Burberry Set to Ride Out the Storm in Style [women handbags]
The European economy is teetering on the brink of a meltdown and China's property bubble is about to burst, but soft luxury is still siphoning off the private millions that some struggling sovereign coffers would kill for.
So far only hard luxury group Richemont, which makes Piaget watches and Cartier jewelry, has reported sluggish domestic demand in Europe, whereas purveyors of high end clothing and handbags from Gucci to Louis Vuitton to Hermes to Burberry all look in rude health.
So, not surprisingly, Burberry's chief executive Angela Ahrendts banged on about the company's 26% jump in pretax, pre-items profits, citing all geographies, products and divisions at Tuesday's results briefing. Burberry doesn't comment on outlook at its interim results so Ms. Ahrendts was tight-lipped about any economic impact on sales or forward orders since the period end on Sept. 30.
But she and CFO Stacey Cartwright were quick to point out the substantial changes that have been made to the group since the last global downturn in 2008 that could function as useful shock absorbers should the worst case scenario happen.
The company has just rolled out an integrated SAP IT system across its entire geographic network, completing the final Chinese installation just a few weeks ago. That means they can see what's being sold, or not, around the world, and react quickly to changes in demand. Ms. Cartwright also pointed out that around half of its orders every season are for replenishment, which means its topping up stock as needed rather than ordering at the start of the season in the hope it will all sell. In 2008 the shock of the global slowdown meant Burberry was left with millions of pounds of stock that had to be discounted quickly, wiping out almost 9% of its gross margins in six months.
Having increased the volume of products sold at full price through mainline stores over the last three years, Ahrendts and Cartwright say that this time they can turn the outlet and discount store tap back on if necessary, while also turning off the replenishment pipe. These levers will allow them to control their stock better, avoiding flash sales and a hard margin hit.
Burberry has a few other buffers up its sleeve. It's pouring most of its store investment into 25 key markets, which make up 60% of sales (flagships like London, Paris, Chicago and Hong Kong), and these are historically more sheltered from the economic storm than ‘second tier' cities. And it is embarking on a strategy to find out more about its customers and use this data to retain them and sell them more of its products. Customer Relationship Management is big business in retail, and holding a database of customer information can be a powerful tool in the fight for sales.
No retailer can ever be immune from global economic shocks but Burberry should be able to ride out another storm with its red, camel and black-check umbrella intact.
So far only hard luxury group Richemont, which makes Piaget watches and Cartier jewelry, has reported sluggish domestic demand in Europe, whereas purveyors of high end clothing and handbags from Gucci to Louis Vuitton to Hermes to Burberry all look in rude health.
So, not surprisingly, Burberry's chief executive Angela Ahrendts banged on about the company's 26% jump in pretax, pre-items profits, citing all geographies, products and divisions at Tuesday's results briefing. Burberry doesn't comment on outlook at its interim results so Ms. Ahrendts was tight-lipped about any economic impact on sales or forward orders since the period end on Sept. 30.
But she and CFO Stacey Cartwright were quick to point out the substantial changes that have been made to the group since the last global downturn in 2008 that could function as useful shock absorbers should the worst case scenario happen.
The company has just rolled out an integrated SAP IT system across its entire geographic network, completing the final Chinese installation just a few weeks ago. That means they can see what's being sold, or not, around the world, and react quickly to changes in demand. Ms. Cartwright also pointed out that around half of its orders every season are for replenishment, which means its topping up stock as needed rather than ordering at the start of the season in the hope it will all sell. In 2008 the shock of the global slowdown meant Burberry was left with millions of pounds of stock that had to be discounted quickly, wiping out almost 9% of its gross margins in six months.
Having increased the volume of products sold at full price through mainline stores over the last three years, Ahrendts and Cartwright say that this time they can turn the outlet and discount store tap back on if necessary, while also turning off the replenishment pipe. These levers will allow them to control their stock better, avoiding flash sales and a hard margin hit.
Burberry has a few other buffers up its sleeve. It's pouring most of its store investment into 25 key markets, which make up 60% of sales (flagships like London, Paris, Chicago and Hong Kong), and these are historically more sheltered from the economic storm than ‘second tier' cities. And it is embarking on a strategy to find out more about its customers and use this data to retain them and sell them more of its products. Customer Relationship Management is big business in retail, and holding a database of customer information can be a powerful tool in the fight for sales.
No retailer can ever be immune from global economic shocks but Burberry should be able to ride out another storm with its red, camel and black-check umbrella intact.
Europe Situation Forecasts Change - Report Highlights News Corp and Fossil, Inc. [rolex uhren watches]
Today, www.BrightonMarkets.com announced new reports highlighting News Corp NWSA -0.02% and Fossil, Inc. FOSL -2.32% .
With the European Financial Stability Facility set to increase to $1.4 trillion, it marks a significant move forward to strengthen the safety net in place for Europe's most troubled countries. Private bondholders of Greek debt are settling at a 50% haircut as another $180 billion in fresh aid is set to arrive, enabling banks to recapitalize at a healthy 9% reserve. Overall, these measures will bring Greece's debt burden down to 120% of GDP by 2020. An important consideration is political commitment to this road map. Currently the global community appears to be on point with ECB's initiative, an outlook that should be sufficient to support markets around current levels.
Brighton Markets is releasing new coverage on News Corp for its current position within the services industry. News Corporation is a diversified global media company. The Company operates in six segments: Cable Network Programming; Filmed Entertainment; Television; Direct Broadcast Satellite Television; Publishing, and Other.
Brighton Markets has released research on Fossil, Inc. for its changing role within the consumer goods industry. Fossil, Inc. is a global designer, marketer and distributer company that specializes in consumer fashion accessories. The Company's offerings include a line of men's and women's fashion watches and jewelry, handbags, small leather goods, belts, sunglasses, shoes, soft accessories and clothing.
About Brighton Markets Brighton Markets was founded on the guiding principle of providing highly relevant, meaningful, and actionable information direct to investors. Across the investment spectrum, Brighton Markets shines light on today's events.
With the European Financial Stability Facility set to increase to $1.4 trillion, it marks a significant move forward to strengthen the safety net in place for Europe's most troubled countries. Private bondholders of Greek debt are settling at a 50% haircut as another $180 billion in fresh aid is set to arrive, enabling banks to recapitalize at a healthy 9% reserve. Overall, these measures will bring Greece's debt burden down to 120% of GDP by 2020. An important consideration is political commitment to this road map. Currently the global community appears to be on point with ECB's initiative, an outlook that should be sufficient to support markets around current levels.
