Resort Fees: Make Sure You Use What You Pay For

Ah resort fees, the charges you see on you hotel invoice that seem nebulous at best. Depending on where you stay, resort fees could be anything: pool towel service, bottled water, turn down service, daily newspaper - virtually anything.

Three star or higher hotels are more likely to have resort fees than road side motels. Hotels are required to disclose what your resort fee covers. When booking your hotel stay over the phone, ask your representative if there is a resort fee and what it covers.

Last year, I stayed at an Embassy Suites in Puerto Rico that had horrible service. It had a $10 a day resort fee that covered the "free bottled water" at the pool that was advertised as an amenity. The caveat was that water was not all you could drink and you were allotted two bottles a day from the hours of 9 am to 3pm. This really was not the most convenient perk since I was out siteseeing during that time.

Some hotels may remove the resort fee if you say you didn't take advantage of the perks it covers. But don't count on them removing it.

The best thing to do is to find out what you are paying for and make sure you use whatever it is.

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Bed Bugs-The Unwelcome Travel Companion

Ok this is truly gross but hotels are having a major problen with bed bugs. Before I travelled to Orlando this year, I read on Tripadvisor that a hotel I was considering had a bed bug problem. I opted to not stay at that hotel.

Whether traveling for business or pleasure, many Americans take to the skies or hit the road for vacation during the summer months. In addition to packing luggage and double-checking itineraries, travelers should learn how to prevent unwelcome surprises, like bed bugs, from spoiling their trip or return home.

Pest control leader Orkin, Inc. has seen a rise in the number of bed bugs cases over the past several years, treating infestations in 48 states to date, versus only 43 states in 2004 and 35 states in 2003. Experts believe bed bugs’ return and prevalence in the U.S. are due to an increase in international travel and the change to more targeted pest control applications. These factors, combined with increased media coverage, have also heightened awareness of these blood-sucking pests among the general public.

Contrary to popular belief, bed bugs are not a sanitation issue; they can be found in any hotel--luxury to inexpensive-and any home-big, small, clean or dirty--as well as dormitories and cruise ships.

“Once a bed bug finds its way indoors, it can move from room to room by traveling on clothing and luggage or through pipes and vacuum cleaners,” said Frank Meek, board-certified entomologist and technical director for Orkin, Inc. “This tendency to hitch-hike--as well as a bed bug’s ability to survive more than a year without a blood meal--make proper prevention and control steps even more important.”


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While bed bugs are not known to carry disease, these apple-seed-sized pests can leave behind itchy, bloody welts on the skin.

Meek recommends travelers use the acronym, S.L.E.E.P., to remember the common signs of a bed bug infestation and to help prevent these pests from becoming an unwelcome travel companion or souvenir:

• Survey for signs of an infestation, such as dark brown or red spots on sheets.

• Lift and look for all bed bug hiding spots, including the mattress, headboard and furniture. Bed bugs are nocturnal and tend to hide near their food source-you!

• Elevate your belongings on a luggage rack away from the bed and wall, where bed bugs often hide behind headboards, picture frames and electrical outlet panels.

• Examine your luggage while repacking and when you return home. Remember, bed bugs are only 3/16 of an inch and can easily fit in cracks and crevices.

• Professionals can treat these resilient pests, which are extremely difficult to kill and can survive extreme temperatures.


Don’t let bed bugs spoil your travel. Remember to look for common signs of a bed beg infestation, such as dark brown or red spots on sheets and mattresses.

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Sleep Sacks Sleeping Bag Liners - Cocoon Cotton Travel Sheet - Nile $32.99

Slip into the comfort of a Cocoon cotton travel sheet on your next adventure. Use this versatile piece of sleeping gear while camping, or while traveling. The lightweight Travel Sheets extend sleeping bag life in addition to providing additional warmth as a sleeping bag liner. Sleep assured your bedding is clean and comfortable as you prepare to continue your journey. The cotton sleep sacks are ideal for use in hostels and hotels for added security in questionable bedding, Cocoon makes the best in travel sacks. Choose your sleep sack from a wide selection of colors. The Cocoon cotton travel sheet is a high value and economical piece of travel sleep gear featuring pillow pocket, double stitched with reinforced gussets, side opening with Velcro closure & nylon stuff bag. Choose from a selection of six color designs. A great companion for budget international travel!

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Grocery Shopping Update: Aluminum Foil Prices Rise Significantly

I was in Shop-Rite this week picking up a few items. I went to go buy my favorite brand of aluminum foil- Reynolds Wrap. Although it can be pricey, I splurge because the 200 Sq Ft roll lasts for so long.

