Amongst all the advantages of early bookings is the time and money that can be saved. Sometimes some airlines and hotels tend to offer discount prices for their flights… CONTINUE READING >>
Nowadays, it appears everyone is always traveling; thousands of people fly from one destination to another. There are some periods especially during the holidays when the rate of traveling is high and as such booking, a flight early is just the best option.
What are the benefits of booking a flight early?
PreBooking for a flight saves time and money
Amongst all the advantages of early bookings is the time and money that can be saved. When there is enough time, the flight agent can do a lot of research and determine the best time to go for a flight.
Sometimes, as a result of demands from business travelers, some airlines and hotels tend to offer discount prices for their flights. It is important to have the flight booked at least a month before the travel date.
Some people can be lucky to find affordable flights to their destination which will help them a lot and they can save money for other stuff depending on why they are traveling in the first place.
Securing a flight to Hong Kongahead of time helps in making the journey less stressful or expensive and there is nothing more than an amazing feeling.
Secure the best seats and rooms by booking an early flight
A lot of people who always go for last-minute flight bookings can be quite acquainted with tight middle seats especially at the back row of the plane. This is quite common during the holidays when people have to deal with sold outs when it comes to flights and hotels.
This is the most difficult thing to deal with when it comes to last-minute flight bookings. Early flight bookings, help in securing good and comfortable seats with ample time to do other stuff.
Getting a flight to Hong Kongis not quite difficult but getting a cheap flight is. It takes just research and time to have a good flight, seat, and room.
Have time plan the trip
Whether flying for a vacation or a business trip, planning is always important. Having time to pack and organize including accommodation or just having everything that needs to be in order before the trip is necessary. This is because the stress of last-minute activities can be so overwhelming.
But all the drama can be avoided when there is sufficient time to put everything into order, giving the traveler enough time to rest before the day of the flight.
Planning makes everything to be organized
Planning and booking for a flight in advance gives any traveler the advantage of organizing everything back at work before the day of traveling finally comes through. It is easier to find out the schedule of other colleagues and work accordingly when there is enough time for that,
When this is well sorted out, no one will have their trip interrupted because of some information that is needed back at the persons’ place of work.
We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.
Going camping is simultaneously a rite of passage, a cost-effective way to spend a weekend, and a great bonding experience for friends or family. So let’s talk about the six most common ways that camping trips can be ruined and figure out some strategies to make sure that your trip is more fab than drab… CONTINUE READING >>
Going camping is simultaneously a rite of passage, a cost-effective way to spend a weekend, and a great bonding experience for friends or family. However, even though it takes place in the rugged outdoors, having a great camping experience can be a surprisingly sensitive event! You may have heard that all food tastes better when it’s prepared outdoors—and that’s definitely true. But, on the flip side, if any of your gear gets a tiny bit cold or wet—or if you forgot anything important, like your power station—then the entire trip may be ruined.
Let’s talk about the six most common ways that camping trips can be ruined—and figure out some strategies to make sure that your trip is more fab than drab in an actionable, achievable way.
1. Failing to Set Up Camp Appropriately.Things like a tarp under your tent or the so-called ‘optional’ rain fly when the forecast predicts sunny weather might seem like a waste of time or money. However, setting up inadequate gear inappropriately is the easiest way to make sure that you wake up cold, damp, and miserable. Always prepare for weather worse than expected—and take the extra fifteen minutes to set your camp up the way the instructions tell you to!
2. Forgetting that You Need a Power Source.Campers of yesteryear might have been able to get by without a power source, but in today’s day and age, you likely need at least a way to charge your phone or have a light on to head to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Sometimes your car’s battery might suffice for this—and, sometimes, it might not. When you’re shopping for your trip, make sure to pick up a portable power station to make sure that your camping experience goes smoothly.
3. Failing to Put Away the Food Properly.No matter in which region of the nation you’re going camping, there will be wildlife around. That’s part of the reason you wanted to go camping in the first place, right? However, to avoid having unexpected and unwanted visits from large animals in the middle of the night, you need to make sure that you put anything edible back in your car. Otherwise, you might wake up to a bear ravaging your supplies—and that won’t make for a great experience.
4. Not Knowing Your Poisonous Plants.The last thing you need if you’re going on a hike is to come back with uncomfortable welts and rashes. Is the spin-off trail that you’re thinking of going down to see the beautiful gorge covered with poison sumac? Hopefully you know! It’s a good idea to take a few minutes ahead of time to make sure that you know the basic ‘leaves of three, let them be’ types of monikers that can help you know which plants to avoid.
