How Far Does $100 Go in Your State? - http://clapway.com/2015/07/12/how-far-does-100-go-in-your-state345/

If you are looking for the least wallet-friendly place. According to new research from the Tax Foundation, which is based on information collected by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, $100 in Washington, D.C. is “worth” $15.04 less than it is in the average state. While $100 is worth $84.96 in the nation’s capital, states in the South are a little better off. These numbers are in the context of purchasing power when it comes to goods and services.

SOUTHERN STATES ARE A LITTLE HIGHER THAN THE NORTH AND MIDWEST

In Mississippi, $100 is worth $115.21, which is the highest in comparison to anywhere else in the United States, making it the best state to spend your money. In Arkansas, $100 is worth $114.29 and in Alabama it is $114.03. Georgia is closely behind at $108.81, Louisiana is at $109.65, and North Carolina is at $109.05. All of these states are considerably higher than the national average.

THE NORTH IS A LITTLE bit below THE NATIONAL AVERAGE

In the Northern states of the country, the amount of bang you get for your buck is much lower than in the Southern ones. A hundred dollar bill is worth $86.73 in New York State. In Maine, $100 can get you $102.35 worth of products, making it one of the best states in terms of purchasing power in the Northern United States. The numbers used in this article are to represent the value of goods that $100 can buy in each state compared to the national average.

THE MIDWEST IS CLOSE BEHIND THE SOUTH

California is at $89.05, Nevada $101.83, Colorado is at $97.85 and Idaho at $107.76. A few values for other midwest states are as follows: Wyoming is at $104.38, Oregon is a little above the national average at $101.32, Utah is around $102.88, New Mexico is at $105.26, and Montana is at $105.93.

WHERE DO THESE NUMBERS COME FROM AND WHAT DO THEY MEAN?

The Bureau of Economic Analysis has developed these statistics using information from the Personal Consumption Expenditure and American Community. The data was estimated to average price levels in each state for household consumption, including rental housing costs. This data is accurate as of July 1st, 2015.

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How Far Does $100 Go in Your State?

"A little known fact: In Italy, the wine is cheaper than the water." - http://clapway.com/2015/06/09/florence-travel-on-a-budget/

Travel to another country can be the adventure of a lifetime. It is exciting, full of new experiences and often, exhilarating. Unfortunately, adventure, travel and experiences cost money; if you are traveling overseas, it’ll often cost a lot of it.

Italy, specifically Florence, is no exception. Airfare alone can cost up to more than €1.000. But, once you’re there, rest assured as you can survive on less than €20 a day. You can have your travel adventure on a budget without worrying about the implications it will have on your credit score.

Follow these guidelines for breakfast, lunch, and dinner so you can have a book full of memories, a photo album full of travel adventures and a bank statement that doesn’t make you want to throw up:

Eat Breakfast in a café

Italy is famous for its dark roasted café and scrumptious pastries. Visit any tabacchi, an Italia bodega, and you can get a café Americano for €1 . To any travel enthusiast this is a steal, especially when Americans pay roughly $4 at coffee chains *cough *cough Starbucks…. The croissants are a delicious and delectable way to start the day, too! They can come as simple as plain, or as complex as chocolate hazelnut and range from €1 – €3.

At lunch order a café panini or do it yourself!

In Florence, paninis reign supreme, especially if you visit Gusta Panini in Santo Spirito. You can get a delectable panini for less than €5. Eat it on the steps of Santo Spirito, and you have an experience unlike any other!

If you don’t want to dine on a sandwich every day, then head to one of the many fresh markets. The markets alone provide an incredible experience. Visit the market, grab fresh, homegrown tomatoes and mozzarella di buffalo, throw in some basalmic vinegar and make yourself a caprese salad! In total this will cost you anywhere from €5 – €10. The best part about buying from the market is the price is unbeatable, plus you usually have enough for two or three days worth of lunches! If you travel in summer, you can also pick up some fresh watermelon and asparagus!

Have an apertivo or share a pizza for dinner!

Pizza is a must when traveling to Florence. You usually can only buy it by the slice in a café, not in a pizzeria. If you decide to opt for the pizzeria, you can definitely split it with a friend, or two. If you are feeling famished you can definitely buy a whole pizza pie for yourself. Pizzas range from €1 for a café slice or €2 – €5 depending on what pizzeria you go to. If you split them, the cost is considerably less!

Apertivo is a Florentine staple. It’s like happy hour, only better. You buy a drink, and an entire buffet of food is available to you for the next two hours! Usually apertivo happens around 7:00 p.m. and lasts until 9:00 p.m., and practically every bar in Florence participates. So, grab your friends, order a drink for €6 and load your plate!

Skip the water; order the wine!

A little known fact: In Italy, the wine is cheaper than the water. It is possible to get an entire bottle of wine for €2. If you go to a local wine shop, you can get a bottle for €1. Talk about a steal! As an added bonus, Italy has no open container laws. So, grab a bottle, grab a pizza, grab your friends (or not), and perch yourself on Arno River for an evening of people watching and bliss. If you are dining in a restaurant, split a carafe of wine. The cost will range from €3 – €5 a person, and it is a much better deal!

Eating good food in Florence is not impossible to do on a budget. If you seek out the local shops and restaurants anything is possible! Save your money on every day food, so you can splurge on museums, a nice restaurant or extra gelato in the future. You will have the adventure of a lifetime and plenty of experiences to fill any photo album.

Florence: Travel on a Budget