Make Me Marvellous with Minimal Money Mondays: #travelhacking

TRAVEL HACKING - OH YES!!!!!!!!!!


     Alright already, so I'm not the FIRST one to post about this Godsend known as #travelhacking, but please, be patient with me.  And, thus, the first tip to travel hacking is discovered - PATIENCE! You will get that deal, you will get that low price, the red square next to the date and time will show up (avid users of the EUROLINES website will appreciate that one  :).  Sometimes, I will find after a successful search that I have been looking for a bargain for 3-4 hours, it happens people, and guess what?  It's SO worth the time and energy.  Alright now, y'all, let's move on down to the next tip - TIME, TIME, TIME (and I hear it waits for no one).  So, c'mon then y'all, let's go!

     Oh, dear magic 8-ball, dost thou see my future? No, not possible.  DARN IT!  Guess, I'll just have to best to figure it out on my own.  Okay, here goes, 3 months from now, I will be on that flight booked on www.expedia.com and THIS will save me at least HALF the cost of the ticket.  TIME, people, TIME, its just gotta be managed.  Because I travel on a budget, I often find that if I know my schedule then I save. I don't fly often but when I do, I use www.expedia.com.  More often than not, a 2-3 month window will lower the cost dramatically.  And that makes a cheap travel queen, like myself, sleep easy.

     To sleep or not to sleep,  THAT is the real question.  Y'all know it's coming - sleeping on the bus/train in order to save on those killer accommodation prices!  WHEW!  I had to, I had to write it, I had to.  No, no one would RATHER sleep on a bus/train as opposed to sleeping in a nice comfy bed but when you wake up the next morning and realise how much you've saved, the bus/train becomes more and more appealing.  Yes, really.  And, oftentimes, the night prices are the cheaper prices.  Another perk of night travel is that on many of these bus trips movies are shown and that makes the experience even more enjoyable (see my post on EUROLINES to see that movies are more of a staple rather than a rarity).

Speaking of EUROLINES and their already low prices, there is a way to get an even lower price when booking with them - website 1 vs. website 2.  I know, a bit cheesy but accurate, nonetheless  :)  For example, let's say you would like to book a trip from London to Budapest.  First, you look on the UK website, nationalexpress.com (website 1).  Then, you go over to the Hungarian EUROLINES website, www.volanbusz.com (website 2).  Both websites will list a price of around 200 dollars US.  However, on www.volanbusz.com, you will find an even lower price based on the fact that this ticket can not be modified or refunded (which I have found to be extremely useful and worth booking).  In all fairness, www.nationalexpress.com offers a non-refundable option but I have found that www.volanbusz.com offers and even lower price. 

1)   PATIENCE
2)   TIME
3)   SLEEP
4)   COMPARISON SHOPPING

The key factors in successful #travelhacking...you need to be flexible with the above mentioned and also willing to sacrifice them, if needed.  But, it's well worth it in the end. 

Well, in the words of the ultra-savvy Mr. Bugs Bunny, THAT'S ALL FOLKS!

 

Make Me Marvellous with Minimal Money Mondays: The Life of a Token Expat

    

Week 1:  Well, At Least It Ain't Poop

     So, I am an unemployed traveller, an expat if you will.  Many times I am the only person of colour in the environments/cities/places I travel, I know, don't ask...well, you can if you reeeeeeally want to know  :)  Often, I am asked how I survive without a steady job, especially with my daughter in tow.  This Monday I've chosen to address the issue - I, we, live, not just survive by WWOOFing, I know, shocking, city girls on a farm.  But, if ya wanna save money, be exposed to many cultures and be able to live all the while, you miiiiiiiight need to do the unexpected, go outside your comfort zone.  WWOOFing is DEFINITELY outside my comfort zone. 

     But, then, while living as a WWOOFer/traveller/expat/single mom/token person of colour, the brain juices started to really flow (yup, I said it token person of colour.  Just wait, Timbo will elaborate).  What if, what if, there was a way to live without money, similar to a token economy, an economy of old, where goods and necessities were valued above the almighty dollar (see the play on words there, token economy, token person of colour, coloured lips, global trips, get with it, y'all:)  So far, so good.  Though I've been abroad for a while now, this is the first time I've centered it on a theme.  I have the first week ready and roaring to be posted.  So, y'all, it's possible.  It's possible to travel around the world utilising minimal money and feel marvellous all the while.  First video to be posted soon entitled, (Video) Week 1:  Well, At Least It Ain't Poop (Farm Life in Belgium)  http://youtu.be/w1WyGMyoBz0.

