Need some advice.. traveling to Germany in August

[Anatopism]

We are saving money to go to a family member's wedding in Germany. Wedding is in August, but we need to buy tickets as soon as humanly possible. I'm doing more overtime than I really want to think about for extra $$ and am considering selling a couple of our morph males that don't really fit into any breeding plans.

As for saving money, does anybody have any helpful tips for saving money? Super super cheap food ideas for the next little while? Anything you've learned from personal experience in a similar situation?

Also... It's been a while since I've been anywhere other than Canada. I went to Germany a few years ago for a school exchange program, but this time is a little different. My passport is still valid but we need to get a passport for the boyfriend. I think I still have my laptop outlet converter thing (technical terms, I know). Anything new I should know about while traveling overseas? We will be in Munich, and will likely do some local exploring - any suggestions for places to visit while there? Any excellent book suggestions (I'm a sci-fi fan) for the very long flights from Seattle to Europe?

Anything else you can possibly think of to ease my anxious/excited mind?

[RobNJ]

I've been to Germany several times, you'll have fun.

As far as cutting back on the food budget, cut back on proteins, up the carbs. Beans are incredibly healthy and very substantial as far as filling you up. Rice with a little meat and a little vegetable goes a long way too. Buy what you need, not what you want.

Munich is a big city with lots to do...touring the Old Town would be cool. There's also a lot of World War history there. You'll also be very close to the Bavarian Alps, so it would be worth looking into what is there. Going to castles is always fun, and you'll be pretty close to Neuschwanstein Castle, which is Germany's most well known castle, and also the model for the Disney castle. Bregenz, Austria is not a far ride from Munich...it's a neat little resort town on Lake Constance. I could go on and on, especially if you'd like to stray a little further off for a nice day trip. Most importantly, drink beer and eat local food...the beer is cheap and plentiful(and incredible) and German food is great.

[Mike41793]

lots of pasta lol. sometimes you can find generic brands of pasta on sale for like $1 or .50 cents. Stockup like a months worth. Tunafish, pb and j, ramen noodles. Buy a pack of chicken breasts in bulk and eat them slowly over the whole month. Try and consolidate trips in the car so youre not burning uneeded gas. just drink water for a month, no beer or soda or gatorade. hope some of that helps lol. and congrats! germany sounds like fun!

[Shadera]

Get that passport *now*. When hubby and I got ours last year, the backlog was horrific and it took several months to finally receive them.

Color me jealous. I spent about six years of my childhood in Germany and miss it dearly.

Have fun!

[Slim]

During my active duty career I had the fortune to pass through Germany several times. I never had a bad time in that country! Try and pick up at least a little bit of conversational German before you go. Most Germans speak English, but it set a good tone if you try and open a conversation in German. It helps quell the ugly American stereotype.

x2 on getting your BF's passport early. It does take a while these days.

I've lived on ramen noodles and 4 for a dollar Mac & Cheese for extended periods of time with no ill effect. Crackers are cheap and can be spiced up with PB&J. Rice and a 98 cent can of field peas with snaps is good for you, dirt cheap, and easy to make.

Shop the dollar store for all your non-perishable food items as well as cleaning supplies.

If you own a bike, ride it when you can instead of taking a vehicle.

Enjoy Germany!

[Anatopism]

Thanks for all the help guys, I'm excited, but also stressed! Also, Slim, fortunately I was a German major for a little while. Haven't spoken any German in quite some time, but I have decent pronunciation and just need a quick brush-up on some words.

[Slim]

fortunately I was a German major for a little while. Haven't spoken any German in quite some time, but I have decent pronunciation and just need a quick brush-up on some words.

You'll do just fine. Once you hear it spoken again you'll fall right back into the language.

[Jabberwocky Dragons]

Go to Costco!

You can get prime grade steak there for almost as the same price as select grade ground beef at the grocery store. Rice, ground beef, etc. is much less expensive than anywhere else but is still really high quality. The savings in gas alone will more than pay for the membership (20-30 cents a gallon cheaper than most places).

As for sci-fi books, look up the author CJ Cherryh on Amazon. The best are the Foreigner series, the Faded Sun, and the Cyteen series. Any would be perfect for your flight.