After a conversation with a few friends yesterday, thought I'd share a few of my secrets on money savings with you. This is how to save your money so you can leave the country and travel too!
First thing that started my saving was signing up for the free ING Orange Savings account online.
I was a bit skeptical at first, being recommended to the site from a friend. I spent a little time digging and asking questions. The best pluses I found were:
1) It's free and easy to sign up. Need a minimum of $250 to start but after that your balance doesn't matter.
2) When I signed up it was 5% APY interest rate and a $25 sign up bonus.
3) You can transfer money to and from you bank accounts for free.
4) It's only online and available 24hrs
5) There are NO FEES.
After I set up that account I set up 2 direct monthly payments from my checking account. Paying my savings, 401k and loan accounts all at the same time. Tip: when you have extra money sitting in your checking account transfer it over to this account so you can't spend it on pointless stuff.
Secondly:
Mint.com
A free and VeriSigned secure money management site.
All you have to do is input all of your online accounts to this and watch the magic happen. Enter checking, savings, and 401k accounts along with your loans, mortgages and car payments.
With all the information included, it will:
-calculate your net worth.
-send you weekly reports of your financial situation
-allow you to set up a budget which they help monitor
-you can self-analyze your spending (it makes the graphs for you!)
Mint.com is pretty much amazing. Being able to see your accounts, have and idea of where and what you're spending your money on helps shed light on how you can save, save, save!
Two tips. Two sites that I highly recommend if you're trying to keep a dollar or two in your pocket for that rainy day decision to sell all and move to Central America for a year with only a backpack or two!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
Stuck in La Ceiba
When it rains, nothing runs. News today: ferry canceled for 3rd day straight. Stuck...haha, ok sorry still in the beautiful Honduras, let me re-phrase, can't get to the island of Utila due to heavy amounts of rain. Sprinkle sprinkle.
Many, that being said,over 100 people, sent birthday wishes my way yesterday. Some asking what I was doing on the big 2-6. Well, yesterday consisted of 7 hours on a luxury bus (what y'all would call Coach.) And news of the canceled ferries.
Did find my way to a supermarket, which was a highlight since it'd been so long since I'd been in one that big. We're talking US size Hy-Vee, Albertsons, etc. People would turn and watch me because I couldn't stop laughing. "look at that girl, she's alone, wandering, and laughing hysterically." Needless to say, I was in fascination heaven. SO MANY THINGS, THE LIGHT IS SO BRIGHT, EVERY PRODUCT IS CONVINCING ME TO PICK IT UP, AHHHHHHH, GET ME OUT-OF-HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Birthday cake consisted of my fav....tres leches. Tried to wait til after dinner but started eating it before I left the supermarket. It's heaven in the form of cake.
Being away, Without cell phone. Changed the way my family usually sends their wishes. Here's a video from Zach my nephew sending love. Needing a smile, watch!
Many, that being said,over 100 people, sent birthday wishes my way yesterday. Some asking what I was doing on the big 2-6. Well, yesterday consisted of 7 hours on a luxury bus (what y'all would call Coach.) And news of the canceled ferries.
Did find my way to a supermarket, which was a highlight since it'd been so long since I'd been in one that big. We're talking US size Hy-Vee, Albertsons, etc. People would turn and watch me because I couldn't stop laughing. "look at that girl, she's alone, wandering, and laughing hysterically." Needless to say, I was in fascination heaven. SO MANY THINGS, THE LIGHT IS SO BRIGHT, EVERY PRODUCT IS CONVINCING ME TO PICK IT UP, AHHHHHHH, GET ME OUT-OF-HERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Birthday cake consisted of my fav....tres leches. Tried to wait til after dinner but started eating it before I left the supermarket. It's heaven in the form of cake.
Being away, Without cell phone. Changed the way my family usually sends their wishes. Here's a video from Zach my nephew sending love. Needing a smile, watch!
Friday, January 8, 2010
me, again!
After my great experience being attacked on a bus, which is where I spend most of my time, I set off yesterday to El Salvador's highest point.
El Pital, is stunning. Rolling chains of mountains in the distance Honduras and Guatemala. Google search El Pital and you can see photos of what I saw.
And today, I crossed into Honduras. Currently in Copan Ruins. Tomorrow I will be exploring the Mayan civilization, culture and evolution of these people by what they left behind. I'll take photos with my eyes and explain to you sometime in the future!
Quick note to say thanks: have had an army load of support come in to my Facebook and email after my life experience #91 on the chicken buses. So you know, I'm ok. Laughing at everything again. A little more cautious but not letting the incident bring me down, they don't deserve that and a great camera!
Buenos tardes!
El Pital, is stunning. Rolling chains of mountains in the distance Honduras and Guatemala. Google search El Pital and you can see photos of what I saw.
And today, I crossed into Honduras. Currently in Copan Ruins. Tomorrow I will be exploring the Mayan civilization, culture and evolution of these people by what they left behind. I'll take photos with my eyes and explain to you sometime in the future!
