What can $99 buy? January 12, 2009
Posted by yp2m in Activities, Hotels, Travel, beach, cruise.Tags: airfare, cruise, hawaii, hotel, las vegas, mexico, swimsuits, tour, vacation, whales
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What can $99 buy you today? How about a winter escape to Huatulco, Mexico. If you don’t mind flying between January 23rd and the 30th, then get yourself on Escapes.ca and book away. Huatulco is one of Mexico’s latest recreational resort projects. Not as familiar to travellers as Puerto Vallarta or Mazatlan, Huatulco offers golf, horseback riding, tennis, boating, beaching and surfing.
When I was in Las Vegas over the Christmas week, I went to see the Phantom of the Opera at the Venetian and KA, a Cirque du Soleil theatrical show at the MGM Grand. Now you can too for only $244 from Calgary which includes airfare and a week stay at the Primm Valley resort. Be sure to check out Half-Price Tix for all your discounted entertainment tickets. Don’t expect to get 50% off popular shows like the Phantom or KA but you can get some pretty good savings if you show up in line early.
If the hustle and bustle isn’t your thing then pack your swimsuits and head for Puerto Vallarta. For only $497, get an all-inclusive vacation with air from Calgary. Stay at the Costa Club Punta Arena hotel which is only 5 minutes away from downtown Puerto Vallarta and 15 minutes from the international airport where you will fly into. Visit Hume-Travel.com for more details.
Planning for Valentine’s Day? Sail on the NCL Pride of America for only $999 and visit all the Hawaiian Islands. Did you know it’s a great time to be in Hawaii? During December to April, you can see humpback whales and their youngs up close and personal with a Zodiac tour. To take advantage of this cruise, visit CheapTickets.com
Keen on Deals November 16, 2008
Posted by yp2m in Accessories, Activities, Her's, His, Shopping, Sports, beach, golf, kids, money, saving money.Tags: bags, daypacks, keen, kombi, sale, sandals, shoes, ski, snowboard, Sports, toques
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If you wear size 7 or 9 then you are in luck. Luckily for me, my foot was small yesterday as I picked up a few Keen sandals and shoes for cheap. How cheap? Almost 50%-60% off retail prices. I found a Newport style for $50 that normally sells for US$80. 
Also at $50 was the Jasper style shoe that normally goes for US$95. There were about 4 shelves full of Keen shoes, ranging from sandals to hiking shoes, some men’s and some ladies’ but were all size 7 or 9. My favorite pair of sandals is the Newport H2’s. They had a navy blue pair for $55 which is a great price considering that you can easily pay more than US$95 a pair. 
They also had Keen bags and knapsacks. For knapsacks, they had daypacks which are great for school or for a day tour. My favorite was 
a style called Burnside where a zipper along the side would reveal a compartment to hold your laptop in. Nice ample shoulder straps let you carry the bag comfortably on your shoulders or if you wish, you can carry it like a normal bag, there is a fabric handle on the side. A small mesh pocket to hold your keys, earbuds (or makeup) is hidden by the top flap, reached by unzipping the zipper on the top. The bag normally sells for US$95 but was on sale for $55.
On another floor, there was a clearance of ski wear. Everything for the snowboarder can be found here including Kombi undergarments, toques, face masks, hoodies, gloves, performance fleece and more. Rip Curl knapsacks for $30 and Australian snowboards for $300 were at hand too. Toques were clearing at 2-for-$10, a great stocking stuffer. Roots golf shirts were selling for $30 or less. And a bargain rack of various shirts and sizes in the hallway for $5. Opposite the hallway cashier was a room clearing shoes of all types, mostly sample sizes that range from 6 to 9. I managed to pick up a pair of Bite golf shoes for $30 that I have seen at Golf Town for $60 or more. LPGA visors went for $2 and golf spikes for $4.
If you’re interested in checking this out, drop by the Manchester Building at 339 – 50th Ave SE today before 3:00pm.
Free Cruise and Air November 6, 2008
Posted by yp2m in Activities, Fall 2008/2009, Free stuff, Hotels, Lifestyle, Shopping, Sightseeing, Travel, beach, cruise, freebies, golf, money, museums, saving money.Tags: air, america, carnival, cruise, free, holland, miles, oceanview, rewards, shell, Travel
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What would you prefer, a trip that you would have to pay for or a free trip? I think most of us would prefer the latter. I am redeeming my Air Miles for a possible cruise and airfare. Affliated with Air Miles are two cruise lines, Holland America and Carnival. Unfortunately I am too late for the Holland America cruise that departed on October 18, 2008 and returned with memories. Carnival on the other hand has a whole list of cruises that are eligible for point redemption. The one I’m interested in is the one that sails February 7th from Port Canaveral. If the port city sounds familiar, it should because that’s where the space shuttle launches into space from. Visiting the Cape (Canaveral) is really something else. If you love rockets, space voyages and the shuttle, be sure to stop by and spend a day there. And if you’re lucky, you might arrive on the same day as a night launch. The cruise sails to Belize City, Costa Maya and Nassau, Bahamas. Belize is known for world-class snorkelling and scuba. Costa Maya is beach, beach and more beach. And Nassau has golf, shopping and the Atlantis Resort.
