate is the most important component of the graduation party.
If you have been very organized over the years, you probably have all of your photo albums up to date. But if you’re like us, family photos are in boxes and piles all over the house. Now is the time to start organizing your pictures.
Our personal opinion, don’t over do it. Pick and choose what really represents your graduate. Whether it’s academic achievements, sports or music, display their photos, trophies, awards and clippings from the paper in an exciting way.
Some people do one big “shrine” while others spread things around. Either way, it’s nice for people to see all of the things that your graduate has accomplished.
Don’t limit the pictures to just your son or daughter. Include photos of the graduate with their friends, extended family and “teams”. Your guests will get a kick out of seeing themselves throughout the years.

Scrapbooks
People love looking at photo albums, especially the new custom creative scrapbook type. It’s worth the effort to pull together photos of your graduate and their friends, teams and special memorabilia. Assemble a few select photos per event and design a page that identifies who is in the photos, the occasion and any other special information. An album makes a great gift for your graduate after the party. Or, have your son or daughter put together the book they want.
Don’t forget to leave room in your album for your graduation pictures.

Poster Boards
Some people put photos and news clippings on poster boards. Dress it up with their name, stars, stickers and cut out decorations. Your guests will love to see themselves and their names on the board with your graduate.

Posters
Hang up some poster-size pictures of your graduate and his or her friends and classmates.
These are especially fun if you're having a joint graduation party with 2 or 3 graduates.

Photo Books and Memory Books

Photo Books: Can't scrapbook or don't have the time? Consider making a Photo Book instead.
Memory Books: Use these to record special school events and activities. Some also have pages for certificates and photos.

Movie or Photo DVD
You may want to create a movie or photo DVD. A continuously playing “video biography” of your son or daughter from birth through high school set to music is an excellent way to share the memories at a graduation party. Most people have these playing in the background. They're fun to watch and are often a great source of conversation.
You and your graduate can create one together, using your own VCR or DVD burner; or, if you choose, professional services are available. Enlist your graduate’s help in selecting photos and music. Movies make a great keepsake and special gift for your child.


Source : http://www.graduationparty.com