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sourwolfstories · 6 years ago

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firefighter!derek fic rec list

Five Times Detective Stilinski and Captain Hale Had Sex In Public, and One Time They Did It In A Bed by bleep0bleep

"Did you say--" Stiles starts.

"What?" Derek growls.

"We're not a couple!" they both retort in unison.

"We're not together," Stiles insists.

Lydia coughs pointedly. "An incident report filed by 87th Precinct Captain Erica Reyes. March twenty-fifth, eight p.m. Came back to the precinct to grab my coat, only to hear Stilinski banging his new boyfriend in the holding cell."

There Must Be Better Ways by skoosiepants

This is totally unfair. This crush has been terrible but manageable; he hardly ever saw Derek outside of the occasional diner run-in and all the summer BBQs, and Derek always looks like being in any public setting is excruciating—his broody scowls are devastating enough, now he gets to imagine him happy.

Is it possible to die from unrequited love and pining?

Or-

Derek the fireman keeps saving Stiles from himself.

Constantly on the Cusp by alisvolatpropiis

Stiles is gay, out and proud, and a Beacon Hills deputy. Derek is a firefighter and war veteran who thinks he's straight; or, Derek and Stiles have lots of semi-public hatesex on the road to Love.

Like a Fire in your Heart by LacrimaDraconis

It was one of the slow night shifts, that Stiles got assigned one Derek Hale, captain of the local fire department, as a patient.

Four Times Derek Saved Stiles From A Spider by ShadowPatronus

Stiles has arachnophobia and Derek is always there to rescue him.

Emergency Love by Kedreeva

Wherein Derek is a firefighter and Stiles is a paramedic, and they just keep meeting.

stop, drop, and roll by thepsychicclam

Stiles knows he's in trouble when he invites the Beacon Hills Fire Department into his third grade classroom and he can't stop staring at a certain scruffy fireman. But after the third graders take a field trip to the fire station and participate in the fire department's holiday canned food drive, Stiles can't ignore his crush any longer.

Love of the fourth floor by IdontlikeIobsess

It's not really Stiles' fault if the first person he meets when he moves in his new apartment is a hot fireman. He decides to leave a note under his door.

Fireman Derek’s Crazy Pie [Cheeseburger Baby] by owlpostagain

“He can't blame me for the fact that I live in a building full of people united in the singular effort to ogle Hot Fireman as often as humanly possible."

Laura laughs, loud and echoing in the empty restaurant.

"Hot firemen can make a girl do crazy things," she agrees, nodding towards her brother's name on the menu. "Derek won't let me date anyone from his company, but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate the eye candy."

"Send them my way," Stiles suggests, finally loading up a forkful of pie. "Apparently I'm incompetent enough that I need to be babysat at all times, because it would be cheaper than dispatching a truck every time I try to use a kitchen appliance."

The Darkness Fades Away by heartsdesire456

After Derek is the one who saves Stiles from a terrible night gone wrong, they aren't the only ones forced to overcome barriers, break down walls, and try to rebuild their lives one step at a time.

Though, they are are the only ones doing it together.

everybody loves good neighbors by stilinskisparkles

What about an "everything run-down and suddenly a guy falls through the ceiling; now there's a hole in the ceiling of my bedroom"-AU thing? c: - ANONYMOUS

Not So Much Coffee and Books as it is Chocolate and Erotica by knaval

Alternative title: The Pen Is

AU in which Stiles is an erotica novelist, and Derek is the sexy fireman he daydreams about. He sees Derek daily at the coffee shop, writing out his fantasies about Derek, basically Derek is his muse. All goes well until Derek starts talking to him and trying to read his books. Little does Stiles know, Derek is already a fan of his books.

It’s different, okay? by peachpetrichor

Stiles asks a question online, and Derek answers (with the wrong answer), and they both proceed to be huge dicks.

untitled by thepsychicclam

stiles is a waiter at the diner down the street from the fire station, and fireman!derek comes in frequently for lunch.

Just when you think you’re in control by trilliastra

While Josh rushes to grab his things and Stiles tries to clean some of the mess on Josh's table, the door opens with a bang and suddenly Derek Hale is running inside, disheveled and clearly upset.

Stiles would feel sorry for him – and in another situation, he would even stop to admire Derek's perfect body and face – but he crushed a little boy's heart and that's unforgivable. He stops in front of Stiles. “Is it over?” “Clearly.”

- In which Stiles thinks Derek is the worst uncle when he's, actually, the best.

#sterek #sterek fic rec #sterek fanfic #sterek fanfiction #firefighter derek #fic rec list

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christinesficrecs · 6 years ago

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Are you able to list all of the non-supernatural stereo college fics you enjoy please and thank you? ❤️

Of course!! Ok, so I goofed on the last one but I’m pretty sure the rest are werewolf-free. 😉

Misinterpret Me Like Lolita by KuriKuri | 10.9K

You don’t even know the course name?” Derek growls after the guy blushes and stutters out an answer, because, Jesus, he thought the university had standards.

And it sounds like the course the guy is describing is his. Isn’t it just his lucky day? No breakfast and another student who doesn’t give a shit about the course material.

This class is going to be hell – he’s calling it now.

Tit for Tat by fauvistfly | 10K

Derek is a professor, and Stiles is his TA. They mostly work well together, but Derek still prefers pen and paper while Stiles embraces modern technology. When Stiles realizes this preference extends even to spank bank material, he decides it’s his job to show him the wonders of online porn. Derek rises to the challenge and counters with his favorite erotica. Who will win? (hint: everyone)

Triple Shot Pumpkin Spice Latte by coffeeinallcaps | 19.5K

For two years, Stiles had very much enjoyed his position as Student Psychologist at his alma mater. The pay was all right, he liked the students who came to see him, and his work was challenging and diverse– or so it used to be, before Professor Hale came along.

The Hazards (and Benefits) of Channel-Surfing on Friday Nights by herbeautifullie | 12.1K

He’s watching TV over the edge of his laptop when Scott brings up the fact that he’s still a lonely loser in his third year of college without a boyfriend which, while being completely true, is really fucking unappreciated. It sparks a desperate need to save what little manhood Stiles has and, before he knows it, he’s blurting, “I totally have a boyfriend, dude. Shows how much you know.”

How was he supposed to know Scott would doubt him? It’s not Stiles’ fault that someone named Derek Hale really exists. It’s also not his fault when his lie grows legs and runs so far he can’t find it until it’s too late – too late and standing right in front of him, gorgeous and annoyed and not at all the person Stiles made him up to be.

Yeah, this could get bad.

Desperate But Not Serious by sofonisba_found | 13.2K

Stiles is one of the more memorable students in the undergrad Psych class that Derek is assigned to as a TA, and he’s not sure if that’s a good or a bad thing. But when Derek finds Stiles starring on a certain website, his feelings become much more clear.

Oh, The Places We’ll Go (series) by KeriArentikai | 18.9K

The five friends sat at a table in the student union building, laughing over their fast-food lunches.

“Okay,” said Jackson, “which prof would you bang?”

“Hale,” Erica, Isaac and Stiles all said together. No one was surprised at their answer.

Wild Tonic by officerstilinskihale | 11K

Stiles nodded and smiled again, his teeth flashing brightly and he signed something again, before looking frustrated with himself.

“You’re welcome,” Derek told him, feeling a wave of relief when Stiles’ face brightened. That would’ve been awkward if Stiles hadn’t been trying to say thank you.

“I had a really good time, so yeah. I’m glad you came with me,” he said, feeling his face grow hot. Derek wasn’t usually like this. He wasn’t confident. Sure, he had the looks and he could flirt shamelessly when he got hit on, but he always got shy around the people he genuinely liked, not that there was too many of those.

But Stiles didn’t let him dwell on that. He gripped Derek’s arm, grinned cheekily and pointed at himself before lifting two fingers. It took a while for Derek to get it but when he did, he couldn’t stop a smile from spreading across his face.

Me too.

Fireman Derek’s Crazy Pie [Cheeseburger Baby] by owlpostagain | 17.6K

“He can’t blame me for the fact that I live in a building full of people united in the singular effort to ogle Hot Fireman as often as humanly possible.“

Laura laughs, loud and echoing in the empty restaurant.

“Hot firemen can make a girl do crazy things,” she agrees, nodding towards her brother’s name on the menu. “Derek won’t let me date anyone from his company, but that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the eye candy.”

“Send them my way,” Stiles suggests, finally loading up a forkful of pie. “Apparently I’m incompetent enough that I need to be babysat at all times, because it would be cheaper than dispatching a truck every time I try to use a kitchen appliance.”

I Hope By the Morning by andnowforyaya | 21.4K

From the bathroom came sounds of the guy brushing his teeth. Stiles rubbed the fifty dollar bill between his fingers and felt cheap. “Dude, I’m not taking your money.”

The guy spat and turned the faucet on. “Take the money. You said you lived in Queens last night? Who the hell lives in Queens.”

The fifty seemed gritty in his fingers, but he put it in the back pocket of his ridiculously tight jeans, anyway. That was, like, a five-hour shift at the coffee shop where he worked, Common Grounds, with tips. “And don’t call me ‘dude,’” the guy continued, turning off the faucet. “I’m not your college bro. It’s Derek.”

Bones Straining Under the Weight by weathervaanes | 15.6K

One of Stiles’ favorite things about life is Derek Hale’s food blog. He never expects to meet the man in person.

call me, maybe (but not in the library) by bibliosexual | 23.8K

Where Stiles is an undergrad at UCLA and Derek works in the university library.

#asks #sterek #ficrecs #college au #no werewolves #Anonymous

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residentanchor · 6 years ago

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Pretty by default

Done and done, here it is!

I realized this was mentioned as lamp first, but most of the stuff I saw was for analogical, so I stuck with that. Celery: Thanks to @sockpansy once again for submitting something to the “You’re famous?” au! :D I like this as analogical actually!!

Model Logan

Logan knew his name was known by many, being a famous model it was to be expected, but that didn't mean he would actively seek out attention.

Quite the opposite in fact.

Logan did enjoy his job, he did! But he was never…satisfied when he saw finished works of him. There was always something that never sat right with him, but he knew the pictures were fine, and they would be published after he gave the ‘okay.’

Then he met Virgil. Virgil who wore the same hoodie every day, that he hand made himself no less, and would randomly pull out snacks from the pockets. Virgil, who dyed his hair purple because his friend Patton wanted to dye his blue, but was nervous to go along with it by himself. Virgil, who probably lived on caffeine more than Logan.

Logan looked forward to seeing him so much.

They had met in an online debate website, which logan used when he was overworked and stressed and needed to calm down (spending hours looking for links to prove you are right is calming for him) and he came across someone he enjoyed debating with.

xXstormCL0UDXx was quickly his favorite person to engage in witty combat with. It took some convincing, but they agreed to meet up for coffee one day. Logan had been worried Virgil might recognize him. But when Virgil just laughed at his hat that said 'cognitive cap’ he knew there was no way. They ended up trading numbers and met up multiple times to just talk or do something in each others presence.

Then came the coffee incident.

Due to logan’s work schedule, and…whatever it is that Virgil does, they sometimes couldn't meet up, so they had a scheduled coffee trip weekly. It was always marked as 'important business’ on the schedule, so no one questioned it, and Logan always had 1-2 hours to have coffee and just sit with Virgil.

Logan had gotten a refill and was returning to his booth when he slipped on the newly mopped floor. His coffee landed on Virgil, who jumped up with cries of 'hot hot hot!’ And stripped his jacket off.

The coffee had managed to quickly get to his band t-shirt underneath, and Virgil held the hem away from his body to keep the hot liquid away.

Logan quickly stood and sat the mostly empty cup down.“Virgil, I sincerely apologize, I did not mean to do that.” Logan grabbed napkins from the table and dabbed at Virgil's shirt, getting what coffee he could off. Really, it had to be the day Virgil wore a gray band shirt instead of black. It was for sure going to stain. Logan pouted and looked at Virgil.

“Hey, specs, its fine, just some split coffee, no big deal.” He gave a reassuring smile and helped Logan attempt to dry his shirt.

Logan wasn't convinced. “Let me buy you a new shirt, just for today.”

Virgil's eyes widened. “What? Yeah no, that is not happening.”

