5 Tips for Travelling to the Big City on a Budget
This week one of my friends tweeted that she would soon be travelling to New York City and she wants to do it without spending alot of cash. That got me thinking. I have travelled coast to coast in Canada and the United States and each time I did it on a budget. How was I able to travel, see the best sites, and keep money in my wallet?
- Plan ahead. I would always grab a guide book, search online, and talk to natives whenever I could. I came up with a flexible plan of what I wanted to see and do.
- Come up with your trip budget and stick to it.
- Eat Cheap! For me I always ate breakfast in my room having gotten usually bagel, cream cheese, and fruit from a local market. For lunch I hit a restaurant the lunch menu is usually cheaper then the dinner menu and there are often lunch specials you can rely on. For dinner I loved sampling the street vendors.
- Visit the freebies: the big park, the museum that offers free hours, the harbourfront, the place of historical importance.
- If there are sites and attractions that you do want to see find out if they offer a city pass or discounted tickets. Most do. Buy doing so you could save yourself about 40% off.
Now my friend is headed to New York City for a week. I have been in New York a few times in my life and enjoyed the city very much. She is a young woman so here are my recommendations for that big city:
1. I know she eats Halal so check out The Halal Cart on 53rd and 6th after 7pm for a cheap good Halal meal.
2. Visit Ground Zero, this is a site that every global citizen should see. For her I would also then walk the few blocks to the local mosque for jummah prayers. These Muslims have had so much press lately. It might be good to give them some support.
3.Head over to Battery Park and take the free ferry to Staten Island. The ride is 25 minutes each way but it does give you a great view of the Statue of Liberty.
4. If you wanted to spend $79 you could also buy a City Pass that gets you into 6 attractions : The Empire State Building, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The American Museum of Natural History, and the Museum of Modern Art. The last two you can choose between The Empire State Building and Ellis Island tour or Circle Line Sightseeing Cruise. If you like history then do Ellis Island, if not the cruise give you a great way to view the sites of the city from a different perspective. The last two to choose between are the Top of the Rock and the Guggenheim Museum. My choice would be the museum.
5. Take a walk in Central Park or if you like to bike you can always rent a bike for a few hours. A great way to spend an afternoon. Another great walk is the Brooklyn Bridge.
6. If you are bound and determined to take in a Broadway show while you are there then make a list of your top say 3 then head over to the TKTS booth about an hour before it opens and you should be able to score some decent tickets for about half off. I did this and ended up in the managers seats for alot less then if I had bought ahead.
7. I always loved going and watching the taping of the Today show. Get there early for a good spot.
Those are my recommendations for the Big Apple. With some planning and asking ahead any big city can be done on a budget.
Buskerfest 2010
Toronto is a city filled with great summer festivals. One of our favorites was this past weekend with Buskerfest. What is your favorite summer time festival?
Back to School on a Budget
Don’t you love all the expenses of sending a child back to school? I was able to do it this year for $100. My daughter is a preteen and well has a sense of what she wants now so with that said most of these were picked by her but on a budget.
How did I manage to get all of this for a mere $100 bill. Well actually I got all of these plus a messenger bag and a pair of brand new converse sneakers for her. How?
- First I looked at last year’s school wardrobe and thought what can I use for this fall. Rachel only had 3 items that were in good enough shape to be a part of her fall line up.
- I hit 50% off sales at both the Salvation Army thrift store and Value Village. It was there I found brand new converse sneakers in her size for $10.I also found a messenger bad in like new shape for $3.
- Old Navy had some great pricing as well over the summer so hit there sales racks. Rachel likes Old Navy.
- Gap another favorite store of ours had some incredible sales back in July and I got her brand new jeans for $7 a pair.
By combining last years, some great thrift store finds, and some great sale bins Rachel is a styling tween. Now when it came to supplies I simply hit Dollorama and got the essentials. She is a girl ready for next week and grade 7.
The Canadian Child with No Rights
Don’t let this picture deceive you this is a young girl in crisis. On Saturday in an attempt to destress I took Rachel to the Buskerfest. This picture was actually taken in St James Park downtown as we had to escape the crowds for a bit.
What is stressing us out? Rachel is a Canadian child without ANY of the rights of being Canadian.
Rachel has lived with me here in Canada for exactly 12 years since she was 8 months old. She was born in New Mexico and I brought her home to my family and to my country. Back then things were easy. Remember the days long before 9/11, when you could cross over with ease? Well we arrived and since I am a Canadian born, Canadian citizen Rachel automatically gets citizenship.
