Travel

Unclaimed Airport Luggage Auction: How Does it Work?

December 20, 2019 By Trey LaRocca Leave a Comment

There are plenty of ways to snag cheap goods in bulk online, and the best spots tend to be the lesser known ones. One of the rare gems I have come across recently is the unclaimed airport luggage auction. As is probably obvious, these auctions involve airline luggage that has been left for too long and is subject to sale to make sure the airports no longer have to deal with holding it. Due to the pretty niche nature of these auctions, you can usually find better deals than in more general auctions. So, let’s dive into exactly how unclaimed airport luggage auctions work.

How do they choose luggage to auction?

I’m sure you’ve already gathered what the primary criteria for these auctions are: time. As far as how long it takes, timeframes change depending on the airline. Most often, the average sits around 21 days (three weeks) from the point at which it was left. Not much else goes into the consideration for unclaimed airport luggage auctions, as the quality/quantity of items is pretty random. Obviously, illegal items are not in consideration, nor are weapons due to the lack of licensed FFA dealers at airports. Other restrictions like tobacco products or knives vary by location.

How much money would I need?

As I said before, luggage auctions are relatively unknown. as a result, the prices don’t tend to get all that high. Barring unusual circumstances or obviously valuable pieces, prices tend to hang from $25-120 US. This is great news for bargain clothing shoppers, as the high end of that budget would probably land you a pair of jeans and a nice shirt or two from a discount store. Obviously, you’re saving money due to the gamble, but you never know what bonus treasures you will find. With financial risk being so low, it’s a reasonably worthy proposition.

How do I buy from these auctions?

Aside from pretty general auction sites like Public Surplus, auctioned luggage is primarily available in person. Using helpful sites like this one, you can track unclaimed airport luggage auctions and try your hand. You are typically going to the airport in question on a slower travel day, heading to a meeting place especially set up for the auction, and the rest is fairly simple. As with a typical auction, all sales are final and you usually want to have actual cash in hand for anything you want to purchase.

All in all, if you’re looking for something fun to do on a Sunday that involves a little bargain shopping, go for it! The risk here is low, the “lottery effect” is fun, and it gives you a good reason to get out of the house. Plus, most airports are near city centers, so go get yourself a bite to eat and have some fun at a low-cost unclaimed airport luggage auction!

Saving Tips For Your Disney World Trip

September 4, 2019 By Tamila McDonald Leave a Comment

Disney World is a quintessential vacation destination. Couples, families with children, and even groups of adult friends can have a great time at this showstopper of an amusement park. The trick is, Disney World can be expensive. Luckily, with a bit of planning and a keen eye, you can head to the park without breaking the bank. Here are some Disney World savings tips.

Disney World Savings Tips

Buy Discount Tickets

You can buy Disney World tickets in a lot of places. Military members can get them from the on post or on base ticket office. Additionally, Shades of Green, the military Disney World resorts, sells entry tickets for less.

Costco has Disney packages available that come with tickets that can help members save. If you have AAA, you can get lower-cost tickets there, too.

Ultimately, there are plenty of authorized retailers that sell Disney World tickets for less. Don’t assume you have to buy directly from Disney (either online or at the gate) as you can usually find a better deal elsewhere.

Don’t Add the Park Hopper

When you buy Disney World tickets, you’re going to see an add-on called Park Hopper. It gives you the ability to visit more than one park in a single day, which sounds like a great perk. However, there’s a decent shot you’ll never use it.

Each Disney Park can easily take a full day to explore. Plus, you might not feel up to journeying to another one after you’ve spent hours in the first, especially if you are with young kids or seniors.

Ultimately, Park Hopper is an upsell the majority of visitors just don’t need. As a result, you can skip it and save yourself some cash without harming the quality of your vacation.

Check All of Your Options for Accommodations

Disney World markets it resorts as the ideal option for those wanting to visit the park. While Disney properties do come with some nice perks – like free parking, shuttles, and early entry days at the parks – they aren’t your only option.