Logan stood, back straight. “Your hoodie is soaked with coffee, and your shirt will be stained, no doubt, I am at fault for this, accident or not, and I wish to buy you something so you do not get cold, I will not debate this.”

Virgil knew Logan. Meaning he knew this was one of the few points he can’t argue.

“Fine, there is a Wal-Mart nearby, just a shirt ok?”

Logan broke into a smile and agreed, carrying Virgil's hoodie as he leads the way to Wal-Mart.

_____

Logan was most-likely 17 the last time he was in a Wal-Mart. His clothes all came from designer shops or sponsors, and his food he got from…better quality areas than Wal-Mart. Or he ordered it.

But here he was, in the men's section of Walmart clothing, with Virgil obviously wanting a sweater but thinking 15 dollars was too much. Virgil went to grab a random t-shirt for $5 when Logan stopped him.

“You want the sweater correct? I will get it for you.” Virgil looked at him. Then the sweater.

“Nah, 15 bucks is too much for split coffee.”

“Virgil, $15 is nothing, I'm getting you the sweater.” Logan crossed his arms as if that was the end of the conversation.

Virgil has different plans. “Dude, I'm not letting you waste that much on me.”

“It is only $15, I can afford that.”

“And your coffee cost what? $3.50? And I can use a laundromat for a few quarters, that does not equal a $15 sweater.”

“I am getting it for you anyways.” And as if to make a point, Logan picked a sweater off the rack.

Virgil grabbed another one and held it out to him. “You get me one, I get you one. We either match or no one gets a sweater.” Virgil looked like he just won a trophy.

Logan looked at the sweater in Virgil's hands, it was a simple black sweater with navy blue and purple strips. Logan took the sweater from Virgil and hung it back up. Virgil had a moment to look smug before Logan grabbed a different one.

“This is my size, should we go try them on?”

Needless to say, Virgil did not win that day.

Logan walked out of Wal-Mart in the sweater. It was slightly itchy around the collar, and was incredibly low quality, especially compared to what logan usually wore. He glanced over at Virgil, who was carrying his hoodie now but looked delighted in the matching sweater. Logan decided this was his favorite article of clothing he owned.

_____

They were matching. They should have expected it, but that didn't mean they were.

It had been a kid. Kids are always the ones to say what they see, so when a kid on the street pointed at Virgil and Logan, saying “Mommy mommy, look! They match like you and mama do! They must be married!” Logan nearly died on the spot.

Virgil let out a snort, hiding his face from Logan. “Kids, I swear, they jump to the weirdest conclusions.”

Virgil’s ears were turning red, Logan was sure they were. He knew they are matching, but Logan didn’t think about how couples outfits often matched.

“Would it be that bad?v logan’s hands covered his mouth quickly as Virgil's head shot to face him.

Oh, Virgil's ears were red for sure, as was his entire face.

"Would what be…bad? What are you…?” His question trailed off.

Logan moved his hands in order to talk, fighting off his blushing and failing.

“Well..perhaps not the…marriage in total but…matching is often times…its uh…linked to couples. I didn't think about that before until the kid mentioned it and..uh..yeah.” Logan was at a lost for words, something he would not admit happens around Virgil a lot.

Virgil on the other hand, had managed to scrabble enough letters together to ask, “is this your way of asking me out?”

Logan let out a shaky laugh, looking at the sweater-clad Virgil in front of him. “I..i would..supose so?”

Virgil only became a darker red as he broke into a smile. He took one of Logan’s hands, interlacing their fingers.

“Well… it’s about time.”

This was definitely Logan’s favorite sweater.

_____

Dating Virgil was just like being friends with Virgil, only with kisses and cuddles and 'dates’ instead of hangouts and 'i love you’ is said.

Logan loved it.

But there was an… issue. After a date to the planetarium, Virgil and Logan had been looking for a place to eat, not realizing how late it was. Virgil saw a McDonald’s ahead and suggested it.

Logan couldn't remember the last time he had fast food. Virgil looked like he won the lottery as he walked in.

“I'm going to get soooo many chicken nuggets.”

Logan gave him a nod, as he read the menu. He squinted his eyes as he read it, it was like looking at the same thing over and over again.

“Hey, nerd, what you want?” Virgil’s voice broke logan from his trance.

“Oh uh..." he glanced up quickly. ”…number 2…meal?“

Which was how Logan was now sitting with a cheeseburger and fries in front of him. Virgil was shoving chicken nuggets in his mouth as promised.

Logan looked at his burger and unwrapped it, hesitantly taking a bite.

You know that Squidward meme? The episode where he ate a Krabby Patty and suddenly couldn’t stop?

Logan was Squidward.

"This is the greasiest, most vile thing I have ever tasted.” Virgil looked up as Logan shoved another bite into his mouth. Swallowing his chicken nugget, he asked,

“Then why are you still eating it?”

Logan took another bite. “I can’t stop.”

Virgil laughed.

______

“Wait you're a what?!” Logan could feel the panic rising. He was trying to keep calm but this was very surprising.

Virgil looked at logan confused. “A photographer. Well, sometimes. It's not my main thing, but it does pay well. And I'm just taking a few wedding photos for a few hours.”

Logan tried to calm himself. Virgil couldn’t know he was a model…right?

“Do you..do shoots often? Or for like..company things?” Logan had never seen Virgil at one of his shoots, but if he happened to see Logan or take photos for his company he might know.

“Nah, not really. I normally take scenery shots, but I do get commissions for things like this. It pays well, and I normally get to leave with cake.”

Logan relaxed a bit. He probably didn’t know who he was.

“Ah well, perhaps I could see the shots when you are finished? I think id like to see your work.” He smiled.

Virgil shrugged. “I mean, it's not that impressive, normally I get hired by people on a budget 'cause I’m cheaper than a professional.”

“Nonsense, no matter how much you cost, I'm sure your works are amazing.”

Virgil smiled at Logan. “Well…if you want, you could come with me? You’d mostly just be watching but…it would be…” Virgil glanced away blushing. “..nice to have you there.”

Logan found himself agreeing.

Logan also found out, on the day of pictures, that Virgil will go to extreme lengths to get the perfect shot.

Virgil was up a tree at the moment, hold his camera at the couple. He frowned and gave a few instructions of how the couple should pose. Logan walked over and gently tapped the bride. “It would be much better if you moved your arm here.”

“Logan, what are you doing?” Logan looked up at the tree.

“Oh, my apologies, I only wished to help.” He nods to Virgil in the tree, who stared Dr the couple.

“Ya know..thats actually not bad…keep doing that Logan.”

Logan helped to pose the couple for the 2 hours Virgil took pictures. Virgil got into increasingly weird angles and dragged other people in to help with the shots.

Logan watched over Virgil's shoulders as he flipped through the photos. To say he was impressed was an understatement, some of these were even better than professionals he has worked with!

“Hey, why did you delete that one? It was good…” Logan frowned as Virgil looked back at him.

"The lighting was wrong, and the bride’s dress was folded at the bottom, I can do better.”

By the end, Virgil had narrowed down the pictures and spent a while helping the couple pick out the pictures they liked best. Virgil was paid ahead of time, but he was still given a tip from the couple in thanks.

Oh, and cake.

_____

Virgil had been wanting to take pictures of the scenery because, and quote 'i have some sudden motivation and I need future inspiration and who knows when I'll have it again’ so he was going on a walk.

Logan had joined him on it. Walks with Virgil were always peaceful.

Virgil was taking pictures of the landscape when he looked over at Logan, who was looking out at the park in thought. He wasn't really thinking, just letting his mind wander.

He turned his head as he heard the sound of a shutter closer than before.

Virgil popped his head out from behind his camera and grinned. “You're my subject now.”

Logan couldn't help the smile he gave at Virgil. “Alright.”

And he posed. He knew exactly what he was doing, and even in his bulky glasses, and thrift store clothes (thrift shopping with Virgil was the best, you can find so many weird things, and the 'fashion’ shows are hilarious) he took off his hat and ran his fingers through his hair.

Virgil was… Fucking stunned. Logan looked…he looked…fuck he looked hot. He quickly went to take his picture as Logan gave him different poses. Virgil made sure to take time to aim and focus and get good angles. At one point he noticed Logan didn't smile in the pictures. Virgil pouted and looked at him.

“Hey, Logan?”

Logan looked at him.“yes Virgil?”

Virgil decided to quote a text post he saw on Tumblr. “I love classical literature….an Edgar Allen hoe if you would.”

Logan stared at Virgil for a second, before he burst out laughing, going as far as to hold his sides.

“That was horrible,” Logan laughed as Virgil smiled and took pictures.

Virgil found different ways to make logan laugh, going as far as to point at a nearby bird and just say 'daddy’ before the bird flew at him angrily. Once Virgil was bird safe, Logan didn't stop laughing at that any time soon.

It got to the point that Virgil didn't have to make logan laugh. He was smiling in all the pictures, relaxing more. His poses weren't perfect but they managed to leave Virgil even more floored than before.

As they sat on a bench and looked at the photos together, Logan found that he enjoyed the pictures Virgil took of him the best.

_____

“Everyone take five!” Roman shouted. Logan slouched on the stool and sighed. This was the tenth break today, and he knew it was his fault.

Roman, the one in charge, walked over. “Logan, normally this goes by without a hitch, but today you're just…" he made a vague jester. "Not You. And it is interfering with the work…I gotta ask…whats wrong buddy?”

Roman and Logan had known each other since Logan started working as a model, they were actually rather good friends but held a professional relationship during work.

They totally got into a rap battle on a break though, so…

“I'm doing what I always do. I don't get what’s wrong.” Logan crossed his arms.

Roman put his hands on his hips. “It's like someone forgot to oil you, tin man! Everything seems…more robotic than usual…”

Logan suddenly had an understanding of what was wrong with his photos now. He had gotten used to posing for Virgil, relaxed and enjoying himself. He still knew how to pose for magazines, and whatever else they wanted his picture for, but he felt it was more a routine than fun.

He had been thinking about Virgil and trying to pose for the magazine, but those are two different things to him.

“I…think I realized the problem…”

Roman clapped.“great! Then let's fix it and get back to work.”

“It isn't that easy…” Logan let out a sigh. “My boyfriend..he is a photographer, its..different when he takes pictures of me…but he doesn't know I’m…well…me…” Logan gestured to himself as if making a point.

Roman looked offended.

“You got yourself a boyfriend and didn't tell me?” Of course, that is what Roman focuses on. Logan rolled his eyes.

“Yes, I do, now back to the problem at hand.”

“Solution, tell him who you are.”

“But I don't want him to know, that's the point!”

“And if he finds out on his own?”

Logan looked for an argument. Coming up with none. It was inevitable that Virgil will one day find out who Logan was. Logan wasn't too sure how Virgil would react if he found out on his own, telling him would be the best course of action.

Changing the subject, Logan asked, “so how would telling him to help me?”

Roman broke into a grin.“simple, I hire him to take your photo and if you are right, then you won't have a problem with the shoot.”

Which was how Logan found himself waiting for Virgil at the coffee shop. When Virgil sat down, he was wearing the sweater logan bought him. Logan nearly swooned on the spot.

Focus! Logan smiled at Virgil, tapping his coffee cup. “Virgil I..have a job offer for you.”

Virgil raised an eyebrow. “What kind of job? You've never offered me one before.”

Logan sipped his coffee, giving himself an excuse to gulp his nerves down.

“Well, it is…a photography job…would you be willing to take my photo for a magazine…professionally?”

The look on Virgil's face was proof enough that he didn't believe that, but planned to humor him.

Logan could work with humor.

“Yeah sure, pocket protector, when?”

Logan checked his phone. “We can leave now.”

Logan was a lot more relaxed, even if somehow Virgil still believed this was a joke or a prank. He goofed off behind the camera, made Logan laugh and smile, but Roman watched as the pictures were downloaded onto a computer as they were taken, and he was impressed.

The photos were finished and Virgil was told, to come in tomorrow for his paycheck. Logan led him out and Virgil stretched,

“If you wanted your picture taken, You can just ask you know.”

Logan couldn't help the smile he gave, “I know,”

Logan had been taking with roman when Virgil walked in, Patton following behind him.

Roman whistled. “Please tell me puffball there is single?”

