The GypsyNesters

5 Easy Ways to Get Cheap Train Tickets in the UK

If you’re touring the UK and don’t have or want to rent a car, traveling by train is one of the best ways to get around. Not only is it fun, but it’s also pretty easy… CONTINUE READING >>

If you’re touring the UK and don’t have or want to rent a car, traveling by train is one of the best ways to get around.

Not only is it fun to see the countryside and cities pass by, but it’s also pretty easy to book a ticket and go anywhere you want.

Although it’s certainly cheaper than flying, train tickets can take away a lot of your money, especially if you’re planning to use the train several times.

Here are a few tips to get you cheaper train tickets so you can save and spend more while exploring.

Always Book in Advance

While it’s pretty obvious that booking in advance for a seat will likely get you a cheaper ticket, most people forget to consider it. Booking a week or two earlier for shorter train paths is usually a good idea.

For long journeys, however, booking at least a month early can save a significant amount. In some cases, it can be the difference between a £100 ticket to a £20 ticket. The train route and traveling time are also big factors.

Check Alternate Routes

If you can’t find any cheap train tickets, it might be time to look at a different route. For instance, if you’re traveling directly to the center of a city where all the tourist attractions are, the train ticket will be more expensive than if you choose a route that’s a bit further away or leaves you in a separate part of the city.

Since train ticket prices largely depend on demand, you can find cheaper train tickets easily in less popular destinations. You can easily find cheap London to Edinburgh train tickets.

Don’t Travel at Peak Hours

If you don’t have time to book a ticket in advance, then it’s best to keep track of when you travel. Traveling off-peak when there’s not a lot of traffic is significantly cheaper than traveling at peak times.

Off-peak times are usually around 10 am to 4 pm or after 8 pm. Some train stations charge even lower for super off-peak times so be on the lookout for that.

Be Flexible When You Travel

Although open return tickets allow you to be flexible on the train you decide to travel back on, they can be very expensive. If you can decide on a set time and place to travel, you can save a lot of money buying one-way tickets that are only valid on specific trains.

The only disadvantage here is that if you’re late or somehow miss the train, you’ll have to buy another ticket. But if you’re careful and have a defined travel plan, it shouldn’t be a problem.

Buy a Railcard

If you need to take several trips by train or your regular commute involves traveling on a train, then buying a railcard can save you some significant funds.

Railcards typically cost £20 if you’re buying them for a year, or £70 for three years. They can save you around ⅓ of the price of regular train tickets.

Should Travelers Get an Air Fryer

If you travel for a long time and you are a little fed up with eating out all the time it is worth considering buying an air fryer…
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If you are a digital nomad who is spending more than a month in one place or you are discovering our beautiful world with an RV, it is definitely a good idea to get an air fryer.

It is small. Fits everywhere

If you buy a small air fryer, it will fit very easily in any room, kitchen, or RV. I would buy an air fryer that holds up to 2 quarts if you want to be on the safe side regarding size. You can also get an air fryer that is 1 quart, but in my opinion, that is way too small, so the golden middle road for a small air fryer is 2 quarts. It will fit in your bedroom if you don’t have a kitchen at the moment, and you can cook many many recipes with this handy little machine.

It saves you money

First of all, it can get quite pricey to eat out every day, even if you travel to lower income countries. If you stay at a place long-term that doesn’t have a proper kitchen, then an air fryer can save you a lot of money. You will save on splurging money while eating out. Also, an air fryer consumes less electricity than an oven. And lastly, you can get one for less than 50 bucks.

It is easy to use and very fast

Initially, the air fryer served as a sort of deep fryer replacement. And while that was fantastic, it wasn’t enough to persuade most people that they needed one since few people regularly use deep fryers at home. We all would like to cook more frequently these days, but we just don’t have the time to do it. Because of this, even though we are aware of how unhealthy ready meals and takeaways are, they are so popular. Would you rather order takeout if you could cook foods like steak or chicken wings in the air fryer in less than 20 minutes?

Well, with an air fryer, it is possible for sure, because it can heat up to a very high temperature in no time and then push the hot air into the food, which means it can fry your foods rapidly.

It is healthy

The possibility of healthier cooking is the single most significant factor for the majority of people purchasing an air fryer. This is the ideal way to swap unhealthy deep-fried foods for healthier ones because it uses very little oil in the cooking process. The amount of oil you use is significantly less, but you still need to spray fried foods like chicken schnitzel or french fries with a little oil so the breading gets evenly crispy while it cooks.