5. Not Wearing Appropriate Gear for Hiking. The one thing that might be able to help you if you don’t know your poisonous plants? Wearing the right types of shoes and pants for hiking. You may also want to check out best insoles for hiking.
The right shoes can protect you from much more than just an itch, however. There are snakes in the wilderness, and some of them bite to kill. Make sure that you’re fully protected by investing in a good pair of snake boots — the shoe that may literally be able to save your life.
6. Getting to the Campsite Too Late. If you’ve chosen a campsite that’s far away from your home, if you hit traffic on the way there, or if anything happens to get you to your campsite after the sun goes down, you may be in for a bit of a bumpy ride. Setting up a tent properly is not a difficult thing to do—but if you’re doing it with your flashlight held in your mouth, it’s going to be exponentially harder. Not only that, if you’re setting up camp late at night, wildlife is likely to be just waking up—making it easier for small spiders and squirrels to crawl over to see what you’re doing. You’re also more likely to forget to set up your power source, run out of time to build a fire, or forget to put away your food if you’re running late!
Going camping can be a fantastic and economical way to have fun! However, you want to make sure you definitely do it properly, or it can be more an exercise in torture. Be prepared, know your plants, and get ready to have a great time.
We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.
Every once in a while, we are hit over the head by a ton of bricks. While this would normally be cause for concern, this particular brickload is one of gratitude.
We have been blessed with amazing accolades from amazing folks! We have done really fun interviews and have been included in some pretty prestigious publications. We are truly honored. Click in to see why...CONTINUE READING >>
Porch.com asked us (and a bunch of other experts) to help out with some ideas on how to make moving less stressful.
Once we got past the fact that they considered us to also be experts, we were happy to throw in our two cents.
Check it out here: Stress-Free Moving: Advice from the Experts
Pretty cool to be featured in one of America’s greatest newspapers, The Chicago Tribune! Okay, so we’re not sure who the people are in the photos—but we’re uber-excited to be in the text.
Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge
We’ve teamed up Humana with tips on kicking YOUR Generation Encore into high, healthy gear with full page advertorial appearing in the August/September 2016 issues Real Simple, Cooking Light, Southern Living, Sunset, Coastal Living, Golf, and Money magazines!
What an honor it is to share our story and tips in top magazines:
Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge
Happy to be featured on Manopause.com! They are showcasing several of our stories, like this one from the British Virgin Islands.
“Who says millennials do it better? When it comes to travel, age is but a number. As you think about retirement and all that free time you’ll have, consider taking a different approach.
TripAdvisor rounded up 20 baby boomer travel bloggers as inspiration to get out there and travel”… SEE ‘EM ALL >>
We joined Nashville’s WSMV Channel 4More at Midday gang!
“Traveling throughout retirement may not be everyone’s idea of simple living, but David and Veronica say ditching the house was one of the best moves they ever made. ‘We are in a state of nearly constantly pinching ourselves… CONTINUE READING >>
Thank you Nashville for Making Going Gypsy Your #1 Bestseller!
Veronica and David James were living on St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands when the last of their three kids flew off to college. Some of us might have opted to stay in that tropical paradise, but the Jameses knew they needed a change… SEE THE FULL STORY
“Who says millennials do it better? When it comes to travel, age is but a number. As you think about retirement and all that free time you’ll have, consider taking a different approach.
TripAdvisor rounded up 20 baby boomer travel bloggers as inspiration to get out there and travel”… SEE ‘EM ALL >>
USA Today asked us and some pretty weighty folks to weigh in on how we find ways to travel with purpose to enrich our experiences … See the full article >>
When your kids leave home, you may worry about how they’re going to handle their money. But don’t forget to worry about yourself, too… SEE FULL ARTICLE >>
An article about us landed on the front page of Huffington Post.
Click here to see the full write up.
The uber-talented Sundance veteran Anne Flournoy of The Louise Log fame produced this hysterical 50-second short on her experience of reading Going Gypsy!
“After packing their youngest off to college, the Gypsy Nesters hit the road and never looked back. ‘We’re going down in a ball of flames!’ says”… READ THE FEATURE HERE
Stephanie Mayo over at The World as I See it interviewed us about our favorite places, memorable moments, weird regional food disasters and how travel has changed us.
WOW! We were named #1 (!) on Indietravel’s Top 10 Travel Couples! Honored to be among this incredible talent! See the full list here.