There are plenty of hotels outside of the Disney property, and they represent a wide array of price points. Plus, you can find plenty of listings on sites like Airbnb and VRBO to choose from as well, which might be better for larger parties.

Ultimately, make sure you shop around when selecting accommodations. That way, you can compare prices and amenities, allowing you to choose the most affordable option that meets your needs.

Consider Using a Travel Agent

Usually, heading to a travel agent isn’t going to help save you money. However, Disney compensates travel agents for their services, so you don’t have to pay to use one if you are heading to a Disney property.

Travel agents are adept at finding deals. Plus, they can save you a lot of time by handling most of the planning.

Get on Disney’s Email List

Like nearly every other company on the planet, Disney reveals sales and discounts through its emails. If you sign up, you might find deals on hotels, dining plans, tickets, and more. Just make sure that you sign up for the Disney World emails specifically. Otherwise, you might see discounts for other Disney properties, and those won’t help if that is not where you are planning to go.

Bring a Water Bottle

Let’s face facts; Florida gets hot. Staying hydrated while you are at Disney is critical. Otherwise, you or your traveling companions could face some serious health consequences.

Disney is pretty flexible about allowing people to bring a range of items into the park. Having a water bottle with you is a great idea. That way, you can refill it throughout the day at water fountains and avoid the cost of bottled water or restaurant drinks.

Think Snacks Over Meals

Eating at a restaurant inside the Disney parks is usually pretty expensive. In some cases, you can keep your food costs down by snacking throughout the day instead of sitting down for meals.

For example, the giant turkey leg isn’t expensive based on what you get. Plus, this approach lets you have some variety in your meals, and you can select fun options you won’t find anywhere else, like the Disney Dole Whip.

Get Discounted Disney Gift Cards

Gift card resale sites and can help you save on your Disney trip. These sites allow you to get more than what you pay for, offering a discount based on the card’s popularity.

While eBay might have some available, there is a risk when you deal with a seller directly. They might be lying about the value on the card, so you could get ripped off.

If you want to play it safe, try Gift Card Granny instead. The company guarantees that your gift card amount will be correct, so you get some additional security by heading there instead.

Retailer discounts on gift cards are also available. Sam’s Club, Safeway, and a variety of other stores discount certain gift cards during various points in the year. If you are planning well in advance for your trip, keep your eyes open. Then, if you spot a good deal at a store, you can scoop up some Disney gift cards and stash them away until you head to the park.

Do you have other Disney World savings tips that families can use to reduce the cost of their vacation? Share yours in the comments below.

If you enjoy reading our blog posts and would like to try your hand at blogging, we have good news for you; you can do exactly that on Saving Advice. Just click here to get started.

Universal Studios Announces New Theme Park “Epic Universe”

August 23, 2019 By Flanice Lewis Leave a Comment

Comcast NBCUniversal will open a new theme park and resort in Central Florida named “Epic Universe.” It is the fourth Universal theme park in Orlando. It joins Universal Studios Florida, Volcano Bay, and Islands of Adventure. Epic Universe will be the first new American theme park in almost twenty years. Universal opened Islands of Adventure in 1999 and Disney opened California Adventures in 2001.

Epic Concept

Universal Studios proudly announced that Epic Universe would change the way we view theme park entertainment. The design concept art features a large hotel overlooking what appears to be four pools or water features, several smaller buildings, fireworks, rides, and slides. Currently, the design of the resort is reminiscent of the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas, minus the distinctive pink color and beach access. However, this could very easily change by the time construction starts. Also, the announcement mentioned restaurants and shops to go along with the park and hotel. Universal will provide transportation between the locations.

