See the Grandest Sites for One Low Price!

Good afternoon, Live Better than a Billionaire-a-Holics!

Are you feeling motivated this afternoon? I certainly hope so.

As I thought about some of the enthusiastic reactions I've had to my post this morning, I realized that many people are already sliding into the long weekend. So here's a bonus blog to help you get ready for the Fourth of July!

Do you have plans for the national parks this weekend?

If not, you should. What better place to experience this great country than in the areas we've set aside for future generations to understand their heritage?

Also, the national parks are a great deal.

And I'll bet you didn't know how great a deal they are. Even a billionaire will want to take this deal.

For instance, if you are 62 or older, you can pay a one-time $10 fee and have a LIFETIME PASS FOR YOU, FOR SPOUSE AND YOUR CHILDREN. This is called a Golden Age Passport (go to nationalparks.org to sign up). So instead of paying $20 for a car to enter the Grand Canyon, you'll pay nothing!

In addition, this pass gives you a 50% discount on activities and services at the parks like camping, boat launching and swimming.

What if you're not yet 62? The deal is still great. For $50, you can have an annual pass that covers unlimited admissions by the carload. Keep in mind that most national park admissions are good for a week so you'll probably need to have 3-5 admissions at different parks . . . or in the same park in different weeks . . . before you save money. Full details are at nationalparks.org.

On a driving vacation through the national parks, you'll have no trouble saving money with these great deals.

What are you waiting for?

Donald W. Mitchell, Your Dream Concierge

Copyright 2005 Donald W. Mitchell

Be sure to check out my blog dated May 30, 2005 on Plan Your Best Fourth of July! To find that blog, keep clicking on the oldest blog entry you can find in the right hand column until you find the title "Plan Your Best Fourth of July."

Be Part of the In Crowd When You Dine Out!

Good morning, Live Better than a Billionaire-a-Holics!

Are you feeling motivated this morning? I certainly hope so.

With a long weekend coming up, let's look at some ways you can have more fun by enjoying good meals!

Did you know that the "in" crowd gets paid $15 just to eat at certain fine restaurants and bistros? That reward certainly makes eating out a lot more attractive and affordable.

I looked into this for my area, and the in crowd has over 60 choices to do this in the Boston area. Checking out the ratings of these restaurants, I could see several that I would like to try . . . and several more that are regular haunts.

How do you join the in crowd?

Go to restaurant.com, enter your zip code, and pick the distance you are willing to travel. The Web site will list restaurants within that area which will let you purchase various discount coupons for use at each restaurant. A typical certificate is for $25 and costs you $10, saving you $15. Watch for restrictions. Some certificates require that you spend $35 (before taxes) while others may require that four entrees be purchased. Less expensive eateries may also offer $10 certificates for $3, which works out great if you will be dining alone for some reason.

If you are traveling on a budget, either for business or pleasure, you can order certificates for all over the United States in over 5,000 restaurants and bistros.

Here are three tips. First, check out the customer ratings of the restaurants both at restaurant.com and in other guides such as Zagat. Second, order early. Restaurants limit how many certificates they will sell, so the certificates are often not available near the end of the month for a given restaurant. Three, look at the menu to see how pricy the restaurant is before ordering. Otherwise, you may not be saving very much as a percentage of the check price.

Simply hand the certificate to your server at the time you order, and you're part of the "in" crowd. Enjoy!

Donald W. Mitchell, Your Dream Concierge

Copyright 2005 Donald W. Mitchell

Be sure to check out my blog dated May 30, 2005 on Plan Your Best Fourth of July! To find that blog, keep clicking on the oldest blog entry you can find in the right hand column until you find the title "Plan Your Best Fourth of July."