What's on your Thursday Menu?

Good morning all and Happy Thursday,

How much time do you spend securing travel accommodations? I have spent hours researching a perfect fit with price, location, reviews, etc. I devoted a lot of time trying to trick the 3rd party search party algorithm. I saved an extra $90 by toggling search terms and monitoring daily price change cycles. Also, I learned a way to determine which Priceline pricebreaker hotel is offered. Spoiler alert - It doesn't actually save you much to take a educated chance for a few bucks/night.

QJB - Your sad news is very relevant. Yesterday, my therapist told me he is leaving his position in a couple weeks. He is starting a new private practice and will not be accepting my insurance. I have a great working relationship with him and it's rare for me to find a therapist that lasts more than a couple years.

QOTD - I'm looking forward to going back to the gym. While I appreciate fancy gyms, I tend to skew towards the reasonably priced gyms in the past. I use the basic equipment so I don't need all the newest machines. I am going to join a gym again in the next month, hopefully. I was able to get back on the bike at PT at Christmas. I'm up to 10 minutes. It's quite a difference from my right leg not even being able to do a full revolution on the pedal.

B: Dannon Light and Fit Coconut Yogurt, Tangerine.

L: Chipotle.

D: Turkey Sausage, salad, 1/3 cup popcorn.

S: String cheese.

Good job with the bike!

I love travel planning and I spend a lot of time on it, I spend much less time on the booking and probably the least time on the lodging - safe, clean and convenient are my criteria and I will usually look for the option in the hotel so/in one of the home rentals and then maybe trip advisor review and call it good.

Thanks. I spend a lot of time planning what I'm going to do on the trip. I will have each day planned out with desirable activities. I no longer follow the list like an itinerary. I go wherever the tide takes me while in vacation mode.

I have yet to even attempt to find a new therapist since I lost mine back earlier this year. It's so daunting and hard to feel comfortable with someone. I have trust issues from the get go so it was devastating.

I agree. Here, it's hard to even find a therapist that takes my version of blue Cross Blue shield. Trust issues are definitely there but I open up faster now. I'm there to help me and I want them to have a good picture of my life so they can help as best as they deem fit.

Congratulations on the mobility. You're doing great.

Thanks. It means a lot.

I spend a ton of time on travel planning. I don't need or want fancy accommodations since I spend very little time in the room or apt, but I look for well-reviewed places in good locations (either in the thick of things or very close to public transportation if I'll be car-less) that are reasonably priced. I used Priceline and Hotwire a lot in the past, but I don't so much any more because I figured out that you can sometimes get the same deal with the hotel (esp if you're a member of something like AAA or AARP - and we're members of both) once you factor in the fee that Priceline and Hotwire add in to your total. Plus if you book directly you'll get rewards points if you're a rewards member, whereas you don't if you book with a 3rd party. If I can get them for the same total price or close to it, I'll book directly and get the points!

Those are usually my preferences too. I also learned that calling the hotel location direct has the opportunity for the manager to match the 3rd party price. The hotel is making less than list price on the 3rd party site anyways so it's a good move for them to match.

Planet Fitness is about $11/mo. They have tons of treadmills, stair machines, stationary bikes, free weights, a 30 minute weight circuit, plus a bunch of weight machines. They are open 24/7.