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Pura Vida! Pure Life!

October 25, 2023 Costa Rica was amazing! It 100% lives up to its slogan, Pura Vida, which means “pure life.” Everyone we met, from our airport shuttle driver, Christian, to our tour guides on our excursions, was wonderful. I highly recommend going if you have the opportunity. The language barrier was only a minor inconvenience, as most people who live there speak English, at least enough to communicate your needs.I know, I am here writing about a trip that costs money at the same time I am trying to save money, but this trip was planned before I started the program. My extended family told us last year they were looking to purchase a property, which gave me enough time to plan appropriately. I was able to save a significant amount of money in my travel account for this trip. I discovered if you want travel to be part of your life, I highly recommend getting a credit card specifically used for traveling, so you can accumulate points every time you use it. I also recommend that you start a travel account, so that you can pay off your card after. Summit has a great credit card specifically for travel that accumulates points! All in all, I spent close to $600, minus airfare, for everything. We did find it much cheaper to stay in Costa Rica during green season (rainy season) as many businesses give steep discounts for staying there during this time. The only downfall is that it truly does rain a lot in October. Every evening of our stay, it rained a significant amount, but thankfully, the hotel manager encouraged us to do all our excursions earlier in the day. Our excursions included:
  • Snorkeling
  • Whale watching on a catamaran, which included lunch and drinks
  • A guided tour of a national park
  • Hiking the jungle and touring a waterfall at Camping Mono Titi Park, which also included an authentic Costa Rican meal
The jungle and waterfall tour were my favorite parts of the trip! These excursions would normally be almost double during their high season, but because it was green season, each activity was under $60 per person. Each villa in Jungle Creek had a kitchen, so we were able to save money by making our own breakfast or lunch every day. My stay was free because we got the steep family discount, but even without the discount, you would find the rental fees to be very reasonable. The cheapest villa is a studio villa, and to stay there during green season is only $85 per night.Costa Rica was a trip of a lifetime. I kept Project Money in mind my entire trip, and the cool thing is, I didn’t feel deprived at all. I thoroughly enjoyed my time, and taking a trip like this made me realize the importance of family. You make time for the people and things that matter most in life. Pura Vida! You might also be interested in Costa Rica was amazing! It 100% lives up to its slogan, Pura Vida, which means “pure life.” Everyone we met, from our airport shuttle driver, Christian... I still can’t believe that I will be turning 40 in November. Forty years around the sun, as they say. I don’t feel like I look 40, and I don’t feel 40... I have been very fortunate to be invited to my sister and her boyfriend’s property in Costa Rica. It’s a family trip, as my two sisters Katie and Jayme... This month is pretty tight financially. Both my car insurance and camper insurance are due within the same month, so with every purchase I make, I really... Let’s talk saving money. I don’t mean saving money at the grocery store through couponing or using a calculator while shopping. Those are both great ways... Several months ago, I made the decision to invest in buying some items to make a garden at my home. I haven’t had an actual garden since I had my house... As the fall-like temps make their reappearance, I can’t help to think back about summer and how much time and effort I made into making my new seasonal... I got Willow this year in the middle of January. I wasn’t sure if I was ready for a pup, as it was only seven months after I had to put my Gunner down... Several months ago, I made the decision to invest in buying some items to make a garden at my home. I haven’t had an actual garden since I had my house...
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