Logan rolled his eyes and took the check from Roman, walking to Virgil. He held it out to him.

“Your payment.”

Virgil looked downright confused as he took the check and glanced at it. Then stared at it.

“Those zeros are on..the left side of the decimal point?”

“Yes, they are.”

“..and those zeros are also..on the right of the other number?”

“Correct again.”

“This is in dollars?”

Logan couldn't fight the smile, never could around Virgil.

“Yes, it is.”

“…holy shit, you really are a model…” Virgil looked at Logan.

Logan laughed. “It took a check for you to realize that?”

Virgil actually laughed back. “Oh, wow…everything makes sense now…hey, where did Patton go? He tagged along and now he’s gone…"Logan glanced around before looked at Virgil unamused,

"Your friend and my boss are making out in the corner.”

Virgil gave a nod of 'yeah, that's expected’ before holding hi the check grinning.

“So mister model….shall I treat thee to a meal at McDonald’s?”

Logan laughed and took his hand. Intertwining his fingers. He gave Virgil a quick kiss before nodding.

“You better.”

#youre famous au #model logan #photographer virgil #analogical #i love this dynamic #I might write more myself #submission

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sterekloving · 7 years ago

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If you’re new to the fandom or just want something new to read or even reread an old classic, here’s the most popular and iconic fics in the fandom!

(Those with a * are my all time favourites - if you want me to do a personal fave ficrec, let me know!)

Alpha Spikes* - thestarbeast - 70k+ - Explicit

AU. Alphas are like royalty and are offered their choice of any age eighteen-and-up virgin Omega for each heat season, as a 'thank-you' for all they've done throughout the year. Derek is an Alpha and...yeah, Stiles. Stiles is an Omega. And still a virgin. In every way. And he's just turned eighteen. This...is not his day.

Bones Straining Under the Weight* - weathervaanes - 15k - Explicit

One of Stiles' favorite things about life is Derek Hale's food blog. He never expects to meet the man in person.

“Derek,” he says again, and the name feels very strange on his tongue.

“You don’t mean Derek Hale.”

His professor’s eyebrows reach up, eyes widening. “You read his blog?”

"Uh. Worship. Would be a better more descriptive word. That is Derek Hale?"

Jimmy chuckles. "Good-looking guy, huh?"

"You mean to tell me the Food Network hasn't snatched him up to dethrone everyone else from daytime TV."

Jimmy smiles a small private smile. "I don't think TV is his medium."

Stiles raises an eyebrow. "Shy?"

The man laughs heartily at that. "No, I wouldn't say that. He just has particular forms of expression, like eyebrows and chili powder."

By Any Other Name - entanglednow - 33k - Explicit

He doesn't know his name, he doesn't know who he is, and neither does the werewolf he's on the run with. But he's pretty sure they hunt monsters, because they seem to be really good at it.

Can’t Be Hateful, Gotta Be Grateful - HalfFizzbin - 6k - Teen

"Be cool, Dad, we've decided to con Grandma." (Or, the one where the Stilinski men drag Derek to Thanksgiving dinner at Grandma's and she gets the right wrong idea.)

Cornerstone* - Vendelin - 83k - Explicit

Suffering from PTSD, ex-Marine Derek Hale moves back to Beacon Hills to open a bookshop and find a calmer life. That’s where he meets Stiles, completely by accident. Stiles is talkative, charming and curious. Somehow, despite the fact that he’s blind, he’s able to read Derek like no one else.

Cupboard Love - mklutz - 30k+ - General

He’s carefully balancing the sandwiches and the two biggest tupperware containers he could find that both had functioning lids when the front door opens and he almost drops everything right there in front of the stupid fountain. If that’s Derek Hale, he’s definitely not a mountain man.

Dating Backwards* - RemainNameless - 85k - Explicit

Pornstars Derek and Stiles work for the same company. Derek only shoots with werewolves and Stiles only shoots with humans. That's not going to change after they meet. It's really not. (It might.)

DILF* - twentysomething - 30k+ - Explicit

"Today is Scott's first day of kindergarten and Derek is terrified."

Divided We Stand* - KouriArashi - 100k+ - Mature

Derek is being pressured by his family to pick a mate, and somehow stumbles into a choice that they didn't expect and aren't sure they approve of....

Don’t Savage The Messenger* - exclamation - 172k - Explicit

There is an uneasy truce between the werewolves in the woods and the humans who live in Beacon Hills, protected by a magical boundary that gives warning any time a werewolf crosses it. Then the sheriff is taken by the werewolves and his son offers himself in exchange.

Stiles promises to serve the werewolf pack, not knowing what horrible use they might have for him. But it turns out his most useful skill is the ability to cross the boundary line between humans and werewolves. Life with the werewolves is nothing like he feared and the werewolves themselves are nothing like the hunters' stories would have him believe.

Don’t Worry Baby - kalpurna - 20k - Explicit

"You know you're allowed to ask for vanilla sex, right?" he says, afterwards. "We can do whatever you want. That's kind of the point." Derek doesn't respond.

Dude, Werewolves - mysecretashes - 29k - Explicit

Stiles gets partnered with Cora for a history project, and they become bros. Also, he kind of falls in love with her older brother, Derek.

Electricity In the Contact - ladyblahblah - 27k - Explicit

In which Derek has been invited to the Greater Pacific Northwest Alpha Symposium (that's not what it's called, Stiles, stop saying that), and showing up unattached would mean an arranged marriage. When the rest of the pack objects, he agrees to let Stiles come along to pose as his mate. Derek is reasonably sure that he's not going to make it out of this weekend alive.

Enemy Lines* - qhuinn - 149k - Explicit

This is the story of werewolf Derek Hale and human Stiles Stilinski: two people who grew up in the same town but completely different worlds, their realities split by the war between men and wolves.

Years later when Derek returns to Beacon Hills, he does it as Alpha of a military pack on a mission to capture those responsible for the region’s resistance. With his main objective, Sheriff Stilinski, out of sight, he settles for the next best thing: his son, Stiles.

Neither of them suspects they’ll need to trust each other if they want to make it out this alive.

Every Step You Take - Nokomis - 49k - Mature

Stiles accidentally ends up magically bound to Derek. It’s super.

Fireman Derek’s Crazy Pie (Cheeseburger Baby) - owlpostagain - 17k - Teen

“He can't blame me for the fact that I live in a building full of people united in the singular effort to ogle Hot Fireman as often as humanly possible." Laura laughs, loud and echoing in the empty restaurant.

Gravity’s Got Nothing on You* - zosofi - 83k - Explicit

“Three weeks,” Derek says.

“Still don’t want to,” Stiles says.

“I’ll pay you,” Derek says, and that… that has Stiles interested. Alf’s Antique’s may be a great job, but it’s not a high-paying job, and half of Stiles’s tuition is coming from financial aid, so… “How much,” Stiles asks, “are we talking here? Because I know your family, dude. And it’ll be kind of awkward after.“

“My family thinks you’re some sort of fucking gift to the world,” Derek seethes, like he’s jealous, “they’ll probably be pissed at me when we break it off, so don’t worry about that. Five hundred bucks.”

“A thousand,” Stiles says, because screw ethics. Also, the Hale family is loaded. Derek can deal.

Hemingway Can Suck It - KuriKuri - 10k - Teen

“For those of you who just transferred into this class or simply decided that day one wasn’t important enough to attend, I’m Professor Hale. Welcome to English 346, The American Novel.”

Stiles is pretty sure his mouth is hanging open right now and that his eyes are wide with shock, because holy fuck, he thinks he knows why his students transferred. Hell, if he was still an undergrad, he probably would have transferred, too.

(Or: In which Stiles is a Biology professor and Derek thinks he's a student.)

Integral to Survival - asocialfauxpas - 8k - Mature

Derek is in the cell for about ten minutes before the lone door opens and a new body is tossed in. The person hits the floor with a grunt, rolls, and stands as the door is clanging shut. “That’s really not the way to treat a guest!”

Just Act Normal - zosofi - 70k+ - Explicit

If someone had told Stiles back in high school that he would be an Oscar winning actor by the time he turned 25, he would’ve probably told Scott to punch them. The thing is, though…they would’ve been right. Which makes returning to Beacon Hills, center of all that is supernatural and better left avoided, all the more awkward.

Kaleidoscope* - Vendelin - 50k+ - Explicit

Stiles spends a year before college working at the all-night coffee shop in town. It's nice and quiet, until one dark and brooding Derek starts coming in every morning, ordering coffee so strong that it should not be fit for human consumption. Ever. Stiles tries not to be affected by the mystery guy, but it's not like anything else happens around here, so really, what did you expect? And when he's already in too deep, he realises he might even be in way over his head...

Little Wild Animal* - DiscontentedWinter - 61k - Explicit

Derek Hale finds a feral human on his pack's property. Humans are supposed to be extinct. But then, Stiles is full of surprises.

Lock All The Doors Behind You - entanglednow - 25k+ - Mature

He has no idea what you're supposed to say when you find one of your...werewolf acquaintances, completely out of their mind, growling like they're about to see what your insides taste like. There's no handbook for this. Stiles is thinking that if he survives he might write one.

Losers - stilinskisparkles - 30k+ - Explicit

Where Derek is new to college, eager to spend his time learning, and Stiles is everything he didn't want in a room mate. He's loud, he's into sports, and he keeps trying to make Derek do things. Or, the one where Derek falls for a jock, Erica will cut you if you disturb her studying, and Jackson is a closeted romantic who pretends to hate everything.

Move a Mountain* - ZainClaw - 69k - Explicit

Stiles goes camping with his friends in New Mexico after graduation where they befriend a biker gang led by Derek: a guy whom Stiles can’t decide if he will be either relieved or devastated to never see again once their week is up.

No Homo* - RemainNameless - 80k+ - Explicit

Stiles' sophomore year starts something like this: 3 FourLokos + 1 peer-pressuring cat - 1 best bro to end all best bros = 1 Craigslist ad headline that reads "str8 dude - m4m - strictly platonic". Derek is the fool who replies.

Our Lives Are Changing Lanes* - grimm - 47k - Explicit

There's a lot of screaming going on inside the first house Stiles visits. He isn't really worried, because it sounds like kids, but then the door opens and hi, says his dick, because the dude in front of him is gorgeous, built like a god with a face like thunder. Stiles wants to lick that solid jaw line. Hold the fuck on, says his cop brain, because the dude's got kids hanging all over him; one's on his back, skinny legs looped around his waist, and another two hanging off one arm, toes barely brushing the ground. There's a tubby toddler clinging to his leg like a koala, and he's got a baby tucked into the crook of the one arm that doesn’t have kids hanging off it. Stiles' mouth drops open.

"How many of those kids did you kidnap?" he asks before he can wrangle his brain into submission.

The man gives him a look that says what the fuck is wrong with you and snaps, "You think I'd subject myself to this on purpose?"

"Oooh," says one of the kids hanging off his arm. "I'm telling Mom."

Permanent Fixture* - linksofmemories - 80k+ = Explicit

Derek is Scott's older brother. Stiles is Scott's best friend. Derek is falling in love with Stiles. This is a bit of a problem.

Practice Makes Perfect - blacktofade - 21k - Explicit

In his sophomore year, Stiles gets dragged to lacrosse tryouts by Scott and ends up practising alongside the senior captain, Derek Hale. Stiles just wants to live long enough to become a junior.

Prince Among Wolves* - tylerfucklin - 100k - Explicit

Looking for full day/evening sitter. 2 twin boys age 4. Must have exp. w/werewolves. Must be human. No pedophiles. No teenage girls. Pay negotiable.

Salty Sweet - secondstar - 40k+ - Explicit

Derek works at a porn store. One day, Stiles comes in asking all sorts of TMI questions about different toys. That's where it all starts.

Sideways and Slantways and Longways and Backways - hologramophone - 7k - Teen

“I called you a slave-driver!” Stiles cried hysterically. “I called you an ogre! I stole all the blue paperclips!” Derek raised an eyebrow at him. “That’s company property!” he shouted, waving his arms madly in distress. Derek ran a hand over his face. “It’s not theft if the vice president of the company gives you permission.” (Otherwise known as the Elevator AU)

The Company I Keep* - secondstar - 67k - Explicit

Stiles has a favorite table at the library. Then some asshole comes along and steals it from him.