Themes and Rides

Epic Universe will sit on 750 acres in the Orlando area within a few miles of the existing parks. No specifics were given regarding rides or characters. The patent drawings suggested the use of virtual and augmented reality. Perhaps there will be rides related to Nintendo, “How to Train Your Dragon,” and “Minions.” They are all popular Universal properties not already represented at the theme park. The latest attractions have been the “Wizarding World of Harry Potter and “Fast & Furious” extensions. However, the company refused to divulge details due to the competition among the theme parks.

Doubling Park Size

Epic Universe is the largest theme park investment by Comcast to compete with Walt Disney World. Currently, Disney has four main theme parks, water parks, restaurants, and shopping in Orlando. It is about the size of San Francisco or roughly 43 square miles. Conversely, Universal is currently only about 840 acres. This new park nearly doubles the size. Hopefully, the bigger size increases the number of annual visitors. In the past year, Universal has seen a third of the visitors that Disney had.

The current size of the Universal theme parks is attractive for families that can’t stay for a week exploring a vast location. Epic Universe hopes to change that. Boldly, as a professor at the local university stated, the goal is to extend those short trips, so customers never want to leave. Additionally, the existing hotels at Universal Studios Resorts are expanding and will reach 9,000 rooms by December 2020.

Good for the Neighborhood

Epic Universe estimates hiring 14,000 employees, starting at $15 per hour. Currently, Florida’s minimum wage is $8.46. A $15 minimum wage is expected to be on the ballot in 2020. If this is true, it will stimulate the local economy and make it easier for Epic Universe to find talent.

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Best 4th of July Destinations for Budget Travelers

July 2, 2019 By Christina Majaski Leave a Comment

Tired of celebrating the 4th of July in your hometown? Aching to take a summer road trip? Every town celebrates differently, with fun parades, barbecues, and stunning fireworks displays. All you really need to do is pick a direction, and you’re bound to find one of the best 4th of July destinations for your budget.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The home of the signing of the Declaration of Independence is perhaps one of the most historic places you could visit to celebrate the 4th of July. Holiday festivities begin on June 29th and extend straight through July 4th. The city celebrates with free museum entry, several fireworks shows, movie events, and a myriad of concerts. The event wraps up on the 4th, on the parkway, with one last free concert and the biggest fireworks event of them all.

Boston, Massachusetts

Take in a bit of Revolutionary history as you explore the streets of Boston. Boston’s Harborfest starts on the 1st of the month. The festival itself is free, but you’ll need tickets for museums, tours, and harbor cruises. This year’s fireworks are scheduled for July 2nd. Be at the Inner Harbor by 8:30 pm.

Williamsburg, Virginia

Step back in time with a trip to colonial Williamsburg, where you’ll witness the “first” official celebration of Independence Day. Catch a live reading of the Declaration of Independence, watch a drum corps salute to the original states, and – of course – hit the Palace Green for fireworks later in the evening. Many of the area’s finest eateries will have great deals on family-friendly dinners, including Shields Tavern, the King’s Arms Tavern, and Chowning’s Tavern.

South Padre Island, Texas

South Padre Island, at the southernmost tip of Texas, is a haven for adventurists. The stunning beach spans an incredible 34-miles, offering tons of opportunity for surfing, kayaking, and simply enjoying nature. While you can catch fireworks every Friday evening, they’re particularly breathtaking on the 4th of July.

Long Beach Peninsula, Washington

Almost as big as South Padre Island, the Long Beach Peninsula beach spans 28 miles. The area is a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts, featuring hiking trails, fishing boats, and a myriad of other outdoor activities. Make sure you are at the beach at Bolstad Avenue by 10 pm on the 4th to see the fireworks.

The Jersey Shore

Any shore point along the coast of New Jersey would make a great 4th of July destination, with tons of parades, boardwalks, games, rides, and fireworks. The shore can be a budget-friendly destination for groups, too. While the weekly rental rate averages around $1,300 for a week, split among four people (or more), you can drop that rate down to around $45 per person, per night or less. Camp out in one spot and drive a few miles in either direction to check out the fireworks displays in different downs throughout the week.

Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin

This is another great destination for those who love spending time outdoors. Nestled along the Wisconsin River, you’ll find not only an incredible landscape but plenty of amazing family-friendly activities. You could easily spend a day hiking, followed by another day at a water or theme park. The city, of course, goes all-out to celebrate the 4th, too.

Bar Harbor, Maine

The summer weather in Maine is absolutely gorgeous at the beginning of July, making it the perfect warm-weather destination for the holiday. The holiday starts with a huge parade. You can then spend the rest of the day at local concerts and exploring the seafood festival. Wrap up a perfect day with a trip to the beach for the fireworks. The only drawback is that the area books up pretty far in advance, so you may have to get creative about finding a place to stay if you wait too long to book.

It doesn’t matter if you’re looking to take a day-trip or find a week-long vacation destination for the family. Cities around the country are skillfully combining Independence Day festivities with summer fun, history, and traditional seasonal tourist attractions. All you have to do is choose a place you’ve never been for a fun and exciting holiday week.

Expect Gas Prices To Go Up As Philadelphia Energy Solutions Shuts Down

June 26, 2019 By Amanda Blankenship Leave a Comment

Gas prices typically rise during the summer months because more people are traveling for vacation and visiting family. However, prices are projected to be even higher than usual after an explosion at Philadelphia Energy Solutions. Following the incident, the oil refinery has announced it plans to permanently close down.

Philadelphia Energy Solutions Shutting Down

Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES) is the largest east coast refinery and is now seeking to permanently shut down after a massive fire last week. While there were only minor injuries, the explosion and subsequent fire caused significant damage to the plant. PES is looking to file a notice of intent, which will begin the process of closing the oldest (and largest) refinery on the East Coast.

The plant exploded in flames early Friday morning. Explosions from the 335,000 barrel-per-day refinery could be heard from miles away. If the hydrofluoric acid contained in the plant caught fire, it could have created a vapor cloud, similar to a nuclear bomb, that would damage the eyes, lungs, and skin of residents in surrounding areas. Fire officials say it started in a butane vat around 4 a.m. but it is still unknown as to what caused the explosion.

Because such a significant portion of the plant is damaged, making it “impossible” to continue operations, PES is seeking to close. This will result in hundreds of jobs being lost. Not to mention, most of us will see an increase in gasoline prices.

“Today, Philadelphia Energy Solutions made the difficult decision to commence shutdown of the refining complex. While our teams include some of the most talented people in the industry, the recent fire at the refinery complex has made it impossible for us to continue operations,” CEO Mark Smith stated.

Cost-Cutting May Be The Root of the Problem

PES has not yet filed or begun closing down, so plans could still change. The company does expect to begin laying off about 700 union workers soon though. These layoffs may include half of the union workforce. The remainder of the staff will remain at the plant until the explosion investigation is completed.

Before the explosion, the plant was suffering financially. Worker benefits had been cut and many capital projects were scaled down dramatically. Last year, PES went through bankruptcy to reduce the company’s overall debt. Unfortunately, cash within the business still remained low. There has been speculation that cost-cutting within the company may have left the plant vulnerable to an accident like this. On top of that, the Department of Environmental Protection expressed concerns regarding the integrity of storage tanks at the plant.

In fact, last week’s incident is the second within two weeks at PES. Now investigators are looking into the cause. Investigations are moving slowly though because they are dealing with unstable structures that must be cleared by an engineer before entering. It could take months, and possibly even years, to get answers.

How This May Impact Gas Prices

Drivers on the East Coast can expect to see gas prices rise, and they already have. On Wednesday, gasoline futures rose 5.4 percent ($1.9787 per gallon). That is the highest its been since May 23. Overall, gasoline futures are up 8.9 percent since end-of-day Thursday before the PES incident.

The latest increase has pushed the United States gas prices above both Asian and European markets, making it more likely for gasoline to be imported from these regions.

