Breaking Even, Inc.

A Thinking Weekend

I Need To Make A Decision About Work Soon...

Many of you know, I work for a local newspaper, which I really like as a job but not as a salary. I understood that initially, they were taking a chance on me. I had no newspaper or web design experience. I was new to the area and, from the looks of my resume, seem to move every two years. I understood (or at least I thought I did) the low salary as a way to test my performance and my loyalty.

As a result for the past year, I've put my heart into this job. To be honest, I feel more successful at this job than I ever have at any other. I've accomplished and surpassed the goals I set for myself. I have tried to go above and beyond when possible, and am proud when someone says something to the effect of  "Give it to Nicole; she'll get it done." I genuinely enjoy the people I work with, my boss in particular. He's honest, positive, gives feedback when I ask, and lets me try out my ideas. My coworkers teach me a lot and make me enjoy going to work everyday.

So full disclosure time. I went to Boston last weekend for two informational interviews. (To be clear, I didn't go looking for a job; I just met someone who knew someone and boom! it was set up.) The digital PR companies I interviewed at were modern and filled with creative, smart people. They had a whole department of web content creation (which is what I really enjoy) and offered a great salary in addition to great benefits and professional development opportunities. One company said if I relocated, they would offer me a position while the HR person for the other company wanted to follow up with me later in the week.

It felt really weird not telling my boss about my trip. I wasn't sure if there would be anything to tell but after my interviews, I felt there was. So I told him. I wanted him to know what I was thinking and I also wanted to make sure he didn't have an offer from our company in mind. My year review is coming up and I was thinking it would be time for a raise.

I sat down with him yesterday for my review. I was offered a commission if I would sell advertising on our web site as my raise. I know that their offer was meant to give me more money than their typical raise and as a compliment to my people skills. But I walked out of the meeting feeling bummed. Not even a cost of living standard 3% raise?

The thing is, I wouldn't feel comfortable upgrading my lifestyle in any way if my extra funds were based on commission. You never know what's coming in moneywise. I also thought that I was productive enough at work in what I was doing to warrent a raise free and clear. But I don't think the company works that way. The low salary wasn't a test of my loyalty; it is how things were going to be.

This is a tough one. Clearly I have a lot to think about this weekend...

How did I get hooked up in the first place? A classic informational interview. To learn more about informational interviews, see this article "The Informational Interview: A Job-Hunter's Secret Weapon" at Get Rich Slowly.

Flapping In The Breeze

And You Thought You Had A Rough Weekend!

You know when you know something bad is about to happen about a millisecond before it does but you are powerless to stop it? See the picture below? That was my Saturday night.

Allow me to explain. It's dinnertime-ish, and I'm helping a friend of Ally's (I'll call her "G") move a desk since I have a car (she doesn't) and am visiting Boston for the weekend. We loaded the desk into the car and I went to the front seat to grab something. I looked up to see G closing the trunk door. I wanted to say "Nooooo!" but it's too late. The desk, not quite into the car enough, smashed out my back window.

Being that it was Saturday night, there was no way I could get it fixed. There was also the added problem of leaving it parked on the streets of Boston in that state. So we dealt.

I sent two people to get electrical tape and clearish plastic at the hardware store while I brought the desk to the apartment with G. G and I cleaned the glass out of the car as much as we could (wearing thick gloves).  Upon our return, Ally and company taped up the back window (painter's tape = won't ruin your paint job). I decided I should head back to Maine, not wanting someone to vandalize my car (or worse) that night. I packed a quick bag and headed north.

The flapping of plastic was a little annoying and my gas mileage got cut substantially by the drag from the sheet of plastic. The good news is the rain held (as did the plastic) for the entire trip. I pulled into my driveway at 1:30 a.m.

There are a few things that I think that made this not the most annoying thing ever:

1) G apologized but didn't repeat the apology over and over. I tend to do apologize obsessively and annoyingly, so that fact that G did one sincere apology and moved on to helping solve the problem was helpful.

