Our Pauper loves to save money using an airfare consolidator. These consolidators contract with airlines to get tickets at cheaper rates than the general public. Because they buy large blocks of tickets the airlines love them.

Though you can get really good deals by knowing how to use consolidators, remember they are not structured for great service. They’re playing the quantity game not the hold-your-hand game. If you need personal attention use your travel agent instead.

The best time to use consolidators is during high travel times of the year. Other than these peak travel times consolidators don’t really offer much better rates than those offered in the lowest advertised fares. Yet, you can enjoy 20-30% off when you decide to travel during Christmas, for instance.

The other good time to turn to consolidators is if you are traveling on short notice. Unlike the airlines, they don’t penalize you for traveling on the spur of the moment.

Always use a credit card with consolidators. Some consolidators can charge high fees if you change your plans and/or cancel your flight. So make sure you understand what the policy on cancellations and refunds is.

In this article I’ll give you a list of consolidators that are available to you directly or through your travel agent.

In addition I’d recommend you purchase a copy of Consumer Reports Travel Letter, which is available at most libraries or you can subscribe for $39.

Let’s get started:

Cheap Tickets sells more than 500,000 tickets a year for domestic and international flights. Now they even help you with hotels and cruises.

Council Travel Service offers super fares in the USA and mostly all of Europe for cheapskates like you and me. They also package individual travel packages for vacations, car rentals, rail passes, paid internships, and work programs.

Fly Cheap has my favorite name among the known consolidators. They do a good job on all kinds of flights to all manner of destinations.

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Camping outside in the woods or forest with your family, friends, and loved ones can be a very enjoyable experience. Whether sitting around the campfire and telling stories or bird watching and exploring nature, being outdoors can leave you with unforgettable memories. Now what memories you will leave with depends on how well you are prepared. If a camper is not knowledgeable about his surroundings, nature can give some pretty nasty surprises. Below are some advice and tips that will help you avoid certain situations that can damper your trip.

Bugs go away.

Bugs are always a very annoying problem for a lot of campers. These critters keep flying around your food, and buzzing in your ears. Also let’s not forget about more serious problems from some insects, like mosquitoes, which love to bite and give you itchy bumps. Then there are lice and ticks which can pass on diseases. Here are some tips to help keep the bugs away.

1. Try not to use fragrant lotions or products. Sweet smells attract insects.

2. Try to stay cool. Bugs are attracted to sweat.

3. Bring bug repellant/ Sunscreen. Just don’t use too much,

4. Avoid eating bananas – this fruit secretes an odor through your pours which attracts mosquitoes.

5. Use coconut oil – this repels mosquitoes

Beware of Ticks

Ticks can be a problem due to the fact they can spread diseases. Ways to prevent yourself from exposure to ticks is to avoid grassy areas, wear a hat, and do not wear shorts when you are on a trail. You should check for ticks and if detected remove it as early as possible. If you find a tick attached to your skin, use tweezers close to your skin as possible and pull off the tick, but do not squeeze its body. You should have the doctor check the bite as soon as possible. Ticks can spread diseases such as Lyme disease and ehrlichiosis to humans, which is fatal if not treated.

General Advice

Here is some useful advice that is good to know on every camping or outdoor trip or vacation:

1. Bring and keep a picture of the travelers with you, in case anyone gets lost.

2. When hiking remember to bring some water, food, a flashlight, and bandages.

3. Never hike by yourself.

4. 80% of your body heat is lost through your head, so to keep warm, wear a hat.

The advices I gave in this article I consider very important in helping to keep your outdoors experience an enjoyable one.

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