POPSUGAR Smart Living

The Best Airstream Rentals For Glampers, Urbanites, and Road-Trippers

Angela Elias — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:05:11 PDT

If you've ever fantasized about vacationing by way of Airstream, then allow us to help make it a reality. We've rounded up three Airstream services that offer a unique approach to the Airstream experience. Whether you're looking for a gorgeous glamping spot, an urban stay, or an unforgettable road trip, we have you covered!

Big Sur Getaway
For the ultimate glamping experience, choose between two vintage Airstreams (the 1974 Avion and the 1965 Safari), each nestled in a beautifully landscaped campground on Big Sur Getaway's private land in Big Sur, CA. Bordering the Andrew Molera State Park, you can conveniently soak up Mother Nature's offerings by hitting the scenic mountain trails or walking along the shores of Pfeiffer Beach. If you're looking to take it easy, then visit the pub, yoga studio, or outdoor pool at the community center just down the hill. Rates start at $185 per night.

Santa Barbara Auto Camp
For a cool twist on a hotel stay, try shacking up at Santa Barbara's Auto Camp. You can think of this Airstream hotel as a posh trailer park for architecture buffs - each of the vintage Airstream here has been masterfully restored by Architect Matthew Hofmann. Located in downtown Santa Barbara, CA, the hotel is sandwiched between plenty of shops, eateries, and bars and the stunning Santa Barbara shoreline. Contact for rates.

Airstream 2 Go
For a road trip to remember, rent a sparkling new Airstream from Airstream 2 Go. With locations sprinkled throughout destination points in the US, you can choose between two Airstream models that will be hooked up to a custom-matched GMC Yukon Denali. While you have the option to carve out your own path, you also have the choice of paying extra for a detailed itinerary or a custom journey - all taken care of by their partner travel planners at Off the Beaten Path. Rates start at $3,850 for five days without an itinerary or custom journey.

Not sure if an Airstream is for you? Check out Sunset's guide to choosing the best RV trailer for you!

3 People, 1 Big Student Loan Debt: My Make-Ends-Meet Plan

LearnVest — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 02:00:42 PDT

Student loans are a huge burden on today's college graduates. LearnVest shares the plans of three individuals still working to be debt free.

A college graduate without student loan debt is akin to reading a kind quote about Kim Kardashian in a tabloid-it’s rare.

In the past eight years, student loan debt has nearly tripled to a whopping $1.1 trillion, and in the past 10 years, the percentage of 25-year-olds with such debt has risen from 25% to 43%.
It’s gotten so bad, in fact, that New York Fed economists warned last month that the burden of student debt could stilt consumer spending by twentysomethings, as well as further hamper the recovery of the housing market and economy.

To get a better idea of what massive student loan debt (we’re talking over $100,000 massive) looks like, three people in different professions have given us a glimpse at their situations-specifically, how the debt is impacting their lives and how they plan to pay the money back. We also consulted LearnVest Planning Services CFP® Katie Brewer to see just how their repayment plans stack up.

Read on for more.

POPSUGAR Shout Out: Tips For a Truly Guest-Friendly Wedding Bash

Brittney Stephens — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:55:59 PDT

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4 Places to Get Your Textbooks For Cheap

Emily Co — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:56:58 PDT

The life of a student can be an expensive one, especially when you factor in textbooks that can cost you up to hundreds of dollars. In fact, the average student spends over a $1,200 on textbooks and course materials, according to collegboard.org. Here's a quick cheat sheet on where to get cheap textbooks:

Book swaps on campus: Most book swaps entail students gathering together online or at a school location to buy and sell there books and not a literal "swap." This is beneficial for both parties because those selling their books have more control over the prices and the buyers don't have to pay third party fees for the books and might be able to haggle with the sellers.
Buying used: You can find new textbooks up to 30 percent off and possibly a bigger discount for used textbooks on Amazon Textbooks. The selection is wide and there's a bonus: you get to use the Amazon Prime two-day shipping free for six months if you're a student. There are also e-versions of textbooks available at half the price of its paper form. Another good website to search for used books is Half.com, a site owned by eBay. The selection there is as prolific as Amazon's.

Renting: Instead of buying a book that you will most likely choose to resell or never use again, pick to rent your books as an environmentally friendly option. Chegg.com is a great place to do so and renting the books will give you about half off the original price. Another one to check out is CampusBookRentals.com. I've compared prices of renting textbooks and buying used ones online and I find that the price of rentals is very hard to beat. You have to keep in mind that although you're getting these books for great prices, you won't get to keep these books.
Your network: Perhaps you have friends who have taken the same classes you're going to take. Ask them if they're willing to pass along their books to you or sell them to you at a cheap price. You might want to broadcast the books you want on Facebook and Twitter so you can better reach your whole network.

Although you can get books at campus bookstores, even the prices of the used books sold there can be pretty costly. However, there may be some books that you can only get at the bookstore (such as a certain professor's book that's only in print at your school bookstore), so you should check to see if you can get a cheaper price if you buy a bundle of books. Another idea is to maybe even approach your professor to see if he's willing to loan or give you a copy of the book.

Check Out These Money-Making Side Gigs

Emily Co — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 15:55:32 PDT

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