July 2010 Archives

This week, I leave for Europe with my family. Six of us will be departing home for England and Ireland for 2 weeks. As I put together the itinerary, flights and lodging for the trip, I pulled out all the stops on using my frequent flyer miles and points from the other 300 days I travel, on average, during my business trips over the course of a year.

Over the course of the last few summers of some amazing destinations (which my children pick, by the way), we've flown business class or better and had rooms upgraded based on my frequent flyer status and the many points I accumulate.

When we consider a plane ticket, how often do we include the cost of our time or opportunity costs in the price?  How much will it cost us if we miss a meeting or a dance recital or a day of vacation? 

The cost of replacing luggage, canceled flights or medical assistance is no longer something that only frequent business travelers have to think about.  In the airline companies' effort to cut costs and stay in business, the customer suffers.  OK this isn't new but what is new is a change in how we travel because of it. 

How did I end up with a kid who doesn't like to travel?

Actually that's not really the case. My 16-year-old likes to travel -- once he's on vacation. But, if given the choice, he would much rather be home hanging with his pals and eating everything I bought at the grocery the day before.

Santa Monica might play little sister to Los Angeles, but a stay at this relaxed and refreshed city affords single travelers a look at some of the best boutique restaurants and hidden gems often over-shadowed by the florescent spotlight that beats down on LA.

Check into the hotel, located on the beach and approximately 1/4 mile from the all the activity on Third Street Promenade and the Santa Monica Pier.

Thanks to twice-a-week farmers' markets and abundant seafood, Santa Monica offers endless options for dining. Avoid the chains and go for something a little more unique and a whole lot healthier.

When you're not traveling, one of your many responsibilities may be food shopping. How can you become more "supermarket savvy" so it's a simple, healthy and even enjoyable task?