Trivia Question of the Day

What University did the Princeton Review rank as the number 1 party school in the country this year?

Trivia Question of the Day

What Irish County has the smallest population at 25,000?

Trivia Question of the Day

What parts of the original Bionic Woman were bionic?

Practical tips for our trip

http://www.xplorebritain.com/travelireland.asp

Ways to Save $$ for the Trip

As you can see from the ticker, we have a little over 10 months to save the money needed for our trip. For most of us, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity but that doesn’t mean saving the money needed for it is going to be easy. Here are some tips to save what you need so you can go care free (and maybe even debt free!).

1. Put all you loose change at the end of the day into a jar. You could save a dollar or more a day….that equals over $300 or 10% of the cost of the trip!
2. Look around your house for stuff you just don’t use anymore. Can you sell it on e-bay, Craig’s list, or at a garage sale? Most of us have some stuff we’ve never used or just fallen out of love with, that doesn’t mean someone else may not like it. For e-bay list the selling price low to attract attention. Even if you sell just 10 things at an average price of $10 each, you could have an extra $100 (but I bet you can do better than that!)
3. Look at your monthly bills (especially those automatic charges on your credit cards). Are you paying for memberships that you don’t really use? Some of these memberships can cost as much as $50 a month. That’s a savings of $500 by the time we leave for Ireland!
4. How much are you paying for cell phone service, cable, etc.? Do you really need that many minutes or movie channels? Maybe you can consolidate internet, cable and phone service to save money each month. Decreasing your cable or cell phone package could save you $5-$10 a month, that’s another $100 you could have for the trip!
5. Have you noticed how expensive gas is? Could you use public transportation or carpool one day a week? I bet it costs you less than the gas and wear and tear on your car, much less if you have to pay to park. You could save at least $1 a week, which may not seem like much but it is about $50 that could go toward the trip (that’s several pints of Guinness!) Plus, you get some exercise AND help the environment.
6. If you don’t do it already, set up a direct deposit into your savings account. Even if you just put $10 a pay check in there that could add up to $200 (or one night at the Marriott in Galway!)
7. Plan your meals for the week by making a menu and using it as your shopping list to avoid impulse purchases. It may even be worth using a grocery delivery service so you have no temptation (and you save gas money there too!) Use coupons to save money and put what you saved in….savings for the trip. You could save $20-$50 per grocery trip. That adds up to $500 in a year!
8. If you must eat out, consider splitting an entrée with a friend. Serving sizes are usually big enough for two anyway (and you want to save your calories for Guinness and Fish & Chips!). If you usually eat out once a week you could save $5- $10 per visit by splitting meals. Even if you just eat fast food, get a kids meal, they’re cheaper and let’s face it-- you don’t need to super size. This could add up to over $200!
9. Do you buy lots of magazines at the grocery store or news-stand? Consider subscriptions instead. Subscribing to two magazines instead of paying the cover price could save you $50.
10. Don’t forget your tax refund. Keep all of your receipts for donated items so you can itemize and put a chunk of that refund towards the trip.
11. Instead of spending all your dough on a night on the town, invite your friends over for a pot luck game night or have date night at home. You can still have a great meal, fun, and drinks—but at a fraction of the cost. And let’s face it, people in public are annoying, it’s safer to stay in. Doing this once a month could save you $250 by July!
12. If you clip coupons, look at your receipt for how much you saved. Take that amount and immediately put it in the bank (or where ever you have set up your Ireland fund).
13. Keep your credit cards at home. If you can't pay cash for it, you can't buy it. And take out the cash you need at the beginning of each week so you don't get stuck paying ATM fees.
    
    Those are the ideas I have come up with so far. If you are keeping track, the above items could help you save….$2,150!!! Wow, maybe we should add a few nights to the trip! (just kidding, don’t freak out!)
    
    Do you have more ideas of ways to save, let us know about them.