Since it only needs 1-2 tablespoon of oil you can use the best oils since you won’t use that much. But in most cases it doesn’t need any oil to cook your food

Conclusion

So as you can see if you travel for a long time and you are a little fed up with eating out all the time it is worth considering buying an air fryer.

Check Out What Fun Activities Fort Lauderdale Has to Offer

Fort Lauderdale offers plenty of activities, from beaches and parks to museums and theaters. You’re sure to find something that interests you…
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If you’re looking for something fun to do in Fort Lauderdale, look no further. This city offers plenty of activities, from beaches and parks to museums and theaters. You’re sure to find something that interests you. So get out there and explore all that Lauderdale has to offer.

Deep Sea Offshore Fishing

Many charter companies offer this service, so you’re sure to find one that’s right for you. Offshore fishing is a great way to relax and enjoy the beautiful Florida waters. You can also catch fantastic fish, such as tuna, mahi mahi, and swordfish.

Generally, charter companies will provide everything you need for a successful day of fishing, including bait, tackle, and licenses. Some companies even offer food and drink aboard their boats. All you need to bring is your sunscreen and hat.

Take a Boat Tour

Fort Lauderdale is known for its canals, so what better way to see the city than from a boat? Many boat tour companies offer a variety of tours, from sightseeing to dinner cruises. You’re sure to find a tour that’s perfect for you.

Some reliable boat rental companies can provide you with everything you need for a great day on the water, including boats, safety gear, and maps. All you need to target the best possible company is to look for some good reviews online. A good pontoon boat rental fort lauderdale, FL company, will have many satisfied customers. Go through the website to gather information on tour options and rental rates. Look also at the nature of their operations.

Visit the Beaches

The city has some of the best beaches in Florida, so you’re sure to find one perfect for you. Whether you want to relax on the sand or dip in the water, there’s a beach for you. And don’t forget to enjoy the beautiful Florida sunset from the beach.

To make the most of your beach experience, pack plenty of sunscreens, water, and snacks. You might also want to bring an umbrella or beach chair to make your time on the sand more comfortable.

Visit a Museum

Fort Lauderdale is home to several museums, including the Museum of Discovery and Science and the NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale. These museums offer a variety of exhibits that are sure to interest you. So if you’re looking for something to do on a rainy day, check out one of the city’s museums.

The paintings and sculptures at NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale are sure to take your breath away. You can learn about various topics at the Museum of Discovery and Science, from dinosaurs to Florida’s ecosystems.

Explore the Everglades

This unique ecosystem is home to alligators, crocodiles, and various birds. You can take an airboat tour of the Everglades to get up close and personal with these animals. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can go on a hike through the wilderness. Either way, you’re sure to have an unforgettable experience.

When exploring the Everglades, wear insect repellent and long pants to protect yourself from mosquitoes. You should also bring plenty of water, as the Everglades can get very hot.

Fort Lauderdale is a great place to visit, whether you’re looking for a relaxing vacation or an action-packed getaway. Plenty of activities keep you busy, so you’re sure to find something that interests you.

Which Witch is Which? A True Salem Story

There are plenty of wonderful historical sites in the beautiful seaside town of Salem, including the famous House of Seven Gables. However, we were horrified to see that tourist trap economics trumped the sometimes sordid historical facts…
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With All Hallows Eve fast approaching, we decided to revisit this visit to one of America’s scariest cities… Salem, Massachusetts. Happy Halloween!

We fully admit we were drawn to Salem by its sordid past.

However, we were horrified to find that tourist trap economics trumped the unseemly historical facts.

There are plenty of wonderful nonfictional sites in the beautiful seaside town, including the famous House of Seven Gables that Nathaniel Hawthorne wrote of (go there — the hidden passage alone is worth the price of admission!)…

…and the old cemetery where several Mayflower passengers and many of the participants in the witch trails are laid to rest.

Nearby, there is a memorial to the victims of the trials.

The Salem Witch Museum, housed in a church built and used in the 1700s, is one of the few museums in town that actually embraces a factual account with minimal sensationalism.

The bulk of the attractions run toward more Halloween-style stereotypes.

The wholesale killing of dozens of innocent men, women and children has mutated into an excuse for throwing up goofy Frankenstein and Dracula “museums,” wizard schools, ghost tours, bizarre street theater and a cheesy statue of Samantha from Bewitched.

No kidding.

Salem, Massachusetts and witches are nearly synonymous but, in reality, it is highly doubtful there was any broom-flying, cauldron-stirring, pointy-hat-wearing witchcraft actually going on back in 1692.

The Puritan: Roger Conant, Salem's Founder — The Puritan: Roger Conant, Salem’s Founder

It seems a few young girls began to act strangely that year. Whether they were sick, drugged by fungus-tainted grain, or just looking for attention — we’ll never know.

