When I agreed to take a "temporary" reduction in hours, I was told that while my hours and subsequently, my pay, were getting cut, my "benefits" were not. So that meant my employer part of my health insurance would still be paid and I'd still accumulate my full vacation and sick time (which is on the low end of the spectrum).
Much to my unhappy surprise, I found out last week that the "powers that be"-i.e. the other partners in the company, decided that a reduction in hours meant a reduction in benefits, specifically, my vacation and sick time. It's been dropped by more than a third. And I'm not happy.
I'm not happy because I did not get the reduction in writing with the promise to keep ALL my benefits. I'm not happy because my immediate boss (and a co-owner of the company) told me otherwise and he knows it. This means I've used up just over half of my vacation time for the year. I did have a mini conversation with my boss about this and he is "willing to work with me if I need additional time off". Boss speak for I f*%$ up. He knows he gave me misinformation, but he won't 'fess up to that. I know he had a meeting with the other partners and they decided otherwise. I know he knows he told me one thing in November and now had to tell me another. Grr.
The part that is the kicker, is that I did not use all my sick days last year, I had about three that I was under the impression could carry over to be used as vacation days instead of being paid out as "well time". Since I told my boss about my trip I had made the assumption that I could use those three days as paid vacation time and save my 2009 days for later this year, maybe actually take some time for me. Guess I was wrong-what did Felix Unger say? "An assumption makes an ass out of you and me".
This is what bothers me most. This is a small company that I work for, but we have two "silent partners/investors" that are not active in the business. We do utilize their other businesses to assist with payroll, accounts payable and receivable, vendors, etc. My boss can if he wants to, over ride the other partners on certain decisions; I've seen him do it before. I've said it before, our company is feeling this economic pinch and my boss has some very odd money saving ideas. I don't get paid that much, I don't have tons of vacation/personal/sick time and I was under the impression that if I agreed to the reduction in hours, those other benefits would not be affected. I'm pretty positive that he caved in on this because he's picking his battles and my time off is not a battle he want's to fight.
I'm also annoyed at myself. I did not get this in writing and it has come back to bite me. I'm annoyed because this happened at my last job with the new bonus structure supposedly to be paid out and did not. I'm too darned trusting and you would think I would have learned my lesson the last time. And I'm going to make sure I take a sick day as a mental health day pretty dammed soon too.
Can you tell it's a Monday?
Showing posts with label vacations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vacations. Show all posts
Monday, March 30, 2009
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Vacation Spending Round Up
I added up the numbers for my trip
Plane ticket: $525-Budgeted and Actual $525
Car Rentals: $240-Actual $161-I searched about 4 days to find this great price
Hotel costs $100-Actual $95
Extra Bag Fees: $75/0-did not have to pay extra for checked bags on an international flight!
Gas: $150/Actual $180- I drove more than I planned.
Meals: $150/Actual $100 we ate in a lot
Misc: $100/Actual-$145-includes the day pass at the Presidents Club.
Planned spending: $200/Actual 175
Grand Total: $1,540/$1,381
Under Budget: $159
Some of my planned and miscellaneous spending was on gifts for people in the UK and for those many folks taking care of my animals and some specifically British items I wanted. My contributions towards meals were mainly wine and beer for dinner,which I put under the planned spending category. I did spend about $60USD on gifts (and a bottle of liquor at Duty Free) to bring over which I included in the planned and misc spending categories.
I had used the last of my small holiday bonus to pay for the tickets and part of my tax refund and second job wages to pay for the rest. The hotel ended up being cheaper than planned because of the pound to dollar exchange rate was better when I was in the UK than when I posted my budget. I went over in gas as I really had no idea what gas would cost. I paid for gas for the girls trip out as part of my present to my friends (they paid for their own hotel, meals, drinks, I did get treated to a few rounds at the pub). I searched the Internet relentlessly to find a better rental car rate. The car was economy in every sense of the word, but it got me from point A to point B. This budget does not include the two weekends of lost wages by not working at the barn (I don't get paid holidays being part time). I do have some left over Sterling. I did not want to pay the ridiculous currency buy back fee at the airport and just pocketed the extra Sterling for my next trip. Since I used almost cash exclusively I had Sterling left over. I used my debit and credit card when I was on my trip with the girls since I left the majority of my cash at the house. I paid for my meals, gas and some souvenirs with my debit or credit card.
