Shereen Rayle's Blog, page 72

Celebrating St. Patrick's Day

In just a few days, the world will be overcome with green: Green beer. Green shirts. Green beads. Green hats. And corned beef and cabbage. What? Don't ask me. I've never heard of anyone eating corned beef and cabbage outside of an Irish restaurant or St. Patrick's Day. I'm not sure it's for me, but I made colcannon, which is basically mashed potatoes and cabbage, and I liked it, so maybe I should give it a try. Anyway, back to St. Patrick's Day - the celebration of St. Patrick driving the (no...

What To Do In New York City

When you’re heading out to NYC, there’s so much that you’re going to want to see and do. But do you have a plan of how you’re going to spend your time there? Let’s take a look at some of the best things you can do.
Photo by Christopher Czermak on UnsplashShopFirst of all, when you’re heading to NYC, one of the best things you can do is to think about heading out and hitting some of the shops. Because we all know that this city has some of the best shopping in the world. So this...

Cheap and Free Things to Do In Las Vegas

I visit Vegas several times per year and I'm always looking for cool things that don't cost a ton of money. Although it seems like the city has really gone up in price, there are still a lot of things you can do that keep money in your pocket for more important things, like gambling and eating. Of course, things are changing all the time, so one year you go and find stuff and the next time it may be gone. Here are some of my favorite free and cheap Vegas finds.

Downtown artworkDowntown used to...

How to Get An Emotional Support Animal in your State

Have you been struggling with your mental health lately? The number of Americans that struggle with a mental illness every day is staggering. In any given year, mental illness affects more than 40 million of us, making it one of the most prevalent health issues in our entire country. But the worst thing is, many of those suffering are dealing with their issues without the assistance they need.  Photo by Matthew Henry on UnsplashIt is estimated that only around one-third of...

6 Reasons To Choose a Vacation Rental

As a timeshare owner, I've gotten used to having a larger space to crash in when I vacation. Unfortunately, I can't always get into a timeshare property, or there aren't any where I'm going. Usually, I check out Airbnb {<--use that link for $40 off!}. There's a time and a place to opt for a hotel, but as a budget traveler, being able to save money on food and saving my sanity by not being in everyone's pocket 24/7 is very important. Here are my 6 reasons to choose a vacation rental.
Yo...

How I'm Packing for Vegas

The Travel Goods Show is coming up next month and I'm already packed. Yes, it's four weeks away, but you know by now that I never wait until the last minute to do such things. I have packing down to a science now, so here's how I packed for four days in Vegas:
The bagI often come back home with a whole bag full of freebies and/or review items, and sometimes a brand new suitcase, so bringing a rolly bag when I might end up with a second one is out. Bringing a shoulder bag is nice, but if I don'...

It's Time to Plan Your Summer Vacation

I know, some of us have finally just gotten out of winter, and some of you are still getting snow. Summer is the most expensive time to travel, with 75% of travelers going somewhere away from home June, July and August. This isn't always conducive to being a budget-traveler, especially if it's the only time you have to travel with the kids. 

Well, you're in luck! With my Summer ebook, you can learn all the tricks to getting cheaper deals on flights, food, fun and lodgings. How can yo...

Cheap, Awesome Eats in Vegas

There used to be a time when you went to Vegas, gambled all day and could eat at a buffet for $8. Now, everything is $30pp and that counts as budget for Sin City. Well, not for me. I do indulge a bit in an expensive restaurant or buffet, but I try to use a coupon if I can. There are still ways to at for cheap in Vegas and feel like you're eating well. Here are some of my favorites:
On the Strip District DonutsI just found out that New Orleans' delicious doughnuts and sliders have made a ne...

Packing for a Weekend Getaway

Most travelers aren’t content never taking a vacation or even slaving away all year to wait for their annual trip. In fact, aside from the usual two weeks, it’s hard to make it through day-to-day without getting away a few other times throughout the year. We tend to take a few days here and there a couple times a year. You might not think you have the funds to do it, but if you step back and take a look at your travel style you can find ways you can cut corners, meaning you’ll need a smaller...

Where Will You Be Spending Spring Break?

Generally, I stay home for Spring Break, because I'm an adult and I save my monies for better vacation times, like Fall and Winter, but this year the Travel Goods Show lands smack dab in the middle of Spring Break in Oregon, meaning I had to do some fancy planning to do it on a budget. Now, going to and staying in Vegas was fine, because of fare sales and our timeshare, but I guess everyone wants to spend their trip in Portland, because coming back was 3-4 times as much as going, so to save m...