A recent post on my mom’s service trip to India on which she broke her hip raised a few questions among readers about travel insurance. Is it worth the expense, or is it like the extended warranty offered on an electric screwdriver at checkout – an extra expense that pads the retailer’s bottom line. As […]
Down to 3 Euros on an Irish Island
We were down to 3 Euros. A 1 Euro and a 2 Euro coin. We had plenty more vacation-reserved money in the bank, but we were a sea away from an ATM. We were on Inishbofin – a small lightly-inhabited island off the west coast of Ireland. Not that there was much to buy, anyway. […]
Guided or Self-Guided? Our ‘Deluxe’ Vacation to Alaska
Until this month, we had never been on a guided vacation. We couldn’t afford it, for one. But more than that, we always took pride in creating our own itinerary and being flexible and changing it up when something interesting came along. But then something amazing happened. Nora’s mother said she would sponsor us to […]
6 Splurging Lessons from Our ‘Hamilton the Musical’ Experience
Yesterday, our family saw the musical ‘Hamilton’ on Broadway. I know what you’re thinking: You guys are rich…or reckless. Yes, Hamilton is a hot ticket – $1,385.20 for four passes to be precise, for less than 3 hours of entertainment. That sounds like a lot – and it is – but it’s a one-time splurge […]
I Lost My Shirt in Belize
In January, Grey and I went to Belize with my mom, my sister, and my brother, and their families. We weren’t planning, or budgeting, to go, but as the trip drew closer, it became clear that Grey and I could get away (Nora and Pippa couldn’t), and that another multi-generation family trip probably wouldn’t happen […]