Some Americans Find Hawaii Vacations Less Appealing

Above, the Sheraton Waikiki is where I stayed in 2016. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I have only been to Hawaii once in my life. I mainly stayed in Waikiki on Oahu and Kona, on the Big Island.

That was ten years ago this coming May. It appears that I visited Hawaii just in the nick of time before prices skyrocketed.

Nowadays, some American travelers find Hawaii less appealing as a vacation destination.

MSN posted a slideshow article on why this is so.

They begin it with:

Hawaii is becoming one of the most expensive vacation destinations in the U.S., and travelers are noticing. Hotel rates, flights, and daily expenses have all climbed sharply over the past few years.

What once felt like a special but manageable trip now requires a much larger budget. Many repeat visitors say the overall experience no longer matches the price they are paying.

The islands are still beautiful, but the total cost of getting there and staying comfortably has reached a point where people are reconsidering. This growing gap between expectation and reality is changing how travelers view Hawaii as a destination.

To read more, go here. 

Gas Prices Start Their Seasonal Climb

About a week ago, I filled my car's gas tank and the price was $2.279 per gallon in Gallup, New Mexico (photo above).

Since then, the price of unleaded regular in the area fluctuated anywhere between $2.59 to $2.79 per gallon. Still, that is a lot better than paying Commiefornia's ridiculous prices.

According to an article in RV Travel, this is the time where gasoline prices start their seasonal climb.

They begin with:

Gas prices have started their annual spring climb—and, yes, we’re right on schedule.

According to AAA, the national average price for regular gasoline has edged higher as refineries begin switching to summer-blend fuel and spring travel demand builds. It happens most years. It rarely feels good when it does.

The increase so far looks modest. But it signals a shift RVers know well: Once March arrives, pump prices tend to drift north.

 To read more, go here.

Why I Left Commiefornia (One Good Reason)

If anyone wonders why I left Commiefornia, here's a great reason: 

This was at a Conoco station today in Gallup.

Why Campground Rates Keep Rising

Above, at camp at the Moab, Utah KOA Kampground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Inflation has touched many things in our lives. 

A lot of products and services are more expensive, for varying reasons. This also includes campground rates. 

RV Travel has posted an article why campground rates are going up. 

They begin with:

Campground rates keep rising—even for RVers who don’t use the extras. From campground Wi-Fi upgrades to glamping units and luxury amenities, parks are spending more to attract new campers, and longtime RVers are increasingly picking up the tab.

If that sounds blunt, think about the last few years. You roll into a park you’ve used before and the price is up again. The sites are the same size. The hookups work… mostly. But now there’s a shiny new check-in system, a promise of “high-speed Wi-Fi,” and some kind of new “premium” lodging on the edge of the property that looks like it came out of a boutique hotel brochure.

Meanwhile, you’re sitting there thinking: We’re in an RV. We already brought our house.

To be clear, this isn’t an argument against reliable Wi-Fi. Many RVers want it, use it, and depend on it—especially those who work on the road or stay longer than a weekend. Solid infrastructure is part of modern camping. The question isn’t whether Wi-Fi belongs in campgrounds. It’s whether Wi-Fi—and other upgrades—are being used to solve the right problem.

To read more, go here. 

How Much Is A Winchester Model 94 Worth?

Above, buying the Winchester 94 in 2019. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I bought my Winchester 94 carbine .30-30 in 2019 I was on the lookout for a pre-1964 rifle. I was in Albuquerque to catch an early morning flight to Fort Lauderdale to take a cruise to Key West and Havana. 

To give myself something to do, I headed to Ron Peterson Firearms to browse around. While there, I spotted a Winchester 94 made in 1962 on a display shelf. It was in good condition. I verified its age with the serial number. After checking it over, I put it on layaway and picked it up after returning from the cruise. The sale price was $495. 

It is now my favorite rifle. 

I am lucky to have purchased the rifle when I did before the price of pre-1964 Winchester 94s skyrocketed. 

For those wanting to purchase a Winchester 94, Cash For Arms website lists the various models of pre and post-1964 rifles and what one can expect to pay today.

They start it with:

What is the current value of a Winchester Model 94 today? A used Prewar Winchester Model 94 is worth $590 to $3,220, and a used modern Model 94 is worth $260 to $800. A new modern Winchester Model 94 starts at $1,199.99 at retail.

The gun is a classic lever-action rifle introduced in 1894. It’s often compared to the classic Marlin 336 for similar features and handling.

If you’re looking to sell or find the value of your Winchester Model 94, this guide covers the key factors that affect pricing and gives realistic market ranges for both new and used rifles.

To read more, go here. 

US Mint Hikes Silver Coin Prices

Above, a 2025 American Silver Eagle I bought last year. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Over the past several years, I have been buying American Silver Eagle coins each year. The last American Silver Eagle I bought was a 2025.

