Planning a vacation on a budget? These expert tips will show you where to save, where to splurge, and exactly how to turn that dream vacation into a reality — one step at a time.

1. Choose a location (rationally). Think of the top five places that you would visit in the world, then narrow it down to just one place by considering what’s most important to you. For example, if you’re looking for adventure, a sleepy coastal village may not be the best choice.
2. Determine your budget. You’ve likely already saved up some money to put toward your vacation, but ask yourself honestly how much you’re comfortable spending. Factor in airline costs, lodging, and day-to-day expenses.
3. Choose when to go. Now that you have a budget and a location, do some research about when that destination is the most affordable. Be cautious, however; while you don’t want to go at the peak of tourist season, you also don’t want to go too far into the off-season when many local businesses are closed.
4. Find affordable airline tickets. Because this is usually the most expensive part of any international trip, you want to be very smart about your plane tickets. Check travel comparison several times throughout the week to find the best rates, and don’t forget to look into smaller carriers.
5. Book lodging. Save this for last, as there are usually a wide variety of places from budget hostels to luxury resorts where you can rest your head.

How to Plan a Vacation [WikiHow]
How to Plan Your Dream Vacation [USA Today]
How to Plan Your Next Vacation in One Breezy Sitting [Mashable]

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/Kat

The delicious combination of Turkish and Mediterranean fare is a treat that you won’t find just anywhere, which is exactly what makes Troy Restaurant such a gem in North Austin. Its bright red walls and modern decor create a unique backdrop for your traditional Mediterranean meal, but the long, shared tables and natural light make the entire experience feel friendly and relaxing.

Troy Restaurant’s sampler plates are arguably the best way to get a true feel for the menu, as they include an assortment of meats, rice, and salad, as well as unlimited tea and an authentic Turkish dessert at the end of the meal. Made-from-scratch hummus and Turkish coffee are made true to Turkish tradition, and the prices are affordable, as well.

Stop by for the lively Thursday night karaoke or a quiet weekend lunch and you’ll likely see why so many locals love Troy!

Troy Restaurant
8105 Mesa Drive
Austin, TX 78759
(512) 897-2860
www.facebook.com/troy.restaurantaustin
www.yelp.com/biz/troy-austin

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/stu_spivack

It can be difficult to help a child who is struggling with math, whether they’re learning basic elementary addition or complex algebraic equations. If your son or daughter needs a bit of extra practice outside of the classroom, these fun and free math websites can help improve their skills and make them excited about learning.

Knowledge Adventure’s Math Games
Knowledge Adventure is a colorful website that enables users to tailor math games to their child’s specific grade level. Each game features adorable cartoon characters, exciting graphics, and fun levels that are so silly, your little one may not even know that they’re also educational.

Math Playground
This rainbow-hued collection of games spans math-related topics like addition, multiplication, fractions, and pre-algebra. Kids can navigate the site’s easy-to-use features entirely on their own, or you can browse by grade level to find games related to the specific areas where your child is struggling.

Fun Brain
Fun Brain is an educational website that offers fun games in a variety of different schools subjects, and its Math Arcade section includes five games perfect for elementary students. Choose between games like Space Slingshot and Math Baseball to make learning arithmetic fun for your child.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/Cirofono