Thursday, August 15, 2019

Thrifty Thursday: Save Money on Travel with Rakuten!


Did you know that you can get cash back on every hotel stay- virtually anywhere in the world?  Booking.com offers a comfy place to sleep in over 6 million hotels, bed and breakfasts, apartments, cottages, villas and resorts worldwide!  It truly has become the #1 choice for travel accommodations.









But what if I told you there was a way to save EVEN MORE money (in the form of cash back) on your hotel stays? You can!  Sign up for Rakuten today and download the Google chrome extension.  Even without the Chrome extension you can get cash back on hundreds of 

travel providers- the extension just makes it even easier.  Right now (August 15, 2019) using Rakuten you can get 6% CASH BACK when you book with Booking.com!  It's as simple as visiting Rakuten and searching for Booking.com in the search box.  Then click on the link to Booking.com (or Expedia, or Choice hotels, or hundred of other cash back stores), make your purchase as normal and after your order processes ( and you complete your stay- BOOM  cash back!  Cash back is paid every 3 months as long as you have $10 earned.  You can choose a check, paypal, or gift cards!  

I have been using Rakuten for almost a year now and have received 3 checks from them- my last check was over $165 (a single guy who is very thrifty).  Imagine planning your family vacation using Booking.com and Rakuten!  


I want to be upfront and let you know that this post contains affiliate links.  If you sign up for Rakuten or book a great deal with Booking.com using my links I will receive a small commission.  I have used both services and can recommend them highly.  Start searching today for that dream vacation!  Start saving today.


Have you ever used Rakuten (formerly Ebates) ?  Ever planned a vacation using Booking.com?  Why or why not? Let me know!  I read all comments and appreciate your feedback!

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Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Window on the World: Ecological Chernobyl in Ukraine


On Wednesdays I want to share interesting videos and stories from around the world- but mainly focusing on the areas where Mission Without Borders works.  This week I watched an interesting video about an ecological disaster in Ukraine that has not been widely reported.  We need to learn from the mistakes of the past to avoid repeating them in the future!


Booking.com




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Tuesday, August 13, 2019

Travel Tuesday: New York City


A great many people think about the city that never sleeps, and when they do New York and its stunning horizon are the main places that ring a bell. What comes next is the district's most prominent eateries, Broadway shows, historical centers and cherished New York attractions like Chelsea Market or the High Line. Since the city is so soaked with acclaimed tourist spots and activities, it's very likely you are not aware of them all. We love New York City and let us tell you why, so let us take a look at all the things New York has to offer.


In case you're arranging a trip to NYC, you'd be insane not to begin with the best Manhattan attractions. In spite of the fact that it's neither the biggest or most thickly populated borough, it is the focal point of the city both geographically and socially. Here, you'll find notable attractions like the Empire State Building, Central Park and the Statue of Liberty and the absolute best cafés in New York as well. You'll need a place to stay when you go there, right? So, let's take a look at some of the best hotels in New York.



   
        Booking.com


414 Hotel
Rated #10 of New York hotels on Tripadvisor, this sensibly estimated inn really merits the boutique title. Almost every little thing about it is dazzling yet unshowy, from its capacity impacted block outside to the advanced shading plan in the rooms that sets dim headboards and red accents. Rooms are furnished with ice chests, level screen TVs and iPod docks, the washrooms are impeccable, and a working gas chimney in the anteroom is an inviting touch.

The James New York

The property has been given a particular Gotham vibe, even the entryway staff sports dapper garbs, that watch straight out of Gangs of New York. Albeit smaller, rooms benefit as much as possible from the accessible space with high roofs, divider spreading over windows, and glassed-off washrooms. Wooden floors and cloth duvet cover warm up the perfect contemporary lines, beds have eco-accommodating cushions, and washroom items are just great.

Dream Downtown
Dream Downtown Hotel 16th Street facade from west
The Dream Downtown's first selling point is its clearly fantastic area. Practically around the bend from Chelsea Market, a square from the High Line, and a short distance from the West Village, this great hotel is actually where you need to be when you visit the city. In any case, the most noteworthy compliment to give the 12-story Dream Downtown is that to encounter the city's standard of food and nightlife, you won't have to leave the property.










When eating out in the city, it very well may be difficult to tell where to begin: the ward is stuffed with first rate diners, to such an extent that the best Manhattan eateries extraordinarily cover with the best cafés on the planet.

Atla ($$)

New Yorkers have been acquainted with a considerably more nuanced comprehension of Mexican food, in a way that is elevated yet staying receptive, in their easygoing environment on Lafayette Street.  Chef Olvera  "serves modern, light Mexican food prepared with local ingredients" (Zagat)

Atomix ($$$$)
The front entryway of this high-end food Korean eatery is covered up in the hall of a building on the edge of Nomad. Past the bar, a trip of stairs carry you to the cellar, where you can appreciate snacks on seats in the stone-floor relax before sitting down at one of the 14 seats at the dark rock counter.

Cosme

Cosme is positioned as one of the 20 best cafés in the world. Cosme, an uncovered solid Flatiron lounge area was met with the howl of buzz that hit before entryways were even pivoted, not to mention 'opened'. " Open for brunch, lunch and dinner, Cosme has a range of à la carte menus serving everything from classic huevos rancheros to uni tostadas and sliced raw fish with avocado and black lime. Soto-Innes’s signature dish is the duck carnitas – a sharing skillet of shredded duck with onions, radishes, cilantro and freshly pressed tortillas." (The World's 50 Best Restaurants)


Crown Shy
This restaurant is situated on the ground floor of Art Deco gem, the dining area and bar of the restaurant.
Different European methods of food and their taste was used as a motivation here and it draws it from around the globe, basically the flavors of the divine food in New York City.

