You’ve been saving up those airline miles for a long time and you are ready to make all your effort and discipline pay off.  Can you be sure you are getting a worthwhile deal when you cash those hard-won miles in?

In general, there are two kinds of miles collectors: those who want to cash in their miles in a practical way, using them to help pay for standard domestic flights, and those who want to use their miles to help fund a dream vacation to far-flung places.

The key for both, but especially for those planning their dream escape, is flexibility.  How can you earn the most miles without restricting yourself to the prices and schedule of a single airline.

Airline alliances make it easier to earn frequent flier miles every time that you fly without having to rely on a single carrier.  There are three major alliances, One World, Sky Team, and the Star Alliance.  Member airlines of each alliance allow customers to earn frequent flier miles by flying on other airlines that are also alliance members.  Almost always (though not 100% of the time), it is possible to earn the same amount of miles by flying on an allied airline as you would on the airline whose loyalty program you belong to.

It is best to sign up for the frequent flier program with the airline that you will use for your dream vacation.  Which one should you choose? See the regional breakdown below.  If your chosen airline has a no-fee, miles earning credit card, sign up for it.  If there is a fee, you’ll have to decide if the benefits outweigh the yearly fee.  If there is no card, or if the annual fees are unreasonably high, opt for an American Express or Discover card that earns at least one mile per dollar spent.  If you plan to fly internationally, American Express cards are the safest option, as their miles are accepted by major international carriers.

The most common mistake miles-savers make is neglecting to keep track of their frequent flier account.  Some fliers forget to input their number while booking or checking in, and others never check their statements to make sure that miles have been properly added to their account (mistakes are quite common).

Which airline should you choose to use its frequent flier miles?  With 26 members, the Star Alliance is, by far, the most far-reaching alliance.  Airlines operating under the Star umbrella include United, US Airways and Continental.  Major industry players like Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, South African Airways and Air New Zealand are also part of the alliance, and give it a truly global reach.

That said, some of the largest airlines with the farthest reach are not part of the Star Alliance.  In the end, your airline of choice depends on your destination.

Europe

There are plenty of choices for trans-Atlantic flights.  European low-cost-carriers (such as Ryanair and Easyjet), which are even cheaper than their American peers, make it possible to fly between European cities easily.  That means that it is not necessary to choose the national carrier of the country that you plan to visit.  Air France and KLM are part of the Sky Team Alliance with Delta, the largest domestic carrier in the US.  That means would-be Europe visitors can earn miles on domestic flights and apply them to their Air France or KLM tickets.  Both Paris and Amsterdam (respective hubs of the two aforementioned carriers) are great entry points into Europe.  Connecting flights on low-cost-carriers are cheap and easy to come by.

An alternative is Virgin Atlantic, which is currently not part of an alliance, but offers cheap flights to Europe (and beyond) and has a generous credit card that offers 1.5 miles per dollar spent, rather than the typical $1 per mile offered by other cards.

Africa

Virgin Atlantic also code shares with other airlines, making it possible to reach more remote destinations in Africa and the Middle East for reasonably low prices.  It is a viable option, though Star Alliance airlines like South African Airlines and EgyptAir offer reasonably priced flights to the two most popular destinations on the continent.

Asia and Australia

Qantas Airlines, Australia’s national carrier, is part of the Oneworld Alliance, and is the best (sometimes the only) choice for people headed Down Under.  As in Europe, low-cost-carriers are a part of the air travel landscape in East Asia.  This means that traveling to entry points like Hong Kong or Singapore (on Cathay Pacific – Oneworld and Singapore Airlines – Star Alliance) will be the most expensive part of the trip.  To make your miles go the farthest, use them on the trans-Pacific part of your journey, then rely on code-sharing flights or LCCs like AirAsia to get to your final destination.

Americas

Major gateways to the Caribbean and South America are Houston Intercontinental Airport and Miami International.  These are major hubs for Continental Airlines and American Airlines, respectively.  If you combine these airlines’ domestic frequent flier programs with their miles earning credit cards, they are the best bang for your buck if you want to travel anywhere in the Americas outside of the US.