Part of me looks at that $1,400 spent and thinks-"Wow, I could have my spiffy new laptop and a fair chunk of change in my E-fund" . Then the other part of me reminds myself that the biggest and most important reason I went over now to the UK was to visit my friend and her ill husband. I truly enjoyed seeing them and I as I've posted before, my friends husband is very very ill. I sure hope he recovers, but there is a strong possibility that had I stuck to my original plan of a trip to the UK in the fall, he might not be around then, we just don't know for sure. People first, money second.
I have to keep reminding myself not to be so selfish about my money spent on this trip for that reason and remind myself that I also truly needed a vacation that was a trip away from home.
Plus I came back from vacation with a clearer vision of what I want to do with myself this year and specific goals I want to accomplish. That, in and of itself given my total lack of focused goal setting in 2008, was worth the money spent on the trip.
Plane ticket: $525-Budgeted and Actual $525
Car Rentals: $240-Actual $161-I searched about 4 days to find this great price
Hotel costs $100-Actual $95
Extra Bag Fees: $75/0-did not have to pay extra for checked bags on an international flight!
Gas: $150/Actual $180- I drove more than I planned.
Meals: $150/Actual $100 we ate in a lot
Misc: $100/Actual-$145-includes the day pass at the Presidents Club.
Planned spending: $200/Actual 175
Grand Total: $1,540/$1,381
Under Budget: $159
Some of my planned and miscellaneous spending was on gifts for people in the UK and for those many folks taking care of my animals and some specifically British items I wanted. My contributions towards meals were mainly wine and beer for dinner,which I put under the planned spending category. I did spend about $60USD on gifts (and a bottle of liquor at Duty Free) to bring over which I included in the planned and misc spending categories.
I had used the last of my small holiday bonus to pay for the tickets and part of my tax refund and second job wages to pay for the rest. The hotel ended up being cheaper than planned because of the pound to dollar exchange rate was better when I was in the UK than when I posted my budget. I went over in gas as I really had no idea what gas would cost. I paid for gas for the girls trip out as part of my present to my friends (they paid for their own hotel, meals, drinks, I did get treated to a few rounds at the pub). I searched the Internet relentlessly to find a better rental car rate. The car was economy in every sense of the word, but it got me from point A to point B. This budget does not include the two weekends of lost wages by not working at the barn (I don't get paid holidays being part time). I do have some left over Sterling. I did not want to pay the ridiculous currency buy back fee at the airport and just pocketed the extra Sterling for my next trip. Since I used almost cash exclusively I had Sterling left over. I used my debit and credit card when I was on my trip with the girls since I left the majority of my cash at the house. I paid for my meals, gas and some souvenirs with my debit or credit card.
Part of me looks at that $1,400 spent and thinks-"Wow, I could have my spiffy new laptop and a fair chunk of change in my E-fund" . Then the other part of me reminds myself that the biggest and most important reason I went over now to the UK was to visit my friend and her ill husband. I truly enjoyed seeing them and I as I've posted before, my friends husband is very very ill. I sure hope he recovers, but there is a strong possibility that had I stuck to my original plan of a trip to the UK in the fall, he might not be around then, we just don't know for sure. People first, money second.
I have to keep reminding myself not to be so selfish about my money spent on this trip for that reason and remind myself that I also truly needed a vacation that was a trip away from home.
Plus I came back from vacation with a clearer vision of what I want to do with myself this year and specific goals I want to accomplish. That, in and of itself given my total lack of focused goal setting in 2008, was worth the money spent on the trip.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Britian on a Budget
I've managed to sort out the piles of work on my desk. Not as daunting a task as it first appeared. My boss has a habit of dumping EVERYTHING on my desk. One third of the items on my desk went into the trash or to someone else.