The last time I purchased aluminum foil (about 18 months ago) it was about $5.69. To my horror, a box of Reynolds Wrap 200 Square Foot roll is now $8.99. It's the commodities prices folks. Everything costs more - even foil. I could not bring myself to pay $8.99 for a roll of foil... I just couldn't. I purchased the store brand which is no where near the quality of Reynolds Wrap.

If you decide to take the plunge and by Reynolds Wrap - here is a great tip:

Re-use Foil: I learned this growing up that if the foil is not soiled you can reuse it. You can fold it and put in plastic bag in the fridge for future use. ( I put it in the fridge because if even a little food residue is on it, you do not want to attract critters with it lying out.)

Obviously, if you use foil to wrap a cake with frosting or food with a sauce... you cannot re-use it. A good way to protect your foil is to first use a sheet of wax paper (you can still buy a roll of it for under $1.50 for store brand) to put over the food and then use the foil to secure it. I like to spray a little cooking spray on wax paper before wrapping cake with frosting - it protects the frosting from smudging.

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Tips for Staying Cool This Summer

The Northeast had a major hitwave in the past week that led to a very damaging thunderstorm. Many homes were without power for days. Here are a few items to buy in advance of the next heatwave and power outage.

Buy Battery Operated Fans:
I have one of these that I travel with but you should definitely have one on hand for emergencies:



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Get a Small Personal Fan for Your Purse or Briefcase:
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Tips On How To Vacation In Comfort

For most families, warm weather means fun time, as kids are trading classrooms for campouts, buses for bikes and math lessons for swimming lessons. It’s also the season for family travel-which presents parents with some unique challenges. No matter where you’re going, travel expert and mom Emily Kaufman has tips to help every family getaway be what it should be: fun.

Don’t Stress

Approach your travel plans with confidence and realism. Be prepared and flexible; there are some things you can’t control, such as traffic or delays. When your kids see your confidence, they’ll feel safe and can be calm. In case you get stranded in a traffic jam or an airport, pack “boredom bags”-bags filled with age-appropriate toys (books, electronic games, cards) and snacks to appease (and distract) the kids.

Travel Wear Is Not Your Kids’ “Sunday Best”

To ensure a fun start to your trips, start with comfort-a comfortable family is a happy family. Encourage your kids to layer up with tees and hoodies so they’re ready for any temperature, from air-conditioned airports to the car’s burning backseat.

Vacation In Comfort

“I always make sure Hanes socks, T-shirts and underwear are on my family’s packing list and on my family,” says Kaufman. “Marked with the Hanes Comfort Fit Promise seal, these essentials fit the best and are supersoft to keep my family comfortable when we’re on the move.”

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Maximize Your Vacation

Walt Disney World® Resort has enough fun for multiple vacations, so before arriving, decide on “must-do” adventures: Visit the Rock ‘n Roll Coaster® presented by Hanes or experience Expedition Everest™, but also leave time for discovery and surprises; these make the best memories. Kaufman’s favorite insider tip: Disney’s FASTPASS® to avoid waiting at popular attractions in all four theme parks. Take a ticket with an assigned return time and experience the attraction later in the day with little or no wait.

Hanes is offering families the chance to “Vacation in Comfort” during The Year of A Million Dreams at Walt Disney World Resort. See specially marked packages of Hanes products for information on how to enter and your chance to win a Walt Disney World vacation.

The contest runs from June through August 30, 2008, and seven winning families will be drawn on Sunday, September 21. Visit www.hanes.com/vacationin comfort for details and to enter.

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The Ultimate Worldwide Shopping Guide

Whether you want to purchase prepared foods in Hong Kong and Kowloon, scout great architectural salvage yards for vintage tiles, tubs and fireplaces in Cheshire, England, or select the highest-quality sheets from around the world, Suzy Gershman can show you exactly where to go and what to buy.

Gershman, author of the popular “Born to Shop” series, lists and reviews nearly 1,000 stores and brands in her latest book, Suzy Gershman's Where to Buy the Best of Everything: The Outspoken Guide for World Travelers and Online Shoppers (Wiley). While she doesn’t neglect the famous brand-name retailers that everybody loves-names like Louis Vuitton, Saks Fifth Avenue, Ralph Lauren and Disney Stores-she reveals hundreds of lesser-known places and products that appeal to shoppers looking for something different.

The author Oprah dubbed “Super Shopper Suzy” provides additional insight into shopping scams and how to avoid them, the world’s best spa treatments, top U.S. design districts, the best airports for shopping, and more.

Loaded with location listings, online shopping tips and Suzy’s opinionated descriptions, no other guidebook has ever combined shopping, travel and the Web in such a convenient package.

Suzy’s “Born to Shop” series, now over 23 years old, has been translated into eight languages. These books, along with her latest, are available online and in major bookstores.

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Recession Buster: More Tips for Saving at the Supermarket

Shopping at the supermarket is becoming more and more challenging on the brain.