2) G borrowed a phone book and proceeded to call companies herself. This was much appreciated.

3) The group attempted to think of solutions for the car (back it into a driveway, park it in a garage) but did not attempt to sway my decision to leave town once I had made it. As a result, I didn't feel guilty but did appreciate that they gave the problem some thought.

4) G offered to pay for the damage. It was not only helpful but the right thing to do.

5) The radio volume was able to be cranked up pretty high.

6) The temperature did not get below 57 degrees F, making me warm enough in the car.

7) While I couldn't see out the back window, I could hear cars coming.

8) Driving with a big sheet of plastic covering your back window makes driving in Boston with a normally functioning car seem like a piece of cake.

So my car looks a little ghetto in the driveway but it could have been much worse. Tomorrow (hopefully) it'll get fixed. Another exciting weekend in my life, hope yours was also but in a more fun way!

My First Visit To Trader Joe's

When I lived on Vinalhaven, I discovered Trader Joe's. No, there was no store on the island but my house was stocked: condiments, pasta, spices... all with this brand name on them. I later found out my landlord's wife worked for the company. He told me to eat/use whatever I wanted in the house (I was going to be living there full time for a few years) so I did. First the marinated peppers and then the whole grain pasta... by the time I left, there was a little salt and pepper left but that was about it.  

Trader Joe's was good but felt very unattainable to me. Primarily, it's a city thing (and not online because they want to be your neighborhood store). Since it is a larger city thing, there are none in Maine. I didn't think I'd ever get to one. 

Well that all changed today folks. I'm in Boston for the weekend and since I brought my car this time, I helped my buddy Ally go grocery shopping at Trader Joe's. 

First of all, the tropical theme kind of struck me. "Are they all like this?" I asked. It seemed to put the pizazz back in grocery shopping. Then I started looking through the aisles.

I went to pay and the price was very reasonable. For example, the Emergence-C I usually buy at my local natural food store is normally around $15. At Trader Joe's, it was $8. Luna Bars that are normally $1.25 at the natural food store were $.99. Trader Joe's doesn't use coupons of have sales; according to the website, they just try to buy direct, keep corporate costs low, and sell perishables when they are in season. The result is that I looked at the prices and in addition to seeing a low unit price, nutritional information was prominently featured. Cheap and good, just how I like my food. 

In addition to having some staples that I always need (like a Vitamin C beverage), Trader Joe's seems like a good place to go if you need some fun appetizer to bring to a party. Thai lemon spiced cashews definitely went in my cart and perhaps if you throw a party and invite me, I'll bring them!

So I was happy to help out a friend and have my first Trader Joe's experience. I would have liked to get more frozen stuff to bring home but next time, I guess I'll have to bring a cooler. 

Are you similarly in awe and admiration of Trader Joe's?

Getting Up In My Business

SMBIZ4ME Governor's Regional Business Conference Was Interesting, Worth A Day Off

I took the day off work Wednesday to attend the SMBIZ4ME Conference for a few reasons: 1) It was only a half hour's drive away. 2) I heard it was going to be good from a few people. and 3) It only cost $25 and one day off to attend. As someone who has already heavily invested in my brain but knows little about business, I figured the price and the opportunity to network with people in the area would be invaluable. It was.

The vendors set up over breakfast and gave me something to do when I first walked in and was getting my bearings. (I can be social; I just sometimes need to ease into it). I made a few good connections with some Maine publications that were at least theoretically interested in my writing as well as met the guy behind Mainecreates.com. Mainecreates is a social networking site for Mainers involved in the creative economy. (I got on the site to set up a profile when I got home but I see I will be charged for it after a year, which I'm not really down with. But it is a good idea so I set up my own account there.)