There is a Brotherhood* - minusoneday - 21k - Explicit

So far, college has taught Stiles three things:

1) Eight am classes are cruel and unusual and should be avoided at all costs, even if it means having to enroll in something truly hideous instead, like Econ 101.

2) Dorm security is just as tight as Stiles’ orientation leader had promised it would be, and the dude guarding Scott’s dorm in particular does not respond well to bribes.

3) Mrs. McCall clearly had no clue what she was talking about when she’d insisted that Scott and Stiles needed to branch out and room with strangers, so it’s all her fault that Scott ended up with a total dick of a roommate and Stiles got stuck all the way across campus with some guy who has a girlfriend two towns over and is thus never around.

Or, the one where pledge brothers Stiles and Scott start a prank war with Derek Hale's fraternity.

There’s Monsters At Home - calrissian18 - 80k+ - Explicit

“How did you get past the wards?” Derek had put them up, with Peter’s grudging assistance, after the Alpha pack had made themselves at home a few times too many. The guy pulled a face. “You mean the wards a five-year-old girl with the mental ability of a goldfish could deconstruct?” He blinked wide eyes at Derek. “Gee, I don’t know. It’s bound to go down as one of life’s great mysteries.” Derek despised him.

Tiny Houses* - ohmyjetsabel - 77k - Explicit

"So this is what Stiles does. He lies in Scott’s bed and waits for Melissa to say she’s found someone to get it out of him, to cure him of the wrongness and the bad, and he dreams.

God, he dreams.

He dreams of fire and swollen bellies and that scene in Alien, of giving birth to jackals through his urethra, the whole horrific nine yards. His head is a terrible place to be, he can’t imagine his stomach is much better, why anyone would want to put a thing inside of it."

Versus* - secondstar - 90k+ - Explicit

At age nineteen, Stiles Stilinski was the next big thing, according to The Guardian. It was surreal, not being able to turn on Sky Sports without hearing his name mentioned along with the names of players he grew up idolizing. Stiles couldn’t believe that this was his life.

Windows* - dr_girlfriend - 83k - Explicit

Derek has a new neighbor who won't stop looking.

Excerpt: “You’re blind,” Derek said flatly, the anger draining from him so suddenly he felt almost woozy. His vision cleared, his claws sliding back into blunt fingernails.

“Thanks for the memo, genius,” the kid said acidly. “I can still fucking defend myself, so don’t take another damn step.”

“Fuck, I...I’m sorry,” Derek stuttered.

“What?!” The kid’s brow crinkled. “I mean — what?! You’re fucking sorry!?” His lips thinned into a harsh line. “What, is this some kinda Hallmark movie where you’re discovering the error of your ways because you don’t want to rob a blind person?! That’s fucking condescending, man. I’ll have you know that —”

“Just, wait.” Derek interrupted what was apparently the start of a convincing argument as to why he should rob the kid after all, feeling his head start to spin. “This is — it’s a misunderstanding. I’m — I’m not robbing you. You’re — you’re safe, okay? I’m taking three steps back. Just — just let me explain.”

“Explain why you came busting into my apartment? Yeah, go right ahead, man, I can’t wait to hear this epic tale.”

What I Did On My Summer Vacation - grimm - 118k - Explicit

There's something weird about Beacon Hills that Stiles can't quite put his finger on. The way everyone in town knows his name the day he arrives. The way they insist the melancholic howling that echoes through the forest every night is just a dog. The way his dad denies getting a dog, even though Stiles comes home to find one sprawled across his bed, some big black thing whose eyes gleam red in the right light. The way that massive oak tree out in the woods vibrates under his touch, pulsing with sickly life. There's something weird going on in this town, and Stiles is determined to get to the bottom of it.

#sterek #starter fics #teen wolf #eternalsterek #fic recs

1K notes · View notes

withabackpackandcamera · 5 years ago

Photo

February 20th, 2020

Day 6: To The Paradise That Is El Nido

Another flight, another early morning. I actually didn’t get to the airport as early as I had hoped so I was unfortunately unable to chill in the lounge prior to takeoff. Instead, I quickly grabbed two donuts at Dunkin Donuts as they were calling for last passengers for my flight and made it to my seat with plenty of time to spare. Before I knew it, we had landed in Puerto Princesa.

At the airport, I took a quick moment to figure out how I was going to get to El Nido from here. There were a couple options, most notably by private van vs bus. I sat and looked through each option as the arrival terminal cleared out. I eventually decided, after weighing pros and cons, on a private van and it ended up being the best option.

Outside the arrival terminal, I found the area where I was to sign up and pay for my van ride. Pricing wasn’t too bad for a 4-5 hour ride to El Nido. What was bad, however, was the fact that we (others who had already boarded the van and I) had to wait around until our van was about full before we took off. And that meant we had to wait until the next flight arrived before possibly leaving for El Nido. We ended up waiting for probably close to an hour until we finally took off. I used that time to get some drinks from the convenience store and to scope out my spot in the usually-highly-sought-after front passenger seat. What a win! Not only could I avoid car sickness on a presumably windy route to El Nido, I also had more space (there was a seat between me and the driver in the front that would end up being unoccupied), had a window to lean on, and could control the A/C however I wanted. Clutch!

Eventually, we left the airport with an almost full van. We drove and made a couple of stops along the way for snacks, stretching, and at the halfway point, made an actual lunch stop at Halfway Coffee Shop and Restaurant. At the roadside restaurant, I was the only one to order food and ended up getting some chicken adobo and steamed veggies to go with my rice. All for the price of 190 Philippine pesos. It was pretty good. I’m sure the others were hesitant given we were in the middle of nowhere and it was unclear how the hygiene would be. But no issues! After probably close to five hours of driving, we finally made it to El Nido. The trip ended up being pretty quick with our master driver zooming through the roads and with my attempt to sleep the entire ride. Glad that time went by so quickly. I arrived in El Nido probably early afternoon and from the bus stop, I walked up the road to Spin Designer Hostel, where I would be staying for the next two nights.

After checking in and getting settled, I went out for a stroll through El Nido Town and along the beachfront just to explore what the area was like while the sun was still out. Along the way, I caught sight of a local basketball game going on and stopped by to take a quick glimpse. Those guys were not very good, hahaha. I then continued my leisurely stroll through the small streets in town until I circled my way through and back toward the main road. At this point, I started my slow walk toward Las Cabanas Beach, where I was hoping to catch the evening’s sunset.

And it was far. WAY further than I thought it’d be. What seemed like a short distance on the map ended up being more like 5 kms. I didn’t realize this until I was about 1.5 kms into it and the sun was starting to race toward the horizon. After ALL that walking, I finally decided to pull the plug and hail a tricycle to take me the rest of the way so that I wouldn’t miss the sunset I had set out to see. The experience of riding in the tricycle (which was essentially a motorcycle with an attached body and sidecar) was fun and before I knew it, I was close to where I needed to be to catch the sunset.

I walked through the touristy shops and quickly arrived at the beach where I finally caught a glimpse of the blue water and the sand. I walked along the beach and water as I made my way to Las Cabanas Beach as the sun was starting to set in a less-than-impressive sky. And unfortunately, the sunset didn’t get too much better once I had arrived at the best spot to view it. I stuck around for a bit until the sun physically disappeared from the sky before retracing my steps back to the main road. At this point, I was kind of hungry but too lazy to go looking for a good food place to try in town. Instead, I walked into the nearby McDonald’s and got myself my basic, go-to meal of a cheeseburger and chicken nuggets. Because I was also thirsty, I made the mistake of trying out McDonald’s wintermelon milk tea with pearls... and gross. It was too thick and way too sugary. The pearls were actually better than I expected but still.. I can’t imagine anyone ever buying that stuff. Afterward, I took a tricycle back to my hostel and during the ride, chatted with my driver Darwin. A nice guy.

Once I was back at the hostel, I found that the bar attached to the hostel was hosting a Sports Night. So I decided to go down and check it out for a bit. Because I didn’t know anyone yet, I just grabbed a seat and ordered a mango smoothie before eventually finding interest in a pool game occurring on the stage there. The game some guys were playing on stage was definitely pool but the equipment and the way things were set up was a tad different than what I was normally used to seeing. But it was pretty neat to see and then try. After a while of watching, some of the local guys (one guy named Prince, the other guy’s name I forgot) gave me a pool stick and I got a chance to play a couple of warm up games as well. Anyhow, I ended up entering the pool tournament. At first, my partner was going to be the really good guy whose name I forgot. But then, he swapped out and it was going to be Prince... before he swapped out and I was partnered with some other random guy who wasn’t all that great. But we ended up teaming up and, unfortunately, losing in a super close (almost a great comeback) match to the eventual winners, Philippe (from Zurich) and his partner. We lost by one after I missed the very last puck we had to get in that would have capped an extremely crazy comeback (we dug ourselves a hole after playing pretty poorly for much of the match). Sadness. And my competitive side was so disappointed. I would’ve won a nice Dri-FIT tank too! But I guess the silver lining from it all was that we took the eventual champs to the brink and were the ones closest to taking them out.

The rest of the night, I played some ping-pong with Philippe and watched the rest of the pool tournament before calling it a night. Didn’t do much else knowing that tomorrow was going to be a packed day island-hopping. Should be fun!

5 Things I Learned Today:

1. In general, there are two main travel-by-land options to El Nido from Puerto Princesa Airport. The first option, which I took, was via a private van. It’s a little more expensive but it’s usually more comfortable and faster. However, the private vans usually don’t take off for El Nido until they are packed to the brim. And that means that most times, you have to wait a while until that happens. The other option, which is by bus, is usually cheaper, can be just as crowded if not more, likely more uncomfortable, and takes longer to get to El Nido.

2. Armored vehicles in the Philippines are the funniest looking vehicles ever! They look like wimpy, weird-looking mini tanks that don’t look like they could protect anyone’s money, haha!

3. Basketball is seemingly much bigger in the Philippines than soccer. I can see why Kobe was so popular here (RIP Kobe and Gianna).

4. In the Philippines (and maybe other places in the world), there is an interesting version of pool that is played on a wooden table with only four corner pockets. On the surface of the table is chalk powder that is sprinkled on, just like in shuffleboard. You use 12 thin, circular puck pieces that consist of two different colors, numbered 1-12, as your balls, with a clear, thicker puck as your cue ball. There is no “8-ball”. The 12 pucks are placed in four color-alternating rows of 3 (in the shape of a rectangle) for the break. To determine who gets to break first, you hit the cue puck into the opposite wall and see who can get the puck the furthest away from the wall (i.e. who hits it the strongest head-on). Once the game starts, it’s the same as regular pool. However, if you scratch the cue puck, the other team places the cue puck right outside of the pocket it fell into. If you scratch AND hit one puck in, the puck that went in will be placed in the middle and the cue puck will be placed at the hole it went into. First to hit all their colors in wins. Pretty fun version, and really fast-paced.

5. El Nido kind of reminds me of Krabi, Thailand but just a bit busier, more lively, and louder... comparatively.

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tamboradventure · 5 years ago

Text

How to Visit Egypt on a Budget

Posted: 2/3/2020 | February 3rd, 2020

One of the countries high up on my “must visit” list is Egypt. As a lover of history, I long to release my inner archaeologist and explore the many ruins of the country. While it might be a long time before I get there, my friend Jeremy Scott Foster from TravelFreak has visited a couple of times. In this guest post, he’ll give you his best tips for saving money on your next visit to Egypt!

I’ve been to Egypt twice. On my first trip four years ago, I solo traveled the Sinai Peninsula along the Gulf of Aqaba, stayed in shared hostels for $5 USD per night and took overnight buses that cost just as little. On my most recent trip last year, I traveled from the very north of Egypt in Alexandria south to Cairo, and then further south along the Nile River to the border with Sudan.

And, throughout it all, I fall deeply in love with this country where foreign perception of violence keeps so many at arm’s length.

The tourism industry in Egypt is still feeling pain as a result of the political upheaval, civil unrest, and terrorism-related activities that have marred its recent history. As tourist numbers have dwindled and competition for the tourist dollar has become fiercer, travel deals have proliferated.

But what most visitors miss is what you can gain — free of crowds and for little money too.

From the chaos of Cairo to the more laid-back vibe of Luxor, Egypt is an ideal destination for budget travelers.