New York City is the most popular tourist destination in the USA and one of the most exciting cities in the world. This city which is often referred to as ‘the city that never sleeps’ and ‘ the center of the universe’ is chock a block with numerous attractions which draw hordes of camera totting tourists every year. However many of the famous New York City attractions sport hefty admission charges which can rapidly decimate a vacation sight-seeing budget and the only way to avoid this scenario is to use some of the tips and tricks mentioned below to obtain your entire New York City experience for ‘free’.

Get your requisite dose of culture at New York City’s many museums on ‘free museum nights’.

New York City is home to nearly 80 world famous museum. Most of these New York  museums have hefty admission charges though  the Metropolitan Museum of Art,  the American Museum of Natural History and theMuseum of the City of New York follow a ‘pay as you wish’ policy with the suggested admissions priced between $10 to $20 .
The Whitney Museum of American Art follows a ‘pay as you wish policy’ on Friday evenings from 6pm to 9pm. The Museum of Modern Art offers free admission sponsored by Target on Fridays between 4pm and 8pm and offers free admission for children under  16 at all times while The Children’s Museum of Manhattan offers free admission sponsored by Target on the First Friday of every month from 5pm to 8pm. Similarly the Guggenheim Museum offers a ‘pay as you wish policy’ on Saturdays from 5.45pm to 7.45pm and the Brooklyn Museum offers Target Free First Saturdays from 5pm to 11pm where thousands of visitors enjoy free art and entertainment at the museum.
The annual Museum Mile Festival which celebrates the nine New York City museums which are  located along Fifth Avenue from 82nd Street to 104th street is usually held in June and offers free admission to these museums along with music, dance and entertainment programs.

Bank of America offers its cardholders free admission to New York City Museums through its ‘Museums on Us’ program. This program allows Bank of America cardholders free admission during the first full weekend of every month at the Met, the Bronx Zoo, the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, the New York Aquarium and the Whitney Museum of American Art.Additionally you can also immerse yourself in American History everyday at the Museum of the American Indian which is located in downtown Manhattan and which offers free admission at all times and the Queens County Farm Museum which is housed in a historic homestead on the only working historical farm in  New York City charges admission only for special events but is free on most days.

Feast your eyes on the gorgeous vistas of the New York City Skyline

New York City’s skyscraper speckled skyline is renowned the world over and one of  the best way to enjoy the views of the skyline and the landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island  for free is to take a ride on the free public commuter Staten Island ferry that plies round the clock between the Whitehall Street terminal in downtown Manhattan to St George on Staten Island.

Explore New York City’s Gardens and the Bronx Zoo for Free

The Brooklyn Botanic Gardens are free of admission charges on Tuesdays from 8am to 6 pm; seniors additionally enjoy free access to the gardens on Fridays as well though the garden also offers free access to all visitors on Saturdays from 10am to noon unless there are special events scheduled in the gardens. Free access days are also offered during week days during the freezing New York City winters. Similarly the New York Botanical Gardens which are located in the Bronx offer free grounds admission for everyone all day on Wednesdays and from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturdays. The Wave Hill Gardens which are located on a 28 acre former estate overlooking the Hudson River in the Bronx and feature greenhouses and gardens offer free access all day on Tuesdays during the off peak months and restricted free access during the peak summer months from May to October.

On Wednesdays, the animal wonderland of the Bronx Zoo ,the largest metropolitan zoo in the United States that encompasses 265 acres of verdant park lands and other naturalistic habitats and  has the  Bronx River flowing through it ,offers admission by ‘pay-what-you-wish‘ donation all day from10 am to 4:30 pm.

Tour the Grand Central Terminal for Free

Grand Central Terminal which is one of New York City’s main commuter rail stations and the biggest station in the world by the number of platforms is located in a gorgeous Beaux Arts building on East 42nd Street between Lexington and Park Avenues. Learn about the history of this stunning New York City landmark by taking a free guided tour of Grand Central Terminal and its surrounding neighborhoods. This free 90 minute walking tour is offered on Fridays all throughout the year and is sponsored by the Grand Central Partnership and the Altria Group. The tour kicks off at 12.30pm from the Sculpture Court of the Whitney Museum at Altria on East 42nd Street across from Grand Central.

