Five Ways to Save Money on Thanksgiving Travel Now

Since tomorrow is the beginning of October, taxpayers across the country are beginning to make travel arrangements for the upcoming holiday. Since so many members travel to see family for Thanksgiving, the expenses can quickly add up. Earlier today I came across this article from WalletPop.com with advice on how to save on your holiday travel arrangements. You can find a few of the tips below, or check out the full article here.

1. Book now. For the last few weeks, editors at SmarterTravel.com have monitored prices between 100 of the most popular cities for Thanksgiving travel and found that fares are slowly dropping as we approach the end of the month. The same trend occurred last fall, when airlines put Thanksgiving fares on sale in early October, Banas said. At Bing, fareologists said there are 50% more price drops during the holidays if you know how to look for them.

2. Set alerts. Sites that let you search flights on multiple airlines at the same time, like Expedia, Bing and Kayak, will track prices for you routes of your choice. When the prices fall, they will send an alert to your e-mail. These alerts will help you benchmark prices over several days.

3. Be flexible. If you plan to leave the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and return the Sunday after, you could pay as much as $170 more for your ticket, said Genevieve Shaw Brown, Travelocity's senior editor. Some experts suggest that traveling on Thanksgiving day is a good way to snag a cheap seat. Most travelers stay on average for five-and-a-half days, so extending your trip, or shortening it, could also lower your ticket price.

"Consider flying out early on Thanksgiving day itself, when flights can be exceptionally discounted and airports less crowded," said Darren Frei, editorial director at ShermansTravel.com. "But be aware that you always run the risk of delays or cancellations, which could mean missing out on the big feast."

Labor Day Travel Savings

Thousands of Americans getting ready to celebrate this Labor Day weekend, but in today’s economy traveling has become a luxury for many families. To assist struggling taxpayers, CNN Money has put together the following list of travel tips.

Lodging deals

There are still plenty of great deals to be found if you book a room now for this weekend. "But don't delay," advises Bob Deiner, president ofGetaRoom.com. "We expect hotels to raise rates right before the weekend."

Deiner's low price pick for Labor Day: Orlando. The Disney Regal Sun is offering deals as low as $55 a night.

To get the best deal on a room, check rates online first. Then, call and ask for the unpublished rate. Deiner claims, "Typical savings by phone is 10 to 25% lower than the lowest online rate."

Continue reading at CNN Money.com…

Top 10 Places to Visit in Hawaii

Over the past few weeks leading up to the election, I have been extremely busy doing media appearances about the candidate’s tax policies. Combined with the October filing extension, and a busy franchise-selling season, it has made for a very hectic few months. Fortunately, things should be slowing down over the next few weeks and I should be able to visit one of my favorite places in the world – Hawaii. As much as I love to go to the islands, I really love talking about them and telling those who are just about to make the trek on where they must go. So, below, please find my list of the top 10 places to visit in Hawaii.

1. Lanikai Beach

Translated into English Lanikai means "heavenly sea," which is exactly what it is. Locals and visitors alike marvel at the picture perfect white sandy beaches and clear turquoise waters. The beach is perfect for photography, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, sailing, or just relaxing and enjoying the magnificent view.

2. Hilo

Hilo is a coastal Hawaiian town with something for everyone. This town features multiple museums, a beautiful historic theatre, and downtown area filled with shops and attractions. The area also has dazzling waterfalls, and the only United States zoo situated within an actual rainforest (the Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo).

3. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, situated on Big Island, is one of the most visited spot in the entire state of Hawaii. It has trails for hiking, beautiful sights to photograph, and two record holding volcanoes. Kilauea is the world’s most active volcano and Mauna Loa is the world’s largest volcano.

4. Kilauea National Wildlife Refuge

In a comfortable 203 acres of land on the North shore of Kilauea, the Kilauea National wildlife refuge is the place to go when you want to see and learn about Hawaii's exotic wildlife. You might see Hawaii’s state bird (the nene), or even catch a glimpse of a humpback whale off the shore.

5. Molokini

The Molokini island is widely known for having the clearest waters in Hawaii, and offers from 80 to 200 feet of crystal clear waters. This also makes Molokini the location for Hawaii's best and most beautiful snorkeling. You can either rent a boat to take you further out, or you can just snorkel off the coast. Either way you are likely to witness a beautiful display of sea life.