My trip was very nice and very sad at the same time. My friend’s husband is quite ill, home from the hospital, but still quite ill. For all my grousing about giving up a vacation some place warm, sandy, and sunny or at least Britain in late spring, I'm glad I went over when I did. I honestly don't know if my friend’s husband is going to "bounce back" from this illness he has. I had made very tentative plans to try a trip to the UK in the fall, when I found friend’s husband was truly ill, I decided sooner rather than later and am glad I made that decision. I really wonder if he will be around come fall. It is truly People first, money second. I can rant about the NHS in another post........
That being said, I did get a call from said friend while I was sitting in the airport twiddling my thumbs. Seems her bank would do currency exchange for free! I exchanged about $40USD just so I had some Sterling in my pocket, but when I got to my destination, one of the first things I did was make a withdrawal from the "hole in the wall" and walk into the bank to get Sterling! I did this twice during my visit. I've not sorted out exactly what I spent money on, I have to look back at all my receipts and figure that out. I tried to use cash as much as possible. When I went off with the girls for our couple days out, I left most of the cash behind in my passport case, I forgot to grab the Sterling when I packed up for our adventure. I used my debit card and it IRKS me to no end that I got whacked with these fees from my bank for the "privilege" of using my debit card because I FORGOT my cash back at the house. Ah well, all I could say when we stopped for lunch and realized I had left the bulk of my cash "back home" was Bugger All.. If you need a translation click here.
Britain is not a cheap country to travel in. I am eternally grateful for the generous hospitality of various friends I've made over the years that allow me to drop in and spend days at a time at their home. By staying with friends over the trip, I figured I saved about $600 in hotel costs. The two nights the girls and I were traveling, we stayed in a small guest house and it cost me 50 pounds each night, or roughly $75USD each night. That did include breakfast. Gas is still expensive. I paid on average 90 pence per liter (not gallon), sometimes a little less, sometimes a little more. I am glad I did get a car. Having that freedom to travel when I needed to was a godsend. I pretty much got to peoples houses and parked the car, but when I needed to run an errand I could just up and go. It also allowed me to take my time and do a little touring of my own as I made my way from friend 1 to friend 2. I bought my fair share and then some of liquor and food from Tesco's and Morrison's as my contribution to the meals, it was the least I could do, add another couple hundred dollars on for lunches and dinners to the hotel costs had I been staying in hotels or B and B's.
Probably the one splurge to me was buying a pass to sit in the Airlines Presidents Lounge. Due to my earlier than planned arrival at the airport (like 7.5 hours before my flight was set to board), I bought a day pass to the lounge. It was the best $45 bucks spent. My airlines web site did not indicate that I could buy a singular pass, they stated passengers could buy passes in books of ten if they were not members of the Presidents Club. When I checked my bags, the attendant said that they do sell day passes, so off I went and Shazamm, a day pass is what I got. I had a very comfy seat to pass the time while reading my book, in and out privileges, a place to store my carry on bag, free munchies, free drinks (even free beer and wine), reading material, a TV to watch, and probably my favorite- a place to shower. Yup, the Lounge had a shower. I took advantage of that to take a quick rinse about an hour before boarding the flight. My flight was an overnight flight and I knew based on my travel upon landing in the UK that it would be a long time to be in my travel clothes before I could change out of them. Airport food and drink is freaking expensive and buying my lunch and a couple drinks at the airport would have cost me around $30. I had a lunch of cheese, crackers, fruit, mini bagels and chips. I had packed a makeshift sandwich for my lunch (using leftovers from home). I got on the plane, relaxed, clean, and happy. I had my meal, read my book and promptly fell asleep for the majority of the flight (it was an overnight flight so when I landed it was morning there and the middle of the night for me back home) and got to the UK in a good mood and well rested.
The other interesting part of my trip was the completely unexpected opportunities I got talking to some friends to write some posts about Personal Finance and spending habits. I’ll be working on those posts in the upcoming days.
Here are a couple photos of my travel! Enjoy!
