Prairie Eco-Thrifter

FEBRUARY 10, 2011

Mike is the owner of CreditCardForum.com, which is a forum and blog for discussing credit-related topics. Recently, he’s been working on a list of the best gas credit cards and his most recent credit card review was for the Chase Ink card. Gotcha #1: Caps on rewards. Gotcha #3: Expiration of rewards.

Credit Cards 113

Credit Cards Gas Credit Fuel 113

The Frugal Girl

MARCH 4, 2024

Between camping and hoteling it over the years, we’ve managed to check off a LOT of items on our bucket list – including camping in every one of the 48 contiguous United States. Campsites are cheaper than hotel rooms, and because we can carry our own food with us, we don’t spend as much on restaurant meals.

Green And Frugal 180

Green And Frugal Kids and Family Hotel Frugal 180

For the Mommas

JANUARY 20, 2016

Credit Card Rules You Should Live By. Ah, the credit card. That magical card of freedom. You may have gotten your first card in college, before you had any salary at all but just in time for that upcoming spring break trip: clothes, gas money, hotel…and then, one month later… BOOM!

Credit Cards 40

Credit Cards Credit Debt Equal 40

Penny Pinchin' Mom

MAY 1, 2024

You certainly do not want to return home to a stack of credit card bills you can’t pay. Research airfare and hotel destinations to find discounts and offers. Skip the hotel There are many sites, such as Airbnb, that offer homes or condos to rent. Doing so can be less expensive than paying for a hotel.

Vacation 40

Vacation Budgeting Budget Airfare 40

Saving Everyday

DECEMBER 17, 2012

I hate strongly dislike debit/credit cards. My simple solution was to just nix the cards and use cash. This applies to date nights, vacations, etc… – Even when we go to Disney, I have a set amount of cash or Disney gift cards for our spending.

Credit Cards 45

Credit Cards Credit Frugal Vacation 45

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

FEBRUARY 5, 2014

Between credit card offers in the mail promising great rewards and the ability to borrow money for next to nothing, debt can be enticing. When I was 18, I got my first credit card. As a result, I ended up getting myself into a couple thousand dollars worth of credit card debt on things that I didn’t need.

Debt 206

Debt 2014 Credit Cards Consumerism 206

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

DECEMBER 8, 2014

At the time, I didn’t have credit cards so it was a valid concern. As an adult, I use both cash and credit as well as checks. Occasionally merchants will discount the price because they don’t have to pay the credit card fees on your purchase. That day the entire credit system nearly collapsed.

Used 180

Used Credit Cards Gasoline Consumer 180

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

NOVEMBER 20, 2014

There was the gas, the hotel, and the restaurants to pay for. I bring a hot plate and a skillet and sauce pan with me to the hotel to reheat freezer meals that I’ve made in advance. Use hotel rewards. As much as possible, we try to stay at the same hotel chain so we can accrue rewards points.

Travel 196

Travel Family Hotel Making 196

The Frugal Girl

NOVEMBER 27, 2023

I made some foolish choices shortly after graduating college, burning through my savings and running up credit card bills. This might change as my kids get older, but the thought of traveling just sounds like a bunch of logistical headaches and poor sleep in hotel rooms. What’s your best frugal win?

California 172

California Cars Car College 172

Fashion Without Guilt

MAY 9, 2011

Hotwire and Priceline for hotels. For example, when booking a hotel with Hotwire, you can know the area of town, the amenities, and the hotel rating, but not the hotel brand. By using these opaque websites, you can save up to 50% off hotels. By using these opaque websites, you can save up to 50% off hotels.

Budgeting 69

Budgeting Budget Travel Discount 69

Saving Everyday

OCTOBER 3, 2023

We usually go with one empty credit card, put everything on that ONE card so it’s easy to keep track of, and try our best not to go over our spending goal. Hotels often have more amenities than Airbnb, such as complimentary breakfast, fitness centers, and evening receptions. Be loyal to your favorite hotel brand.

Saving Money 52

Saving Money Money Travel Hotel 52

Saving In Akron

OCTOBER 20, 2011

All those bills, bank accounts, credit cards, passwords. Because most people have more than 20 different household accounts, including three to four credit cards, several travel and hotel rewards accounts, multiple magazine and newspaper subscriptions, plus cable, phone, and other assorted utility bills.

Magazine and Newspaper Subscriptions 113

Magazine and Newspaper Subscriptions Bills Credit Cards Hotel 113

Saving Cents With Sense

MARCH 21, 2014

One of the best ways to save is to book a ticket (hotel, cruise, etc.) Sign up for travel alert emails from discount companies like Travelzoo, daily deals providers like Groupon or Living Social and hotel groups or airlines to stay on top of rates and find deals. Sign up for travel deal alerts to get a low ticket price.

Travel 94

Travel Public Transit Airline Hotel 94

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

APRIL 3, 2012

After all, going on a holiday trip or even a business trip can already cost us a lot in terms of fare, hotel stay, and food. Missed Flights – If you missed your plane back home, travel insurance can cover the cost of getting a new plane ticket and even your extra night’s stay at the hotel.

Insurance 222

Insurance Travel Buy Buying 222

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JULY 30, 2014

I don’t want to have a full meal every time my stomach grumbles, so to avoid the cost and caloric implications of café and gas station snacks, I pack my own in my suitcase and throw a few in my purse when I leave my hotel. Ways to Save on Travel Without Using Rewards Credit Cards How to Save on Food Costs When Traveling Stop Eating Out!