The main attractions of the city are why you're coming to visit it in the first place, right? Let's take a look at what the city has to offer to tourists:


Empire State Building
This 1,454-foot Art Deco high rise has long remained as image of American advancement and desire and was perceived as one of the Seven Wonders of the World by the American Society of Civil Engineers. Posing a potential threat as ever in New York's horizon, the structure is one of the most visited attractions in the city. With such huge numbers of clamoring for the opportunity to take the 25-minute lift ride to the outdoors deck on the 86th floor, it's ideal to arrive before the actual arranged time for an opportunity to take in those 360-degree view.



Booking.com





New York Central Park
As found in various books and motion pictures, this is America's most dearest attractions in New York City. A huge number of local people and tourists alike look for all year shelter from the solid wilderness inside the ideal, 843-section of land plot. Their mindful structure mirrors an agreeable parity of beautiful components that lives on today: peaceful, formal and pleasant.






The Statue of Liberty
A move to the crown bears an all-encompassing perspective on New York Harbor. We likewise suggest ceasing in the gallery on Liberty Island, if just to wonder about the underlying vacillation of nineteenth century.

One World Observatory
One World Observatory at the World Trade Center gives guests a chance to encounter all-encompassing perspectives on NYC on levels 100, 101 and 102 from on the tallest structure in the United States. The visit begins with a Jetsons-style landing through Sky Pod lifts (which surely are pretty fast) which lead to a two-minute video introduction of flawless city pictures on the 102nd floor. Look at City Pulse on the 100th floor, indicating High Definition recordings highlighting outstanding NYC milestones and neighborhoods, at that point daring the Sky Portal, where a 14-foot wide round plate gives you a perspective on continuous, top notch film of the avenues beneath.

So there's a quick starting guide to visiting New York City.  Some of the links are affiliate links.  If you make a purchase, I may receive a small commission.  Let me know what you think!  What would YOU do in a weekend trip to New York City?

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Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Enter to #win a $25 Amazon gift code in the 3…2…1 GIVEAWAY HOP!

Welcome to the 3..2..1 Giveaway Hop hosted by  MamatheFox!  I have joined with other bloggers to give you the chance to win cash, gift cards, and other valuable prizes!  First, a necessary disclaimer:

MamatheFox and all participating blogs are not held responsible for sponsors who fail to fulfill their prize obligations.

Happy New Year!  I hope this new year finds you well and healthy.  New Years is a time for goal settting, positive attitudes, and yes, resolutions!  I hope you will choose moderation this year and set (and achieve) goals that bring health, growth, and happiness this year. 


One of my goals is to try to do a little more for others this year.  I'm not going to set a dollar or time amount right now.   Maybe I should.

The sermon last week included the text from Galatians 6:9–10.

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (ESV)



“I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. In other words, if our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusements, etc, is up to the standard common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away too little. If our charities do not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say they are too small. There ought to be things we should like to do and cannot do because our charitable expenditure excludes them.”


― CS Lewis, Mere Christianity


I am going to try to include the element and opportunity of giving with every giveaway I host this year.  This first giveaway in 2019 has a $25 Amazon gift code as the prize.  But there is a secondary prize as well..a $10 Kroger gift card (can be used at any Kroger.com family of grocery stores).  My challenge to YOU is to find someone who is struggling this month (single mom, poor kid in college, someone just down on their luck) and bless THEM with this gift card!  I know $10 is not a lot but it will buy 3-4 meals if used carefully.  Pass it on to someone in need.  If YOU are struggling, feel free to keep the card of course.

And NOW for the giveaway!




(Linkup closed)

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Saturday, December 1, 2018

Holly Jolly Giveaway Hop (12/1-12/15)

Can you believe that there are only 25 days until Christmas?  This year has flown by and Advent season is already upon us!  Do you count down the days using an Advent calendar?  Maybe one with chocolate hidden behind each date on the calendar?  I am going to use an Advent devotional for the first time and try to prepare for Christmas that way.
I want to help YOU get in the Christmas spirit by  a Kindle book giveaway!  This giveaway hop is hosted by MamatheFox.  Please visit the other giveaways as well! 

This season, please find a way to assist the poor and helpless.  Remember Jesus said:
Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.
Matthew 25:37-40 ESV

There are always people in need- and there always will be but everybody can do something.  Find something that you are passionate about and dive in!   I am passionate about helping destitute families and children in the poorest countries of Eastern Europe which is why I try to help "Operation Christmas Love" whoch provides food and hygiene parcels to the neediest during the coldest time of the year,  YOU can help by shopping at Amazon (using this link) or Booking.com (for your lodging needs).    All commissions through Dec 31st will go to Operation Christmas Love!  And it costs you nothing!

                        Ebates Coupons and Cash Back
                       If you sign up for ebates and spend $25 this season you'll get $10 cash back!  Just use the above link to enroll!
                        
NOW on to the giveaway! 




Please enter these other giveaways as well!  MamatheFox and all participating blogs are not held responsible for sponsors who fail to fulfill their prize obligations.