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$2.25 for a cup of coffee in a local restaurant... $4.20 for a latte (before tax).

This past weekend, I drove to Delaware to see my parents in Bethany Beach and stopped in at the local breakfast spot I frequented back when I lived at the beach full-time.

In those days, coffee was $.75 a cup. Today -- just five years later -- it's $2.25. That's a 300% price increase.

What's more, there's a Starbucks in town now. And there it costs $4.20 for a venti latte, pre-tax. Buy two, and you've just wasted $8.40, which is how much I spent on a hotel room in Buenos Aires, Argentina last year.

In fact, $8.40 will buy you a hotel room in several countries - Argentina, Brazil, Thailand, and India among them.

On Ryan Air it'll buy you a plane ticket from London to over 80 other European cities. (Now, that doesn't include the taxes. With those additional fees, the flights come to $20 or $25 each. In other words: six venti lattes.)

My point here is simply that if you can cut out the veni lattes, you can easily pay for a hotel room in a good-value destination or for your next European plane ticket... and that's not all you can pay for...

The National Coffee Association reports that the average American spends $40 a week in gourmet coffee shops. If your spending habits put you in that group, then you should know: If you started saving those coffee dollars now, you'd have more than enough in your pocket to fly yourself down to our next photography and guidebook writing workshop in March in Bermuda (http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/bermuda).

Or, start brewing your own this weekend, and you might just pocket enough extra cash to pay for your flight to San Antonio next month for our first ever Lucrative Traveler Conference. (The airline tickets are generally affordable. I booked a flight from Baltimore for just $220.)

We've just added two more expert speakers to the schedule -- Gary and Merri Scott. They have been all over the world, traveling for both business and pleasure... and over the past 30 years, they've built for themselves a small empire, combining their savvy import-export skills with publishing and investment know-how.

In fact, they've masterfully transformed their passion for travel into a seven-figure annual income. That's right -- they bank more than a million dollars a year.

And at the same time, they enjoy the freedom to travel when and where their passions take them... to maintain homes both in the States and abroad... and to work together, as a couple, too.

They've successfully imported to the States everything from Rolls Royce cars to clay whistles and papier mache art. These days, they don't import anything that won't fit into a suitcase -- and they'll talk in San Antonio about why they believe that's the way to go... and how you, too, can find small-scale items you can sell for big profits.

For more details about Gary and Merri -- and all the secrets to lucrative travel they and our other savvy speakers will reveal this February in San Antonio -- click here: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/texas

Unfortunately, freelance travel writer Jen Stevens (with whom I've designed this program) has had to duck out at the last minute, due to complications with her pregnancy (she's one week into four months of bed rest). But hot-shot travel writers Steenie Harvey and B. Howard will be on hand, and so I assure you: you won't miss a single secret.

In fact, we've added one more new speaker to the roster in addition to the Scotts. Valerie Young from ChangingCourse.com will be speaking about the thrills and the challenges you face in changing careers and give you some practical steps to take as you make the transition from your current job to a lifetime of travel.

Our aim this February is to teach you the skills you need to build wealth... a new life... a romantic future. You'll find our "triple-barrel approach" to travel -- which combines travel writing, photography, and import-export -- really can provide your escape from the drudgery of 9-to-5... and a six-figure income, too.

Not only will you learn how to make your vacations pay for themselves... but you'll learn how you can make $100,000 or more a year as you explore the world like a VIP... and gain the freedom and flexibility you deserve.

Seats are filling up quickly, and I expect this event to sell out within the next week or so. January 20th marks the end of the Early Bird discount, so I encourage you to act today: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/texas

Plus, keep in mind that you can still take advantage of an additional $500 off the San Antonio event when you listen in on our Lucrative Traveler Teleconference. You'll find details about that at the end of B. Howard's article, below.)

And speaking of B. Howard's article: This week he shares with us his proven list of five ways you can quickly land a by-line and a check.

As always, remember to keep me up-to-speed on your success. If you have good news to share, send me a quick note at lori@thetravelwriterslife.com.

P.S. Know a friend or two who'd enjoy the freedom and independence of a writer's life? They, too, can sign up to receive this free e-letter weekly at: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/eletter

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HOW TO MAKE A SIX-FIGURE INCOME TRAVELING THE WORLD

Learn travel secrets designed to fund your vacations and make you $100,000 or more a year as you explore the world like a VIP.

Last month, five savvy, sophisticated travelers met for a special round-table discussion about the three tools they use to consistently fund and profit from their vacations. To find out how you can get your hands on a recording of that call, visit: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/twcall.

Listen to the call today and you'll receive $500 off our Lucrative Traveler Conference in February. Add that to the Early Bird discount and you'll save a full $1,000.

FIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR A QUICK BY-LINE AND CHECK
By freelance travel writer, guidebook author, and photographer, B. Howard in Cleveland, TN.

If you've been diligently submitting articles and photos to editors and have yet to land a by-line, please don't be discouraged. It takes a certain amount of diligence. I spent three years in search of my first by-line. And I assure you, you can land one in a fraction of that time.

After all, you have at your disposal the insider secrets that make up Jen Stevens' Ultimate Travel Writer's Course: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/sh/tw4 and those, too, that you'll find in my photography course, Turn Your Pictures into Cash: http://www.thephotographerslife.com/tw4

In addition, here are five sure-fire ways you can get your writing or your images in front of the public.