“While it is too early to know how much prices could increase and for how long, motorists in the region will likely continue to see a fluctuation in pump prices — especially leading up to the busy Fourth of July travel period,” AAA spokeswoman Jenifer Moore said in a statement.

22 Ways to Save Money on Summer Travel

June 4, 2019 By Kathryn Vercillo Leave a Comment

Summer is almost here. It’s just around the corner. Maybe you have already planned your vacation. Or maybe you are dreading doing so because you know that it’s going to cost you money. Either way, you can find ways to save money on summer travel. In fact, here are 22 ideas to get you started:

1. Skip Summer Travel Altogether

I’m going to start with the obvious. However, perhaps it’s not so obvious. Many people feel like they have to take their vacation in the summer. The kids are off of school. There are events like weddings and reunions. We face a lot of pressure to travel in the summer. But it’s not a necessity. It’s okay to say no this year. If you’re feeling stressed for cash, then the best way to save money on summer travel is not to travel at all. You can still take a break; try a staycation instead.

2. Reduce Summer Travel

You might not feel like you can skip summer travel altogether. That’s okay. The next best option to save money on summer travel is to limit your trip. Cut your trip in half. Limit it to just a few days for a particular event. Use red-eye flights to skip hotel rooms on travel days. If you can’t reduce the number of trip days, try to reduce the number of costly things that you do during the trip.

3. Save Money on Summer Travel with Free Activities

There are so many free things to do in any city. The tiniest towns and the largest urban centers all have free events and activities. There are also parks, libraries, and other free places to spend your time. As you plan your summer vacation, make sure that you fill the schedule with fun things that don’t cost you anything at all.

4. Use Public Transportation

Many people automatically rent a car whenever they arrive at a destination. However, that’s often unnecessarily wasteful. You can save a lot of money by using public transportation instead. Plus that’s a great way to really see the city and the people who live in it. If you’re not able to use public transportation, then ride share apps or even cabs can offer a happy medium.

5. Couchsurf or Find Shared Housing

Hotels can cost a lot of money. Therefore, if you can find a cheap alternative, then you can save a lot of money on summer travel. The best option is to pay nothing, of course. Do that by couchsurfing. You can stay with a friend or a friend of a friend. Alternatively, couchsurfing websites offer free or cheap housing with strangers. You can find similar options using shared housing searches on Airbnb. Try staying in a hostel.

6. Go Camping

Shared housing isn’t the only alternative to paying for a hotel. Why not go camping this summer? If you already have camping gear, then this can be a perfect way to save money on summer travel. If you don’t have the gear, check for rentals at stores such as REI. It’s cheaper to rent this stuff than to buy it if you don’t use it very often.

7. Use Travel Apps to Book Travel

There are a lot of websites and apps to save money on travel. In particular, you can use smart tools when booking your trip. For example, use Hotwire or Hotel Tonight to get cheap last minute hotels. Use Gas Buddy to find the cheapest gasoline during road trips. Use Airport Parking to find the lowest rates if you need that service.

8. Set a Budget

It’s easy to go overboard with your vacation spending. However, if you pay attention to what you spend, then it’s much less likely. Set a budget for the trip. Subtract out what you pay for hotels, flights, etc. Then divide up whatever is left by the number of trip days for a daily spending budget.

9. Research Where to Get Vaccinations

If you are planning on international travel this summer, then you might need vaccinations. People often forget to include this expense in their travel budget. However, it can add up. Luckily, there are ways to save money on travel vaccinations. Review your insurance. Research your options. Choose the lowest cost vaccinations that meet your needs.

10. Know Banking Fees In Advance

If you travel internationally, then you also need to be aware of banking fees. Many credit cards will charge fees for international purchases. Those can add up really fast. Do your research ahead of time to make sure that the way you plan to pay for your trip isn’t costing you extra.