Ciao 4 Now, Y'All! 

CURRENT FAVORITES JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2014: Fierce Lipstick, Betty Boop and H2O, Oh My!

JANUARY FAVOURITES 2014

 

January is over, February is here, let's get FIERCE!  Lipstick, lipstick, lipstick, I LOVE FIERCE MAGENTA LIPSTICKS!  Earlier this month, I bought and reviewed lipsticks from a natural makeup company, Fierce Magenta .  Now, I'm in love.  These lippies are highly pigmented, creamy, and surprisingly enough don't stain your lips.  And, being the cheap-o that I am, you know these lippies are a great value ($7 - $10).

Often, we steer clear of bold and highly pigmented lippies because they stain our lips which leads to "scrubbing" our lips and thus making them irritated and dry.  But, my next favourite does anything but dry the lips - that good ol' H2O a.k.a. water!  "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink."  Okay, so, I know, I know, I should know better and do better when it comes to water (and I'm definitely not a horse) but sometimes I'm a slow learner.  Water is good for me and NOW I know it 100%.  My skin looks better, I feel better and I'm no longer thirsty.  #goodol'H2O

Well, water isn't the only thing that does a body good, less stress always decreases the mess (I really should copyright that last bit  :)  Betty Boop helps me de-stress?  WHAT?!  YUP!  :)  Inside of that Betty Boop notepad that I just absoLUTEly love are are the ramblings of my minds' eye that can cause it to clutter and get stressed.  I write down ideas, plans, goals, worries and that, too, does a body good.  Thanks Betty Boop (notebook).

 

 

"Big things come in small packages."  Who said that?  Well, whoever said it was spot on!  That little yellow container you see with the brown lid is one of those little packages with a big surprise (pause for the obvious dirty joke  :)  Ok, back to the regularly scheduled blog...Garnier Ultra Doux Intense Nutrition Mask.  WHEW!  This stuff is fiyah!  It smells like paradise in a tub, feels like a heavenly cloud and moisturises and conditioner your hair as effectively as an oasis in the middle of the desert gives ecstatic relief to all those who which to partake of its' blatantly enticing goodness.  Get some, ya won't regret it  :)

 

SNAIL ON MY FACE!??!!!!  Now, y'all know, I had to get funky wit' cha!  While Garnier is well-known and established, I had no idea about the benefits of snail extract and micellar water, until now.  When I tell y'all that my skin is ultra-sensitive, I mean it!  I have been searching so long for that something special that would help to keep my skin calm after shavings and hair and makeup removal (um, yeah, a sistah is hairy).  Enter Victoria Beauty Snail Extract Micellar Cleansing Water.  After using a hair removal cream, my face is usually sre and irritated.  What I do right after I remove the cream is to place a Victoria Beauty Snail Extract Micellar Cleansing Water-soaked paper towel/napkin on my face for 5 minutes.  When I remove the towel/napkin my face is still sensitive but much less irritated and the burn that I usually feel after this type of hair removal is lessened significantly.  A second benefit of Victoria Beauty Snail Extract Micellar Cleansing Water is its' maintenance of my oil production.  During the day and night, my face produces oil like Pharell Williams produces hits, constantly and consistently.  Yeah, yeah, I know, I always get compliments on how young I look and I have the acne and oil to prove it.  What I do with the cleansing water is put 2-3 squirts on to a cotton ball and wipe my face whenever I see/feel the oil getting out of control.  The cleansing water doesn't further the breakouts and it leaves my skin feeling refreshed. 

 #Victoria Beauty Snail Extract Micellar Cleansing Water

 

From the face to the hair - Lilly Drogerie Velnea Hair Oil and Schwarzkopf GLISS Hair Repair with Liquid Keratin Complex Oil Elixir.  A natural hair sistah say WHAAAAAAAAT?!!!!!!!!!!  Both these products are an oasis in the desert of my sometimes dry, natural hair.  The hair oil both moisturizes and seals in my hair's moisture while the Schwarzkopf  Hair Repair acts as a hydrator for daily use. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these affordable hair angels.