My trip was very nice and very sad at the same time. My friend’s husband is quite ill, home from the hospital, but still quite ill. For all my grousing about giving up a vacation some place warm, sandy, and sunny or at least Britain in late spring, I'm glad I went over when I did. I honestly don't know if my friend’s husband is going to "bounce back" from this illness he has. I had made very tentative plans to try a trip to the UK in the fall, when I found friend’s husband was truly ill, I decided sooner rather than later and am glad I made that decision. I really wonder if he will be around come fall. It is truly People first, money second. I can rant about the NHS in another post........
That being said, I did get a call from said friend while I was sitting in the airport twiddling my thumbs. Seems her bank would do currency exchange for free! I exchanged about $40USD just so I had some Sterling in my pocket, but when I got to my destination, one of the first things I did was make a withdrawal from the "hole in the wall" and walk into the bank to get Sterling! I did this twice during my visit. I've not sorted out exactly what I spent money on, I have to look back at all my receipts and figure that out. I tried to use cash as much as possible. When I went off with the girls for our couple days out, I left most of the cash behind in my passport case, I forgot to grab the Sterling when I packed up for our adventure. I used my debit card and it IRKS me to no end that I got whacked with these fees from my bank for the "privilege" of using my debit card because I FORGOT my cash back at the house. Ah well, all I could say when we stopped for lunch and realized I had left the bulk of my cash "back home" was Bugger All.. If you need a translation click here.
Britain is not a cheap country to travel in. I am eternally grateful for the generous hospitality of various friends I've made over the years that allow me to drop in and spend days at a time at their home. By staying with friends over the trip, I figured I saved about $600 in hotel costs. The two nights the girls and I were traveling, we stayed in a small guest house and it cost me 50 pounds each night, or roughly $75USD each night. That did include breakfast. Gas is still expensive. I paid on average 90 pence per liter (not gallon), sometimes a little less, sometimes a little more. I am glad I did get a car. Having that freedom to travel when I needed to was a godsend. I pretty much got to peoples houses and parked the car, but when I needed to run an errand I could just up and go. It also allowed me to take my time and do a little touring of my own as I made my way from friend 1 to friend 2. I bought my fair share and then some of liquor and food from Tesco's and Morrison's as my contribution to the meals, it was the least I could do, add another couple hundred dollars on for lunches and dinners to the hotel costs had I been staying in hotels or B and B's.
Probably the one splurge to me was buying a pass to sit in the Airlines Presidents Lounge. Due to my earlier than planned arrival at the airport (like 7.5 hours before my flight was set to board), I bought a day pass to the lounge. It was the best $45 bucks spent. My airlines web site did not indicate that I could buy a singular pass, they stated passengers could buy passes in books of ten if they were not members of the Presidents Club. When I checked my bags, the attendant said that they do sell day passes, so off I went and Shazamm, a day pass is what I got. I had a very comfy seat to pass the time while reading my book, in and out privileges, a place to store my carry on bag, free munchies, free drinks (even free beer and wine), reading material, a TV to watch, and probably my favorite- a place to shower. Yup, the Lounge had a shower. I took advantage of that to take a quick rinse about an hour before boarding the flight. My flight was an overnight flight and I knew based on my travel upon landing in the UK that it would be a long time to be in my travel clothes before I could change out of them. Airport food and drink is freaking expensive and buying my lunch and a couple drinks at the airport would have cost me around $30. I had a lunch of cheese, crackers, fruit, mini bagels and chips. I had packed a makeshift sandwich for my lunch (using leftovers from home). I got on the plane, relaxed, clean, and happy. I had my meal, read my book and promptly fell asleep for the majority of the flight (it was an overnight flight so when I landed it was morning there and the middle of the night for me back home) and got to the UK in a good mood and well rested.
The other interesting part of my trip was the completely unexpected opportunities I got talking to some friends to write some posts about Personal Finance and spending habits. I’ll be working on those posts in the upcoming days.
Here are a couple photos of my travel! Enjoy!
