Marketing and Sales

COLUMBIA, Md., Feb. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- With less than a week to go before the Opening Ceremony of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (Feb. 12 - 28), consumers around the globe are excited to see athletes compete in everything from figure skating to ice hockey to cross-country skiing and even new events like snowboarding. The games are full of excitement and thrill, but traveling to Vancouver is a challenge for most consumers.

This does not mean you cannot have your own Winter Olympic experience at home. In fact, leading research firm Nielsen Media reported that the Beijing Olympics were the most watched games ever with 4.7 billion viewers. The opening ceremonies, alone, garnered more than 34 million viewers in the United States. Only coming every four years, the Winter Olympics is an excellent opportunity for consumers to enjoy a low cost entertainment experience.

"There are a lot of inexpensive ways to bring the excitement of the Olympics into your own home," says Jenny Realo, executive vice president of CareOne Services. "It all starts with planning, budgeting and a bit of creativity for your family and friends."

Here are some unique money-saving ideas to obtain the Olympic spirit in the warmth of your living room from Realo.

• Gather with friends and neighbors for an Olympic opening or closing ceremony party. Share the excitement of the games with a close group of family, friends or neighbors. If you live in a community or apartment complex, encourage management to host a viewing party in your local club house. You can also rotate viewing parties for Olympic events between your family and friends.
• How about a game of Olympic trivia? Check out sites like Topendsports.com to find fascinating facts about the Olympians and the games themselves. Want to guess what Vancouver's Olympic mascots are? How many athletes have won medals at both the winter and summer Olympic Games?
• Experience the world through a potluck dinner during the ceremonies. Food is a big part of any celebration. Before a viewing party, invite guests to bring an ethnic food representing one of the many of the countries participating in the Winter Olympic Games. You all save by spending less on food and experience some new cuisine. Don't know where to start? Visit Epicurious.com and check out their "Around the World in 80 dishes."
• Hold your own hometown Olympic event. Whether it's blocking off the street for a wagon-pulling race or setting up an obstacle course in the front yard for an eggs-on-spoons challenge, plan for an exciting afternoon of competitive sports to get your family and neighborhood in the winning spirit. Before your hometown Olympic Games, hold an arts and crafts evening at a central location for children to create their versions of the gold, silver and bronze medals using old household items.
• Become a virtual Olympic Athlete. Purchase the official Vancouver 2010(TM) video game, available on most game systems and experience the excitement of Olympic sports like a true gold medalist. No game system? No worries. Visit Olympic.org and play for prizes online.
• Follow the Winter Olympic Games online.There a several great online sites that will offer full coverage of the Games. These include the official site, Vancouver2010.com and social media channels, such as Facebook and Twitter.

Of course, watching the Olympics can inspire you to want to travel this winter. Generally, it costs less to travel in the winter because there is less demand. CareOne financial coach Suzanne Cramer says there are a few things you can do to reduce travel expenses

• Go local. Instead of spending money on an expensive ski resort or any other far away winter destination, search for things to do that are local. There may be a drive-to destination within a few hours of your home that you can make into a day trip or short weekend getaway. Check the National Ski Area Association for a list of resorts in your region at Nsaa.org.
• Check promotions on the local conventions and visitor's bureau Web site or other promotional sites for deals. If you want to visit a specific resort or destination, the local visitor's bureau, local hotels and other local venues may offer special packages or deals targeted at travels to their city.
• Try to travel during the week, instead of during the weekends. Hotels and resorts will most likely offer specials during the weekdays because the weekends will be busier. If you can get a head start on your vacation, take it.
• Do your research and compare amenities and prices. Sign up for travel Web site e-mails, such as kayak.com and expedia.com, which often send great last minute trips. Also, if you're traveling as a family, look into what amenities you'll have to pay for and which ones your hotel or resort offer for free.
• Travel with friends. Book trips with friends who may want to travel as well. You could possibly save on renting certain equipment or even your lodging arrangements.

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For more ways to save money year round and tips to pay down debt, visit www.careonecredit.com.

About CareOne Services

CareOne Services was formed in 2002 to provide consumers with multiple solutions to complex money problems. CareOne Services Inc. boasts a unique Financial Fitness Center that examines each consumer's individual financial situation and develops a personalized solution to help the consumer get out of debt and strengthen his or her financial footing.

CareOne Services has helped millions of customers successfully overcome financial instability and continued giving them the confidence to manage their money successfully. CareOne takes a holistic approach in assisting customers to manage their debt, looking at an individual's situation and creating a solution that is achievable and works. CareOne does not offer to change or improve an individual's credit score. CareOne goes beyond providing the standard debt payment programs, helping consumers address day-to-day life issues that are the result of being in debt along with free educational tools online.

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