Based upon the following, it looks like I won't be buying any 2026 American Silver Eagles. 

Resell Calendar reported:

The US Mint dropped massive price increases across their silver lineup yesterday, with some coins rising nearly 90% from previous prices. Silver tripled from $30 to over $90 per ounce in the past year, and the Mint finally adjusted pricing to match. This kills most reselling margins on Mint products going forward and significantly impacts anyone holding subscriptions for automatic shipments.

New Prices on US Mint Silver Proofs

The Mint had been sitting on pricing that didn’t reflect reality. When silver was $30-40 per ounce, selling uncirculated Silver Eagles at $91 made sense. But silver climbed to a record $93.77 on January 14 before settling around $89-90 currently. That’s a 200% increase in basically one year.

The Mint temporarily suspended silver sales earlier this week to implement the price changes. Products started coming back online yesterday with the new pricing. The 2024 Uncirculated Silver Eagle that retailed for $91 is now $169. The 2023 version also jumped to $169 from its previous $91 price point.

To read more, go here. 

California Screws Arizona On Gasoline

Think California's gasoline crisis is confined to just California? Sorry, but it crosses state lines to Arizona (and Nevada).

You can thank Gov. Gavin Newsom and the leftist Democrats in the state's legislature for this. It is all their doing! 

The video below explains it all:

Hawaii Has Become Too Expensive for Middle-Class Travelers

Above, Diamond Head from Waikiki. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was a good thing that I went to Hawaii back in 2016 before the pandemic and Hawaii vacations skyrocketed in cost.

Hotels and resorts have hiked prices as has the state government with various taxes. We know which political party has total control of the state's government (the same one that messed up California). 

It now appears that Hawaii has become too expensive for middle-class travelers. 

Fodors posted an article on this and it begins with:

There’s no denying it: it’s gotten more expensive to visit Hawai‘i since the pandemic. 

In an op-ed for SFGate, contributing editor Christine Hitt poses that very question, noting that average daily hotel rates statewide have risen 25% since 2019, and on some islands, including Hawai‘i Island (the Big Island) and Kaua‘i, the increases are in excess of 50%. 

The state’s tourism promoters have said this is by design, as the state looks for ways to maintain the economic contribution of visitors to the state’s economy without growing their overall numbers. In 2025, they’ve largely succeeded, with total year-to-date visitor spend showing a healthy increase over 2024, with the total number of visitors remaining relatively flat.

But as Hitt points out, that also leaves travelers fewer options if their budgets are more modest—particularly Hawai‘i residents seeking to vacation on other islands, and native Hawaiians wishing to visit friends and family in Hawai‘i after being driven to the continental U.S. by the islands’ high cost of living. 

 To read more, go here.

Gun Industry Holding The Line As Raw Material Prices Skyrocket

Firearms and ammunition have risen in price along with other things. That's no surprise.

However, firearm and ammo manufacturers have been striving to hold the line as the raw materials needed have gotten more expensive.

That is the subject of an article in the NRA's American Rifleman web page.  

They begin with:

The raw material required to manufacture ammunition and firearms has gotten more expensive each year. That isn’t breaking news, but the gun industry’s ability to fight the headwind—avoiding or delaying passing production cost increases along to enthusiasts—says a lot about its increased efficiency and dedication to customers.   

Brass, for example, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) index—which was assigned a figure of 100 to its price in 1986 to serve as a baseline for comparison in subsequent years—increased from 553 in July 2022 to 676 in August 2025. Admittedly both numbers are down from the painful 786 it reached during the pandemic. To put that figure into perspective, the material now costs 6.76 times more than it did in 1986.

To read more, go here. 

Many Americans Unable To Save For Retirement

Above, our senior group cut back on restaurant gatherings from five days to two due to rising prices.

It is getting harder and harder to save money for retirement.

Thanks to inflation, it costs more to buy food, pay for rent, buy a house, healthcare and just everyday living expenses.

CBS News reports that more people are living paycheck-to-paycheck these days and finding it nearly impossible to save for retirement.

They begin with:

Many Americans are eager to put money away for retirement, but that goal is increasingly out of reach because more workers are living paycheck to paycheck, a new Goldman Sachs study finds.

Roughly 42% of younger working Americans — spanning Gen Z, millennials and Gen X — report having no spare savings after covering their basic living expenses, according to the analysis, which surveyed about 3,600 workers and 1,500 retirees. Among those just getting by, about three-quarters said they are struggling to save for retirement, the survey found. 

The share of U.S. workers in this precarious financial position has grown significantly since 1997, when 31% lived paycheck to paycheck, according to Goldman. The investment bank projects that figure could climb to well over half of Americans by 2033 as essentials like housing and health care continue to rise in cost.

To read more, go here.