The Puritan minds of the late seventeenth century figured that the convulsions they suffered could only be caused by witchcraft.

Time to round up the usual suspects.

On March 1st, a beggar woman, a slave girl and a lady who dared not regularly attend church services were hauled in and charged as witches. These three accused others and before long no one was beyond suspicion.

Within a few months, sixty-two people had been arrested.

By summer, the God-fearing folks of Salem were hanging folks on no more evidence than a few accusations, coerced confessions, and the good old “touch test.”

By the time September rolled around, twenty people had been put to death. Many more died while in prison awaiting their trials.

When eighty-year-old Giles Corey was arrested, he refused to enter a plea — as a protest against the court’s methods.

Rather than hang Mr. Corey for daring to point out that the sanctimonious kangaroo court had run amuck, the pious Puritans decided to go with torture.

Rocks were stacked on the octogenarian until he couldn’t breathe. Giles, being a true bad ass, survived for two days.

He never entered a plea.

Perhaps old Giles Corey didn’t die in vain. By October, a few voices of opposition had begun to question the proceedings.

By month’s end, the Governor had prohibited further arrests and dissolved the court.

On closer inspection, the real reason for the hysteria and brutality in Salem likely stemmed from a religious squabble between rival factions in the church, and political pettifoggery between neighboring villages.

What better solution is there to solving differences than to hang people as witches?

Altogether overshadowed by its infamous witch-related history is the fact that Salem was once one of North America’s main seaports.

The colony’s early trade developed into huge business, mostly with the Far East.

Thankfully, the old harbor is being preserved by the National Parks Service as the Salem Maritime National Historic Site.

Many of the buildings are being refurbished and informative signs provide a guide while strolling along the gorgeous bay.

Directly across from the harbor we noticed a liquor store with a name that was a nod to Salem’s old seafaring days — The Bung Hole.

Our only previous experience with the term “bung hole” had been as a slang term for the termination of the alimentary system, you know, the pooper, A-hole, bum, gluteus maximus, OK, OK…. butt.

But, it turns out the term actually refers to the hole in the booze barrels that the ships used to haul, which is plugged with a stopper called a “bung,” hence, the bung hole.

This fine establishment seemed intent on educating the startled tourists with clever pictorial explanations, showing pictures of barrels and ships.

But their jig was up when we discovered the T-shirts with “I Got It in the Bung Hole” emblazoned across the chest!

Though there is no evidence that real witches were conjuring up spells way back when, the modern variety have fully embraced Salem and are Wicca-ing away throughout the town.

Dare we say it has become the Wicca Mecca? Sorry about that.

On one hand, this proves the progress of tolerance made in Salem, but let’s hope it doesn’t detract from actual history and overshadow the real lesson to be learned from the Puritan mindset of the 1690’s…

…don’t ever let it happen again.

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

The 3 Best Ways To Start Getting Clients As A Freelancer

Freelancing is an excellent way to make money, either on the side or even as a full-time income. It offers a lot of freedom and flexibility…
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Freelancing is an excellent way to make money, either on the side or even as a full-time income. It offers a lot of freedom and flexibility that you don’t always get by working a normal corporate job. The only downside is that it can take a while to build it up as a business. It isn’t always easy to get clients in the beginning.

That isn’t to say it’s impossible. It takes a few tips to follow to be able to get clients right away and get to the point where it is self-sustaining. In this article, we will go over several helpful tips to get you your initial clients as a freelancer.

1 – Build a portfolio

t way to show them is to create a portfolio that highlights your past work all in one place that is easy to see.

Create a website with a website builder since you don’t need to spend money on a web designer. They are easy to make these days and the simpler the layout the better. The idea is to show off your skills as a freelancer and not the skills of a web designer.

Create a good “About” page with a picture of you using an app to remove background. The text should be less about you and more about what you can do for the client, however. They want to know what they are going to get and are more interested in how you can solve their problem.

Then, have a page with all of your past work organized in categories so they are all in one area.

2 – Network

Even in this digital age word of mouth advertising is the best. People tend to listen to the people they trust with recommendations. If they tell somebody that got good service from you then the person they tell will likely give you a shot.

This is why it’s so important to have a network friends but with a plus. These people could be old university professors, ex-colleagues, or even people you’ve met recently.

It’s important to attend things like conferences, meetups, and even things like a Rotary club event.

3 – Use social media

Social media is a great way to generate interest from people around the topic you are working on. make sure to join Facebook or Telegram groups and post helpful comments and start conversations there before you promote yourself. If you are seen as a contributor and somebody that is helpful then you will get work almost by accident.