6. Waimea Canyon

Mark Twain once called this beautiful canyon in Koke's State Park the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific". Over 3,600 feet depth, a mile wide, and 10 miles long, this canyon is both inspiring and stunning in its mass and beauty. Besides the obvious size, the canyon also has brilliantly colored inner walls that play in the sunlight creating a truly spectacular view.

7. Waikiki

With beautiful beaches, waterfalls, and trails, Waikiki offers all the grander of nature that other Hawaiian islands boast. It also has great shopping opportunities including fine art, custom jewelry, designer clothing, and local music. Waikiki is the perfect place to find souvenirs for your friends back home, or to purchase beautiful Hawaiian décor for yourself.

8. Gardens of Kauai

The island of Kauai, known as the garden island, will leave you breathless from the moment you set eyes on it. Hundreds of flowers, trees, streams and water falls will all catch your attention simultaneously, making the visit a true experience of the beauty and spirit of Hawaii.

9. Haleakala

Haleakala is not only one of the largest mountains in the world, but it is also a massive dormant volcano. Seen from miles away, Haleakala is hard to miss, and even harder to look away from. Many locals suggest taking a sunset bike ride, or power walk, down the mountain for a healthy and stunning evening activity.

10. Polynesian Cultural Center

It should be no surprise that the Polynesian Cultural Center makes the list. Every visitor of Hawaii should visit this culture-rich center to not only learn about the island and local inhabitants, but the center also hosts one of most authentic luaus in Hawaii.

The 10 Best Places in the World for Surfing

Anyone who knows me will tell you that my two greatest loves are taxes, and surfing. Although I love riding the waves in Hawaii, surfing is an international hobby and half the fun in the sport is finding new spots to surf at. With thousands of great spots all over the world and more being found all the time, it is hard to know which ones are worth visiting. To help the readers of my blog with their own surfing adventures, I have gathered the following list of the 10 best beaches in the world for surfing.

1. Fuerteventura, Spain

Weather conditions are perfect in Fuerteventura. Of the coast of Morocco, it sits on the same latitude as Florida and Mexico. Known for its year-round good surfing and beautiful surroundings, it is the second largest of the Canary Islands. Because its large size, the island hosts multiple beaches that all make for great surfing.

2. Gold Coast City, Australia

Australia is known across the world for their excellent surfing conditions. With four main breaks and sunny skies, Gold Coast City has been named the “surfers paradise”. It features nearby shopping, entertainment, and tourist attractions that are convenient for surfers looking to have some more fun after hitting the waves.

3. Kandahar, Mexico

Surfers of every level can enjoy the waves of Kandahar. A wide variety of surf breaks allow surfers to advance their skills and have a fun relaxing surf all in one day. The beach is not overly crowded, but is known by surfers for it’s great weather year-round. But if you are looking for 15 feet waves then I suggest visiting Kandahar in either May or June.

4. Jeffery’s Bay, South Africa

Jeffery’s Bay is so popular among surfers that it hosts the annual Billabong Pro World Champion Tour on its beach Supertubes. Jefferey’s Bay is world famous for great surfing and great fun. The surrounding mountains and wildlife will leave you breathless, while the waves will shock you with their sustainability and variety.

5. Half Moon Bay, California

With infamous waves ranging between 25 and 50 feet, Half Moon Bay is a mecca for surfers and ocean lovers alike. Rock formations cause the wave phenomenon from underneath the water, making the spot all the more amazing to visit. Although the waves are not the biggest in the world, they are certainly the biggest in California!

6. Banzai Pipeline, O’ahu

The Pipeline has both some of the best and most dangerous waves in the world. It is definitely no place for a beginner as their waves are so intense that even some pros shy away from. Although it is one of the most coveted and loved surf spots, the danger should not be ignored. More surfers have died surfing at the Pipeline than any other surf spot.

7. “Cloud 9” Siargao Island, Philippines

Well known for its perfect tubes, cloud 9 is a relatively newly discovered hot spot for surfers looking for a fun challenge. It is also the host of the annual Siargao Cup, a domestic and international surfing competition. Although many surfers love Cloud 9, it has recently been referred to as “crowd 9”, as it is has become quite popular over the past few years.

8. Tavarua, Fiji

Fun because of its “secret” element, Tavarua has 2 world-class breaks, beautiful scenery, and a breathtaking coral reef. Unfortunately, a private surf camp manages this island and only allows visitors by invitation. Fortunately, the island hosts multiple surf competitions each year that can be watched on television or online.