Brighton Markets is releasing new coverage on News Corp for its current position within the services industry. News Corporation is a diversified global media company. The Company operates in six segments: Cable Network Programming; Filmed Entertainment; Television; Direct Broadcast Satellite Television; Publishing, and Other.
Brighton Markets has released research on Fossil, Inc. for its changing role within the consumer goods industry. Fossil, Inc. is a global designer, marketer and distributer company that specializes in consumer fashion accessories. The Company's offerings include a line of men's and women's fashion watches and jewelry, handbags, small leather goods, belts, sunglasses, shoes, soft accessories and clothing.
About Brighton Markets Brighton Markets was founded on the guiding principle of providing highly relevant, meaningful, and actionable information direct to investors. Across the investment spectrum, Brighton Markets shines light on today's events.
Cost saving requires caution [women handbags]
THE other day I was almost devoured by Costco. I went in at 5.30pm but when I finally looked at my watch at the checkout it was 8.30pm. Honestly, it felt like 20 minutes, not three hours.
A bill of more than $450 was another serious shock but, thankfully, only a third of it was mine. Even so, there had only been three things on my shopping list when I went in. Not the 20 items I ended up paying $119 for.
I suspect you really could go bankrupt saving money.
If you haven't heard, Costco is the wholesale warehouse store that has just come to Sydney this year. They are big in the US but, so far, only have three stores in Australia. They don't advertise much and you have to pay an annual fee to join.
Is it worth it? Well that depends. You're buying in bulk so it's easy to get caught up in it all. I'd suggest taking a calculator to work out unit prices and having a good look at the specials in your local supermarket before you go. I wouldn't be surprised if the big supermarket chains have spies in there and try to match their prices, or vice versa.
One of my biggest bargains was a 1.15-litre shampoo and conditioner set, but when I got my Woolworth's catalogue in the mail the next day they were offering the same product, in a smaller unit size, at half price. Costco was still cheaper but only just.
As well as brands you've never heard of, and their own Kirklands Signature brand, Costco also stocks well-known names. OshKosh, North Face and Calvin Klein goods were going at bargain prices but they may not have been their latest lines. The essentials are cheap. A 48-pack of sorbent was $22.48. A pack of eight one-kilogram bags of self-raising flour was $7.39 and a 12.5-kilogram bag of plain flour was $9.49.
But you could also gain a fair bit of weight saving money. A 1.58-kilogram bag of Hershey Kisses was $14.99 and a jumbo container of Haribo Goldbears was $8.38.
It was a good lesson in budgeting. Discount wholesalers such as Costco are fantastic but you need to plan and consider sharing with friends or family. You don't want to be adding to the food-waste epidemic I wrote about a few weeks ago.
A bill of more than $450 was another serious shock but, thankfully, only a third of it was mine. Even so, there had only been three things on my shopping list when I went in. Not the 20 items I ended up paying $119 for.
I suspect you really could go bankrupt saving money.
If you haven't heard, Costco is the wholesale warehouse store that has just come to Sydney this year. They are big in the US but, so far, only have three stores in Australia. They don't advertise much and you have to pay an annual fee to join.
Is it worth it? Well that depends. You're buying in bulk so it's easy to get caught up in it all. I'd suggest taking a calculator to work out unit prices and having a good look at the specials in your local supermarket before you go. I wouldn't be surprised if the big supermarket chains have spies in there and try to match their prices, or vice versa.
One of my biggest bargains was a 1.15-litre shampoo and conditioner set, but when I got my Woolworth's catalogue in the mail the next day they were offering the same product, in a smaller unit size, at half price. Costco was still cheaper but only just.
As well as brands you've never heard of, and their own Kirklands Signature brand, Costco also stocks well-known names. OshKosh, North Face and Calvin Klein goods were going at bargain prices but they may not have been their latest lines. The essentials are cheap. A 48-pack of sorbent was $22.48. A pack of eight one-kilogram bags of self-raising flour was $7.39 and a 12.5-kilogram bag of plain flour was $9.49.
But you could also gain a fair bit of weight saving money. A 1.58-kilogram bag of Hershey Kisses was $14.99 and a jumbo container of Haribo Goldbears was $8.38.
It was a good lesson in budgeting. Discount wholesalers such as Costco are fantastic but you need to plan and consider sharing with friends or family. You don't want to be adding to the food-waste epidemic I wrote about a few weeks ago.
Kinsley hold narrow lead in Bags Championship [watches]
KINSLEY will take a small but precious lead to Sheffield on Thursday following a first leg home success in the Northern section of the Bags Track Championship on Sunday afternoon.
The hosts recorded one win and three second places in their total of 36 points and are just three points ahead of Newcastle with Belle Vue just one point further behind.
Andrew Mascarenhas, joint Racing Manager at Kinslery said "You can't be unhappy when leading after the first leg but we feel one more win would have been a fair reflection for us on the scoreboard. We may struggle at Sheffield on Thursday but cando well at tighter tracks Belle Vue and Sunderland".
The opening heat (Sprint) was settled in the blink of an eye when Newcastle's Torch (4-1) pinged the lids to bag a quick ten points for the Geordies.
Michael Walsh'spup had to fend off a persistent challenge from the home team's Boherna Mac but was always holding that rival at arm's length to score by a length and-a-half in 16.20sec.
Amazingly the second leg, the 462m Standard, produced an identical team result as the first race with Jimmy Fenwick taking the honours for Newcastle via Skywalker Sally (11-4).
The winner, who led from the third bend and clocked 27.92sec , was chased home by representatives from Kinsley and Nottingham with Sunderland, Sheffield and Belle Vue finishing fourth, fifth and sixth again.
The hosts recorded their first ten-pointer in the Dogs contest when Richard Thomas's well-supported Bransa Steal (Evens) took full advantage of a dream run up the fence to surge past Nottingham's Firecracker Jack and then hold the late run of Belle Vue's Devious Rumble.
This result saw Kinsley hit the front on the scoreboard as Newcastle's Tenacious Ted could only finish sixth.
There was a massive gamble on Elaine Parker's Demesne Loopy for the Bitches contest but the Sheffield raider swung off badly at the first bend and ended up on the floor along with the unfortunate Elwick Niki (Sunderland).
The race was won by Kathryn Harris's Springvale Mabel (Belle Vue) who made all in a time of 27.82sec. And the Manchester outfit were quick to strike again when Beverley Heaton's Dacent Acorn (5-1) ran on well to catch Newcastle's Annamore Richy close home in the Puppy contestat 4.46.
The Stayers race that concluded the leg went to Sheffield's Archielonglegs (4-5F) who landed a wholesale gamble to make all of the running. Lisa Stephenson's railer, who was put forward by Pricewise at morning odds of 7-2, doubled Sheffield's score as the South Yorkshire raiders had only taken ten points from the first five events.