Proving this citizenship has become our battle. You see by the time I got around to thinking she needed her citizenship card things were getting more difficult. I only had her birth certificate that lists me as her mother. I also was able to get her immunization records and her Social Security number from the US(but not her card as she would have to cross the border to get it).Something that is impossible to do without proper ID. She right now is a little girl without a citizenship card.
Rachel literally became a Canadian without any of the rights because she does not have the card.
- she has NO health coverage which means this child who has Asperger’s syndrome is not getting proper medical care. It means if and when she gets sick a doctors visit costs me $60 a shot at the local walk in clinic.
- this means this mother who unfortunately had to apply for welfare this week, well Rachel does NOT qualify for benefits so not only is the child support I receive for her taken off my check but they give me NO money for her, meaning all I currently get for Rachel from any source right now as of today is $287 (child tax credit).
- this means as of the end of September if things do not change I can not afford to parent my child.
Should any Canadian child be forced into this situation? Should any parent?
For the last few days I have been attempting to reapply for her citizenship card..what a nightmare that is and costly too. Went down to the office on St Clair Ave today to be told all documents must now be certified and submitted by mail. You can no longer hand things in in person, and then if you want to ask questions about your case there is a 1-800 number but when you call if they are busy you can not even wait in a que, you are told to call back. I was lucky though I found the cheapest notary in town Jeff Brown . If you need documents notarized or an oath I do recommend him. I have everything I do have now certified and got new citizenship pictures taken of Rachel..Yes today I had to spend about $100 to get things together for just a possibility but then comes the clincher, the wait time to receive a card, well lets not go there..she would get her card in another 7 to 10 months in the meantime, she is a child living in Ontario without the rights she should have.
Come the end of September if I can not find a resolution for her on my own I may have to make the difficult choice of giving up custody of her until this nightmare ends. She has not been out of my custody or care since her birth not even for a visit to her father. It has been me and her on our own since day 1. Even thinking of it sends my heart and head to places I do not even want to go.
Can you help?
- do u know a writer, or newshound who might think a Canadian without rights in their own land is a good story? I want to gas light people who might actually be able to help us get what Rachel needs.
- do you know a politician in the provincial or federal government. I need one championing things for her.
- do you know someone hiring? this problem becomes back burner if I am working and can provide for her on my own.
- do you know a good citizenship / Ontario Works lawyer who likes a challenge and might be willing to help?
if yes to any of those you can have them contact me directly. I am asking for your help to get Rachel what she deserves, her rights as a Canadian child and that one little piece of ID that makes it all better. You can email me at holliep@live.ca.
Little Girl Trapped in Red Tape
This is my daughter Rachel. She is 12. Typical Twelve year old most days but don’t let that deceive you. She is caught up in a mountain of Canadian red tape. You see my dear daughter was born in the United States: Carlsbad New Mexico to be exact. Well after my divorce some 12 years ago I brought her home to Canada. We crossed the border no issues..after all she is a Canadian Citizen as I her natural mother am a Canadian citizen born here in Toronto as was my father and grandfather and so on.
Where the problem begins is that I only had 1 piece of ID for her. Her birth certificate that lists me as her mother. I have a certified copy of her social security number but not her card as the United States will not issue a card unless you are there in person. Rachel can not cross the border to get it, we tried to get it at the Canadian Consulate here in Toronto: that was a no go. Without her citizenship card Rachel has become a Canadian without rights:
- in Ontario they will not issue her a health card, meaning no health coverage.
- in Ontario she does not qualify for welfare with out that card meaning me her mother would get NO benefits for her.
Can you see how this might create a problem? Right now I am out of work and waiting on an EI claim so I applied. Today I was told they have to remove Rachel from my claim until I have that card, until I have proof of her immigration status well there is not immigration status as SHE is CANADIAN. So instead of getting $813…I am getting $413. Because of course they still had to take off the child support.Can you sense my frustration as I feel trapped in a mire of red tape. If you believe in prayer please pray for Rachel and me, that somehow we can finally break through the red tape. As well pray that I figure out a way to get an extra $400 within the next 7 days before my rent is due as I don’t think I can work a miracle status wise in that time frame. I need to find work and find it fast. I am a Jill of all trades so I am hoping that the 40 or so resumes I have out there turn up something.
Back in the Writing Saddle
I am back in the saddle to speak. I have been taking a blogging break for the last 3 months..
Much has gone on. There have been some radical changes in my life and that of my tween daughter.