Discover Nature’s glorious bounties at the Union Square Green Market

The Union Square Green Market is New York City’s premier farmer’s market that is held all year round on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 8am until 6pm at Union Square located between 14th Street and 17th Streets. Celebrity chefs, local restaurateurs, home cooks and enthusiastic foodies head religiously to this outdoor market to procure  seasonal fresh produce, meats, freshly baked breads and other confectioneries, juices , syrups, cheeses, jams, honeys, butters that are on offer. All the products sold at this superb market are sourced from local farmers, bakers and producers who are always on hand to interact and offer samples to the crowds that throng the market.

Feast your eyes on the NY Fed Gold Vault

The New York Federal Reserve Bank offers free tours of its facilities through one hour long guided tours. These tours are offered free every day of the week excepting for bank holidays. However in order to reserve a tour you have to register on the New York Federal Reserve’s website at least a month in advance.

Revel in the free entertainment on offer in New York City’s Parks

New York City’s iconic patch of green, Central Park is a hub of activity especially during the summer months when if offers free public performances in the park like Shakespeare in the Park, Central Park Summer Stage and  The Good Morning America Summer Concerts which are held in various areas of this vast park.  Yet another park in the city, Bryant Park which is located in the shadow of the imposing, beaux-arts building that houses the New York Public Library on 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue offers free movies on its premises in the summers in the form of the HBO Bryant Park Summer Film Festival. During the winter months Bryant Park offers free ice skating on ‘the Pond’ and a holiday shopping market.  Similar programs are also offered at the city’s other parks like the Brooklyn Bridge Park, Prospect Park and the Battery Park Esplanade.

Flex your muscles as you go kayaking on the Hudson River

The New York City Downtown Boathouse is a volunteer organization that is located in the Hudson River Park along the Hudson River. The Boathouse has three locations in Manhattan at Pier 40 at Houston Street, Pier 96 at 56th Street, 72nd Street in Riverside Park and offers free kayaking facilities during the summer months.

Dine for free at New York City Bars

New York City’s pulsating nightlife is legendary but few know that several New York City bars actually offer substantial free nibbles with their drinks. Most of these free snack deals are offered during ‘the happy hours’ which are usually between 5pm and 7pm.These ‘happy hour munchies’ deals can be found at bars like the Alligator Lounge and the Charleston both of which are located in Williamsburg in Brooklyn and offer pizzas with their drinks. At all the three downtown locations of the wine bar, Tarallucci & Vino which offer mini pizzas, olives, and wedges of quiche as accompaniments to drinks, El Cantinero   in Greenwich Village which offers a free buffet with its drinks, the bar called Spain on West 13th street which offers free tapas during happy hour and Rudy’s Bar and Grill in Hell’s Kitchen which offers free hot dogs with its drinks. For a daily listing of Happy Hour deals at New York’s bars do check out the website happyhoured.com which also has an application for the iphone.

Pander to your shopaholic tendencies at New York City’s famous flea and street markets

Summer street fairs are yet another New York City tradition. During the lazy summer weekends, entire streets in the city are pedestrianized as they host various vendors who hawk food, clothes, myriad arte facts and more at these bustling summer street fairs. Aside from these street fairs NYC has permanent flea markets like the Brooklyn Flea which is open every warm weather weekend in Fort Greene on Saturdays and in DUMBO on Sundays but goes indoors at One Hanson Place at the corner of Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn during the winter months. Yet another permanent flea market in NYC is the Hell’s Kitchen Flea Market which is held all year round at West 39th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues which features more than 170 vendors who sell antiques, collectibles, vintage clothing, home decorations and furniture, jewelry, and much  more.’