11. Have a Plan for Paying with a Credit Card

Whether you travel domestically or internationally, you’re probably going to use a credit card for some of those travel costs. Be smart about it. First of all, whenever possible, use a rewards credit card. That way, you get some money back. Then, make sure that you have a plan to repay that money as quickly as possible. If you can’t pay it off immediately, be sure to use the credit card with the lowest interest rate.

12. Check Your Phone Plan Before You Leave

As with banking fees, there are phone fees when you travel internationally. If you’re taking your cell phone with you, then make sure that you know all of the details about those fees. When I travel, I temporarily update my ATT plan to allow for international calling. That way, I know exactly what I’m paying for everything in advance. If you do something like this, be sure to cancel those extras on the plan immediately upon returning home.

13. Skip the Souvenirs

You don’t have to bring stuff back for the people that you left behind. It just costs extra money. I like to save money on summer travel by foregoing physical souvenirs for digital ones. I take photos of the things that remind me of specific people on the trip. Then I text those photos to let them know I’m thinking about them. Postcards are also an affordable souvenir if you feel like you must purchase something.

14. Save Money on Summer Travel with Smart Restaurant Choices

It’s okay if you want to eat wonderful food when you travel. However, you don’t have to spend a fortune to do it. Here are some ways to save money at restaurants while traveling:

Select mid-price restaurants instead of pricey ones.
Eat out for lunch then have the leftovers for dinner.
Order a delicious appetizer and a drink instead of an entree.
Alternatively, order an entree but skip appetizers and drinks.
Share a meal with a traveling partner.
Use coupons and discounts for local restaurants when traveling.

15. Bring What You’ll Need

If you pack smart when you travel, then you can avoid unnecessary expenses. For example, check the weather in advance. It’s a waste to buy raincoats and umbrellas if you can pack them instead. Double-check your toiletries to make sure you’re not forgetting something. Pack snacks.

16. Plan to Do Laundry While Traveling

One of the problems with “bring what you’ll need” is that you might end up with heavy luggage. If you’re traveling by plan, that could mean extra baggage fees. Avoid that by limiting how many clothes you bring. Instead, pack a little bit of detergent and do laundry during your trip. Of course, weigh the potential cost of that with the baggage fee.

17. Compare Prices Before Every Purchase

Speaking of weighing the baggage fee cost against the laundry cost, always compare prices. Seriously. Do a price comparison for every single part of the trip. If you explore multiple options, then choose the lowest price, you can easily save a lot of money on summer travel.

18. Do a Housing Swap

Do you know someone in a great destination who would like to visit the place where you live? Ask them if they want to do a housing swap. It’s a great way to avoid paying hotel fees during a trip.

19. Become a Housesitter

If you like to travel often and you want to save money doing so then build up your housesitting resume. You can watch people’s homes and pets all around the world. Sometimes you get paid for doing so. Even if you don’t, you get free accommodations. They’re often quite nice accommodations, in fact.

20. Look for Discounts You Specifically Qualify For

There are many different types of discounts for hotels, airlines, car rental, and even entertainment at your destination. Just a few discounts that you might qualify for are:

Student discount
Kids under a certain age
Senior discount and/or AARP member discount
Military discount
AAA member discount

21. Travel Where Your Money Goes Far

Maybe you haven’t picked a destination yet. You don’t have anywhere that you need to be. You just know that you want to travel. In that case, consider a destination where the currency exchange rate is in your favor. Of course, make sure that you choose a place with relatively affordable airfare as well. Otherwise, you’ll offset the cost of cheap travel with the high price of getting there.

22. Telecommute or Get a Summer Gig

Even if you do all of these things to save money on summer travel, the cost of a vacation might stress you out. You might feel better if you earn money while you’re away. Try to work while traveling. Maybe you can telecommute. Or perhaps if you’re going to be in one location for a few months, you can pick up a local part-time job.

Do you have any tips for saving on summer travel? Share with us in the comments below.