Some who follow me know I got ill and went bankrupt all in the same month. I will say this having 2 battles on your plate well is energy draining so it was time for this mom to take some time for me and well get my head,heart and body working together. I went into cocoon mode for the most part.I think every mom may need cocoon mode once is a while. For me I think there were many emotions tied up deep inside me. My body, heart and mind needed down time: recovery time. There were battles inside my head that needed to be won. I think that when it comes time to actually declare bankruptcy there is this guilt that goes with it. I think the stress came out in my body. I know there were voices in my head saying “How could you not of done better”. The lies one mind can perpetuate!
For me there was nothing really of done any different: I had felt this weight for many years too long. Since my days of owning 11 homes and a ranch with my now exhusband, I have often felt why did I walk away from wealth and into a world of debt and struggle. I had to battle my own head and realize the strength I did and do have as woman, mom and friend.Have any of you ever thought this is simply not good enough?
It is a tape that played in the back ground of my mind for way to long.
There is no sin in messing up. Can I say that again? There is no sin in messing up. It is what you do after the fact that matters most. What are you going to do with your life right now in this moment that makes you smile. What can you do?
So what am I doing:
- For me I had to make some radical moves this included a move back to Toronto my hometown. This was a practical choice for me as I want to access the best Aspergers care for my tween and network with other parents of Aspie kids.
- As for my bankruptcy I am keeping a budget journal. In less than a year I hope to be free and clear, and really given that second chance.
- I am taking time every day to pray more than once and connect with God..for me I need that peace that simply comes from falling on my knees in prayer.
- I am writing a private journal of gratitude that I keep each night.
- I am looking for way to help in my community as I find when you help someone else up your problems always seem to diminish in size.
- I am coming back to writing. I will be posting regularly as writing is something I love to do.
When life hits those bumps what do you do?
For me I am doing some reinventing and some strengthening both are good things. If any of this hits home perhaps we can encourage each other.
The Absent Attendee
See this picture from SOBCon? Don’t know what SOBCon is? Well it is more then just a bloggers conference it is a DO Tank. Earlier this year I wrote a post about how important online relationships are and well WON my way to this room of people. Many of my blogging heroes where in this room. Well life threw a curve ball and I couldn’t go. I was blessed enough the the founders of SOBCon let me pass my win on to another Canadian blogger. I gave my ticket to Scott Stratten..and if you are in the marketing world and don’t know who he is may I suggest you read his new book due out in August.
So what about the girl who didn’t get to go? The one who got stuck sitting at home?
Well I was the absent attendee! I was there in the room on Jenn’s computer, watching much of the action. I got to listen into some great sessions and some great panels. I followed the Twitter stream. I could feel the energy and love in the room as people brainstormed and blessed each others lives. Really I do not think you can really call it a conference but a mind meld of well just awesome people. The one thing I did miss out on was the table talks. I wish I had been where Scott was sitting for that part of the day.
What did I learn as the absent attendee?
Well there were many great quotes and take aways and if you follow the hashtag #subcon you will find plenty to smile about and learn from.
Some of my favorites:
From Chris Brogran: “You can’t eat a hug” How true that is! Sometimes people need more then just the pat on the back.They need the cash flow or the hand up. Notice I did not say hand out. In context Chris talked about struggling before he got to where he is today. I could so relate to that.
From Steve Faber: “Do what you love in the service of people who love what you do”. This can just work in so many areas of life.
From Liz Strauss: ” Raise a Barn”- It really does take many people working together to get things done. Who are you partnering with? Who is in your corner? Have I shown up at the barn raising. You need to be out there showing up.
From Terry Starbucker who said ” When at a fork in the road, Take it”. I am at a fork and I am taking it. Little by little but this mom is taking it.
My biggest take away. The need for me to have a business mentor. I need to take things to the next level. I have come far. But my dreams are big..I have planted flags and now I need to go after them. I need to be someone’s Greater Then Yourself project. I need the accountability and learning that comes from it. So that is my first task finding someone willing to take this mom on. I have much to give too so I am reaching out and finding more ways I can encourage and mentor someone who struggles are more then even mine. I want to encourage and lift up.
To all those who were at SOBCon thanks for all the love this weekend. I felt it on Sunday the most with all those shout outs! Thanks Terry and Scott for your kind words especially. Really I was sitting in bed watching the tweet stream and all of a sudden there was this cascade of love. thanks!! To Terry and Liz thanks for letting me send a Stand In. I am sure Scott appreciates it too.
I am thankful for a wonderful weekend of learning and growing even if I was at home ! Thanks for all of you who tweeted the weekend! I took away much even if I was here in Nova Scotia and not in Chicago. Hope to meet you in person next year!
