Wow - can't believe I was right!

Well, actually I can.

I haven't bothered with this blog since 2009 because my Mom died, by boyfriend had a stroke..
my brother died.   Life got in the way.

But looking back on my blogs posts, I am rather proud to say I certainly hit it on the mark regarding
buying a house.

Buy a house you can live in for 10 years.  Don't expect to be able to sell it in 3 and recoup your
investment..

I have not been working (outside of the home) for 10 years now.  And, I still have money, which
continues to amaze me.   I guess I still have money because I was always worried about running out,
so was careful about my spending habits.

Having said this, we did manage to spend a month in New York City (Manhattan, Columbus Circle)
last November.  We rented a furnished apartment.   We drove, and I managed to get a cheap
monthly rate at the parking garage in the building.   I had to phone directly and speak with the manager,
but he let me have the special internet rate, and they were so nice.   We were close to Hell's Kitchen,
where there are lots of inexpensive interesting restaurants, and because we had a full kitchen, were
able to cook as many meals as we wanted.

If you have the time, it's always cheaper to stay somewhere for a month.   And if you are someplace
for a month, you get a real sense of the neighborhood, and can leisurely see the tourists sites, as
well as living like a local.

Cheap International Vacation Travel

I like to travel. I especially like international travel.

One of the best sites I have found for international travel deals is go-today.com.

I have taken 2 trips using this company. One to Portugal and one to Italy.
Both were great trips and a wonderful value.

Now, this is not a guided tour, so if you are an inexperienced traveler, or afraid of adventure, it might not be for you. Their packages include air fare, hotel, and if it is more than 1 city, transportation between the cities. You have to get yourself to/from the airport or train station, although sometimes now they have additional add-ons (they didn't the first time I used them).

If you don't live in one of the normal "gateway" cities, be sure and check out their add-ons from where you live. Quite often it will be cheaper than what you could book yourself. This is where the real cost savings can come in. That, and the hotels they use are quite inexpensive and include breakfast. The hotels are local, and not something you would likely find on your own.

I always choose the cheapest hotel, as I don't need more than a bed, heat (or a/c), and a decent private bathroom (I refuse to share).

The prices today are a little higher than I would expect. Keep watching the site if you are interesting in traveling, and have time off. The key is to go in the off season, when prices are lower. This also means the crowds are smaller, which in Europe can be a really big deal.

If you want any more tips on traveling, feel free to post a comment and I will try to help you out.