Recently, I was at a Shoprite picking up a few items. I needed tomato sauce and my preferred brand is Ragu in any flavor. The one pound bottle of Ragu was "on sale" for $2.39. Keep in mind, last year the sale price use to be $1.99.

I grabbed the chunky vegetable flavor in 1lb size, but noticed the same flavor in a larger size. I picked the larger size and it was a 2lb plastic bottle regularly priced for $2.99. So for 1lb more of the same sauce for $.60 more! I put the 1lb bottle back on the shelf and grabbed two 2lb bottles.

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When shopping at the supermarket, make sure you always look at size vs. price. You will find that you will save more with the larger contatiners.

Remember - only buy bigger when you know you won't waste the leftovers. I have pasta pretty frequently at my house, so the sauce will go to good use.


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Save Money: Summer Savings Tips

With summer here, many consumers look forward to unwinding and enjoying the warm weather with family and friends. Whether it’s hosting a barbecue, lying out at the beach or going on weekend trips, consumers are looking for an escape during the summer months.

Bank of America says there are simple ways consumers can set aside the stress of finances as well and put themselves in a position to save this summer. Julie Morgenstern, author of “When Organizing Isn’t Enough: SHED Your Stuff, Change Your Life” and an expert on organization and time management, indicates that summer is a good time to get into a financial routine.

“The first step is to shed the bad financial habits that keep you from saving valuable time and money,” Morgenstern says.

To ensure consumers enjoy their summer without the worry of finances, here are some tips that can help you stretch your money without feeling the guilt:

Find reasonably priced escapes. You don’t have to travel the world or spend a fortune to get a vacation. Try changing your environment and surroundings to gain a new perspective. Whether it’s a meal in a restaurant with an exotic cuisine, a drive to the countryside or anything different in your day-to-day routine, these small changes can provide the fresh perspective you desire.

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Picture the life you want! While you’re relaxing on the beach or sitting on your patio deck this summer, reflect on the life you want to obtain. Through visualizing the life you want to live, you can more easily set a course to make it real. Do you crave more security, wealth or less stress? Start by changing your self-image and habits. If money matters are a leading stress factor in your life, start picturing yourself as a saver and take the steps necessary to make it happen.


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Save while you spend. Making small-item purchases throughout the summertime can add up to big spending. Look for opportunities to save. Use coupons or sign up for a simple savings program where you can save while you spend, like Keep the Change® with Bank of America, which automatically rounds up every check card purchase to the next whole dollar and transfers the difference from your checking account into your savings account. The bank will then match 100 percent of your Keep the Change savings for the first three months after you enroll, and 5 percent thereafter, up to a maximum total of $250 a year. Customers have saved $1 billion since the program began. Now, that’s savings that really does add up!

Simple Solutions To Combat Rising Food Prices

Guest Article by Hannah Keeley

Food prices are on the rise and, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, they are expected to climb even higher. With eggs up 40 percent, milk up 20 percent and chicken up 10 percent, many families are feeling the strain on their budgets at the grocery store.

Taking small steps, such as eating before heading to the grocery store and reading the circular to see what’s on sale, can have a big impact at the checkout counter. Here are some other ways families can make the most of their grocery budget:

• Planning ahead is very important. Before you go to the grocery store, plan out a week’s worth of meals. Check your pantry for any items you already have and make a list so you know exactly what to buy at the store.

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• To cut down on cost, choose affordable canned vegetables such as Libby’s, which are just as nutritious and great tasting as pricey fresh varieties. GetBack totheTable.com has delicious easy recipes to help moms incorporate canned vegetables into family dinners.

• Buy in bulk only when it’s a product you know you will use, and check the price per ounce listed on the shelf to make sure you’re getting the most product for your money.

• For moms shopping with children, create a learning experience. Before you set out, show your kids your list and explain that it is exactly what the family needs for the week. Get the kids involved by having them hunt for essentials. Older children can put their math skills to real-world use by weighing items, counting cans and calculating sale prices.

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Budget-conscious moms can download my meal planner and find cost-saving tips from Libby’s, as well as convenient, healthy recipes, at www.GetBacktotheTable.com.

Hannah Keeley is a mother of seven and author of “Hannah Keeley’s Total Mom Makeover: The Six-Week Plan to Completely Transform Your Home, Health, Family, and Life.”


Feeling the heat at the grocery store? Canned vegetables can help make wholesome family meals more affordable.

Advice For Road Trips: How To Save Money On Gas And Arrive Safely Part 3

(NAPSI)-Drivers can find ways to enhance their fuel economy before ever hitting the pavement.

"Don't let the price of gasoline spoil the fun of your family road trip," says Jim MacPherson, car-- care expert and automotive radio host for WTIC-AM in Connecticut. "By taking a few simple steps, you can save money at the pump and ensure the family vehicle is ready to reach your destination safely."

