Thrifty Thursday

Save a dollar, travel more…

Today I’ll focus on saving energy. These simple tips will not only save you money, they are good for the environment. This helps save the planet so we have better places to travel to. Here are a few tips to save money at home so you have more money to spend on traveling.

We’ve all heard that changing to compact fluorescent light bulbs saves money. Did you know that a CFL bulb will save you about $30 over its lifetime and pay for itself in 6 months? It uses 75% less energy and lasts about 10 times longer than an incandescent bulb.

Not using it? Unplug it! If you unplug devices when you are not using them you can save on average 4-5% off your energy bill.

Turn down the temperature on your water heater to 120˚ F. When it comes time to replace your water heater look into a tank less water heater, they don’t waste energy keeping the water hot.

Check your air filter every month in your house. If the filter is dirty, change it. At a minimum, change the filter every 3 months. A dirty filter will slow down air flow and waste energy making the system work harder.

Turn on the fan. When you are in the room, turn on the fan, this can make the room feel 4˚ cooler so you can up the temperature on your thermostat. Don’t leave the fan on when you leave the room though.

Set your washer to wash the clothes in cold water. This will save money on water heating and your clothes will last longer.

If you have sunlight coming through a window, plant a tree that will shade the window. If you can’t, make sure the shades are closed during the heat of the day and when sunlight shines directly in.

Thrifty Thursday

Save a dollar, travel more…

Why use more when less will do?

Here are a few tips on using fewer resources to save money.

Cut your dryer sheets in half. I’ve been doing this for a while and have never noticed a difference.

Use less soap. I use half or the recommended laundry soap or add some water to bottle. I’ve never noticed my clothes less clean.

Refill please. Everyone likes the convenience of bottled water, but why do you need a new bottle every time? I have a filtered water pitcher in my refrigerator to refill my bottle when it is empty.

Recycle. You probably pay a tax on bottles and cans when you buy them, so get your money back when you are done. I typically make $80 a year in recycling plastic bottles, glass and cans.

Buy a shower caddy. It’s a plastic dispenser that you push the button for a small amount of shampoo, conditioner or shower gel. I use a lot less when I’m not just squirting a huge glob in my hand.

Thrifty Thursday

Save a dollar, travel more…

Are you on a water meter? Here are a few tips on saving water and the environment that will put a few dollars back in your wallet. Even if you are not on a meter, water is something we should all be trying to limit our use of.

While waiting for the water to heat up use the cold water for filling the dog’s water bowl, watering a plant, or filling a water pitcher.

Water your grass and plants early in the morning so the water does not evaporate. You can probably water less this way also.

Check your automatic sprinklers. Do you have water running down the gutter? Try watering a few minutes less so you are not wasting water.

Make sure your sprinklers are in good working order and not leaking water down the drain.

Install low flow aerators on your showers and faucets. Inexpensive and simple to install, low-flow shower heads and faucet aerators can reduce water consumption as much as 50%, and reduce your energy cost of heating the water by as much as 50%.

Use a quick or short cycle on your dishwasher and clothes washer. Everything comes out just as clean and you use less water and energy.

Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth.

Where am I Wednesday

5 Days in St. Thomas, USVI

Depending on where you are flying from this can be a long flight, so be sure to check out the in-flight comfort kit & stretches.  This is a perfect trip for a girlfriend getaway or a romantic trip. 

The best websites for information on St. Thomas are: www.usvi.net/usvi/stt.html

I split this flight up with an evening in Florida or Atlanta because it is a long flight.  If you go straight to St. Thomas, use the optional day 5 & 6 at the end.

Day 1

This last time I flew Delta and had time in Atlanta, Georgia.   My flight landed in Atlanta at 2:00.  We chose a 2 bedroom suite at the

Residence Inn Atlanta Airport North/Virginia Avenue

as we were a party of 3 women.  It was a perfect hotel for us to stretch out in with a living room and kitchen.  The hotel also includes a great buffet breakfast and first night welcome kit with popcorn.  I highly recommend this hotel for anyone.  It’s a great location by the airport and a quick cab ride into the city center.