The hosts recorded one win and three second places in their total of 36 points and are just three points ahead of Newcastle with Belle Vue just one point further behind.
Andrew Mascarenhas, joint Racing Manager at Kinslery said "You can't be unhappy when leading after the first leg but we feel one more win would have been a fair reflection for us on the scoreboard. We may struggle at Sheffield on Thursday but cando well at tighter tracks Belle Vue and Sunderland".
The opening heat (Sprint) was settled in the blink of an eye when Newcastle's Torch (4-1) pinged the lids to bag a quick ten points for the Geordies.
Michael Walsh'spup had to fend off a persistent challenge from the home team's Boherna Mac but was always holding that rival at arm's length to score by a length and-a-half in 16.20sec.
Amazingly the second leg, the 462m Standard, produced an identical team result as the first race with Jimmy Fenwick taking the honours for Newcastle via Skywalker Sally (11-4).
The winner, who led from the third bend and clocked 27.92sec , was chased home by representatives from Kinsley and Nottingham with Sunderland, Sheffield and Belle Vue finishing fourth, fifth and sixth again.
The hosts recorded their first ten-pointer in the Dogs contest when Richard Thomas's well-supported Bransa Steal (Evens) took full advantage of a dream run up the fence to surge past Nottingham's Firecracker Jack and then hold the late run of Belle Vue's Devious Rumble.
This result saw Kinsley hit the front on the scoreboard as Newcastle's Tenacious Ted could only finish sixth.
There was a massive gamble on Elaine Parker's Demesne Loopy for the Bitches contest but the Sheffield raider swung off badly at the first bend and ended up on the floor along with the unfortunate Elwick Niki (Sunderland).
The race was won by Kathryn Harris's Springvale Mabel (Belle Vue) who made all in a time of 27.82sec. And the Manchester outfit were quick to strike again when Beverley Heaton's Dacent Acorn (5-1) ran on well to catch Newcastle's Annamore Richy close home in the Puppy contestat 4.46.
The Stayers race that concluded the leg went to Sheffield's Archielonglegs (4-5F) who landed a wholesale gamble to make all of the running. Lisa Stephenson's railer, who was put forward by Pricewise at morning odds of 7-2, doubled Sheffield's score as the South Yorkshire raiders had only taken ten points from the first five events.
Comics and Economists Make Sense of Ireland's Woes [bags]
Kilkenomics, billed as Europe's first economics festival, draws 3,000 to Kilkenny, Ireland, to treat the country's troubles with some comic relief
Since 2007 the jobless rate in Ireland has tripled, housing prices have dropped by half, and the country's credit rating has been downgraded repeatedly.
Enter the comedians. Kilkenomics, billed as Europe's first economics festival, sold 3,120 tickets to the events at Kilkenny, a city founded in 1207. Kilkenomics's purpose is to make sense—and light—of all the misery. The idea was for eight comics plus 24 economists, journalists, and bloggers, to "simplify the big ideas and make them more accessible," according to the festival brochure. Seminar topics ranged from the predictable—"What is the future of the euro?"—to the potentially more useful—"What the hell is happening right now?" The only rule seemed to be that the comics had to dress like economists and the economists had to dress like comedians. Ex-Argentine Economy and Production Minister Martín Lousteau made a deep impression with his backpacker look.
One event had panelists competing to create folk tales using jargon like derivatives, fiat currency, and haircuts. In one story the hero rushed into a confessional to plea for debt forgiveness. During a discussion of investment strategies for 2012, former hedge fund manager Vikas Nath urged attendees to buy shares of luxury good companies such as Prada (PRDSY), the Italian maker of shoes, handbags, and apparel. High-end products are booming in emerging markets like his native India even, he explained, as demand slows in the U.S. and Europe. "Cheap imitations are for white people," Nath declared. "We prefer the real thing!" (Uproarious laughter.) Comedy writer Paddy Cullivan sang, "A is for austerity, B is for bailouts." Q, needless to say, was for quantitative easing.
One of the biggest names on the program was economist Jeffrey Sachs, twice named one of the world's most 100 influential people by Time magazine, whose black jeans appeared to be pressed. Asked about Goldman Sachs's (GS) role in recent economic traumas, he proclaimed, "What they've done is a disgrace to the Sachs name!" (Generous laughter.) It was a comfort that Sachs can stick with his impressive day job as director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University and its Quetelet professor of sustainable development and professor of health policy and management.
Among the attendees, who paid up to €100 ($138) for a day ticket, were folks who came more for guidance than mirth. An elderly homeowner traveled to Kilkenny, despite her apprehension about the long drive, because she feared she might have trouble paying her euro-denominated mortgage if Ireland's problems worsen. An Intel (INTC) production engineer wanted to know why Intel stock price was so depressed—and his options underwater—if the chipmaker was making buckets of money. Maura Frasier, who is trying to manage a €50,000 inheritance, said she was "worried to death about the money. I don't want to do anything that would risk it." And Kenny Hope, a Merrill Lynch (BAC) financial adviser, sought a better sense of why his clients are unusually cautious about the markets and whether he could figure out how to assure them.
Much scorn was heaped on the notion that Irish bankers feel so constrained by the current pay cap of €500,000 a year at state-rescued institutions that the most talented might flee Ireland to seek living wages elsewhere.
On the Kilkenny festival's last day, comedian Colm O'Regan asked panelists to hold up headlines from the morning newspapers that spoke to current economic conditions. One held up the Daily Racing Form, displaying a two-page spread of betting tips and pictures of racehorses, as well as a headline that read, "Bankers or Blowouts?"
"That's it!" O'Regan declared. "We'll get rid of all the bank directors and replace them with horses. They couldn't do worse." Panelist Margaret E. Ward, a journalist, looked up from her paper and said: "And we'll pay them with sugar cubes."
Since 2007 the jobless rate in Ireland has tripled, housing prices have dropped by half, and the country's credit rating has been downgraded repeatedly.
Enter the comedians. Kilkenomics, billed as Europe's first economics festival, sold 3,120 tickets to the events at Kilkenny, a city founded in 1207. Kilkenomics's purpose is to make sense—and light—of all the misery. The idea was for eight comics plus 24 economists, journalists, and bloggers, to "simplify the big ideas and make them more accessible," according to the festival brochure. Seminar topics ranged from the predictable—"What is the future of the euro?"—to the potentially more useful—"What the hell is happening right now?" The only rule seemed to be that the comics had to dress like economists and the economists had to dress like comedians. Ex-Argentine Economy and Production Minister Martín Lousteau made a deep impression with his backpacker look.
