Fun Friday: Cheddar-Saving Travel Tips

Yep, with the holidays in full swing we're all wondering how to save some money, particularly in the costly area of travel. Found an incredible article courtesy of Real Simple that I had to share! Without further ado:

1. Book Early and Save

Figure out ahead of time where you're going to spend the holidays and book as soon as you decide! Early planning results in the best deals!

2. Buy Your Tickets Now

News flash: Travel fares only go up as the holidays draw near, so book now. Check out the Bing price predictor to see if fares are expected to go up or down within the next week, so you can figure out the ideal day to buy. Once your'e ready, check the best online discount travel sights and, sigh, breath easy when you've booked.

3. Don't Drive Yourself to the Airport

I had to learn this one the hard way. Airport parking prices take a steep hike around the holidays (high demand, folks). See if a friend can drive you to the airport. No dice? Call a cab or van or check out public transportation.

4. Get There Early

Sounds obvious? During the holidays it is extremely important to leave extra time for seasonal travel madness. Your planning will be wasted if you miss your flight. Assume the worst: expect terrible traffic and long lines at check-in and security. Leave extra early! Don't add stress to the holidays with a sprint to the departure gate.

5. Don't Wrap Your Gifts Ahead of Time

I know, I know. Not what you expected, but with added security around the holidays, TSA personnel may unwrap presents for inspection. Pack some wrapping paper or gift bags in your luggage and wrap upon landing.

6. Be Smart About Your Suitcase

Don't fall prey to overweight baggage fees. Pack lightly, weight your suitcase before leaving so as to avoid unpleasant surprises, and register checked bags online before heading to the airport--they often give you a break in the fees if you sign up online. If you're not lugging a lot of gifts, go minimalist and fly with just a carry-on.

7. Get Free Upgrades

No harm in trying! If you're bumped on an oversold flight, try to negotiate for an upgrade on your next flight. If you're a frequent flier or club member with the airline you're flying with, you can also try to score an upgrade. Arrive early if you plan to try this: a lot harder to negotiate in a rush.

8. Fly the Day of the Holiday

This little trick can score you a great deal. Most people want to get to their destinations on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, making those flights particularly expensive. The same goes for Christmas. Check out flights the morning of the holiday itself to see if better deals are available--tell any skeptical relative it's better for your budget.

9. Plane, Train, or Automobile

Don't brush off other modes of transportation. Given how expensive airline tickets are, it may actually be cheaper to travel by another means. Crunch the numbers, and compare not only the cost, but the amount of time and ease of each method as well. You may find that driving by car, bus, or train may actually be your best option--especially since, without air traffic delays, you'll be more or less guaranteed to arrive when you intended.

Sandy Hayden

Photo Credit: Jaunted, Arizona Foot Hills, and Mom Aboard.
Content Credit: Real Simple

Inspecting Holiday Lights

Whether you've been coupon trimming, dethawing, cleaning, or just salivating, I'm willing to bet your sights are on the turkey. But what about the day after? It's a likely bet that the half of you who aren't braving the Black Friday crowds will be home pulling out the garland, the stockings, the creepy singing figurine, and most of all the lights.

Holidays lights certainly make the season brighter, but these romantic little twinkles are actually responsible for one-fifth of the injuries from holiday decorating treated in hospital ER's (according to US Consumer Product Safety Commission--CPSC--reports). If electric shock and fire is not on the menu this season, then I recommend continuing through some basic safety precautions with us. All it takes to examine light sets for possible defects is a few extra moments.

For All Types of Christmas Lights

After ensuring they're unplugged, check the string of lights for frayed insulation, loose connections, and exposed bare wires. Repair (if possible) or discard sets displaying these potential trouble spots.

Check all light sockets and make sure that none of them are broken or cracked. If sockets are damaged, throw the light set away. After examining each set, place it on a non-flammable surface and plug it in for 10-15 minutes before decorating. If the set is not working properly, or if bulbs don't light, repair or discard it. Be sure to unplug the set when decorating.

Do not cover bulbs with decorations not supplied with the set. It may not be designed to handle the increased heating and could melt (potentially exposing live parts).

For Miniature Christmas Lights

When it comes to miniature bulbs, be sure to use bulbs with the same voltage rating (e.g. a 3 volt bulb to replace a 3 volt bulb) to prevent overheating, melting and possible fire. Bulbs are not marked individually with a voltage rating, so save the voltage information on the bulb packaging. It's worth it to prevent the danger resulting from using a bulb the incorrect voltage.

Quickly replace burned out bulbs; the remaining bulbs burn brighter and hotter for each burned out bulb. Light sets with bulbs that burn out rapidly or sets that show signs of melting around bulbs are early indications of defective or incorrect lamps. Do not use these sets.

It's common to tightly wrap or bunch miniature lights together in a cup or pot for special effects. Unless the set is designed or recommended for this use, the heat generated by bunching the lights together may result in melting, which could expose live parts. Christmas lights are created to decorate trees and objects where bulbs are separated and their heat is not concentrated.

For Christmas Light Sets with Standard-Size Bulbs

Examine each light bulb for improper assembly. If the glass readily separates from the bulb's base, the bulb should not be used. Check each bulb for protruding wires from the solder tip at the bulb's base or at the side of the bulb where the glass meets the base. If you find wire protrusions, repair the defect by cutting as much of the protruding wire off as possible. Check each bulb for excessive or irregular solder at the bottom and side of each bulb base, which may prevent complete insertion of the bulb into the socket. Bulbs in this condition should not be used.

Inspect carefully the interior of each light socket. Light sets with standard-size bulbs often have bulb-holders with two metal tabs inside each socket. With the set unplugged, check to see if tabs are used. If they are, there should be a side tab and a center contact at the bottom. If these two metal parts come together when a bulb is inserted, or if these two parts are both upright, a short circuit will occur when the set is used. If you are not sure that the tabs in the socket are correctly located, have a knowledgeable repair person check the set before you use it.

In short, be observant while you get your lights out this year and be sure to test before using them.

Sandy Hayden

Content Credit: Texas.gov
Photo Credit: Christmas Lights Close Up, LED Christmas Light Sets, and Getty Images.