An amazing deal is available this spring aboard OpenSkies, a premium service airline. Including all taxes and fees, the roundtrip fare is $1,596, which is more than $2,000 off competitors’ business-class fares this spring. OpenSkies offers a unique overseas flying experience, with no more than 84 passengers on each flight.

Book by March 24 for roundtrip travel from March 29 through December this year and enjoy gourmet French cuisine, award-winning wine selections and a personal entertainment system with more than 50 hours of on-demand programming. Relax in a BIZ SEAT, which reclines 140 degrees and provides plenty of legroom while you fly!

In late March or early April of each year, thousands of cherry blossom trees bloom in our nation’s capital, marking the arrival of spring. To admire the beautiful pink and white blossoms and take part in an array of festivities, one million visitors attend the 16-day National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington DC. This year’s festival marks the 98th anniversary of Tokyo’s gift of 3000 cherry blossom trees to Washington D.C.

The National Cherry Blossom festival is a city-wide celebration that consists of over 90 special events and approximately 200 cultural performances. Featuring everything from sporting events to art exhibits to storytelling performances, the National Cherry Blossom Festival provides something for everyone.

Last week, the National Park Service predicted that the cherry blossoms would bloom on schedule for the 2010 National Cherry Blossom Festival. The blooming is expected to take place anytime between March 31 and April 11. If the prediction is accurate, this year will be the 10th year in a row that the blossoms have bloomed on schedule.

When

The 2010 National Cherry Blossom Festival will run from March 27 to April 11. Bear in mind that the cherry blossoms don’t always bloom by the time the festival starts. If you’re going to the festival as a family, try to get there by opening day, as it is also Family Day. There are many free festivities to enjoy on Family Day.

Where

Although the festival is city-wide, the cherry blossom trees are located in the area that surrounds the Jefferson Memorial and the Tidal Basin. The walk around the Tidal Basin’s perimeter is 1.5 miles long. To enjoy the scenic stroll around the Tidal Basin at a leisurely pace before the crowds arrive, try to get there at around 8am.

Events Schedule

Saturday, March 27 – Family Day and Opening Ceremony
Saturday, March 27 to Sunday, April 11 – Daily Cultural Performances at the Sylvan Theatre (Target Stage)
Friday, April 2 – Cherry Blast: A Night of Contemporary Art + Music
Saturday, April 3 – Fireworks Show
Sunday, April 4 – Lantern Lighting Ceremony
Thursday, April 8 – Gala Dinner Cruise on the Odyssey
Saturday, April 10 – National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade, Sakura Matsuri (Japanese Street Festival)
Sunday, April 11 – Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run

Washington DC Hotel Deals on Best Travel Deals

Zoo Package at Omni Shoreham Hotel – Prices from $180
Day at the Museum Package at the Four Seasons Hotel – Prices from $595
Weekend Sale with $50 Gift Card from Marriott International – Prices from $139
Bed and Breakfast Package at the Omni Shoreham Hotel – Prices from $151
Comfy Comforts Package at the Liaison Capitol Hill – Prices from $119

Today is International Women’s Day; its origins trace back to protests in US and Europe to honor and fight for the political rights for working women. The month of March has been declared the National Women’s history month and with school breaks it’s a great time to combine a weekend trip and a history lesson.

Arizona Women’s Heritage Trail

Arizona Women’s Heritage Trail will document the multicultural layers of women’s experiences — personal, social, political, and economic – in the land now known as Arizona. The Trail will encourage public awareness of women’s presence in, and contributions to, the Southwest and the nation.

Autry National Center of the American West, Boulder, CO

The Women of the West Museum is part of the ANCAW’s exploration of the experiences and perceptions of the diverse peoples of the American West, connecting the past with the present to inform our shared future.

Boston Women’s Heritage Trail

Boston Women’s Heritage Trail tells the diverse and remarkable stories of some of Boston’s female patriots, intellectuals, abolitionists, suffragists, artists and writers spanning four centuries, and forever weaves Boston women back into the fabric of the “city upon a hill.”