One event had panelists competing to create folk tales using jargon like derivatives, fiat currency, and haircuts. In one story the hero rushed into a confessional to plea for debt forgiveness. During a discussion of investment strategies for 2012, former hedge fund manager Vikas Nath urged attendees to buy shares of luxury good companies such as Prada (PRDSY), the Italian maker of shoes, handbags, and apparel. High-end products are booming in emerging markets like his native India even, he explained, as demand slows in the U.S. and Europe. "Cheap imitations are for white people," Nath declared. "We prefer the real thing!" (Uproarious laughter.) Comedy writer Paddy Cullivan sang, "A is for austerity, B is for bailouts." Q, needless to say, was for quantitative easing.
One of the biggest names on the program was economist Jeffrey Sachs, twice named one of the world's most 100 influential people by Time magazine, whose black jeans appeared to be pressed. Asked about Goldman Sachs's (GS) role in recent economic traumas, he proclaimed, "What they've done is a disgrace to the Sachs name!" (Generous laughter.) It was a comfort that Sachs can stick with his impressive day job as director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University and its Quetelet professor of sustainable development and professor of health policy and management.
Among the attendees, who paid up to €100 ($138) for a day ticket, were folks who came more for guidance than mirth. An elderly homeowner traveled to Kilkenny, despite her apprehension about the long drive, because she feared she might have trouble paying her euro-denominated mortgage if Ireland's problems worsen. An Intel (INTC) production engineer wanted to know why Intel stock price was so depressed—and his options underwater—if the chipmaker was making buckets of money. Maura Frasier, who is trying to manage a €50,000 inheritance, said she was "worried to death about the money. I don't want to do anything that would risk it." And Kenny Hope, a Merrill Lynch (BAC) financial adviser, sought a better sense of why his clients are unusually cautious about the markets and whether he could figure out how to assure them.
Much scorn was heaped on the notion that Irish bankers feel so constrained by the current pay cap of €500,000 a year at state-rescued institutions that the most talented might flee Ireland to seek living wages elsewhere.
On the Kilkenny festival's last day, comedian Colm O'Regan asked panelists to hold up headlines from the morning newspapers that spoke to current economic conditions. One held up the Daily Racing Form, displaying a two-page spread of betting tips and pictures of racehorses, as well as a headline that read, "Bankers or Blowouts?"
"That's it!" O'Regan declared. "We'll get rid of all the bank directors and replace them with horses. They couldn't do worse." Panelist Margaret E. Ward, a journalist, looked up from her paper and said: "And we'll pay them with sugar cubes."
Miu Miu Spring 2012 Bags [women handbags]
Fashionistas who are ready to put their accessorizing skills to a fab challenge decided to pay tribute to Miuccia Prada's more youthful and groovy brand called Miu Miu. The series of collections envisioned by this popular fashion house were welcomed by style critics with open arms. Though these outfits might not be for everyone, the ensembles lined up in the fashion show still contributed to the development of this modern art.
The Miu Miu Spring 2012 handbag parade can be considered an individual selection of fabulous satin and leather bags, glamorous not only in the same composition with the various style items but also as a sole entity. As Mrs.Prada claims, “I designed it in fifteen days, right after Prada,[...]With Prada, I think so much. But with Miu Miu, it’s improvisation.”
Style critics claimed that the complete collection encompasses all the 'it' color and design trends of the season. Indeed, we have numerous candy, pastel-toned leather bags which help style fans play up their femininity. Inject sensuality and refinement into your appearance with a colorful bag decorated with folk art or patchwork style details. The hottest Miu Miu accessory collections aim to pamper you with a colorful selection of bag designs, so easy to incorporate in any outfit regardless of the event. The 3D roses deserve special attention as an original and uber-creative trick to add a youthful and springish tint to accessories.
In spite of the gloomy tone that characterized the first part of the fashion show, the style pack could witness a quick and overwhelming transition into a more romantic and cheerful realm. The unique and softened shapes of the stylish bags guarantee their popularity among those who are lusting after a vintage and classy flair for their appearance. Stand out with the impressive collection of Miu Miu accessories and let your gorgeous look lead the way to an ultimate style success.
The Miu Miu Spring 2012 handbag parade can be considered an individual selection of fabulous satin and leather bags, glamorous not only in the same composition with the various style items but also as a sole entity. As Mrs.Prada claims, “I designed it in fifteen days, right after Prada,[...]With Prada, I think so much. But with Miu Miu, it’s improvisation.”
Style critics claimed that the complete collection encompasses all the 'it' color and design trends of the season. Indeed, we have numerous candy, pastel-toned leather bags which help style fans play up their femininity. Inject sensuality and refinement into your appearance with a colorful bag decorated with folk art or patchwork style details. The hottest Miu Miu accessory collections aim to pamper you with a colorful selection of bag designs, so easy to incorporate in any outfit regardless of the event. The 3D roses deserve special attention as an original and uber-creative trick to add a youthful and springish tint to accessories.
In spite of the gloomy tone that characterized the first part of the fashion show, the style pack could witness a quick and overwhelming transition into a more romantic and cheerful realm. The unique and softened shapes of the stylish bags guarantee their popularity among those who are lusting after a vintage and classy flair for their appearance. Stand out with the impressive collection of Miu Miu accessories and let your gorgeous look lead the way to an ultimate style success.
Fair Trade Sale at Resurrection Catholic Church Nov. 12 & 13 [rolex uhren watches]
In India, an old lady knits scarves in a corner of the kitchen in her
son's home. Her handiwork is sold through Fair Trade venues. She is able
to earn her keep and be a contributing member of her family. In Sarajevo,
Bosnian women - Serbs, Muslims, and Croats - believe in the possibility of
a multi-ethnic society and are working together to heal the wounds created
when war which ravaged their country. They are skilled embroiderers. Many
are refugees or lost their homes, husbands or fathers during the Balkan
war of the mid-1990s. Through Fair Trade these women are able to rebuild
their lives and create a future for their children.
The Songkhem Collection (songkhem means 'hope" in the Khmer language) from
Cambodia highlights VillageWorks' products, particularly handwoven silk &
cotton scarves, pillow covers, and handbags.Scarves are one of the more
popular items available at Resurrection's annual Fair Trade sale, which
will be held this year on Saturday, November 12th from 10:00 AM until 5:00
PM and Sunday, November 13th from noon until 4:00 PM. Each one is unique,
has a story, and allows a woman to create a better life for themselves and
their families."
Income from our scarves means my three teenage sons can have enough to eat
as they grow. I hope you see our scarves and love them and buy them so we
have more work and income to care for our children. My dream is for them
to go to university." - Nyugen Thi Nga,Vietnam.