Friday, February 20, 2009
My Bank Account Is Bleeding Money
Ugh, this trip is costing me lots of cash. AND when I got to my weekend job today, no pay check as I had hoped. I had hoped for another partial paycheck, but the trainer is off this weekend and as told earlier, new checks will be cut next week. It's times like this I wish for direct deposit for this job. I made the offer to bring over to the UK some treats and clothes for my friends. Last time they did not take me up on the offer, this time they did. I have laid out about $300, of which I'll get back $280 (I bought two tee-shirts as gifts).
Clothes are much less expensive here in the US than they are in the UK. Like half the price. I've picked up jeans, sweatshirts, a fleece jacket, and some shoes. I've figured out the exchange rate and I'll get paid in Sterling when I'm "across the pond". It's just a little shocking to see the money depart my account NOW. I will use that money as my pocket cash. The upside is I'll be given cash and I won't have to pay that overseas transaction fee of 3% when I take money out of the ATM.
I went to my bank to "buy" some Sterling and found out they no longer sell or buy non US dollars. They directed me to the local Bank of America. I figured out that it will be cheaper for me to just go to the currency exchange booth at the airport and get some Sterling to get me started. BoA has some sort of a ridiculous fee that is more than the exchange booth (or at least what the exchange booth web site has printed).
Clothes are much less expensive here in the US than they are in the UK. Like half the price. I've picked up jeans, sweatshirts, a fleece jacket, and some shoes. I've figured out the exchange rate and I'll get paid in Sterling when I'm "across the pond". It's just a little shocking to see the money depart my account NOW. I will use that money as my pocket cash. The upside is I'll be given cash and I won't have to pay that overseas transaction fee of 3% when I take money out of the ATM.
I went to my bank to "buy" some Sterling and found out they no longer sell or buy non US dollars. They directed me to the local Bank of America. I figured out that it will be cheaper for me to just go to the currency exchange booth at the airport and get some Sterling to get me started. BoA has some sort of a ridiculous fee that is more than the exchange booth (or at least what the exchange booth web site has printed).
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Vacation Costs~People First
I sat down last night after dinner and mapped out my vacation costs
Plane ticket: $525
Car Rentals: $240
Hotel costs $100
Extra Bag Fees: $75
Gas: $150
Meals: $150
Misc: $100
Planned spending: $200
Grand Total: $1,540
I'm flying an airline that will charge me for my non carry on bags. I budgeted $75 because I think I'll need to pack an extra bag for the trip home.
I'm staying at a hotel for two nights (includes breakfast) and I've budgeted a bit extra for the hotel.
My meals, miscellaneous and planned spending total $450, but it all depends on where I end up staying for most of my trip. I usually try to go out for at least drinks in the Pub with some friends and pick up a couple rounds. I also like to go to the Tesco or Safeway and pick up snacks for myself, some bags of snacks, some sweets, some bottled water I keep in the car, saves me from hitting an overpriced vending machine. I have my rental car which will come with a full tank of gas and I know I will have to refill it at least once. I just don't know how much traveling I will end up doing. I usually get to my destination and park the car in a friends garage and get chauffeured around. As my friend Catherine says, your hire car may be nicer than my car, but no bloody American is going to chauffer me around town! Even though I'm comfortable driving in the UK, my UK friends prefer to drive!
I've already paid for my ticket (using part of my holiday bonus for that) and I have $250 in my ING Travel fund. The rest of the cost of the trip will be paid for partly by my tax refund, partly by my cutting my expenses in other areas, like not getting my bathroom retiled this year unless I really become a Toolbelt Diva.
I did send an e-mail off last night to my friend in the UK with the ill husband and she replied she is so delighted that I am coming, both she and her husband are looking forward to my visit. I'm putting it out to the universe to some how help me come up with the extra funds. Wish me luck!
Plane ticket: $525
Car Rentals: $240
Hotel costs $100
Extra Bag Fees: $75
Gas: $150
Meals: $150
Misc: $100
Planned spending: $200
Grand Total: $1,540
I'm flying an airline that will charge me for my non carry on bags. I budgeted $75 because I think I'll need to pack an extra bag for the trip home.
I'm staying at a hotel for two nights (includes breakfast) and I've budgeted a bit extra for the hotel.
