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Saving dollars with sense. I'm hoping to help the masses save their pennies by providing information, links and by sharing my experiences...no matter how embarrassing they may be....and also hoping you'll share yours.

Holidays - Budget Centsability

Hiatus

February 21st 2009 01:25
Due to personal circumstances I am taking a short hiatus from blogging. I hope you will all understand and that I don't lose my lovely audience. I'll be back to it as soon as I can.



Cheers to you all.

Cheryl J



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This Valentine's Day Give to The Bushfire Appeal

February 10th 2009 05:34
Each year millions of dollars are spent by lovers' giving the gift of flowers, chocolates and expensive dinners on Valentine's Day. This year I'm asking people to give a gift of real and unselfish love - donate to the Australian Red Cross Bushfire Appeal.



The latest news puts the death toll of the Victorian bushfires at over 160 people but warn that it could reach in excess of 230.


Although many people have been generous in donating food and clothing, the Red Cross is now saying that they cannot take any more of these supplies and are asking instead for cash donations. Australians have been very generous in support of the families involved. As at 3pm on the 10th February, the Fund had received $25.7 million from over 139,000 website and phone donations, with governments including the Victorian Government and Federal Government and corporates pledging additional sums. Donations are still continuing to flow in but much more is needed, so this year, why not make a donation in your loved one's name or make a joint donation in leiu of a Valentine's gift.

I know many people who read this blog are on a budget but every one of us, no matter how broke we are can afford something. Every dollar helps. Don't forget all donations over $2 are tax deductible.

Show your love this Valentine's Day by doing something really meaningful - reach into your pocket and give to those who have lost so much. If you cannot afford to give money then please donate blood.

Donations can be made using the Red Cross secure online donations form or by phoning 1800 811 700. If you cannot get through on the first attempt please do not give up! They are being inundated with callers not only offering assistance but people calling the incorrect line to find out news about loved ones.

From the Red Cross Website:

Red Cross response (9am, 10 February)

Over 160 lives lost with the number expected to increase as authorities access more homes and discover vehicles in which people attempted to escape the fires.

Two centres in the Beechworth area were re-opened during the night with fires and ember strikes threatening the area.

The Red Cross enquiry centre is continuing to receive a large volume of calls from people concerned about family and friends and we are seeing an increase in calls from overseas as international news services relay the news.

There are still significant numbers of people registering with us so that family and friends can check on their wellbeing. One whole community that was surrounded by fire but spared, has late yesterday come forward to register with us so their loved ones know they are OK.

Over 400 volunteers and staff continue to work in shifts, Red Cross call centres in WA, ACT and NSW have opened to help deal with the volume of calls from people checking on the welfare of evacuees.

Image reproduced from touchpodium.com

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Home Swap - The Ideal Cheap Alternative For Holidaying

February 8th 2009 10:15
Fancy an overseas holiday but think because of mortgage payments and general life expenses it’s out of your reach? Well you could be sipping a nice red in Italy, lying on a beach in Greece or visiting Disneyland with your family in the USA and all rent-free.



How? House swapping could be the answer to your limited budget.

House swapping has been the affordable alternative for vacations for many years and many have great references. Basically, it involves you staying in someone's house in your chosen destination and them staying in yours. You agree on a holiday period and neither party pays the other rent. Now of course you’ll still have your normal expenses like paying your own mortgage or rental payments but you don’t pay the other person, nor do they pay you, for the stay in each other’s homes.

Sound weird? Well in these tougher times the idea is growing and there are many reputable companies that facilitate the swap.

You don’t even need to be living in a city or by the beach for your home to look like a great holiday destination. Some city dwellers want to stay in a country home and the other way around. Some that have year ‘round access to the beach may want a holiday where it snows. That’s the beauty of the idea.

If you’re worried about strangers in your home, don’t forget that if you are swapping you’ll be staying in theirs and they most likely feel the same so are likely to treat your home with the utmost respect and care.

You would of course need to make arrangements between you for additional costs or what is part of the deal and what isn’t. Some people even choose to swap their cars as well although you would need to check cover with both your home and car insurance companies and it would also be a good idea to have a written agreement about costs etc should any accidents happen in your home – like things being broken etc.

It does take time to make sure you have all arrangements in place and that you are happy with whom you are swapping your home. The time recommended by most home swapping sites is around 6 months.

So where do you start? The best way is through a registered network and many countries have them. I’ll provide a number of links at the end of the article to sites in Australia, the UK and the USA.

Most work on an annual fee. You pay a certain amount to be a member and this includes advertising your home and some of the holiday destinations you might be interested in. And think outside the square. Your thoughts may immediately go to the most well known tourist destinations but how many other places are there that could be enormous fun or a bloody good adventure?!

Even house swapping with overseas or interstate friends can be a way of having a good holiday and as you know them, you know exactly what to expect. Or even offer to housesit for friends if they go on an overseas trip. Whether it’s friends in another state or a friend on the other side of the world, lots of people would rather have someone in their home when they’re away and more the better if you know each other.

Check out these links and give it some thought. You may have the best and cheapest holiday ever by home swapping or house sitting.

http://www.homeexchange.com/ - worldwide site with a memberhip fee of $99.95 per year.

http://aussiehouseswap.com.au/ - Australian site with a $65 yearly membership fee and if you do not manage to house swap in your first year they will give you another 12 months membership absolutely FREE.

Really Long Link - worldwide site with the following fees, 1 Year for $US 59.00 6 months bonus, 2 Years for $US 88.00 (25% discount), 3 Years for $US 110.00 (38% discount).

http://www.homebase-hols.com/ - UK based site with two different price plans starting at £29.

http://www.homelink.com.au/ - Australian based site. A bit more expensive with options starting at $120 up to $300.

exchangehomes.com/ - A US based site which is having a massive February special with membership at $US9.99 for this month only.

There are many more of these sites, I recommend you have a browse to see if you like the idea and which company provides better for your own needs.

Disclaimer: The author does not endorse any of these sites and takes no responsibility for their validity. Please do your research well.

Picture sourced from ecoholidaying.co.uk

If you want to read more about saving money, please visit Janet Collins's blog The Social Critic


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Posted By: Cheryl J - Category: Renting / Sharing, Holidays
   




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