I just want to say to all the people who are attempting to travel today- I am sorry. I am sure it is a nightmare. Huge storms are killing travel across the Midwest all the way to the northeast and northwest. I must say here in Utah we are getting dumped on. While it brings me much joy to look out the window and know that this snow is just enhancing my snowboarding season- I realize how much misery it is bringing travelers who are facing major delays and cancelled flights. I tip my glass to you because I have been there and totally sympathize. Hopefully you have an iPod or a portable DVD player to keep you company. At least you won’t be stuck in a car for an hour this evening fearing for your life against the bad Utah drivers out there. There are sure to be some fatalities and bad accidents tonight. Drive and fly safe out there!

Oh the economy. How I have grown to despise that word. Even more so since it has been affecting me personally. And while it’s scary- there can be a lot of opportunity as well. If you are feeling the economy blues- it may be time to take a quick vacation to forget your troubles for a few days.

It’s important to look for some bargains when your pockets aren’t as deep as they used to be. Here are some tips for traveling cheap and in style.

Sign up for e-newsletters: As annoying as they can be- signing up for discount traveling sites newsletters can help you save money when you are very flexible on your plans. Updates will come to your inbox informing you of awesome Las Vegas hotel deals, and cheap airplane tickets to Orlando (and more- those were obviously examples).

Sign up for Airline’s e-newsletters and download widgets: Along the same lines as the above tip, many airlines also have a newsletter that will ping you when they have can’t miss deals. Delta and Southwest are both known for last minute deals that can be found by their newletters or widgets. However with those deals you must act fast- they disappear as quickly as they come.

Be flexible: While many places are slashing prices to be competitive others are raising prices to keep afloat. If you are dead set on a location then try to be flexible on timing. For example many hotels are cheaper during the week then the weekend (depending if they are a tourist location- you will find the opposite if they rely on business travelers). If you are set on your timing then try to be flexible on location.

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We decided it was time to get out of Utah for a day. Although it has only been a few weeks since we were in Las Vegas visiting family for Thanksgiving, we were itching to get away. Our solution? We would visit San Francisco for the day, a very short trip, yes, but it worked well with our budget as it is Christmas this month.

My intentions were to show my husband San Francisco at Christmas time as I remembered if from growing up. Cable cars through the city, hot chocolate at Ghiradelli Square, the big Christmas tree and ice skating at Union Square, and a few other fun memories. Well, instead of those fantastic things we decided to rent a car (which that ordeal will be a separate blog) and go see the Golden Gate Bridge, drive over the bridge, go to Muir Woods National Monument, visit Golden Gate Park and Alamo Square.

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Ok…. I know I am all about living life on the budget and traveling for as cheaply as possible- but I don’t even think I would consider staying in Switzerland’s first zero star hotel. Now if you haven’t heard of a zero star hotel before- imagine in your head for a moment what you think the hotel would consist of. Perhaps you would sleep on old gym mats on the floor. Perhaps you would be sleeping in an old hospital’s triage unit. Maybe there would be one bathroom for twenty people.

Well I bet you didn’t think it could you would be staying in an old nuclear bunker converted into a hotel! For only £6 (which would be the equivalent to almost $9.00) you can sleep underground in a bunker. Ok it does sound a little cool- and really I might be willing to try it out except there is no heating (mind you it is underground) so you are provided rubber water bottles for your bed. Also because the ventilation system is so dang loud you are provided earplugs. A lottery is held to see who gets the hot water in their morning shower and there are no windows. Basically you are sleeping in a prison cell.

If this is starting to sound horrid, it’s ok-you can always upgrade to a luxury room for £11. Now you get an antique bed from a condemned hotel. Wow- sounds….luxurious? I know it’s cheap but really? I mean you’ve got to have standards people! It would be kind of cool to say you stayed in an underground nuclear bunker in Switzerland, and it is pretty cheap, I could see how there could be some benefits… Ok I retract my previous statement I might actually stay in this hotel.

Check out the YouTube video on the Null Stern Hotel!

What is a flashpacker you ask? Wait you aren’t familiar with the term flashpacker? How can you call yourself American! Only kidding of course. I honestly had never heard of the term myself- that is until I came across this article on CNN that peaked my interest.

Apparently a flashpacker is someone who can afford to stay in luxury hotels but instead chooses the alternative, cheaper accommodations such as staying at a hostel. According to the article the term flashpacker has the prefix flash- as in stylish, and packer- which is derivative from the term backpacker. There you go a stylish backpacker. The article also specifically states that you are typically over 30 to be considered a flashpacker, that I don’t agree with- because I actually could consider myself to be a flashpacker. Sure I could afford to stay at a nice hotel but I have sometimes chosen the hostel route in order to splurge  on other things while vacationing.

During a time of economic strife, being a flashpacker is a great solution for many who still want to enjoy a good vacation now and then. I seriously recommend staying in hostels to any and everyone I meet. Plus it’s easy to find yourself getting depressed these days and what better way to freshen your mood then to head somewhere new and forget your troubles for a few days! I bet you come back with a fresh perspective on life.

Check out this blog post I wrote on staying in hostels for newbies. It may help ease your fear and tension.