PRIDELY ~ Scottsdale, AZ

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TOP 5 Mistakes to Avoid on Your

Next International Trip

OVERPACKING OVERSPENDING

NOT ENOUGH RESEARCH CARRYING VALUABLES NOT NOTIFYING THE BANK

Whether it’s your first international trip or your fifth, traveling is all about discovering the unknown. It’s no surprise that there can be problems along the way. Extra planning and learning from these common travel mistakes can help you focus on enjoying your trip without worrying.

Mistake #1 is overpacking - too many packed items can be hard to organize and be uncomfortable to travel with. Mistake #2 is overspending - sticking to a realistic budget and leaving room for unexpected expenses is always best.

Mistake #3 is not doing enough research - it’s always safe to do extra research when traveling aborad including weather, laws, and international costs. Mistake #4 is carrying valuables with you while exploring - pick pocketers are notorious for targeting tourists, so keep your valuables locked away safe in your hotel if possible. Most importantly, mistake #5 is not notifying your bank of your international travel plans - otherwise, your debit or credit card may be blocked due to “unusual activity” unfortunately if you don’t do this ahead of time.

Restaurants

Olive & Ivy

Restaurant & bar serving Californian-Mediterranean fare in stylish, bustling quarters with a patio.

7135 E Camelback Rd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251

oliveandivyrestaurant.com | (480) 751-2200

SugarJam The Southern Kitchen

Bakery & bistro serving breakfast, sandwiches & sweet treats in a bright, relaxed space.

15111 N Hayden Rd Suite 170, Scottsdale, AZ 85260

sjsouthernkitchen.com | (480) 948-6210

Culinary Dropout

Cool, British-style gastropub chain with quirky decor, serving inventive cocktails & comfort food.

149 S Farmer Ave, Tempe, AZ 85281

Phone: (480) 240-1601| Web: culinarydropout.com

Have a restaurant you’d like us to feature?

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Sinaloa Restaurant

Unfussy Mexican restaurant specializing in seafood, also offering many traditional classics.

45 W Broadway Rd, Mesa, AZ

Barrio Queen

Mexican standards served in a laid-back chain outlet with a bar & an outdoor terrace.

31 S McClintock Dr, Tempe, AZ

Charleston’s

Relaxed hangout serving classic pub fare, such as burgers, ribs & tenders, plus wine & cocktails.

1623 S Stapley Dr, Mesa, AZ

Chompie’s Restaurant, Deli, and Bakery

Breakfast faves, matzo ball soup & sandwiches make up the menu at this New York-style deli.

9301 E Shea Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ

Café Paris

Low-key French eatery offering a range of sandwiches, eggs, soups & baked goods.

15125 N Hayden Rd, Scottsdale, AZ

Boondocks Patio & Grill

Open hangout with indoor/ outdoor bars, local beers & pub grub, plus pool tables, darts & live music.

4341 N 75th St, Scottsdale, AZ

Hiro Sushi

Small chef-owned Japanese eatery for sake & teriyaki in an intimate setting with a long sushi bar.

9393 N 90th St, Scottsdale, AZ

Jewel of the Crown

Northern Indian fare, including tandoori dishes, served in a warm, art-adorned space with a patio.

7373 E Scottsdale Mall, Scottsdale, AZ

SumoMaya

This stylish, funky choice for seasonal Mexican-Asian fusion cuisine and creative cocktails.

6560 N Scottsdale Rd, Scottsdale

Feb 26-27

AZ Wine and Garden Party

Two-day festival to benefit The Joy Bus & two-days of wine tasting with 15 Arizona wineries pouring over 150 wines in the Garden setting at Singh Meadows along with Arts and Crafts from Arizona Artists. Find us on Facebook for details.

Mar 6

Mask Alive Festival

This festival highlights a variety of local artists in colorful masks that showcase the diverse cultures of the Valley, with dance, music, puppets, and art. Enjoy an afternoon in the park full of multicultural performances, hands-on activities, and delicious local food trucks. For more details on the event, visit culturalcoalition.com/events/mask-alive.

Apr 30

Scottsdale Jazz Festival

Downtown Scottsdale joins more than 196 global Jazz Day celebrations designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Herbie Hancock to celebrate jazz and the role it plays in uniting people around the world. Visit scottsdalejazzfest.org.

May 8

Cinco de Mayo Scottsdale

This is our annual Scottsdale Weekend Cinco De Mayo Bar Crawl, Grab your sombreros and mustaches it is time to shake your maracas off! Come prepared to take back tasty tacos and keep that Scottsdale tequila flowing with your best amigos all day long! Visit pubcrawls.com for info.

Jun 12

Mermaid and Pirate Festival

Fun for the whole family Play and enjoy options for indoor boutique shopping and themed outdoor activities with yummy food trucks. Visit eventbrite.com for details.

