At the New York Times Travel show, WalletPop interviews a travel expert to South Africa about how to get to the FIFA World Cup in June, how to secure tickets, and what it will cost.

With two kids under five, going away for March Break just isn't an option for me this year. Judging by the number of people in my grocery store this morning, I'm in good company. If you're a fellow "staycationer" looking for ways to keep the kids busy on the cheap, check out some of the fun activities happening at these retail stores.

1. IKEA stores across Ontario are holding "IKEA Camp" all week. From 10 am to 2 pm every day, you and your kids can enjoy storytime, scavenger hunts, puppet shows, magicians, jugglers, and more. You can even get a free kids' meal with the purchase of an adult meal of $3 or more. Half a day's worth of activities, plus lunch, for $3? IKEA is really pulling out all the stops on this one.

2. Michaels craft stores often host free family craft activities in exchange for a small purchase. This week, your kids can make their own T-shirt at any Michaels store. You get free fashion paint and instruction with the purchase of a $3.50 T-shirt. Many Ontario stores are also holding Easter egg clinics this week. Buy a $7.00 egg to decorate in-store (instruction and decorating supplies are free), and take it home with you. It's not free, but I love when my kids learn something new while having fun, so it's worth $7.00 to me.

You've done the research. Picked out a shiny new phone that you've lusted after. Compared features until your eyeballs are ready to explode. Now comes the hard part; choosing a price plan.

If you know what you want and what kind of voice or data plan you can live with, myCELLmyTERMS.com is an almost painless way to shop for one. Several sites will help you compare Canadian price plans, but the newest kid on the block acts like a matchmaking service. It asks you to specify what you're looking for, and takes your wish list to a network of providers to find a plan that fits your needs.

Still in beta, the site covers Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia, but plans to add Quebec in mid-2010.

How It Works

Launched late in 2009, myCELLmyTERMS.com asks you to fill out an online questionnaire, then forwards your anonymous "proposal" to its network of dealers. You can initiate as many proposals as you want, and the site starts each with a template based on a chosen phone. Phones are arranged in five groups to help you find the type you want. You can add other phones you are willing to consider and can filter by manufacturer so you don't have to slog through a very long list of phones.

It also offers four groups of details to choose from: almost every feature offered by any carrier in Canada is here. If you're unsure about a feature, hovering over most options conveniently displays a short definition.

Spring may be in the air, but the breeze isn't scented with flowers just yet.

If you long to introduce your sniffer to some fresh fragrances, today's the day to get 40% off an online purchase from Fruits & Passion. Simply type in the code 40-17MAR at checkout, and the discount will be applied to the least expensive item in your basket.

You must be 18 years or older to partake of the deal, and the code cannot be applied to a gift card.

Timing can be everything. Last week, the BBC released a poll that said more than three quarters of people across the globe think that Internet access is a "fundamental right."

Ironically, it was the same week that about 3,000 community groups across Canada started receiving letters from Ottawa that told them it was winding down the Industry Canada Community Access Program that funds their Internet access.

Under new rules, organizations within 25 kilometres of a public library with Internet access would no longer be eligible for the Internet funding. Rural Canada, where downtown areas are small and community centres are often not far from local libraries, would be the hardest hit.

During the recession, these centres have been well-utilized by Canadians on the hunt for jobs and trying to upgrade their computer and Internet skills.

Someone who wants me to claim my free cruise has been leaving messages on my land line several times a week for months. Or maybe I've won multiple cruises and have a selection to choose from. I'm also way behind in claiming my last chance to get an extended warranty, before the current warranty expires, for my new car. Which is a 1996 Elantra station wagon with a rusty trailer hitch and a clutch that's on its last legs.

They all want me to call them back to claim my prize.

And, last weekend, I answered the phone and was told I'd entered a draw at a recent trade show. Apparently I'd won a "cruise for two" from them, too. That rang a bit of a bell, as I had filled out a draw ballot at the International Motorcycle Supershow in Toronto last month. Except, that draw was for a honking big SUV parked in front of the entrance to the women's washroom. Which would have been much better at hauling my motorcycle to track days than my four-cylinder Elantra with the failing clutch.

If there's a single board game that stands out as the quintessential family favourite, it has to be Monopoly. But did you ever stop and wonder which city it was actually based on? Believe it or not, Atlantic City, New Jersey is the town immortalized in street names like Pacific Avenue, Baltic and Boardwalk. Watch our video to get the lowdown on the original Monopoly Town.

Tax season. Time to gather up all those tiny bits of paper that employers, banks and various entities send to allow you to track what you spent and earned.

But are you making mistakes that cost you money when you file your income-tax return?

Here are seven of the most common mistakes we make (or deductions we overlook) every year at tax time:

Not filing. You'd think filing would be a no-brainer, yet many Canadians forget to file, neglect to file, or decide not to file for a variety of reasons. You might figure that since you didn't make much this year – say, less than the personal deduction threshold ($10,320 for 2009) – that you can skip filing. What you may not realize is that tax returns are used to trigger the GST/HST Credit and various child benefits – money you're entitled to! And don't forget: you can file for past years you missed, as well.

Health insurance. You took some personal time off and decided to go to the Dominican Republic. Did you buy health and travel insurance for it? The portion for health insurance might be deductible. If you have private health insurance, remember to claim only the personal portions. Unfortunately, vitamins and supplements are not deductible unless you got a doctor to prescribe them for you and picked them up from a pharmacist.

Moving expenses. If you moved 40 kilometres or more to be closer to work or school, you can claim some moving expenses. Make sure to keep all the paperwork – and keep it handy, too: this is the one class of expenses most likely to get your return audited.

Mommies-to-be can get stylish for Spring for less with a free $50 "Style Card" from chain store Thyme Maternity. All you have to do is spend $100 (before tax) between March 11 and April 3.

Then, redeem the Style Card between May 2 and May 17 when you spend another $100 (also before tax).

To summarize, you'll be spending $200 in total, but you'll get a bonus $50 of spending power.

And why not? Sure you've got a bun in the oven . . . but that doesn't mean the oven can't be the latest model.

Many of us are familiar with traditional forms of charity that involve donating money to a worthy cause, getting a receipt and then claiming a tax deduction the following year. This sort of generosity is to be admired, but it's not the only way we can use our savings to help others.

Over the past few years a great new method of providing others with financial aid has gained prominence: Micro-finance. The term at first can sound a little scary, like something you sleep through in the back row of an economics lecture, but it's actually quite a fun way to give, get involved and then get your money back. That's right - you get your money back.

Put simply, micro-finance is your chance to play the "little bank" to those around the world that need a small loan but do not qualify to borrow from the big banks. So how does it work?