In my first seminar, I met Melanie Brooks, who just got hired at MaineBusiness.com. It's a division of MaineToday (another newspaper) but it's focused on business content. She's a blogger, I'm a blogger. She suggested I crosspost on their site. So I'm trying that out to see if that'll be a good use of energy. (Really I want to end up as one of their featured bloggers, I'm competitive like that.) Melanie was fun, energetic, and into blogging; she seems like the kind of person I'd hang out with if I lived closer to Portland, though though the blogosphere can at least be a virtual friend.

All this happened in the first two hours. Did I mention there was all the free coffee I could drink and croissants I could eat? (Out of restraint, I had one croissant, ladies and gentlemen, with an apple chaser).

Meeting a lot of people who are all either thinking about or running their own businesses and having to give my "elevator speech" about my blogging consulting/web content creation business allowed me to not only realize that I actually did have a good, original idea but that I do really believe that I can do it.

As with any event of this nature, there is some golf clapping, boring speech listening, corporate sponsors to thank profusely, and a couple snotty people but that was all minor. (One PR woman in my last seminar seemed ridiculously jealous of me and conducted herself in such a way that I wondered, is she actually a PR person?)

Overall though, I met some wonderful people and got some great ideas. I left feeling energized, even though being nice and civil to people you barely know all day can be fairly exhausting.

Have you had a rockin' professional development day recently?

Travel Special: Podcasting And Driving

Podcasting's Just Another Word For Trying Audio Out

This audio (5 minutes) is me on the road. Want to hear my voice? Hankering for some Nicole-isms? This is for you! (It's acutally about saving money while on road trips.)

Travel Special: International Woman Of Mystery

A Week-long Series On Travel

Few things say sophisticated like traveling internationally. You can sip Nescafe all you want and read Le Monde online for fun but if you haven't left the country in three years, sophistique you are not. No offense. Unless you count going to Canada for Chinese food, I'm in the non-sophisticated club.

International travel is getting to be more expensive and more of a general hassle. One airline is even going to begin charging $15 per checked bag starting in June. So much for friendly skies. Here are some tips I've been saving up about being a jetsetter without needing your own jet:

• While it's the same price to get a passport (your local post office can do it), different photo places will charge you different amounts for the photos you need. I hear from this site that Walgreens is the cheapest but you might as well do a few quick phone calls in your area.
• If you are in a country that doesn't speak English, whipping out that dictionary might as well put a neon light flashing "Tourist/Sucker" over your head. Wouldn't it be more subtle to look at your iPod really quick? For $10, get 500 essential travel phrases that you can play in your iPod, you know, so you come a little closer to pronouncing things right then you normally would. (via Intelligent Travel)
• Want to really cut down on lodging?Apparently camping outside of major European cities is becoming increasingly popular. (via Intelligent Travel)
• Try relying on the kindness of strangers. Increase your odds that good things will happen to you by using services like home swapping with Home Exchange or ride-sharing with Allo Stop in Quebec. Traveling often affirms my core belief that people are kind. (If you really want to take this reliance to the extreme, check out this guy.)
• How to not be a sucker for paying too much money for a plane ticket: Monitor your ticket price using Yapta. It'll track the fare for you for free, emailing you if the price of your ticket drops after you've bought it.

So hopefully, this can make cheaper international travel a little less mysterious. Of course, there's always Canada and Mexico if a plane trip just can't be done. Bon voyage and remember, you were on your yacht in Marseilles when it all happened (wink)...

Like this post? Here are some other posts you may like..
What's In Your Wallet?
Traveling On The Cheap

Photo from: http://mallencunningham.blogspot.com/

Travel Special: All Business

A Week-long Series About Travel

In my moment of zen in the breakroom (this is where I sit for ten minutes with a coffee or chocolate yogurt and a women's magazine on my break), I read a tip yesterday: when you travel and, for example, book a hotel, ask if they have a business rate. Just ask like you do it all the time.

Now other than paying for my car mileage to film local events, my company doesn't really make a globetrotter out of me. But apparently, just asking about a business travel discount will usually get it for you, even if you are shopping with your sister.

