(W)ring in America's Birthday in Style

Rian Castillo

There is nothing like the Fourth of July in New York City. When you think of America's Birthday you think of Ben Franklin, Red White and Blue, and the Macy's Fireworks. They are iconic. Being in New York for the day is a must do. Whether you are a local looking for a staycation or making a last minute, the W Hotels in NYC is making it much easier to celebrate the big day. They are offering great packages for stays of two or more nights starting at $199. From July July 2nd to July 6th  when you book receive complimentary yoga class and 30% off all BLISS services and products tin order to embraceLIFE, relax into the weekend and prepare for the festivities. Guests will receive a complimentary pass to Strala Yoga, an innovative practice and movement system created to ignite freedom founded by W’s FIT partner, model and yogi Tara Stiles. W Hoboken guests will be offered a complimentary pass to Devotion Yoga.  With your stay you will get  two SIP tickets for complimentary cocktails in the Living Room (Blue Fin at W New York – Times Square). Tied to Independence Day, guests can take the LIBERTY of dating offline and revert back to pre-smartphone days with unique cocktail programming using the color of your cocktail as the signifier. You will receive a signifier for your status. There is RED, “Not at LIBERTY” for the taken, WHITE,“Wherever LIFE Takes Me” for those who prefer no label and BLUE,  “Pursuing HAPPINESS” for the single and ready to mingle. These great packages are available at for all W Hotels in NYC: W New York, W New York – Union Square, W New York – Times Square, W New York – Downtown, W Hoboken. W Hotels are conveniently located throughout the city to make it so easy to enjoy everything that will be offered during the holiday weekend. Take advantage of this amazing deal that helps make it even more enjoyable.   For more information click the following link http://whotelsnewyork.com/life-liberty-happiness.

Hitchin a ride

Side Car

Stick your hand out in San Francisco and it may become a tad tired.  No you are not competing to get the world record for keeping your arm out, but trying to hail a taxi.  Twenty minutes pass and nada.  Well low and behold if you have a smart phone (you do this is San Francisco) download the app Side Car.  Side Car is your answer to a taxi drought.  It is a community based service where prescreened, approved drivers use their own vehicles to drive you from point A to point B for a price significantly cheaper than taxis. 

So what you do is tell Side Car where you are, and where you are going.  It will then tell you the average community price and the closest driver.  When a driver accepts your route a picture of said driver and their vehicle will pop up.  Additionally, it will tell you how far away your ride is.  Gone are the days of sticking your hand out and in are the days when you know you can go back and grab a bottle of wine before your ride comes (true story).  When you arrive at your location, you pay through your phone and rate the driver.  The driver rates you as well.  How else will someone agree to pick you up next time, or you choose that driver if they don’t have stellar reviews.  If you pay the community average and are not a bumbling idiot you will get your four stars.

Skeptical?  So was I, but I just returned from San Fran and used Side Car the whole trip.  After dining with a friend who lived in town she suggested used Side Car to go get ice cream.  Since I was with a group, I agreed and the rest is history.  After our fabulous driver got us there safely I downloaded the app.  Because my friend recommended me, I got $10, and so did she.  Talk about incentive, especially since the average ride is around $10.  For the rest of the trip before heading to dinner we would tell Side Car where we were going.  In less than 10 minutes our clean, safe ride was there.  As I took my last Side Car ride to the airport I longingly hope for the day where Nashville is the next city they choose to start service. 

Lil Piece of Home On The Road

Going away soon and dreading going through security. Nowadays you should come in your swim suit so you can get through as quickly as possible. On the other hand if you do not want to deal with all those looks you can use Suite Arrival to make the process a tad faster. You no longer have to choose between cheap hotel toiletries or shleping your 3 ounce bottles in those one quart plastic bags. Before you set out on your journey head over to Suite Arrival and add all the products you use during your daily routine. They have all the products you use to keep fresh and clean. Go through your medicine cabinet and make sure to add everything you would need on your trip away. Suite Arrival will deliver your products right to your hotel room. Feel safe knowing you will be washing your hair with your normal Pantene shampoo and not the generic moisture striping shampoo the hotel claims is a luxury brand. All items are travel size, so if you do not finish you can decide to bring them back home with you. Although the prices are a bit higher than travel size items at the drugstore, remember you are also paying for the luxury of having a piece of home when you are on the road. When the other hotel guests ask why your hair is silky smooth, let them in on your little secret.