Typically, shoppers to this annual event also spend quite a bit of time
browsing and selecting from the jewelry offerings. Some of the jewelry and
ordainments are crafted at the Bombolulu Workshops in Kenya. This
organization provides disabled artisans with training in jewelry making,
screen printing, wood carving and crafting which provides them with a
dignified way of earning income. They also provide housing and assistance
with medical care. Bombolulu's motto is 'Disability is not Inability.'
SERRV is the nonprofit agency that supplies the wonderful myriad of
inventory offered at Resurrection's Fair Trade sale. SERRV's mission is to
eradicate poverty wherever it resides by providing opportunity and support
to artisans and farmers worldwide. Often they work through local craft and
farmer's co-ops and non-profit associations. Craft Link, a non-profit
organization, works to assist small Vietnamese craft producers find market
opportunities and to promote awareness of ethnic minority crafts and
culture. Living in rural hilly and mountainous areas, the hill tribes have
little access to markets. This organization also provides marketing,
design, and management advice to other disadvantaged groups, like street
children and people with disabilities. Craft Link's ceramics, long-time
best sellers with customers, come from Bat Trang, a small village on the
Red River, which has been famous for its ceramics since the 15th
century.Another non-profit, Delta Survie, is located in Mali. This center
provides support services to women who are recovering from obstetric
fistula. In Mali, one of the poorest countries of the world, women often
don't have access to basic health care. Obstetric fistulas can be caused
by prolonged labor, lack of pre-natal care, childbirth at an early age,
and malnutrition. Women who suffer with obstetric fistulas are often
shunned by their husbands and communities because of the infertility,
incontinence and infections the condition can cause.
At Delta Survie, the women find acceptance and a supportive community. As
they undergo medical treatment, which often means several surgeries, Delta
Survie trains the women to produce handcrafts, generating income for them
while they recover and developing skills which can be used in the future
to help support their families. The women at Delta Survie create jewelry
that expresses the beauty and vibrancy of the culture of Mali. The light
work of jewelry making is a perfect occupation for the women who are at
different stages of recovery and need frequent periods of rest. Many of
the baskets offered at Resurrection's Fair Trade sale are stunning in
their vibrant colors and craftsmanship. With the second highest birth rate
in the world, Ugandans struggle to provide for their families. SERRV
partners with rural artisans to promote the sale of their traditional
baskets, which allows mothers to afford medical care and education for
their children. Earning their own income has meant that women are able to
make decisions and be less dependent on men for accessing their basic
needs like food, shelter, health and education for their children. SHARE,
the Self Help Association for Rural Education and Employment, is proud to
be an organization of women, for women, and by women. Their crafts project
reaches over 400 women basket makers from 30 groups in the southern Indian
province of Tamil Nadu. At the heart of SHARE's work is the belief that
economic self-reliance is an important step in the development of women
and their communities. When you purchase a basket from SHARE, you can be
sure that behind it stand strong women, organizing to improve their lives.
Support of the women who weave the distinctive and brightly-colored bolga
baskets preserves a craft with generations long history. They use
sustainable materials such as sturdy elephant grass, which grows along
rivers and streams, and other natural fibers.Join with us as we strive to
enrich lives around the world and to inspire real change for the better.
And walk away with a unique gift for yourself, your home your family or
friends.
son's home. Her handiwork is sold through Fair Trade venues. She is able
to earn her keep and be a contributing member of her family. In Sarajevo,
Bosnian women - Serbs, Muslims, and Croats - believe in the possibility of
a multi-ethnic society and are working together to heal the wounds created
when war which ravaged their country. They are skilled embroiderers. Many
are refugees or lost their homes, husbands or fathers during the Balkan
war of the mid-1990s. Through Fair Trade these women are able to rebuild
their lives and create a future for their children.
The Songkhem Collection (songkhem means 'hope" in the Khmer language) from
Cambodia highlights VillageWorks' products, particularly handwoven silk &
cotton scarves, pillow covers, and handbags.Scarves are one of the more
popular items available at Resurrection's annual Fair Trade sale, which
will be held this year on Saturday, November 12th from 10:00 AM until 5:00
PM and Sunday, November 13th from noon until 4:00 PM. Each one is unique,
has a story, and allows a woman to create a better life for themselves and
their families."
Income from our scarves means my three teenage sons can have enough to eat
as they grow. I hope you see our scarves and love them and buy them so we
have more work and income to care for our children. My dream is for them
to go to university." - Nyugen Thi Nga,Vietnam.
Typically, shoppers to this annual event also spend quite a bit of time
browsing and selecting from the jewelry offerings. Some of the jewelry and
ordainments are crafted at the Bombolulu Workshops in Kenya. This
organization provides disabled artisans with training in jewelry making,
screen printing, wood carving and crafting which provides them with a
dignified way of earning income. They also provide housing and assistance
with medical care. Bombolulu's motto is 'Disability is not Inability.'
SERRV is the nonprofit agency that supplies the wonderful myriad of
inventory offered at Resurrection's Fair Trade sale. SERRV's mission is to
eradicate poverty wherever it resides by providing opportunity and support
to artisans and farmers worldwide. Often they work through local craft and
farmer's co-ops and non-profit associations. Craft Link, a non-profit
organization, works to assist small Vietnamese craft producers find market
opportunities and to promote awareness of ethnic minority crafts and
culture. Living in rural hilly and mountainous areas, the hill tribes have
little access to markets. This organization also provides marketing,
design, and management advice to other disadvantaged groups, like street
children and people with disabilities. Craft Link's ceramics, long-time
best sellers with customers, come from Bat Trang, a small village on the
Red River, which has been famous for its ceramics since the 15th
century.Another non-profit, Delta Survie, is located in Mali. This center
provides support services to women who are recovering from obstetric
fistula. In Mali, one of the poorest countries of the world, women often
don't have access to basic health care. Obstetric fistulas can be caused
by prolonged labor, lack of pre-natal care, childbirth at an early age,
and malnutrition. Women who suffer with obstetric fistulas are often
shunned by their husbands and communities because of the infertility,
incontinence and infections the condition can cause.