Saving Money 187

Saving Money Money Food New York City 187

Saving Everyday

SEPTEMBER 27, 2022

Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels and select Annual Passholders receive free standard parking when visiting the theme parks – woohoo! Rates vary amongst the tiered hotel levels. Valet service is slowly being reintegrated across Walt Disney World Resort hotels. Luckily, Disney makes parking a breeze!

Disney World 52

Disney World Disney Garage Cars 52

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

AUGUST 18, 2016

Before we dive in, however, be aware that even without using any of these strategies, a vacation rental can be much more economical for your stay than traditional hotels or resorts – especially if you have a group of folks staying together. When do you choose vacation rental properties over hotel rooms?

Vacation 100

Vacation Saving Money Money Rent 100

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JULY 2, 2014

Even after you’ve done all the bookings and confirmed each reservation, keeping the cost of travel low beyond flights and hotel rooms, requires a few more preparatory steps. If using an ATM, do you have a debit card that will reimburse any fees incurred? Call Your Bank. Will you leave with cash and then exchange it?

Travel 177

Travel Airline Communications Skype 177

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

JULY 6, 2014

Everyone says don’t get the insurance, that your own car insurance (or perhaps your credit card) will cover you. We rented a car in Salt Lake City in 2003 and had a tire go flat (or get punctured) in the hotel parking lot over night. Really think about the extra insurance. Use your discounts.

Rental Car 167

Rental Car Cars Car Rent 167

Nicoles Nickels

JANUARY 30, 2012

Most people have more than 20 different household accounts, including three to four credit cards, several travel and hotel rewards accounts, multiple magazine and newspaper subscriptions, plus cable, phone, and other assorted utility bills. Why is Manilla necessary?

Bills 45

Bills Magazine and Newspaper Subscriptions Organic Organization 45

Nicoles Nickels

OCTOBER 11, 2011

Most people have more than 20 different household accounts, including three to four credit cards, several travel and hotel rewards accounts, multiple magazine and newspaper subscriptions, plus cable, phone, and other assorted utility bills. Why is Manilla necessary?

Magazine and Newspaper Subscriptions 45

Magazine and Newspaper Subscriptions Win Organic Organization 45

Nicoles Nickels

AUGUST 10, 2011

Most people have more than 20 different household accounts, including three to four credit cards, several travel and hotel rewards accounts, multiple magazine and newspaper subscriptions, plus cable, phone, and other assorted utility bills. Why is Manilla necessary?

Bills 45

Bills Magazine and Newspaper Subscriptions Organic Organization 45

Saving Cents With Sense

FEBRUARY 6, 2014

Track all of your checking, savings, credit card and IRA accounts while keeping tabs on our budget. If you keep your carry-on bag packed, feel right at home in hotels or have ever needed to convert dollars to rupees, Toshl Finance might be the money management app you have dreamed of. Toshl Finance.

Money 89

Money Budgeting Budget Finance 89

Nicoles Nickels

NOVEMBER 7, 2011

I used the American Express Prepaid card just as I would have my other credit cards. I paid in advance for our room online using the prepaid and then gave the hotel worker the card to have on file. At the end of the staycation, the hotel simply charged the prepaid card.

Hotel 40

Hotel Budgeting Budget Home and Garden 40

The Frugal Girl

NOVEMBER 13, 2023

A family picture with my parents His degree took 5 years, and during those 8 years of essentially being a 1-income couple with kids after 10 years of being a 2-income couple with no kids, they’d racked up $30k in credit card debt because they didn’t adjust their spending to their change in circumstances.

Kids and Family 191

Kids and Family Parenting Cars Car 191

For the Mommas

JANUARY 19, 2016

If you are one of the many people who have a little or a lot of debt accumulated through credit cards or other ways, use this opportunity to pay some of it back. Take the family out to a movie, stay overnight at a local hotel, or buy yourself that new outfit you had in mind. Get Rid of Debt. Have a Little Fun.

Taxes 40

Taxes Emergency Fund Debt Money 40

Family Balance Sheet

JUNE 1, 2011

Are you staying in a hotel, a rental or with family? Use Cash I like to use cash while on vacation, because I am less tempted to buy useless souvenirs and over spend with a credit card, but it takes a little planning to come up with the cash that we need. Make a list of expenditures. Does your rental have a kitchen?

Vacation 178

Vacation Saving Money Money Food and Drink 178

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

MAY 10, 2012

Madison presents Credit Card Application Spree to Maximize Sign Up Bonuses posted at My Dollar Plan , saying, “It’s time for a round of credit card applications to make some money! Do you have thousands of dollars worth of student loan debt and/or credit card debt? Readon for some great bonuses.

Money 113

Money May 2012 Debt 113

Prairie Eco-Thrifter

OCTOBER 31, 2012

She charged up credit cards to buy food and clothing. She ignored collectors and now the card company is suing. Be prepared to spend money on a cheap hotel if you can’t get into a shelter or take a tent (if you can carry it). Borrow Money You Can’t Pay Back. Eventually the inheritance ran out.

Friends And Family Sale 189

Friends And Family Sale Taxes Insurance Money 189

Family Balance Sheet

JANUARY 21, 2015

We paid down mostly student loans, vehicles and business credit card debt ( we already own a home outright ). Since I was getting paid for working and hotel/airfare was covered, we were able to celebrate with a small net effect on our budget. It wasn’t until the last 2 years that we got serious.

Debt 100

Debt Debt Free Las Vegas Finance 100

Fashion Without Guilt

MAY 9, 2011

Trying to Travel on a Budget these day, is almost impossible. With gas prices nearing $4, who has the money for that family vacation this year. The consumers have spoken and gas seems to be gradually dropping but not fast enough.If

Budgeting 40

Budgeting Budget Travel Discount 40