The folks at Air Miles are really helpful, as they instructed me to take the cruise and the air for all the points I have. It’s not totally free because you are still responsible for port charges, taxes, air and security fees. And if you have sailed on Carnival before, they will look up if there are any promotions or specials for past passengers. In this case, my wife has sailed with Carnival before and we were entitled to a free 2-cabin upgrade. They also offered an Oceanview cabin for lower air miles than an Inside cabin so the total air miles required was only 6832 for two plus $700.08 fees. The airfare required 6480 air miles and $259 fees.
With this free trip in mind, it gives me added incentive to shop at Safeway’s, buy gas at Shell and bank at the Bank of Montreal.
Free Gas November 4, 2008
Posted by yp2m in Activities, Business, Event, Fall 2008/2009, News, Shopping, Special Days, saving money.Tags: Apple, gold, free, rsp, gas, christmas, stock, tsx, election, uselection, obama, mccain, giveaway
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When I woke up today, I knew it was going to be a good day. First of, gas prices were down. At my local gas station, gas was selling at 93.4 cents per litre. Ok, it’s a dead giveaway – if we’re talking about litres then you know it’s in Canada. Some say the pumps dropped down to as little as 85 cents per litre in the east. But in Vancouver, a litre goes for $1.07.
Second, I went out for a brief moment to pick up a leaf blower. I went to my local Canadian Tire store and where they usually keep leaf blowers, weed eaters, flower pots, etc., they now have Christmas paper, lights, trees and decorations. Ok, so I miss the boat on yard cleanup but I still have leaves scattered all over my yard. It’s not going to matter according to the weatherman because he calls for snow. Soon the mess in my yard will be covered up with a white blanket.
Third, the stock market is up. Thanks to the US election, all the markets are up. Gold is up $30. Apple stock is up by $4.03 and the TSX gain more than 400 points this afternoon. There may be a chance for my RSP after all.
For free gas, check this out. Sorry this offer is only good in Canada.
Halloween for Free Seekers October 31, 2008
Posted by yp2m in Activities, Event, Fall 2008/2009, Food, Free stuff, Shopping, Special Days, coupons, freebies, kids, restaurants, saving money.Tags: donations, freebies, frosty, gift, halloween, ice cream, science, skate, skating, swim, telus
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Tonight might not be a good night because the skies are cloudy and the ghosts and goblins will be out in full force. It’s Halloween and tonight is a Friday’s night. Perhaps, next Friday when the skies are clear you can take your kids down to the Telus World of Science and stargaze for free.
But if you’re looking to be creeped out and you’re in Vancouver, visit the Dunbar Haunted House. Admission is free but please bring a donation. There is a list of good charities to donate to.
Today is the last day to buy Halloween Gift Certificates from the City of Calgary Recreation. These gift certificates give the little ghouls a FREE SWIM. The cost of the certificates is $5.00 for a booklet of 10. If you’re looking for free public skating, mark your calendars for November 11th and check your City of Calgary Recreation website for a local rink.
McDonald’s is offering Halloween certificates at $1 per booklet which entitles kids to a free small cone. Wendy’s has a similiar booklet, entitling kids to a small frosty.
Drive carefully tonight and watch out for the little ghosts, goblins and ghoulies.
Easy on the Ears September 26, 2008
Posted by yp2m in Activities, Electronics, Free stuff, Shopping, car rental, coupons, freebies, money, saving money.Tags: admission, airfare, alamo, bluetooth, Car, cheap, festival, film, free, headset, retnal
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If you want the absolute cheapest airfare around, check out CheapOAir. I booked my recent Palm Springs flight from them and got the lowest fare on the internet. Be sure to use promo code: TAKEOFF10 before the end of the year to get an extra $10 off any domestic or international flight.
Want a cheap date night? Take him or her to the Marda Loop Justice Film Festival between November 14 to 16th and get free admission.
Get $25 off your next weekly rental from Alamo by using this coupon code: AD6974JDM.