1. How to Save Money on Accommodation

Generally speaking, accommodation in Egypt is relatively affordable. However, there are a few helpful tricks that can cut down your expenses.

Stay in hostels instead of hotels – Typically, you can expect to find a bed in a shared dorm room (with 4+ beds) for between $5-8 USD per night, or a comfortable private single room for about $15 USD per night. You will likely have to share a bathroom, but at least you have your privacy.

Use Hostelworld to look for the best prices. I recommend Dahab Hostel in Cairo and Al Salam Camp in Luxor.

Use Booking.com to compare prices for hotels – If you’re looking for cheap hotels or guesthouses in Egypt, I recommend checking Booking.com. A private room in a guesthouse or hotel goes for about $40 USD per night.

Prices are generally listed per room, not per person. So, if you are traveling with a friend, you can save even more money by splitting the cost.

Look for accommodations that add offer a little extra – I also found that, coupled with accommodation, it was pretty common for hosts in guesthouses to offer extras such as breakfast and local tours at very reasonable prices. One of my incredible hosts cooked a traditional hot breakfast with tea and coffee for just $1 USD. Best of all, he was more than happy to recommend some inexpensive local places to eat and buy food.

Look beyond the standard hotel rooms for accommodation options – Vrbo and HomeAway are great Airbnb alternatives, as they’ve been connecting budget travelers and homeowners since the ’90s. HomeAway is geared towards people wanting a proper vacation rental, so you can expect a fully furnished home to live in which is great for longer stays.

Vrbo lets you stay in a local’s house, but at a slightly increased cost. You can usually find some pretty luxurious apartments starting from $50 USD per night.

The upside is that you’ll have full access to your own kitchen, which means you can further cut your costs by cooking at home.

2. How to Save Money on Food

Stick to the local eats and street food �� If you want to save money on food while traveling in Egypt, do yourself a favor and steer clear of the Western chain food joints. While a cheeseburger is about half the price of what you pay at home, it’s still more expensive, less tasty, and far less adventurous than experiencing the local cuisine.

Why bother with a burger when you can eat the most delicious falafel in the world for $1 USD?

Navigate the narrow alleyways of any bustling Cairo market (like Khan El Khalili or Mohammed Ali Street) to seek out the best shawarma ($2 USD). Or grab a stuffed falafel sandwich from a street vendor on your way from one ancient relic to another ($2 USD). You can literally find Arabic bread for 5 cents. It’s all cheap and very filling.

And, the hummus. It’s so. Darn. Good.

If you’re staying at a guesthouse, it’s common practice for them to offer full dinners for about $10 USD. The truth is that they’re actually just sourcing the food from restaurants in the neighborhood and taking a cut, so by seeking out your own food options, expect to spend about ¼ of the price.

With that said, don’t be afraid of street food or street vendors, especially if the food is cooked in front of you. And if there is a crowd of locals waiting, then chances are you’re onto a good thing.

Eat at a kosheri – A kosheri is a small, local restaurant that serves up generous portions of pasta, chickpeas, lentils, etc. often for less than $1 USD! There’s no menu, you just select the size of your portion and then you’re served this mishmash of deliciousness.

Cook your own meals – As mentioned, preparing your own meals while traveling is also a great money saver. If you have access to a kitchen, just ask your host to point you in the direction of the nearest market. They also have the lowdown on where to eat for cheap, so take advantage of their local knowledge!

3. How to Save Money on Transportation

Bargain with your taxi driver – In most Egyptian cities, taxis are an inexpensive and convenient way to get around.

Now, when I say convenient, I mean they’ll get you to where you need to go relatively quickly. But I would be remiss if I didn’t add a few disclaimers.

Taxi drivers can be aggressive on the road, leaving you white-knuckled from hanging on for dear life. I’ve never experienced a more heart-stopping journey than a Cairo taxi ride.

Furthermore, while Cairo does have metered taxis, don’t be lulled into a false sense of security. Meters are notoriously unreliable or rigged, and drivers frequently “forget” to turn them on. It’s one of the oldest travel scams in the book.

The best practice is to use an unmetered taxi and agree on a price with the driver before getting in. (Outside Cairo, most taxis are unmetered, so no matter what, always agree on a price upfront.)

If you’re not sure how much is an acceptable price, ask someone at your hostel or guesthouse for a pricing recommendation, and then start your bargaining at about ½ that price. Oftentimes even they will give you a higher estimate than is normal (it’s locals helping locals), but the real price should be about ¾ of what you’ve been recommended.

For longer-distance trips, hiring a car with a driver is the most cost-effective option. The price will be the same whether you’re traveling by yourself or with a group of four, so round up some travel buddies and split the cost.

But of course, be prepared for some aggressive haggling to get the best price. Be clear about where you want to go and for how long you will need the driver. Don’t worry if negotiations break down, though. When it comes to haggling over price, never be afraid to walk away. There are plenty of drivers available, so just move on to the next one.

Take the local train – Taking the train between Alexandria, Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan is the most popular mode of transport for this route.

If time or budget is a concern, you can take an overnight train. By taking the sleeper train from Cairo to Luxor or Aswan, you’ll save a night’s worth of accommodation in a hotel. A deluxe sleeper cabin for one is about $110 USD, while a two-berth cabin is $80 USD per person. Cabins are secure, and fares include an airline-style dinner and breakfast. The food is basic, but it’s edible.

But for a real bargain, you can book the day train between Cairo and Luxor or Aswan for as little as $10 USD. However, there’s one caveat: for safety reasons, the Egyptian government prohibits foreigners from purchasing day train tickets for this route. Officials say this is because only the night trains have armed guards in case of a terrorist attack, but this is an incredibly rare occurrence.

It’s easy to get around this, though. You’ll need to book tickets online at enr.gov.eg (you’ll have to register an account but it’s easy to do) or ask your guide, host, or driver to book the tickets for you. They will likely oblige for a small fee.

There are no reports of ticket attendants kicking any foreigners off the day train, so you’ll be fine. And if not, you’re only out $10 USD.

Get the Flight Pass – The fastest way to travel around Egypt is by plane. Egypt Air is the national carrier and Star Alliance Member serving most major domestic destinations. Its Flight Pass is a cost-effective option that allows you to lock in low fares for domestic flights even if you haven’t determined your travel dates.

All you have to do is purchase a minimum of four flights (or credits) and choose a time when you’d like to travel in the next 12 months. You can then book your flight up to seven days before departure.

On the downside, you’ll have to always fly back to your original departure point. That is, instead of flying from Cairo to Luxor and Alexandria, you’ll need to fly Cairo to Luxor and back to Cairo before going to Alexandria. That said, the Flight Pass is still about 30% cheaper than booking the same multi-destination flights with other airlines.

The Flight Pass is super customizable. You can select the number of flights (e.g. four, which is two round-trip flights) for a period of time (e.g. within one month), and also how early you can book your flights (e.g. one week before travel). This means that if you pick Cairo as your origin, you can select two round-trip flights to Aswan, Luxor, Alexandria, Sharm E Sheikh, or Hurghada. Each flight is $73 USD one-way.

But if I were to book a flight from Cairo to Luxor for one week from now, that same leg would cost at least $142 USD!

You can play around with this pass. For example, if you purchase a similar pass to the one above but select “one month” for how early you can book, the flights become $66 USD each per one-way.

If that’s too much of an inconvenience for you, there are plenty of other airlines offering affordable flights. When it comes to finding cheap flights on other airlines, I use Skyscanner. By being flexible with your dates, you can save up to 50%. Keep in mind, though, that you might be traveling at inconvenient times, like the middle of the night.

In the Skyscanner search bar, instead of entering specific dates, select the “Entire Month” option. This will show you a calendar with fare prices for departing and returning flights for every day of the month. This also works for one-way flights. However, it does not work for multicity flights.

4. How to Save Money on Tours and Guides

The best money-saving tip I can offer here is to avoid booking online before you arrive in Egypt.

If you’re a Type A traveler who needs a plan in hand before you even arrive, you’re not going to like this. But online agencies charge massively inflated prices, and you will end up paying a lot less if you deal directly with the tour company or guide locally on the ground.

Add in the feel-good factor of your money going directly to your guide, their family, and community (and not to some middle person, agency, or large corporation) and you’ve got yourself a win-win situation.

You may need to be a little more flexible with your dates. But you will have the added advantage of being able to negotiate (haggle, in reality), which translates to overall savings.

Tours, private drivers, and the quintessential cruise down the Nile can all be booked locally at significantly lower prices than booking in advance. So, if you can stomach it, wait until you get your boots on the ground before booking your tours.

Guides, in my experience, are an invaluable source of local knowledge and information. They have the inside scoop on the best vantage points for photos at all the epic landmarks. In addition, they’re great at dealing with those persistent and sometimes aggressive street vendors.

The best guides can be found by asking for recommendations from other travelers who have used their services, but I always recommend my Egyptian brother, Rami.

Back in 2015, on my first trip to Egypt, Rami and I connected by way of a mutual friend. We hit it off, and ever since then, I’ve helped him to grow the little tour business he and his family-run. It feels good to be able to help a local family in such a positive way.

He’s honest, affordable, reliable, incredibly communicative, well connected, and did I mention honest? That’s one of the difficult parts about traveling in places like Egypt: when people are selling you things, it’s hard to know who you can trust.

But Rami is my man. Send him an email at [email protected] and let him know Jeremy sent you (there are no commissions here — this is just a helpful referral to a well-deserving friend). He will sort you out or put you in touch with someone else in your preferred destination.

5. How to Save Money on Entrance and Admission Fees

Get the International Student Identity Card – Entrance and admission prices for almost all monuments and attractions in Egypt are set as advertised. However, you can get discounted tickets with an International Student Identity Card, including 50% off some of Egypt’s best museums (including the Luxor).

Get a travel pass – You can get a Cairo Pass or a Luxor Pass (multi-entrance discount passes) from the Ministry of Antiquities, the Egyptian Museum, or the Giza Plateau for about $80 USD. You’ll save about 50% off entries to over 30 attractions in Cairo and Giza. You’ll find very little information about these passes online, however, so your best bet is to just show up at one of those locations and inquire there.

Suggested Budgets for Traveling in Egypt

While you can spend money on luxury resorts or private tours, it’s entirely possible to travel through Egypt on the cheap. In fact, you can easily spend as little as $30-$35 USD a day.

The biggest way to reduce costs is to stay in dorm rooms or hostels. If you opt for a private room or mid-range hotel, you can expect to spend $30-40 USD more per night.

Where and what you eat also adds to your daily budget. For example, street food is an affordable and filling option for dining in Egypt. You can eat everything from falafel and sandwiches to shawarma and koshari noodles for as little as $1 USD.

Eating in a restaurant is more expensive, but still relatively cheap compared to Western countries. Meals in a mid-range restaurant start at $4 USD, while international dishes can be around $10 USD.

Transportation is another added cost. Train travel can be cheap but may not be the most efficient option if your time is limited. So, if you plan to fly between your destinations, expect to add $50-$100 USD to your budget for each flight.

Of course, your daily budget will also increase if you book private guides or splurge on souvenirs and gifts.

And remember, haggling is one of the most important skills if you’re looking to save money in Egypt. Taxis, excursions, and other services can usually be bargained down to a lower rate than what is initially quoted. So, if you have a high tolerance for haggling, your daily budget could easily be less.

Regardless, it’s always better to go slightly over budget, especially somewhere with as many must-see sights and experiences as Egypt!

***

The key to budget travel in Egypt is to be generally well informed and to have a good sense of humor (the latter goes a long way when dealing with vendors). Haggling and scammers are all part of everyday travel life in Egypt. There are very few goods and services that can’t be bargained for.

Most importantly, always, ALWAYS ask for and agree on a price first before accepting any goods or services. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to politely say no and walk away.

Now it’s time to start planning your trip to Egypt for maximum adventures at minimum cost in the land of Pharaohs, pyramids, and wonders of the ancient world. Get to it!

Jeremy is the adventurous traveler behind TravelFreak, a website dedicated to helping people create lives they are passionate about. You can check out his blog to learn more or find him on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned.

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the largest inventory. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels. I use them all the time. Some suggested hostels to stay at are:

Dahab Hostel (Cairo) – The rooms are basic but the owner is friendly and helfpful and the hostel is in a great location.