Speaking of the business of sisters, mine is a first grade teacher (and, by proxy, a saint) and saves a teacher discount of 10-20% on hotel rooms at the Comfort Inn and related hotels when she travels. She even gets a free stay occasionally. (I couldn't find the exact discount on the website... and I'd call my sister but she's at school!) Check with your professional organization or employer if there are discounts they offer. There may be no "newspaper employee discounts" for me but I do get a Ellsworth Chamber card (2-10% of local businesses) and a discount off my monthly YMCA membership. Just ask around the office.

Outside of "the business", you do have other discount travel options, often for which you pay a nominal fee. For students, there is the Student Advantage card which saves you money at many locations (not just travel). I had in college and just saving 15% off for Greyhound and Amtrak a few times more than paid for the price of the card (and now it looks like they have way more sponsors then they used to have back in the day). The adult version of a discount card would be AAA, which I now have. Sean gets a membership for Christmas every year and I added my name to his account (and got my own card) for $40 for the year. And trust me, I drive the backwoods enough to feel safe knowing I can call a tow truck 24-7 (or you know, get 20% off my tour at the Woodlawn Museum if I never do run into a moose again).

So mentioning being all business when you travel may save you some cash. Just ask for a discount and if that doesn't work, whip out your card. Happy trails! 

Travel Special: Sticking Close To Home

A Week-long Series About Travel

I read a lot of blogs and web sites trying to keep up with what's going on in the world. (I follow over 60 by RSS feeds but this is not including what I just stumble upon, which is a fair bit). When I collect a fair bit of links on the subject, I like to have a little mini-series (like with Curb Appeal last week). I won't do series all the time (promise!) but it is nice to have a little mini-package, don't you think? So this week, I'm traveling, well, virtually. Physically I am still very much in my normal life.

Some of us are looking at a long weekend coming up. (Yes, I know it's only Monday but I can look forward anyway!) Due to gas prices (and everything prices really), many of us may stick closer to home then we normally would. Kiplinger's had an article about cheap summer vacations last week, ranging from playing tourist in your town to doing a longish car trip several hundred miles rather than flying somewhere.

For the long weekend, in an effort to save fod money, I will be staying put. I personally have never seen Timber Tina's Great Maine Lumberjack Show or the Agassiz outcrop, though I am in within a ten minute's drive of both. Oh and there is Acadia National Park a whole half hour away. I've got options for the weekend so I will definitely do something. I'm sure you have options, too.

Sean and I keep a list of things we want to do by our little marker board near the phone and try to tackle one or two every so often. Our day trips make us feel like we get around without spending a lot of money. And there is always more to add to the list, which is always exciting. I posted our list on this blog "Day Trip Ideas For Spring And Summer". B

Without a list somewhere, we would forget that we have options. And since the birth of the list, we've done a lot more activities. Of course, this is how Sean probably really feels about my constant want to do things (got to love The Onion for being right on).

If you make your own list, do share a favorite day trip idea of yours!

Like this? Check out these related posts:
...And All I Got Was This Lousy T-shirt" about cheesy souvenirs...
A Day Trip: The World's Most Underrated Vacation

...And All I Got Was This Lousy T-Shirt

A Cheap And Cool Souvenir That You'll Actually Still Like Two Weeks Later

Maybe it's that it's spring and Sean and I have been talking about taking a vacation but travel is on my mind. Looking around my house reminds me of cool trips I've been on in the past because of something I learned from my friend Sarah.

While other people think about how to pack that sombrero for the plane flight back or try to find that perfect shot glass to compliment their friend's drinking problem, Sarah swears by buying a print from a local artist. They are usually inexpensive (less than $10), they are unique to the area, and make for great wall (or other) decor once you get home. Alternatively, it can be stashed away in a scrapbook, not taking too much physical space in your life.

