vacation posts

Do you dream of winning the lottery to be able to live like the celebrities?

I remember watching the series Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, wanting the chance to visit that lush island resort or being able to step foot in that expensive big city hotel.

For the one per cent, the red carpet is always rolled out to welcome them and their Louis Vuitton wallets. But what about the 99 per cent?

Luxury destinations don't have to be out of reach - and there's several tips to be able to make those dreams become reality.

For those who thought this winter would be another cold terror - think again.

Its been unseasonably warm for many of us across Canada - and the desire to flee into the sun has been lessened by temps hovering at zero and the lack of blizzards.

But what about the ski and snowboard crowd? For them, this winter so far has been a disappointment. All that new gear brought by Santa has so far seen little action.

But if you're willing to travel - there's a few spots that the snow has indeed made it on to the mountain.

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There's something strangely satisfying and less stressful about flying with only carry-on luggage.

The first snicker of satisfaction comes when you arrive at the airport with your boarding pass already printed off the internet and breeze past the line of people waiting to check in their bags. The second is knowing that you've avoided paying check-in baggage fees (this is not so much an issue on Canadian airlines, but you really need to watch out for them in the U.S. or on budget airlines around the world -- they hurt. Ouch!) Third is knowing that the airline won't lose your luggage (it's a slim chance, but it does happen.) And fourth is being able to walk straight off the plane, past those waiting for the baggage conveyor belt to start up, and straight out of the airport.

Before you say that there's no way you could fit everything you need into your carry-on, read on.

Can you still find a deal for holiday travel?

For many of us, its not just about finding the right gift for a family member or a close friend, its also about travelling to a destination during the busy festive season.

Although finding a flight or a train ticket may not be impossible, the price in December can be frightful. There are still some deals to be had through Expedia.ca or Travelocity.ca, if you can be flexible about timing.

But there are other ways to save some money and keep your budget in check during the holiday season, and maybe even benefit others, thanks to some hotel promotions now available.

Fun, sun, debt. As the weather turns gloomy many of us are casting our eyes towards winter holidays. Mixed in with the excitement though is the stomach-turning thought that airfares, hotels, and car rentals will linger on our credit card statements until well into next summer. Fun with your spouse and kids doesn't need to come with a heavy dollop of financial stress. You can have the holiday you want and deserve by being smart and savvy. Here are a few simple tips to get you started:

Travel outside main vacation periods
If you have school-aged children, you're pretty much stuck with Christmas holidays and March break but if you've got infants, toddlers or kids who are often suspended look to off-peak periods when the best deals can be found. Florida in April is at least 20% cheaper and you've got a better chance of basking in consistently fantastic weather when spring in Canada has not yet sprung.

Look into travel benefits through your company
One of the real benefits to giant corporate globalism is the rise of travel benefits for the everyman and woman. Often big companies will negotiate preferred rates with hotel chains and car rental agencies - and you don't have to be traveling for business to take advantage. Sometimes corporate credit cards, such as the RBC Avion card, will allow you to collect rewards points and they will often cover car rental insurance too.

Whether its a business trip or a week-long vacation, its becoming rare for many of us to walk in the doors of a travel agency and work with a travel agent.

According to a recent survey by Swedish travel website Tripl, social media is rapidly changing the way we view travel. Tripl's Social Travel Revolution analyzed how travelers using Facebook and Twitter, as well as how access to the internet is changing.

The numbers reveal that we're all getting more connected, checking our fave social media sites and more than likely to do it from a mobile phone than any other electronic accessory. According to Tripl, 72 per cent of us access social media daily when we're traveling.

But does that preclude expert advice?

Planning a road trip? It's the summer obsession to take to the highway and head out with the wind in your hair.

But with gas prices high and everyone trying to keep costs within the budget, its good to do a little planning.

Smart drivers know there are a few tricks to keeping the costs down; road tripping to their fave summer destination doesn't have to max out the credit card.

So dear drivers, here's a few tips to keep the gas use to a minimum and still visit the open road:

1. Unless you're the owner of an A list luxury vehicle, premium gas isn't necessary - choose the low octane gas and save money with each litre.

Emerson emailed me looking for some financial assistance. He's self-employed, single and his annual income hovers around the $55,000 mark, although it fluctuates radically from month to month.

He's stressed about his finances as, in his words, "It's always gone before I even receive it". To figure out the mystery of his missing money, I had him take my 30-day anti-budget challenge. He agreed to track every dollar he was spending over a 30-day period and we sat down to figure out where his money was going. I also poured over his bank and credit card statements for the past year. One of the main culprits gobbling up his disposable income? Hidden fees that amounted to a trip or two a year if he had been aware of them.

Read on to see if you're making the same mistakes as Emerson and something as simple as not paying attention to the fees you pay could be standing in the way of your next vacation and more!

Whenever you head to a far-off destination, your unoccupied home becomes an easy target for burglars.

Not to worry -- as the old saying goes, 'The best offense is a good defense.'

New security technology, trusted neighbours, and plain common sense will all help to fool those pesky thieves.

Following these few simple steps will protect not only your home and your valuables, but also your peace of mind.

Lock Your Doors

It's a no-brainer, but 50 per cent of all break-ins occur as a result of unlocked doors.

Not just any lock will do. Burglars look for weak locks that they can break with force. Use deadbolts with a one-inch throw bolt on all exterior doors.

Now that you've got the right locks on your doors, you need to know how to protect your keys.