Cheap US Travel

Traveling for cheap is easy if you're not going far. If you have dreams of traveling to exotic locations, as in outside the US, forget about it. My tips only apply to local or domestic travel. Traveling internationally is outside my jurisdiction, knowledge and bill size.

Consider the methods I've concocted carefully knowing traveling with kids or animals is far more difficult than traveling alone or with other physically fit individuals. These methods do not include sleeping accommodations or meals.

Plane, Trains and Automobiles

Plane travel is hard to do cheap. Stowing away is next to impossible considering the security, unless you're a flight attendant. And shutting yourself inside a piece of luggage will do nothing but freeze you before landing. Naively, cheap plane travel consists of flying the red-eye with multiple layovers and purchasing tickets months in advance. If you're not naive you can try shopping or trading for discounted airline gift cards online.

Train travel is affordable in select regions east of the Mississippi where cities are closer together like Detroit to Chicago. However, train travel west of the Mississippi is not affordable unless you stowaway on a container line or freight train. This is fun with friends and dogs but hard with kids and relatives--anyone who can't run 10 mph will struggle.

Automobile travel can be cheap if gas prices are stable and you have multiple passengers. Traveling in a van with a lot of people is very affordable if you go slow. If you don't have a van you can borrow one from a rich neighbor while they're in Cancun. Automobile travel alone is a pure waste unless you do a ride share through Craigslist or are prepared to siphon gas at truck stops.

Boats and Bikes

Boat travel is similar to car travel. It's cheap if you own a boat and live near water. If you don't again you'll need to borrow or stowaway. Boat travel is limited to water ways. If you live in Louisville, KY you can travel to New Orleans, LA. Traveling from Colorado to Canada is not going to happen. If you live on the gulf or coast you could attempt an island vacation but be prepared for night travel in international waters. Also be ready to evade foreign shore security and negotiate with pirates.

Bike travel is more than a destination vacation. It's an exercising vacation peppered with snake bites, hit and runs and sweat. Biking with a group is more intimidating to onlookers. Biking alone makes you a target. Biking a long distance is easy when you're unemployed. Biking with family or a lot of animals is a challenge to the normal level of human endurance.

Traveling for cheap is easy if your definition of comfort is flexible and you leave your travel expectations at home. 

Happy trails.

Cut the Cable

Daily I read, see and hear on the streets, "Get rid of cable. Get Direct TV." Or "Get in the game with Xfinity." Then there's the more subtle Roku, Apple TV and Boxee ads, "A six year old could set it up." Constantly we're told to drop one for the other or one is superior over the other. Cable is an insatiable monster with an appetite for green bills, but so are the alternatives. Cutting one for the other will save you dimes depending on the season. Going online will save you a little, but it's still costly with all the monthly services you pay in order to get cable content. To save big money, long term, the real answer is to get rid of them all and get an antenna or better yet, buy a fishbowl.

Cutting cable and other viewing portals could save you $200+ a month, $2400+ a year. That's enough money for a couple of classes at the community college. Or a one-way train ticket to some remote mountainous country in South America.

TV antennas cost less than $70. That's a one time purchase, one time setup. Sure your channel selection is limited but you're saving money and watching less.

Fishbowls are free. Walk your streets or alleys to find a glass bowl of any size or shape. Then walk to the creek and scope out some critters. Watch for hours. 

Cut the cable. Get a TV antenna or a fishbowl.

Cheap Lunch

Tips for obtaining and consuming a cheap lunch in a big city are few, but definitely worth it for the savvy saver armed with a slim wallet and a hunter's eye.

Note: These tips come from experience and street living. They are not for everyone.

1. Only get the sandwich. Most sandwiches by themselves are affordable. It's when you add chips, a drink, and a treat do you end up spending $15. Experiencing this first hand, I'm of the suspicion deli's and restaurants make more money off the amenities than the actual meat of the meal. Extra stuff is just extra stuff. If your taste buds want more zest, then get a tastier sandwich.

2. Go to lunch late. Some shops close down around 2:30 or 3pm. If you get there right before they close often they'll give you a discount on your meal. Going to the same place day after day probably won't return the same results. Rotate shops regularly for continued discounts and remember to look gaunt.

3. Bring a lunch. This is ultimately the least expensive and longest lasting. You can pack whatever you want and munch all day long. And despite popular opinion, it doesn't take too much time to make. Leftovers take seconds to throw in a bag and making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich takes 5 minutes. If that takes too much time, than you don't deserve to save money.

4. Bum a lunch. This is the cheapest and easiest route. Accomplishing this takes patience and a serious lack of pride. Ways to do this successfully would be, "accidentally forgetting your wallet" or quickly asking someone who is going to lunch to "grab you something". If you're too prideful to bum a lunch you can always fast.

