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Getting Rid Of Those Pesky Credit Cards Is Harder Than You Think

  

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These days just about everyone has some kind of credit card debt. Whether we’ve hit some bad luck and needed the help or we’re just plain lazy and bad with money, we all know what debt looks like. In fact, a recent report estimated that the average American family has around $8,000 in credit card debt alone. That’s well over a trillion total!

Kind of makes you want to throw your credit card in the ocean, doesn’t it? Well, as much as we’d all like to get rid of our credit cards, it’s not as easy as you think. I know this because I actually tried it! And while I’m happy to be rid of my debt and won’t likely build anymore, it was still a lot harder than you’d think. Here’s everything I learned from the experience.

The Hassle

First and foremost, the most important thing I learned is that getting rid of your credit card (or credit cards) is very, very hard. Mostly because so many things these days require that you have one! Booking hotels and flights, setting up accounts online, putting down a deposit or a “soft hold,” etc, etc. Sure, debit cards work sometimes, but not all the time. So, if you’re thinking about pulling this off yourself, just be prepared to put in the work.

The next major lesson I learned that should be blatantly obvious to all of us, is that if you can’t pay for something with cash, you can’t afford it! Now, I’m not saying you should only keep your money in cash form and just constantly walk around with thousands of dollars in your pockets. That, of course, would be very stupid.

Basically, it means, if you can’t pay for something using the real money you have in your bank account (check, debit card, cash), then you really shouldn’t be buying it all. So many of us convince ourselves that we can put a charge on our card and we’ll definitely pay off the card at the end of the month. No problem. But then, come the end of the month, all of a sudden we don’t have the money to pay off the credit card and now we’ve got a bunch of fun, new debt! So if you’re really looking to get rid of some debt, stick to your checking account.

At this point, many you reading this might be thinking, “Yeah, I hear ya. Debt is scary and easy to rack up. But I just love my rewards!” And, trust me, I hear you. The benefits that come from credit card purchases can be great! Emphasis on can. More often than not, our credit cards are already so full that we’re facing pretty steep interest charges. So if you’re getting a sweet $35 reward on a given purchase, but you’re paying $85 a month in interest charges, you’re not exactly saving yourself any money, are you?! (Hint: No. You’re not.)

Then there are the ever-dangerous store cards. You know, those credit cards you can start that are specifically for H&M or Victoria’s Secret or Old Navy? I’m not going to beat around the bush here, folks: if you open one of these cards you are terrible with money. The interest rates on these cards are typically higher than any other credit card and the rewards are rarely worth it. So if you’re still struggling with the idea of ditching your proper credit cards, at least do me the favor of getting rid of these foolish cards.

And now it’s time for one of the greatest benefits I found when I got rid of my credit cards: I actually started being as frugal as I always wanted to be! When you can put something on your credit card that you promise yourself you’ll pay off later, what’s another couple hundred bucks?! Just go for it – buy both of those sweaters you love!

And therein lies the basic problems with credit cards. It so rarely even feels like real money. So when you get rid of them and start actually using real money, it turns out you’re much smarter about how you spend it and only spend exactly what you need! And when it’s all said and done, I promise you, the things you wanted to buy, and would have bought if you had a credit card, will not be missed whatsoever. In fact, you’ll probably be happy you didn’t bother.


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Destinations

The Tasty Traveling Trends Of 2019

 Let us see what’s most likely to be fashionable in the next year by observing the largest traveling fads of 2019.

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     Traveling trends are consistently producing terrific buzz for travelers. Patterns from very early 2019 up until this time, as observed by travel industries, are noticing changes from long, large, and pure vacation purposes to short and mixed vacation objectives. Let us see what’s most likely to be fashionable in the next year by observing the largest traveling fads of 2019.

Tiny Vacations

     In going with short holidays, the location needs to be conveniently accessed for a short vacation. It’s paramount to select the purposeful, time-saving activities – the remarkable ones. It could be a short family members vacation or solo trip.

Stroll touring is most advised during this sort of holiday. Native foods, gallery expeditions, and scenic strolls are the most pleasing activities you can do. There are numerous “walkable” cities in the world where you can enjoy these meaningful activities such as Kowloon in Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, London, England, and numerous others.