Al Salam Camp (Luxor) – Great location and incredible staff. it’s away from the noise of the city and a great place to relax and meet other travelers.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. I’ve been using World Nomads for ten years. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

World Nomads (for everyone below 70)

Insure My Trip (for those over 70)

Looking for the best companies to save money with? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel – and that will save you time and money too!

The post How to Visit Egypt on a Budget appeared first on Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.

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marrow-bone · 6 years ago

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Fun fact celery is practically just water and cellulose and multivitamins are absolutely useless so someone trying to subsist off of those will die in a month. So much of the 'healthy food' in our current diet trends (a whole nother can if classist worms) is literally worthless. The aforementioned celery, pale greens like iceberg lettuce, cucumbers, etc. are pretty much just stomach fillers that do nothing. But they are *never* on lists like 'food with no nutrional value'. Because the idea is that you buy all of this plant water and wood bars and expensive vitamins, eat only those for a few weeks, lose weight because you are LITERALLY STARVING, hit a wall because your brain is like 'um?? Nutrients?? Please??' So you give up, gain weight, and have to buy even more of those stupid vitamins and also the newest diet books and creams and plans and DVDs and shit.

WHICH BRINGS ME BACK TO THE LISTS. Whenever these people talk about food without nutritional value... what ARE on those lists, if not the vegetables and grains literally designed to be worthless? According to one list I'm looking at now... stuff like cheeseburgers, frozen food, canned food, anything with preservatives, sausages, anything with any sugar at all, aerated drinks (wtf?), coffee, and anything with flour. Hm. What do these things have in common...? Oh yeah. Poor people. Because these things are things that people eat when they are too busy, stressed, or dont have enough money for 'good' food. Cheeseburgers are cheap, fast, and actually do have a fair amount of nutritional value; even if it also has lots of fat and less desirables in them. Frozen food, canned food, sausages, things with sugar in them, and food with preservatives are things that can be accessed quickly, are cheap, and last a long time. 'Preservatives' are not a blanket word for 'bad thing' because preservatives are literally anything that preserves. Sure you shouldnt inject enbalming fluid into your veins but a little vinegar, lemon juice, honey, salt or smoke wont kill you. Nor will their derivatives. Flour is a staple that is cheap and can be used to make a wide variety of foods. Coffee is often used by overworked and under slept people. And like... sure. This stuff isnt necessarily healthy. It can be prepared badly. But it can also be prepared well. I can guarantee that pickled eggs from my hens, aged sausage with herbs, grilled burgers with spring greens, frozen peas, and carbonated water with some rose syrup makes a way healthier meal than a goddamn Vitameatavegimin kilo college-in wingz premier gold perfect standard esq. shake would and it'd be cheaper too.

And fucking aerated drinks?? SERIOUSLY?? Like, I get soda, but that is listed separately. Aerated drinks means anything from carbonated water to just fucking tap water. I PROMISE WATER IS HEALTHY JESUS CHRIST. IM SO TIRED. IM GOING TO BED.

i hate when people are like UHM FRUIT ISNT ACTUALLY GOOD FOR YOU IT HAS A LOT OF SUGAR like shut the fuck up go eat your nutritionally complete meal powder you bought off a fucking kickstarter project okay let me enjoy a clementine

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royvelasco · 8 years ago

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Check Out McDonald's First Standalone McCafe in the Metro!

McCafes have been in the scene for quite some time now and are often ignored as we are much craving for cheeseburger and the world-famous fries when we go to McDonald’s. We normally see a McCafe joint with a McDonald’s store but this one in BGC is something new that will surely love by everyone.

With its Tagaytay branch as the first of its kind, this newest McCafe branch in BGC is actually its first in Metro Manila. Located in the heart of the business district, this new coffee shop caters more on to office workers around the area who much needed a boost for the day ahead. The cafe is not that big but has a sleek and modern design that still gives the usual yet one of the best coffee shop experiences.

What I love about the McCafe is I no longer need to splurge to get myself a good cup of coffee. Their menu actually comes more affordable than other well-known coffee shops. You’ll get the same quality (or maybe even better) in cheaper price! I was so happy that this newest McCafe is just a few minutes of walk away from my work. I can now indulge on their specialty coffee at affordable prices anytime of the day.

I was able to squeeze in a visit in an early morning to check out the place and try their menu. It’s located in a greener and less polluted part of the district so you might see joggers and fitness enthusiasts dining in an early morning. Office workers on their breakfast is a normal sight here as well. Since it shares space with the Maybank Performing Arts Theater, this is also the perfect place to meet for an event or to gather after watching a beautiful play.

Caramel Frappe (M ₱140; L ₱150)

Cappuccino (M ₱115; L ₱125)

Ham and Egg Mayo Croissant (₱100)

Croissants are my most favorite kind of bread. I was so happy that they have variants of croissants to choose from. Though I normally just go with the plain croissant with butter and jam, I tried their Ham and Egg Mayo Croissant and it didn’t disappoint me. The flakiness was still there that perfectly matches the savory filling.

For those who are into sweets or just a quick snack, the Dark Chocolate Cake (₱115/slice) is a great partner for any of their coffee.

My hype with McCafe didn’t end too soon as I was able to come back at night on the same day to try their other offers! With only less than an hour before closing time, my friends and I were unstoppable just to fix our midnight cravings.

Double Choco Frappe (M ₱145; L ₱155)

Ham and Cheese Croissant (₱90)

Caramel Cinnamon Bun (₱90)

So far, the Caramel Cinnamon Bun is my favorite. I didn’t know that caramel and cinnamon work great together. I also like that it has less icing and not that big to be overwhelmed with. It’s also reasonably priced. This is far better than the usual Cinnamon Bun I often buy on this other famous coffee shop.

Croissant again, of course! Chocolate Croissant (₱85)

This McCafe is open from 7AM until 12 Midnight located at G/F Maybank Performing Arts Theater, 26th corner Federacion Drive, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Plan now your next coffee date to this newest hangout place in the city.

DISCLAIMER: Prices posted are up to date as of writing. Feel free to comment down below if there are changes.

NOTE: I own all the images used in this blog post unless otherwise stated. Please don’t use these for any purposes, unless you acknowledge the owner. Thank you.

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mbergen · 5 years ago

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Rich and I planned to go to go over to Progresso Mexico on Sunday to refill his Meds. Some really great deals on them if you don’t mind buying their brand. They have the Mexican name and then also the American name on the bottles. You can save a whole lot of money and get most of your regulars meds with out prescriptions. We were going to go on Saturday but plans were changed and we went Sunday. Sunday morning we heard their had been a shooting and murder the day before. Rich had coffee with our friend from McNabb, Bob (Staying at Paradise Park) and he pulled the news article up. Apparently the shooting happened just a block or 2 over from the International Bridge. It went on for about a half hour and 2 people ended up dead. The shooting occurred early, around 6 am. No reports on if it was domestic or cartel related. There is a lot of drug and cartel activity going on, but Progresso is viewed as a safe town to cross. Matamoros Mexico is just across from Brownsville, and the US Consulate recommends that US citizens do not cross their. It is to dangerous. We decided to go anyway. It wasn’t the greatest weather, rather cloudy almost damp but not quite drizzly. We needed jackets as it was a little chilly. We made the half hour drive to the border and parked in the parking lot by the bridge. They charge $2 to park your car in the lot. From their you walk over the bridge. It is 50 cents to walk over and 30 cents to come back. On the berm of the Rio Grande River was a Border Patrol SUV. Other than that we did not see any extra guards or policemen patrolling. We really felt safe. If we had not heard the reports of the shooting, we would have never known. So we crossed over under the covered walk way to do our shopping.

As you see, according to the sign, Mexicans really do appreciate and depend on the Winter Texans. Most of their sales are at this time of the year. They even host Winter Texan Festivals. When we got on the bridge, we looked out over the river. No one was on the US side, but on the Mexican side, you could see a few people walking the river edge. Their was also several campfires going. The closer we got, you can look through the cracks on the side rails and see people sitting, standing, or just camped out asking for a nickel or dime. The would have their little kids or babies with them in strollers. The closer you got the hats would be held through the cracks for us to through in change.

The shopping begins as soon as you cross the bridge. It seems people only go about 3 blocks in and stay on the main street. I don’t think it is wise to venture down the side streets.

The sidewalks are lined with vendors and many Pharmacias and dentists on every block. We walked down to the Pharmacia that Cheryl, our friend from Illinois, had taken us to in Dec. We made our purchases, and then shopped all the way back. I bought 2 little plastic mesh shopping bags for 50 cents each….lol…cheap enough…..I needed one more to put my wood carving stuff in. Then we went in another store to shop. I noticed on the entry way stone floor, it was called a supper center. I chuckled to my self,…..really……I of course was visualizing “Walmart”….lol…..We went in and started wandering, and ….wow…..it really was sort of a SUPER CENTER…..It was really several store fronts and went really deep into the back. It also had an upstairs that we never went to. Their was the Pharmacy dept., the candy, soap, household items dept.

Then if you looked up, the ceiling was lined with HUGE PINATAS…..

I think that we will be buying a large one to take home……This summer we will have a big Birthday Party for all the Grandkids…..They all love Pinatas….

In the back, you could purchase a saddle for your horse and deck yourself out with a huge colorful Sombrero. They had so many Mexican blankets of different quality. Ponchos, dresses and blouses.

Now if you were in the market for a beautiful Mexican fiesta dress, they had so many to chose from.

Another interesting section was all the hammered silver section. You could buy so many different plates and accessories, but the Harley emblems were very impressive….

Walking by the children’s games, I seen the Mexican version of Bingo ….and Chutes and Ladders….It read “Serpientes and Escaleras …..Now upon Goggling it, I found out it is called Snakes and Ladders. Really don’t know if it is a child’s or adult board game. But interesting.

Walking back up front was a restaurant bar. They had an entertainer singing and playing keyboard and guitar…..

Then we started looking at the ceramic pots and figurines. Most were all the traditional ones you would see and then we seen a really awesome one…..This huge vase was fabulous, it was 3 dimensional on the outside.

Then we seen the really cool skeleton on a tricycle and the lady skeleton in her evening dress….lol…

Beside the Skeleton on the trike was this beautiful big black Dog. Looking up in the air was many eagles flying over head……lol….They were really fascinating to see, and very expensive. I don’t remember the prices but were out of my range. Finally we were done….Crossed over the other side and walked back to the Bridge. Payed our 30 cents to cross over, and then had to go into the building to line up. Their is guards their that check your passports and ask what you have bought. After that you proceed to another small building on the way to declare the alcohol you have bought. That is another thing for sale, many different kinds of Tequila and alcohol. Many people go over just to purchase it. But you have to pay tax on it on the US side, and their is also a limit. So I really don’t know if it is any cheaper buying it in Mexico.

We returned back to the truck and headed back home. Stopped at a newly remodeled restaurant in Harlingen that Rich had heard being advertised on the radio. They served Mex and Amer. food. It was as usual very colorful. The outside was painted in reds, pinks greens and blues….lol…as well as the inside. That’s what I like about down in the south west, the colors are beautiful…..Up north, everything is beige and neutral….No life….just dull….lol……Well guess what I ordered,….After I looked at the menu, and all the things that I don’t understand and all look alike anyway when they are served, ……….I ordered a cheeseburger and fries……..lol….and It was so SO GOOD….I would go back again….So back home we went. Rich sat down and started getting all his little pills organized for next week. He has to split some of them, and then we sat down for TV Time…..

TV Time is getting better Again………WED …...SURVIVER…. is back……….FRI…..AMAZING RACE…..

OUR FAVORITES….

Progresso Mexico,….A Day After A Shooting…Double Murder on the Side Street Rich and I planned to go to go over to Progresso Mexico on Sunday to refill his Meds.

#Matamoros Mexico #Mexico #Progresso Mexico

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adambstingus · 6 years ago

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This Is What $1 Will Buy You To Eat Around the World

These days it seems like $1 really doesnt get you much. Maybe a pack of gum or a scratch-off lottery ticket you hope will net you at least $2. Profit!