My meals, miscellaneous and planned spending total $450, but it all depends on where I end up staying for most of my trip. I usually try to go out for at least drinks in the Pub with some friends and pick up a couple rounds. I also like to go to the Tesco or Safeway and pick up snacks for myself, some bags of snacks, some sweets, some bottled water I keep in the car, saves me from hitting an overpriced vending machine. I have my rental car which will come with a full tank of gas and I know I will have to refill it at least once. I just don't know how much traveling I will end up doing. I usually get to my destination and park the car in a friends garage and get chauffeured around. As my friend Catherine says, your hire car may be nicer than my car, but no bloody American is going to chauffer me around town! Even though I'm comfortable driving in the UK, my UK friends prefer to drive!
I've already paid for my ticket (using part of my holiday bonus for that) and I have $250 in my ING Travel fund. The rest of the cost of the trip will be paid for partly by my tax refund, partly by my cutting my expenses in other areas, like not getting my bathroom retiled this year unless I really become a Toolbelt Diva.
I did send an e-mail off last night to my friend in the UK with the ill husband and she replied she is so delighted that I am coming, both she and her husband are looking forward to my visit. I'm putting it out to the universe to some how help me come up with the extra funds. Wish me luck!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Trip Planning Update-The Collision Damage Waiver
It's 25 days and counting for my vacation. I've been researching car rentals. They have ranged from the ridiculous of +$300 USD (less the mandatory Collison Damage Waiver or CDW) to $242 inclusive of the CDW.
The Collision Damage Waiver is just that, a policy you take out when you rent a car and it covers collisions and damages. In the USA for USA and Canadian Rentals, many times your personal car insurance will cover a rental vehicle and if you book and pay with a credit card, your credit card offers this protection.
Guess what, your coverage is NOT valid in the UK. Some car rental companies are making it mandatory for you to purchase their CDW for the amazing fee of $24USD per day. I averaged out the cost on the three sites I've been trolling for car rentals. It used to be you could Opt Out of the CDW, which I did many a times on my travels in the UK. I did find one site where the rental fee was reasonable for the sized car I wanted. If I could convince my office to enroll the office American Express card in the premium car rental protection program, it would only cost me $24.99, I could opt out of the CDW and the cost would be just at $200 for the week. I am an authorized user on our office AE, they may go for it, they may not.
I read further on the web site. The one reasonable rental place also reserved the right to charge an additional $7USD per day even with the CDW coverage by AE. So, I enroll in the program, bring proof of coverage and I am still charged an additional fee. I contacted the agency to ask WHY and the response was less than satisfactory. Pretty much, they do it because they can.
I did find a site that gave me a quote that was all inclusive of the CDW, taxes, fees, and surcharges. It's a national company. The caveat was that I had to pre-pay for the rental and still let my credit card be charged a refundable deposit at the time of pick up. Oh did I mention, that even if you pay with a major credit card, they (all the agencies I looked at) want to reserve the right to charge your major credit card or debit card a hold of the equivalent of $1,000 to $1,500 USD. I don't have a credit card with a spare $1,000 USD on it. My one credit card has a limit of $500.
I'll probably do the following. I will probably reserve and pay for the car that is $242 inclusive of all fees and charges and use the AE as the primary card to "hold" the rental deposit. Car rentals have changed since I last booked a hire car in the UK! It still ends up being the same if not cheaper for me to rent a car than to do my traveling via Brit Rail and the Bus. Past experience has lead me to really read the fine print on each car rental web site, download the rental policies and keep a copy with me when I go to get the car. I also download the rental policies the day I leave in case of any "changes". I've seen it happen far too many times where the slightly jet lagged traveler is brow beaten into all sorts of un needed extras, like the CDW and other additions. By having this information at hand, I've more than once saved myself wads of cash at the counter, quoting their own policies that I was following. and very politely let the folks know this consumer comes prepared to do battle with the rental car companies.
25 days and counting!
The Collision Damage Waiver is just that, a policy you take out when you rent a car and it covers collisions and damages. In the USA for USA and Canadian Rentals, many times your personal car insurance will cover a rental vehicle and if you book and pay with a credit card, your credit card offers this protection.