Now there is nothing wrong with getting other souvenirs (if that's what you're into) but I think a print is the perfect compromise between something artsy and something fun. I took a few photos from around the house of prints I have from different places I've visited. Because I've never paid a lot of money for the prints (and because they aren't originals), I have no problem cutting them down slightly to fit in a standard size frame. (Remember, if you see a frame that's a good size, shape, and price, you should get it. Spray paint and/or Sharpie markers can easily change the colors of the frame.)

So if you are stuck on what to get from that flea market for yourself or your mom, a print is what I recommend. Just put down that collectible snowglobe and step away from the table of knick knacks. Your mom (and your wallet) will thank you.

Image: My framed prints from New Orleans and Moab, UT take up way less space (and cost less) then your average thimble collection. 

Headed Back To College...

Use Those Networking Opportunities At Your College

When I went to college, I just concentrated on getting through the semester. I fell asleep while studying my chemistry book (talk about sleep lines!) and took what I thought were challenging and interesting classes. I worked as a lifeguard in my hometown in the summers to make book and fun money for the year. I had a couple small campus jobs to supplement the "fun money". My parents paid for my college and told me my job was to study and get the best grades possible. So I did. I thought I was pretty motivated at that point in my life, until yesterday.

I sat in a room yesterday with fifty to sixty students who gave up one day of their weekend to network with alumni. They had taken summer internships relative to what they wanted to do. They took notes, nodded at what you were saying seeming genuinely interested. They asked thoughtful questions. They knew going in that they might not get job offers; they just wanted to meet us. Five years ago, I wouldn't have been in that room. But I was there yesterday.

BATEScene was set up by Bate's Office of Career Services. I got invited because I have a creative career, both in my "day job" and with this blog. I was part of small group discussions but at the beginning when everyone was listening, we had to give our names, our job titles/companies, and one piece of advice we would give people about to graduate. The good news is I had a two and a half hour drive to think about this.

My friend Michaela always tells me she admires how I always "put myself out there" and I thought about that a lot yesterday. I didn't realize that other people didn't do that. I looked back on how I got a newspaper job, how I met my boyfriend online, how I got someone to publish my first article. No matter how awful the date was or who told me it was too hard to get published, I kept going. When it got to be my turn to speak, I knew what to say.

I encouraged them to internalize what they wanted and tell everyone they knew. I want people to visit this blog for example. It's in my email signature. I published the address to it in my company newsletter. I tell people upon meeting them about it. "Coca Cola didn't become a household name but sending a couple emails then hanging out in its dorm room. Coca Cola told you that it was Coca Cola over and over again until you believed it." I thought this may have been too corny but a few people chuckled. I guess I am a little corny. But persistance pays off.

On the personal finance front, questions of money came up indirectly. In a small group discussion, I encouraged students to start a savings account beginning with their first job. (They were very concerned with liking their first job and how long they should stay at it.) I told them that they should save even $20, whatever they could afford, and have it automatically taken out. I told them that if they ever felt like they wanted to leave their job (or even were faced with a financially difficult situation) that having that cushion would make them feel so much better. "Plus I mean $20. That's lunch. You'll just buy something stupid with it and be happy for five minutes." I kick myself for not starting saving at my last job, which was higher paying than my current one. But what can you do except tell people open to hearing it who are about to enter the same part of their lives.

I not only met some great students but also other people in related fields. I networked, I ate in the new dining hall, I saw my friend Sarah (who got me involved in this). If your college does any networking event like this, whether you are a student or an alum, it's very worthwhile to go. Networking may get you your next job, allow for a travel opportunity, or even get one more person to read your blog. You may also just get to meet interesting people and have a free lunch. You may even be able to help someone out.

My college's networking event was well worth the five hours of driving. And how many things can you say that about?

Image from www.woodworthassociates.com   

What's In Your Wallet?