Trivia Question of the Day

I'm feeling pretty worn out today....which of the following beverages (16 ounces each) has the most caffeine? Starbucks coffee, Black tea, Mountain Dew, or Full Throttle?

Trivia Question of the Day

On Lost, what is the name of Charlie's band?

Frame Game Sunday

Decided to make Sundays "Frame Game Sunday". Here's an easy one so you all can get the hang of it. Have a great day!!

Trivia Question of the Day

Who was the first black quarterback to win the Superbowl?

Weekends off?

What........................no Saturday morning trivia? Susan, first Sunday showers are optional and now Saturday trivia.

Coat of Arms

Today, the term "coat of arms" or "arms" is frequently applied in two different ways. In some uses, it may indicate a full achievement of arms or heraldic achievement, which includes a variety of elements — usually a crest sitting atop a helmet, itself sitting on a shield; other common elements include supporters holding up the shield and a motto (beneath in England, above in Scotland). Some people wrongly use "coat of arms" or "arms" to refer to the escutcheon (i.e. the shield itself), or to one of several designs that may be combined in one shield. (Note that the crest is one specific part of a heraldic achievement and that "crest of arms" is a misnomer.) The "coat of arms" frequently are adorned with a device - a motto, emblem, or other mark used by a Knight-errant to distinguish himself from others. If a motto is a part of the achievement, it sometimes has some punning allusion to his name. A device differed from a badge or cognizance primarily because it is a personal distinction, and not a badge borne by members of the same house successively.

Trivia Question of the Day

Who are likeliest to die while at work in the US-- garbage collectors, roofers, or taxi drivers?

What a Good Looking Bunch - Great Genes!

Ain't we purty?

Irish Trivia of the Day

I've decided to make Thursdays Irish Trivia. Today's question is worth 2 points.



How many counties are there in all of Ireland? How many of those counties are in Northern Ireland?

Trivia Question of the Day

What island is home to an estimated 2,000 dragons and fewer than 100 humans?

Trivia Question of the Day

What late author's ashes were stolen at a costume party at Joanne Carson's house?

Trivia Question of the Day

I am thrilled to announce that we finally have a Leader Board. Beth Phelps and William are in a dead heat with one correct answer each. For those of you who don't know, William also has the Trivia gene, so you are going to want to start earning points soon, before he runs away with it!

Just a reminder to please answer the questions by adding your answer in the comments section of the post the question is in. The person who answers the question correctly, first will earn the point and I can only determine the order of answers if they are given in the right place.

Question of the Day: How many denominations of euro coins are there for Europeans to make change with?

Trivia Question of the Day

Who grounded into a double play for the 335th time, an all-time career record, in 2000?

Trivia Question of the day


In honor of Steven and Janet's vicious trivia game rivalry, I decided to add a trivia qustion of the day. Add your answer in the comments section. The first person to answer correctly will get a point. I will keep a tally on the blog and whoever has the most right by the time we go to Ireland will get a special prize (and by special, I mean cheap and/or handmade).


Since I know we all have unique interests I will try to post diverse questions so everyone has a level playing field, so if this one isn't your cup of tea, don't get discouraged.


Question: What hair band waxed an ode to strip clubs called Girls, Girls, Girls?

Interesting facts about Ireland

Here are some interesting facts that we all must know for our trip to Ireland. Look for quizzes on Irish trivia next week!

http://www.irishtrivia.com/general.htm

Picadilly Cubed
I've finally decided to enter the blog world. I am still learning the ropes but thought this would be a fun way for us to all keep in touch. It's even better because Steven HATES the word Picadilly, so I know you'll all want to commit the word to memory and use it often in his presence!

Anyway, since we are such a fun (and good looking) group, I thought we could use this site to update each other on what is going on in our lives. So, check back here from time to time to keep us in the loop and to find what's happening with everyone else. There may be a way for you to enter your own photos but until then, if you have something you would like me to post, e-mail me.

Also as time passes we will put important updates about our trip to Ireland on the site, so don't be a stranger!