We sat down with the fabulous Chloe Jeffreys and discussed helicopter mom recovery, staying connected with our adult kids, reinventing middle-age, and the importance of reinvesting in your marriage after your nest empties.
We had such a great time “glamping” up the California Coast with Toyota!
Becca at Aging Insider calls us “5 Alarm Boomer Bloggers” and in this episode of her fabulous show, she says: “Richard Branson says, ‘Screw it, lets do it!’ and this is a couple who is embracing that motto. The kids left for college and this rockstar couple left for the world…”
A fun little publicity bump we did for BestDay.com while in Cancun, Mexico!
Ace reporter Pam Parker (is that a GREAT journo name or what?) of the Erie Times-News was kind enough to mention us in her hard-hitting write-up on the UFO house in Tennessee! See it here.
50 Connect is one of Britain’s hottest sites! Known as “The Social Networking Site for Grown Ups.” Click here for the whole interview.
Those wacky kids over at Divergent Travelers asked us some fun and insightful questions when they interviewed us.
Check it out and learn some stuff about us that we’d never told you on our own!
Wow! We won the prestigious People’s Choice Senior Living Award as the Best Boomer Resource!
The competition was stiff – there were quite a few amazing sites that we were honored to be among – and the judges must have had quite a task making a choice.
Personal injury claims (like back injury claims) are a common thing these days. Here are different stages of a filing a personal injury claim… CONTINUE READING >>
Personal injury claims (like back injury claims) are a common thing these days. These claims are mostly filed by the people who are looking to get a compensation for their injury in an accident or at their workplace. Many people still thing that claiming and winning the claim is an easy process that includes preparing all the needed documents, filing the claim, and settling the claim either outside or inside the courtroom. But things are never that easy.
Here are different stages of a filing a personal injury claim and defending it to get your claimed money from the accused.
Hiring A Personal Injury Lawyer
Hiring a personal injury lawyer is the first and the most important step that you have to take if you’re planning to file a claim. Legal representation would mean that you’re represented well in front of the court and anywhere else if need be. You can easily conduct a thorough research on the internet and fund the one that’s work the best for your interests.Let’s say you are suffering from a back injury, please remember to do your research, and find the best Back injury lawyer to represent you legally.
Live-Action Protocol
Timing is important in claiming back injury compensation. Depending your local laws, this may differ. In the state I am from, as soon as you’ve hired a lawyer, they will send a letter of claim to the defendant and explain to them exactly what happened and what harm did that thing caused you. Other party is given 21 days to access the claim letter and talk to their legal representatives and insurance company to dig deeper into the issue. They have to respond within the first 21 days, and after that, they have a 3 months period to prepare all the legal documents to defend their case. A settlement is possible at this step. However, if the defendant denies your claim, you’ll have to proceed to the next steps.
Compiling All The Necessary Evidence
Collecting all the evidence would become a necessity if you’re the defendant denies to acknowledge your claim. Competence of your lawyer would be tested in this crucial phase, as they’ll have to collect every piece of evidence to make your case stronger. Hire a good lawyer who’d use all of their resources to collect the evidence and make a strong argument in the defense of your claim.
Having All The Medical Evidence On Hand
No matter of your defendant has acknowledged the claim or not, you’ll have to gather all the medical evidence related to the accident as well. This is usually a simple process and good lawyers even compile these documents as they arrive to save a lot of time. This is also an important step because it helps you in accessing the real value of your injury.
Settlement
A settlement can be achieved at any stage of the accident injury claim. A price is decided and the defendant pays the claimant to settle the claim. However, this case can be brought into the court and you can undergo trials to win your fair amount if the settlement fails to happen.
We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.
Going back to school as an adult is very different from so when you are 18 and fresh out of high school. However, you will still face some of the same challenges as students much younger than you, including paying for your education… CONTINUE READING >>
Going back to school as an adult, whether you have been in the working world for a few years or a few decades, is very different from so when you are 18 and fresh out of high school. However, you will still face some of the same challenges as students much younger than you, including deciding what you want to focus on, finding time to study and paying for your education. Whether you are seeking an undergraduate degree, a graduate degree, a certification or you simply want to take a few classes, there are several funding sources you can pursue.
Your Employer
One of the first places to look for financial support in returning to school is with your employer. Many employers will pay part or all of their employees’ tuition costs. While some employers may require that the schooling relate to your job, this is not always the case. If you work in any capacity for your state government, find out if there is any kind of tuition waiver available for you to attend state schools. If your employer does not have a tuition reimbursement program, you might be able to talk to them about introducing one. Do some research on the benefits and how it would help them with recruitment, present them with a proposal and see what happens.