A Photocopy Of Everything In Your Wallet Can Save Your Butt

When I went to France, I read about all sorts of things I should do to be safe while traveling. Luggage locks, not carrying a lot of cash... I don't remember much of it now (though I do remember compiling quite a paranoid little list). I do remember one thing: "Keep a photocopy of everything in your wallet, (front and back of cards) in your suitcase."

It's easy to misplace a wallet or have it simply "disappear". I made a copy of everything from my credit card to my passport and took one copy in my suitcase and left one copy with my parents. Piece of mind, twice.

I've never had to use my photocopy but should I ever need to cancel a card or simply try to recover missing things, my photocopy is excellent insurance. (That's right, I haven't traveled internationally in years but I still have my photocopy.) If I can't find my library card number or need the phone number to cancel a credit card, it's all in one place.

Do you know what's in your wallet? 

Cheap And Fun Things To Do In Boston

So far so good on my trip to Boston. I'm spending some time with a good friend from college (and staying with her and her family, keeping the costs low). I brought $100 cash and I've been paying for everything besides my bus ticket with cash. I have $40 left for tomorrow. How is this possible?

I met three friends from college downtown and we at at Thai Basil on Newbury Street. My papaya salad was plenty filling, healthy, and less than $7. We perused the shops on Newbury Street, where we can afford to look (though a friend made a great purchase of a dress for a wedding off a sale rack at Calypso). We walked around the Prudential Center and tried on clothes at expensive stores for fun (and to get out of the wind). I bought a $30 cocktail ring as my indulgence of the day. Late afternoon, we ate desserts at Finale, a dessert company that began as an Harvard business project. My small chocolate flourless torte was beautifully presented, wonderful tasting, and under $6. Best of all, of course, was the occasion to see friends I don't often see without breaking the bank. Seeing the kind of friends who make you feel wonderful about everything (and who you can pick up with right where you left off) was so energizing.

Sarah (the friend I stayed with) and I ate one meal out Friday night (we split an entree and naan at an Indian restaurant in Sharon, MA) and then today, spent the day with Sarah's family. We baked, I napped, and we bought Sarah's brother part of his birthday gift at Target. Sarah's family's generosity of a place to sleep and great meals has really kept costs low.

Tomorrow morning, I'll have a brunch of dim sum at The China Pearl. The whole dim sum experience is fun and interesting; I never get tired of it. (I also truly appreciate how much work those little pockets of happiness are to make because I've done it from scratch before and it took me all day.) The whole meal will cost me less than $10 I'm sure. I also plan to pick up some sesame buns at a Chinese bakery on my way home for an inexpensive treat later in the week.

All in all, knowing someone at a locale who lets you stay at their place keeps prices down but also there are small luxuries everywhere to be discovered and enjoyed. But the best thing about vacations, even very short ones, is taking the time to slow down and enjoy everything. It's a philosophy of life I hope to never lose, though I'm sure good friends will help me remember.  

A Suitcase For Success

How To Pack To Save Money Over The Long Weekend 

I’m taking a long weekend to visit old college friends this week and as I began to pack my bag tonight since it’ll be a crazy week. I tried to pack in a way that would save me some cash.

1. A tightly packed bag means no room to put stuff I would buy but don’t need. Might as well set myself up for success.

2. A refillable water bottle means cheap hydration with no calories. Emergence-C packets to mix in will make the water taste like raspberry ensure I don’t get a “traveler’s cold” after my trip.

3. Nonperishable but healthy snacks like yummy Luna bars mean I can skip a couple meals nutritiously and avoid blood sugar plunges that lead me straight to the vending machines of bus stops (bad places to go for a few reasons I’m sure).

4. A book/magazine means no buying pretty, glossy magazines ($$) on the way, no matter how much I want to.

5. A handkerchief, a scarf (see my post on warmth and style), painkillers, and pen and paper are logical things to have.

6. A gift for the hostess (homemade and/or inexpensive) and blank thank-you note means not having to buy something along the way and makes me seem like a polite guest.