FOUR TIPS to help you boost your retirement savings

1. CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR 401(K)

If you happen to have the benefit of a traditional 401(k) plan through your employer, you may be able to contribute pretax money. This can be a huge advantage to your retirement savings plan.

2. OPEN AN IRA

It is a good idea to establish an individual retirement account (IRA) to help invest in your future. You can do either a traditional IRA or a Roth IRA. Take some time to research both options and see what’s best for you.

3. AUTOMATE YOUR SAVINGS

A good idea to help you increase your savings even more is to set automatic payments each month. This will help you grow your money without even having to think about it.

4. SET A GOAL

Understanding and planning ahead of time how much you may need in the future not only can help you better understand why you’re saving, but it also can make the process more rewarding.

6 Most Profitable Blog Niches

Making money online with a blog has never been easier.

There are so many areas you can explore when developing content for a blog. Making a profit from doing this is definitely possible, but it is essential to make sure you are creating high-quality content to help you monetize. Here are some quick tips and ideas to help you get started.

1

Don’t overestimate the value of digital marketing in today’s businesses.

SEO, email campaigns, social media, and influencer marketing are just some of the broad range of strategies used in digital marketing.

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Digital Marketing Blogging for Profit

There are many valuable ways to write and help people make money online.

Some of these blog topics include freelance writing, working as a virtual assistant, and even starting your own online business.

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Jul 4

Arizona Celebration of Freedom in Mesa

The Arizona Celebration of Freedom is known as one of the most spectacular annual celebrations on the 4th of July around Arizona, which guarantees one night of unforgettable free entertainment. The event takes place at the Mesa Convention Center and Mesa Amphitheatre of the city of Mesa. It features breathtaking 20-minute evening laser displays, historical flag presentations, replicas of iconic American buildings, war reenactments, patriotic music, and, of course, mind-blowing fireworks. Visit rove.me for info.

Oct 15

Halloween Fall Festival and Chili Cook Off

Our annual Chili Cook-Off is a day where Long Islanders can enjoy the most diverse, delicious, and creative meat and vegan chili dishes from local food establishments, area businesses, and local talent. Prizes will be given in several categories including a “People’s Choice” award. Details at mhaw.org.

Nov 12

Arts & Crafts Festival

This Arts & Crafts Festival is in the beautiful Dana Park Mall - in front of RA Sushi. This location has great visibility on South Val Vista Drive. . The high end stores, restaurants and specialty shops attract seasonal and year around residents and tourists that appreciate and support your art. Find us on Facebook.

Dec 12

The Paisley Pumpkin Event

All Arizona Holiday Street Fairs will be outdoors in the Streets of SanTan Village Shopping Center. Gilbert, AZ *December events are between Harkins and the Children’s play area. Visit at thepaisleypumpkin.com.

TRANS QUEER PUEBLO

A shelter for LGBT+ migrants of color in Arizona. We create community solutions to solve our basic needs, cultivate the leadership of migrant LGBT+ people of color to transform our needs into community power and fight for social justice for all.

tqpueblo.org

LAMBDA PHOENIX CENTER

The mission of the Lambda Phoenix Center is to provide an inviting, safe, and supportive community space for individuals and families in the Metro Phoenix LGBTQ community recovering from alcoholism and other addictions.

lambdaphx.org

BS WEST

Our goal, hope, and mission all align in the purpose of providing a safe, fun, and delightful experience for all who come through the door. We have an undeniably strong NO HATE POLICY and will not bend or break for ANYONE who walks through OUR Doors.

bswest.com | (480) 945-9028

PHOENIX PRIDE

The main purpose of Phoenix Pride is to promote unity, visibility, and self-esteem among gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer persons; and to promote a positive image in the Valley of the Sun and throughout Arizona through community activities and services.

phoenixpride.org | (602) 277-7433

PRISM COUNSELING & COACHING

Prism Counseling provides counseling for adults, couples, teens, and those in the LGBTQ+ community. We have faithfully been serving the Valley for the past decade. prism-counseling.com | (623) 777-5942

GREATER PHOENIX GAY & LESBIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

GPECC promotes business development to increase economic opportunities for our members, the LGBTQ+ community and all who support business equality.

equalitychamber.org | (480) 648-9423

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Health

& Fitness

Online fitness classes have become more and more popular over time.

There are many areas of fitness content to include such as workout videos, fitness courses, and one-on-one training sessions.

4

Finance & Investing

People are constantly seeking ways to manage their money better.

You can help people manage their money wisely in ways like saving for retirement or making the right investments.

5

Food Recipes

People love to learn about quick and easy meals and diets.

Getting creative with this is the fun part as you can put own twist on popular dishes or share innovative recipes.

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Self Care

There are so many beneficial topics to create content on inlcuding routines, stress management, mindfulness, and journaling.

Now more than ever, people are tapped in to their mental wellness.