Last but certainly not least, the Green Tea with Lemon and the Hydrogen Peroxide.  These favourites are more health related, the tea helps clear up my skin and the hydrogen peroxide helped heal my recent lip piercings.  Yet, both can be used on a consistent and regular basis to keep me feeling marvellous, beautiful and healthy. 

Yeah, I know this was long but I just really love these items and I hope you found something that will help you as well.  Till next time, CIAO 4 NOW, Y'ALL!  Bye-bye  :)

From Plovdiv to Budapest via Sofia and Serbia (EUROLINES): TUESDAYTRAVELSWITH'TIMBO

So, this time our travels have led us to Budapest, Hungary - from Plovdiv, Bulgaria via Eurolines Bus Company.  We started our day at 5 am (getting ready to head to the bus station by 05:40).  From Plovdiv to Sofia, we rode a small 10-seater van.  Once in Sofia (an hour early and a first for us, I might add), we were able to grab some snacks for the trip and get a good seat (since there were so few people on this early morning bus we were able to each have 2 seats to ourselves to stretch out - and eat, thank you Mr. Bus Driver). 

Pumpkin Pooh getting her grub on with a pastry given to her by a fellow passenger

(her grandmother made them  :)

 

Chug-a-lug, chug-a-lug, chug-a-lug, we're off to Serbia.  Crossing from Bulgaria into Serbia wasn't as arduous and exhausting as I thought it would be. 

 





YES, we had to get off the bus and show our passports and YES we had to bring our bags from the bus with us, but the process was quick and straightforward.  And after we returned to the bus, we were pleasantly surprised with...

 

...a movie...

Killing Season starring Robert DeNiro and John Travolta

(appropriate movie given it was about the war in Bosnia and Serbia and we started and finished the film while in Serbia)

 

The bus driver played movies all the way into the evening and the genre of movies varied from action to romantic comedy.  There were many bathroom breaks, an extended meal break and plenty of time to just walk outisde for a photo op.

 

 

All in all, the trip from Plovdiv to Budapest was great.  This trip proves that the bus drivers really can make or break a travel experience and thanks to the bus drivers on this bus route, our experience was quite positive...

 

 

...and we arrived at Népliget International Bus Station in Budapest half an hour early.

 

 

I'd say that was some good ol' fashioned grade A customer service, wouldn't you?

 









#MakeMeMarvellouswithMinimalMoneyMondays: Local Craft Shop Accessories

It's Monday, there's snow and ice outside and I'm preeeeeeeety sure I need to keep a tight hold on the pocket strings to stay on budget.  But, wait.  Being on a budget doesnt't mean going without those things that make us feel girly and special.  This week, it's all about the accessories: earrings (2 pair - 5 leva/$3.45), a bracelet (1 leva/$0.69), and a ring (2.50 leva/$1.73), oh my! 

Local finds at a craft shop in Plovdiv (they also sell the material to make your own jewelry)

 

Shops' contact info

Map of the shops location

 

3.50 leva (about $2) earrings

Posing like a boss with my Plovdiv craft shop earrings

#MakeMeMarvelouswithMinimalMoneyMondays

#MinimalMoneyMondays

Peaceful like a Plovdiv Princess

#MakeMeMarvelouswithMinimalMoneyMondays

#MinimalMoneyMondays

Skull ring my bell

#MakeMeMarvelouswithMinimalMoneyMondays

#MinimalMoneyMondays

Orange on my wrist

#MakeMeMarvelouswithMinimalMoneyMondays

#MinimalMoneyMondays

 

 

This week I was made marvelous for 8.50 leva/$5.87.



And, btw, the white hat was a local thrift shop find (1 leva/$0.69) and my lippie of the day was a 8 leva/$6 Rimmel lipstick:  Cutting Edge #120.

So, stop by your local craft shop and make every Monday a #MinimalMoneyMondays day.

Ciao 4 Now, Y'ALL!