More than half of American workers do not use all of their vacation time, according to a new survey, and more than a third of those who do take time off regularly check in with their office while they’re away. A spokesperson for StudyLogic, the company that conducted the research, believes the high unemployment rate […]
Tag Archives | Vacations/Travel
Five New Financial Normals
Writing about the “new normals” brought on by the Great Recession has become, well, a new normal for many media outlets. Adding to the conversation, Fortune magazine has come up with five new normals that it believes really will stick. Here they are, along with my thoughts. 1. Long-term unemployment. For those who have jobs, […]
Where Could Your Vacation Budget Take You?
In good times, people often choose where they want to go on vacation and then look into the cost. These days, assuming there’s still money in the budget for a vacation, the dollars come first. And just in time, there’s a helpful new resource from one of my favorite travel sites, Kayak.com. As reported on […]
Is Frugality Fading?
Frugality has been all the rage during the recession. But now there’s some evidence that our money-saving ways may be going by the wayside. A CNN.com story noted that the personal savings rate dipped in June after several months of strong growth. And, while an HSBC survey found that 85 percent of people have modified […]
Thriving After the Recession
While a lot of people are still deeply impacted by the recession, a number of post-recession articles are starting to emerge, including one from US News & World Report that suggested 10 ways to “thrive” after the recession. It described the new “evolved consumer” who “shops with more discipline and focuses on buying products with […]
Bus Travel Makes a Comeback
With frugality in fashion, bus companies are doing all they can to convert plane and train travelers to bus riders. As reported on MarketWatch, Greyhound’s Neon bus service now has more than 100 “motorcoaches” operating on the east coast with leather seats, more legroom, Internet access, and power outlets in every row. BoltBus, another east […]
When Getting Away Isn’t
The summer vacation has been downgraded – again. First it became a staycation, with people opting for local entertainment as a way to save money. Now, according to a Consumer Reports article, tight finances and fears over job security are prompting 35 percent of workers to say they don’t plan to take a vacation at […]
Boring But Necessary
Insurance won’t win any excitement prizes, but it’s a topic that a lot of us need to know more about. In a recent national survey from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), the average respondent correctly answered just four of ten questions. Most people did not know that auto insurance does not automatically cover […]
The Bus is Back
When’s the last time you took a bus for an out-of-town trip? With airline ticket prices on the rise and some airlines now charging for luggage, several bus lines are trying to win new business with upgraded vehicles, low prices, and high-tech amenities like free Wi-Fi. The financial blog WalletPop highlighted BoltBus (a subsidiary of […]
What I Did On My Summer Staycation
The high price of gasoline has led travel industry analysts to coin a new term – the “staycation.” They believe lots of folks will vacation close to home this summer, opting for near-by, low-cost attractions. What are your summer vacation plans? Have they been impacted by high gas prices? We’re renting a house on Lake […]