The dollar might be down, but that doesn’t mean you have to be down and out. Just because the New York Times heralded 2008 as the year of the "staycation" doesn't mean you have to put your dreams of traveling and seeing the world on hold.   More

Contrary to popular belief, organic and eco-friendly eating habits are not just for wealthy yuppies, foodies, farmers, and tree-huggers. You don't have to undergo a major lifestyle makeover (or sacrifice your hard-earned cash to "Whole Paycheck") in order to green your grocery routine and ground yourself in healthier eating habits.   More

No money to travel South this year? Me either. Luckily for urbanites it's possible to experience the culture, cuisine, and aperitifs of other countries without even leaving city limits.   More

I spent about eight years learning Spanish, including several stints in different Spanish-speaking countries. Upon landing in Uruguay for my year abroad (and after two years of college Spanish), I could read Kafka-esque novels by Latin American authors and dissect them in essays written in Spanish, but my conversational fluency was severely lacking.   More