I’m swamped!
Kris and I leave for our African safari in just over a week. We’re mostly packed, have housesitting arranged (it’s almost like we should just have a permanent room-mate with as much as we’re gone), and have been experiencing only minor side effects from our anti-malarial drug. We’re basically ready to go — except that I haven’t had time to get the blog prepped for my absence. Real Life keeps getting in the way.
So, for the next week, I will eat, breathe, and sleep money. Most of my time will be spent writing and editing articles for my absence. I have some great posts planned, and I like the stuff I’ve seen from the staff writers and the guest writers (including GRS favorite Gail Vaz-Oxlade, who’s given me three pieces to publish). Plus, there are some fun reader stories coming up.
I’m not sure what kind of internet access I’ll have on my trip. Will I really be able to blog while watching wildlife in the Kalahari Desert? I’m skeptical, but maybe I’ll be surprised.
Now, let’s take a look at some of the best GRS articles from January:
- January 3rd: How to Take Control of Your Finances in 2011 (by J.D.)
- January 8th: The Laundry Agreement (by J.D.)
- January 17th: The Importance of Salary Negotiation (by Sierra)
- January 18th: Caring for Aging Parents (by J.D.)
- January 19th: Think You Can’t Afford an Emergency Fund? Think Again! (by Donna)
- January 21st: The Best Online Bank for Service and Security? (Reader Question)
- January 25th: When to Walk Away from a Bad Mortgage (by Sierra)
- January 26th: How to Loan Money to Friends (Without Ruining the Relationship) (by April)
The blog isn’t the only part of this site. If you have burning questions about personal finance, one of the best places to get answers is the Get Rich Slowly discussion forum. The forum is a great place to chat with your fellow readers. Have questions about emergency funds? Ask! Want to chat about cheap vacations? This is the place to do it. The forums have over 4500 registered users and over 52,000 posts.
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I really enjoyed the piece about loaning money to friends. It gave an interesting perspective since I typically say “do not loan money to friends”.
Good luck on the trip. Sounds like a blast!
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Have fun in Africa!
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Have a safe trip in South Africa!
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What country will you be in? Kenya, South Africa…Africa is so vast! Have fun and don’t even think about blogging though GRS readers will miss you if you don’t.
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Have fun, and I hope you are able stay healthy through the entire trip!
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Have a fun and safe trip! BTW, your link to April’s “How to Loan Money…” is not working. It linked to the mortgage article, rather.
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Have a fantastic trip, JD! And while we will miss you, I hope you get to take a complete break from work! Everyone needs to let their battery recharge once in awhile
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Your going on vacation, enjoy it. Call your family or email tell them your ok. Seriously what’s the point of going on vacation, if your going to look for internet access to work? Work starts when you get back home. Enjoy the fruits of your labor!
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Enjoy- it will be magnificent. See the animals while they are still around.
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I hope you have an amazing experience in South Africa! It’ll definitely top a new car
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Have a lovely time in Africa. I was in South Africa (and Kalahari) last Januari and you wont have any Internet. If you go to Kruger some of the camps have it. But Kalahari is the place to go…..it is really special and you will have the most amazing experience
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Thanks for mentioning the forum; I never noticed it before!
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I’m originally from South Africa– enjoy yourselves! And the point of going to the middle of nowhere Kalahari is to get away and get perspective. You can’t do that if you’re checking the blog. I’m sure you will have a great time!!!
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I am a long-time reader delurking.
My husband and I went to Africa on our honeymoon – we would definitely choose to go back over almost any other major purchase.
Except a new roof. First roof…then return!
Have a wonderful trip! Jambo!
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My husband and I both live in SA. We are HORRIFIED that your doctor has prescribed Larium…. no wonder you’re having bad side effects. Larium is no longer prescribed here!!!
The one to take is Malarone http://www.medicinenet.com/atovaquone-proguanil-oral/article.htm Take for one day before leaving, daily, then for 7 days when you return. I had NO side effects.
Throw away the Larium. (And no, I’m not a doctor, just someone who has tried the malaria tablets.) Last thing you want is hallucinations when you’re travelling.
Safe travels.
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Gail Vaz-Oxlade!! Exciting!! I watch “Till Debt Do Us Part” religiously!
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Oh, boy, mefloquine. I’m glad that you haven’t experienced any side effects yet, and I hope it stays that way, but make sure you talk to your doctor about back up plans if the side effects do surface. I was MISERABLE when I was on mefloquine, and I’ve heard many, many people since then agree with me.
Look into other malarial drugs. Take non-addicting sleeping pills with you. (I was only able to get about 2 hours of sleep a night on that drug, until my pharmacist gave me a sleeping pill). Mostly, remember that if you stick with mefloquine, you NEED TO finish the drug. If you feel like you need to stop early, talk to your doctor about your options. It would be terrible to take all those precautions and then come down with malaria after you get home simply because you didn’t follow the medical directions.
Other than that, have a great time! I’ve always wanted to visit Africa!
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I am really, really surprised that you are taking Larium – it’s no longer effective against malaria strains in those regions. Not to mention the awful side effects. Malarone is the best (but expensive) and doxycycline is often prescribed as well (cheaper). Malaria strains morph over time and can become resistant to certain anti-malarial drugs – this is what has happened with Larium, and so it’s much less effective. Sorry – you’re probably getting tons of advice and I’m just another voice – but I do urge you to do some more research into your medications.
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