9. Teahupoo, Tahiti

Another site of the annual Billabong World Championship Tour, Teahupoo lets experienced surfers live out their dreams. Their beaches have waves reaching past 10 feet, a heavy current, and perfect barrels. Because of their perfect conditions nearly every professional surfer has been to Teahupoo at least once, and almost every amateur dreams to.

10. Mundaka, Spain

One of the most famous surf spots in Europe and the world, Mundaka offers the waves and speed that every surfer craves. The current is strong, making your ride more smooth and fun but also adding some danger. Only experienced surfers should head to Mundaka, as the tide is so strong it can only be surfed in shallow waters.

Top 10 Things to do in Hawaii

As some of you may already know, I “heart” Hawaii. However, like most other people working in the tax industry I have not been able to get away since tax season begun. So to help all the tax professionals and accounts that are planning their post-tax season vacation, I compiled the following list of the top 10 things to do in Hawaii.

However, just because you do not work in the tax industry do not think this article does not apply to you. May is just a few days away, and that means the IRS is going to begin sending economic stimulus checks shortly. If you are wondering what to do with this “free money,” or if you have not yet spent your tax refund, then consider taking a relaxing vacation to one of the most relaxing places in the world.

1. Go Surfing
It is probably no surprise to anyone who has seen my Halloween costume that I love surfing! Hawaii is the perfect place to surf as all of the islands get decent waves and some can be as large as 30 feet.

2. Relax on a Beach
Hawaii is known around the world for it’s beautiful sandy beaches and sapphire water. Although some of the beaches may get crowded during peak seasons, if you do a little hunting then you can probably find a quite place to relax on the beach.

3. Attend a Polynesian Luau
No trip to Hawaii is complete without attending an authentic Polynesian luau. Even if you do not like kālua pork, a luau is still an exciting experience as they often feature music and dancing in addition to a wide variety of authentic foods.

4. Go Snorkeling
When planning your trip to Hawaii, make sure you bring your snorkel and fins! Molokini is considered the most popular snorkeling site in Hawaii as it has clear water with swarms of beautiful fish. However, there are dozens of other good snorkeling sites if your prefer something more exclusive.

5. Play Golf
Hawaii is known all over the world for their top-notch golf courses. There are nearly 100 different courses on the Hawaiian Islands, with locations ranging from deep in the rainforest to coral sea cliffs.

6. Go Volcano Watching
The Hawaiian Islands are filled with both dormant and active volcanoes that are beautiful see and exciting to visit. The Volcanoes National Park is located on the Big Island and features the most active volcanoes and dozens of tour opportunities.

7. Take a Helicopter Tour
By taking a helicopter tour of one of the islands you will be able to experience it in an all-new way, from hundreds of feet above. You will be overwhelmed by the beautiful the scenery is and how much of the island you can see in a relatively short amount of time.

8. Visit Pearl Harbor
Honoring the lives of those who were lost during the attack on Pearl Harbor is a must for any one who visits the Hawaiian Islands. You can view the USS Arizona in her final resting place by visiting the museum and monument that allows you to look through the glass floor to view the sunken ship.

9. Dolphin Convocation
During the first week of May each year, large amounts of dolphins gather near Oahu Island, swimming in a gigantic wheel or spiral pattern. No one knows exactly why this happens. You can join Hawaiian marine biologists this spring as they venture out to observe and research this strange phenomenon.

10. Take a Bike Ride
There are plenty of good bike trails throughout the Hawaiian Islands and places you can easily rent a bike for a few hours. But always remember to pack ample water and diluted juices as the heat and physical activity can easily dehydrate the novice biker.

For more information, check out Go Hawaii.com.

Disney Planning New Resort in Hawaii

According to Radio New Zealand, the Walt Disney Company has announced plans to build a new resort on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu scheduled to open sometime in 2011. Disney has purchased over 21 acres of oceanfront property, where they plan to build a resort set to include 800 hotel rooms and villas. This new Hawaiian resort will help expand Disney’s Vacation Club, their new time share business.

Hawaii Hotel Occupancy Plunges

According to Pacific Business News, hotel occupancy has fallen below the two-thirds mark throughout the Hawaiian Islands. During a seven day period spanning May 5th through May 12th, Statewide hotel occupancy slid down to only 58.8%. This represents a staggering 16.9% dip from the same week last year. The last time the occupancy rates fell below 59% was back in December of 2004. Hotel occupancy in Hawaii was actually lower than the national rate of 64.8%.