“Get a Free Night at a Time Share Resort”
If you have some time on your hands, and want to stay at a resort for free, listen to a sales presentation at a time share resort. You do not have to agree to buy. You can just listen, and then decline. I have stayed in some very nice resorts in Arizona and Florida this way. Hawaii and Las Vegas are also popular for time-share presentations. This option is available to people who make a certain income and live in a specific area. Here is the math break-down: 45 minutes of listening gets you a 1 night stay at a 4 star resort (value$150+). So if your hourly rate is less than $150 per hour, what do you have to lose? I have gone to these presentations while I was on vacation. If you are already in these places, ask the travel agencies about time share promotions. The sales people will find you! Remember this strategy is not for the meek: you must be able to say NO if you are not willing to buy. Be strong! ;-)
Travel Secret #12
“VISA Rewards Programs—Free Airline Tickets”
So most of you have a VISA card that you are already using, right?
Well, I earn VISA points on my credit cards. If your credit card is not working for you, it is time to change cards. There is so much competition in the credit market, it pays to learn to play the game to your advantage. Usually to start you get 20,000 bonus points just to open up an account. That is enough for a free flight already! Then everything you buy accrues points towards free flights or other gifts. So, the way to work the system is to charge everything you usually buy each month, such as groceries, gasoline, dinners out, on your mileage points VISA, then pay it off each month. Important caveat: this is NOT a good method if you do not pay off your balance! "Free" does not mean with interest. :-) Depending on how much you buy/charge, you could earn at least one free ticket per year. Inquire at your bank.
Travel Secret #13
“Take On-line Surveys and Get Free Stuff”
Here are two more ways I attract free stuff:
www.emiles.com and www.erewards.com.
I take online surveys at home and get 500 to 1000 miles added to my frequent flier account each month. These miles add up fast! No joke. Let’s be honest, how many of you sit around surfing the web in your pajamas ?? Sometimes, I could waste a whole day just putzing around on the internet. What about you? If so, why don’t you use this free time to get paid?
My motto is "you do not have to work more, just more productively".
Travel Secret #14
“Refer a Friend"
This phrase has a whole new meaning to me these days. Over the years, I have recommended tons of books, programs, and products to thousands of people. As a teacher, many people ask for my advice; hence, the birth of this blog. All this time, I was selling for other people without a thought of being compensated . Wait a minute! I teach business. Business! I was not following my own advice." How much is your time worth? How much is your opinion worth?" I realized that I could and should be getting paid for all the referrals I make.
Many companies will pay you for referrals. Everyone wants more clients. Everyone wants advertising by word of mouth--it is the cheapest and best way to advertise by far! So look around, where do you want to go/stay/be? Become a sponsor or representative. You are going to need some initiative for this one! Go to the person in charge and say, “What would you give me/trade me/pay me for referring clients to your business?” Lots of websites already have the “refer a friend” payment plan built in. For example, Groupon which sells gifts/travel/classes at a discounted rate has a friend referral program. Go to www.groupon.com, it is a win-win for everyone.
However, I do NOT recommend that you advertise for products that you do not believe in just to get free stuff. If you do like the product and/or service, reward the company and yourself by sharing.
Spotlight Country: CUBA
In the summer of 2000, I went to Cuba as a Cultural Representative with www.globalexchange.org. At that time I was teaching Spanish and I was eager and excited to learn more about this country that has been off-limits for Americans since the 1950s. I can say nothing but great things about the Cuban people. They are warm, friendly, lively, musical, fun, generous, and optimistic! What a trip! What an adventure!
Let’s start with the dancing!! From 9am to 11am every day I twisted, turned and spun doing Salsa, Cha Cha Cha, Rueda, Mambo, and Afro-Cuban dance. Afro-Cuban dance, by the way, comes from Western Africa, brought over to Cuba during the times of the slave trade. The movements, songs, and costumes tell the story of the Yoruba religion. After the morning dance practice, I actually got to sit down for a bit! We studied percussion from 11-12 (conga and bongo drums, maracas). Following lunch, a short nap, then off to the afternoon salsa clubs. After dinner, we headed to a concert for more dancing!! I think I was in the best shape of my life, not to mention the pounds lost in high humidity. Imagine something like Birkram Yoga, but with loud music and a partner. LOL! Most nights we came back at 2 am and sat on the hotel patio until dawn for the dominoes competition. Intense players with their cigars and rum, eyeballing each other to see who would be victorious. Dominoes is a fierce sport in Cuba!
It gets better: August is Carnival month along the Malecon Beach. Carnival is celebrated in August for Fidel's birthday. During Carnival, people everywhere dance on the sand, in the streets, in the bars, and in the cafes. There are floats, parades, fireworks, and costumes. Not as much skin as Rio, but just as fun! I will post some pictures below so you can see for yourself.
Notice the 1950s style American cars left over from another era, the omni-present image of Che Guevara, the Spanish architecture from colonial times, the brightly colored houses, the amazing street art, and of course, the famous bar El Floridita in Old Havana, where you can create your own graffiti message. I left my mark on the wall just like another famous writer, Ernest Hemingway.
Can you see my message on the wall?? Enjoy a mojito while you are there. ;-)
www.miraclecatcher.com
The best part of my trip, besides meeting the wonderful Cuban people, was seeing The Buena Vista Social Club perform live. These amazing octogenarians dancing and singing their hearts out were such an inspiration. So much energy!! They are living examples of how music keeps us young, unites us, and empowers us!! Viva la musica de Cuba! See them live at Carnegie Hall singing here: http://youtu.be/UXwLBS3yUkA
In sum, Cuba is an island of contrasts: vitality and oppression, poverty and wealth, laughter and malaise, free medical treatment but no medicine, African religion in Catholic churches under an atheist government, stunning architecture and ancient decay, pristine ocean waters for tourists only, black skin, white skin, mulatto skin, communist economics mixed with capitalist dollars, where rum is cheaper than water, and every Cuban is fascinated and curious about the rest of the world because they cannot leave. All of this, and more, juxtaposed on this small island in the Caribbean. I am left, in awe.
How do they live in a world with so many contrasts?
Ay, no hay que llorar, que la vida es un carnaval,
-Y es mas bello vivir cantando.
Until the next time... MM