Want a really good bluetooth headset that works well with your cellphone? Let me recommend the Plantronics 520 Voyager. I picked one up at $30 from our eCost and used it this week. It has noise cancelling and people that I have called this week swears that it is the clearest and quietest technology around. The headset fits nicely on your ear and wears very comfortably. It is so light, you forget that you are wearing it. It comes with its own charging adapter and with a Razr, it works well with the voice dial.
Free Golf September 23, 2008
Posted by yp2m in Activities, Biking, Fall 2008/2009, Free stuff, Hotels, Kitchen, Sightseeing, Travel, coupons, freebies, golf, money, saving money.Tags: accomodations, columbia valley, deals, fairmont, free, golf, kimberly, radium, ski
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We all know that once the leaves are on the ground that fall is around the corner. With the coming of fall, the golf season winds down and golf deals emerge. Golf courses in the Columbia valley will probably stay open for a few weeks more but as far as Calgary is concerned, most courses will close before the third week of October.
New in Kimberly are premier accomodations on Northstar Mountain Village offering ski-in/ski-out access, hot tubs, fireplaces, fitness room and fully equipped kitchens. Now if you call and make an early booking, you will receive 2 rounds of golf free at Bootleg Gap. Just call 1-800-665-1801 and quote ‘Kimberly Fall Special’. Don’t try to book online to get your free golf because this is not available for everyone. Hurry because this offer is only limited to the first 30 bookings.
Want to stay closer to Fairmont and Radium Springs? No problem. With High Country Properties, you can now stay for 3 nights and only pay for 2. Call the same number above and quote ‘Pay for 2 Stay for 3 Special’. Offer is good until October 31, 2008.
There’s a lot of golf left in this season. I hope you will take advantage of the late summer/ fall specials that I find for you.
Modern Woman and Unlimited Golf September 12, 2008
Posted by yp2m in Activities, Business, Celebrities, Event, Fall 2008/2009, Her's, His, News, Special Days, Sports, coupons, golf, money, saving money.Tags: callaway, clubs, coupon, tickets, unlimited golf, women
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Ladies, mark your calendar for October 27th as four distinguished women come to stage to inspire you and to be your successful role models in health, career, family and financial. It is the Secrets of Today’s Modern Woman show at the Jubilee. Who is coming? Ivana Trump, Jane Seymour, Leslie Beck and Linda Nazareth. If you are interested, go to TicketMaster and use code word: MODERN to save 20% off tickets. You have to click on my link above, otherwise you can’t access the promo page where you need to enter the code word.
Guys, do you want Callaway clubs? Kananaskis golf is selling off their rental clubs but you have to hurry. Call (403) 591-7088 ext. 321 for prices, availability and to get your name on the wait list. The sale began as early as August but when I was out there at the end of August, they still had a few sets left.
Golf courses all over Calgary are in great shape and with the Indian Summer ahead of us, it looks like there won’t be a slowdown anytime soon. Courses are offering end of season plays so if you are looking for unlimited golf, look to:
1. Carstairs – Unlimited golf for $239 from now to end of season. If you buy a 2009 membership, you can deduct this off next year’s dues.
2. River’s Edge Golf Club – Unlimited golf for $275 from now to end of season. If you buy a 2009 Executive Membership, you can deduct this off the 2009 fees.
More to come as the 2008 season winds down.
Thank the Croats for Wearing a Tie September 8, 2008
Posted by yp2m in Activities, Books, Geography, Shopping, Sightseeing, Travel, cruise, money, saving money.Tags: bookstore, city, cravat, croatia, cruise, dubrovnik, euros, history, shuttle, tie, tour
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Thank the Croats next time you have to wear a tie. Young men and girls tid kerchiefs around their loved ones’ necks as a sign of fidelity. Unfortunately for us who have to wear them to work, this was a spontaneous act of love that spread around the world like wildfire. These kerchiefs became known as cravats in the 17th century after the Croatian soldiers wore them.
If you happen to sail on a Mediterranean cruise this fall and stop at Dubrovnik in Croatia, make sure you find the Boutiques Croata. Here you will find a variety of cravats or ties as we like to call them, all priced in euros. When we visited the store last fall, we were curious to find the store to browse through the cravats but when it came to time to buying it, we failed to do so. I hardly wanted to pay more than $20 for one, let alone pay 55 euros. The Boutiques Croata was not equivalent to the Tie Rack in Vancouver nor Toronto. And there were no ties on sale neither.
Getting to the walled city from your cruise ship usually cost a mere $4 for a one way shuttle. It is a good 20 minute walk so take the shuttle unless you have plenty of time to spare. I would recommend that you purchase a good tour book from your bookstore and skip the city tour that the shore excursion offers. A round trip shuttle, a tour book and your own sense of curiosity should give you enough history about Dubrovnik.