5. Find a lunch. If you're against dumpster diving, or dining and ditching, have you tried frig grazing? More people than not bring a lunch that sits in the frig for months before being thrown out. Graze the frig menu once a week to find what hasn't moved. Then devour your choice inconspicuously. The more varmint you act the less people will question your ownership.

Places for a cheap lunch don't have tables and chairs or hipsters and suits in the windows. They are usually removed from the frequently toured sections of the city. Roadside vendors are always a good choice. Some of the best lunches come from four wheels. And don't count out the office frig. Anything without fuzz is definitely edible.

Happy hunting. Eat wisely.

Note to Drivers

People ride bikes for many reasons. It's green, cheap, easy to park, good exercise, leisurely, and in some places popular. People don't ride bikes to be chained to the same driving restrictions as cars. Riding bikes is an escape from cars and the traffic laws and norms of driving. Don't expect bike riders to stop at stop signs, or enter traffic with a blinker--you're lucky if you get an extended arm. Don't expect bike riders to line-up in traffic or go the speed limit. Traffic laws for bike riders are optional. They slither between pedestrian rights and traffic laws, which basically means, they are open to interpretation.

Driving is different from riding. Driving a car is stop and go. Riding a bike is to and fro. Riding a bike is like dancing. The object of riding a bike is to be riding at all times. This excludes stopping. The object of driving a car is not to drive. That freedom was withdrawn centuries ago, when cars started killing people. Bikes do not kill people. They may maim an occasional pedestrian but nothing more.

Bike riders and car drivers are not friends. People who drive hybrids are not any closer to being friends. All cars are hunks of metal and plastic, run by a combustion engine that pollutes the atmosphere and wastes, wastes, wastes. Car drivers do not like bike riders for their own reasons. Cars can only drive on the road. Bikes can travel multiple routes: sidewalks, park paths, wrong ways on one-way streets, down stairs, through gardens etc. Cars must yield to bikes. Bikes have the right-of-way after pedestrians and animals. Cars need constant maintenance and gas. Bikes require near zero maintenance and only human gas. See image above.

As important as car drivers think they are, bike riders are actually more worried about buses. Buses slide in and out of traffic, and across the bike lane picking up people regularly. They are also wide and will push bike riders off the road if the driving lanes get tight. However, bike riders have more patience for buses. They carry a lot of people, and sometimes give bike riders a lift if they break down.

Car drivers love tunnels. Bike riders avoid tunnels. They are confining and hidden from the public eye where reckless car drivers can attack, and hit and run. Tunnels offer no quick escape or methods to weave away from chunks of flying metal and plastic.

Bike riders and car drivers are at odds on every street. A note to drivers, don't expect bike riders to stop at stop signs or go the speed limit. Traffic laws for bike riders are open to interpretation or nonexistent. Bike riders are loose canons and lawless. Car drivers, steer clear.

10 Things I Found In San Francisco 2009

Moving to San Francisco from Motor City Detroit, MI most would consider easy. Moving from a demolished, one-dimensional economy to a thriving multi-dimensional sparkling economy is a no-brainer. But is it worth the cost difference and cultural flip? Let us weigh the hand. Yes, if you can find what you want.

Here is a list of 10 cool things I found in San Francisco.

1. Oakland – The muscle of the Bay Area. Similarities between Detroit and Oakland are eerie. Each is flanked by a large college and accompanying liberal town: Ann Arbor to Detroit, Berkeley to Oakland. Each has a similar race-to-race percentage, a corrupt police force, a polluted waterfront and by-way, and each exemplifies working class culture. Detroit does out perform Oakland in crime, poverty, murder rate, and unemployment, but Oakland is smaller. Give them time.

2. Alcatraz – Known as “The Rock”, Alcatraz was one of the most famous federal prisons in America with such notable criminals as Al Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelly and Robert Stroud, Birdman of Alcatraz. During 29 years of operation one group of escapees reached the bay but never made it to shore. Now a tourist attraction, people can pay for a glimpse into the lighthouse, turned military prison, turned federal prison, turned attraction.

3. Hells Angels – Bikers bring grit to a city of glitter. Riding hard in a conservatively soft city makes the Hells Angels an unspeakable horror to average prim and proper city residents, who choose to ignore their existence. Until faced with chrome tailpipes and leather chaps, surrounding their ocean blue Prius, then notice turns to fear. Organized in 1953, the “Frisco” chapter’s Frank Sadiek designed the first Hells Angels death’s head logo. Which is probably why San Francisco is a haven for design boutiques and artists today.