Get Me Out of This Place

Its that time of year, when you just need a break. You know you want to check out all the places I broadcast about on Living the Life on a Budget. Now is your chance to break free from the daily grind and book a flight across country for $100 each way. Virgin America, is giving you this opportunity, to fly to either coast at reduced prices. Its soon to be winter and you are going to want to escape the frigid weather they call winter in Boston and go to LA for $200 round trip. Live in San Fran and want to see what snow and winter is like in NYC, you too can make it happen. You have until October 27th to lock this deal in. You have your options of traveling to Boston, DC, San Fran, LA, Fort Lauderdale, etc, so the options are endless. You have to travel by March 10th, but I think you will have taken full advantage of this already. Just remember it maybe fall out today but in just 2 months you are going to wish you had taken full advantage of this deal.

Virginia Is For Those Looking to Save

Now that the days are getting warmer and longer you are looking for things to do to occupy your time. Its season finale time also, so there is no TV to run home to. I know you are bored with your city, so it maybe time for a long weekend in Virginia. Forty years ago, the famous "Virginia Is For Lovers" slogan was created, and in honor of this mantra, the state is celebrating. How are they celebrating you ask? With travel deals of course. There are deals for all parts of the state from the Chesapeake to Norfolk. In an attempt to spread the love there are 3 different promotions currently running.

The first is $40 off deals and promotions. For example in Goshen, you can get $40 off your two night stay. This deal is valid until the end of the year. Or you can choose the Buy 3 get one free deal. Headed to the beach? Get a fourth night free at the Founders Inn and Spa. Head to Williamsburg to learn about the beginnings of the USA, and get your fourth ticket on the house. Last but not least you can save 40% off hotel rooms or other attractions. Headed to the state capital? Richmond has some great hotel deals for a fraction of the cost. Now head to VA, and test the theory if it really is for lovers. You have forty+ reasons to.

There is no doubt I love Costco. I go during lunch hour to sample all their treats. There is no denying when it FINALLY opened in Nashville, I was there for the ribbon cutting ceremony. Similar to the main character in Where the Heart Is, I could happily live in a Costco Warehouse instead of a WalMart. My fridge is stocked with Kirkland milk, my jeans are Calvin closeouts, and I watch How I Met Your Mother on their 60 inch Vizio TV; all purchased from Costco. My life is complete thanks to all Costco offers. If only I could take those advantages to another place, it would be the perfect one stop shop. Well much to my surprise, I now can take Costco with me on my next vacay.

Take Costco on vacay? Well not so much, but I can now use my membership for more than just a gallon of peanut butter. Costco offers a service called the Costco Traveler, to make vacations much more simple and affordable. They offer a selection of the world's most popular resort destinations, hotels, cruise lines, rental car companies and other vacation options. Currently for the month of April Costco Travel is running a promotion for 4 nights in Cancun, for $399 at Omni Cancun Hotel and Vilas. For about $100 a day, you will treated to all the perks of an All-Inclusive, an ocean view room, Resort credit to use on additional services. This is a great getaway for a quick break without breaking the bank. The promotion ends this April, but you don't have to travel until the end of August.

Looking for a bit more action? Costco can take you to the ends of the earth with vacation packages, or hotel deals. Wish you could experience the Changing of the Guard (or catch a glimpse of Prince William and Harry)? Costco can make it happen. Can't decide what place you want to visit on your next vacation? Costco has cruise deals from Europe to crossing the Panama Canal. Visiting family and don't want to be at the mercy of their car? Costco can arrange a rental car so you can escape when your cousins have gotten under your skin a few too many times. If you have a travel wish, Costco can make it happen. All your friends will be jealous when you come back from Cancun with that killer tan.