Guess what, your coverage is NOT valid in the UK. Some car rental companies are making it mandatory for you to purchase their CDW for the amazing fee of $24USD per day. I averaged out the cost on the three sites I've been trolling for car rentals. It used to be you could Opt Out of the CDW, which I did many a times on my travels in the UK. I did find one site where the rental fee was reasonable for the sized car I wanted. If I could convince my office to enroll the office American Express card in the premium car rental protection program, it would only cost me $24.99, I could opt out of the CDW and the cost would be just at $200 for the week. I am an authorized user on our office AE, they may go for it, they may not.
I read further on the web site. The one reasonable rental place also reserved the right to charge an additional $7USD per day even with the CDW coverage by AE. So, I enroll in the program, bring proof of coverage and I am still charged an additional fee. I contacted the agency to ask WHY and the response was less than satisfactory. Pretty much, they do it because they can.
I did find a site that gave me a quote that was all inclusive of the CDW, taxes, fees, and surcharges. It's a national company. The caveat was that I had to pre-pay for the rental and still let my credit card be charged a refundable deposit at the time of pick up. Oh did I mention, that even if you pay with a major credit card, they (all the agencies I looked at) want to reserve the right to charge your major credit card or debit card a hold of the equivalent of $1,000 to $1,500 USD. I don't have a credit card with a spare $1,000 USD on it. My one credit card has a limit of $500.
I'll probably do the following. I will probably reserve and pay for the car that is $242 inclusive of all fees and charges and use the AE as the primary card to "hold" the rental deposit. Car rentals have changed since I last booked a hire car in the UK! It still ends up being the same if not cheaper for me to rent a car than to do my traveling via Brit Rail and the Bus. Past experience has lead me to really read the fine print on each car rental web site, download the rental policies and keep a copy with me when I go to get the car. I also download the rental policies the day I leave in case of any "changes". I've seen it happen far too many times where the slightly jet lagged traveler is brow beaten into all sorts of un needed extras, like the CDW and other additions. By having this information at hand, I've more than once saved myself wads of cash at the counter, quoting their own policies that I was following. and very politely let the folks know this consumer comes prepared to do battle with the rental car companies.
25 days and counting!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Roadside Attractions
From My Trip to New Brunswick, I passed this guy a number of times in three days.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Mini Break Planned And That Is A Good Thing!
With some things going on in my life, money aside, I've not really had a great opportunity this past year and a half to take a vacation that is not combined with a work trip or some other obligation to my time other than to be on vacation.
I have, however, made arrangements to go to Canada the end of July for a long weekend, specifically for 5 days total, two days will be travel days. I am loading up the car and a friend and I are splitting the gas and heading North of the Border to New Brunswick. We are staying with some of her family members (this is a family related trip for her) so our housing costs are null. My friend's husband will be on a two week work trip that he can not get out of, I'm the substitute driver! We are going to split the gas and we plan on doing next to nothing, canoeing, BBQing, swimming, drinking, and resting pretty much is what is on the agenda. While my friend is off on family obligations (specifically a christening for a niece on the "other side" of the family), I'll have most of the day for R and R.
I'm budgeting $150 for gas, which may be on the low side, $150 in miscellaneous expenses and I have to figure out some sort of a hostess gift and double check about our food contribution to the Saturday night BBQ. The original plan was for her husband to buy a bunch of food for the BBQ but I made it clear I can not afford to cover a Surf and Turf BBQ, I'll contribute something (case of beer, couple bottles of wine, buy some BBQ fixings), but I'm not going to go overboard. Had I not blown through my stimulus check, I'd only have $150 to apportion out. I'll make it work, I have some money in my ING account that I can tap into (and I'm only talking about an additional $100). I am so looking forward to this and it's T minus 15 days until departure.