4. Public Transportation – If you can't walk, catch a ride, but don't drive. Multiple options for commuting to and from, and around the city make getting from point A to B, quick and easy. Not to mention adventurous at times, green and cheap. Muni and buses dot the city streets. BART and Caltrain extend 50+ miles from the city center out toward the desert and along the mountains.

5. Garbage Gangs – Waste is big money in San Francisco. Just ask the gangs that stake off territories and fight for rights to trash. If you thought the recycle center was a place for hippies to pass along their knowledge of inner piece and mental enlightenment, think again. When you go to the recycle center in the city, come armed to protect your trash, or join a gang before hand.

6. Treasure Island Music Festival – Music for the masses. Taking place on a man-made island in the middle of the bay between San Francisco and Oakland, the festival claims the bay as its protector and supporter of pirate themes. Annual line-ups consist of noise pop’s most beloved indie bands around the nation. Driving there is near impossible. Open water swimming is the fastest and most green commuting option. Don't mistake this island of flat menagerie with Florida's Treasure Island. Don’t forget your fluorescent goggles.

7. Teatro ZinZanni – Who doesn't love Romanian acrobats? Based on Eastern European traveling carnival shows. Cabaret, contortionists, divas and traditional circus showmanship make a night of feasting and frolicking worth a hefty ticket price at Teatro Zinzanni. Dinner is served in a nightclub setting, which is a huge circus tent, adding flavor to an already interesting show.

8. Fog – Afternoons after 3PM it comes. Blowing in off the ocean and blanketing the city and surrounding peninsulas. Sometimes masking the smog, the fog creates a nightmare for photographers and summer bunnies, who mistakenly think the city is warm and serene. It also upholds a fitting backdrop for $20 vampire tours. Fog hides the blood.

9. Bay to Breakers – An annual race from the inner bay coast to the ocean. It is a race of decadence and dramatics, where costumes and varying degree of nudity out weigh the running and sweating. Notable participants include: Official Nude Runners, Batman, and Wonder Women. Clothes are optional.

10. Plastic Bag Ban – Plastic bags have been banned from being sold at large grocery stores in the city. A bold step towards a greener, more self-sustained, environmentally friendly existence. It takes 430,000 gallons of oil to manufacture 100 million bags. Compostable bags can be recycled in the city's green garbage bins, and are the preferred alternative.

Now, we weigh the hand. Yes, if you can find what you want in a city as large and as diverse and vibrant as San Francisco, a move is justified. But don’t forget your roots! Visit Detroit often.

Plastic Job Search

There is a lot of plastic that plays into a successful job search. No, the job you’re searching for doesn’t have to be at a Vitamin Water bottling company to be considered a plastic job search. It’s the items and uses of plastic that get you the job you want. Below are five plastic items used to secure a job in the Silicon Valley, Silicon Alley, or Austin, TX.

1. Credit card. Since you don’t have a job you’ll be living off your credit cards until they are maxed. Then you’ll call and ask for a credit increase. You’ll also use credit cards while networking, taking the train to interviews, and taking people out to lunch. These things aren’t free and the only way to get a job in your chosen field is to get close to it through people and interviews. And this you’ll have to pay for with plastic, because you don't have a job and you're broke.

2. Cell phone. Dialing for dollars is one of the oldest job hunting methods around. You’ll look through the phone book for a list of companies where you could work, or search company listings online and then make the calls on your plastic cell phone. Writing out what you want to say ahead of time helps, but really it’s just making contact. The phone is also cheaper and faster than going to each employer and knocking on their door.

3. Computer. Typewriters are hard to come by so you’ll use a computer to type out your resume and cover letter. You’ll also use the plastic computer to go online and search for job openings and send emails to contacts and hiring managers. If you secure a job interview you’ll print from your plastic computer to your plastic printer and take a copy of your resume and cover letter with you. The person you are interviewing with should have a copy of each, but if they are a bone head and forgot it, pull out your copies – you’ll look good.

4. Buttons. Dressing the part of a job hunter and someone who could mesh with a given company’s culture is a tough wire to walk. If you’re job hunting in cities such as San Francisco, LA, NY maybe even Miami, what you wear is huge. Especially if it’s a marketing agency or internet company that needs to stay ahead of the cool curve by keeping their finger on the pulse. If you’re not cool and they are, just act completely stupid and hopefully one of the odd balls interviewing you will think you’re entertaining and want to hire you.