7. A pared-down wallet (driver’s license, AAA card, credit card, and $50 cash) will keep me honest and a photocopy of its contents in my bag (not purse) will keep me from identity theft in case of robbery or misplacement.

8. Research of the place I am going including an event calendar from a local paper or deals from the local chamber of commerce printed off my computer for a starting point.

9. Picture representing my goal in your wallet (for me: a picture of me skinner, for you perhaps an island paradise villa or your child with a drawn-on graduation cap) with further deter overspending.

10. Checking Breaking Even and my other favorite personal finance blogs while on my trip for inspiration and motivation (ok, maybe not but I couldn’t resist).

With a little thinking ahead, I can easily save myself time and money. What about you?

I’ll try to post while I’m gone (I’m lugging my heavy laptop even) but if I don’t, I promise to keep updating this blog daily upon my return.

Image from: http://www.travel-bug.com

A Day Trip: The World's Most Underrated Vacation

In a world that doesn't require companies to give vacation time and where we often work over time, maybe even time and a half, it's hard to carve out 7-10 days for a real vacation.

Even if work doesn't stop us, other obligations do, whether it's a commitment to family or friends or a small dog that can't be left alone for five minutes without devising a plan to get into the garbage. (Not that I'm naming names).

Sean and I took off towards Belfast, Maine today. He wanted to look at a motorcycle he saw in Uncle Henry's and I told him I'd go if he bought me breakfast and took me downtown. After looking at the bike, we ventured down Main Street Belfast, popping into a few art galleries, which I like to think of as free art museums. Yo Mamma's Home is a funky must-see housewares store where I think I could find a gift for anyone (and of course plenty for myself too)! The Green Store has everything environmental/natural from composting toilets to rice paper lanterns. The Belfast Co-op has an extensive selection of great food and you can even eat lunch there. We got snacks and I got some lunch foods, mainly Annie's Burritos which are not only good for you but an affordable luxury at $2.50 each.

On the way home, we hit up Reny's, a Maine department store whose flagship store is in, you guessed it, Belfast. I bought a dress and some minced garlic (sounds like a weird thing to buy in the same store but you have to see the place to understand how this can happen).

All in all, I spent about $50 on groceries that I needed and a dress (which was only $15) but I had a great time. While Belfast does seem like a cool place, it's only a 45 minute drive from Ellsworth. I'm wondering how many other neat places there are just an hour away that would be explorable in one weekend day.

I suppose I could focus on the fact I'd love to go somewhere hot and Mediterranean for a month or I could be content taking these day trips most of the time for now. I never know how long I'm going to live somewhere including Ellsworth so I might as well take advantage.

In the meantime, any places you want to explore just a stone's throw from your home? I'd love to hear about them. I may generate a list of my own to give myself plenty of things look forward to this spring and summer. 

Traveling On The Cheap

I was in Boston for a long weekend visiting one of my friends. Boston may not seem like a big deal to most anyone but I think it is good to get out of town every so often, even when one is on a budget. I thought as an entry I would include some of the ways I keep control of my travel expenses.

Ten Tips For A Thrifty Trip

1) This may seem obvious but go directly to the tourist information center upon arriving (or order an info packet beforehand if you know way ahead of time that you are going somewhere). Ask for all the free stuff you can handle. Ask for any specials they know about or coupons they have. I happened upon a $10 off coupon for a tour once at one of these stands which made me wonder what other good deals I've missed in my life. 

2) Groceries can be used for two meals a day. I try to look on the bright side of having to grocery shop in some strange city by telling myself it is a good way to better understand and appreciate local culture. I also use it as a lisence to try things that I wouldn't normally try at home. I am, after all, on vacation. And going out one meal a day still makes it feel like a vacation, which brings me to...

3) Cheap meals to eat on vacation: breakfast and most things ethnic. You can also save money by not ordering a drink (except water) with your meal. You can also be really obnoxious and eat just bread and salad bar for one meal and take the entree home with you for a second meal. Now that's what I call a two-for-one deal!