At Delta Survie, the women find acceptance and a supportive community. As
they undergo medical treatment, which often means several surgeries, Delta
Survie trains the women to produce handcrafts, generating income for them
while they recover and developing skills which can be used in the future
to help support their families. The women at Delta Survie create jewelry
that expresses the beauty and vibrancy of the culture of Mali. The light
work of jewelry making is a perfect occupation for the women who are at
different stages of recovery and need frequent periods of rest. Many of
the baskets offered at Resurrection's Fair Trade sale are stunning in
their vibrant colors and craftsmanship. With the second highest birth rate
in the world, Ugandans struggle to provide for their families. SERRV
partners with rural artisans to promote the sale of their traditional
baskets, which allows mothers to afford medical care and education for
their children. Earning their own income has meant that women are able to
make decisions and be less dependent on men for accessing their basic
needs like food, shelter, health and education for their children. SHARE,
the Self Help Association for Rural Education and Employment, is proud to
be an organization of women, for women, and by women. Their crafts project
reaches over 400 women basket makers from 30 groups in the southern Indian
province of Tamil Nadu. At the heart of SHARE's work is the belief that
economic self-reliance is an important step in the development of women
and their communities. When you purchase a basket from SHARE, you can be
sure that behind it stand strong women, organizing to improve their lives.
Support of the women who weave the distinctive and brightly-colored bolga
baskets preserves a craft with generations long history. They use
sustainable materials such as sturdy elephant grass, which grows along
rivers and streams, and other natural fibers.Join with us as we strive to
enrich lives around the world and to inspire real change for the better.
And walk away with a unique gift for yourself, your home your family or
friends.
Women want to cover gadgets as much as men [rolex uhren watches]
Female home insurance customers count gadgets as some of the most important items to be covered under home insurance, items which it would normally be expected for men to covet more.
A survey of 1,000 women, conducted by Hastings Direct insurance, found that mobile phones and laptops were the items women wanted protected most.
Whilst ereaders and iPods were other surprising inclusions in the top ten, make up, designer clothes and handbags also featured heavily.
The survey showed that 75 per cent of women were pleased with the idea of home insurance and thought it was a good thing, but 20 per cent felt that it was no more than a necessary evil.
Mark Sheppard, head of home insurance, Hastings Direct: "Some of the survey results show we need to do more to explain the real benefits of good quality insurance."
Last week, More Than reported that many Brits were risking losing out by being inadequately insured as they severely undervalue their home contents.
A survey of 1,000 women, conducted by Hastings Direct insurance, found that mobile phones and laptops were the items women wanted protected most.
Whilst ereaders and iPods were other surprising inclusions in the top ten, make up, designer clothes and handbags also featured heavily.
The survey showed that 75 per cent of women were pleased with the idea of home insurance and thought it was a good thing, but 20 per cent felt that it was no more than a necessary evil.
Mark Sheppard, head of home insurance, Hastings Direct: "Some of the survey results show we need to do more to explain the real benefits of good quality insurance."
Last week, More Than reported that many Brits were risking losing out by being inadequately insured as they severely undervalue their home contents.
Josh Pastner loosens his grip to raise Memphis' profile [watches]
MEMPHIS – Josh Pastner used to believe that as a coach he had to control every possession of a basketball game for his team to win.
"I didn't let players make plays," the third-year Memphis coach recalls of his first coaching gig.
That first job came when he was 17 and his father, Hal, let him coach while playing for his Houston Hoops youth team. Pastner also coached younger sister Courtney's team and says his controlling ways led to an early exit from a national Amateur Athletic Union tournament.
The experience eventually led to a blueprint for Pastner's approach to coaching: He doesn't want to micromanage.
"Basketball players are like painters," Pastner, 34, says. "You need to allow them to have creativity."
Pastner has been highly regarded as a recruiter since his mid-20s while an assistant at Arizona. He built this team, ranked ninth, from scratch. He had to do that after coach John Calipari departed for Kentucky in spring 2009 and had many recruits follow him. Pastner, an assistant to Calipari for a season, had his bags packed for Kentucky, too, until Memphis athletics director R.C. Johnson offered him the job.
Recruiting is every coach's most vital lifeline and, as of Tuesday afternoon, Memphis had commitments from 6-8 forward William Goodwin of Decatur, Ga., and Damien Wilson of Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va. The early national signing period begins Wednesday.
In fall 2009 Pastner signed the nation's second-best recruiting class. Last season five of his recruits were part of an eight-player rotation that went from losing three of four games near the end of the season to winning the Conference USA tournament. The Tigers earned an automatic NCAA tournament berth and lost to Pastner's alma mater, Arizona, 77-75 in the first round. Memphis finished 25-10. After enduring public criticism during the slump, Pastner ultimately gained respect.
"The only thing I think I did well, even in tough stretches, was I made sure we stayed positive," he says. "I wanted them to know there is belief, hope, optimism and a lot to look forward to."
Pastner takes optimism to new heights. No matter the circumstance, he is upbeat. He abstains from alcoholic beverages, soda and doesn't curse. He passes up local paid endorsement opportunities to focus on coaching but does public service announcements and speaking engagements for various causes. He will raise his voice in practice but would rather not yell. If he shouts, it's often followed by an apology.
"If you need to be screamed at, you probably shouldn't come to Memphis," Pastner says.
In the cynical world of college sports, it begs the question if it's some kind of front. It seems too good to be true.
Jim Rosborough, a former associate head coach at Arizona who coached Pastner and worked with him, says he and other Arizona coaches once asked each other that question as they, too, initially were overwhelmed by his cheerfulness. "It's for real," Rosborough says.
Yet Pastner still is demanding of his players. He doesn't hesitate to bench players who are late for shootarounds, miss study halls or ignore instruction.
"Coach Pastner is random," says sophomore forward Tarik Black, who averaged 9.1 points last season. "You have to stay on top of what you're doing. The time you think you're slipping by, that's the time he's going to pop up."
Black recalls that after a couple of losses last season, Pastner wanted to shed the team's negative vibe. "We had to do 150 high-fives during a practice. He made (point guard) Joe Jackson personally do 200 high-fives or pats, something to encourage guys. It worked though. You do something for so long it becomes a habit."
At his core, Pastner remains a shrewd recruiter. "He's a bloodhound," Jackson, the team's second-leading scorer last season (9.9 average), said of his perception that Pastner never lets up on a recruit.
When the NCAA allows coaches to make in-home visits, Pastner will get to a recruit first by scheduling his visit just after midnight, as he did with McDonald's All-American Adonis Thomas, now a Memphis freshman.
Elite prospects often weigh a coach's potential to get them to the NBA when picking a school, and Pastner has connections. Assistant Jack Murphy worked for the Denver Nuggets, and assistant Damon Stoudamire played 13 NBA seasons. This fall Pastner hired Los Angeles Laker Luke Walton as an assistant during the league lockout.
"I think of it as outside the box and unconventional," Pastner says of hiring Walton, who will leave once the lockout is over. "Sometimes to build you have to take a calculated risk. Rewards outweigh the risk."
"I didn't let players make plays," the third-year Memphis coach recalls of his first coaching gig.
