“Penny-Pinching Tips for Traveling with your Pet” plus 1 more

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Penny-Pinching Tips for Traveling with your Pet Posted: 22 Dec 2011 04:00 AM PST This just in: Fido is officially part of the typical North American family, and he expects to be included on seasonal vacations. He doesn't come without issues or needs however, particularly when it comes to travel logistics and additional getaway costs. Here are several strategies put to use in our home when it comes to traveling with our rambunctious yet loveable Labrador. Research The site my husband and I use most often when traveling is PetsWelcome.com. It allows us to search for doggie-allowed establishments based on location, including whether or not any of the hotels in question charge an additional fee for letting Rover spend the night. If two hotels offer the same price with the exception of a $25 deposit for furry friends, then knowing this information ahead of time can help you avoid dishing out the extra dough. When pet-friendly hotels aren't prevalent, knowing where you'll be landing that night also allows you to plan the most efficient highway route, saving time on the road and rewarding Fido with some extra romping time. Daycare If you're going to be in a particular location for several days, and hanging out in the hotel just doesn't suit your dog's personality, don't assume you need to dish out for the overnight canine resort. Many of them offer reduced rates for day access. At one such establishment in Miami, $15 bought us a day at the spa for our loveable Labrador, giving her some much needed leg stretching time which resulted in a much more restful night for all of us back in our room. She always feels more secure sleeping with us, but needs an exceptional amount of exercise to remain behaviorally manageable. So this hybrid solution is an affordable, workable solution for us. Resources We're huge fans of free public rest areas on road trips. If you think you're going to clock eleven hours on the highway without a romp session, think again. Rover will definitely have other ideas, and you don't want to find that out while cruising sixty plus miles per hour down the interstate. Since you'll need to use these rest stops for the dogs anyway, packing a picnic will fit in nicely with that agenda. All things considered, you'll still spend less time off the highway than if you'd stopped at a restaurant on your own. Activities When possible, plan a vacation with an activity itinerary that will easily include your dog. Hiking, camping and even snowshoeing during a mountain cabin getaway can be fun for Fido. Just make sure you bring along protective canine booties if there's going to be slush and snow. Oceanfront fun during warmer weather, along with lake access for water dogs will build memories for the whole family and allow your furry family member to expend necessary energies during the day. Traveling with a canine will never be issue free, but it can be fun and affordable for the whole family. Proper planning and a bit of compromise will go a long way towards a successful vacation experience with your dog.

Dollar Matters: Gifts! Posted: 21 Dec 2011 09:54 AM PST Are you ready to give Christmas and Hanukkah gifts? Tis the season! There are a number of gift ideas to consider this time of year, including financial gifts. Before we get into this week’s posts, I do want to let you know that next week’s Dollar Matters will be a big roundup of best posts of the year. Think about your favorite post, from your blog, from the whole year. Then email me with it. And now, here are some of the holiday gift ideas to consider, courtesy of different bloggers: Holiday Gift Guide: Etsy Hannukah Gift Ideas Huffington Post has a few ideas for Hannukah gifts. You can find them on Etsy, or even make some of them yourself. Last Minute Holiday Gifts for Kids Over at the Adaptu blog, Kelly Whalen shares some ideas for last minute gift ideas for kids. If you’re looking for stocking stuffers, this is the place to be. Charity as a Holiday Present THE Canadian Personal Finance Blog takes a look at charity as a gift. Should you really make a donation on behalf of someone else and call it a gift to them? 7 Cost-Saving Tips for Christmas Dinner A gift to yourself: A delicious Christmas dinner for less. Here are a few tips from the Quizzle blog that can help you save money this year. 12 Festive Holiday Gift Wrap Ideas Whether you are wrapping for Christmas or for Hanukkah, you can use these gift wrap ideas from Cool Mom Picks. 10 Great Gifts Under $10 The Budget Fashionista offers a look at some great gift ideas that won’t cost you very much at all. Here are 10 ideas for less than $10. 8 Insanely Expensive Holiday Gifts Over at LearnVest, you can see the other side. Are these gifts too expensive? Probably. But it’s a fun list. Other Financial Posts Here are a few more great financial posts from around the blogosphere: Lending Club Income and Taxes from Bible Money Matters. From A to Z: Transitioning from Soldier to Civilian from The Military Wallet. Getting the Most Out of Your Credit Cards from Best Rates In. Canadian Household Debt Swells Beyond U.S. Household Debt at Credit, Eh. Starting To Invest: The Case For Being Conservative at Canadian Finance Blog. Obese are Paid Less at Frugal Zeitgeist. Carnival Carnival Of Financial Camaraderie hosted @ My University Money Totally Money Carnival hosted @ Invest It Wisely Carnival of Personal Finance hosted @ Financial Success for Young Adults Festival of Frugality hosted @ Help Me to Save Image source: Kelvin Kay via Wikimedia Commons

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