Quick note to say thanks: have had an army load of support come in to my Facebook and email after my life experience #91 on the chicken buses. So you know, I'm ok. Laughing at everything again. A little more cautious but not letting the incident bring me down, they don't deserve that and a great camera!
Buenos tardes!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
The risk of traveling
Was in San Salvador. On a chicken bus heading north to La Palma, almost Honduras. Sitting on the drivers side, mid-way through the bus. My big backpack was on my left, next to the window as I sat near the isle. My small bag, under my legs, as my legs were propped up on the seat in front of me. We were stopped, vendors were passing through like the normal parade, singing what they were selling. I put my camera on my big backback, holding it, capturing the chaos. Then I saw a hand cross over me, grab my hand which was on the camera. I look up and see two guys over me. Then the fighting begins. I pull my hand down with his, furiously fighting to keep my camera. I kick my small backpack over on the ground, out of sight. I curl up into my legs since they're propped up on the seat still. I yell. I scrrrream. Loud
Ayuda me. AYUDA ME. AYUDA ME. HELP ME. HELP ME. AYUDA ME. HELP ME. HELP ME. AYYYUUDDDAAA ME. Por Favor. PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME. I look up. No one's helping me. Nobody has moved. 30 people. Frozen. I continue to yell. Continue to fight. I hear my camera video turn off as we were crushing it with our grips. They're whispering, I don't know what they're saying. I'm still yelling.
They win. They take off with my camera. I fall in the isle. Look up and see only the guy that was sitting in front of me run after them to the door of the bus. My sunglasses were kicked to the back of the bus. Shaken, I get up and look for them. No one hands them too me, I pick them up out of a seat with an old lady. I feel deflated. Beaten. Feeling only the word that I don't use. HATE. Boiling inside. My blood is rushing. Crushed. Furious. Everybody's starring. Still sitting. Not helping. I sit back down. All is as if nothing has happened. Everyone continues to stare. My emotions are running. I punch the seat in front of me. Pull my glasses over my eyes, ready to cry, but can't. My fists are clenched. I want them to come back. Cowards. Attacking me while I'm sitting. I breathe and look around the bus. 30 people. The bus driver and money guy don't look at me, they say nothing. Nobody says NOTHING.
The two guys have my camera. They have the video of them attacking me. They have my skin. They have my best wishes when it comes to karma, I hope they get my kiss when it comes.
The bus goes on. It stops again. More vendors come on. I duck, nothing makes me want to look up. I can't smile-even at the children. I'm filled with hate. Filled with wonderment-how could a bus of 30 people sit, hear and watch me being attacked? They froze as I fought. It plays over and over in my head. I feel as if I lost. I look at my hands over and over. They're dirty from the fight. Blood is on a finger. Nothing else remains of the guys.
I fight back emotions. Biting my cheek so hard, I almost want to taste blood. Look out the window to see the view I'll never see again. Sad to think I don't want to see it again at this moment but it's beautiful green tree covered mountains, a blue haze in the distance as we climb to La Palma.
I feel eyes on me from the girl across the isle. The two old me behind her. More eyes from behind me. It's still throwing me off-NO ONE HELPED. No one offered condolences. I YELLED loudly. Not thinking while I was doing it, all instincts to fight and not give up. And I lost.
My fault having the camera in sight, taunting them I suppose. A temptation. But why here on a bus? Why do they get to win? AHHH IM ANGERED. Shaking, I ride wanting off the bus. GET ME OFF THE BUS NOW. I need off this bus. Eyes, thoughts, I can feel them watching their video of the attack. They own my camera now. It's no longer my camera. I have life. I'm ok. It's only a possession. It can be replaced.
Finally La Palma. I ask for a hotel after I take one step off the bus leaving behind the eyes, all those shameful eyes. The hotel is 10 feet from the stop. I ask for a room. I apologize for not smiling and not being happy. She shows me my room. I try to explain what happened 2 hours previously but I can't. She's the first person I've talked to since I was screaming, tears come. I cry. She says 'tranquila,' I say 'enjoda' (mad.) I cry more and ask for a moment. I breathe. I'm alive. I'm ok. Minus pride, my camera, and some skin. I've lived through the first, probably not the last. And I'm better for it. Smarter. But I have an edge now.
I'm trying not to let this taint my El Salvador experience. It can't. This country is too beautiful, most of the people are incredibly kind. Buy why not help me? I yelled. Even yelled in Spanish but they still sat frozen. I vow never to be like that, frozen. I still want to scream. But can't. I'm deflated. Loss of energy. But breathing.
I finally smiled as I bought a piece of cake at the bakery. Who doesn't smile when getting sugar?
I wrote all of this when I asked for the 'moment' in my hotel room. Wanting to remember every emotion, as this was a new experience for me. Don't be scared for me, don't worry for me, this could happen in Minneapolis, this could happen in Northwood, Iowa. It's just rarely re-mentioned. I'm better for having the experience. I'm always careful, but sometimes things happen. I'm going to move on, take it as a learning experience and order a new camera on Ebay, my sisters are meeting me in Belize in 3 weeks. Luck is always on my side.