International Museum of Women (I.M.O.W.), San Francisco CA

International Museum of Women (I.M.O.W.) has an ambitious mission: to value the lives of women around the world.

Maryland Women’s Heritage Center

Maryland Women’s Heritage Center’s mission is to preserve the past, understand the present, and shape the future by recognizing, respecting, and transmitting the experiences and contributions of Maryland women and girls.

Molly Brown House Museum, Denver, CO

Molly Brown House Museum’s mission is to accurately portray the story of Margaret Tobin Brown, who was a witness and an active agent in the profound changes caused by industrialization, technological innovations, social reform movements and the shifting role of women during the first decades of the 20th century.

National Collaborative of Women’s History Sites

National Collaborative of Women’s History Sites supports and promotes the preservation and interpretation of sites and locales that bear witness to women’s participation in American life. The Collaborative makes women’s contributions to history visible so that all women’s experiences and potential are fully valued.

Women’s Rights National Historical Park, Seneca Falls.

Historic Resource Study, Major historic narrative, bibliographical study, and cultural resource survey, resulting in a new National Register nomination for Women’s Rights National Historical Park. Funded by National Park Service.

Clara Barton National Historic Site museum, Glen Echo, MD

Join the National Park Service for a free special event in honor of both Women’s History Month and Red Cross Month at Clara Barton National Historic Site on Sunday, March 21, from 12:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Reserve your spot to enjoy a performance of ―Clara Barton: Red Cross Angel,‖ a solo, interactive, and fun play by award-winning Actor Mary Ann Jung, which will be held from 2:00-3:00 p.m.

San Diego Women’s Museum and Educational Center’s, San Diego, CA

San Diego Women’s Museum and Educational Center’s mission is to educate and inspire present and future generations about the experience and contributions of women, collecting, preserving, and interpreting the evidence of that experience.

Sewall-Belmont House and Museum, Washington DC

Sewall-Belmont House and Museum explores the evolving role of women and their contributions to society through the continuing, and often untold, story of women’s pursuit for equality.

Women at Work Museum

Women at Work Museum honors the achievements of women throughout history, provide educational programs that promote leadership, economic independence, and expertise in math, science, engineering and technology, and recognize the efforts of individuals and organizations that support equity in education and in the workplace.

Women’s Museum: An Institute for the Future, Dallas, TX

Women’s Museum: An Institute for the Future brings to life the voices, talents, achievements, aspirations and stories of women of the past, present and future, and provides a home for programs and exhibits where people can honor the past and explore the contributions of women throughout history.

March Highlights in US Women’s History

• March 1, 1978 – Women’s History Week is first observed in Sonoma County, California
• March 1, 1987 – A Congressional resolution designating March as Women’s History Month is passed
• March 4, 1917 – Jeannette Rankin (R-MT) took her seat as the first female member of Congress
• March 8 – International Women’s Day; its origins trace back to protests in US and Europe to honor and fight for the political rights for working women
• March 11, 1993 – Janet Reno is confirmed as the first woman U.S. Attorney General
• March 12, 1912 – Juliette Gordon Low assembled 18 girls together in Savannah, Georgia, for the first-ever Girl Scout meeting
• March 13, 1986 – Susan Butcher won the first of 3 straight and 4 total Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Races in Alaska
• March 17, 1910 – Camp Fire Girls is established as the first American interracial, non-sectarian organization for girls
• March 20, 1852 – Harriet Beecher Stowe’s novel, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” is published and becomes the best-selling book of the 19 th century
• March 21, 1986 – Debi Thomas becomes first African American woman to win the World Figure Skating Championship
• March 23, 1917 – Virginia Woolf establishes the Hogarth Press with her husband, Leonard Woolf
• Mar 31, 1888 – The National Council of Women of the U.S. is organized by Susan B. Anthony, Clara Barton, Julia Ward Howe, and Sojourner Truth, among others; it is the oldest non-sectarian women’s organization in U.S.
• Mar 31, 1776 – Abigail Adams writes to her husband John who is helping to frame the Declaration of Independence: “Remember the ladies…”

d. schwen

Saint Louis has more free activities that any other city in the US, save Washington DC.  While it does not usually rank among the most desirable domestic tourist destinations, it does hold some surprises.  There’s the beer, of course, and sites left over from the early days of the Midwest’s history.  But the real magic can be found in the city’s more modern attractions.  Saint Louis is one of the last remaining cities where zoos and museums are free every day of the year.