On your own social media profiles, use them to post content that is engaging and shareable and show your authority on the subject. Focus on the platform where your target audience is mainly spending their time online.

We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.

Let’s Spend Money and Have Fun!

Most people spend their lives saving for retirement but don’t know how to spend it without risk. This book aims to educate people about their finances to give them confidence in their decisions… CONTINUE READING >>

Most people spend their lives saving for retirement but don’t know how to spend it without risk. The book aims to educate people about their finances to give them confidence in their decisions.

When it comes to retirement time, there are a lot of different questions that could arise for people.

- - What am I going to do with all of this free time?
  - Am I ready to retire?
  - Will I have enough money?

Money matters can be complicated, and many people don’t know the answers to most of their financial questions. While some might be afraid to hear the answers, these answers help streamline their financial planning. Everyone is at different stages of the retirement journey. Brad Gotto, CEO + Founder of Fiat Wealth Management in Wayzata, MN, has written a book about his experience in the financial planning industry, sharing what he has learned and thinks is important for others to know.

Spending Money and Having Fun: Your Practical Guide to a Fearless Retirement by Brad Gotto is now on the market, helping people just like you figure out their retirement plans.

You may be wondering, is this just another finance book about numbers and counting money? No.

It focuses on the opposite of what most people think of when they hear the word RETIREMENT. Gotto writes about the GOOD in retirement, and the practicality of how to enjoy your life once this stage approaches.

IT’S TIME TO ENJOY LIFE!

This is the main focus of Gotto’s book.

He lays out just what kinds of obstacles are ahead for retirees and how to deal with them, so you can go ahead and get this party, otherwise known as retirement, started!

After years of hard work, long hours, and countless sacrifices, you are at the threshold of a monumental milestone: retirement. Are you ready?

Sure, you have hired the right advisors and learned how to stockpile money. You have thought about taxes, healthcare, Medicare, and Social Security. But how will you make your paycheck last forever? What is your plan to turn savings into income? How will you spend your days without work commitments or obligatory schedules?

You have saved a big pile of money for a lifetime. Now it is time to spend it.

In Spending Money and Having Fun, Brad Gotto teaches you how to be smart about spending so you can stop worrying and live the life you want. Old habits are hard to break, but Gotto helps you embrace the counterintuitive and build new habits to support your next chapter.

You’ll learn how to change your mindset around spending, create boundaries that buy you freedom, and gain peace of mind with concepts that take the guesswork out of your financial requirements.

THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU…

- If you’re preparing for retirement or recently retired.
- If you want to learn how to ACTUALLY enjoy retirement.
- If you feel like retirement is going to take the joy out of your day to day life.
- If you’ve ever felt anxiety regarding your financial stability.
- If you need some sort of peace of mind regarding the uncertain future.

Do you want to gain more knowledge about preparing for retirement AND how to enjoy life in retirement? Order your copy of Spending Money and Having Fun by Brad Gotto today!

Brad Gotto, Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP), founded Fiat Wealth Management in 2009 to help clients align their money with their personal beliefs. He uniquely applies techniques in behavioral finance, investigation, and mathematics to unlock personal freedom. Host of the podcast, Every Day is Saturday, Brad provides financial education workshops for families free of charge throughout the Twin Cities, where he lives with his wife, Christy, their two sons, William and Hudson, and their Golden Retriever, Kinnick.

5 Unusual Places Worth Visiting in Alabama

If you’re like most people, you don’t really think of Alabama when planning a vacation. After all, there’s not much more to see than cornfields and Civil War landmarks. However, that isn’t completely true!

Alabama has so much to offer tourists, from beautiful beaches, tropical getaways, and alabaster caves to waterfalls, sand dunes, and historical sites. If you’re looking for the more unusual spots, though, you might have to dig a little deeper, but it will be worth it when you find out where these hidden gems are located.

Alabama is one of the most underrated states in America, but it has its own unique culture, history, and scenery worth exploring. It has some of the most unusual places in the country, and even if you’ve lived here your whole life, there’s probably somewhere on this list that you haven’t been to before.

Whether you’re a native Alabamian or just traveling through on vacation, these 5 unusual places to explore in Alabama are sure to delight you with their beauty and diversity!

1) Gulf Shores

Located on Alabama’s southern Gulf Coast, Gulf Shores offers a family-friendly beach town vibe. The city is famous for its pristine beaches and gorgeous views, but there are also plenty of activities for adults.

Stroll down Highway 180A past beautiful homes, or visit Historic Fort Morgan, just north of Gulf Shores.