Wake Up America! Something Is Happening To Gun Prices!

Earlier this morning, this ad at Guns.com popped up:

It is of the same vintage and condition of my Winchester 94 .30-30 1962 carbine. I bought mine in 2019 for just under $500. This was before COVID hit the following year which impacted gun sales and, most importantly, gun prices.

This got me to do some searching around about current gun prices.

Here's a video of a gun dealer discussing current gun price trends:

Norwegian Cruise Line Quietly Adds Fee For Extra Entrées

Above, last year's cruise to the Bahamas with Norwegian Cruise Line. 

It appears that cruise lines are continuing to add extra charges to things usually complimentary or part of the cruise package. Cruise passengers are feeling that they are being "nickel and dimed" with extra fees by cruise lines.

During my cruise to the Bahamas last year, the only extra charge I paid was for a lobster dinner. For two lobster tails, I thought the $25.00 price was reasonable

Norwegian Cruise Line is adding (quietly) adding a $5.00 charge for additional entrees in complimentary main dining rooms.

According to Cruise Hive:

Norwegian Cruise Line has quietly added a new fee to their dining menu that may surprise guests. While it’s expected that specialty restaurants have an extra charge, the cruise line is now charging $5 for any second, third, or more entrees in their complimentary main dining rooms.

The charge is printed on dining room menus, in small print at the bottom, where it might not be noticed at first.

“One entree per guest. Additional entrees will incur a $5 charge,” the menu reads.

To read more, go here. 

Top 12 Survival Rifles Under $300

A new video posted yesterday by Firearms Zone on YouTube discusses 12 "survival" rifles under $300.

It has been ages since I last saw a rifle (or any gun) selling for around $300. I bought a used pre-64 Winchester 94 in 2019 that was in great condition for just under $500. One cannot find the same rifle in the same condition for less than double that price these days.

The video's summary:

In this video, we reveal 12 survival rifles under $300 that prove you don’t need to spend a fortune to be prepared. From budget bolt-actions to takedown .22s and even folding carbines, these rifles deliver real reliability at a price almost anyone can afford.

Some of them are well-known classics, but others are hidden gems most shooters completely overlook. And trust me — when you see which rifle made it to #1, you’ll understand why preppers call it a game-changer.

Japan Sees Surge In Tourist Complaints In 2024

Above, my hotel room in Sasebo, Kyushu. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I have been to Japan eight times since 2001 and I never felt any reason to complain about anything. There are some travelers who like to complain about anything and everything. 

I had read before my first trip that hotel rooms in Japan are smaller than ones in the U.S., so I knew what to expect. I found prices roughly comparable to those in the U.S.

Travel and Tour World has posted an article on a surge in tourist complaints in 2024 over accommodations, pricing and fake goods.  

They begin with:

There has been a noticeable increase in complaints from international visitors to Japan, one of the most visited countries in the world. Consultation requests have increased as a result of problems with lodging, expensive goods, and even fake goods as the tourism sector continues to grow. A record number of enquiries were received by Japan’s National Consumer Affairs Centre (NCAC), suggesting that the visitor experience needs to be improved and awareness raised.

To read more, go here. 

 

Cheap Shooting With A .22 Ain’t So Cheap Anymore

Have you noticed that the cost of ammo is a lot more than it used to be?

Granted, this is the case with everything these days. Even .22 cal. ammo is a lot more expensive. Remember the days when a box of .22 was only 79 cents?

Fortunately for me, I have plenty of .22 shells that I purchased before inflation hit during the pandemic. This is also true with ammo in other calibers that I have purchased. 

This is the subject of an article in Press Pros Magazine.

They begin it with:

If it’s been a while seen you bought a box of .22 shells for hunting or shooting tin cans…you’re in for a surprise.  You need more than a paper route to pay for it.

Short and sweet, fall hunting season is soon to be upon us and some of you will be stocking up on the essentials.

Short and sweet…it’s going to cost more than you remember.  Where simple hunting ammunition is concerned, it might cost so much that you put aside pre-season target practice.  These are not the days of picking up a box of Super X .22s for 79 cents.  And as I write this I’m staring at a box from the 70s, probably from a hardware store in Canfield, Ohio, with 79 cents written on the back in magic marker. Today, you’ll pay ten times that much.

Ammunition of all shapes and sizes are more now than you remember, unless you’re a committed shooter and don’t care.  However, the cost of shooting is making a dent.  I know numerous trap and skeet shooters who have given it up, altogether, simply because a box of 25 trap shells, on average, cost $8.00 a box.  A decade ago they were $5.  Two decades ago they were $30 for a case.

Center-fire ammo prices are extreme, compared to what you remember shooting in your grandad’s 30-30 Winchester.

To read more, go here. 

Are 'All-inclusive' Cruise Deals REALLY Worth It?

