Gettin’ Carried Away

Times are tight. Money isn’t easy to make. Hopefully, the state of the economy in 2009 (and beyond) will improve little by little. Until then, we have to work with what we’ve got.

I have even neglected my own blog in order to devote more time to work. And while I’ve been making more money, I realized that I lost sight of my passion: traveling. So what do we do when we’re struggling to make a buck, but we still want to travel? I’ve got a few ideas…

Explore your city: If you live in (or near) a big city, get out there and do some exploring! Chances are, you have not visited every square inch of your neighborhood. Even if you live in a small town, there might be a local bar or a family-owned restaurant close to your home that has never been graced with your presence.

For me, I headed up north to Wrigleyville. As a White Sox fan, I don’t venture over there too often. However, I made some amazing discoveries, like the Horizon Cafe. Here, you can get a $5.99 breakfast any time of the day. For me, the Teriyaki Chicken Pita ($8 with fries and soup) was a the most perfect afternoon meal I could ask for.

Take day trips or 24-hour trips: I live roughly 20 minutes from the Illinois/Indiana border. I also live about two hours from a friend’s cottage in Michigan. If I just do a little net research, I can find endless ways to fill my days.

Lucky for me, though, my friend Sam has invited me to his cottage  in Michigan the weekend of April 24. My plan is to go for just a day, as I work on Sundays. However, I also need to save money, so this little 24-hour getaway is perfect for my budget. Where do you live? I’m willing to bet that with some good research, I’d be able to find something exciting for you to do in a span of 24 hours.

Plan inexpensive weekend getaways… and bring friends: It’s always easy to travel when you split the cost with a few people. When you’re going away with, say, three people, a $300 hotel stay becomes $100 and a $150 worth of gas pumping becomes $50. The rest of the expenses left to you will include fun and food… and you can always find affordable activities and cheap eats.

I have a few baseball road trips in the works, including a day trip to Milwaukee and road trips to Cleveland, Kansas City and Minneapolis. I think I have one or two spaces left in the car… who’s in?

Taking a trip to Ireland can be costly, especially if you only have a few days to get away. So when Saint Patrick’s Day weekend comes around, where should you go? Chicago, of course!

I’ve been told that people typically think of Boston when they consider celebrating Saint Patty’s Day in the U.S. However, having lived in Chicago for over almost 25 years now, I firmly believe that there is no better place to join in American-Irish celebrations than in the Windy City. There are plenty of activities here where you can get your green on and let out a big, “Slainte!”

Dyeing of the Chicago River

Chicago has been dyeing its river green for over 40 years. It all started when a plumber was approached and asked how his white coveralls were stained the perfect shade of Irish green. Since that day in 1961, an orange-colored dye is thrown into the river, dissolves and turns it a bright green. This year, the dyeing of the Chicago River will occur on Saturday, March 14 at 10:45 a.m. The best view of the dye job can be seen on the east side of the bridge at Columbus Drive.

Saint Patrick’s Day Parade

Once the Chicago River has been dyed, it’s time to kick off Patty’s Day weekend with the official Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown Chicago! If the holiday does not fall on the weekend, the parade is held before Saint Patrick’s Day so that everyone can join in the festivities. Parents won’t have to pull their children out of school and adults won’t have to take the day off of work. This year, the parade starts right after the dyeing of the river on Saturday, March 14 at noon and runs from Balbo to Monroe on Columbus Drive.

South Side Irish Parade

Don’t stop celebrating just yet! The south side of Chicago has its own St. Patrick’s Day celebration, as well. Held on the Sunday before Saint Patrick’s Day, the South Side Irish Parade is one of the most anticipated events on the South Side. This year, the parade falls on Sunday, March 15 and runs from 104th down Western Ave to 111th Street. Families typically line up on the east side of the street, while those (of age) who crave a pint of Guinness spend time on the west side, near all of the Irish bars.

When Saint Patrick’s Day weekend comes up, grab your suitcase and head to Chicago for some of the finest Irish celebrations in the world! You’ll have a whole weekend of lucky charms, corned beef, Guinness and more

And here’s a Twitter tip I discovered via @SouthwestAir a few weeks ago… If you a fly home via Southwest Airlines on Tuesday, March 17 (Saint Patrick’s Day), you’ll get a free beer. Slainte!

A few months ago, I wrote two posts about a few awesome presents you should get for your traveler for Christmas. There are tons of great gifts out there, and I was reminded of this when my birthday arrived this past Sunday.

One of the best gifts I received for my birthday was from my mother. She handed me an envelope full of gift cards, and I really think that this is the best gift you could give a traveler. Here’s why:

• AMC movie theater gift card: It’s getting pretty expensive to see a film these days. While a gift card to the theater doesn’t send you around the world, it does get you out of your house. And you also get to do something fun. Plus, you could use them at any AMC theater in the country!
• Olive Garden gift card: See above. Also, this gift satisfies your stomach, for sure. One of my favorite Olive Gardens resides in Times Square in NYC. I might just save this gift card and use it on my next trip to Manhattan. It would certainly pay for my entire meal or even a few meals… if I get an appetizer as a meal. I tend to order bruschetta as my meal at Olive Garden every time I dine there. So this gift will go a long way.
• Southwest Airlines gift cards: Three words… BEST GIFT EVER! My mom gave me enough gift cards to take a trip pretty much anywhere that Southwest flies. This airline always has amazing deals, with many of their flights being as low as $39 or $49 one way! Even if you gave your favorite traveler a $50 gift card, he/she will most likely be able to use it towards half of a round-trip ticket.

I’ve heard people say that gift cards are impersonal. That there’s no thought put into the gift. However, I don’t think that is true at all. My mom knows that 1. I haven’t been to the movies in ages, 2. I love to eat at Olive Garden and 3. I look to Southwest a lot when I’m booking a flight, because they offer very affordable fares. And to tell you the truth, I’d rather receive a Southwest Airlines gift card than an engraved luggage tag or an embroidered travel pillow.