Add to this mix of freebies gardens, public art and parties and you can enjoy an exciting vacation without ever having to crack open your wallet.

Here are ten great activities in Saint Louis that won’t cost you a penny.
1. The Saint Louis Zoo is recognized as one of the premiere zoos in the US.  There are more than 5,000 animals on display, representing 700-plus species.  It is, arguably, the best zoo in the country that doesn’t charge admission (though the adjoining Children’s Zoo is $4 per person).  Popular residents include elephants, lions, primates, penguins and butterflies.

2. The Muny Outdoor Theater is a summertime institution in Saint Louis.  It bills itself as the largest and oldest outdoor theater in the United States.  Broadway shows are the most common type of performance, with Cats, Titanic – the Musical, Beauty and the Beast, and Damn Yankees among the 2010 offerings.  There are 1,500 free seats for each performance.  They are awarded on a first come, first served basis (doors open at seven p.m., but it is best to get in line earlier to assure yourself of a seat).  Hate standing in line more than spending money? Tickets are for sale on the Muny web site.

3. The un-ignorable Gateway Arch is the most prominent piece of public art in Saint Louis, but it is not the only one.  The Saint Louis Public Art Consortium maintains a list and map of the best public art installations in Saint Louis.  Bronze statues can be found at University Park and the Saint Louis University, and more modern sculptures and art installations are located in other public places around the city (including the metro transit stations).

4. Few people outside of the Saint Louis area know that it hosts the second largest Mardi Gras party in the US, after New Orleans, of course.  The festivities are centered in the Soulard area, just outside of Downtown Saint Louis.  There are plenty of different parades that take place in the days leading up to Fat Tuesday.  These range from kid-friendly events with floats and prizes to more fleshly bead tossing bacchanals that are strictly adults only.  Mardi Gras makes Saint Louis a good late-winter destination.

5.  Budweiser might be the king of beers, but beer enthusiasts always seek more flavorful options.  There are other breweries in the city besides the one producing “the king of beers.”  Schlafly Brewery makes a popular line of micro-brews and, better yet, offers free tours of their facility that culminate in the sampling of several of their most popular beers.  Tours take place hourly between 12 and 5 p.m. every weekend afternoon.

6. The Saint Louis Museum of Art is another high-brow attraction that does not charge admission.  The rather imposing building and the grounds, with statues and fountains, are as impressive as the galleries.  The highlights of the exhibit halls include Egyptian artifacts, a collection of impressionist paintings and a collection of historic African and Native American art.  Admission is free, but there is a charge to enter some featured exhibits.  However, all exhibits are free each Friday.

7.  Despite what you might think of its flavor (or lack thereof) Budweiser is the most famous beer in the US.  Even non-beer-drinkers can appreciate the Anheuser-Busch brewery tours because of the architecture and history of the brewery compound.  Yes, the tour even passes through the famous stables where the Budweiser Clydesdales are kept.  Of-age tourists can sample the famous breweries products at the end of the tour.  Tours are offered seven days a week.

8. Union Station in Saint Louis is worth a visit even if you do not plan to take a train.  Built in 1890, its vaulted ceilings and the intricate decorations that adorn the walls are stunning, even by today’ standards.  There is also stained glass, a clock tower and an expansive train shed.  The station is definitely a place to bring your camera.

9. The general exhibit hall at the Saint Louis Science Center is free (though there are numerous additional attractions, such as a Lego exhibit and an OmniMax Theater, that charge admission).  The most popular features include dinosaurs, a hands-on/high-tech “Cyberville” exhibit and activities that explore engineering and flight.