Take a cab into the downtown area.  If you have time, check out the Georgia Aquarium.  They have a fantastic display of marine life.  If you don’t, like us visit the Coca Cola museum.  It’s open a little later and does not take as long to go through.  Don’t forget to visit the tasting room where you can try sodas from different countries and pick up your free souvenir bottle of coke.  Afterwards take a stroll through the Olympic park and have dinner at the Hard Rock Café.  There are plenty of options for dinning in this area.    

Day 2

Fill up at breakfast, pack up and head to the airport.  Our flight departed at 10:20 and landed in St. Thomas at 2:00.  If you have the money, splurge for the Ritz Carlton.  It is a fantastic hotel and there are great views. Many amenities are also included.  The hotel is 8.5 miles from the airport.  There is a small secluded bay at the hotel.  It’s not the greatest beach but it was never crowded. 

For a less expensive hotel, check out the Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort.  It is 6 miles from the airport. 

Spend the rest of your afternoon exploring the hotel, checking out the shops, and having dinner.  There is not really anything in walking distance so unless you have a car I would stick to the hotel.  After dinner snorkel in the bay, swim in the pool or relax in the hot tubs.  Maybe take in a spa treatment if they have any openings (or call ahead for an appointment).  It’s a great way to relax after a flight.

Day 3

Spend the day in Charlotte Amalie, the capital of the Virgin Islands.  Go to the visitor’s center first and check out any discounts or coupons.  Also pick up a walking map.  Plan to make stops at the Camille Pissaro House, The Afro-Caribbean Drum Center and Museum www.acdrumcenter.com, Fort Christian, Haagensen House, The Seven Arches Museum and the Mango Tango Art Gallery.  Make sure to leave plenty of time for shopping.  U.S. citizens are allowed a duty-free shopping quota of $1,600 in St. Thomas.  If you are shopping for jewelry this is a great place, but don’t be afraid to haggle the prices down.

Have lunch at the Banana Tree Grille for great views and seafood.  Next take the 99 Steps up to Blackbeard's Castle.  This is one of many staircases dating back to the early 1700s.  It takes a while and is good exercise, but the views are worth the climb.

For dinner try some local cuisine, the island is known for great seafood.  I was told the banana daiquiri also came from St. Thomas.  If you have a large party, try Duffy’s Love Shack for late night entertainment.  The drinks are fun and the music is loud.  I do not recommend this bar to single or small groups of women.  Be careful, watch your drinks, watch your friends and have a good time.  DO NOT for any reason leave with anyone you did not come with! 

Day 4

Take the full-day excursion to St. John for shopping and snorkeling at Trunk Bay. Enjoy sailing throughout the Caribbean waters aboard the Lady Lynsey, the Ritz Carleton’s 53-foot catamaran.  All of their cruises include cocktails and hors d'oeuvres.  Make sure to look into this on your first day to make reservations.

While on St. John make sure to snorkel at Caneel Bay and try the buffet lunch at the Caneel Bay Beach Terrace.

Once you are back at the hotel enjoy the amenities they provide like paddle boats, kayaks, hobie cats and windsurfers and snorkel equipment.  Swim in the pool and enjoy a cocktail in a lounge.  While we were snorkeling there were two sea turtles in the bay.

Day 5 (optional)

To see the 33 sq. mile island, rent a car from Budget Rent-a-Car, Discount Car Rental or Dependable Car Rental. Take the drive up the circling and winding hills. Visit Drake's Seat for great views and the lovely restored St. Peter Greathouse Estate & Garden.  Just below Drake's Seat is the beautiful Magens Bay Beach, take some time to snorkel here.

Spend the rest of the day exploring the island's South and North Coasts stopping at the Havensight area to go up the Paradise Point Tramway. The views are stupendous. Follow the southern Route 30 and then Route 32 to Red Hook to watch the ferries going to and from St. John. There are several restaurants and shops in the area to stroll through. From Red Hook, head west along Route 38 past the luxury resorts. Turn right on Route 42 and then onto Route 40 for a ride on

Valdemar Hill Drive

, this road provides lovely vistas of Charlotte Amalie below.

Day 5 or optional Day 6

If you have a later flight, ask for a late check out.  Get most of your packing done and then check out the Coral World Ocean Park.  The Sea Lion Encounter is fantastic along with the Sea Trek Helmet Dive.  There is not a huge selection of food so plan on eating before and after. 

Make sure you leave plenty of time to get back to the hotel and shower before heading to the airport for your flight home.