Take Out Student Loans
The reliable method of funding your education with student loans still holds true today. You can start by filling out the free application for Federal Student Aid to find out what you are eligible for. There are even specially designed loans for parents that want to help aid in the efforts of their children going to college. You typically won’t need to make any payments on these loans until sometime after you graduate, which alleviates some of the burdens while you are trying to focus on doing well in school. However, if you find it difficult to pay with your current rates and terms, consider debt consolidation or parent plus loan refinancing.
Grants and Scholarships
The FAFSA can also alert you to eligibility for grants. One of the most common types is the Pell Grant, which is need-based. If you are an adult who is returning to school and who needs money in addition to the Pell Grant, you may qualify for the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. You may be able to get hundreds or thousands of dollars. There are many different scholarship opportunities as well. You can research these opportunities using online search engines. Scholarships may range from a few hundred dollars to paying full tuition. Some have very specific criteria that only a few applicants may meet, and it is worthwhile seeking out as many as you are eligible for.
Tax Credits
Tax credits may not provide direct money for college, but they can reduce the amount you owe in taxes, and you may be able to put savings or a refund toward classes. The American Opportunity Tax Credit is for your first four years of education and offers up to $2,500 in credit. You can take a Lifetime Learning Credit even if you are just enrolling in a class or two as long as the institution qualifies, and this is worth up to $2,000 in credit.
We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.
We all dream about an exciting holiday that can offer luxury as well as a thrilling adventure. To have it both and make your next trip the best holiday experience consider taking a river cruise… CONTINUE READING >>
We all dream about an exciting holiday that can offer luxury as well as a thrilling adventure. To have it both and make your next trip the best holiday experience consider taking a river cruise. The most mesmerizing and beautiful places in the world are hidden along the world’s biggest river waters. Just imagine experiencing the grand Amazonia trough an Amazon cruise. The truth of the matter, however, is that most people have no clue what a river cruise is all about. Well, you might want to prepare good and this guide will shed some light on all that you need to know.
Better For Bonding Than Sea Cruises
Compared to sea cruises, river cruises offer a better chance for bonding. The reason for this is in the numbers. Sea cruises involve very huge cruise ships with many people. Not unless your cruise lasts a few months, you are not going to bond with many people one on one.
River cruises, although spanning shorter periods, offer a better chance of bonding one on one with new people. Again, this is because of the numbers involved. River cruises include significantly fewer people, and therefore you can easily interact with them more intimately.
Usually Not Suitable All Year Round
Compared to sea cruises that are usually suitable all year round, the same cannot be said of river cruises. Largely this is because of water levels in rivers. Even the largest rivers in the world will once in a while experience low water levels.
Before booking a cruise on a river, it is important to check with the company on whether it is the most suitable time of the year. This is especially so if you have some specific sites that you would like to explore while on the cruise.
Different seasons could also play a factor in your wellbeing throughout the trip. Some people are affected by certain weather conditions during the year. If you are one such person, then proper planning cannot be underestimated.
Involve Fewer Bureaucracies
Compared to sea cruises, you are less like to need as much documentation when doing a river cruise. This is because many river cruises are localised and will not involve crossing borders into different countries.
While local river cruises are common, it is never a good idea to neglect the general advice on having some form of documentation. The most recommended document to carry with you is a passport.
This is preferred in the event you may need to catch a flight mid-cruise. To avoid the inconvenience of road travel or any other means on short notice, always ensure that you have packed your passport before a river cruise.
Includes More Sightseeing
The sea is usually a vast mass of water. The most exciting glimpse is when the cruise ship comes onto the way of sea animals such as dolphins and whales migrating. For the most part, the entire journey will involve seeing blue and bluer colour.
With river cruises, however, you are going to see more sites while on the cruise ship. The reason for this is that many of these ships will pass through cities and towns on whose path the river follows. This presents a better chance to explore new locations.
When it comes to an abundance of wildlife, river cruises have this in abundance as well. From alligators to crocodiles and other water animals and even to thick vegetation. River cruises guarantee that you can enjoy the best of both plant and animal life.
Using Agents Is Beneficial
While a lot of people advice that you do the booking yourself and have a full experience, this can be frustrating especially if it is your first time. It is therefore recommended that you use a travel agent to help you plan a river cruise.
These agents are better placed to help you get good deals as many of them work within a network of professionals. Through this network, they can get you better deals and even longer river cruises at a pocket-friendly price.