I need to eat now, worked up an appetite today on the bus.
Much love.
Ayuda me. AYUDA ME. AYUDA ME. HELP ME. HELP ME. AYUDA ME. HELP ME. HELP ME. AYYYUUDDDAAA ME. Por Favor. PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME. I look up. No one's helping me. Nobody has moved. 30 people. Frozen. I continue to yell. Continue to fight. I hear my camera video turn off as we were crushing it with our grips. They're whispering, I don't know what they're saying. I'm still yelling.
They win. They take off with my camera. I fall in the isle. Look up and see only the guy that was sitting in front of me run after them to the door of the bus. My sunglasses were kicked to the back of the bus. Shaken, I get up and look for them. No one hands them too me, I pick them up out of a seat with an old lady. I feel deflated. Beaten. Feeling only the word that I don't use. HATE. Boiling inside. My blood is rushing. Crushed. Furious. Everybody's starring. Still sitting. Not helping. I sit back down. All is as if nothing has happened. Everyone continues to stare. My emotions are running. I punch the seat in front of me. Pull my glasses over my eyes, ready to cry, but can't. My fists are clenched. I want them to come back. Cowards. Attacking me while I'm sitting. I breathe and look around the bus. 30 people. The bus driver and money guy don't look at me, they say nothing. Nobody says NOTHING.
The two guys have my camera. They have the video of them attacking me. They have my skin. They have my best wishes when it comes to karma, I hope they get my kiss when it comes.
The bus goes on. It stops again. More vendors come on. I duck, nothing makes me want to look up. I can't smile-even at the children. I'm filled with hate. Filled with wonderment-how could a bus of 30 people sit, hear and watch me being attacked? They froze as I fought. It plays over and over in my head. I feel as if I lost. I look at my hands over and over. They're dirty from the fight. Blood is on a finger. Nothing else remains of the guys.
I fight back emotions. Biting my cheek so hard, I almost want to taste blood. Look out the window to see the view I'll never see again. Sad to think I don't want to see it again at this moment but it's beautiful green tree covered mountains, a blue haze in the distance as we climb to La Palma.
I feel eyes on me from the girl across the isle. The two old me behind her. More eyes from behind me. It's still throwing me off-NO ONE HELPED. No one offered condolences. I YELLED loudly. Not thinking while I was doing it, all instincts to fight and not give up. And I lost.
My fault having the camera in sight, taunting them I suppose. A temptation. But why here on a bus? Why do they get to win? AHHH IM ANGERED. Shaking, I ride wanting off the bus. GET ME OFF THE BUS NOW. I need off this bus. Eyes, thoughts, I can feel them watching their video of the attack. They own my camera now. It's no longer my camera. I have life. I'm ok. It's only a possession. It can be replaced.
Finally La Palma. I ask for a hotel after I take one step off the bus leaving behind the eyes, all those shameful eyes. The hotel is 10 feet from the stop. I ask for a room. I apologize for not smiling and not being happy. She shows me my room. I try to explain what happened 2 hours previously but I can't. She's the first person I've talked to since I was screaming, tears come. I cry. She says 'tranquila,' I say 'enjoda' (mad.) I cry more and ask for a moment. I breathe. I'm alive. I'm ok. Minus pride, my camera, and some skin. I've lived through the first, probably not the last. And I'm better for it. Smarter. But I have an edge now.
I'm trying not to let this taint my El Salvador experience. It can't. This country is too beautiful, most of the people are incredibly kind. Buy why not help me? I yelled. Even yelled in Spanish but they still sat frozen. I vow never to be like that, frozen. I still want to scream. But can't. I'm deflated. Loss of energy. But breathing.
I finally smiled as I bought a piece of cake at the bakery. Who doesn't smile when getting sugar?
I wrote all of this when I asked for the 'moment' in my hotel room. Wanting to remember every emotion, as this was a new experience for me. Don't be scared for me, don't worry for me, this could happen in Minneapolis, this could happen in Northwood, Iowa. It's just rarely re-mentioned. I'm better for having the experience. I'm always careful, but sometimes things happen. I'm going to move on, take it as a learning experience and order a new camera on Ebay, my sisters are meeting me in Belize in 3 weeks. Luck is always on my side.
I need to eat now, worked up an appetite today on the bus.
Much love.
Monday, January 4, 2010
El Imposible
Because my blog is limiting me....aka, I now have to BUY space to post photos, I'll leave you with this video of what I accomplished today.
Enjoy!
El Imposible Waterfall Jumping, El Salvador
Thinking of going back for more tomorrow. All made possible because of the hotel where I'm staying offers this tour. Mama y Papa's in Tacuba, El Salvador. Imposibletours.com..........wow I love this place!
Jumping! How was your day?
Enjoy!
El Imposible Waterfall Jumping, El Salvador
Thinking of going back for more tomorrow. All made possible because of the hotel where I'm staying offers this tour. Mama y Papa's in Tacuba, El Salvador. Imposibletours.com..........wow I love this place!
Jumping! How was your day?
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