1) Enter photo contests. We talked at length about these last week, but I'll recap here. There are hundreds of opportunities to enter legitimate contests. The organizers don't ask for money, and they do exactly what they say they will do. They will provide you with an honest critique of your work (in most cases), and they provide you valuable experience. And, if you win, you WILL see your photos in print.

I suggest you start with your local paper. The local newspaper here in Chattenooga, for instance, runs a photo contest every year. Perhaps yours does, too. Travel magazines like National Geographic Traveler, Islands Magazine, Budget Travel, and others run contests too.

One of best local contests I know is the annual one run by Kodak in the nation's newspapers. Every year, most of the major newspapers run these contests, usually over a period of several weeks. The idea is that the newspaper staff choose the local winner who then moves on to the next level, and the winner of that level goes on to the national championship.

2) Your small-town newspaper editor is always looking for something new and interesting on a local level. If you can provide him new and exciting articles and images of your local attractions and places of interest, I can almost guarantee he will want to publish them. This will provide you with a by-line for sure, and maybe even a check.

3) Many local coffee shops love to hang work by local artists on their walls. True you'll need to have your images matted and framed. But the local coffee shop is a great place for you to make a sale or two. And what better confirmation of your talent could there ever be than to have someone willing to actually pay you for photographs you shot?

4) The local art gallery is another option. I know of at least four galleries in my home town of Chattanooga that are willing to look at photography by local artists. A good friend of mine made many thousands of dollars of a period of several years in just one such gallery. Look in the Yellow Pages. Grab your portfolio, go visit, take a look at what they are doing, then ask for the owner and make your pitch. Can't hurt, and you just might find yourself with a one-man/woman show.

5) Small online stock agencies are a good place to start too. These days you'll find any number of them willing to take on new and inexperienced photographers. This is a good thing, and you should try to take advantage of the opportunity. It will give you experience in the professional world and it will provide you with a by-line: "my work is represented by..."

They will not pay you very much for your images, but when you are a beginner, who cares? It's the thrill of knowing someone other than yourself likes your work. That's what counts.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: To find out more about breaking into online stock agencies, read issues #90 and 91 in our eletter archives at http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com.]

So, there you are. Lots of opportunities, and plenty of places to show your work and earn a by-line.

You can do this. You CAN see your work in print. Opportunity is knocking. All you have to do is open the door and walk on in.

[EDITOR'S NOTE: If you've been to one of our live photography workshops, you know that B. Howard is extremely generous about sharing his experience with what sells in travel writing and photography. Students from past live workshops have said things like...

"I have taken numerous photography courses, but B. Howard's experience as a photojournalist and his sharing of experiences, advice, and techniques was something I have never encountered in another photo class."

"B. Howard is very straightforward, down-to-earth, experienced, and knowledgeable about the craft and art of taking good, saleable photographs."

"B. Howard is an excellent resource with a lot of useful photography tips and suggestions."

You'll be able to meet B. Howard and four other savvy travelers at the upcoming Lucrative Traveler Conference, February 10-12 in San Antonio. If you act now, you can save $500... For details, visit http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/texas

Note: You can save an additional $500 by listening to our Fund Your Travels tele-seminar. Combine both discounts, and that's a full $1,000 off the workshop cost. For more details about the tele-seminar, visit: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/twcall]

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PREPARING YOUR 2005 TAXES? - HOW TO AVOID FRUSTRATION AND KEEP YOUR MONEY IN YOUR POCKET

Are you taking advantage of the deductions you're entitled to?

Especially designed with Freelancers in mind - Find out where you can save... what the IRS really needs to know... how to make the most of those deductions for travel, meals, entertainment, home office, and more... including practical worksheets you can use to make sure you don't overpay Uncle Sam.

You'll find The Writer's Tax Guide: A Money-Saving Manual for Travel Writers and Other Freelancers here:

http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/tax/tw4

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED TRAVEL PUBLICATION

OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES FOR WRITERS:

HOW TO MAKE A SIX-FIGURE INCOME TRAVELING THE WORLD -- Learn travel secrets designed to fund your vacations and make you $100,000 or more a year as you explore the world like a VIP. Two days ago, five savvy, sophisticated travelers met for a special round-table discussion about the three tools they use to consistently fund and profit from their vacations. In the past, people have paid $1,597 to learn the secrets for mastering just one of these travel tools. But today you're invited to discover three lucrative travel tools... for less than $20: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/twcall

25% OFF WRITER'S MARKET -- AWAI students and ITWPA members receive a 25% discount to the Writer's Market web site at www.WritersMarket.com. When signing up, just use the coupon code WM04G1 to receive $7.50 off the annual $29.99 subscription rate. The 2004 Writer's Market Book can be purchased for $29.99 at:http://www.writersdigest.com/store/booksdisplay.asp?id=10851

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE BUSINESS OF WRITING -- Learn how to find the best story ideas and places to publish them...how and when to follow up with an editor...what you need to know about buying rights, contracts, and agreements...how to use syndication to increase your exposure and boost your earnings...and more. You'll find "The Business of Writing Guide: A Practical Guide for Travel Writers (and Other Freelancers) Ready to Turn Words into Profits" here: http://www.thetravelwriterslife.com/biz/tw4

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The Write Way to Travel

FIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR A QUICK BY-LINE AND CHECK By freelance travel writer, guidebook author, and photographer, B. Howard in Cleveland, TN.

THIS WEEK'S FEATURED TRAVEL PUBLICATION

OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES FOR WRITERS:

FIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR A QUICK BY-LINE AND CHECK
By freelance travel writer, guidebook author, and photographer, B. Howard in Cleveland, TN.