Travel - Destinations - Lifestyle
We all know the feeling: that rumbling in your stomach that tells you it’s time to eat, even if you just had a meal a short while ago. You start to think about all the things you could snack on, and before you know it, …
Have you ever dreamed of taking a luxurious vacation but didn’t think you could afford it? With a little bit of planning and saving, you can make your dream getaway a reality. Keep reading to learn how to save and invest for a much-needed vacation. …
When compiling your list of places you’re dying to visit, you may wonder what exactly you will do once you arrive. The excitement of a new city and a new adventure is riveting, and many people choose to jump into the vacation and leave it up to chance. If you’re hoping to visit a new and exciting city, may we offer up the Gulf Coast of Florida: Sarasota. With an endless amount of outdoor activities, attractions, and beautiful beaches, there is fun for the whole family in the “best small city in the U.S.” Let’s break down four of the best reasons to visit Sarasota, FL.
If you’re a bit of a thrill seeker you will be pleased to know that the options for outdoor excursions are quite endless. Sarasota kayaking is a fantastic time for everyone in the family, and you most likely will be able to see dolphins swimming through the water alongside you. You can fill up your sunny days with paragliding, surfing, or renting a boat to sightsee. If you are looking to take on a new skill there is a bevy of surfing lessons, kiteboarding lessons, and paddleboarding lessons. You can even rent a boat to take out sailing, with a captain included. Don’t forget to bring lots of sunscreen, a hat, and a comfortable swimsuit.
Oftentimes, the best part of a vacation is choosing a place to stay. Luckily, Sarasota offers many different styles of hotels, luxury rentals, boutique motels, and a plethora of RV campgrounds if you’re trekking across the country in your motorhome. Accommodation options range from luxurious establishments, such as The Ritz-Carlton, to oceanfront properties, such as The Resort at Longboat Key Club, a romantic location that is as popular with couples and wedding parties as it is with families. Whether you’re traveling for a special event or are looking for a quiet and relaxing vacation, there is assuredly a perfect option for you.
Get lost in the Sarasota Art Museum, which offers free second Sunday events with a bistro, shop, and a performance auditorium. There are regular artist talks and museum curator events to fill your afternoon with creativity and beauty. Hop on a tour bus to zip around town learning about the culture and history of Sarasota. Tours offer insight into the best restaurants, bars, nightclubs, historical walks, murder mysteries, and ghost walks for the adventurer in you!
Florida is home to over 700 terrestrial animals, more than 200 species of freshwater fish, more than 1,000 species of marine fish, numerous other aquatic and marine vertebrates, and thousands of terrestrial insects and other invertebrates, Florida is literally crawling with wildlife. This is the perfect outdoor adventure for the animal lover in your family. Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary in Sarasota has become the safe, loving, and permanent home of over 150 exotic and domestic animals. Their mission is not only to provide the best animal care possible but also to preserve the human-animal connection in our world. An adult pass is only $20 and children’s passes are $10 each. Big Cat Habitat offers free entry for veterans and active military members.
Whether you want to fill your days up with outdoor animal adventures, or you would rather sip on a frozen pina colada on the Longboat Key beach as you watch turtles nest and lay their eggs, every person in your family is sure to find their perfect activity in the recently revitalized city of Sarasota, FL.
Book clubs have had a resurgence in popularity thanks to celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Reese Witherspoon choosing their favorite selections to spotlight. However, you don’t need to be Oprah in order to start a book club of your own! In recent years, especially, virtual …
Scroll through Pinterest, thumb through a magazine, or turn on HGTV, and you’ll see plenty of houses that are completely spotless. Outside of those picture-perfect settings, though, the concept of keeping your home pristine can seem impossible for even the cleanest of homeowners. Nevertheless, there …
Welcome to Spending Notes, where we do a weekly deep dive into how our readers spend their cash.
Today: a landlord who makes $58,000 a year
Occupation: landlord
Age: 32
Location: New Jersey
Salary: $58,000 (approx. $2,231 per pay period)
After buying a new property for a steal, I quickly learned that the roof desperately needs work. I take some time to compare local roofing companies and find the best option for the house. I go ahead and schedule a free consultation to estimate the particular needs. In the meantime, I’ll contain the leaks with some spare buckets—complete with a quick trip to the local hardware store—and hope for the best!
Total: $15
Some companies, like Alamos Gold, do an incredible job of diversifying their assets. In their case, they have four mines in spread from Mexico to Canada, as well as development-stage projects in Turkey, the United States, and other destinations. They also deal in precious metals besides gold, though it remains their primary focus. Lately, I’ve been wondering how my own business dealings could be similarly diverse. This second property is a great start, but I think the best way to really mix it up is to put some of my funds toward other investments. Even gold! I’m starting off with a few pieces of broken gold jewelry, which will kick-start my newest investment.
Total: $90
Today, I’m not going to think about the upcoming roofing project or whether I’m making a good choice with my new investment in gold. Instead, I’m learning the ins and outs of everything I need to do for the party I’m throwing this weekend! To start, I’ll be following up with our caterers and the entertainment, a group of dancers. Then, I head to a nearby eatery, where I pay for meals for all 114 attendees. This party is one I’ve been saving for for a while!
Total: $2,280
I head to my first rental property first thing this morning and make sure everything is in good shape. The boy I paid to mow the lawn clearly isn’t doing a good job, so I make a note to find a replacement. This house shouldn’t need a total roof replacement like the second one, but, if the contractor I’m considering is the best roofer around like he seems to be, I might just have him come make a few roof repairs here, too. After all of this, I treat myself to a generous meal at the nearest French restaurant.
Total: $57.50
It’s time for some more party planning! I take some time to pick up plenty of decorations and other party essentials, like plates and utensils, then grab enough alcohol to keep us going well into the night. Only one more day until everyone arrives at the hall and we have an amazing time!
Total: $349
Today is the big day! I head to the salon for a fresh cut and pick up a brand-new suit that I had custom-tailored. After following up with the caterers, I make my way to the hall myself. I’m there before any guests, of course, and I’m able to put the finishing touches on the space before the waitstaff even arrives. Soon after, my friends begin filing in, and we’re in for a wild, wonderful night.
Total: $432
I wake up absolutely exhausted from last night. I don’t even remember going to sleep, honestly. Fortunately, I don’t have any pressing appointments today, so I get to sleep in and order an incredibly greasy dish for a late lunch. After some Advil and electrolytes, I’m able to replay last night’s festivities and remind myself that I really did have a great time.
Total: $21
Total for the week: $3,244.50