Majesta is Green and a Great Giveaway
Well before life threw me a curve ball I was asked to be part of a team of women here in Canada who tried out Majesta’s new green product line called Treesposible. I have been learning alot and well I will be honest I had used Majesta before and thought they will a middle of the pack brand when it came to paper products. Well besides me there were many other Canadian moms trying out the brand and discussing in a forum many of the ways we can do ” green a bit better”.
Here are some great ways to go “green” and be eco-friendly. My daughter and I do several of these:
- use reusable grocery bags on a regular basis. Do you realize how just doing that one thing helps?
- Watch how much packaging you are bringing home when you buy something new.
- Have you thought of buying second hand.
- If you own your own home. How efficent are those appliances?
- Do your laundry in the off hours.
- Donate old clothes and household items to charity.
- Use an eco friendly water bottle. My daughter and I both have one.
- Recycle.
- Water lawns as little as you can.
- Plant a tree.
- Use low watt bulbs.
- Turn off the power when not in use.
These were just some on the list that the moms shared. What are you doing at your house?
Now as a product tester I did receive for free: paper towels, toilet paper and tissue. I had the notion before I began that well it would do a middle of the road job. Glad my notions were put to rest. I gave my daughter’s teacher a box of the tissue. It held up well in her classroom. Another box help up well when used by my sister in her car and well my daughter got a cold and lets just say there is an empty box and no red nose. So the tissue was strong enough and soft enough to do the job. For the paper towel I used it on 2 big jobs: Widows and the oven. Well lets just say I was impressed with the strength and the ability to get the job done. Now I got several rolls of toilet paper and well we even did a test to see how bio degradable the product was. Lets just say this paper product beat out the competition. The toilet paper was soft enough and cleaned well. Some important things to know about the line of products:
- No dyes or fragrances
- Made in Canada
- Whitened without chlorine
- Biodegradable and plumbing-friendly
You can visit Majesta’s web site and tell them what you’ve done to be more Treesponsible. Have you planted a tree lately? How are you going green? You will definitely want to enter the contest too!
* I have been compensated for this post with a Chapter’s Gift Card and product to test.
Life’s Curve Balls
I have come realize that the best laid plans for life can all of a sudden be changed when life throws you a curve ball. I am sure you and I both have had to deal with a few of them. Some of the curve balls I have dealt with in the past have been homelessness, divorce, job loss, fire and the list goes on.
For me it is how I deal with the curve ball that matters. This week life threw me another one and well the curve ball cancels my planned trip to my first ever blogging conference. I was really looking forward to going. I was excited and thrilled with the win of the trip. I was looking forward to meeting many of my blogging heros. I had to cancel my trip on Sunday and well Terry and Liz were nice enough to let me gift my ticket. I am sending another Canadian blogger who I know will love being there.
For me now it is about how to deal with my curve ball:
1. I am not going to write about it..not one word except to say it is a curve ball.
2. I will not be blogging for awhile. I will leave my blog open and may return to it in the near future but this is my last post for awhile.
3. I will be spending lots of time with my dear tween.
4. I do have a great local support group of friends and family I am thankful for each of them.
5. Sometimes you have to do what needs to be done to get where you have never dreamed possible. That will be my attitude for the next few months.
I am excited to see where this latest curve ball takes me. I am a survivor and life is about enjoying the common moments, make sure you are enjoying yours. As for you that will be at SoBCon without me, enjoy, learn, grow and find a way to pass it on. I am out of here for now. Take care!
Are You Partying? The Ultimate Blog Party
Well it is that time of year again! Time to get our party on!
My tween has the popcorn ready and we are ready to party with you all!
The sisters of 5 Minutes for Mom are again hosting the most wonderful ultimate blog party! Welcome to my stop on the party train!
My name is Hollie and I am a Canadian blogging mom who loves to blog about things that make sense and save up some cash at the same time. Call me frugal if you want. I call it common cents living!
My tween daughter and I live in the greater Halifax area (Halifax is a port city on the east coast of Canada).
I would love to encourage you to subscribe to the blog and come back and visit again. If you do you will find me sharing my menu on Mondays, I often tackle projects on Tuesday, and write about what is working for me on Wednesdays. I also try to share some great freebies as I can.
Now just for stopping by you can enter my little blog contest..A thank you for visiting!
What will you win? Well if you are not Canadian I have a paypal deposit coming your way of $12.34 Cdn and if you live in Canada I have a $20 gift certificate for Amazon for ya.
Rules for the Contest: 1. Leave a comment. Let me know about YOU.
2. You get an extra entry if you decide to stay around and subscribe.
Now lets get this party going! So many new friends to meet and great! See you all on the party train I hope.