That first job came when he was 17 and his father, Hal, let him coach while playing for his Houston Hoops youth team. Pastner also coached younger sister Courtney's team and says his controlling ways led to an early exit from a national Amateur Athletic Union tournament.
The experience eventually led to a blueprint for Pastner's approach to coaching: He doesn't want to micromanage.
"Basketball players are like painters," Pastner, 34, says. "You need to allow them to have creativity."
Pastner has been highly regarded as a recruiter since his mid-20s while an assistant at Arizona. He built this team, ranked ninth, from scratch. He had to do that after coach John Calipari departed for Kentucky in spring 2009 and had many recruits follow him. Pastner, an assistant to Calipari for a season, had his bags packed for Kentucky, too, until Memphis athletics director R.C. Johnson offered him the job.
Recruiting is every coach's most vital lifeline and, as of Tuesday afternoon, Memphis had commitments from 6-8 forward William Goodwin of Decatur, Ga., and Damien Wilson of Oak Hill Academy in Mouth of Wilson, Va. The early national signing period begins Wednesday.
In fall 2009 Pastner signed the nation's second-best recruiting class. Last season five of his recruits were part of an eight-player rotation that went from losing three of four games near the end of the season to winning the Conference USA tournament. The Tigers earned an automatic NCAA tournament berth and lost to Pastner's alma mater, Arizona, 77-75 in the first round. Memphis finished 25-10. After enduring public criticism during the slump, Pastner ultimately gained respect.
"The only thing I think I did well, even in tough stretches, was I made sure we stayed positive," he says. "I wanted them to know there is belief, hope, optimism and a lot to look forward to."
Pastner takes optimism to new heights. No matter the circumstance, he is upbeat. He abstains from alcoholic beverages, soda and doesn't curse. He passes up local paid endorsement opportunities to focus on coaching but does public service announcements and speaking engagements for various causes. He will raise his voice in practice but would rather not yell. If he shouts, it's often followed by an apology.
"If you need to be screamed at, you probably shouldn't come to Memphis," Pastner says.
In the cynical world of college sports, it begs the question if it's some kind of front. It seems too good to be true.
Jim Rosborough, a former associate head coach at Arizona who coached Pastner and worked with him, says he and other Arizona coaches once asked each other that question as they, too, initially were overwhelmed by his cheerfulness. "It's for real," Rosborough says.
Yet Pastner still is demanding of his players. He doesn't hesitate to bench players who are late for shootarounds, miss study halls or ignore instruction.
"Coach Pastner is random," says sophomore forward Tarik Black, who averaged 9.1 points last season. "You have to stay on top of what you're doing. The time you think you're slipping by, that's the time he's going to pop up."
Black recalls that after a couple of losses last season, Pastner wanted to shed the team's negative vibe. "We had to do 150 high-fives during a practice. He made (point guard) Joe Jackson personally do 200 high-fives or pats, something to encourage guys. It worked though. You do something for so long it becomes a habit."
At his core, Pastner remains a shrewd recruiter. "He's a bloodhound," Jackson, the team's second-leading scorer last season (9.9 average), said of his perception that Pastner never lets up on a recruit.
When the NCAA allows coaches to make in-home visits, Pastner will get to a recruit first by scheduling his visit just after midnight, as he did with McDonald's All-American Adonis Thomas, now a Memphis freshman.
Elite prospects often weigh a coach's potential to get them to the NBA when picking a school, and Pastner has connections. Assistant Jack Murphy worked for the Denver Nuggets, and assistant Damon Stoudamire played 13 NBA seasons. This fall Pastner hired Los Angeles Laker Luke Walton as an assistant during the league lockout.
"I think of it as outside the box and unconventional," Pastner says of hiring Walton, who will leave once the lockout is over. "Sometimes to build you have to take a calculated risk. Rewards outweigh the risk."
How To Find Cheap Airfares In Any Season [rolex uhren watches]
It used to be all so simple, back when airfares changed so infrequently that airlines actually printed them on their schedules. You'd call your favorite travel agent to find the best deal, pack your bags and jet off. And there were only two kinds of fares: coach and first class.
Now, with airfares changing literally by the second and an alphabet soup of different offers, finding the "best" deal is a challenge. This step-by-step guide will get you ready for takeoff.
Sign up for free airfare alerts
Why do all the work hunting down a low airfare yourself when you can have someone else do it for free? Many airfare search and listing sites, such as TripAdvisor.com/flights, Travelocity.com, Hotwire.com, Bing.com/travel and, of course, Airfarewatchdog.com offer e-mail airfare alerts when prices go down. This chart compares many of the leading airfare alert sites. (By the way, only Airfarewatchdog lists fares on Southwest Airlines).
Learn about sales on Twitter
Because some of the best unadvertised airfare sales last only a few hours (even if they're good for travel over a long period), even the best-intentioned email alert can be too late. The beauty of Twitter is that it's instantaneous. Many airlines and alert sites now tweet this deals instead of emailing them.
Get e-mail from your airlines
Next: Sign up for e-mails and frequent flyer programs. Airlines are trying to woo customers to book directly with them by offering special deals when you subscribe. Sign up for emails from foreign-based airlines and from US-based carriers.
Next step: are you a flexible travel date flyer?
Doesn't really matter when you go as long as it's cheap? Some websites offer flexible date search up to 330 days ahead; others (mostly those powered by a company called ITA Software) only do searches in 30-day increments. Read more about flexible travel date searching.
These sites can be helpful if your dates are set, but you also might want to try "meta search" sites such as Kayak.com, Tripadvisor.com/Flights and Momondo.com. Warning: None of them include Southwest's fares, however, or fares on the smaller but growing Allegiant Airlines.
"Meta search" vs. online travel agency
So what's the difference? For one thing, online travel agencies such as Expedia have toll-free numbers with agents standing by to help you book or re-book a flight; meta-search sites don't. But there are many other differences.
Airline websites sometimes have the best fares
Increasingly, airlines aren't sharing their very best fares with third-party sites such as Kayak. Case in point: recent fares to London from the West Coast for $420 round-trip including tax that were only available on Spanish airline Iberia's website (similar fares were twice that elsewhere). So once you've found a fare, definitely check airline sites directly.
Watch out for promo codes
From time to time, you'll receive promo codes in your e-mail because you signed up for e-mail from your favorite airlines and online travel agencies. These codes can only be redeemed if you book directly on the airlines' websites, another way they try to cut out the middleman. (Airfarewatchdog lists any promo codes we find on the AirfarewatchBlog).