4) Look into mass transit deals. Look online before you go. Sometimes you can buy a week of travel (or even a pass for a couple of days) in a city for much less than buying individual tickets. Plus, everytime you go the wrong way, you won't feel like you're paying some kind of stupidity toll. This depends on the city you are going to of course (and Boston has nothing like this) but it's worth checking into.

5) Check the local newspapers and college campuses for free events. This is how my friend Ally and I ended up at the Harvard Outlaw party with free drinks and drag queens Saturday night. I won't say free events are often this inherently interesting but they will almost never be what you are expecting, which does make for some fun memories. Even if events aren't free, usually you can find at least some inexpensive events on local web sites.

6) To decide which events are worth seeing, read online reviews. Think about it, if someone has taken the time to log onto a web site and say something, they take the time because the love love loved it or they hate hate hated it. If there are enough reviews, it'll give you an idea whether that attraction is worth taking a $20 cab for or not. If you want, invest in your own Let's Go, Lonely Planet, or other guide. The advice in them will save you at least that.

7) Avoid shopping. All the bright lights and pretty things you see will make you want to buy. Someone made sure of that when they designed the displays you are looking at. If you can, leave your money somewhere else. Bring a set amount that you can afford to spend with you. Spend only that. If you are not to be trusted, you can instead bring a camera and notebook with you and document what pretty things you see. If someone gives you a hard time, just say you are collecting information in hopes to write an article about shopping in the city. People love free publicity so they shouldn't give you a hard time as you take a picture of your friend wearing a ridiculous hat.

8) Visit your friends where they live. You'll save a ton on lodging and get to catch up. You do, however, have to bring them a great host gift for putting up with your broke butt sleeping on their couch.

9) Travel light and with a bag partially empty. This indirectly saves you money by not having to mail stuff home. Plus you won't use half of what you bring anyway.

10) Keep your driving to under 60 mph, and use cruise control when possible. I increased my normal gas mileage by 25% by doing this. You can also save gas money by doing some other things, as suggested in this article.

And above all...

11) Know when to splurge. If you really want to do something, you should make it happen. It may mean missing a dinner out or not going to the pub one night but you'll be glad you made a little sacrifice. I am forever regretting not paying $10 to go into the Coleseum in Rome. I was told it was overrated but I decided much too late that I wanted to find that out for myself. Remember: it is your vacation and if you're like me, you don't get many days like this. Enjoy!

As the holidays approach, please feel free to share your own money saving travel tips with other readers by commenting below. Happy travels, wherever they take you!

Picture of flier from http://www.hlslambda.com/OutLaw/index.htm

Momma Needs A New Set Of Wheels: Part 1

Two years ago, right before I was about to move to a place with no mass transit, I hit my car into a moose. I survived with no injuries but my car sacrificed itself completely. I loved that car.

So I had about two weeks to research cars and buy a car before my move in addition to getting ready to move. It was all very stressful. I hate shopping for cars no matter what and having to buy one quickly made the process even more painful. My father's friend ended up selling me a 2001 Subaru Forester at slightly above book value. It's silver and outdoorsy looking. It's all wheel drive is particularly useful in Maine winters. But I've never fallen in love with this car.

It's not a bad car but I'm not particularly attached to it. I've thought of getting rid of it since I've bought it. And with gas prices the way they are, well, going smaller is looking particularly good right now.

Thinking about new or used, hybrid or regular, car payment or cheap car I run into the ground are all making my head spin. I ran across this article at another finance blog about the cheapest new cars to own. Then I think I need to do some calculations about whether in my particular case a hybid car's fuel savings and tax breaks would be worth the extra costs up front. Then I will research how much a typical used car with 50,000 will cost me over the course of five years in maintenance, etc. Sounds like this will be a three part blog series!

And if anyone is out there reading this who knows about cars, feel free to pipe in with information and links. In the end, this may not even pan out but it's worth a little research anyway...