Butthe people at BuzzFeed asked their communitywhat kind of food $1 can buy in their country for the equivalent of $1 in America currency. After all, it alwayscomes back to food, and you know if you had extra money you would totally buy the name brand cereal even when it wasnt on sale.

But if you have an extra dollar, check out what grub you could get around the world. Take it with a grain of saltsome of the choices are kind of weirdbut the differences are pretty staggering.

Hungary a whole bottle of wine

Then again, they say the cheaper the liquor, the cheaper the hangover…

Hong Kong one slice of plain bread

I would go broke in a week.

Netherlands 10 pancakes at the supermarket

1) That’s a ton of food for $1.

2) They sell pancake meals at the supermarket?

3) I’m packing my bags.

Norway one package of instant ramen

One package of your daily allowance of sodium will only cost you $1,so American college students have no idea how good they have it.

India six cups of chai

They’re obviously not from Starbucks.

Shanghai 8 vegetable dumplings from a food stand

Can you go back and fill up containers you bring yourself? That’s a pretty good deal.

Australia a McDonalds slushie

The most important question is, McDonald’s in Australia has slushies?

Egypt one can of tuna

We can get these in America too, but it doesn’t look like it’s been run over by a truck (the person who submitted this picture to them could have found a more flattering shot, no?).

Italy an espresso or cappuccino

Molto bene!

Nigeria a can of soda and a bag of chips

Get your sugar and your salt.

Czech Republic one and a half bottles of beer

Take one down, pass it around…

Malaysia 10 eggs

Even though it’s two shy of a dozen, that’s still a good deal. Just don’t put them all in one basket.

South Africa two McDonalds cheeseburgers

So do they have a 50-cent menu?

Philippines two cans of Cheez Whiz

Pretty random, but let’s be honest. Anything spelled “Cheez” that is shelf-stable isn’t going to exactly include high-quality, expensive ingredients.

France one baguette

Oui, oui, mon ami!

Colombia three empanadas

Three? That’s it? I think I’ll go with the eight dumplings over in Shanghai.

Vietnam a bowl of pho

Pho-sure! Sorry, it had to be said.

Honduras 11 bananas

Good luck eating all of them before they get ripe, which will be approximately .02 seconds after they’re not quite ripe enough yet.

Indonesia 67 pieces of gum

And look how excited the kid is on the package! Chances are he’s on a sugar high from chewing 67 pieces of gum.

Croatia a large coffee

That looks a lot fancier than just regular black drip java, so it seems legit.

Poland one shot at a bar

$1: This is a nice place.

$2: I should dance. We should dance, right?

$3: Look! You can do a polka on the table andit won’t even collapse!

$4: I’m never drinking again.

Cairo a falafel or shawarma pita

Eat like an Egyptian…

Holland six apples

The price of the fruit is great, but they might want to work on the name.

Finland a whole pack of hot dogs

Is that a good thing, though?

Switzerland three pieces of gum

Sure, you only get three pieces, but as you can see it’s legenderry…

Uruguay one liter of bagged milk

Ugh. We have to do conversions here? That would be about 2 pints or .26 gallons.

United States a huge can of Arizona iced tea

Via: BuzzFeed

And while there are tons of foodsyou can get in America for $1, some of them are a bit questionable in nature, so they chose this giant iced tea. Do with that what you will.

What would you spend your $1 on if we created our own list?

from All Of Beer http://allofbeer.com/this-is-what-1-will-buy-you-to-eat-around-the-world/ from All of Beer https://allofbeercom.tumblr.com/post/181454270217

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allofbeercom · 6 years ago

Text

This Is What $1 Will Buy You To Eat Around the World

These days it seems like $1 really doesnt get you much. Maybe a pack of gum or a scratch-off lottery ticket you hope will net you at least $2. Profit!

But if you have an extra dollar, check out what grub you could get around the world. Take it with a grain of saltsome of the choices are kind of weirdbut the differences are pretty staggering.

Hungary a whole bottle of wine

Then again, they say the cheaper the liquor, the cheaper the hangover…

Hong Kong one slice of plain bread

I would go broke in a week.

Netherlands 10 pancakes at the supermarket

1) That’s a ton of food for $1.

2) They sell pancake meals at the supermarket?

3) I’m packing my bags.

Norway one package of instant ramen

One package of your daily allowance of sodium will only cost you $1,so American college students have no idea how good they have it.

India six cups of chai

They’re obviously not from Starbucks.

Shanghai 8 vegetable dumplings from a food stand

Can you go back and fill up containers you bring yourself? That’s a pretty good deal.

Australia a McDonalds slushie

The most important question is, McDonald’s in Australia has slushies?

Egypt one can of tuna

We can get these in America too, but it doesn’t look like it’s been run over by a truck (the person who submitted this picture to them could have found a more flattering shot, no?).

Italy an espresso or cappuccino

Molto bene!

Nigeria a can of soda and a bag of chips

Get your sugar and your salt.

Czech Republic one and a half bottles of beer

Take one down, pass it around…

Malaysia 10 eggs

Even though it’s two shy of a dozen, that’s still a good deal. Just don’t put them all in one basket.

South Africa two McDonalds cheeseburgers

So do they have a 50-cent menu?

Philippines two cans of Cheez Whiz

Pretty random, but let’s be honest. Anything spelled “Cheez” that is shelf-stable isn’t going to exactly include high-quality, expensive ingredients.

France one baguette

Oui, oui, mon ami!

Colombia three empanadas

Three? That’s it? I think I’ll go with the eight dumplings over in Shanghai.

Vietnam a bowl of pho

Pho-sure! Sorry, it had to be said.

Honduras 11 bananas

Good luck eating all of them before they get ripe, which will be approximately .02 seconds after they’re not quite ripe enough yet.

Indonesia 67 pieces of gum

And look how excited the kid is on the package! Chances are he’s on a sugar high from chewing 67 pieces of gum.

Croatia a large coffee

That looks a lot fancier than just regular black drip java, so it seems legit.

Poland one shot at a bar

$1: This is a nice place.

$2: I should dance. We should dance, right?

$3: Look! You can do a polka on the table andit won’t even collapse!

$4: I’m never drinking again.

Cairo a falafel or shawarma pita

Eat like an Egyptian…

Holland six apples

The price of the fruit is great, but they might want to work on the name.

Finland a whole pack of hot dogs

Is that a good thing, though?

Switzerland three pieces of gum

Sure, you only get three pieces, but as you can see it’s legenderry…

Uruguay one liter of bagged milk

Ugh. We have to do conversions here? That would be about 2 pints or .26 gallons.

United States a huge can of Arizona iced tea

Via: BuzzFeed

And while there are tons of foodsyou can get in America for $1, some of them are a bit questionable in nature, so they chose this giant iced tea. Do with that what you will.

What would you spend your $1 on if we created our own list?

from All Of Beer http://allofbeer.com/this-is-what-1-will-buy-you-to-eat-around-the-world/

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dinakaplan · 6 years ago

Text

10 Secrets for Eating Healthy On A Budget (Yes, It Is Possible!)

Learn how to eat healthy on a budget so you can enjoy a healthy eating lifestyle that doesn’t break the bank.

I love cooking. I also love my job, walking my dog, and having adventures. With so much life to live, it can seem like there’s not enough time to do it all. Or enough money.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t eat healthy on a budget and save time, too. I’ve learned from and helped my friends and community find and improve their paths to fresh and healthy eating and budgeting.

I’ve discovered that learning how to eat healthy on a budget takes some effort, but it is possible (and totally worth it!).

Here are 10 secrets that will help you eat healthy on a budget.

Secret #1 — Plan Ahead and Stick to Your Plan

Learning how to make planning work for your life may be the most powerful, life-changing step you can take to eat well and save money. But it’s definitely not the easiest.

Creating a weekly meal plan and developing your grocery list before you shop takes time and effort. But the difference it makes is incredible!

Learning how to make planning work for your life may be the most powerful, life-changing step you can take to eat well and save money.

You can also cook meals days ahead, so you’ll have food ready within minutes.

Daily or multiple trips to the grocery store can be costly — in time, gas, and in increased impulse buying. But planning allows you to take fewer trips.

And when you don’t have snacks, ingredients, and prepared meals on hand, you’ll be more likely to make expensive, unhealthy choices.

Secret #2 — Eat More Whole Plants and Fewer Animal Foods and Junk Foods

Highly processed foods with plentiful packaging and meat products can get pricey.

On the other hand, consuming a plant-strong diet can lead to considerable savings. Think low in meat and abundant in fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole grains.

Andrée Pagès and her husband went plant-based for six months and wound up saving more than $2,800 in grocery bills. They used this money to pay for a two-week vacation in Greece.

You might be thinking: Can plant foods really be cheaper?

Consider these two studies:

A 2015 study published in the Journal of Hunger & Environmental Nutrition found that eating meatless meals can save you nearly $750 a year.

A 2017 report from the Institute of Economic Affairs showed that buying fruits and vegetables is cheaper than buying processed junk foods, ready meals, and take-out foods.

The researchers in the second study compared the prices of foods and beverages at two leading supermarkets:

Many fruits and vegetables were less than $3 a pound.

Processed meals, chips, and bacon were closer to $4 a pound.

A fast-food cheeseburger costs about $1. For the same amount of money, you could purchase more than four pounds of carrots, ten apples, or two pounds of sweet potatoes.

Junk food and beverages offer little to no nutritional value. And highly processed foods typically have ingredient lists that look more like lab reports.

Remember: The longer the list of ingredients on a package, the more likely it is to be unhealthy.

Foods like soda, crackers, cookies, frozen entrees, and other fast foods come with a variety of health risks.

And here’s a point many people forget to consider about healthy food:

Not only are healthy foods more economical at the grocery store, but in the long run, they can help you save massive amounts on medical bills.

Secret #3 — Shop Local And In Season As Much As Possible

Produce is cheapest (and also freshest, tastiest, and most nutritious) when you buy it in season. Getting fresh produce in its off-season requires higher costs to produce and ship. And stores pass these costs on to customers.

Americans can use this seasonal food guide to find out what’s in season nearby before planning a grocery list.

Buying fresh produce when it’s in season and freezing or preserving it for later can save you a lot of money.

Choosing local food has many benefits, including saving money.

Ways you may be able to find local food in your area:

Shop at farmers markets. The food at farmers markets is often priced lower than supermarkets and grocery stores. Use this online tool from LocalHarvest and this online directory of farmers markets from the USDA to search for one in your area. Many farmers markets across the U.S. accept SNAP benefits (formerly known as food stamps) at double the value. And here’s a tip: If you can be a little flexible on which items you get, try shopping towards the close of the market because farmers may discount items or give you deals. You can ask if they have any “end of market” specials.

Join a CSA. Community supported agriculture programs (CSAs) allow you to purchase seasonal produce directly from local farmers. If you’re in the U.S., you can get information on CSAs and find ones near you from the LocalHarvest website here.

Pick your own. Research if there are any farms in your area where you can pick your own fruits and vegetables. Use this online tool to find pick-your-own farms in your area.

Buy directly from growers in your area. See if you can find local food growers and producers in your area and buy directly from them.

Look for it (or ask for it) where you buy food. Look for local produce where you shop. Locally owned grocery stores and natural food stores are often more likely to stock local foods. Or you can ask your local grocery stores to stock more locally grown options.

Secret #4 — Choose The Healthiest Inexpensive Foods

Rather than waste money on low-nutrient foods, choose more inexpensive, nutrient-rich alternatives.

13 Affordable, Nutritious Foods to Help You Eat Healthy on A Budget

As you learn how to eat healthy on a budget, try consuming more of these foods, which are packed with good-for-you nutrients:

Sweet Potatoes — This super source of vitamin A grows easily in diverse conditions, so it is often grown free of pesticides. Sweet potatoes can be used in both savory and sweet dishes year round.

Cabbage — One of nature’s best cancer-fighters, cabbage is a powerful anti-inflammatory that’s rich in vitamin C and affordable all year round. And purple (or red) cabbage has the highest levels of antioxidants per dollar. Cabbage is nutritious and delicious raw, cooked, or juiced (the gas-free way to eat it if cabbage creates flatulence issues for you).

Zucchini — This plentiful summer favorite is vitamin-packed and nutritious. It’s mild flavor, affordability, and low score on the glycemic index make it an easy staple to keep around the house. Use a spiralizer to make zucchini pasta or cut zucchini into slices and use them instead of crackers.