Wellness-oriented Tours

     With the ease of access to health information online, wellness-conscious visitors always associate tourism with health. As reported by the International Wellness Institute, wellness tourism is growing rapidly and has actually produced even more destinations with wellness orientations. One valid example is the existence of hot springs around the globe. These are thought to have healing abilities and were created by the existing hotels – however, with a new clientele in mind.

 

     The wellness locations most tourists chose include nature, specific weather conditions, peaceful destinations, day spas, culture, yoga exercise, and exterior health and fitness activities. These wellness destinations will certainly not just ease you physically but also emotionally. There are numerous places worldwide that supply solutions like these, such as  Hawaii, Italy, Bali, Arizona, as well as many more.

Bleisure Trips

     This holiday incorporates business with leisure. The majority of those who take a trip for their organization offer themselves many opportunities to take pleasure in tourism after organizational duties. Many tourists in bleisure journeys, search for the closest visitor destination to discover considering that they have just limited location and time choices. Moreover, they are not traveling for a getaway; rather searching for possibilities near the place they check-in. The most joyful activities to do throughout these vacations are days at the shopping center, memento searching and walking tours. Yet you can still increase the fun as long as your schedule permits. Beaches, riders, and golf courses are the next best tasks to do.

 

Social Media-inspired Holidays

     In today’s electronic age, selecting holiday destinations is more than likely, social media-inspired. Attractive pictures of lovely locations are published on social media as well as internet sites that permit first-timers to have first experience with the prospective destination. When visited, tourists might refer the destination to pals. Since pictures on social networks systems are mainly artistic, there are more real-life cosmetically artistic locations that you can choose from such as in Rome, Italy, Paris, France, Berlin, as well as Germany.

 

     Staying on par with these four large traveling trends will certainly maintain your itinerary. This will even make your traveling trip a lot more successful and greatly more satisfying.


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Destinations

Tourists Keep Getting Stranded In This Italian Village – The Culprit Turns Out To Be Google Maps

Sardinia’s Mayor the mayor has taken steps to get the navigation app blocked on the mountain village known for its hiking. 

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     Travelers often like to venture off the beaten path. But needing to be rescued as a result is a whole different story.

 

     Leaders of the village of Baunei, on Sardinia’s eastern coast, say that’s just what’s been happening to travelers following the popular Google Maps app. And they’re trying to put an end to the misdirection that has prompted a reported 144 emergency calls from drivers and hikers over the past couple of years, according to CNN.

 

 

Misleading The Tourists

     “Too many sedans and hatchbacks are getting stuck on unpassable tracks — sometimes off-road vehicles, too,” Baunei Mayor Salvatore Corrias told CNN. “All because they follow Google Maps, whose instructions are often misleading on our roads.”

 

     So the village is urging people to use local tour guides or paper maps instead — just definitely not the technology they may be used to in their everyday lives.

 

     The Baunei Facebook page shows roadside police signs that say in Italian and English: “Do not follow the directions suggested by Google Maps.” It also includes images of vehicles on rocky paths, including some with ropes attached for apparent towing.

 

 

#Blocked

     According to the Daily Beast, the mayor has taken steps to get the navigation app blocked on the mountain village known for its hiking. He has also asked managers of tourist sites such as hotels, restaurants, and museums to use paper maps, the publication reported.

 

     “We’re aware of an issue in Sardinia where Google Maps is routing some drivers down roads that can be difficult to navigate due to their terrain,” a Google statement said. “We’re currently working with the local government to resolve the issue, and are investigating ways we can better alert drivers about these types of roads.”

 

 

International Road Blocks

     Other destinations have had their own Google Maps mishaps in the past. Between 2015 and 2017, tourists looking for the Blue Mountains in Australia were directed to a dead-end road more than 20 miles away, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. Occasionally, those visitors would knock on residents’ doors looking for a restroom. In March 2017, a woman driving to the Grand Canyon followed Google Maps’ directions down a road in Arizona and ended up stranded for days when her car ran out of gas, the Dallas Morning News reported.