When to use your miles
Rather than cashing in 25,000 or even 50,000 miles for a domestic economy class ticket that might have cost you $250 or $300, why not splurge for a trip to Europe (50,000 miles on some airlines) that might cost many times more? Or upgrade your $400 economy class seat to a $2,800 business class fare for 30,000 miles on domestic routes? A general rule: if the economy class fare is $400 or more, spending 25,000 miles is a good deal. Less than that, you might be better offering paying cash and saving your miles.
Getting the best last-minute airfares
You'll often get the best fares if you book at least 7 to 21 days ahead of departure. Otherwise, your best bet is Priceline.com's "Name your own price" feature or Hotwire.com. Also take a look at Lastminute.com which packages last minute airfares with hotel and rental car deals -- sometimes for less than what you'd pay for airfare alone.
When to use a real live travel agent
As good as do-it-yourself online sources can be, your friendly neighborhood travel agent may have some tricks up her sleeve to save you money. Let's say, for example, that you get an airfare alert that fares from Houston to Honolulu are $800 round-trip. But who knew that Dallas to Honolulu, same dates, is $300? Or that you can fly from Houston to Dallas for $100 and connect onward? A savvy travel agent.
Getting a refund when the fare drops after you buy
Several domestic US airlines will give you a full refund, in the form of a voucher good for future travel, if the airfare drops between the time you buy and time you fly -- if and only if you fly on the same itinerary. Find details in this chart.
Factor in the fees
A low fare on one airline could turn out to be not so low once fees are added on. Airlines are making most of their profits these days not from selling you airfares but with all those fees for baggage and other perks. In addition to checked bag fees (chart) there are even fees for using your frequent flyer miles and for other services such as changing a travel date or bringing a pet on board.
Is there a "magic" hour or day to buy?
In a word, no. It's true that the airlines' weekend deals come out Monday to Wednesday, and some airlines announce their sales early in the week, but if you limit yourself to searching just on those days, you'll miss out. A good fare can pop up any moment of the week.
Best days to travel
Although a low airfare can appear at any time, one thing's for certain: it's cheaper to fly on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Saturday is also a low-fare day. If traveling internationally, Monday to Wednesday is often the sweet spot.
Now, with airfares changing literally by the second and an alphabet soup of different offers, finding the "best" deal is a challenge. This step-by-step guide will get you ready for takeoff.
Sign up for free airfare alerts
Why do all the work hunting down a low airfare yourself when you can have someone else do it for free? Many airfare search and listing sites, such as TripAdvisor.com/flights, Travelocity.com, Hotwire.com, Bing.com/travel and, of course, Airfarewatchdog.com offer e-mail airfare alerts when prices go down. This chart compares many of the leading airfare alert sites. (By the way, only Airfarewatchdog lists fares on Southwest Airlines).
Learn about sales on Twitter
Because some of the best unadvertised airfare sales last only a few hours (even if they're good for travel over a long period), even the best-intentioned email alert can be too late. The beauty of Twitter is that it's instantaneous. Many airlines and alert sites now tweet this deals instead of emailing them.
Get e-mail from your airlines
Next: Sign up for e-mails and frequent flyer programs. Airlines are trying to woo customers to book directly with them by offering special deals when you subscribe. Sign up for emails from foreign-based airlines and from US-based carriers.
Next step: are you a flexible travel date flyer?
Doesn't really matter when you go as long as it's cheap? Some websites offer flexible date search up to 330 days ahead; others (mostly those powered by a company called ITA Software) only do searches in 30-day increments. Read more about flexible travel date searching.
These sites can be helpful if your dates are set, but you also might want to try "meta search" sites such as Kayak.com, Tripadvisor.com/Flights and Momondo.com. Warning: None of them include Southwest's fares, however, or fares on the smaller but growing Allegiant Airlines.
"Meta search" vs. online travel agency
So what's the difference? For one thing, online travel agencies such as Expedia have toll-free numbers with agents standing by to help you book or re-book a flight; meta-search sites don't. But there are many other differences.
Airline websites sometimes have the best fares
Increasingly, airlines aren't sharing their very best fares with third-party sites such as Kayak. Case in point: recent fares to London from the West Coast for $420 round-trip including tax that were only available on Spanish airline Iberia's website (similar fares were twice that elsewhere). So once you've found a fare, definitely check airline sites directly.
Watch out for promo codes
From time to time, you'll receive promo codes in your e-mail because you signed up for e-mail from your favorite airlines and online travel agencies. These codes can only be redeemed if you book directly on the airlines' websites, another way they try to cut out the middleman. (Airfarewatchdog lists any promo codes we find on the AirfarewatchBlog).
When to use your miles
Rather than cashing in 25,000 or even 50,000 miles for a domestic economy class ticket that might have cost you $250 or $300, why not splurge for a trip to Europe (50,000 miles on some airlines) that might cost many times more? Or upgrade your $400 economy class seat to a $2,800 business class fare for 30,000 miles on domestic routes? A general rule: if the economy class fare is $400 or more, spending 25,000 miles is a good deal. Less than that, you might be better offering paying cash and saving your miles.
Getting the best last-minute airfares
You'll often get the best fares if you book at least 7 to 21 days ahead of departure. Otherwise, your best bet is Priceline.com's "Name your own price" feature or Hotwire.com. Also take a look at Lastminute.com which packages last minute airfares with hotel and rental car deals -- sometimes for less than what you'd pay for airfare alone.
When to use a real live travel agent
As good as do-it-yourself online sources can be, your friendly neighborhood travel agent may have some tricks up her sleeve to save you money. Let's say, for example, that you get an airfare alert that fares from Houston to Honolulu are $800 round-trip. But who knew that Dallas to Honolulu, same dates, is $300? Or that you can fly from Houston to Dallas for $100 and connect onward? A savvy travel agent.
Getting a refund when the fare drops after you buy
Several domestic US airlines will give you a full refund, in the form of a voucher good for future travel, if the airfare drops between the time you buy and time you fly -- if and only if you fly on the same itinerary. Find details in this chart.
Factor in the fees
A low fare on one airline could turn out to be not so low once fees are added on. Airlines are making most of their profits these days not from selling you airfares but with all those fees for baggage and other perks. In addition to checked bag fees (chart) there are even fees for using your frequent flyer miles and for other services such as changing a travel date or bringing a pet on board.
Is there a "magic" hour or day to buy?
In a word, no. It's true that the airlines' weekend deals come out Monday to Wednesday, and some airlines announce their sales early in the week, but if you limit yourself to searching just on those days, you'll miss out. A good fare can pop up any moment of the week.
Best days to travel
Although a low airfare can appear at any time, one thing's for certain: it's cheaper to fly on a Tuesday or Wednesday. Saturday is also a low-fare day. If traveling internationally, Monday to Wednesday is often the sweet spot.
