Welcome to the Globe and Mail Personal Finance Reader. I'm Rob Carrick, personal finance columnist at The Globe, and twice weekly I compile a list of articles, blog postings, videos and websites that represent the best of what the online world has to offer on money-related subjects.
This entire edition of the Reader is devoted to travel. Whether you're taking a summer road trip or planning something more exotic, you'll find online resources to help you plan and spend wisely. You'll find lots of advice as well on topics such as the hottest summer travel gear, how to get the right travel insurance coverage and ways of eating healthy (sort of) when visiting burger joints.
By all means e-mail me with websites and blogs you've found useful in your own travel planning and I'll mention them in a future Reader. As ever, I'm reachable at rcarrick@globeandmail.com.
Note: If you're having trouble reading this e-mail, try viewing the Reader online.
From The Globe and Mail
Why not fund your vacation by renting out your home? That's one of eight tips for making money with real estate.
Maybe you can haggle your way to a better vacation deal. Angela Self explains how it's done.
While you're at it, why not try haggling for a better deal from your online broker.
Must Reads From Around the Web
Looking For Ideas The website UpTake bills itself as a "travel search and discovery" website that helps you find a destination, accommodations and things to do.
Booking Bargains Tips for saving on travel from the CanadianFinance blog.
You probably already know about Expedia and Travelocity for finding and comparing rates on flights and hotels. Another to try is FlightNetwork, which specializes in cheap flights from Canada and the U.S.
Find cheap last-minute hotel reservations at Ratestogo.com.
Hotwire is another option for booking hotels at bargain rates.
The RedFlagDeals website has a forum on cheap travel deals.
This look at some top travel booking websites is offered with the proviso that some aren't tailored for Canadian users.
Travel deals of all types are covered on this website maintained by the people at Conde Nast Traveler magazine.
A transcript from a National Public Radio show in the United States about top travel bargains.
Due Diligence See what people say about the hotels, restaurants and tourist spots they've visited around the world on TripAdivsor, a well-used site at our house.
Customer comments specifically on hotels from Travelpost.com.
Travellers share their opinions and experiences on IgoUgo.
Ten things that all-inclusive resorts won't tell you.
On The Road Five easy mechanical fixes to improve your gas consumption and five driving tips to use less fuel from AutoMD.
A tongue-in-cheek list of ways your road trip can be ruined.
This summer's hottest summer travel gear.
Advice from Consumer Reports on travelling with your pets.
Young Travellers A series from the youngandthrifty.ca blog about cheap travel that tells you how to cut out the middleman when booking tours of exotic spots, offers ideas on exotic spots that don't cost a lot, and includes tips for backpacking and staying in hostels.
New York Special Cheap stuff to do in New York.
Take the " scoundrels of Wall Street" walking tour.
Summer restaurant week - where a range of restaurants offer meals at attractive, fixed prices - is set for July 12-25.
Your Insurance Needs Tips on getting the right travel insurance coverage, plus competitive quotes.
Dinner Time The steamed pork bun and other international delicacies you must try.
Don't trust the turkey burger, and other tips for surviving those inevitable stops at a burger joint while travelling with the family.
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Rob Carrick