10. Laumeier Sculpture Park offers visitors a chance to see some of the best outdoor art in the city without having to travel from site to site (see #3 above).   Aside from works made from metal or stone, there are other media represented as well.

Value is the new green. Consumers are still interested in saving the environment but the incessant bad news about the economy has changed everything. Now being frugal is fashionable and excessive consumption is out.

Value doesn’t necessarily mean the least expensive but reasonable quality at an affordable price. And value seems to be across all socio economic levels. It’s not just about saving money but is socially responsible spending. It’s about living within your means and not borrowing or spending more than you earn.

So what’s a cash strapped family to do when it comes to vacation? We’ve put together a list of 30 ways to pay for your vacation by cutting out spending that doesn’t add value to your life in order to afford a vacation that will recharge your batteries and bring you closer to your loved ones. True value indeed.

1. Have a garage sale. Or two.

2. Stop smoking, one pack a day will cost $1600 or more a year.

3. Don’t eat meat twice a week. When we were kids, a trip to Europe was a big thing. I had a friend whose family wasn’t wealthy and the way they saved up to go was by changing to powdered milk (instead of fresh).

4. Cut out the latte or specialty coffee. Instead, make coffee at home and bring it in a reusable travel cup. It’s good for your wallet and the environment.

5. Pack your lunch – this can save you up to $1000 / year.

6. Get a short-term second job.

7. Stop buying name brand toiletries and start buying in bulk. Costco has some great deals. Go with a friend and split the oversize packages.

8. Instead of buying that book or DVD, borrow it for free from the local library. Yearly savings: $200

9. Buy the least expensive gas. Generally there’s at least one gas station in town that’s 10 cents less a gallon than the other stations. If you purchase 20 gallons per week, that’s $104/year.

10. Turn the lights off and unplug appliances that aren’t in use. If you can’t unplug the appliances, buy a Smart Power Strip which stops drawing power when the appliance isn’t in use. The device will pay for itself within a few months.

11. Canceling gym memberships for the summer months- exercise outdoors instead- you can save at $20+a month depending on the gym.

12. Get to your own bank for all your ATM transactions. Most foreign bank transactions are at least $1.50 per transaction.

13. As your light bulbs need to be replaced, put in compact fluorescent bulbs. They last longer and save $60 in electricity costs over their lifetime. That’s PER bulb.

14. Turn down the heat or AC. For every degree you can save up to 5%
on your bill.

15. Set your washer to cold and save 50% of the cost to heat the water. Only partially dry your clothes and hang them to complete drying. Or put up a clothes line in the summer.

16. Book a package, shop for a deal. Bundling air, hotel and rental car will usually save over booking each individually.

17. Really low on funds this year? Vacation close to home. You’ll save on airfare and possibly hotel rates if you live in a tourist area. Many of us haven’t visited the top tourist attractions in our own hometowns.

18. Consider camping. Although with budget cutbacks, reservations may be tough to get. Book early.

19. Consider staying in a hostel that offers private rooms for couples or families.

20. Consider houseswapping. Instead of paying a hotel bill, swap your house with another family and have all the comforts of home plus the added bonus of being able to save on meals.

21. Drop the land line. You can generally save at least $50/month. Most people have cell phones that they use all the time anyway.

22. Not ready to drop the land line? Can you live without caller id, voice mail and call waiting? Typically these charges are $10, $20 or more per month.

23. Drop the premium channels or cable altogether. That adds up to another $50 or more per month.

24. Cook at home more often. Eating out, even drive through fast food, really adds up, both in dollars and calories.

25. Plan your meals to maximize use of ingredients. Plan your grocery shopping and go as seldom as possible. You’ll save by not buying impulsively.

26. Most towns have a clipper magazine or entertainment book. Use the coupons to save on your meals out.

27. Use coupons for grocery purchases, restaurants and even travel.

28. Before you buy anything, go online and search for “product” coupon code or promo code. Typically you can find savings from 5% – 25%.

29. Carpool. It saves on gas and wear and tear on your car.

30. Sign up for free deal alerts that can be sent to your email or phone.