As a show host, MacPherson is often asked questions about fuel economy, vehicle maintenance and driver safety, particularly as drivers prepare for road trips. Here are some of the most common questions callers ask and his responses to them:

We plan on driving to our destination for the family vacation this year. Are there ways we can keep gasoline costs down?

Yes, there are several things you can do to enhance fuel economy. For starters, take your vehicle in for a basic tune-up. A poorly tuned engine will burn more fuel. Also, keep tires inflated to the proper pressure levels and change the air filter regularly. Consider switching to a fuel-efficient motor oil such as Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy. It can deliver up to 2 percent fuel-economy improvement, and this fully synthetic motor oil will protect your engine in extreme temperatures. (This is based on a comparison versus those grades most commonly used and a potential 2 percent fuel economy improvement. Actual savings are dependent upon vehicle/engine type, outside temperature, driving conditions and your current engine oil viscosity.)

For additional cost savings, travel in a midsize sedan rather than taking a full-size SUV. If you're concerned about the space, consider shipping recreational equipment to your destination or renting items once you have arrived.

What checks of the vehicle should we make before starting out?

Plan ahead for your next road trip and schedule a maintenance service at least two weeks prior to heading out. This will allow for plenty of time for repairs should your mechanic find a problem. A full check of the vehicle's safety systems will give you peace of mind while driving long distances. Most importantly, be sure the vehicle's tires and brakes are in proper working order.

Are there any driving tips to make the trip more economical?

Allow plenty of time to reach your destination so you're not tempted to speed. Driving at high speeds creates wind resistance and burns more fuel. When possible, try to keep rapid acceleration and braking to a minimum, as this can decrease fuel economy. Also, if your vehicle is equipped with cruise control, I recommend using it. Cruise control smooths surges in acceleration and places the driver's view on the road ahead, as opposed to responding to every shift in traffic around them.

I've heard that a dirty car can hurt your fuel economy. Is that true?

Actually, yes. The dirt on your car's exterior creates drag that, over long distances, reduces your miles per gallon. Keeping your vehicle washed and waxed will improve your vehicle's aerodynamics, improving your fuel economy. You'll also feel good about driving around in a clean vehicle.

We are going to need to use the rooftop carrier on our vehicle but the warning label calls for a very low weight limit. Is the roof really capable of supporting only 175 pounds?

These weight limits are often established with vehicle control and handling in mind. Items latched to a roof rack raise the vehicle's center of gravity. Check your owner's manual and follow the weight restrictions on the warning labels to ensure safe travel.

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AAA Tips for Saving on Gas Part 2

Here are some other smart tips from AAA on how to get more travel per gallon of gas:

No Need To Speed: If you are really concerned about maximizing your highway gas mileage (and driving safely), don’t exceed the posted speed limits. According to DOE and EPA data, your highway gas mileage drops 2 to 3 MPG for every 5 mile-per-hour increase in speed over 60.

Lose Some Weight: Don’t carry more dead weight in your Kia than you need to. The DOE and EPA say that every 100-pounds of extra weight in the trunk or cargo area exacts a fuel economy penalty of up to 2 percent.

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Don't Be A Speed Racer: "Speed Racer - NO NO NO" --If you want a big gain in fuel mileage, though, you need to seriously lay off the pedals when driving around town. Accelerating more slowly away from green lights and stopping more gradually for red lights cut fuel consumption in Edmunds.com's tests by 35.4 percent for the Land Rover and 27.1 percent for the Mustang.

Slamming down the gas pedal pushes more fuel into the engine while it also keeps the engine running faster.

You can also save a lot of gas by just lifting your foot off the accelerator as soon as possible when approaching a yellow or red light or a stop sign.


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AAA Tips for Saving Gas Part 1

I have been driving a lot slower these days to save on gas. I obey speed limits to help maximize mikes per gallon.

HEre is a tip from AAA:
Keep a steady speed: Most vehicles already have the best way to do this-Cruise Control! Used properly, It can improve overall fuel economy by up to 14 percent on the highway, according to independent tests.

Cruise control improves fuel economy because any movement of the accelerator - even those too small to noticeably affect speed - wastes gas. However if you use it in traffic conditions that require braking and resetting the speed frequently, you are not saving gas at all.


"Auto Refinance"

Turn Off Your Engine: If you are stuck at a railroad crossing counting the minutes as an endless freight train creeps by, shut off your engine. A car gets precisely zero miles per gallon when idling, and it’s easier on the vehicle and more economical to shut off the engine rather than let it idle for an extended period. There’s a myth that says it takes more gas to start your car than it does to idle for a few minutes. That is only a myth.

Check tomorrow for more gas saving tips.

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