Additionally, travel agents can give you ideas on what to expect from a river cruise. With this kind of information, you and the agent can arrive at a more engaging experience for your river cruise. The ultimate goal is to always have a memorable trip.
Beware Of Add-Ons
Are you looking for more adventure while on your cruise? It is most likely these are available but only if you ask in advance. Many river cruise companies will offer special packages such as longer stay at certain points if you pay extra.
If you are looking to get the most out of your river cruise, then it is always a good idea you go for this option. Call in advance when you are planning your cruise and ask about any add-ons that the company offers. Depending on your budget, pick out the most convenient one.
Conclusion
River cruises are a great alternative to sea cruises. This is especially so if you are looking to explore a region more intimately while still enjoying a cruise on a ship. River cruises are also a better option for people with seasickness and those looking to make solo cruises at a budget.
We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.
The vastness, beauty, and diverse environments of Australia make it a place where you could spend huge amounts of time exploring. If you are heading to Australia for a two-week vacation, you naturally want to make the most of your time… CONTINUE READING >>
The vastness, beauty, and diverse environments of Australia make it a place where you could spend huge amounts of time exploring. Sadly, most people are limited in terms of the amount of vacation time they get so a 2-week trip may be all you can manage.
If you are heading to Australia for a two-week vacation, you naturally want to make the most of your time. If you base yourself in a conveniently located city hotel such as the Chadstone Hotel, you will find it easier to get around and see the sights, so make sure you take location into consideration when booking your vacation.
There are plenty of other tips that will make it easier for you to make the most of your limited vacation time in Australia. While you may not get to do and see everything in those two weeks, you can pack in as much as possible and enjoy a truly memorable vacation.
Valuable Tips for a Great 2-Week Vacation
Two weeks away from the stress of work and the hustle and bustle of daily life may seem like a glorious stretch. However, when you are heading to somewhere like Australia, it is not long at all. This is why you need to ensure you make the most of this time while you are away, and these tips can help you to do this:
Stay Somewhere Central
As mentioned earlier, staying somewhere central such as an elegant Rutherglen accommodation will make it much easier for you to get around and explore. This will save you time and hassle when it comes to making the most of your two weeks. You will also find that many of the major landmarks and attractions are located within the big cities, which means you can explore a lot of the popular sights with greater ease as they will be on your doorstep.
Use Domestic Flights
If you are looking to explore different parts of Australia, make sure you look into booking domestic flights for parts that are further afield. Remember, Australia is a huge place so it won’t be practical to use ground transportation times, as it will take up too much of your two weeks. You can get pretty good deals on domestic flights to various parts of Australia, so this can save you time without breaking the bank.
Familiarize Yourself with Ground Transport Options
Of course, there are areas you will be able to reach via ground transportation such as the tram system or Greyhound buses. So, think about the other areas you want to visit in addition to the one you are staying in. You can then work out the best way to reach these places using ground transportation and you can look at getting weekly passes, which will work out cheaper than paying by the day.
Create a Comprehensive Itinerary – and Stick to It!
If you have limited time in Australia, it is important to create an itinerary and stick to it in order to ensure you get to see the sights and visit the attractions you are most interested in. There are plenty of itinerary apps that you can use to help you to do this. You should also group attractions and sights in different areas together so that you don’t have to keep going back and forth to see the sights. So, if you are staying in Melbourne, for instance, group all the attractions in and around the city together and cover them before moving onto sights and attractions in a different area.
Stay in Several Different Areas
As we said earlier, Australia is a huge place and if you are keen to visit different parts that are a fair distance apart, it could take up a lot of your time. One way around this is to stay in different parts of Australia depending on which areas you want to visit and explore. So, you could spend a few days in a hotel in one area and then move to another area and hotel to explore. Within a two-week period, you could stay in 3-4 different hotels and parts of Australia so you can really explore the diverse environments.
Hire a Car
If you are a confident driver, you could even look at hiring a car while you are in Australia. This could be great for visiting places of interest, as you don’t have to worry about waiting around for buses and you can reach your destination with far greater ease and speed.
Have a Fun Two Weeks
By taking some of these tips on board, you can make the most of your relatively short time in Australia and make the most of your fun two weeks. You can enjoy taking in many of the top sights and attractions while also exploring the diversity of the different places and environments in this beautiful and fascinating country.
We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.
3. Failing to Put Away the Food Properly. 
6. Getting to the Campsite Too Late. 
We had a blast with this fun interview on 