Cruising and "sticker shock" seems to go hand-in-hand".

Many things of one's cruise aren't as "all-inclusive" as they may have been led to believe. As the saying goes, BUYER BEWARE!

A cruise ship worker reveals whether "all-inclusive" deals are really worth it in a Daily Mail article.

It begins with:

It often seems like everything is included on a cruise. 

But first-timers might be shocked to learn that 'all-inclusive' doesn't necessarily mean they won't face a bill at the end of their cruise. 

Cruise crew worker, Lucy (@cruisingascrew), has warned cruise newbies that there are lot of things that are 'not included' in the initial package. 

In a YouTube video called 'Cruise Mistakes First-Times Always Make (Don't be that person'), Lucy reveals: 'An all-inclusive cruise is not the same as an all-inclusive hotel on land.' 

So what might not included in the price of a cruise? 

To read the full article, go here. 

Grandpa's Grill In Gallup

Since the local Denny's at the Flying J Travel Center in Jamestown, New Mexico changed their menu, our group has decided to hold our Saturday breakfast/coffee gatherings at Grandpa's Grill in Gallup instead.

Denny's eliminated the senior menu and raised their prices. 

We spend about half of what Denny's charges for breakfast meals at Grandpa's Grill. For example, the large breakfast burrito at Grandpa's Grill is only $9.50. Whereas, Denny's charges about $12 to $15 for anything roughly comparable. And, coffee is a lot cheaper at Grandpa's Grill. 

Here's the gang at Grandpa's Grill this morning:

 

When Are The Cheapest Months To Take A Cruise?

Above, the Celebrity Mercury at Juneau, Alaska in 2001. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When is the cheapest month to take a cruise? 

That is the question and title of an article in USA Today. People who want to take a cruise but want to do so at lower costs will find the article interesting.  

They begin with:

If you’re looking for cruise deals, it pays to pick your sailing dates carefully. Prices can vary based on your cruise line, destination and more – but certain times of year tend to be cheaper than others.

Joanna Kuther, a travel agent and owner of Port Side Travel Consultants, said it’s “all based on the demand.”

“And when you're talking about holidays and when schools are out, when families want to travel together, it's always going to be more expensive,” she told USA TODAY.

However, there are bargains out there if you know when to look for them. Here’s what to know.

To read more, go here. 

Royal Caribbean Tweak That Will Make Your Cruise Cost $60 More

Above, enjoying a cocktail during last summer's cruise to the Bahamas.

Having been on cruises before comes in handy when it comes to adult beverage purchases. One knows what to expect. One friend ran up a several thousand dollar bar tab while on a cruise. He never made that mistake again.

That's why I limited myself to one (sometimes two) cocktails a day while on a cruise. Passengers are charged though their cruise room cards at ship bars. Just because there's no money being exchanged doesn't mean drinks are free. At the end of last year's cruise to the Bahamas, I didn't get any shocking bar charges.

Royal Caribbean is raising prices on cocktails according to Cruise Passenger.

They wrote:

Royal Caribbean general cocktail prices look to be jumping from $14 to $15. 

Royal Caribbean Blog reported seeing the prices jump up, with many of the cruise line’s signature cocktails, which were previously $14, now coming out to $15.

The good news is that drinks packages will be adjusted to cover this change, with packages now to cover drinks purchases up to $15, more than the previous limit of $14. 

Therefore, unless drink package prices rise, this change won’t affect cruisers who purchase a drinks package on their Royal Caribbean cruise. However, it will affect those who opt out of the drinks package. 

To read more, go here. 

Traps That Ruin Hawaii Vacations and Avoiding Them

Above, a hilltop view of Waikiki and Diamond Head. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was a good thing that I took a Hawaii vacation nine years ago instead of during recent years.

I have been reading on how a vacation there has gotten more expensive. Back when I went there in 2016, I didn't feel prices were any worse than anywhere else. But, times have certainly changed. 

There are some traps that can ruin a Hawaiian vacation. Beat of Hawaii lays them out and also tells how to avoid them.

They begin with:

A perfect Hawaii vacation is still possible. But more than ever, travelers find that one slip-up can sour the whole trip, whether in Hawaii or not. That’s not just a gut feeling—it’s backed by data. In a new Go City survey of U.S. travelers, 92 percent said one bad element—like poor service, delays, or surprise fees—could ruin an entire vacation. It resonates with us and it might you too.

Hawaii is clearly high-stakes travel. The flights are long, the price tags are increasingly steep, and the emotional investment is big. So when something does go wrong—even something small—it tends to hit harder than on a weekend getaway.

But it doesn’t have to. Knowing where the traps are found and how Hawaii travelers often stumble, you can design a trip that works for you, your budget, and your high expectations. Here’s how to avoid the most common vacation breakdowns in paradise.

To read more, go here.