This beach city is world-famous for its white sands, making it an extremely attractive destination. In addition, the clean, gentle waters make it a popular place for swimming and other water sports like fishing and kayaking.

If you love seafood, you’ll be happy to know that fresh gulf shrimp are served at restaurants all over town. Lots of friendships have begun in this lovely city, so you should be ready to make new friends here. Just take extra caution to verify people’s identity on Nuwber before forming lasting bonds.

Gulf Shores has everything you could want from a beach vacation, including gorgeous sunsets and balmy nights with bonfires on the beach. So make sure you have your camera ready because this area is known for being home to some of America’s most breathtaking sunsets.

2) Moundville Archaeological Park

Moundville Archaeological Park is one of several Mississippian culture archaeological sites in Alabama. However, this park’s real draw lies in its large, earthen mounds and outdoor museum. The approximately 300-acre site includes a major platform mound that once served as a central plaza for Moundville.

Known as Moundville because of its many earthen mounds, Alabama’s largest archaeological park contains 29 large platform mounds and more than 80 other earthworks — including burial mounds, building platforms, and defensive embankments — spread out over approximately 185 acres (75 ha).

Today, visitors can walk along what was once Moundville’s Main Street and see excavated homes where archaeologists have uncovered thousands of artifacts from everyday life, including bones from human sacrifices. Other notable features at Moundville include burial mounds, ceremonial earthworks, and effigy mounds that depict animals such as panthers and serpents.

3) Ave Maria Grotto, Cullman

A life-sized replica of a Mediterranean village, Ave Maria Grotto is an unusual tourist attraction and religious sanctuary located east of Cullman, Alabama. Constructed by a Benedictine monk of St. Bernard Abbey known as Brother Joseph Zoettl, Ave Maria Grotto took about 50 years to complete—and was finished just before his death in 1961.

Stone walls, windows, towers, and other architectural details have been carved with simple tools from limestone mined nearby. The grotto also includes replicas of churches from several different countries; visitors can walk through tiny streets that connect each structure or simply observe from afar.

Today, Ave Maria Grotto is open daily for visitors who want to enjoy its peaceful atmosphere or learn about Catholic history.

4) The Hodges Meteorite, Tuscaloosa

Tuscaloosa, AL, has a lot of history around it, but one piece of history that most people do not know is that Tuscaloosa has had a meteorite hit them. On November 30, 1954, Ann Elizabeth Fowler Hodges was hit by a meteorite from outer space while napping on her couch. Luckily, she was only bruised, but the event has gone down in history as one of the few times a space bullet hit a human who went on to survive it.

The Hodges Meteorite belongs to an even rarer class of objects: it’s a carbonaceous chondrite—an iron-nickel meteorite that contains organic matter and water-bearing minerals. Scientists believe these meteorites are among the oldest materials in our solar system, dating back more than 4.5 billion years!

When the meteorite, now named Sylacauga, was falling through space, it split into 3 parts but didn’t burn up as most space rocks do. Possession of the rock, however, became a battle between members of the Maxwell Air Force Base, the Hodges, and the owner of the house, Mrs. Birdie Guy.

When the legal battle for the meteorite ended in Ann Hodges’ favor, the excitement over the incident had dwindled, and most big buyers had lost interest in it. Nevertheless, Mrs. Hodges eventually sold the meteorite in 1956 to the Alabama Museum of Natural History for $25.

This extremely rare event only occurs once every few hundred years, and people have traveled from all over to see where it landed and what happened. If you are interested in seeing an actual meteorite or learning more about a woman who survived being hit by one, then you need to visit Tuscaloosa.

5) Oak Mountain State Park

Oak Mountain State Park, south of Birmingham, Alabama, is the largest state park in the state and sits on 9,940 acres (4,020 ha).

Established in 1927, the park is now managed by the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. You’ll find the Alabama Wildlife Center, Oak Mountain BMX Track, and Oak Mountain Interpretive Center in this really cool place.

It is filled with wildlife, lakes, and caves. It also has many trails for hiking. Oak Mountain State Park even has a haunted house that can be used during Halloween.

There are many natural springs around Oak Mountain State Park which makes it very beautiful. The park also provides fishing at Highland Lake and scenic overlooks at Goat Rock Overlook. These things make Oak Mountain State Park an awesome place to visit in Alabama!

Bottom Line

There are many unusual places worth visiting in Alabama. From unique museums and galleries to ghost tours and haunted houses, there is no shortage of unique things to do.

If you’re looking for something fun to do with your family or friends that won’t cost you an arm and a leg, check out one of these 5 unusual places!

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