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Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Three Travel Resolutions You Can Keep

Resolutions are easy to come by this time of the year and usually, by February, many are long forgotten. Many people resolve to be happy and others resolve to get healthy.

If travel is on your radar for 2014, here are three resolutions you can make that you can keep.

1. Save like a boss. Maybe 2014 is the year that you take a big trip, and maybe 2014 is the year you save for that big trip.

Start small.


The 52-Week Money Challenge is being pinned ad nauseum because it can work. Start small. If the suggested amount is too much, cut it in half. If it's no problem, double or triple it.

Make saving something that is non-negotiable. Save before take-out and eat a sandwich. Drink your coffee at home or put it in a to-go thermos. Save before the movies and catch a documentary on Hulu or go to a matinee. Save where you can. It adds up. No excuses.

2. Plan. Feed your wanderlust and become an expert on where you want to go. What are the neighborhoods you want to explore? What are your must-see sites and experiences? Start a file on your computer or go old-school and build a folder. Create a travel vision board.


Become a social media hound for your destination and see what's hot...not as a tourist, but as a local. Follow Twitter and Facebook sites of tourism centers based in cities of interest.

Are there travel memoirs from writers in your destination or in activities you want to experience? Don't plan your visit with an itinerary, because flexibility is key, but, educate yourself and build excitement.

3. Start small. Explore your capital city like a tourist. If you were having visitors in town, where would you take them? Does your capital city or other metropolitan city in your area offer a tour? Any museums? Explore.

Sometimes, when people come to town and see the sites our capitals have to offer, we shrug and say we've  never been. Why not? Try a new restaurant or a corner coffee shop. Sit in the park with a book. Pack a picnic. If others are willing to explore your capital city or metropolitan center, shouldn't you? Sometimes a day or night out, even a weekend away, is enough to rejuvenate us and kindle a spark for bigger or more extensive travel.

If 2014 is your year to hit the road, congratulations! But if it's your year to plan, plan with gusto. Save like a boss, plan your heart out and start small. When you're ready to go, you can say, ¡Buen viaje!



PS--If you haven't already, get your passport. Here's the link for the online application. If you already have it, know when it expires.

12 comments:

  1. I hope to save like a boss!! But finding a job first is probably key... :P I did just spend the weekend in an iconic spot an hour away that I'd never visited before thought, and that counts for discovering what's in my own backyard! Thanks for the tips :)

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    1. Thanks, Annabel. Good luck with the job search. Share your iconic spot with your readers...maybe they will discover it as well. I look forward to reading it. :-) Have a great day! Thanks for visiting and for your comments. Please visit again soon.

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  2. I am all about saving and starting small this year! I don't think I'll be able to afford traveling, but I always keep it in the back of my mind and would love to make an actual plan. It's been too long since I've been out of the country! But you're right, of course, there is still plenty to explore around NY/CT/MA/VT! Thanks for this :)

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    1. Hi Christy! Thanks for visiting and for your comments. Saving and planning is so important. Few people can just pack and go, but as we save and plan, excitement builds. We're lucky to live in the Northeast, with so many fabulous places a gas tank away. Here's to exploring our own backyards! :-) Good luck with the saving and have fun planning. And please, come visit again soon. :-) Cheers!

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  3. This is awesome! Thank you for linking up at the Blog Strut Blog Hop! I can't wait to see what you link up next week! I would love for you to hop over anytime to Apeekintomyparadise.com and link up with the parties I co-host throughout the week!
    Have a terrific weekend!
    Cathy
    APeekIntoMyParadise.com
    #blogstrutbloghop

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    1. Hi Cathy, thanks so much. And thanks for the opportunity to share through the blog hop. I am a new follower to Peek Into Paradise and I can't wait to see what comes up next. Thanks again! Cheers!

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  4. Hi I am a new follower to your lovely blog (Via GFC)and it really feel pleasure meeting new awesome bloggers like you. Found you through Let's Be Friend's Blog Hop. I would love it if you follow me back

    my blog: wilsontom.blogspot.com

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    1. Hi Tom, Thanks for visiting. I am also a new GFC follower to your blog. Please visit again soon. Thanks.

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  5. "Be a tourist in your home town", I could not agree more. Some years we've had to stay local and found LOADS to see and do, there are always interesting things to see and places to go that you pass every day without realising. We live in Coventry in the UK, a pretty run down city with an industrial past but there are absolute gems here, we just had to look for them (apart from the very obvious - we have a very beautiful cathedral & old cathedral ruins which are well worth a visit if you are ever nearby!)

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    1. Hi Julia! Thanks so much for stopping by and for your comments. There is always something new to see. Sometimes, we get caught up in our own day to day business that we miss what's right in front of us. And when we think of vacation, we think of far off destinations, when in reality, people may be considering our own locale as a destination to explore. It's all a matter of perspective. Thank you so much for visiting. I hope you come back again soon. Cheers!

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  6. Working on building my savings this year and that challenge would be perfect! I need to explore Boston more. I live in the suburbs so I don't go into to the city nearly enough.

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    1. Hi Kerry, I know what you mean about getting into the city. Here in the northern part of the state, we drive about 40 minutes or so up to New Hampshire, when Boston is equal distance, I'm sure. And Boston has so much to offer. Looking forward to doing more in the city myself in 2014. And saving like it's my job. :-) Nice to see you...take care. :-)

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