5. Smile. Preparing a plastic smile before interviews is a must. But that smile can't be empty, it has to be attached to enthusiasm. Employers want to hire someone who is excited about the job they are interviewing for. They want someone who will work long hours and motivate others to do the same. They want someone who is energetic and upbeat. I worked with someone like this. They always walked around pumping everyone up and acting very enthusiastic. After three months they were fired. Come to find out they didn’t produce an ounce of work. Sadly though, this is often proven after the person is hired. So pull out your plastic smile, and put on some lipstick to make the lips look bigger if necessary.

Using these plastic tips well will determine the success of your job search. And remember, it’s the items and uses of plastic that get you the job you want.

Romantic Getaway in South Haven, MI

Falling leaves blew over the street and swirled around passing cars. Quiet walkers in fall colors strolled down the sidewalk with a burly dog as the sun faded behind Lake Michigan. South Haven, MI was an enchanting destination. Magnetized by the setting from a book, The Time Traveler’s Wife, my wife was imagining a memorable romantic weekend similar to the novel, but without time traveling.

We reserved a room at the Old Harbor Inn the night before and were pleasantly surprised when we arrived after dusk. The inn was small, old, and weathered with a boardwalk of creaky planks that lead to our room. It sat over the river inlet that connected to the lake offering views of the small river harbor, a bridge, and a park on a hill with large trees. Our room was simple and spacious. The bed and room furniture were clean, the TV and décor were dated, and there was a black iron balcony – it was a perfectly romantic hotel.

Escaping Detroit’s hustle and muscle is why almost everyone in Michigan has two houses. One close to the city for work, and the other “up north,” as they like to say, which really means: not in Detroit. Second homes are used mostly in the summer and less frequent in the fall and winter, known as the “off season” for these small towns. Which was good for us, rates are cheaper in the “off season” and the town and beach are less crowded.

Arriving in South Haven, which is west of Detroit, we realized why people had second homes here. The west coast of Michigan is lined with natural sandy beaches and spotted with old lighthouses that sit off river inlets hugged by small towns. Most of the lighthouses are inoperable but are kept up and maintained in remembrance of the Great Lakes maritime past. The lighthouse in South Haven was red and stood among the timeless lighthouses of the Great Lakes.

Day 1
Awaking the next morning to sea birds and a crisp lake breeze we jogged to the beach. Turning back through the neighborhoods bordering the beach we passed many of the bed and breakfasts we had seen online. Most were large homes with decks, ornate woodwork, available parking, and a few had libraries, and one even had a piano. The area was quiet and serene for a sunny autumn day, and we felt like we were apart of a favorite novel.

Throughout the afternoon together we explored the small beach town the best way we knew how – on foot. Everything we wanted to see was huddled around Phoenix St. which made it easy to ditch the car. The town was friendly and full of small boutiques, antique stores, coffee houses, unique chocolate shops, used bookstores, restaurants, and a surf-and-skate shop. The aura offered was small town comfort but with city appeal.

Talking to local store owners and passer-bys we received great tips for dining and finding those obscure gems only locals know about. One such gem was an Italian restaurant found in a rural neighborhood 10 minutes from town. We drove there that night through dark woods and a windy street, and found it just as described, “totally out of place.” The food was excellent and the service was good. We were beaming when we left. Another such gem was the Chocolate Café, where we had the best hot chocolate and chocolate covered strawberries we’d ever had. We still haven’t tasted better, and my wife is a true connoisseur.

Returning to the hotel we realized Old Harbor Inn had a Jacuzzi on the bottom floor. We grabbed our towels and sunk in for the evening, no one was there but us. The pool lights danced on the teak ceiling and through the large windows you could see the moon over the calm river inlet.

Day 2
Peering out from our balcony the next morning we decided to walk to the red lighthouse in the sunshine. The jetty leading to the lighthouse was long and wet from the big waves and strong wind. We had to walk in the middle of the jetty to be sure we wouldn’t get wet or be pushed off into the canal. Coming to the edge of the lighthouse we realized it was a lot bigger than we’d imagined, and the view over the lake was stunning. We held hands and looked out over the white-capped waves in awe. It wasn’t a salty merciless ocean, it wasn’t a calm mountain lake, it was a powerful Great Lake and beautiful.

We left South Haven that evening after visiting the Sunset Junque Shop, a carnival themed junk store 10 minutes north of town. It was straight from a Tom Waits video and stuff was cheap. We took a lot of goofy photos, I played my wife a song on an old white piano, and she danced. Upon leaving I asked the cashier if we could live there, my wife laughed and dragged me to the car.

Driving home in a light fog I asked my wife to retell the ending of the book The Time Traveler’s Wife. She recounted it slowly so it would last most of the two hour ride east towards Detroit. In the rearview mirror we left behind the swirling leaves, the sunset over Lake Michigan, and the enchantment of South Haven – the destination of our first romantic getaway.