Carrots — In addition to being good for your eyes, these well-known veggies are one of the richest sources of carotenoids. Regular intake of this natural pigment is linked with an up to 50% decrease in many types of cancers.

Lentils — These small but mighty legumes are 26% plant protein. One cup of cooked lentils gives you 18 grams of protein. And they’ve been a valuable part of diets around the world since the early days of farming. They’re also rich in iron, fiber, and B vitamins.

Split Peas — These nutritionally powerful legumes are an excellent source of protein, as well as several important minerals and B vitamins. A single cup of cooked split peas provides 65% of the daily value for fiber.

Quinoa — This potent ancient pseudo-grain has as much calcium as a glass of milk and is much easier to digest. It also cooks quickly and is ready to serve in less than twenty-five minutes. Use it in hot casseroles, soups, stews, stir-fries, or cold in salads.

Oats — These grains have more protein and fiber than any other cereal grain, and they contain essential vitamins and minerals. Make your own oatmeal using rolled oats in about 10 minutes, rather than buying instant oatmeal or sugar-packed, ready-to-eat cereals. Or try these Oat Waffles.

Tofu — Tofu is made from soymilk (if you’re concerned about eating soy, see the truth about soy here). It’s a very versatile food and is best used as an ingredient, rather than on its own. To avoid GMO soy (and glyphosate!), get organic tofu.

Flaxseed — Flaxseed is one of the world’s oldest, healthiest, and least expensive superfoods. In fact, flax was one of the original “medicines” used by Hippocrates. John Robbins recommends grinding a few tablespoons in a designated coffee grinder (which is used only for this purpose) every few days and keeping the meal in the refrigerator. You can sprinkle ground flax meal on oats and salads, or mix them into smoothies or casseroles.

Sunflower Seeds — Long a staple food for Native American tribes, sunflower seeds are one of the plant kingdom’s most abundant sources of vitamin E, which has anti-inflammatory effects and neutralizes free radicals, thus protecting brain cells and cell membranes. They make great, easy, healthy snacks. But they can also be used as garnishes or ingredients in many recipes.

Popcorn — Surprised to see popcorn on this list? Commercial popcorn is loaded with large amounts of fat, sugar, and salt — definitely not healthy! On the other hand, air-popped popcorn is an inexpensive, whole-grain product that is low in cost and high in nutritional value. You can pop your own popcorn using an inexpensive air popper. Important note: It’s not a good food to serve children under the age of four because of the risk of choking.

Nutritional Yeast — With its distinctive nutty, cheesy flavor, nutritional yeast is cultivated specifically for its nutritive value. It’s an excellent source of protein, with all the essential amino acids, and an excellent source of B vitamins, too. Use this ingredient in many ways — as a flavoring and thickening agent in soups, sauces, salad dressings, “cheesy” spreads, casseroles, and more. Try this Lasagna recipe with plant-based parmesan made from nutritional yeast.

Secret #5 — Buy in Bulk and Remember Frozen Foods

The next time you go shopping for dried goods, such as lentils, oats, millet, and nutritional yeast, stop by the bulk aisle.

Buying in bulk is usually less expensive than pre-packaged portions.

But don’t assume the foods in the bulk section are always cheaper. You can compare the bulk price per ounce or pound with the packaged price per ounce.

And then, store your dried goods in glass jars so you can easily see what’s in them.

You can also buy in bulk at a farmers market and freeze what you don’t need right away.

Freezing fresh food secures maximum nutrition.

Don’t get me wrong. Local, fresh produce is typically your most nutritious option — and the best way to eat healthy on a budget.

But you can’t always buy local. And when you don’t, you may end up buying fruits and vegetables whose nutritional value has been diminishing daily since it was harvested.

Flash-frozen produce is frozen shortly after being collected, which halts the deterioration process and locks in the nutrients.

A 2015 study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry compared the nutritional value of fresh and frozen produce.

Overall, the vitamin content of the frozen fruits and vegetables was comparable to and occasionally higher than the fresh versions.

In addition to being good for you, frozen produce is affordable and convenient and has a much longer shelf life.

One downside, however, is the texture of frozen vegetables, which does suffer and turn some people away from them.

Secret #6 — Cook Often and Learn to Love Leftovers

Cooking at home is a cornerstone of the healthy kitchen.

Home cooking means:

No waiting for your food that’s been sitting under a heat lamp

Less packaging waste

No need to drive, park, or wait in line

And no need for special requests

Restaurants have high overhead and service costs. When you eat out (or get takeout or delivery), you are paying for much more than the food you’re getting.

Think about how much of the cost of your meal goes to restaurant rent, staffing, insurance, tipping, and delivery costs.

Eating out can be enjoyable. But by making eating out a treat and preparing most meals at home, you can spend thousands less each year on food than those who eat out regularly.

For example, Rachel Morgan Cautero and her husband reported saving $10,000 per year by cooking at home.

Home cooking also makes the ultimate leftovers. And while leftovers have a negative reputation for many people, the truth is:

“Leftovers are a beautiful, caring investment in the future.” — Ocean Robbins

Leftovers are a beautiful, caring investment in the future.

Ocean Robbins

Making extra food and refrigerating or freezing it for later gives you a quick, delicious, nutritious meal when you need it. And taking leftovers instead of going out for lunch is an easy way to save money.

Plus, did you know there’s a scientific reason why cooked foods often taste better the next day?

Chemical reactions continue after the food is cooked. More amino acids are released over time, which enhances the savory umami flavor of a dish.

Secret #7 — Plug-In and Feel the Power

Let’s face it. Multitasking is mainstream. So, why not rely on plug-in kitchen appliances to do their thing while you do yours.

This means no more choosing between yoga and a home-cooked meal. Handy kitchen appliances can be an essential part of effective food routines.

Trying to crockpot garbanzo beans will show you the boundaries of your patience (trust me, I know!). But here’s what you can do: Try using an electric pressure cooker instead.

Electric pressure cookers are bean time machines.

Dried beans are both affordable and versatile. And electric pressure cookers are bean time machines. In thirty to fifty minutes even dried garbanzo beans soften and are ready to become everything from hummus to chana masala.

These protein-packed, cancer-fighting superstars balance any diet, freeze well (once cooked), and keep in the fridge for a week if you salt them.

Even if your counter space is at a premium, the one appliance that should always have VIP parking is your blender.

Whether you power up with an AM smoothie or believe, like I do, that there is such a thing as “soup season” that lasts from October through March (yes, I live in the Northern hemisphere), your blender can be your best friend.

Electric steamers can be an essential healthy kitchen tool. You can pick one up for under twenty dollars, throw in your veggie of choice, set the timer, and walk away.

Most electric steamers also include a stock tray that collects the nutrient-rich liquid-by-product of steaming that can be frozen and used alongside vegetable scraps to make your own vegetable stock.

Broccoli, in particular, is more nutritious when steamed than cooked any other way.

And don’t forget about electric rice cookers. You can load them up and turn on your timer in the morning. And then, you’ll come home to perfectly cooked rice piping hot and ready for you in time for supper. (You can also use them to cook quinoa, millet, or other grains, and even legumes.)

Here’s a tip: VitaClay makes a rice cooker out of clay — so you can steer clear of the non-stick options. If you’re interested, get it here.

NOTE: Don’t forget to look at consumer reviews and product specs before purchasing any kitchen appliance. Prices and features vary. Plus, you may find that the most affordable steamer does everything you want it to do and leaves you extra cash for that fancier blender that basically reads your mind. Or vice versa.

Secret #8 — Do More Yourself: Grow Your Own Healthy Food and Make Some of Your Own Food Products

Gardening is one of the best ways to save money on groceries.

Even if you are not much of a gardener, growing a few herbs or vegetables can save you time and money and help you eat healthy on a budget.

Knowing when to plant what is the is the first step to tasty spring and early summer greens, like chard and spinach, and plentiful tomatoes and zucchini all summer long.

Some of the easiest vegetables to grow are chard, kale, and collards. They don’t require much attention and deliver an amazing amount of nutrients per square foot.

Container gardening and bucket gardening are good alternatives if you have limited outdoor space.

Indoor gardening is another idea. Here’s a guide to help you grow an indoor salad garden year-round.

And if you do have more space, try these tips to start growing your own food.

Even one less ingredient on your grocery list means you’re saving money.

In addition to growing some of your food, making more food items on your own can save you money and be fun.

Fermented foods are great for your gut, but they aren’t always affordable. So why not try making your own?

No-boil quick pickling is a beginner’s best friend. Think refrigerator zucchini pickles, lemony pickled cauliflower, or fermented probiotics made with whatever greens are cheap that week — like this kale kimchi or this beet and red cabbage kraut.

We’re getting in a bit of a pickle over here! #pickledcauliflower #pickledcucumber #carrotkimchi #pickledonions #peckhampickles

A post shared by Wildflower (@wildflowerpeckham) on Feb 22, 2018 at 6:04am PST

On the other hand, canning takes a little more time and effort. But it can be a great way to save money. This online guide can help you learn how.

Other products you can make yourself to save money are nut and seed milks. These are easier to make than you probably think.

Making your own vegetable broth from food scraps is a great way to save money and reduce food waste at the same time.

And if you want to be a little extra adventurous, you can even buy a starter and make your own homemade soy or nut yogurt.

Secret #9 — Discover Food Rescue and Rejuvenation

Instead of letting your produce go to waste, be sure to store them properly and revive them if needed.

Here are some tips:

You can rehydrate wilted greens, like romaine, kale, chard, and bok choy, by soaking them in cold or icy water for up to an hour. The same is true for carrots and celery.

Carrots and celery are best stored in water in a sealed container in your refrigerator from the minute they get there. First, cut off the carrot and celery greens, as well as the celery root. And then, bathe them and change the water every few days.

Also, some fruits and vegetables produce ethylene gas as they ripen. Common culprits include most melons and pitted fruits (apples and watermelon excepted). Produce including asparagus, broccoli, leafy greens, cucumbers, squash, and eggplant don’t do well in the company of ethylene-producing fruits and veggies. So it’s best to keep these food groups separated to delay spoilage.

For more tips on keeping your perishables from perishing, check out this infographic.

Secret #10 — Learn The Beauty of Batch Cooking

While they may be tempting, choosing meal delivery services means you’re overpaying for portions. In fact, the average monthly cost of such services can rival a monthly car payment!

Instead, buying and preparing reasonable ingredients, such as grains, seeds, and dried beans and fruit in bulk, is a better idea.

And this is where batch cooking comes in. Batch cooking means prepping meals or core ingredients and sauces ahead of time. (Often over the weekend for those who work during the week).

Batch cooking may be the end-all-be-all of affordable and time-efficient healthy home cooking.

Learn more about the specifics of batch cooking.

Batch cooking may be the end-all-be-all of affordable and time-efficient healthy home cooking.

Here’s how batch cooking works. If your core ingredients for the week are:

Lentils

Cashews

Brown rice (or ancient grains farro or quinoa)

Broccoli

Onion

You could easily make cashew cheese sauce, broccoli cashew bisque, cashew-based salad dressing (leave out the maple syrup if you want to avoid sugar,) and cashew sour cream in one afternoon.

Pre-cooked lentils save time during the week and are the base of many tasty, international dishes.

You can try Indian Dal, Ethiopian Misr Wat (be sure to use organic canola oil), Middle Eastern Mujadara (remember there are plenty of plant-based yogurts), and Lentil salad (leave out the oil to make this an oil-free dish).

Here’s a tip: Try topping Mujadara with sauteed walnuts and raisins for the Persian variety. This dish is very flexible and can easily be adjusted and modified to taste.

Batch cooking isn’t just for meal making. Don’t be afraid to make a gallon or more of your favorite healthy sauces and freeze them in manageable batches.

Homemade sauces, like teriyaki sauce (find a gluten and sugar-free version here), can be made for a fraction of the cost of store-bought varieties.

Feel free to pass along these healthy eating secrets! Some secrets are meant to be shared.

Tell us in the comments:

What are your favorite ways to save money while eating healthy?

What tips can you share to help others learn how to eat healthy on a budget?

And if you’re inspired, please LIKE and SHARE this article. Together, we can work for healthy, ethical, sustainable food for all!

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