I have, however, made arrangements to go to Canada the end of July for a long weekend, specifically for 5 days total, two days will be travel days. I am loading up the car and a friend and I are splitting the gas and heading North of the Border to New Brunswick. We are staying with some of her family members (this is a family related trip for her) so our housing costs are null. My friend's husband will be on a two week work trip that he can not get out of, I'm the substitute driver! We are going to split the gas and we plan on doing next to nothing, canoeing, BBQing, swimming, drinking, and resting pretty much is what is on the agenda. While my friend is off on family obligations (specifically a christening for a niece on the "other side" of the family), I'll have most of the day for R and R.
I'm budgeting $150 for gas, which may be on the low side, $150 in miscellaneous expenses and I have to figure out some sort of a hostess gift and double check about our food contribution to the Saturday night BBQ. The original plan was for her husband to buy a bunch of food for the BBQ but I made it clear I can not afford to cover a Surf and Turf BBQ, I'll contribute something (case of beer, couple bottles of wine, buy some BBQ fixings), but I'm not going to go overboard. Had I not blown through my stimulus check, I'd only have $150 to apportion out. I'll make it work, I have some money in my ING account that I can tap into (and I'm only talking about an additional $100). I am so looking forward to this and it's T minus 15 days until departure.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
A Vacation Idea
Vacations, we all need them. While cleaning out some files, I came across a clipping and an article I saved from an unknown magazine. I don't know what magazine, so I can't credit it. The clipping and article referenced a book, Stumbling Towards Enlightenment, and I think the author is Geraldine Larkin. I Googled the book references. I'm giving you the highlights of the clipping and article. This clipping accompanied an article about someone who did exactly what is outlined below. She ended up having a great time, found a beauty school where she got a manicure/pedicure for $20, found a reasonable B&B, ate simply, toured and visited some local sites and came home rested and refreshed and ready for her next assignment.
"Kids need them, parents need them; singles need them; partners need them. We need them after harsh winters and long school terms, after relationships end, after year-long job hunts. If you know this, the great Zen question becomes-What if I need a vacation and all I have is $350?
Here is my rousing method for getting that much needed vacation. I call it the "random road trip". A random road trip is not a planned-to-the-max-trip-to-Boston-since-I've-never-been-there vacation. Instead, it's a wake up-get-dressed-and-fill-your-gas-tank-vacation. The requirements are minimal
1) A car that works.
2) A valid driver's license (preferably your own).
3) Maps for the four directions (east, west, north, south)
4) $350 dollars in cash or on a VISA card
5) Three days, one day to get there (where ever you end up), one day to be there, and one day to drive home.
What makes a random road trip memorable is that you can't decide which direction to head in until the day you go or the day before. When you wake up, all you will feel is excitement. "
I like this philosophy. I were to drive South or East longer than a couple hours, I would end up in the ocean, but the premise is, you don't need a planned out to the max weekend escape and have a little R and R time. And if you did not have access to a car, I bet you could probably take a train or a bus someplace off the beaten path. I'm thinking about driving West in a few months and trying this out myself.
Think about it.
"Kids need them, parents need them; singles need them; partners need them. We need them after harsh winters and long school terms, after relationships end, after year-long job hunts. If you know this, the great Zen question becomes-What if I need a vacation and all I have is $350?
Here is my rousing method for getting that much needed vacation. I call it the "random road trip". A random road trip is not a planned-to-the-max-trip-to-Boston-since-I've-never-been-there vacation. Instead, it's a wake up-get-dressed-and-fill-your-gas-tank-vacation. The requirements are minimal
1) A car that works.
2) A valid driver's license (preferably your own).
3) Maps for the four directions (east, west, north, south)
4) $350 dollars in cash or on a VISA card
5) Three days, one day to get there (where ever you end up), one day to be there, and one day to drive home.
What makes a random road trip memorable is that you can't decide which direction to head in until the day you go or the day before. When you wake up, all you will feel is excitement. "
I like this philosophy. I were to drive South or East longer than a couple hours, I would end up in the ocean, but the premise is, you don't need a planned out to the max weekend escape and have a little R and R time. And if you did not have access to a car, I bet you could probably take a train or a bus someplace off the beaten path. I'm thinking about driving West in a few months and trying this out myself.
Think about it.
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