 

 

     Tourists in Italy blamed the navigation app in 2016 when they drove over a pedestrian bridge and along the Grand Canal in Venice, according to the Local. That same year, some tourists searching for Mount Rushmore were led by Google Maps instead to a church camp, the Rapid City (S.D.) Journal reported.

 

 A woman who worked at the Storm Mountain Center camp about 13 miles from the national memorial, Ashley Wilsey, told the newspaper that she often had to break the news to visitors that they were in the wrong place.

 

     “For the most part, people have been very friendly, but some people are very insistent that this is where Mount Rushmore should be,” she said.


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Ensuring Your Travel Pockets Stay Lined With Green

 

Travelling to an exotic location can be scary. But the experience can be absolutely terrifying if you run out of money! Therefore, check out our tips to help keep your pockets lined with the good stuff – money!

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     It may have taken some time to make your dream trip a reality. Now that it’s real, you need to enjoy every single moment! But wait, how much pocket money did you bring? Is it enough to enjoy every excursion or just last until the end of the trip?

No worries! Many destinations offer a wide array of affordable items, from souvenirs, clothing, to knick-knacks. One stroll past the shopping district and you are sure to backtrack and purchase your new future “want.”

Though spending (a lot) during travel is inevitable, there are still opportunities to save your money while enjoying your trip. Here are the top four killer tips to keep in mind to save money during your trip.

     Go Small Rather Than Big 

     Tourists immediately visit the Big Cities – obviously. However, this is actually one of the biggest money-saving mistakes… especially if you plan on traveling on a budget. Expenses in the big cities and tourist areas tend to be higher compared to small towns and provinces. Chances are, the cost of necessities in the big cities is already double compared to the cost of items in smaller towns.

     Find A Place That Feels Like HOME

     We mean, there’s no need to stay in some fancy hotel during your trip – largely just for the sake of finding a place to stay. Nowadays, travelers choose to stay in hostels or inns. Backpackers especially choose this route in order to save on lodging costs.

Staying in hostels is a great option especially if you only needed a place to sleep and rest after a tiresome day. Chances are. if you are planning to travel around, you won’t be staying in a hotel all day, so why waste the money? 

Hostels provide a place for backpackers to stay and refresh before they leave for another destination. To be frank, most hostels are more accommodating compared to those fancy hotels. You also get to experience the local culture more directly.

     Shop Wisely 

     Okay, this is the trickiest part. We understand the feeling of desiring a “thing.” Though numerous countries offer affordable gifts and souvenirs, you simply don’t need to bother.

     One of the best ways to save money when shopping is by visiting the local markets. It’s very likely that the item you saw in one of the malls is also being sold there for a much cheaper price! And the best thing about shopping in the local market is that you can throw in a bargain with the vendor. If your bargaining skills are pretty good, you might even get that product at half of its (already cheap) price! 

     Eating at restaurants might be a good option but keep in mind that it likely be costly. Some restaurants offer small meals while others offer tremendous values – perfect for leftovers. A lot of people take this opportunity to save money for their next meal. 

If eating at a restaurant is not your cup of tea, then it’s always better to try the small and local eateries that can be found around the area. You might be surprised at how delicious the street food options are. Be careful, though! Be aware of what you eat and drink. Ensure your binge-eating cleanly prepared food quality or you will end up having an upset stomach afterward. 

And lastly, just because the sight of a souvenir looks amazing does not mean that you need to buy it. Stroll around and check out other souvenir shops are selling. You’re most likely to find a much cheaper souvenir to buy for yourself and your friends and family back home.

     Be Smart

     By being smart, we mean you should be mindful of your expenses. Most tourists end up racking up a hell of a lot of bank fees because they’ve been using their credit cards for purchases. Please be aware that banks charge you if you use your cards abroad. 

     Another common mistake is exchanging your money for local currencies at the airport. Airport exchange rates are known to be bad and you’ll and up getting ripped off. Remember to bring your ATM cards since you’re most likely to get a better exchange rate when you use ATMs. 

     A trip doesn’t have to be expensive and you don’t really need to break the bank just to enjoy it. Being mindful of spending and savings is a great way to practice during travels. 


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